CN111565385A

CN111565385A - Policy providing method, device and system

Info

Publication number: CN111565385A
Application number: CN201910478290.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 周晓云; 丁辉
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-02-14
Filing date: 2019-06-03
Publication date: 2020-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 2039-06-03
Also published as: CN111565385B

Abstract

The application discloses a method, a device and a system for providing a strategy, which can solve the problem that whether a terminal strategy needs to be issued or not by a strategy control network element of a network where a new mobility management network element where a terminal moves into is located. The policy providing method comprises the following steps: under the condition that the terminal moves to a fifth generation mobile communication system across a public land mobile network, the terminal sends registration request information, wherein the registration request information carries first indication information used for indicating the network to provide a terminal strategy; the terminal receives a terminal policy from a first policy control function network element of a first visited network.

Description

Policy providing method, device and system

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a policy providing method, apparatus, and system.

Background

Currently, in a fifth generation (5G) network discussed in the 3rd generation partnership project (3 GPP) standards group, an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element and a Policy Control Function (PCF) network element may interact to obtain a policy of a terminal and access and mobility management policies, etc.

For example, in two roaming scenarios, i.e., home routing or local breakout, in the process of registering a terminal of a roaming user in a Visited Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN), an AMF network element located at a visited place of the terminal interacts with a PCF (home-PCF, H-PCF) network element located at a home place of the terminal through a PCF (visited-PCF, V-PCF) network element located at the visited place of the terminal, so that the AMF network element located at the visited place of the terminal can obtain a policy of the terminal, and the like.

After the initial registration is executed, the terminal moves and an AMF network element reselection process occurs. However, in the current AMF reselection process, the V-PCF in the PLMN where the new AMF entered after the terminal moves cannot determine whether the policy of the terminal needs to be issued. Further, the H-PCF cannot determine whether the policy of the terminal needs to be issued.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a policy providing method, a policy providing device and a policy providing system, so as to solve the problem that in a roaming scene in the prior art, after a terminal is initially attached, in a process of reselecting a mobility management network element due to movement of the terminal, a policy control network element in a PLMN where a new mobility management network element where the terminal moves enters is uncertain whether a policy of the terminal needs to be issued.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the embodiments of the present application provide the following technical solutions:

in a first aspect, a policy providing method is provided, where the method includes: under the condition that the terminal moves to a fifth generation mobile communication system across a public land mobile network, the terminal sends registration request information, the registration request information carries first indication information used for indicating the network to provide a terminal strategy, and then the terminal receives the terminal strategy of a first strategy control function network element from a first visited network. Based on the policy providing method provided by the embodiment of the application, the problem that the policy control network element in the PLMN where the new mobility management network element that the terminal moves into is uncertain whether the terminal policy needs to be issued or not can be solved because the terminal reselects the mobility management network element due to the movement.

In one possible design, the sending, by the terminal, the registration request information specifically includes: the terminal sends a registration request message to a mobility management network element of the first visited network; the mobility management network element sends second indication information and first indication information to the first policy control function network element. The second indication information is used for indicating that the terminal moves across the public land mobile network, indicating that a mobility management network element reselects or indicating that the visited network provides a terminal policy.

In a possible design, the first indication information is specifically used to indicate the visited network to provide a terminal policy, and accordingly, the sending, by the terminal, the registration request information specifically includes: and the terminal sends a registration request message to a mobility management network element of the first visited network, and then the mobility management network element sends the first indication information to the first policy control function network element.

In a possible design, the first indication information may specifically be: at least one of a terminal policy indication, a terminal policy fragment identification, an indication of supporting access network discovery and selection policy, an indication of not supporting access network discovery and selection policy, an operating system identification, or terminal state indication information set to null is required.

In a second aspect, a policy providing method is provided, where the policy providing method includes: and a first policy control function network element of the first visited network receives first indication information from the terminal, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating the network to provide the terminal policy. And the first policy control function network element determines to provide the terminal policy for the terminal according to the first indication information.

In one possible design, further comprising: the first policy control function network element receives second indication information and first indication information from a mobility management network element of the first visited network, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that the terminal moves across the public land mobile network, indicating that the mobility management network element performs reselection or indicating that the visited network provides terminal policy.

In a possible design, the first indication information is specifically used to indicate a visited network to provide a terminal policy, and the receiving, by the first policy control function network element, the first indication information from the terminal specifically includes: the first policy control function network element receives first indication information from a mobility management network element of the first visited network.

In one possible design, further comprising: the first policy control function network element sends a second request message for creating terminal policy association to a second policy control network element of a home location, wherein the second request message carries third indication information, so that the second policy control network element does not provide a terminal policy according to the third indication information or updates the terminal policy according to a policy of an operator.

In one possible design, further comprising: the third indication information includes any one of an indication that terminal policy does not need to be provided, an indication of a mobility management network element reselection, or an indication to move across a public land mobile network.

In one possible design, further comprising: the first policy control function network element sends a second request message for creating a terminal policy association to a second policy control network element of a home location, where the second request message does not carry fourth indication information for indicating a network to provide a terminal policy, so that the second policy control network element does not provide the terminal policy or updates the terminal policy according to a policy of an operator.

In a possible design, the sending, by the first policy control function network element, the second request message for creating the terminal policy association to the second policy control network element in the home specifically includes: and the first policy control function network element sends a second request message for establishing the terminal policy association to a second policy control network element according to the first indication information or according to the first indication information and the second indication information.

In one possible design, further comprising: in the initial registration process or the registration of the terminal from the evolved packet system to the fifth generation mobile communication system, the third policy control network element of the second visited place receives a third request message for creating terminal policy association from the mobility management network element of the second visited place, wherein the third request message carries the fourth indication information; the third policy control network element sends a fourth request message for creating a terminal policy association to a fourth policy control network element of the home. The fourth request message carries fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to enable the fourth policy control network element to provide a terminal policy.

In a possible design, the sending, by the third policy control network element, the fourth indication information to the fourth policy control network element specifically includes: and in the case that a third request message received by the third policy control network element does not include terminal status indication information, the third policy control network element sends the fourth indication information to the fourth policy control network element.

In a possible design, the fourth indication information may specifically be: any one of an initial registration indication, a registration indication moved from an evolved packet system to a fifth generation mobile communication system, a terminal policy fragment identification, an operating system identification, an indication that access network discovery and selection policies are supported, an indication that access network discovery and selection policies are not supported, or terminal status indication information that is set to null.

In a possible design, the first indication information may specifically be: the terminal policy fragment identifier, the operating system identifier, the indication supporting the access network discovery and selection policy, or the indication not supporting the access network discovery and selection policy, or the terminal state indication information set to null.

In a third aspect, a policy providing method is provided, including: under the condition that the terminal moves to a fifth generation mobile communication system across a public land mobile network, the terminal sends registration request information to a mobility management network element of a first visit place, and the registration request information carries first indication information used for indicating the network to provide a terminal strategy. And the first policy control function network element of the first visited network receives the first indication information from the mobility management network element. And the first policy control function network element determines to provide the terminal policy for the terminal according to the first indication information.

In a fourth aspect, a policy providing system is provided, including: the system comprises a terminal and a first strategy control function network element of a first visited network. The terminal is used for sending registration request information to a mobility management network element of a first visit place under the condition that the terminal moves to a fifth generation mobile communication system across a public land mobile network, wherein the registration request information carries first indication information used for indicating the network to provide a terminal strategy. And the first policy control function network element is used for receiving the first indication information from the mobility management network element and determining to provide the terminal policy for the terminal according to the first indication information.

In a fifth aspect, another policy providing method is provided, including: a first policy control function network element of a first visited network receives a first request message for creating a terminal policy association from a mobility management network element of the first visited network, wherein the first request message carries mobile type indication information, and the mobile type indication information comprises one of a message for indicating that the terminal performs cross-public land mobile network mobility and a message for indicating that the terminal performs intra-public land mobile network mobility. And the first policy control function network element determines whether to provide a terminal policy according to the mobile type indication information. Based on the policy providing method provided by the embodiment of the application, the problem that the policy control network element in the PLMN where the new mobility management network element that the terminal moves into is uncertain whether the terminal policy needs to be issued or not can be solved because the terminal reselects the mobility management network element due to the movement.

In a possible design, the determining, by the first policy control function network element according to the mobility type indication information, whether to provide the terminal policy specifically includes: and the first policy control function network element determines to provide the terminal policy in the case that the mobility type indication information is used for indicating that the terminal performs the movement across the public land mobile network.

In a possible design, the determining, by the first slightly controlling function network element according to the mobility type indication information, whether to provide the terminal policy specifically includes: in case the mobility type indication information is for indicating that the terminal performs mobility within a public land mobile network, the first policy control function network element determines not to provide a terminal policy.

In one possible design, the method further includes: the first policy control function network element sends a second request message for establishing terminal policy association to a second policy control network element of the terminal home location, wherein the second request message carries indication information which does not need to send the terminal policy, so that the second policy control network element does not provide the terminal policy according to the indication information which does not need to send the terminal policy or updates the terminal policy according to the policy of an operator.

In a possible design, the indication information that does not need to send the terminal policy may specifically be: at least one of a terminal policy indication, a mobility management network element reselection indication, a cross public land mobile network movement indication, or a public land mobile network movement indication need not be sent.

In one possible design, the method further includes: the first policy control function network element sends a second request message for creating a terminal policy association to a second policy control network element of the terminal home location, and the second request message does not carry an indication for requesting a terminal policy, so that the second policy control network element does not provide the terminal policy or updates the terminal policy according to the policy of an operator.

In a possible design, the sending, by the first policy control function network element, the second request message for creating the terminal policy association to the second policy control network element specifically includes: and the first policy control function network element sends a second request message for establishing terminal policy association to the second policy control network element according to the mobile type indication information.

In one possible design, the method further includes: in an initial registration process or in a registration of the terminal from an evolved packet system to a fifth generation mobile communication system, a third policy control network element of a second visited place receives a third request message for creating a terminal policy association of a mobility management network element of the second visited place, the third request message carries an indication for requesting a terminal policy, the third policy control network element sends a fourth request message for creating the terminal policy association to a fourth policy control network element of a home location of the terminal, and the fourth request message carries the indication for requesting the terminal policy. Wherein the indication of the request terminal policy is for causing the fourth policy control network element to provide the terminal policy.

In a possible design, the sending, by the third policy control network element at the second visited place, the instruction requesting the terminal policy to the fourth policy control network element specifically includes: and in case that the third request message received by the third policy control network element does not include the terminal status indication information, the third policy control network element sends an indication of the request for the terminal policy to the fourth policy control network element.

In a possible design, the indication of the policy of the requesting terminal may specifically be: any one of an initial registration indication, a registration indication moved from an evolved packet system to a fifth generation mobile communication system, a terminal policy fragment identification, an operating system identification, an indication that access network discovery and selection policies are supported, an indication that access network discovery and selection policies are not supported, or terminal status indication information that is set to null.

In a sixth aspect, another policy providing method is provided, including: a mobility management network element of a first visited place network sends a first request message for establishing terminal policy association to a first policy control network element of the first visited place network; the first request message carries mobile type indication information, and the mobile type indication information comprises one of a movement across public land mobile networks for indicating the terminal and a movement within the public land mobile networks for indicating the terminal. And the first policy control network element receives the first request message and determines whether to provide the terminal policy according to the mobile type indication information.

In one possible design, further comprising: and the mobility management network element of the first visited network determines the mobile type of the terminal.

In a seventh aspect, another policy providing system is provided, including: a mobility management network element of the first visited network and a policy control network element of the first visited network. The mobility management network element sends a first request message for creating a terminal policy association to the first policy control network element. The first request message carries mobile type indication information, and the mobile type indication information comprises one of a movement across public land mobile networks for indicating the terminal and a movement within the public land mobile networks for indicating the terminal. And the first policy control network element receives the first request message and determines whether to provide the terminal policy according to the mobile type indication information.

In an eighth aspect, another policy providing method is provided, including: a first policy control network element of a first visited network receives a first request message for creating a terminal policy association from a mobility management network element of the first visited network, wherein the first request message carries mobility type indication information, and the mobility type indication information comprises one of a condition that the terminal performs mobility management network element reselection, the terminal performs cross-public land mobile network movement, and the terminal performs intra-public land mobile network movement. The first policy control function network element sends a second request message for creating terminal policy association to a second policy control network element of the terminal home location, wherein the second request message carries indication information which does not need the terminal policy or indication information which does not carry the terminal policy request, so that the second policy control network element does not provide the terminal policy or updates the terminal policy according to the policy of an operator. Based on the policy providing method provided by the embodiment of the application, the problem that the terminal reselects the mobility management network element due to movement and the policy control network element of the terminal home location does not determine whether the terminal policy needs to be issued or not can be solved.

In a possible design, the specific form of the indication information of the unneeded terminal policy is the same as that of the indication information of the unneeded terminal policy described in the fifth aspect.

In a possible design, the specific form of the indication information of the requesting terminal policy is the same as that of the requesting terminal policy described in the fifth aspect.

In one possible design, further comprising: in the initial registration process or the registration of the terminal from an evolved packet system to a fifth generation mobile communication system, a third policy control network element of a second visited place receives a third request message for establishing terminal policy association from a mobility management network element of the second visited place, wherein the third request message carries indication information for requesting a terminal policy; the third policy control network element sends a fourth request message for creating a terminal policy association to a fourth policy control network element of the home. The fourth request message carries the indication information of the request terminal policy, and is used for enabling the fourth policy control network element to provide the terminal policy. In a specific implementation, the second visited place may be the same as or different from the first visited place.

In a possible design, the sending, by the third policy control network element, the indication information requesting the terminal policy to the fourth policy control network element specifically includes: and in the case that a third request message received by the third policy control network element does not include terminal status indication information, the third policy control network element sends the indication information requesting the terminal policy to the fourth policy control network element.

In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a policy providing system, including a first policy control network element of a first visited network and a second policy control network element of a terminal home location. A first policy control network element of the first visited network, configured to receive a first request message from a mobility management network element of the first visited network, where the first request message is used to create a terminal policy association, and the first request message carries mobility type indication information, where the mobility type indication information includes one of a case where the terminal performs a mobility management network element reselection, the terminal performs a cross-public land mobile network mobility, and the terminal performs an intra-public land mobile network mobility. The first policy control function network element is configured to send a second request message for creating a terminal policy association to a second policy control network element of a terminal home location, where the second request message carries indication information that a terminal policy is not required or does not carry indication information that a terminal policy is requested, so that the second policy control network element does not provide the terminal policy or updates the terminal policy according to a policy of an operator. The specific implementation manner is the same as that of the policy providing method in the eighth aspect.

In each of the foregoing aspects and possible designs of each aspect, the second policy control network element does not provide the terminal policy according to the third indication information, or updates the terminal policy according to a policy of an operator specifically includes: if the content of the terminal strategy of the home location needs to be updated is determined according to the strategy of the operator, the updated terminal strategy of the home location is sent; or, if it is determined that the content of the terminal policy of the home location does not need to be updated according to the policy of the operator, the second policy control network element does not provide the terminal policy.

In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus having a function of implementing the execution subject of the method embodiment provided in any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, the fifth aspect, or the eighth aspect. The function can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

In an eleventh aspect, there is provided a communication apparatus comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is configured to store computer executable instructions, and when the communication apparatus is running, the processor executes the computer executable instructions stored in the memory, so as to enable the communication apparatus to perform the policy providing method provided in any one of the first aspect or the second aspect or any one of the fifth aspect or the eighth aspect.

In a twelfth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which has instructions stored therein, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer can execute the policy providing method provided by any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the fifth aspect.

In a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, enable the computer to perform the policy providing method provided in any one of the first aspect, or any one of the second aspect, or the fifth aspect.

In a fourteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus (for example, the apparatus may be a system-on-a-chip) comprising a processor for enabling the apparatus to implement the functions referred to in any of the first or second aspects or in any of the fifth or eighth aspects. In one possible design, the apparatus further includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data for the apparatus. When the device is a chip system, the device may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

For technical effects brought by any one of the design manners of the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the sixth aspect, the seventh aspect, and the ninth to the fourteenth aspects, reference may be made to technical effects brought by different design manners in the first aspect, the fifth aspect, or the eighth aspect, and no further description is given here.

These and other aspects of the present application will be more readily apparent from the following description of the embodiments.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture in a home routing roaming scenario in the prior art;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture in a conventional local breakout roaming scenario;

FIG. 3 is a first schematic diagram illustrating an architecture of a policy control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a policy control system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic hardware structure diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a first flowchart of a policy providing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 7 is a flowchart of a method of a policy providing method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a first schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a second schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10 is a third schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, a brief description of the related art of the present application is first given as follows.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture in a home routing roaming scenario. The network architecture includes a VPLMN of the terminal and a Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) of the terminal. The terminal is currently located in a VPLMN of the terminal, and the VPLMN of the terminal includes an access device, a User Plane Function (UPF) 1 network element, an AMF network element, a visited-place Session Management Function (SMF) network element, a V-PCF network element, or a visited-place unified database (V-UDR), and the like; the HPLMN of the terminal includes a UPF2 network element, a home-SMF (home-SMF, H-SMF) network element, an H-PCF network element, a home-UDR (home-UDR, H-UDR) network element, a Unified Data Management (UDM) network element, or an Application Function (AF) network element, and the like.

The terminal accesses the 5G network through the access equipment, and communicates with the AMF network element through a next generation network (N) interface 1 (N1 for short); the access equipment communicates with the AMF network element through an N2 interface (N2 for short) and communicates with the UPF1 network element through an N3 interface (N3 for short); the AMF network element communicates with the V-SMF network element through an N11 interface (N11 for short), communicates with the V-PCF network element through an N15 interface (N15 for short), and communicates with the UDM network element through an N8 interface (N8 for short); the V-SMF network element communicates with the H-SMF network element through an N16 interface (N16 for short), communicates with the V-PCF network element through an N7 interface (N7 for short), and communicates with the UPF1 network element through an N4 interface (N4 for short); the UPF1 network element communicates with the UPF2 network element through an N9 interface (N9 for short); the H-SMF network element communicates with the H-PCF network element through an N7 interface (N7 for short) and communicates with the UDM network element through an N10 interface (N10 for short); the V-PCF network element communicates with the H-PCF network element through an N24 interface (N24 for short); the V-UDR network element communicates with the V-PCF network element; the H-UDR network element is communicated with the H-PCF network element; the H-PCF network element communicates with the AF network element through an N5 interface (N5 for short); the UPF2 network element accesses the data network through N6 interface (N6 for short).

It should be noted that control plane network elements such as the AMF network element, the V-SMF network element, the H-SMF network element, the V-PCF network element, the H-PCF network element, or the UDM network element in the 5G network shown in fig. 1 may also use a service interface for interaction. For example, the service interface provided by the AMF network element to the outside may be Namf; the service interface provided by the V-SMF network element to the outside can be Nvsmf; the serving interface provided by the H-SMF network element to the outside can be Nhsmf; the serving interface provided by the H-PCF network element to the outside may be Nhpcf; the service interface provided by the V-PCF network element to the outside can be Nvpcf; the serving interface externally provided by the UDM network element may be Nudm, etc. For a related description, reference may be made to the 5G system architecture (5G system architecture) diagram in the 23501 standard, which is not repeated herein.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture in a conventional local breakout roaming scenario. The network architecture includes a VPLMN of the terminal and a HPLMN of the terminal. The terminal is currently located in a VPLMN of the terminal, and the VPLMN of the terminal comprises access equipment, a UPF network element, an AMF network element, an SMF network element, a V-PCF network element, a V-UDR network element, an AF network element and the like; the HPLMN of the terminal comprises an H-PCF network element, an UDM network element or an H-UDR network element and the like.

The terminal accesses the 5G network through the access equipment, and communicates with the AMF network element through N1; the access equipment communicates with the AMF network element through N2 and communicates with the UPF network element through N3; the AMF network element communicates with the SMF network element through N11, communicates with the V-PCF network element through N15, and communicates with the UDM network element through N8; the SMF network element communicates with the V-PCF network element through N7, communicates with the UPF network element through N4, and communicates with the UDM network element through N10; the UPF network element accesses the data network through an N6 interface (N6 for short); the V-PCF network element communicates with the H-PCF network element through N24 and communicates with the AF network element through N5; the V-UDR network element communicates with the V-PCF network element; the H-UDR network element communicates with the H-PCF network element.

It should be noted that control plane network elements in the 5G network shown in fig. 2, such as the AMF network element, the V-SMF network element, the H-SMF network element, the V-PCF network element, the H-PCF network element, or the UDM network element, may also use a service interface for interaction. For example, the service interface provided by the AMF network element to the outside may be Namf; the service interface externally provided by the SMF network element can be Nsmf; the service interface provided by the V-SMF network element to the outside can be Nvsmf; the serving interface provided by the H-SMF network element to the outside can be Nhsmf; the serving interface provided by the H-PCF network element to the outside may be Nhpcf; the service interface provided by the V-PCF network element to the outside can be Nvpcf; the serving interface externally provided by the UDM network element may be Nudm, etc. For a related description, reference may be made to the 5G system architecture (5G system architecture) diagram in the 23501 standard, which is not repeated herein.

It should be noted that the name of the network element or each interface in the 5G network architecture shown in fig. 1 or fig. 2 is only an example, and other names may be used in the specific implementation, and this is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

It should be noted that, one VPLMN is only exemplarily given in the 5G network architecture shown in fig. 1 or fig. 2, and of course, the terminal may also move from one VPLMN to another VPLMN, and the network element and the connection manner in the VPLMN in different scenarios may refer to the network element and the connection manner in the VPLMN in the 5G network architecture shown in fig. 1 or fig. 2, which is not described herein again.

It should be noted that, in the 5G network architecture shown in fig. 1 or fig. 2, only one VPLMN includes an AMF network element, a V-SMF network element, a V-PCF network element, or a V-UDR network element for example. Certainly, one VPLMN may include multiple AMF network elements, multiple V-SMF network elements, multiple V-PCF network elements, or multiple V-UDR network elements, and different AMF network elements may communicate with each other through an N14 interface (abbreviated as N14); different V-PCF network elements may communicate with each other through N24, etc., which may be described with reference to the existing 5G network architecture and will not be described herein again.

It should be noted that, in the 5G network architecture shown in fig. 1 or fig. 2, only an example that the HPLMN includes an H-PCF network element or an H-UDR network element is described. Certainly, the HPLMN may include multiple H-PCF network elements or H-UDR network elements, different H-PCF network elements may communicate with each other through N24, and the like, which may be described with reference to the existing 5G network architecture specifically, and details are not described here.

Optionally, the terminal (terminal) referred to in the embodiments of the present application may include various handheld devices with wireless communication functions, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem; a subscriber unit (subscriber unit), a cellular phone (cellular phone), a smart phone (smart phone), a wireless data card, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) computer, a tablet computer, a wireless modem (modem), a handheld device (dhhand), a laptop computer (laptop), a cordless phone (cordless phone) or a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Machine Type Communication (MTC) terminal, a User Equipment (UE), a Mobile Station (MS), a terminal equipment (terminal device) or a relay user equipment, etc. may also be included. The relay user equipment may be, for example, a 5G home gateway (RG). For convenience of description, the above-mentioned devices are collectively referred to as a terminal in this application.

Optionally, the access device referred to in this embodiment of the present application refers to a device accessing a core network, and may be, for example, a base station, a broadband network service gateway (BNG), a convergence switch, a non-third generation partnership project (3rd generation partnership project, 3GPP) access device, and the like. The base stations may include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also referred to as small stations), relay stations, access points, etc.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Where in the description of the present application, "/" indicates a relationship where the objects associated before and after are an "or", unless otherwise stated, for example, a/B may indicate a or B; in the present application, "and/or" is only an association relationship describing an associated object, and means that there may be three relationships, for example, a and/or B, and may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, wherein A and B can be singular or plural. Also, in the description of the present application, "a plurality" means two or more than two unless otherwise specified. "at least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of the singular or plural items. For example, at least one (one) of a, b, or c, may represent: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, wherein a, b, c may be single or multiple. In addition, in order to facilitate clear description of technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the same items or similar items having substantially the same functions and actions. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the terms "first," "second," etc. do not denote any order or quantity, nor do the terms "first," "second," etc. denote any order or importance.

In addition, the network architecture and the service scenario described in the embodiment of the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation to the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, and it can be known by a person skilled in the art that the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems along with the evolution of the network architecture and the appearance of a new service scenario.

As shown in fig. 3, for a policy providing system 30 provided in the embodiment of the present application, the policy providing system 30 includes a mobility management network element 301 of a first visited network and a first policy control network element 302 of the first visited network.

The mobility management element 301 is configured to send a first request message for creating a terminal policy association to a first policy control element 302, where the first request message carries mobility type indication information, and the mobility type indication information includes one of indicating that the terminal performs a move across a public land mobile network and indicating that the terminal performs a move within the public land mobile network. Or, the mobility type indication information is used to indicate that the terminal performs mobility across public land mobile networks, or the indication information is used to indicate that the terminal performs mobility within public land mobile networks. The first policy control network element 302 is configured to receive the first request message from the mobility management network element 301, and determine whether to provide a terminal policy according to the mobility type indication information carried in the first request message. The term "move across public land mobile network" and "move within public land mobile network" in the present invention refers to moving in a 5G system.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the mobility management network element 301 and the first policy control network element 302 may communicate directly or may communicate through forwarding of other devices, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the application.

In the prior art, after the initial registration is performed, the terminal moves and a process of reselecting a mobility management network element occurs. However, in the current reselection process of the mobility management element, the policy control element in the PLMN where the reselected mobility management element is located after the terminal moves cannot determine whether to issue the policy of the terminal. The mobility management network element reselection here may be a mobility management network element reselection caused by the terminal moving from the V-PLMN1 to the V-PLMN2 (which may also be called moving across PLMNs); or a reselection of the mobility management network element caused by the terminal moving inside the V-PLMN1 (which may also be called a V-PLMN movement); or the terminal performs reselection of the mobility management network element caused by cross-system movement, such as: from an Evolved Packet System (EPS) to a fifth generation mobile communication System (5th generation wireless systems, 5 GS). The mobility management network element 301 and the first policy control network element 302 are in the V-PLMN2 for the scenario of a mobility management network element reselection caused by a terminal moving from the V-PLMN1 to the V-PLMN 2. The mobility management network element 301 and the first policy control network element 302 are in the V-PLMN1 for the scenario of mobility management network element reselection caused by the terminal moving inside the V-PLMN 1. In a Mobility Management network element reselection scenario caused by the terminal moving from the EPS to the 5GS, the Mobility network element reselects from a Mobility Management Entity (MME) in the EPS to become a Mobility Management network element in the 5 GS. Based on the policy control system provided by the embodiment of the application, the reselected mobility management network element sends the indication information to the policy control network element of the visited network where the terminal is located after moving, so that the visited policy control network element can determine whether to send the terminal policy according to the indication information.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 3, the policy control system 30 provided in this embodiment of the present application may further include a second policy control network element 303 of the terminal home location.

In an implementation manner, the first policy control network element 302 is configured to send a second request message for creating a terminal policy association to the second policy control network element 303, where the second request message does not carry an indication for requesting a terminal policy.

The second policy control network element 303 is configured to receive the second request message from the first policy control network element 302, and if it is determined that the second request message does not carry an instruction requesting a terminal policy, the second policy control network element 303 does not provide the terminal policy or updates the terminal policy according to a policy of an operator. The indication requesting the terminal policy may be: an initial registration instruction, a registration instruction for moving from an evolved packet system to a fifth generation mobile communication system, a terminal policy fragment identifier, an operating system identifier, an instruction for supporting Access Network Discovery and Selection Policy (ANDSP), or an instruction for not supporting ANDSP.

In a specific implementation, the step of the second policy control network element 303 not providing the terminal policy, or updating the terminal policy according to the policy of the operator specifically includes: if the content of the terminal strategy of the home location needs to be updated is determined according to the strategy of the operator, the updated terminal strategy of the home location is sent; or, if it is determined that the content of the terminal policy of the home location does not need to be updated according to the policy of the operator, the second policy control network element does not provide the terminal policy. The operator policy may be, for example, updating the terminal policy according to the location of the UE or the current time.

In another implementation manner, the first policy control network element 302 is configured to send a second request message for creating a terminal policy association to the second policy control network element 303, where the second request message carries indication information that a terminal policy does not need to be sent, and when it is determined that the second request message carries the indication information that a terminal policy does not need to be sent, the second policy control network element 303 does not provide the terminal policy or updates the terminal policy according to a policy of an operator. Wherein the indication information that the terminal policy does not need to be sent comprises at least one of a terminal policy not need to be sent indication, a mobility management network element reselection indication, a cross public land mobile network movement indication or a public land mobile network movement indication. In a specific implementation, the step of the second policy control network element 303 not providing the terminal policy, or updating the terminal policy according to the policy of the operator specifically includes: if the content of the terminal strategy of the home location needs to be updated is determined according to the strategy of the operator, the updated terminal strategy of the home location is sent; or, if it is determined that the content of the terminal policy of the home location does not need to be updated according to the policy of the operator, the second policy control network element does not provide the terminal policy. The operator policy may be, for example, updating the terminal policy according to the location of the UE or the current time.

Based on the policy control system provided by the embodiment of the application, the first policy control network element at the visited place sends a second request message carrying no indication for requesting the terminal policy to the second policy control network element at the home place, or sends a second request message carrying indication information not needing to send the terminal policy, so that the second policy control network element at the home place can also determine whether the terminal policy needs to be issued or only update the terminal policy according to the policy of the operator.

Or, optionally, as shown in fig. 4, for a policy providing system 40 provided in the embodiment of the present application, the policy control system 40 includes a terminal 401 and a first policy control network element 402 of a terminal first visited network.

The terminal 401 is configured to send registration request information to a mobility management network element in a first visited place of the terminal when the terminal moves to a fifth-generation mobile communication system across a public land mobile network, where the registration request information carries first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate a network to provide a terminal policy. A first policy control function network element 402 of the first visited network, configured to receive the first indication information from the mobility management network element; and determining to provide the terminal strategy for the terminal according to the indication information.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the present application, the terminal 401 and the mobility management network element at the first visited place, and the mobility management network element at the first visited place and the first policy control network element 402 may communicate directly or may communicate through forwarding of other devices, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

Based on the policy control system provided in the embodiment of the present application, since the first policy control network element of the visited network receives the first indication information for indicating the network to provide the terminal policy, the first policy control network element may determine whether to send the terminal policy according to the first indication information.

In one implementation manner, the first policy control function network element is configured to receive second indication information and the first indication information from a mobility management network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the terminal moves across a public land mobile network, indicate that the mobility management network element performs reselection, or indicate that the terminal needs to visit a terminal policy of a network. Correspondingly, the first policy control function network element is configured to determine to provide the terminal policy to the terminal according to the second indication information and the first indication information. The first indication information may specifically be: at least one of a terminal policy indication, a terminal policy fragment identifier, an indication supporting access network discovery and selection policy, an indication not supporting access network discovery and selection policy, an operating system identifier, or terminal status indication information set to null is required. Wherein, the second indication information is used to indicate that the mobility management network element performs reselection, or indicate that the mobility management network element performs reselection, and the english expression may be: AMF relocation. And is not particularly limited herein.

In one implementation, the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal needs a VPLMN terminal policy. In this implementation, the first policy control function network element is configured to determine, according to the first indication information, to provide the terminal policy to the terminal.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 4, the policy control system 40 provided in this embodiment of the present application may further include a second policy control network element 403 of the terminal home location.

In an implementation manner, the first policy control network element 402 is configured to send a second request message for creating a terminal policy association to the second policy control network element 403, where the second request message does not carry fourth indication information.

The second policy control network element 403 is configured to receive the second request message from the first policy control network element 402, and if it is determined that the second request message does not carry the fourth indication information, the second policy control network element 403 does not provide the terminal policy or update the terminal policy according to the policy of the operator. Wherein, the fourth indication information may be: an initial registration instruction, a registration instruction for moving from an evolved packet system to a fifth generation mobile communication system, a terminal policy fragment identifier, an operating system identifier, an instruction to support an ANDSP, an instruction to not support an ANDSP, or any of terminal status indication information set to null. In another implementation manner, the first policy control network element 402 is configured to send a second request message for creating a terminal policy association to the second policy control network element 403, where the second request message carries third indication information, and when it is determined that the second request message carries the third indication information, the second policy control network element 403 does not provide a terminal policy or updates the terminal policy according to a policy of an operator.

In a specific implementation, the step of the second policy control network element 403 not providing the terminal policy, or updating the terminal policy according to the policy of the operator specifically includes: if the content of the terminal strategy of the home location needs to be updated is determined according to the strategy of the operator, the updated terminal strategy of the home location is sent; or, if it is determined that the content of the terminal policy of the home location does not need to be updated according to the policy of the operator, the second policy control network element does not provide the terminal policy. The operator policy may be, for example, updating the terminal policy according to the location of the UE or the current time.

Based on the policy control system provided in the embodiment of the application, the second request message not carrying the fourth indication information or the second request message carrying the third indication information is sent to the second policy control network element of the home location through the first policy control network element of the visited location, so that the second policy control network element of the home location can also determine whether to issue the policy of the terminal or update the terminal policy according to the policy of the operator.

Optionally, the policy providing system shown in fig. 3 or fig. 4 may be applied to the 5G network architecture in the home routing roaming scenario shown in fig. 1 or the 5G network architecture in the local breakout roaming scenario shown in fig. 2, and may also be applied to other roaming network architectures that will appear in the future, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

For example, if the policy providing system shown in fig. 3 or fig. 4 is applied to the 5G network architecture in the home routing roaming scenario shown in fig. 1 or the 5G network architecture in the local breakout roaming scenario shown in fig. 2, the network element or entity corresponding to the mobility management network element 301 in fig. 3 may be an AMF network element in a VPLMN in the 5G network architecture; the network element or entity corresponding to the first policy control network element 302 of the visited network in fig. 3 or the first policy control network element 402 in fig. 4 may be a V-PCF network element in a VPLMN in the above 5G network architecture, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the mobility management network element 301 or the first policy control network element 302 of the visited network in fig. 3, or the first policy control network element 402 in fig. 4 may be implemented by one device, or implemented by multiple devices together, or implemented by one functional module in one device, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the application. It is understood that the above functions may be either network elements in a hardware device, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

For example, in this embodiment of the application, the mobility management network element 301 or the first policy control network element 302 of the visited network, or the terminal 401 or the first policy control network element 402 in fig. 4 may be implemented by the communication device in fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 500 includes a processor 501, a communication line 502, and at least one communication interface (fig. 5 illustrates an example of a communication interface 504), and optionally a memory 503.

The processor 501 may be a general-purpose Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more ics for controlling the execution of programs in accordance with the present disclosure.

The communication link 502 may include a path for transmitting information between the aforementioned components.

The communication interface 504 may be any device, such as a transceiver, for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as an ethernet, a Radio Access Network (RAN), a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), etc.

In particular implementations, processor 501 may include one or more CPUs such as CPU0 and CPU1 in fig. 5 as an example.

In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the storage 503 is further included. The memory 503 may be separate and coupled to the processor via a communication link. The memory 503 may also be integrated with the processor 501. The Memory 503 may be, but is not limited to, a Read-Only Memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a Random Access Memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, an Electrically erasable programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) or other optical Disc storage, optical Disc storage (including Compact Disc, laser Disc, optical Disc, digital versatile Disc, blu-ray Disc, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

If the processor 501 needs a program code, the memory 503 can store the program code and transmit the program code to the processor 501, so that the processor 501 can implement the embodiments of the present application according to the instruction of the program code.

In particular implementations, communication device 500 may include multiple processors, such as processor 501 and processor 508 in fig. 5, for example, as an example. Each of these processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. The processor may include, but is not limited to, at least one of: various computing devices that run software, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Microcontroller (MCU), or an artificial intelligence processor, may each include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform operations or processing. .

In particular implementations, communication device 500 may also include an output device 505 and an input device 506, as one embodiment. An output device 505, which is in communication with the processor 501, may display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 505 may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display device, a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display device, a projector (projector), or the like. The input device 506 is in communication with the processor 501 and may receive user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device 506 may be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensing device, among others.

The communication device 500 may be a general purpose device or a special purpose device. In a specific implementation, the communication device 500 may be a desktop, a laptop, a web server, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a tablet, a wireless terminal device, an embedded device, or a device with a similar structure as in fig. 5. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of the communication device 500.

As an example, the mobility management network element 301 and the first policy control network element 302 in fig. 3 may be devices shown in fig. 5, and one or more software modules are stored in a memory of the mobility management network element 301 or the first policy control network element 302. The mobility management network element 301 or the first policy control network element 302 may implement the provisioning of the terminal policy by implementing a software module by means of a processor and program code in a memory.

For example, the terminal 401 and the first policy control network element 402 in fig. 4 may be the devices shown in fig. 5, and one or more software modules are stored in a memory of the terminal 401 or the first policy control network element 402. The terminal 401 or the first policy controlling network element 402 may implement a software module by means of a processor and program code in a memory, enabling the provision of terminal policies.

The policy providing method provided by the embodiment of the present application will be specifically described below with reference to fig. 1 to 5.

It should be noted that, in the following embodiments of the present application, names of messages between network elements or names of parameters in messages are only an example, and other names may also be used in a specific implementation, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

Optionally, taking the policy providing system shown in fig. 3 as an example applied to a 5G network architecture in the home routing roaming scenario shown in fig. 1 or the local breakout roaming scenario shown in fig. 2, assuming that the HPLMN of the terminal includes a UDM network element, an H-PCF1 network element, an H-PCF2 network element, and an H-UDR network element, and the terminal leaves from the VPLMN1 where the AMF1 network element, the V-PCF1 network element, and the V-UDR1 network element are located, and enters the VPLMN2 where the AMF2 network element, the V-PCF2 network element, and the V-UDR2 network element are located, as shown in fig. 6, the policy providing method provided in this embodiment of the present application includes the following steps:

s601, the terminal moves, and a registration request message is sent to the AMF2 through the access equipment in the VPLMN2, so that the AMF2 network element receives the registration request message from the terminal.

The registration request message may include identification information of the terminal and a registration type. Wherein the registration type is mobility registration update.

S602, the AMF2 sends a context transfer request (context transfer request) message to the AMF1/MME, so that the AMF1/MME network element receives the context transfer request message from the AMF2 network element, where the context transfer request message is used to request to acquire the context of the terminal.

In this embodiment, after receiving the context transfer request message from the AMF2, the AMF1/MME may learn that the terminal leaves the VPLMN1 where the AMF1/MME is located, which is described in a unified manner herein and will not be described in detail below.

S603, the AMF1/MME sends a context transfer response (context transfer response) message to the AMF2, so that the AMF2 receives the context transfer response message from the AMF 1/MME. Wherein the context transmission response message includes the context of the terminal.

S604, AMF2 sends a registration complete notification (registration complete notification) to AMF1/MME, so that AMF1 receives the registration complete notification from AMF 2. The registration completion notification is used to notify the AMF1/MME of the completion of registration at the AMF2 network element.

S605, AMF2 registers to the UDM, and acquires subscription data of the terminal.

Specifically, the AMF2 sends a numm _ terminal Context Management (UE Context Management) Registration (numm _ UECM _ Registration) message to the UDM, and registers the message. The UDM returns an acknowledgement message. The AMF2 sends a numm _ SDM _ Get Request message to the UDM requesting subscription information of the UE. The UDM returns subscription information to the AMF 2.

Optionally, if the UDM does not have the subscription information of the UE, the UDM sends the Nudr _ DM _ Query Request to the H-UDR to Request the subscription information of the UE.

Optionally, the AMF2 may also send a subscription request (e.g., Nudm _ SDM _ SubscribRequest) to the UDM, subscribing to notifications of subscription data changes. The UDM further sends a subscription Request (e.g.: Nudr _ DM _ SubscribeRequest) to the H-UDR, subscribing to notifications of subscription data changes.

S606, the UDM sends a deregistration notification request (deregistration notification request) to the AMF1, so that the AMF1 receives the deregistration notification request from the UDM. Wherein the deregistration notification request is used for the AMF1 to delete the context of the terminal.

The AMF1 sends a deregistration notification response (deregistration notification response) to the UDM so that the UDM receives the deregistration notification response from the AMF 1.

Of course, after receiving the deregistration notification request from the UDM, the AMF1 may also cancel the subscription data modification notification, which may refer to the existing implementation and is not described herein again.

S607 and AMF2 reselect V-PCF and H-PCF, and if it is respectively V-PCF2 and H-PCF2, AMF2 sends Access and Mobility Management (AM) policy association creation request message 1 to the V-PCF2 network element, so that V-PCF2 receives AM policy association creation request message 1 from AMF2, where AM policy association creation request message 1 is used to request to create AM policy association. Further, the V-PCF2 sends an AM policy association creation request message 2 to the H-PCF2, so that the H-PCF2 receives the AM policy association creation request message 2 from the V-PCF2, the AM policy association creation request message 2 being for requesting creation of an AM policy association. The H-PCF2 sends an AM policy association creation response message 2 to the V-PCF2 so that the V-PCF2 receives the AM policy association creation response message 2 from the H-PCF 2. The V-PCF2 sends an AM policy association setup response message 1 to the AMF2 so that the AMF2 receives the policy association setup response message 1 from the V-PCF 2.

The AM policy association refers to an association between AMF2 and V-PCF2, and between V-PCF2 and H-PCF2, where the association is used for AMF2 to transfer the current access-related parameters of the terminal to V-PCF2, V-PCF2 to H-PCF2, and for H-PCF2 to provide the terminal-related access and mobility management policies to AMF2 and V-PCF2 to AMF2, and the description of the association refers to the definition of the existing AM policy association, which is not described herein again.

For example, the policy association creation request message 1 in the embodiment of the present application may be, for example, a policy control creation request (Npcf _ amplilicoccontrol _ Create request) message 1; the policy association creation response message 1 may be, for example, a policy control creation response (Npcf _ amplicity _ control create response) message 1, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the application.

And if the H-PCF2 has no subscription parameters of the UE, the H-PCF2 interacts with the H-UDR to acquire the strategy subscription of the terminal and subscribe the notice of the change of the strategy subscription data. The H-PCF2 formulates access and mobility policies based on the policy subscription data and sends to the AMF2 in a reply message.

S608, the AMF2 transmits a Registration Accept (Registration Accept) message to the terminal so that the terminal receives the Registration Accept message.

S609, the terminal sends a Registration Complete message to AMF2, so that AMF2 receives the Registration Complete message.

S610, AMF2 sends a terminal policy association creation request message 1 to V-PCF2, so that V-PCF2 receives terminal policy association creation request message 1 from AMF2, where terminal policy association creation request message 1 is used to request creation of a terminal policy association. Further, the V-PCF2 sends a terminal policy association creation request message 2 to the H-PCF2, so that the H-PCF2 receives the terminal policy association creation request message 2 from the V-PCF2, the terminal policy association creation request message 2 being for requesting creation of a terminal policy association. The H-PCF2 sends a terminal policy association creation response message 2 to the V-PCF2 so that the V-PCF2 receives the terminal policy association creation response message 2 from the H-PCF 2. The V-PCF2 sends a terminal policy association setup response message 1 to the AMF2 so that the AMF2 receives the terminal policy association setup response message 1 from the V-PCF 2.

The AMF2 carries mobile type indication information in a terminal policy association creation request message 1 sent to the V-PCF2, wherein the mobile type indication information comprises at least one of information for indicating that the terminal performs movement across public land mobile networks and information for indicating that the terminal performs movement within public land mobile networks. The V-PCF2 determines whether to provide a terminal policy based on the mobility type indication information.

In a specific implementation, if the AMF2 determines that the terminal is not in the same PLMN as the AMF1, or if the AMF2 determines that the opposite terminal is an MME (i.e., an EPS network element), the AMF2 includes mobile type indication information in a message sent to the V-PCF2, where the mobile type indication information includes at least one of information for indicating that the terminal performs movement across public land mobile networks and information for indicating that the terminal performs movement within public land mobile networks.

The terminal policy association here refers to an association between AMF2 and V-PCF2, V-PCF2 and H-PCF2, where the association is used for AMF2 to transfer the current access-related parameters of the terminal to V-PCF2, V-PCF2 to H-PCF2, and for H-PCF2 to provide the terminal policy to V-PCF2, V-PCF2 to AMF2, and the description of the association refers to the definition of the existing terminal policy association, which is not described herein again.

For example, the terminal policy association creation request message 1 in the embodiment of the present application may be, for example, a terminal policy control creation request message (Npcf _ UEPolicyControl _ Create request) message 1; the terminal Policy association creation response message 1 may be, for example, a terminal Policy Control creation response (Npcf _ UE Policy Control _ Create response) message 1. The terminal Policy association creation request message 2 in the embodiment of the present application may be, for example, a terminal Policy Control creation request (Npcf _ UE Policy Control _ Create request) message 2; the terminal policy association creation response message 2 may be, for example, an Npcf _ UEPolicyControl _ Create response message 2. The embodiment of the present application is not particularly limited to this.

And if the H-PCF2 has no terminal-related subscription, the H-PCF2 interacts with the H-UDR to acquire the policy subscription of the terminal and subscribe to the notification of the change of the policy subscription data.

Further, if the opposite end is AMF1, S611 is executed next. If the opposite terminal is the MME, step S611 and step S612 are not executed, and step S613 is executed.

S611, AMF1 sends AM policy Association deletion request message 1 to V-PCF1 requesting deletion of AM policy Association (AMPolicy Association), and V-PCF1 receives AM policy Association deletion request message 1 from AMF 1. The V-PCF1 sends an AM Policy Association deletion request message 1 to the H-PCF1 to request the deletion of AM Policy Association, and the H-PCF1 receives the AM Policy Association deletion request message 1 from the V-PCF 1.

The H-PCF1 sends an AM policy association deletion response 1 to the V-PCF1, and the V-PCF1 sends an AM policy association deletion response 1 to the AMF1, so that the AMF1 receives the AM policy association deletion response 1 from the V-PCF 1.

For example, the AM policy association deletion request message 1 may be Npcf _ ampolicocontrol _ deleterrequest. The AM policy association deletion response 1 may be, for example, Npcf _ ampolicocontrol _ Delete response.

S612, AMF1 sends a terminal Policy Association deletion request message 1 to V-PCF1, requesting to delete a terminal Policy Association (UE Policy Association), and V-PCF1 receives terminal Policy Association deletion request message 1 from AMF 1. The V-PCF1 sends a terminal strategy Association deletion request message 1 to the H-PCF1 to request to delete the UE Policy Association, and the H-PCF1 receives the terminal strategy Association deletion request message 1 from the V-PCF 1.

The H-PCF1 sends a terminal policy association deletion response 1 to the V-PCF1, and the V-PCF1 sends a terminal policy association deletion response 1 to the AMF1, so that the AMF1 receives the terminal policy association deletion response 1 from the V-PCF 1.

For example, the terminal policy association deletion request message 1 may be Npcf _ UEPolicyControl _ Delete request. The terminal policy association deletion response 1 may be Npcf _ UEPolicyControl _ deleterresponse, for example.

S613, the V-PCF2 determines whether to provide a terminal policy.

The V-PCF2 interacts with the V-UDR, and may obtain a terminal Policy (UE Policy) made by the VPLMN for the terminal, where the terminal Policy (UE Policy Section Identifier, UPSI) list includes a terminal Policy Section Identifier (UE Policy Section Identifier, UPSI) list and corresponding content.

In the case where the mobility type indication information received by the V-PCF2 in S610 is for indicating that the terminal performs a movement across a public land mobile network or for indicating that the terminal performs a movement within a public land mobile network, it is determined that a terminal policy needs to be provided to the terminal.

Optionally, in a case that the mobility type indication information received by the V-PCF2 is used for indicating that the terminal performs a move across a public land mobile network or for indicating that the terminal performs a move within a public land mobile network, and the V-PCF2 does not receive an indication that andsdsp is not supported, it is determined that a terminal policy needs to be provided to the terminal.

S614, the V-PCF2 sends the updated or newly formulated terminal policy to the AMF2 through a N1N2 message transmission Request (Namf _ com _ N1N2 messagetransfer Request) message, and the AMF2 receives the updated or newly formulated terminal policy.

S615, AMF2 sends the terminal strategy to the terminal, and the terminal receives the terminal strategy.

S616, the terminal saves the received UE Policy, returns the execution result to AMF2, and AMF2 receives the execution result.

S617, AMF2 sends the received execution result to V-PCF2, and V-PCF2 receives the execution result. For example, it may be sent to the V-PCF2 through Namf _ N1 MessageNotify.

Based on the policy providing method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the V-PCF2 receives the mobility type indication information, and then determines whether to provide the terminal policy according to the mobility type indication information. Therefore, the problem that in the roaming scene in the prior art, after the terminal is initially attached, in the process of AMF reselection of the terminal due to movement, the policy control network element in the PLMN where the new AMF which the terminal moves into is uncertain whether the terminal policy needs to be issued or not is solved.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 6, VPLMN1 and VPLMN2 may be different VPLMN networks or may be the same VPLMN network.

The actions of the AMF2 or the V-PCF2 in steps S601 to S617 may be executed by the processor 501 in the communication device 500 shown in fig. 5 calling the application program code stored in the memory 503, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

In the flow shown in fig. 6, in a specific implementation manner, in S610, according to the received mobility type indication information, the V-PCF2 sends a terminal policy association creation request message 2 to the H-PCF2 without carrying an indication requesting a terminal policy, so that the H-PCF2 determines not to provide a terminal policy or update the terminal policy according to a policy of an operator, in a case that it is determined that the request message 2 does not carry the indication requesting the terminal policy.

The indication of the request terminal policy may be: an initial registration indication, a registration indication to move from an evolved packet system to a fifth generation mobile communication system, a terminal policy fragment identification, an operating system identification, an indication to support ANDSP, or an indication to not support ANDSP. The present application is not limited.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the terminal is served by the AMF1 before the terminal moves. The terminal triggers an initial registration procedure to perform initial registration of the AMF 1. The initial registration process can be referred to in the prior art, and is not described herein.

Different from the initial registration process of the prior art, the method comprises the following steps: the terminal policy association creation request message 3 sent from the AMF1 to the V-PCF1 includes an indication of the requested terminal policy. The V-PCF1 further sends an indication of the policy of the requesting terminal to the H-PCF 1.

Alternatively, in the case where the AMF1 does not receive the UE state indication, an indication requesting the terminal policy is included in the message sent to the V-PCF 1.

Alternatively, in the case where the V-PCF1 does not receive a message including the UE state indication, an indication requesting a terminal policy is included in the message sent to the H-PCF 1.

Further, when the H-PCF1 is determining whether to provide the terminal Policy, the H-PCF1 interacts with the H-UDR, possibly obtaining UE Policy made by the HPLMN for the terminal. And the H-PCF1 makes UE Policy for the terminal according to the indication of the Policy of the requesting terminal.

In the flow shown in fig. 6, in a specific implementation manner, in S610, according to the received mobile type (any one of Inter-PLMN, Inter-system, or Intra-PLMN), the V-PCF2 carries indication information that a terminal policy does not need to be sent in the terminal policy association creation request message 2 sent to the H-PCF2, so that the H-PCF2 determines not to provide a terminal policy or updates the terminal policy according to the policy of the operator when determining that the indication information that the terminal policy does not need to be sent is carried in the request message 2.

Optionally, in the flow shown in fig. 6, another policy providing method is provided, including: a first policy control network element of a first visited network receives a first request message for creating a terminal policy association from a mobility management network element of the first visited network, wherein the first request message carries mobility type indication information, and the mobility type indication information comprises one of a condition that the terminal performs mobility management network element reselection, the terminal performs cross-public land mobile network movement, and the terminal performs intra-public land mobile network movement. The first policy control function network element sends a second request message for creating terminal policy association to a second policy control network element of the terminal home location, wherein the second request message carries indication information which does not need the terminal policy or indication information which does not carry the terminal policy request, so that the second policy control network element does not provide the terminal policy or updates the terminal policy according to the policy of an operator. By the method, the terminal can reselect the mobility management network element due to movement, and the policy control network element of the terminal home location can not determine whether the terminal policy needs to be issued or not.

In a specific implementation, taking the example that the policy providing system shown in fig. 3 is applied to a 5G network architecture in the home routing roaming scenario shown in fig. 1 or the local breakout roaming scenario shown in fig. 2 as a specific implementation manner, assuming that the HPLMN of the terminal includes a UDM network element, an H-PCF1 network element, an H-PCF2 network element, and an H-UDR network element, and the terminal leaves from a VPLMN1 where an AMF1 network element, a V-PCF1 network element, and the like are located, and enters a VPLMN2 where an AMF2 network element, a V-2 network element, and the like are located, as shown in fig. 7, another policy providing method provided in the embodiment of the present application includes the following steps:

s701, in case that the terminal moves to the fifth generation mobile communication system across the public land mobile network, the terminal sends a registration request message to the AMF2 through the access device in the VPLMN2, so that the AMF2 network element receives the registration request message from the terminal. The registration request message carries first indication information, and the first indication information is used for indicating a network to provide a terminal policy. In a specific implementation, the first indication information may be: the terminal policy fragment identifier, the operating system identifier, the indication supporting the access network discovery and selection policy, the indication not supporting the access network discovery and selection policy, or at least one of the terminal state indication information set to null.

S702-S709 are the same as S602-S609. And will not be described in detail herein.

S710, the AMF2 sends a terminal policy association creation request message 1 to the V-PCF2, so that the V-PCF2 receives the terminal policy association creation request message 1 from the AMF2, the terminal policy association creation request message 1 being for requesting creation of a terminal policy association. Further, the V-PCF2 sends a terminal policy association creation request message 2 to the H-PCF2, so that the H-PCF2 receives the terminal policy association creation request message 2 from the V-PCF2, the terminal policy association creation request message 2 being for requesting creation of a terminal policy association. The H-PCF2 sends a terminal policy association creation response message 2 to the V-PCF2 so that the V-PCF2 receives the terminal policy association creation response message 2 from the H-PCF 2. The V-PCF2 sends a terminal policy association setup response message 1 to the AMF2 so that the AMF2 receives the terminal policy association setup response message 1 from the V-PCF 2.

The AMF2 carries the second indication information and the first indication information in the terminal policy association creation request message 1 sent to the V-PCF 2. The V-PCF2 determines to provide the terminal policy based on the second indication information and the first indication information. The second indication information is used for indicating that the terminal moves across the PLMN, indicating that the AMF reselects or indicating that the visited network provides the terminal policy.

In a specific implementation, if the AMF2 determines that the ue is not in the same PLMN as the AMF1, or if the AMF2 determines that the opposite terminal is an MME (i.e., an EPS network element), the AMF2 includes the second indication information in the message sent to the V-PCF 2.

Here, the terminal policy association creation request message 1, the terminal policy association creation request message 2, the terminal policy association creation response message 1, and the terminal policy association creation response message 2 are the same as those described in S610, and are not described herein again.

Further, if the opposite end is AMF1, S711 is executed next. If the opposite terminal is the MME, step S711 and step S712 are not executed, and step S713 is executed.

S711-S717, the same as S611-S617. And will not be described in detail herein.

Based on the policy providing method provided by the embodiment of the application, the terminal sends the first indication information for indicating the network to provide the terminal policy, the AMF2 determines that the terminal moves, and then sends the second indication information and the first indication information to the V-PCF2, and the V-PCF2 determines whether to provide the terminal policy according to the second indication information and the first indication information. Therefore, the problem that in the roaming scene in the prior art, after the terminal is initially attached, in the process of AMF reselection of the terminal due to movement, the policy control network element in the PLMN where the new AMF which the terminal moves into is uncertain whether the terminal policy needs to be issued or not is solved.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 7, VPLMN1 and VPLMN2 may be different VPLMN networks or may be the same VPLMN network.

The actions of the terminal or the V-PCF2 in steps S701 to S717 can be executed by the processor 501 in the communication device 500 shown in fig. 5 calling the application program code stored in the memory 503, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

In the flow shown in fig. 7, as a specific implementation manner, in a specific implementation manner, S700 is further included, that is, the terminal determines to move to the fifth generation mobile communication system across the public land mobile network. Then, the first indication information in the registration request message sent by the terminal in S701 is specifically used for indicating the visited network to provide the terminal policy. Next, in S710, before the AMF2 sends the terminal policy association creation request message 1, it is not necessary to determine the mobility of the terminal and send the second indication information to the V-PCF 2. That is, the terminal policy association creation request message 1 sent by the AMF2 to the V-PCF2 only carries the first indication information, and does not need to carry the second indication information. The other steps are similar to those of fig. 7. And will not be described in detail herein. For example, the terminal determines to move to the fifth generation mobile communication system according to an accessed base station, and the application is not particularly limited.

In the flow shown in fig. 7, in a specific implementation manner, in S710, according to the received second indication information, the V-PCF2 sends, to the H-PCF2, the terminal policy association creation request message 2 without carrying the fourth indication information, so that the H-PCF2 determines not to provide the terminal policy or update the terminal policy according to the policy of the operator, in a case that it is determined that the fourth indication information is not carried in the request message 2. Wherein the fourth indication information is used for indicating the network to provide the terminal policy.

Wherein the fourth indication information may be: an initial registration indication, a registration indication moved from an evolved packet system to a fifth generation mobile communication system, a terminal policy fragment identifier, an operating system identifier, an indication of support for ANDSP, an indication of no support for ANDSP, or at least one of terminal status indication information set to null. The present application is not limited.

Different from the initial registration process of the prior art, the method comprises the following steps: the terminal policy association creation request message 3 sent by the AMF1 to the V-PCF1 includes an initial registration instruction. The V-PCF1 further sends the initial registration indication to the H-PCF 1.

Optionally, when the AMF1 does not receive the UE station indication including the indication of UPSI and/or ANDSP not supported, the fourth indication information is included in the message sent to the V-PCF 1.

Alternatively, in the case where the V-PCF1 does not receive the indication including the UE state, the fourth indication information is included in the message sent to the H-PCF 1.

Further, when the H-PCF1 is determining whether to provide the terminal policy, the H-PCF1 interacts with the H-UDR, possibly obtaining the terminal policy made by the HPLMN for the terminal. And the H-PCF1 makes a terminal policy for the terminal according to the fourth indication information.

In the flow shown in fig. 7, in a specific implementation manner, in S710, according to the received second indication information and the first indication information, the terminal policy association creation request message 2 sent by the V-PCF2 to the H-PCF2 carries third indication information, so that the H-PCF2 determines not to provide the terminal policy according to the third indication information or updates the terminal policy according to the policy of the operator, when determining that the third indication information is carried in the request message 2. Wherein the third indication information comprises any one of an indication that terminal policy does not need to be provided, an indication of a mobility management network element reselection, or an indication of movement across a public land mobile network.

The above-mentioned scheme provided by the embodiment of the present application is introduced mainly from the perspective of interaction between network elements. It is understood that the above-mentioned devices (or: means) for implementing the mobility management function entity or the session management function entity include corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules for performing the above-mentioned functions. Those of skill in the art would readily appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed as hardware or computer software drives hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

In the embodiment of the present application, according to the method example, the mobility management function entity or the session management function entity may be divided into the function modules, for example, each function module may be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in a hardware mode, and can also be realized in a software functional module mode. It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the division of the module is schematic, and is only one logic function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation.

For example, in the case where the functional modules are divided in an integrated manner, fig. 8 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a communication device 80. The apparatus 80 may be a policy control function network element of the first visited network in fig. 3, or may be a chip in the policy control function network element, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the application. Wherein, this communication device 80 includes: a receiving module 801 and a processing module 802. A receiving module 801, configured to receive a first request message from a mobility management network element of a first visited network, where the first request message carries indication information, and the indication information includes one of indicating that the terminal performs a move across a public land mobile network and indicating that the terminal performs a move within the public land mobile network. A processing module 802, configured to determine whether to provide a terminal policy according to the indication information.

Optionally, the processing module 802 is specifically configured to: and determining to provide the terminal policy in the case that the indication information is used for indicating that the terminal performs the movement across the public land mobile network.

Or, optionally, the processing module 802 is specifically configured to: and determining not to provide the terminal policy in the case that the indication information is used for indicating that the terminal performs mobility in a public land mobile network.

Optionally, a sending module 803 is further included. A sending module 803, configured to send a second request message for creating a terminal policy association to a second policy control network element in the terminal home location, where the second request message carries indication information that a terminal policy does not need to be sent, so that the second policy control network element does not provide a terminal policy according to the indication information that the terminal policy does not need to be sent, or updates the terminal policy according to a policy of an operator.

Or, optionally, a sending module 803 is further included. The sending module 803 is further configured to send a second request message for creating a terminal policy association to a second policy control network element of the terminal home location, where the second request message does not carry an indication of requesting a terminal policy, so that the second policy control network element does not provide a terminal policy or updates the terminal policy according to a policy of an operator.

Optionally, the step of the second policy control network element not providing the terminal policy, or the step of updating the terminal policy according to the policy of the operator specifically includes: if the content of the terminal strategy of the home location needs to be updated is determined according to the strategy of the operator, the updated terminal strategy of the home location is sent; or, if it is determined that the content of the terminal policy of the home location does not need to be updated according to the policy of the operator, the second policy control network element does not provide the terminal policy.

Optionally, the sending module 803 is specifically configured to: and sending a second request message for establishing the terminal policy association to the second policy control network element according to the indication information.

In a specific implementation, the indication requesting the terminal policy may be: an initial registration indication, a registration indication moving from an evolved packet system to a fifth generation mobile communication system, a terminal policy fragment identification, an operating system identification, an indication of support of access network discovery and selection policies, or an indication of support of access network discovery and selection policies.

All relevant contents of each step related to the above method embodiment may be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and are not described herein again.

For another example, in the case where the functional modules are divided in an integrated manner, fig. 9 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a communication device 90. The device 90 may be the terminal in fig. 4, or may be a chip in the terminal, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application. Wherein the communication device 90 comprises: a sending module 901 and a receiving module 902. A sending module 901, configured to send registration request information when the terminal moves to a fifth generation mobile communication system across a public land mobile network, where the registration request information carries first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate a network to provide a terminal policy. A receiving module 902, configured to receive a terminal policy of a first policy control function network element from a first visited network.

In a specific implementation, the first indication information is specifically used for indicating the visited network to provide the terminal policy.

For another example, in the case where the functional modules are divided in an integrated manner, fig. 10 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a communication apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 may be the first policy control network element in fig. 4, or may be a chip in the first policy control network element, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the application. Wherein, this communication device 100 includes: a receiving module 1001 and a processing module 1002. A receiving module 1001, configured to receive first indication information from a terminal, where the first indication information is used to indicate a network to provide a terminal policy. A processing module 1002, configured to determine to provide a terminal policy to the terminal according to the indication information.

Optionally, the first indication information is specifically used for indicating that the visited network provides the terminal policy. In this case, the communication device may determine to provide the terminal policy to the terminal based on the first indication information for indicating to provide the terminal policy to the visited network.

Optionally, the receiving module 1001 is further configured to receive second indication information and the first indication information from a mobility management network element of the first visited network, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the terminal moves across a public land mobile network, indicate that the mobility management network element performs reselection, or indicate that the visited network provides a terminal policy.

Optionally, the first indication information is specifically used to indicate a visited network to provide a terminal policy, and the receiving module is specifically used to receive the first indication information from a mobility management network element of the first visited network.

Optionally, the apparatus further includes a sending module 1003. The sending module 1003 is configured to send a second request message for creating a terminal policy association to a second policy control network element in the home location, where the second request message carries third indication information, so that the second policy control network element does not provide the terminal policy for the second policy control network element according to the third indication information.

Or, optionally, the apparatus further includes a sending module 1003. The sending module 1003 is configured to send a second request message for creating a terminal policy association to a second policy control network element in a home location, where the second request message does not carry fourth indication information, so that the second policy control network element does not provide a terminal policy for the second policy control network element. The fourth indication information is used for indicating the network to provide the terminal policy.

Optionally, the sending module 1003 is specifically configured to send, to the second policy control network element, a second request message for creating a terminal policy association according to the first indication information or according to the first indication information and the second indication information.

Optionally, the receiving module 1001 is further configured to receive, in an initial registration procedure or in a registration of the terminal from an evolved packet system to a fifth-generation mobile communication system, a third request message from a mobility management network element in the second visited place for creating a terminal policy association, where the third request message carries the fourth indication information. The sending module 1003 is further configured to send a fourth request message for creating a terminal policy association to a fourth policy control network element in the home location, where the fourth request message carries a fourth indication message. Wherein the fourth indication information is used for enabling the fourth policy control network element to provide the terminal policy.

In the embodiments of fig. 8, 9 and 10, the

communication device

80, 90 or 100 is presented in the form of a division of the individual functional modules in an integrated manner. A "module" herein may refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and/or other devices that provide the described functionality.

In a simple embodiment, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the

device

80, 90 or 100 may take the form shown in FIG. 5.

For example, the processor 501 in fig. 5 may execute the instructions by calling a computer stored in the memory 503 to cause the

apparatus

80, 90 or 100 to execute the policy providing method in the above method embodiment.

One or more of the above modules or units may be implemented in software, hardware or a combination of both. When any of the above modules or units are implemented in software, which is present as computer program instructions and stored in a memory, a processor may be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flows. The processor may be built in an SoC (system on chip) or an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or may be a separate semiconductor chip. The processor may further include a necessary hardware accelerator such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a PLD (programmable logic device), or a logic circuit for implementing a dedicated logic operation, in addition to a core for executing software instructions to perform an operation or a process.

When the above modules or units are implemented in hardware, the hardware may be any one or any combination of a CPU, a microprocessor, a DSP, an MCU, an artificial intelligence processor, an ASIC, an SoC, an FPGA, a PLD, a dedicated digital circuit, a hardware accelerator, or a discrete device that is not integrated, which may run necessary software or is independent of software to perform the above method flows.

In particular, the functions/implementation procedures of the receiving module and the processing module in fig. 8, 9 or 10 may be implemented by the processor 501 in fig. 5 calling a computer executing instructions stored in the memory 503. Alternatively, the functions/implementation procedures of the processing module in fig. 8, 9 or 10 may be implemented by the processor 501 in fig. 5 calling a computer executing instructions stored in the memory 503, and the functions/implementation procedures of the receiving module and the sending module in fig. 8, 9 or 10 may be implemented by the communication interface 504 in fig. 5.

Alternatively, when the

apparatus

80, 90 or 100 is a chip, then the functions/implementation processes of the receiving module and the sending module can also be implemented by pins or circuits, etc. Alternatively, when the

apparatus

80, 90 or 100 is a chip, the memory may be a storage unit in the chip, such as a register, a cache, or the like. Of course, when the

device

80, 90 or 100 is a chip, the memory may also be a storage unit within the device that is external to the chip.

Since the apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present application can be used to execute the policy providing method, the technical effects obtained by the apparatus can refer to the method embodiment, and are not described herein again.

Optionally, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, where the chip system includes a processor, and is configured to support a first policy control network element to implement the policy providing method. In one possible design, the system-on-chip further includes a memory. The memory is used for storing program instructions and data necessary for the first policy control network element. The chip system may be formed by a chip, and may also include a chip and other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

The computer instructions may be stored on a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another, for example, from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wire (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or can comprise one or more data storage devices, such as a server, a data center, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy Disk, hard Disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., Solid State Disk (SSD)), among others.

While the present application has been described in connection with various embodiments, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed application, from a review of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the word "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Although the present application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments thereof, it will be evident that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. Accordingly, the specification and figures are merely exemplary of the present application as defined in the appended claims and are intended to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of the present application. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is intended to include such modifications and variations as well.

Claims

1. A policy providing method, comprising:

the method comprises the steps that under the condition that a terminal moves to a fifth generation mobile communication system across a public land mobile network, the terminal sends registration request information, wherein the registration request information carries first indication information, and the first indication information is used for indicating the network to provide a terminal strategy;

the terminal receives a terminal strategy from a first strategy control function network element of a first visited network.

2. The policy providing method according to claim 1, wherein the sending of the registration request information by the terminal specifically comprises:

the terminal sends a registration request message to a mobility management network element of the first visited place network;

the mobility management network element sends second indication information and the first indication information to the first policy control function network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the terminal has moved across a public land mobile network, to indicate that the mobility management network element has reselected, or to indicate that a visited network provides a terminal policy.

3. The policy providing method according to claim 1, wherein said first indication information is specifically used for indicating visited network to provide terminal policy,

correspondingly, the sending of the registration request information by the terminal specifically includes:

and the mobility management network element sends the first indication information to the first policy control function network element.

4. The policy providing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first indication information includes: at least one of a terminal policy indication, a terminal policy fragment identification, an indication of support of access network discovery and selection policy, an indication of non-support of access network discovery and selection policy, an operating system identification, or terminal status indication information that is set to null is required.

5. A policy providing method, comprising:

a first policy control function network element of a first visited network receives first indication information from a terminal, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating the network to provide a terminal policy;

and the first policy control function network element determines to provide the terminal policy for the terminal according to the first indication information.

6. The policy providing method according to claim 5, further comprising:

the first policy control function network element receives second indication information and the first indication information from a mobility management network element of a first visited network, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the terminal has moved across a public land mobile network, to indicate that the mobility management network element has reselected, or to indicate that a visited network provides a terminal policy.

7. The policy providing method according to claim 5, wherein said first indication information is specifically used for indicating visited network to provide terminal policy,

the receiving, by the first policy control function network element, the first indication information from the terminal specifically includes:

and the first policy control function network element receives the first indication information from a mobility management network element of the first visited network.

8. The policy providing method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising: and the first policy control function network element sends a second request message for establishing terminal policy association to a second policy control network element of the home, wherein the second request message carries third indication information, so that the second policy control network element does not provide a terminal policy according to the third indication information or updates the terminal policy according to the policy of an operator.

9. The policy providing method according to claim 8, wherein the second policy control network element does not provide the terminal policy according to the third indication information, or updates the terminal policy according to the policy of the operator specifically includes:

if the content of the terminal strategy of the home location needs to be updated is determined according to the strategy of the operator, the updated terminal strategy of the home location is sent; or the like, or, alternatively,

and if the content of the terminal policy of the home location does not need to be updated according to the policy of the operator, the second policy control network element does not provide the terminal policy.

10. A method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the third indication information comprises any one of an indication that terminal policy does not need to be provided, an indication of a mobility management network element reselection or an indication of movement across a public land mobile network.

11. The policy providing method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising: the first policy control function network element sends a second request message for creating terminal policy association to a second policy control network element of a home location, where the second request message does not carry fourth indication information, so that the second policy control network element does not provide a terminal policy or updates the terminal policy according to a policy of an operator, and the fourth indication information is used for indicating a network to provide the terminal policy.

12. The policy providing method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the sending, by the first policy control function network element, the second request message for creating the terminal policy association to the second policy control network element of the home specifically comprises:

and the first policy control function network element sends a second request message for creating terminal policy association to the second policy control network element according to the first indication information or according to the first indication information and the second indication information.

13. The policy providing method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising:

in an initial registration process or in a registration of the terminal from an evolved packet system to a fifth generation mobile communication system, a third policy control network element of a second visited place receives a third request message for creating terminal policy association from a mobility management network element of the second visited place, wherein the third request message carries the fourth indication information;

and the third policy control network element sends a fourth request message for creating a terminal policy association to a fourth policy control network element of the home location, where the fourth request message carries the fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information is used for enabling the fourth policy control network element to provide the terminal policy.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of sending, by the third policy control network element, the fourth indication information to the fourth policy control network element specifically includes:

and in the case that a third request message received by the third policy control network element does not include terminal status indication information, the third policy control network element sends the fourth indication information to the fourth policy control network element.

15. The policy providing method according to any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein said fourth indication information includes: any one of an initial registration indication, a registration indication moved from an evolved packet system to a fifth generation mobile communication system, a terminal policy fragment identification, an operating system identification, an indication that access network discovery and selection policies are supported, an indication that access network discovery and selection policies are not supported, or terminal status indication information that is set to null.

16. The policy providing method according to any one of claims 5 to 15, wherein said first indication information comprises: the terminal policy fragment identifier, the operating system identifier, the indication supporting the access network discovery and selection policy, the indication not supporting the access network discovery and selection policy, or the terminal state indication information set to null.

17. A communications apparatus, comprising:

a sending module, configured to send registration request information when a terminal moves to a fifth-generation mobile communication system across a public land mobile network, where the registration request information carries first indication information, and the first indication information is used for a network to provide a terminal policy;

and the receiving module is used for receiving the terminal strategy of the first strategy control function network element from the first visited network.

18. The communications apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first indication information is specifically used for indicating that a visited network provides a terminal policy.

19. A communications apparatus, comprising:

the terminal comprises a receiving module, a judging module and a judging module, wherein the receiving module is used for receiving first indication information from the terminal, and the first indication information is used for indicating a network to provide a terminal strategy;

and the processing module is used for determining to provide the terminal strategy for the terminal according to the first indication information.

20. The communications apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the receiving module is further configured to receive second indication information and the first indication information from a mobility management network element of the first visited network, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the terminal has moved across the public land mobile network, to indicate that the mobility management network element has reselected, or to indicate that the visited network provides the terminal policy.

21. The communication apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the first indication information is specifically used for indicating a visited network to provide a terminal policy,

the receiving module is specifically configured to receive the first indication information from the mobility management network element of the first visited network.

22. The communications apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 21, further comprising a sending module, where the sending module is configured to send a second request message for creating a terminal policy association to a second policy control network element in the home location, where the second request message carries third indication information, so that the second policy control network element does not provide a terminal policy according to the third indication information, or updates the terminal policy according to a policy of an operator.

23. The communications apparatus of claim 22, wherein the third indication information comprises an indication that a terminal policy does not need to be provided, an indication of a mobility management network element reselection, or an indication of moving across a public land mobile network.

24. The communications apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 22, further comprising a sending module, configured to send a second request message for creating a terminal policy association to a second policy control network element in the home location, where the second request message does not carry fourth indication information, so that the second policy control network element does not provide a terminal policy or updates the terminal policy according to a policy of an operator, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate a network to provide the terminal policy.

25. The communications device according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the sending module is specifically configured to send, to the second policy control network element, a second request message for creating a terminal policy association according to the first indication information, or according to the first indication information and the second indication information.

26. The communications apparatus as claimed in any of claims 24-25, wherein the fourth indication information comprises: at least one of an initial registration indication, a registration indication moving from an evolved packet system to a fifth generation mobile communication system, a terminal policy fragment identification, an operating system identification, an indication of support for access network discovery and selection policies, an indication of non-support for access network discovery and selection policies, or terminal status indication information that is set to null.

27. A policy providing method, comprising:

under the condition that a terminal moves to a fifth generation mobile communication system across a public land mobile network, the terminal sends registration request information to a mobility management network element of a first visit place, wherein the registration request information carries first indication information, and the first indication information is used for indicating the network to provide a terminal strategy;

a first policy control function network element of a first visited network receives the first indication information from the mobility management network element;

28. The policy providing method according to claim 27, further comprising:

the first policy control function network element receives second indication information from the mobility management network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the terminal has moved across a public land mobile network, to indicate that the mobility management network element has reselected, or to indicate that a visited network provides a terminal policy;

correspondingly, the determining, by the first policy control function network element according to the first indication information, that the terminal policy is provided to the terminal specifically includes:

and the first policy control function network element determines to provide the terminal policy to the terminal according to the second indication information and the first indication information.

29. A strategy providing system is characterized in that the strategy providing system comprises a terminal and a first strategy control function network element of a first visited network,

the terminal is used for sending registration request information to a mobility management network element of a first visited place under the condition that the terminal moves to a fifth generation mobile communication system across a public land mobile network, wherein the registration request information carries first indication information, and the first indication information is used for indicating the network to provide a terminal strategy;

the first policy control function network element is configured to receive the first indication information from the mobility management network element, and determine to provide a terminal policy to the terminal according to the first indication information.

30. The policy providing system according to claim 29,

the first policy control function network element is further configured to receive second indication information from the mobility management network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the terminal has moved across a public land mobile network, to indicate that the mobility management network element has reselected, or to indicate that a visited network provides a terminal policy;

correspondingly, the step of determining, by the first policy control function network element, to provide the terminal policy to the terminal according to the first indication information specifically includes: and the first policy control function network element is configured to determine to provide a terminal policy to the terminal according to the second indication information and the first indication information.

31. The policy providing system according to claim 29 or 30, further comprising a second policy control network element of the home,

the first policy control function network element is further configured to send a second request message for creating a terminal policy association to the second policy control network element, where the second request message carries third indication information;

and the second policy control network element is configured to provide no terminal policy according to the third indication information, or update the terminal policy according to a policy of an operator.