CN109951301B

CN109951301B - Policy and charging control method and device

Info

Publication number: CN109951301B
Application number: CN201711397745.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 郭雅莉; 王胡成
Original assignee: China Academy of Telecommunications Technology CATT
Current assignee: China Academy of Telecommunications Technology CATT; Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-12-21
Filing date: 2017-12-21
Publication date: 2020-10-20
Anticipated expiration: 2037-12-21
Also published as: CN109951301A

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of wireless communication, in particular to a policy and charging control method and a device, which are used for solving the problem of unnecessary service interruption in a session when an occurred event only affects part of specific policy and charging rules. When an SMF entity determines that an event signed with a PCF entity occurs, the SMF entity determines a strategy and a charging rule influenced by the event; the SMF entity reports the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity so that the PCF entity determines a new policy and charging rule according to the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event; the SMF entity receives the new policy and charging rules returned by the PCF entity. Because the embodiment of the invention only interrupts part of the services in the session when the event only affects part of the specific strategy and charging rules, the invention can not affect all the services in the session, thereby further improving the system performance.

Description

Policy and charging control method and device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of wireless communications technologies, and in particular, to a policy and charging control method and device.

Background

The next generation (NextGen) network architecture is a significant change from the existing network architecture, and is mainly embodied in the network architecture of the service interface. In the NextGen core network, a service-based business interaction mode is adopted; for example, a service interface is adopted between an AMF (access and Mobility Management Function) and an SMF (Session Management Function), and service interaction is performed based on a service; a service interface is adopted between the SMF entity and the PCF entity (Policy Control Function), and service interaction is performed based on the service.

After a session is established between UE (User Equipment) and an SMF entity, the SMF entity establishes a corresponding session to a PCF entity, and the PCF entity formulates a policy and a charging rule corresponding to the session and sends the formulated policy and charging rule to the SMF entity; after the session is established, the PCF entity calls the service of the SMF entity to perform event subscription. When the SMF entity determines that the event signed with the PCF entity occurs, the SMF entity uses the corresponding service to report the event to the PCF entity, so that the PCF entity knows the occurrence of the event, and a new strategy and charging rule is formulated for the session. In the prior art, after receiving an event reported by an SMF entity, a PCF entity deletes all policies and charging rules corresponding to the session, and adjusts all services in the session; however, if the event occurs and affects only part of the specific policy and charging rules, the method in the prior art will cause unnecessary service interruption in the session.

In summary, at present, when an event only affects part of specific policy and charging rules, unnecessary service interruption in a session may be caused.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a policy and charging control method and device, which are used for solving the problem that unnecessary service interruption in a session can be caused when an event only affects part of specific policy and charging rules in the prior art.

Based on the foregoing problem, in a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a policy and charging control method, including:

when an SMF entity determines that an event signed with a PCF entity occurs, the SMF entity determines a strategy and a charging rule influenced by the event;

the SMF entity reports the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity so that the PCF entity determines a new policy and charging rule according to the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event;

and the SMF entity receives the new policy and charging rule returned by the PCF entity.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a policy and charging control method, including:

the PCF entity receives an event reported by the SMF entity and a policy and charging rule influenced by the event;

the PCF entity determines a new policy and charging rule according to the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event;

and the PCF entity returns the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a session management function SMF entity, including: a processor, a memory;

the processor is used for reading the program in the memory and executing:

when determining that an event signed with a PCF entity occurs, determining a strategy and a charging rule influenced by the event; reporting the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity so that the PCF entity determines a new policy and charging rule according to the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event; and receiving the new policy and charging rule returned by the PCF entity.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a policy control function PCF entity, including: a processor, a memory;

the processor is used for reading the program in the memory and executing:

receiving an event reported by an SMF entity and a policy and charging rule influenced by the event;

and the PCF entity returns the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a session management function SMF entity, including:

a first determining module, configured to determine a policy and charging rule affected by an event when the event signed with a PCF entity is determined to occur;

a reporting module, configured to report the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event to the PCF entity, so that the PCF entity determines a new policy and charging rule according to the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event;

and the first receiving module is used for receiving the new policy and charging rule returned by the PCF entity.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a policy control function PCF entity, including:

a second receiving module, configured to receive an event reported by an SMF entity and a policy and charging rule affected by the event;

the second determining module is used for determining a new policy and charging rule according to the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event;

and the sending module is used for returning the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable medium may store a computer program, where the computer program is executed by a processor to implement the steps performed by the SMF entity according to the embodiment of the present invention or implement the steps performed by the PCF entity according to the embodiment of the present invention.

When determining that an event signed with a PCF entity occurs, an SMF entity of the embodiment of the invention firstly determines a strategy and a charging rule influenced by the event; reporting the event and the strategy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity; after receiving the event reported by the SMF entity and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event, the PCF entity appoints a new policy and charging rule in a targeted way according to the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event; when the PCF entity receives the strategy and charging rule influenced by the event as part of the strategy and charging rule corresponding to the session, only deleting the part of the strategy and charging rule and re-formulating a new strategy and charging rule, so that when the event only influences part of the specific strategy and charging rule, only part of the service in the session is interrupted, the whole service in the session is not influenced, and the system performance is further improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a network architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a policy and charging control system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a flowchart of a first policy and charging rule control method in a first manner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a flowchart of a second policy and charging rule control method in the first mode according to the embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a flowchart of a policy and charging rule control method in the second mode according to the embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a flowchart of a policy and charging rule control method in a third mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for controlling policy and charging rules for general events according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a first SMF entity according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a first PCF entity according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a second SMF entity according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a second PCF entity according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 is a flowchart of a policy and charging rule control method according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 13 is a flowchart of a second policy and charging rule control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and it is apparent that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 1, in the Network architecture of the embodiment of the present invention, a UE is a User equipment, AN (Access Network) is AN Access Network device (e.g., a base station), a UPF (User Plane Function) is a User Plane anchor point, a DN (data Network) Network element, AN AMF and AN SMF entity are control Plane Network nodes, the AMF is responsible for mobility management and is connected to the UE and the Access Network AN, the smupf entity is responsible for session management and is connected to the SMF, the SMF entity is further connected to a charging system, e.g., AN OCS (online charging system), and the PCF entity is responsible for policy control. And the non-access layer message between the UE and the AMF is transparently transmitted through AN access network AN, and the session management message between the UE and the SMF entity is transparently transmitted through the AN and the AMF.

When an SMF entity determines that an event signed with a PCF entity occurs, the SMF entity determines a strategy and a charging rule influenced by the event; the SMF entity reports the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity so that the PCF entity determines a new policy and charging rule according to the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event; and the SMF entity receives the new policy and charging rule returned by the PCF entity.

In the following description, the matching implementation of the SMF entity side and the PCF entity side is described, but this does not mean that the two entities must be matched, and actually, when the SMF entity side and the PCF entity side are implemented separately, the problems existing in the SMF entity side and the PCF entity side are also solved, and when the two entities are used in combination, a better technical effect is obtained.

As shown in fig. 2, a policy and charging rule control system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:

the system comprises an SMF entity 10, a policy and charging rule determining module and a charging rule determining module, wherein the SMF entity is used for determining a policy and charging rule influenced by an event when the event signed with a PCF entity occurs; reporting the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity so that the PCF entity determines a new policy and charging rule according to the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event; receiving the new policy and charging rule returned by the PCF entity;

the PCF entity 20 is configured to receive an event reported by the SMF entity and a policy and charging rule affected by the event; determining a new policy and charging rule according to the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event; the new policy and charging rules returned to the SMF entity.

After UE establishes conversation in SMF entity, SMF entity will suggest corresponding conversation with PCF entity, and PCF entity makes strategy and charging rule corresponding to the conversation; after the session is established, performing event subscription between the SMF entity and the PCF entity;

specifically, the PCF entity performs the event subscription using the service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Subscribe provided by the SMF entity.

After an event occurs, the SMF entity judges whether the event is signed with the PCF entity, if so, the SMF entity determines a strategy and a charging rule influenced by the event and reports the event and the strategy and the charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity;

wherein, the SMF entity determines that an event occurs according to the following modes:

1. the SMF entity receives the notification of the AMF and determines that an event occurs;

2. the SMF entity receives the notification of the UPF and determines that an event occurs;

3. the SMF entity receives the notification of the OCS and determines that an event occurs.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned manner in which the SMF entity determines that an event occurs is only an example of the embodiment of the present invention, and the manner in which the SMF entity that is intended to be protected in the embodiment of the present invention determines that an event occurs is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and the manner in which other SMF entities determine that an event occurs is also applicable to the present invention.

After determining that an event occurs, the SMF entity determines a policy and charging rule influenced by the event after determining that the event is a signed event with the PCF entity;

the method for determining the policy and charging rule affected by the event by the SMF entity is a method in the prior art, and details are not described here.

It should be noted that, when the SMF entity determines that the event affects all the policy and charging rules corresponding to the session, it determines that the event is a general event; at this time, the SMF entity can report by adopting the method in the prior art, and only reports the event to the PCF entity, and the PCF entity adopts the prior method to control the strategy and the charging rule; or the SMF entity may report all the policy and charging rules corresponding to the session to the PCF entity.

For example, after the session establishment of the UE is completed, after the SMF entity determines that an event occurs, the event is that the IP address of the UE changes, the SMF entity determines that the event affects all policy and charging rules corresponding to the session, and determines that the event is a general event, the SMF entity reports the event to the PCF entity, and the PCF entity makes a new policy and charging rule for the session;

or after the session establishment of the UE is completed, after the SMF entity determines that an event occurs, the event is that the charge limit is exhausted; if the method in the prior art is adopted, the SMF entity reports the event of using up the expense amount to the PCF entity, and the PCF entity can be used for terminating all services of the UE; and if the SMF entity determines that the event is only the expense quota exhaustion related to the WeChat and only the service policy and the charging rule related to the WeChat are influenced, the event is influenced to report the service policy and the charging rule related to the WeChat to the PCF entity.

Correspondingly, after receiving the event reported by the SMF entity and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event, the PCF entity formulates a new policy and charging rule according to the event reported by the SMF entity and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event;

it should be noted that the PCF entity makes a new policy and charging rule according to the event reported by the SMF entity and the policy and charging rule affected by the event, where the new policy and charging rule is only a part of the policy and charging rule corresponding to the session; the specific way for the PCF entity to formulate a new policy and charging rule according to the event reported by the SMF entity and the policy and charging rule affected by the event may be the existing way, and is not described in detail herein.

For example, the PCF entity issues a plurality of policy and charging rules to the SMF entity, and when the event corresponding to the policy and charging Rule1 is that the charge quota is used up, the event reported by the SMF entity is that the charge quota is used up, and the policy and charging Rule1 affected by the event is reported. The PCF entity may only delete this Rule1 or update this Rule1 according to the event reported by the SMF entity and the corresponding Rule1 of the policy and charging Rule, and other policies and charging rules are not affected, and the service corresponding to other policies and charging rules is not affected by this event and generates an interruption phenomenon.

In implementation, when reporting the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event to the PCF entity, the SMF entity reports the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event to the PCF entity using the same or different services;

specifically, the SMF entity uses different services to report events and policy and charging rules affected by the events respectively; or the SMF entity uses the same service to report the event and the strategy and charging rule influenced by the event at the same time;

the embodiments of the present invention provide several optional ways for the SMF entity to report the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event, which are described in detail below.

The first method is as follows:

the SMF entity uses self event reporting service to report the event to the PCF entity; and the SMF entity uses the rule request service provided by the PCF entity to report the policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity.

Correspondingly, the PCF entity receives the event reported by the SMF entity by using the event reporting service of the SMF entity; and the PCF entity receives the policy and charging rule influenced by the event reported by the SMF entity using the rule request service provided by the PCF entity.

In the first mode, the SMF entity uses different services to respectively report the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event; correspondingly, the PCF entity receives the event reported by the SMF entity using different services and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event.

Optionally, the SMF entity reports the event to the PCF entity using an event reporting service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify provided by the SMF entity; correspondingly, the PCF entity receives an event reported by a service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify, wherein the event is used by the SMF entity to report;

the SMF entity uses a rule Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request provided by the PCF entity to report a policy and charging rule influenced by the event; correspondingly, the PCF entity receives the strategy and charging rules influenced by the event reported by the SMF entity using the rule Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request.

In implementation, the SMF entity invokes the service provided by the PCF entity according to the following:

when the PCF entity is initially started or is updated subsequently in the network, the PCF entity registers the service information which can be provided by the PCF entity into a network function warehouse in the network. After the UE accesses the network, the SMF entity may access the network function repository to select a PCF entity for the UE and obtain a list of services that the PCF entity can provide. Subsequently, when an event occurs, the SMF entity may invoke an appropriate service to communicate with the PCF entity according to the obtained list of services that the PCF entity can provide.

The SMF entity uses different services to respectively report the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity, and after the PCF entity respectively receives the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event, the PCF entity needs to determine the corresponding relation between the event and the influenced policy and charging rule;

the SMF entity of the embodiment of the present invention may notify the corresponding relationship between the event and the affected policy and charging rule in the following manner:

the SMF entity informs the PCF entity of the corresponding relation between the event and the strategy and the charging rule influenced by the event in a mode of reporting the identification of the strategy and the charging rule.

Optionally, when the SMF entity reports an event to the PCF entity using the event reporting service, the SMF entity reports an identifier of a policy and charging rule affected by the event to the PCF entity using the event reporting service;

correspondingly, when the PCF entity receives an event reported by the SMF entity using the event reporting service of the SMF entity, the PCF entity receives an identifier of a policy and charging rule affected by the event reported by the SMF entity using the event reporting service.

Each strategy and charging rule has a unique corresponding identifier, and the corresponding relationship between the strategy and the charging rule and the identifier is predetermined.

Specifically, the SMF entity uses its own event reporting service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify to report the event and the identifier of the policy and charging rule affected by the event to the PCF entity at the same time; the PCF entity receives the event reported by the SMF entity using the event reporting service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify and the identification of the policy and charging rule influenced by the event.

For example, after the SMF entity establishes a session with the PCF entity, after the SMF entity determines that an event signed with the PCF entity occurs, the SMF entity determines that an event of using up a charge amount occurs, and the policy and charging rule that the SMF entity determines that the event of using up the charge amount affects includes: a policy and charging rule A, a policy and charging rule B, and a policy and charging rule C; and the identifier of the policy and charging rule a is "a", the identifier of the policy and charging rule B is "B", and the identifier of the policy and charging rule C is "C";

then, the SMF entity reports the event of using up the charge amount, the identifier "a" of the policy and charging rule a, the identifier "b" of the policy and charging rule a, and the identifier "c" of the policy and charging rule a to the PCF entity by using its own event reporting service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify; and the SMF entity uses the rule Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request provided by the PCF entity to report the policy and charging rule influenced by the event: a policy and charging rule A, a policy and charging rule B, and a policy and charging rule C;

correspondingly, the PCF entity receives an event that the SMF entity reports the used-up charge amount to the PCF entity by using an event reporting service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify provided by the SMF entity, and an identifier 'a' of the policy and charging rule A, an identifier 'b' of the policy and charging rule A and an identifier 'c' of the policy and charging rule A; and the PCF entity receives the policy and charging rules influenced by the event reported by the SMF entity using the rule Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request: a policy and charging rule A, a policy and charging rule B, and a policy and charging rule C; therefore, the PCF entity can determine the corresponding relation between the event and the policy and the charging rule influenced by the event through the received identifier of the policy and the charging rule.

And secondly, the SMF entity informs the PCF entity of the corresponding relation between the event and the strategy and the charging rule influenced by the event in a mode of reporting the association identifier between the event and the strategy and the charging rule influenced by the event.

Optionally, when the SMF entity reports an event to the PCF entity using its own event reporting service, the SMF entity reports the event to the PCF entity using the event reporting service and an association identifier between the policy and the charging rule affected by the event; when the SMF entity uses the rule request service provided by the PCF entity to report the strategy and the charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity, the SMF entity uses the rule request service to report the event and the associated identifier between the strategy and the charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity;

correspondingly, when the PCF entity receives the event reported by the SMF entity by using the event reporting service provided by the SMF entity, the PCF entity receives the event reported by the SMF entity by using the event reporting service and the associated identifier between the strategy and the charging rule influenced by the event; and when the PCF entity receives the policy and charging rule influenced by the event reported by the SMF entity using the rule request service provided by the PCF entity, the PCF entity receives the association identifier between the event reported by the SMF entity using the rule request service and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event.

It should be noted that, the SMF entity uses the event reporting service to report the event and the association identifier between the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event to the PCF entity at the same time; the SMF entity uses the rule request service provided by the PCF entity and reports the strategy and the charging rule influenced by the event and the association identifier between the strategy and the charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity at the same time; and aiming at the same event, the event reported by the two services is the same as the association identifier between the strategy and the charging rule influenced by the event.

Specifically, when the SMF entity uses the self event reporting service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify to report the event to the PCF entity, the SMF entity uses the event reporting service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify to report the event to the PCF entity, and the association identifier between the event and the policy and the charging rule influenced by the event; and when the SMF entity uses the rule Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request provided by the PCF entity to report the policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity, the SMF entity uses the rule Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request to report the event and the associated identifier between the policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity.

For example, after the SMF entity establishes a session with the PCF entity, after the SMF entity determines that an event signed with the PCF entity occurs, the SMF entity determines that an event of using up a charge amount occurs, and the policy and charging rule that the SMF entity determines that the event of using up the charge amount affects includes: a policy and charging rule A, a policy and charging rule B, and a policy and charging rule C; the SMF entity uses the association identifier '1' as the association identifier between the event of the used up expense quota and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event of the used up expense quota;

then, the SMF entity uses its own event reporting service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify to report the event of the used up expense amount and the associated identifier "1" to the PCF entity; and the SMF entity uses a rule Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request provided by the PCF entity to report a policy and charging rule and an associated identifier '1' influenced by the event;

correspondingly, the PCF entity receives an event and an associated identifier '1', wherein the event and the associated identifier are used up, and the event reporting service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify provided by the SMF entity is used by the SMF entity to report the cost limit to the PCF entity; and the PCF entity receives the policy and charging rule and the associated identifier '1', which are influenced by the event reported by the SMF entity using the rule Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request; therefore, the PCF entity can determine the event and the corresponding relationship between the policy and the charging rule affected by the event by associating the identifier "1".

After receiving the event reported by the SMF entity and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event, the PCF entity determines a new policy and charging rule according to the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event and returns the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity;

optionally, corresponding to the first mode, the PCF entity returns a new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity in the following manner:

the PCF entity uses the rule request service to return a new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

Correspondingly, the SMF entity receives a new policy and charging rule returned by the PCF entity using the rule request service.

Wherein the rule requests a service provided for the PCF entity;

the PCF entity returns a new service used by the strategy and the charging rule, which is the same as the service used by the strategy and the charging rule influenced by the event reported by the SMF entity;

in implementation, the SMF entity uses a rule Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request provided by the PCF entity to report a policy and charging rule affected by an event to the PCF entity; after the PCF entity determines a new policy and charging rule according to the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event, the PCF entity directly uses the rule to Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request to return the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

The following describes a policy and charging rule control method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Example 1:

the policy and charging rule method of the embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 3 includes:

step 301, after the SMF entity establishes a session with the PCF entity, the PCF entity performs an event subscription to the SMF entity using the service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Subscribe provided by the SMF entity;

for example, the PCF entity may sign an event such as a change in the IP address of the UE, a change in the type of the UE access network, and exhaustion of the charge amount to the SMF entity;

step 302, the SMF entity determines the occurrence of the event signed with the PCF entity;

step 303, the SMF entity determines the policy and charging rules affected by the event;

step 304, the SMF entity reports the event and the identifier of the policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity by using the self event reporting service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify;

step 305, the SMF entity uses the rule Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request provided by the PCF entity to report the policy and charging rule affected by the event to the PCF entity;

wherein, the step 304 and the step 305 are not in sequence, or the step 304 and the step 305 are performed simultaneously;

step 306, the PCF entity determines new policy and charging rules according to the events reported by the SMF entity and the policy and charging rules affected by the events;

step 307, the PCF entity uses the rule Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request to return a new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

Example 2:

the policy and charging rule method of the embodiment of the present invention shown in fig. 4 includes:

step 401, after the SMF entity establishes a session with the PCF entity, the PCF entity invokes a service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Subscribe provided by the SMF entity to perform an event subscription to the SMF entity;

step 402, the SMF entity determines the event of signing with the PCF entity;

step 403, the SMF entity determines the policy and charging rules affected by the event;

step 404, the SMF entity reports the event and the associated identifier between the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event to the PCF entity by using the self event reporting service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify;

step 405, the SMF entity uses the rule Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request provided by the PCF entity, and reports the policy and charging rule affected by the event and the association identifier between the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event to the PCF entity;

wherein, the step 404 and the step 405 do not distinguish the sequence, or the step 304 and the step 305 are performed simultaneously;

step 406, the PCF entity determines a new policy and charging rule according to the event reported by the SMF entity and the policy and charging rule affected by the event;

step 407, the PCF entity uses the rule Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request to return a new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

The second method comprises the following steps:

the SMF entity uses the self event reporting service to report the event and the strategy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity at the same time;

correspondingly, the PCF entity receives the event reported by the SMF entity using the event reporting service of the SMF entity and the policy and charging rule affected by the event.

In the second mode, the SMF entity uses the same service to report the event and the strategy and charging rule influenced by the event at the same time; correspondingly, the PCF entity receives the event reported by the same service used by the SMF entity and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event.

Optionally, the SMF entity reports the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event to the PCF entity by using an event reporting service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify provided by the SMF entity; correspondingly, the PCF entity receives the event reported by the SMF entity using the event reporting service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event.

optionally, corresponding to the second method, the PCF entity returns a new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity in the following manner:

the PCF entity uses the own rule notification service to return the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

Correspondingly, the SMF entity receives the new policy and charging rules returned by the PCF entity using the rules provided by the PCF entity to inform the service.

The PCF entity returns the service used by the new strategy and the charging rule, which is different from the service used by the strategy and the charging rule influenced by the event reported by the SMF entity.

In implementation, the SMF entity uses an event reporting service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify provided by the SMF entity to report an event and a policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity; the PCF entity uses its own provided rules notification service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ UpdateNotify to return new policy and charging rules to the SMG.

The following describes a policy and charging rule control method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Example 3:

the policy and charging rule method of the embodiment of the present invention shown in fig. 5 includes:

step 501, after the SMF entity and the PCF entity establish a session, the PCF entity invokes a service Nsmf _ evendexposure _ Subscribe provided by the SMF entity to perform an event subscription to the SMF entity;

step 502, the SMF entity determines the occurrence of an event signed with the PCF entity;

step 503, the SMF entity determines the policy and charging rules affected by the event;

step 504, the SMF entity reports the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event to the PCF entity by using its own event reporting service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify;

step 505, the PCF entity determines new policy and charging rules according to the events reported by the SMF entity and the policy and charging rules affected by the events;

step 506, the PCF entity uses the rule notification service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ UpdateNotify provided by itself to return the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

The third method comprises the following steps:

the rule request service provided by the PCF entity reports the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity at the same time;

correspondingly, the PCF entity receives the event reported by the SMF entity using the rule request service of the PCF entity and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event.

In the third mode, the SMF entity uses the same service to report the event and the strategy and charging rule influenced by the event at the same time; correspondingly, the PCF entity receives the event reported by the same service used by the SMF entity and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event.

Optionally, the SMF entity uses a rule Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request provided by the PCF entity to report the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event to the PCF entity; correspondingly, the PCF entity receives an event reported by the SMF entity using the rule Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request at the same time and a policy and charging rule influenced by the event.

optionally, corresponding to the third method, the PCF entity returns a new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity in the following manner:

the PCF entity uses the rule request service to return the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

Correspondingly, the SMF entity receives the new policy and charging rule returned by the rule request service of the PCF entity by using the rule request service of the PCF entity.

Wherein the rule requests a service provided for the PCF entity;

the PCF entity returns a new service used by the strategy and the charging rule, which is the same as the service used by the strategy and the charging rule which are influenced by the event reported by the SMF entity;

in implementation, the SMF entity uses a rule Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request provided by the PCF entity to report an event and a policy and charging rule affected by the event to the PCF entity at the same time; after the PCF entity determines a new policy and charging rule according to the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event, the PCF entity directly uses the rule to Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request to return the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

Example 4:

the policy and charging rule method of the embodiment of the present invention shown in fig. 6 includes:

step 601, after the SMF entity and the PCF entity establish a session, the PCF entity calls a service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Subscripte provided by the SMF entity to sign an event to the SMF entity;

step 602, the SMF entity determines that an event signed with a PCF entity occurs;

step 603, the SMF entity determines the policy and charging rule influenced by the event;

step 604, the SMF entity uses the rule Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request provided by the PCF entity to report the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event to the PCF entity;

step 605, the PCF entity determines a new policy and charging rule according to the event reported by the SMF entity and the policy and charging rule affected by the event;

step 606, the PCF entity uses the rule Request service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Request to return a new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

In addition, after the session between the SMF entity and the PCF entity is established, after determining that the event signed with the PCF entity has occurred, and when determining the policy and charging rules affected by the event, if it is determined that the event affects all the policy and charging rules corresponding to the session, then the event is called a general event; for example, events such as a change in the IP address of the UE and a change in the type of the UE access network are general events;

after the general event occurs, any one of the above manners may be adopted for policy and charging rule control.

Or, after the occurrence of the general event, the embodiment of the present invention may further perform policy and charging rule control in the following manner:

after the general event occurs, the SMF entity reports the event to the PCF entity; the PCF entity determines new policy and charging rules based on the received events.

It should be noted that, after the occurrence of the general event, the SMF entity only reports the event to the PCF entity; after the general event occurs, the PCF entity needs to determine all the policies and charging rules corresponding to the session.

Specifically, the SMF entity uses its own event reporting service Nsmf _ eventeissue _ Notify to report an event to the PCF entity;

the PCF entity determines a new policy and charging rule, and the PCF entity uses the rule provided by the PCF entity to inform the service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ UpdateNotify to return the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

As shown in fig. 7, the embodiment of the present invention provides a method for performing policy and charging rule control when a general event occurs.

Step 701, after the SMF entity and the PCF entity establish a session, the PCF entity invokes a service Nsmf _ evendexposure _ Subscribe provided by the SMF entity to perform an event subscription to the SMF entity;

for example, the PCF entity may sign an event such as a change in the IP address of the UE, a change in the type of the UE access network, etc. to the SMF entity;

step 702, the SMF entity determines the event of signing with the PCF entity;

step 703, the SMF entity determines the policy and charging rule affected by the event, and determines that the event is a general event;

step 704, the SMF entity reports the event to the PCF entity using its own event reporting service Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify;

step 705, the PCF entity determines new policy and charging rules according to the events reported by the SMF entity;

step 706, the PCF entity uses the rule notification service Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ UpdateNotify provided by itself to return the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

As shown in fig. 8, a first SMF entity according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a processor 800, a memory 801, and a bus interface.

The processor 800 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 801 may store data used by the processor 800 in performing operations. The bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, particularly linked together by various circuits of the one or more processors 800 and the one or more memories 801. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripherals, voltage regulators, power management circuits, and the like, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The processor 800 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 801 may store data used by the processor 800 in performing operations.

The processes disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention may be applied to processor 800, or implemented by processor 800. In implementation, the steps of the signal processing flow may be implemented by integrated logic circuits of hardware or instructions in the form of software in the processor 800. The processor 800 may be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or the like that may implement or perform the methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The steps of a method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present invention may be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module may be located in ram, flash memory, rom, prom, or eprom, registers, etc. storage media as is well known in the art. The storage medium is located in the memory 801, and the processor 800 reads the information in the memory 801 and completes the steps of the signal processing flow in combination with the hardware thereof.

Specifically, the processor 800 is configured to read the program in the memory 801 and execute:

Optionally, the processor 800 is specifically configured to:

using the event reporting service of the SMF entity to report the event to the PCF entity; and using the rule request service provided by the PCF entity to report the policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity;

the processor 800 is specifically configured to:

and receiving the new policy and charging rule returned by the PCF entity by using the rule request service.

Optionally, the processor 800 is further configured to:

and when the event reporting service of the SMF entity is used for reporting the event to the PCF entity, the event reporting service is used for reporting the identifier of the strategy and the charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity.

Optionally, the processor 800 is further configured to:

when reporting the event to the PCF entity by using the event reporting service of the SMF entity, reporting the event and the associated identifier between the policy and the charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity by using the event reporting service;

the processor 800 is further configured to:

and when reporting the policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity by using the rule request service provided by the PCF entity, reporting the association identifier between the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity by using the rule request service.

Optionally, the processor 800 is specifically configured to:

using the event reporting service of the SMF entity to report the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity at the same time;

the processor 800 is specifically configured to:

and receiving the new policy and charging rule returned by the PCF entity using the rule notification service provided by the PCF entity.

Optionally, the processor 800 is specifically configured to:

using the rule request service provided by the PCF entity to report the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity at the same time;

the processor 800 is specifically configured to:

and receiving the new policy and charging rule returned by the rule request service provided by the PCF entity.

As shown in fig. 9, a first PCF entity according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a processor 900, a memory 901, and a bus interface.

The processor 900 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 901 may store data used by the processor 900 in performing operations. The bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, particularly linked together by various circuits of one or more processors 900 and one or more memories 901. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripherals, voltage regulators, power management circuits, and the like, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The processor 900 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 901 may store data used by the processor 900 in performing operations.

The processes disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention may be applied to the processor 900, or implemented by the processor 900. In implementation, the steps of the signal processing flow may be performed by integrated logic circuits of hardware or instructions in the form of software in the processor 900. The processor 900 may be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or the like that may implement or perform the methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The steps of a method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present invention may be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module may be located in ram, flash memory, rom, prom, or eprom, registers, etc. storage media as is well known in the art. The storage medium is located in the memory 901, and the processor 900 reads the information in the memory 901 and completes the steps of the signal processing flow in combination with the hardware thereof.

Specifically, the processor 900 is configured to read a program in the memory 901 and execute:

and the PCF entity returns the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

Optionally, the processor 900 is specifically configured to:

receiving the event reported by the SMF entity by using the event reporting service of the SMF entity; receiving a policy and charging rule influenced by the event reported by the SMF entity using the rule request service provided by the PCF entity;

the processor 900 is specifically configured to:

returning the new policy and charging rules to the SMF entity using the rule request service.

Optionally, the processor 900 is further configured to:

and when the event reported by the SMF entity using the event reporting service of the SMF entity is received, receiving the identifier of the policy and charging rule influenced by the event reported by the SMF entity using the event reporting service.

Optionally, the processor 900 is further configured to:

when the event reported by the SMF entity using the event reporting service of the SMF entity is received, receiving an association identifier between the event reported by the SMF entity using the event reporting service and a policy and charging rule influenced by the event;

the processor 900 is further configured to:

and when receiving the policy and charging rule influenced by the event reported by the SMF entity using the rule request service provided by the PCF entity, receiving the association identifier between the event reported by the SMF entity using the rule request service and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event.

Optionally, the processor 900 is specifically configured to:

receiving the event reported by the SMF entity using the event reporting service of the SMF entity and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event;

the processor 900 is specifically configured to:

and returning the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity by using the rule notification service of the PCF entity.

Optionally, the processor 900 is specifically configured to:

receiving the event reported by the SMF entity using the rule request service provided by the PCF entity and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event;

the processor 900 is specifically configured to:

As shown in fig. 10, a second SMF entity according to the embodiment of the present invention includes:

a first determining module 1001, configured to determine a policy and charging rule affected by an event when the event signed with a PCF entity is determined to occur;

a reporting module 1002, configured to report the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event to the PCF entity, so that the PCF entity determines a new policy and charging rule according to the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event;

a first receiving module 1003, configured to receive the new policy and charging rule returned by the PCF entity.

Optionally, the reporting module 1002 is specifically configured to:

the first receiving module 1003 is specifically configured to:

Optionally, the reporting module 1002 is further configured to:

the reporting module 1002 is further configured to:

Optionally, the reporting module 1002 is specifically configured to:

the first receiving module 1003 is specifically configured to:

Optionally, the reporting module 1002 is specifically configured to:

the first receiving module 1003 is specifically configured to:

As shown in fig. 11, a second PCF entity according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:

a second receiving module 1101, configured to receive an event reported by an SMF entity and a policy and charging rule affected by the event;

a second determining module 1102, configured to determine a new policy and charging rule according to the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event;

a sending module 1103, configured to return the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

Optionally, the second receiving module 1101 is specifically configured to:

the sending module 1103 is specifically configured to:

Optionally, the second receiving module 1101 is further configured to:

the sending module 1103 is further configured to:

Optionally, the second receiving module 1101 is specifically configured to:

the sending module 1103 is specifically configured to:

Optionally, the second receiving module 1101 is specifically configured to:

the sending module 1103 is specifically configured to:

A computer-readable storage medium according to an embodiment of the present invention stores thereon a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps performed by an SMF entity according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A computer-readable storage medium of an embodiment of the present invention stores thereon a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, performs steps performed by a PCF entity of an embodiment of the present invention.

Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present invention further provides a policy and charging control method, and since the device corresponding to the method is the SMF entity in the policy and charging control system of the embodiment of the present invention, and the principle of the method for solving the problem is similar to that of the device, the method can be implemented with reference to the implementation of the device, and repeated details are not repeated.

As shown in fig. 12, a first policy and charging control method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:

step 1201, when the SMF entity determines that an event signed with a PCF entity occurs, the SMF entity determines a policy and charging rule affected by the event;

step 1202, the SMF entity reports the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event to the PCF entity, so that the PCF entity determines a new policy and charging rule according to the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event;

step 1203, the SMF entity receives the new policy and charging rule returned by the PCF entity.

Optionally, the reporting, by the SMF entity, the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event to the PCF entity includes:

the SMF entity uses self event reporting service to report the event to the PCF entity; the SMF entity uses the rule request service provided by the PCF entity to report the policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity;

the SMF receiving the new policy and charging rule returned by the PCF entity includes:

and the SMF entity receives the new policy and charging rule returned by the PCF entity by using the rule request service.

Optionally, when the SMF entity reports the event to the PCF entity using its own event reporting service, the method further includes:

and the SMF entity reports the identifier of the strategy and the charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity by using the event reporting service.

the SMF entity reports the event and the associated identifier between the strategy and the charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity by using the event reporting service;

when the SMF entity uses the rule request service provided by the PCF entity to report the policy and charging rule affected by the event to the PCF entity, the method further comprises:

and the SMF entity reports the event and the association identifier between the policy and the charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity by using the rule request service.

and the SMF entity receives the new policy and charging rule returned by the PCF entity by using the rule notification service provided by the PCF entity.

the SMF entity uses the rule request service provided by the PCF entity to report the event and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event to the PCF entity simultaneously;

and the SMF entity receives the new policy and charging rule returned by the rule request service provided by the PCF entity by using the PCF entity.

Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present invention further provides a policy and charging control method, and since the device corresponding to the method is the PCF entity in the policy and charging control system of the embodiment of the present invention, and the principle of the method for solving the problem is similar to that of the device, the implementation of the method can refer to the implementation of the device, and repeated details are not repeated.

As shown in fig. 13, a second policy and charging control method according to the embodiment of the present invention includes:

step 1301, the PCF entity receives an event reported by the SMF entity and a policy and charging rule influenced by the event;

step 1302, the PCF entity determines a new policy and charging rule according to the event and the policy and charging rule affected by the event;

step 1303, the PCF entity returns the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

Optionally, the receiving, by the PCF entity, the event reported by the SMF entity and the policy and charging rule affected by the event includes:

the PCF entity receives the event reported by the SMF entity by using the event reporting service of the SMF entity; the PCF entity receives the strategy and charging rule influenced by the event reported by the SMF entity using the rule request service provided by the PCF entity;

the PCF entity returns the new policy and charging rules to the SMF entity, including:

and the PCF entity uses the rule request service to return the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

Optionally, when the PCF entity receives the event reported by the SMF entity using the event reporting service of the SMF entity, the method further includes:

and the PCF entity receives the identifier of the strategy and the charging rule influenced by the event reported by the SMF entity by using the event reporting service.

the PCF entity receives the association identifier between the event reported by the SMF entity by using the event reporting service and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event;

when the PCF entity receives the policy and charging rules affected by the event reported by the SMF entity using the rule request service provided by the PCF entity, the method further comprises:

and the PCF entity receives the association identifier between the event reported by the SMF entity using the rule request service and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event.

the PCF entity receives the event reported by the SMF entity using the event reporting service of the SMF entity and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event;

and the PCF entity uses the own rule notification service to return the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

the PCF entity receives the event reported by the SMF entity using the rule request service provided by the PCF entity and the policy and charging rule influenced by the event;

The present application is described above with reference to block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatus (systems) and/or computer program products according to embodiments of the application. It will be understood that one block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, and/or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, the subject application may also be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.). Furthermore, the present application may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium having computer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in the medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system. In the context of this application, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents, the present invention is also intended to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A policy and charging control method is characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

when a Session Management Function (SMF) entity determines that an event signed with a policy management function (PCF) entity occurs, the SMF entity determines a policy and charging rule influenced by the event;

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporting, by the SMF entity, of the event and the policy and charging rules affected by the event to the PCF entity comprises:

3. The method of claim 2, wherein when the SMF entity reports the event to the PCF entity using its own event reporting service, further comprising:

4. The method of claim 2, wherein when the SMF entity reports the event to the PCF entity using its own event reporting service, further comprising:

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporting, by the SMF entity, of the event and the policy and charging rules affected by the event to the PCF entity comprises:

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporting, by the SMF entity, of the event and the policy and charging rules affected by the event to the PCF entity comprises:

7. A policy and charging control method is characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

a policy management function PCF entity receives an event reported by a session management function SMF entity and a policy and charging rule influenced by the event;

and the PCF entity returns the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the PCF entity receiving the event reported by the SMF entity and the policy and charging rules affected by the event comprises:

9. The method of claim 8, wherein when the PCF entity receives the event reported by the SMF entity using the event reporting service of the SMF entity, further comprising:

10. The method of claim 8, wherein when the PCF entity receives the event reported by the SMF entity using the event reporting service of the SMF entity, further comprising:

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the PCF entity receiving the event reported by the SMF entity and the policy and charging rules affected by the event comprises:

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the PCF entity receiving the event reported by the SMF entity and the policy and charging rules affected by the event comprises:

13. A session management function, SMF, entity, comprising: a processor, a memory;

the processor is used for reading the program in the memory and executing:

14. The SMF entity of claim 13, wherein the processor is specifically configured to:

the processor is specifically configured to:

15. The SMF entity of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to:

16. The SMF entity of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to:

the processor is further configured to:

17. The SMF entity of claim 13, wherein the processor is specifically configured to:

the processor is specifically configured to:

18. The SMF entity of claim 13, wherein the processor is specifically configured to:

the processor is specifically configured to:

19. A policy control function, PCF, entity, comprising: a processor, a memory;

the processor is used for reading the program in the memory and executing:

and the PCF entity returns the new policy and charging rule to the SMF entity.

20. The PCF entity of claim 19, wherein said processor is specifically configured to:

the processor is specifically configured to:

21. The PCF entity of claim 20, wherein said processor is further configured to:

22. The PCF entity of claim 20, wherein said processor is further configured to:

the processor is further configured to:

23. The PCF entity of claim 19, wherein said processor is specifically configured to:

the processor is specifically configured to:

24. The PCF entity of claim 19, wherein said processor is specifically configured to:

the processor is specifically configured to:

25. A session management function, SMF, entity, comprising:

26. A policy control function, PCF, entity, comprising:

27. A computer-readable medium, on which a computer program is stored, which, when being executed by a processor, carries out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or the steps of the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.