CN102685710B

CN102685710B - Attribute information transfer method and business initiating method as well as associated equipment and system

Info

Publication number: CN102685710B
Application number: CN201110059135.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 于琦; 郭小龙
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2011-03-11
Filing date: 2011-03-11
Publication date: 2015-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2031-03-11
Also published as: CN102685710A; WO2012122828A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses an attribute information transfer method and a business initiating method as well as associated equipment and system, wherein the business initiating method comprises the steps that: user equipment (UE) receives non-access stratum (NAS) information sent by a mobile management network element, wherein the NAS information carries load bearing of the UE or the priority attribute determining strategy information of a signed access point name (APN); the load bearing or the priority of the APN, on which the initiated business is based, is determined according to the priority attribute determining strategy information; an access attribute instruction corresponding to the determined priority is generated; and information with the access attribute instruction is sent to a network side so that the network side carries out access control to the business initiated by the UE based on the access attribute instruction. According to the embodiment of the invention, the scheme is beneficial to improve rationality for the network side to process the business initiated by the UE; unreasonable access or rejection access is avoid to the greatest extent; and furthermore, user experience on specific applications is enhanced.

Description

Attribute information transmission method, service initiation method, related equipment and system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a service initiation method, a method for transferring attribute information of a bearer or an access point name, a mobility management network element, a user equipment, and a communication system.

Background

Currently, in a 3GPP (3 rd Generation Partnership Project) communication system, for example, in Release-10, a network side may configure a User Equipment (UE) as a low priority (low priority) through an Open Mobile architecture Device Management (OMA DM) technology or an Over The Air (OTA) technology, for example, configured as a Delay Tolerance (Delay Tolerance).

In some application scenarios, a UE may support multiple applications, and the priority of each application may be different (i.e. there may be a low priority score), but according to the existing 3GPP mechanism, when the UE is configured by the network side as a low priority, other services except Service Users Service (Service Users Service) or emergency calls are all considered as low priority services by the network side, which will cause that any Service of the UE (including the Service of some specific important applications) may be unreasonably rejected by the network side when the network is congested, thereby reducing the user experience of the specific applications.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a service initiating method, a bearing or access point name attribute information transmitting method, a mobility management network element, user equipment and a communication system, so as to improve the rationality of processing UE initiated service at a network side and enhance the experience of a user on specific application.

In order to solve the above technical problems, embodiments of the present invention provide the following technical solutions:

a method for transmitting attribute information of a bearer or an access point name comprises the following steps:

a mobility management network element obtains a load bearing of User Equipment (UE) or a priority attribute of a signed Access Point Name (APN) to determine policy information;

and sending a non-access stratum message carrying the priority attribute determination strategy information to the UE.

A method for service initiation, comprising:

user Equipment (UE) receives a non-access stratum (NAS) message sent by a mobility management network element, wherein the NAS message carries a load of the UE or priority attribute determination strategy information of a signed Access Point Name (APN);

determining policy information according to the priority attribute, and determining the priority of the bearer or APN on which the initiated service is based;

generating an access attribute indication corresponding to the determined priority;

and sending a message carrying the access attribute indication to a network side so that the network side can perform access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication.

A mobility management network element comprising:

a policy obtaining module, configured to obtain a priority attribute of a bearer or a signed access point name APN of a user equipment UE to determine policy information;

and the strategy transmission module is used for sending a non-access stratum message carrying the priority attribute determination strategy information to the UE.

A user equipment, comprising:

a receiving module, configured to receive a non-access stratum message sent by a mobility management network element, where the non-access stratum message carries policy information for determining a priority attribute of a bearer or a signed APN of the UE;

a priority determining module, configured to determine policy information according to the priority attribute, and determine a priority of a bearer or an APN on which the initiated service is based;

an indication generating module, configured to generate an access attribute indication corresponding to the priority determined by the priority determining module;

a sending module, configured to send, to a network side, a message carrying the access attribute indication generated by the indication generating module, so that the network side performs access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication.

A communication system, comprising:

the mobile management network element is used for obtaining the load bearing of the user equipment UE or the priority attribute of the signed access point name APN to determine the strategy information; sending a non-access stratum (NAS) message carrying the priority attribute determination strategy information to the UE;

the UE is used for receiving the NAS message sent by the mobility management network element; determining policy information according to the priority attribute, and determining the priority of the bearer or APN on which the initiated service is based; generating an access attribute indication corresponding to the determined priority; and sending a message carrying the access attribute indication to a network side so that the network side can perform access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication.

As can be seen from the above, in the embodiment of the present invention, since the mobility management network element transmits, to the UE, the policy information determined by the priority attribute of the bearer or the signed Access Point Name (APN) of the UE through the NAS message, the UE may determine the policy information according to the priority attribute, and determine the priority of the bearer or the APN on which the initiated service is based; generating an access attribute indication corresponding to the priority of the determined bearer; and sending the message carrying the access attribute indication to the network side, so that the network side can carry out access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication. The mechanism enables the UE to make clear the priority of the bearer based on which the UE initiates the service, and the UE makes the network side clear the service access control logic through indication, thereby being beneficial to improving the rationality of the network side for processing the UE initiating service and enhancing the experience of a user on specific application.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings needed to be used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious for those skilled in the art to obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts.

Fig. 1-a is a flowchart illustrating a method for delivering attribute information of a bearer or an access point name according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 1-b is a flowchart illustrating a service initiation method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 1-c is a schematic flow chart of a service control method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a service access control method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a service initiation control method according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating another service initiation control method according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling service initiation according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a service initiation control method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a fifth service initiation control method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a mobility management network element according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The embodiment of the invention provides a service initiating method, a bearing or access point name attribute information transmitting method, a mobility management network element, user equipment and a communication system.

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

It should be noted that, an access network element according to the embodiment of the present invention refers to an entity that can implement a radio access management function of a ue, and a mobility management network element according to the embodiment of the present invention refers to an entity that can implement a mobility management logic function of a ue, and the access network element and the mobility management network element may have different names, locations, and product forms in different networks.

For example, the access network element mentioned in the following embodiments of the present invention may refer to: an Evolved node B (eNodeB), a home node B (HeNB) or other types of base stations in an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN); or a base station Controller or a Radio Network Controller (RNC) in a UMTS terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN, UMTS terrestrial Radio Access Network)/GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN, GSM EDGE Radio Access Network); or, the entity may also refer to AN entity having a High Rate Packet Data Access Network (HRPD-AN) Access Network logic function in a wideband Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) Network, or AN entity having AN Evolved Packet Data Gateway (EPDG) Access Network logic function in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN); an Access Service Network Base Station (ASN-bs) in a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) Network or an entity for implementing terminal wireless Access management in other networks.

For example, the mobility management network element mentioned in the embodiment of the present invention may refer to: a mobility management entity MME connected with E-UTRAN, and a General Packet Radio Service Node (SGSN, Serving GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Support Node) connected with UTRAN/GERAN; AN Access Gateway (AGW) in a non-3 GPP Network, AN entity having AN ePDG mobility management logic function in a WLAN, AN Access Service Network Gateway (ASN GW) in a WiMAX Network, or AN entity having a high rate packet data Access HRPD-AN mobility management logic function in a CDMA Network, or AN entity implementing a ue mobility management logic function in other networks.

The UE mentioned in the embodiments of the present invention may be a Human-to-Human (H2H, Human to Human) user equipment or may be a Machine-to-Machine (M2M), or other types of UE. Among them, the M2M user equipment may be called a Machine type communication Device (MTC Device).

The following first introduces the solution of the present invention from the perspective of a mobility management network element.

One embodiment of the method for transferring bearer attributes of the present invention may include: a mobility management network element obtains the load bearing of User Equipment (UE) or the priority attribute of a signed APN to determine policy information; and sending a non-access stratum message carrying the priority attribute determination strategy information to the UE.

Referring to fig. 1-a, the specific steps may include:

a1, the mobility management network element obtains the load bearing of the user equipment UE or the priority attribute of the signed APN to determine the strategy information;

the priority attribute determination policy information may be any information that enables the UE to determine priority attributes of one or more bearers or subscribed APNs of the UE, and the bearer priority attribute determination policy information may include, for example, a priority indication (i.e., directly indicate a priority) of one or more bearers or subscribed APNs of the UE. And/or, the network side may define delay tolerance, packet loss rate, or a value range of Quality of Service (Qos) corresponding to various priority levels (the priority levels may include three levels of low, medium, and high, and may also include more priority levels) of the bearer or the APN (for example, some Quality of Service identifiers (QCIs) may be defined as low priority, some QCIs as high priority, and so on), and the policy information for determining the bearer of the UE or the priority attribute of the subscribed APN, which is transferred to the UE by the mobility management element, may also include: and indicating information of the ranges of Qos, time delay or packet loss rate and the like corresponding to at least one priority level.

In an application scenario, a mobility management network element may obtain, in multiple ways, policy information for determining a priority attribute of a bearer or a signed APN of a UE, for example, the mobility management network element may obtain, according to at least one of subscription data of the UE, an operator policy, and a local policy, policy information for determining a priority attribute of a bearer or a signed APN of the UE (for example, the mobility management network element may determine, according to at least one of subscription data of the UE, an operator policy, and a local policy, a priority attribute of one or more bearers or a signed APN of the UE, and generate policy information for determining a priority attribute including a priority indication of the bearer or the signed APN of the UE). Alternatively, the mobility management network element may also obtain the policy information for determining the priority attribute of one or more bearers or subscribed APNs of the UE from a gateway device, a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), or another device.

A2, the mobility management network element sends a non-access stratum message carrying the bearer of the UE or the priority attribute determination policy information of the signed APN to the UE.

In practical applications, the mobility management network element may determine policy information based on various procedures, such as delivering its bearer or priority attributes of a subscribed APN to the UE through a non-access stratum (NAS) message. For example, the mobility management network element may deliver the priority attribute determination policy information of its bearer or the subscribed APN to the UE based on an attach procedure, a detach procedure, a tracking area update procedure, a bearer modification procedure, a bearer deactivation procedure, or other procedures of the UE. And the UE may receive an NAS message from the MME in an attach procedure, a detach procedure, a tracking area update procedure, a bearer modification procedure, a bearer deactivation procedure, or other procedures, and obtain, from the NAS message, the bearer of the UE or the priority attribute of the signed APN, which is sent by the mobility management network element, to determine the policy information.

For example, the mobility management element may send, to the UE, an attach accept message carrying priority attribute determination policy information of a bearer or a signed APN of the UE (that is, the mobility management element may transfer, to the UE, the bearer or priority attribute determination policy information thereof based on an attach procedure of the UE), or the mobility management element may send, to the UE, an activated dedicated Evolved Packet domain System (EPS) bearer context request message carrying the priority attribute determination policy information of the bearer or the signed APN of the UE; or, the mobility management network element may send an EPS bearer deactivation context request message to the UE, where the EPS bearer deactivation context request message carries the bearer of the UE or the priority attribute determination policy information of the signed APN; or, the mobility management network element may send a request message for modifying the EPS bearer context to the UE, where the request message for modifying the EPS bearer context carries policy information for determining a bearer of the UE or a priority attribute of a subscribed APN; or, the mobility management network element may send a packet data network PDN connection acceptance message to the UE, where the PDN connection acceptance message carries policy information for determining a bearer or a priority attribute of a signed APN of the UE; or, the mobility management network element may send a PDN connection rejection message to the UE, where the PDN connection rejection message carries policy information for determining a bearer of the UE or a priority attribute of the signed APN; or, the mobility management network element may send a tracking area update accept message to the UE, where the tracking area update accept message carries policy information for determining a bearer or a priority attribute of a signed APN of the UE. It is to be understood that the mobility management network element may also communicate the priority attribute determination policy information of its bearer or the subscribed APN to the UE through one or more other messages, which are not listed here.

In this scenario, when the UE subsequently initiates a service request (which may be initiated when the UE switches from an idle state to a connected state, or may be initiated when the UE is in the connected state), the UE may determine policy information according to a priority attribute of a bearer or a subscribed APN, and determine a priority of the bearer or the APN on which the initiated service is based; and can generate the access attribute indication corresponding to the determined priority; and sending a message carrying the access attribute indication to the network side, so that the network side can conveniently carry out access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, the mobility management network element transmits the policy information determined by the bearer of the UE or the priority attribute of the signed APN to the UE through the NAS message, so that the UE can determine the policy information according to the priority attribute and determine the priority of the bearer or the APN on which the initiated service is based; and can generate the access attribute indication corresponding to the priority of the determined load bearing; and sending the message carrying the access attribute indication to the network side, so that the network side can perform access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication. The mechanism is beneficial to the UE to determine the priority of the bearer based on which the UE initiates the service, so that the UE can indicate the network side to determine the service access control logic of the UE, the rationality of the network side for processing the UE initiating service is improved, and the experience of a user on specific application is enhanced.

The following describes the scheme of the present invention from the perspective of user equipment UE.

An embodiment of the service initiation method of the present invention may include: user Equipment (UE) receives a non-access stratum message sent by a mobility management network element, wherein the non-access stratum message carries bearer of the UE or priority attribute determination strategy information of a signed APN; determining policy information according to the priority attribute, and determining the priority of the bearer or APN on which the initiated service is based; generating an access attribute indication corresponding to the determined priority; and sending a message carrying the access attribute indication to a network side so that the network side can perform access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication.

Referring to fig. 1-b, the specific steps may include:

b1, the user equipment UE receives the non-access stratum message sent by the mobility management network element;

wherein, the non-access stratum NAS message carries the load bearing of the UE or the priority attribute determination strategy information of the signed APN;

in practical application, the mobility management network element may transmit the bearer priority attribute determination policy information to the UE through the NAS message based on a plurality of procedures. For example, the mobility management network element may transmit the bearer priority attribute determination policy information to the UE based on an attach procedure, a detach procedure, a tracking area update procedure, a bearer modification procedure, a bearer deactivation procedure, or other procedures of the UE. And the UE may receive an NAS message from the MME in an attach procedure, a detach procedure, a tracking area update procedure, a bearer modification procedure, a bearer deactivation procedure, or other procedures, and obtain bearer priority attribute determination policy information transmitted by the mobility management network element from the NAS message.

For example, the UE may receive an attach accept message that is sent by the mobility management network element and carries the policy information for determining the priority attribute of the bearer or the signed APN of the UE (that is, the mobility management network element may transfer the policy information for determining the bearer or the priority attribute to the UE based on the attach procedure of the UE), or the UE may receive a request message for activating a dedicated EPS bearer context of the evolved packet system, which is sent by the mobility management network element and carries the policy information for determining the priority attribute of the bearer or the signed APN of the UE; or, the UE may receive an EPS bearer deactivation context request message sent by the mobility management network element, where the EPS bearer deactivation context request message carries the bearer of the UE or the priority attribute determination policy information of the signed APN; or, the UE may receive a request message for modifying an EPS bearer context sent by a mobility management network element, where the request message for modifying the EPS bearer context carries policy information for determining a bearer of the UE or a priority attribute of a subscribed APN; or, the UE may receive a packet data network PDN connection acceptance message sent by the mobility management network element, where the PDN connection acceptance message carries policy information for determining a bearer or a priority attribute of a signed APN of the UE; or, the UE may receive a PDN connection rejection message sent by the mobility management network element, where the PDN connection rejection message carries policy information for determining a bearer or a priority attribute of a signed APN of the UE; or, the UE may receive a tracking area update accept message sent by the mobility management network element, where the tracking area update accept message carries policy information for determining a bearer or a priority attribute of a signed APN of the UE. It is to be understood that the mobility management element may also deliver the bearer or the priority attribute determination policy information of the subscribed APN to the UE through one or more other messages, and the UE obtains the bearer priority attribute determination policy information delivered by the mobility management element from the NAS message, which is not listed here.

B2, UE determines the strategy information according to its load bearing or signed APN priority attribute, determines the load bearing or APN priority based on the initiated service;

in practical application, the UE determines the policy information, and the priority of one or more bearers or APNs that can be determined, according to the priority attribute of the bearer or the APN subscribed to the UE, which is transferred by the mobility management network element.

For example, if the priority attribute determines that the policy information includes: and the UE determines the policy information according to the priority attribute and can determine the priorities of all the bearers corresponding to the signed one or more APNs. Or, if the bearer priority attribute determination policy information includes: the priority attribute of one or more bearers established by the UE indicates, and the UE determines the policy information according to the priority attribute and can determine the priority of the established one or more bearers. It is to be understood that the priority attribute determination policy information may comprise a priority attribute indication of a part of the priority level APNs (e.g. comprising a high/medium priority APN, or a medium/low priority APN) to which the UE subscribes, and/or, including a priority attribute indication of a portion of the priority level bearers established by the UE (e.g., including high/medium priority bearers, or medium/low priority bearers), and not include the priority attribute indication of the remaining priority level APN (e.g. not including the low priority APN or the high priority APN) or bearer (e.g. not including the low priority bearer or the high priority bearer) (where the UE may default to that part of the APN or bearer is a certain priority), in this scenario, the UE may determine the priority attribute indication of the part of the priority level APN (or bearer) included in the policy information according to the priority attribute, and determine the priority of all APNs (or bearers).

For example, the UE currently subscribes to 3 APNs (such as APN1, APN2, and APN3), where if the mobility management element determines that the APN1 is of low priority, the APN2 is of high priority, and the APN3 is of medium priority, the priority attribute determination policy information transferred to the UE by the mobility management element may include: priority indication information indicating that APN1 is low priority, APN2 is high priority, and APN3 is medium priority; or, the UE may include priority indication information indicating that the APN2 is a high priority and the APN3 is a medium priority, but does not include priority indication information indicating that the APN1 is a low priority, and at this time, the UE may determine that the APN2 is a high priority and the APN3 is a medium priority according to the priority attribute determination policy information, and may determine that the APN1 is a low priority by default (that is, the UE and the network side agree that an APN that does not carry a corresponding priority attribute indication in the priority attribute determination policy information defaults to be a low priority attribute); or, the priority attribute determination policy information passed by the mobility management network element to the UE may include: indicating that the APN1 is of a low priority, the APN3 is of a medium priority, but not including the priority indicating information indicating that the APN2 is of a high priority, at this time, the UE may determine that the APN1 is of a low priority and the APN3 is of a medium priority according to the priority attribute determination policy information, and may determine that the APN2 is of a high priority by default (that is, the UE and the network side agree that the APN not carrying the corresponding priority attribute indication in the priority attribute determination policy information defaults to be of a high priority attribute), and so on.

For another example, if the bearer priority attribute determination policy information transferred by the mobility management element to the UE includes: and indication information of value ranges such as Qos, delay tolerance or packet loss rate corresponding to bearers of various priority levels (e.g., high/medium/low), the UE may compare the relevant parameter values of the bearers with the value ranges such as Qos, delay tolerance or packet loss rate corresponding to the bearers of various priority levels, and may further determine the priority of the bearers.

It should be understood that the priority attribute of an APN subscribed by the UE may be considered as the priority attribute of all bearers corresponding to the APN, that is, when the UE determines the priority attribute of a certain APN subscribed by the UE, it is equivalent to determining the priority attribute of all bearers corresponding to the APN.

B3, the UE generates an access attribute indication corresponding to the determined priority;

the access attribute indication may indicate a priority of access (e.g., may indicate an access priority level, a delay tolerance level, a packet loss rate level, a QoS level, etc.), and it is understood that access may be prioritized as the access priority is higher.

And the access attribute indication corresponds to the determined APN or bearer priority based on the service initiated by the UE. For example, if it is determined that the priority of the APN or bearer on which the UE initiates the service is high, the access priority level indicated by the access attribute indication generated by the UE may be high; if the APN or the priority of the bearer based on which the UE initiates the service is determined to be the medium priority, the access priority level indicated by the access attribute indication generated by the UE can also be the medium access priority (or the high/low priority); if the determined APN or bearer priority on which the UE initiates the service is low priority, the access priority level indicated by the access attribute indication generated by the UE may also be low priority, and so on for a scenario with multiple priority levels.

B4, the UE sends a message carrying the access attribute indication to the network side, so that the network side performs access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication.

In practical applications, the access attribute indication generated by the UE may be any information that enables the network side device to determine the access priority level of the service.

The UE may carry the access attribute indication in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message (such as an RRC connection request message or an RRC connection complete message) or other messages, for example, to indicate the access attribute of the service to the access network element; and/or the access attribute indication may be carried in a NAS message (e.g., a service request message, an attach request message, or a location update request message, etc.) to indicate the access attribute of the service to the mobility management element.

Further, the access network element may receive a message (such as an RRC connection request message or an RRC connection complete message, etc.) or other messages that are sent by the UE in the service initiation process and carry the access attribute indication; the access network element can perform access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication. For example, if the access attribute indicates that the indicated access priority level is a high access priority level, the access network element may preferentially access the service, and if the access attribute indicates that the indicated access priority level is a low access priority level, the access network element may select to deny access or delay access to the service when the network is congested.

In addition, the mobility management network element may receive an NAS message (such as a PND connection request message, etc.) carrying an access attribute indication, which is sent by the UE in a service initiation process; the mobility management network element can carry out access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, since the mobility management network element transmits the policy information determined by the bearer of the UE or the priority attribute of the signed APN to the UE through the NAS message, the UE may determine the policy information according to the priority attribute and determine the priority of the bearer or the APN on which the initiated service is based; generating an access attribute indication corresponding to the priority of the determined bearer; and sending the message carrying the access attribute indication to the network side, so that the network side can carry out access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication. The mechanism enables the UE to make clear the priority of the bearer based on which the UE initiates the service, and the UE makes the network side clear the service access control logic through indication, thereby being beneficial to improving the rationality of the network side for processing the UE initiating service and enhancing the experience of a user on specific application.

The following describes the scheme of the present invention from the perspective of an access network element.

An embodiment of the service access control method of the present invention may include: an access network element receives a message which is sent by UE in a service initiating process and carries an access attribute indication; and performing access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication, wherein the access attribute indication is generated by the UE according to the APN issued by the mobility management network element or the priority attribute of the bearer.

Referring to fig. 1-c, the specific steps may include:

c1, the access network element receives the message carrying the access attribute indication sent by the UE in the service initiation process;

the access network element may receive an RRC message (such as an RRC connection request message or an RRC connection complete message) or other messages that carry the access attribute indication and are sent by the UE in the service initiation process.

It will be appreciated that the UE may also choose to carry the access attribute indicator bit in the message sent to the access network element (or mobility management element) at a high access priority level and to use the default indication at a low access priority level, i.e. the UE carries the access attribute indicator bit in the message to indicate a high access priority level when the access priority is high and does not carry the access attribute indicator bit in the message when the access priority is low, when the access network element (or mobility management element) defaults to the UE indicating a low access priority level, or the UE may choose to carry the access attribute indicator bit in the message sent to the access network element when the access priority is low and to use the default indication at a high access priority, i.e. the UE does not carry the access attribute indicator bit in the message when the access priority is high, at this time, the access network element (or mobility management network element) defaults to the UE and indicates high access priority, and so on.

It should be noted that, before the UE initiates the RRC connection establishment request to the Access network element, the Extended Access Class restriction (Extended Access Class Barring) and the Access Class restriction (Access Class Barring) in the cell broadcast message may be read first, and according to the Extended Access Class restriction and the Access Class restriction, it may be determined whether the current wireless network allows a service (possibly a low priority service (for example, a service with a high delay tolerance) to be currently initiated to be accessed, and if it is determined that the current wireless network does not allow the service to be accessed (possibly the current load of the Access network element is heavy), the service may be suspended from being initiated.

C2, the access network element performs access control to the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication.

For example, if the access attribute indicates that the indicated access priority is a high access priority, the access network element may perform access preferentially, and if the access attribute indicates that the indicated access priority is a low access priority, the access network element may select to reject access or delay access when the network is congested.

It can be seen that in this embodiment, since the UE determines the policy information according to the priority attribute of the APN or bearer issued by the mobility management network element, the priority of the APN or bearer on which the initiated service is based is determined; generating an access attribute indication corresponding to the determined priority; and sending a message carrying the access attribute indication to an access network element, wherein the access network element can perform access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication. The mechanism defines the service access control logic of the access network element, thereby being beneficial to improving the rationality of the access network element for processing the UE-initiated service and enhancing the experience of a user on specific application.

Example one

In order to better understand the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention, the embodiment mainly takes the specific implementation in the LTE communication system as an example for description.

In this embodiment, mainly for the case that when the UE is attached, the network side may determine, according to one or more of the subscription data of the UE, the operator policy, the local policy, and other information, a priority attribute of one or more bearers of the UE or a priority attribute of one or more APNs subscribed by the UE, and transfer the priority attribute information to the UE, so that the UE and an access network element (or MME) perform access control on the UE service according to the priority attribute information.

Referring to fig. 2, the specific steps may include:

201. the UE sends an attach request message to the MME.

In an application scenario, during a network attach procedure, the UE may indicate, to the eNB through an RRC message, an access priority corresponding to an APN or bearer that is configured by the UE by default (for example, an access attribute indication may be carried in an RRC setup request message or an RRC setup complete message), or the UE may indicate, to the MME through an NAS message, an access priority corresponding to an APN or bearer that is configured by the UE by default (here, the access priority may be in an attach request message), and the like, where the access priority corresponding to the APN or bearer that is configured by the UE by default may be a low priority (e.g., higher delay tolerance), a high priority (e.g., lower delay tolerance), a medium priority, or another access priority. In addition, if the UE does not configure the access priority corresponding to the default configuration APN or bearer, the UE may not indicate the access priority to the eNB or MME.

202. The MME receives the attachment request message from the UE, and the MME acquires subscription data about the UE from the HSS.

In one application scenario, for the case that priority attributes of one or more bearers need to be delivered to the UE, the MME may determine the priority attributes of the one or more bearers, where the priority attributes include, for example, delay tolerance, packet loss rate or QoS, or other traffic attributes. The MME may determine the priority attributes of the bearers according to one or more of the subscription data of the UE, the corresponding APN, the operator configuration policy, the local policy, and the like acquired from the HSS.

For the case that priority attributes of one or more APNs need to be transferred to the UE (the priority attribute of an APN here may also be considered as the priority attribute of all bearers corresponding to the APN), the HSS may store the priority attribute information of each APN subscribed by the UE; for example, the UE is currently subscribed with 3 APNs (e.g., APN1, APN2, and APN3), where APN1 may be low priority, APN2 may be high priority, and APN3 may be medium priority. The priority attribute information of the APNs to which the UE subscribes may indicate, for example, which APNs are of low priority, which APNs are of high priority, and so on for cases where there are multiple priority levels.

Of course, the MME may also determine the priority attributes of one or more APNs subscribed by the UE, for example, determine its delay tolerance, Qos, packet loss rate, or other service attributes. The MME may determine the priority attribute of the APN according to one or more of the subscription data of the HSS, the corresponding APN, the operator configuration policy, the local policy, and the like. It can be understood that the MME may also determine a priority attribute for the UE to subscribe to all APNs, for example, the UE subscribes to 3 APNs (e.g., APN1, APN2, and APN3), and the MME may determine that APN1 is a normal priority, APN2 is a low priority, APN3 is a high priority, and so on, according to one or more of subscription data of the UE on the HSS, operator configuration policy, local policy, and so on, for a case where there are multiple priority levels, and so on.

203. MME sends a session establishment request message to gateway equipment;

204. the gateway equipment establishes a default bearer and sends a session establishment request response message to the MME;

in an application scenario, if the UE carries APN information in the attach request message, in steps 203 to 204, the MME initiates establishment of a default bearer for the APN by a Serving Gateway (SGW) and a Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW). Otherwise, the MME initiates establishment of a default bearer for the default APN subscribed by the UE, where the session establishment request message may carry bearer identification information and APN information of the default bearer, or may also carry priority attribute information of the bearer or APN, and the priority attribute information may be from an indication of the UE, or may also be determined by the MME.

In addition, the PGW, SGW, or PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function) entity may also determine the priority attribute information of the bearer or the APN according to the APN information, one or more of operator Policy, local Policy, and other information configured on the network element, and may transmit the priority attribute information to the MME through establishing a session response message, and the MME may also obtain the priority attribute information of the bearer or the APN according to the priority attribute information.

It can be understood that the priority attribute of the APN for the bearer or subscription of the UE may be determined by a certain node (e.g., MME, PGW, SGW, PCRF entity, etc.) in the core network, or may be determined by some nodes together, where the node or nodes may be determined together according to one or more parameters of the relevant subscription data, APN information, operator policy, local policy, and other information stored by the HSS.

In addition, the MME may also transfer APN list information signed by the UE to the PGW through a session establishment request message, and the session establishment request message may also carry priority attribute information of the UE-signed APN.

205. MME transmits the APN or the priority attribute information of the load to UE;

after receiving a session establishment request response message from the gateway device, the MME determines that the default bearer establishment for the APN is completed, and may transfer the APN or the priority attribute information of the bearer to the UE through the NAS message. For example, the MME may communicate priority attribute information for an APN or bearer to the UE via an attach accept message.

In practical applications, if the MME is to deliver the priority attribute information of the APN (which may include the priority attribute information of the current APN) to the UE, for example, the MME may add an attribute indication field in an ACTIVATE DEFAULT EPS BEARER CONTEXT REQUEST (active DEFAULT EPS BEARER CONTEXT REQUEST) in the attach response message, and use the attribute indication field to carry the priority attribute information of the APN for delivery to the UE. The attribute indication field may indicate that the APN is of a low priority (e.g., high delay tolerance), or, when the APN is not of a low priority (e.g., low delay tolerance), the network side may not carry an indication bit in the message, and at this time, the UE defaults to that the APN is of a normal priority or a high priority and operates in a normal manner; or, when the APN is of a low priority, the network side may not carry the indication bit in the message, and at this time, the UE defaults to that the APN is of a low priority, and so on.

In addition, the MME may also carry the UE subscription APN attribute list in the attach response message. The APN attribute list can record an APN list and corresponding priority attribute indication information thereof.

For example. The UE subscribes to APN1, APN2, and APN3, with the APN attribute list indicating APN1 as low priority, APN2 as normal priority, and APN3 as high priority. In addition, the APN attribute list may only include an APN list with a low priority (e.g., high delay tolerance) attribute, or may only include an APN list with a high priority or normal priority attribute, and the UE may determine the priority attributes of all subscribed APNs accordingly.

Furthermore, if the MME is to deliver the priority attribute information of the bearer to the UE:

for example, the MME transfers the priority attribute of the current bearer to the UE, and the MME may add an attribute indication field in the request for activating the default EPS bearer context in the attach response message, and use the attribute indication field to carry the priority attribute information of the bearer to transfer the priority attribute information to the UE. The attribute indication field may indicate, for example, a low priority (e.g., a high delay tolerance), or, when the bearer is not a low priority (e.g., a low delay tolerance), the MME may not carry the attribute indication field in the message, and at this time, the UE defaults to the normal priority or the high priority for the bearer and operates in a normal manner.

For another example, the network side may define which Qos value ranges are low priority, and which Qos value ranges are high priority, etc., for example, define which QCIs are low priority services; or it may also define which bearers within the delay or packet loss rate range are low priority bearers, the MME may transmit the priority attribute policy to the UE, the UE automatically determines which bearers are low priority bearers and which bearers are high priority bearers, and the UE may specifically determine the priority of each bearer according to the Qos of the bearer.

206. The UE sends an attach complete message to the MME.

207. When the subsequent UE is switched from the idle state to the connection state by initiating the service request or when the service request is initiated in the connection state, the access attribute indication can be generated according to the APN or the bearing priority of the service to be initiated by the service request, and the message carrying the access attribute indication is sent to the network side, so that the network side equipment can conveniently carry out access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication.

Wherein the access priority indicated by the access attribute corresponds to the priority of the APN or bearer on which the service is based.

For example, the UE may communicate the access attribute indication to the eNB via an RRC message (e.g., an RRC setup request message or an RRC setup complete message, etc.), and the eNB may decide whether to allow the UE-initiated service access according to the access attribute indication in the RRC message. In addition, the UE may also pass the access attribute indication to the MME through an NAS message, indicating to the MME the priority of the APN or bearer on which the service is based, and the MME may also determine whether to allow the service access initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication in the message.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, because the MME transfers policy information determined by a priority attribute of a bearer or a signed APN of the UE to the UE through an attach accept message based on an attach procedure of the UE, the UE can determine the policy information according to the priority attribute and determine a priority of the bearer or the APN on which an initiated service is based; generating an access attribute indication corresponding to the priority of the determined bearer; and sending the message carrying the access attribute indication to the network side, so that the network side can perform access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication. The mechanism enables the UE to make clear the priority of the bearer based on which the UE initiates the service, and the UE makes the network side clear the service access control logic through indication, thereby being beneficial to improving the rationality of the network side for processing the UE initiating service and enhancing the experience of a user on specific application.

Example two

In this embodiment, mainly for the UE that does not obtain the APN or bearer priority attribute information from the network side before, the UE uses a default configuration (such as high priority or low priority) or normal access first when initiating a service, and after access, the network side determines the APN or bearer priority attribute and transfers the APN or bearer priority attribute to the UE, so that the UE and an access network element (or MME) perform access control on the UE service according to the priority attribute information.

Referring to fig. 3, the specific steps may include:

301. the UE is already registered in the network, and when a PDN connection corresponding to a certain APN needs to be established, the UE sends a PDN connection Request (PDN Connectivity Request) to the MME, and the UE may use a default configuration (such as high/low priority) or access in a normal manner when initiating a service Request.

302. The MME receives a PDN connection request from the UE, and the MME sends a session establishment request message to gateway equipment (SGW and PGW).

303. MME receives a session establishment request response message from gateway equipment;

and the MME determines that the default bearer establishment of the APN is completed after receiving a session establishment request response message from the gateway equipment.

In an application scenario, if the UE carries APN information in the PDN connection request, the MME initiates, in steps 302 to 303, establishment of a default bearer of the SGW and the PGW for the APN. The session establishment request message may carry bearer identification information and APN information of a default bearer, or may also carry priority attribute information of the bearer or APN, where the priority attribute information may be from an indication of the UE, or may also be determined by the MME.

In addition, the PGW, SGW, or PCRF entity may also determine the priority attribute information of the bearer or APN according to one or more of the APN information, the operator policy, the local policy, and other information configured on the network element, and may transmit the priority attribute information to the MME through the session establishment response message, and the MME may also obtain the priority attribute information of the bearer or APN accordingly.

304. The MME transmits the APN or the priority attribute information of the bearer to the UE through NAS information;

in practical applications, if the MME is to deliver the priority attribute information of the APN (which may include the priority attribute information of the current APN) to the UE. For example, the MME may add an attribute indication field in a PDN connectivity accept message, and carry priority attribute information of an APN with the attribute indication field to deliver it to the UE. The attribute indication field may indicate that the APN is of a low priority (e.g., high delay tolerance), or, when the APN is not of a low priority (e.g., low delay tolerance), the network side may not carry an indication bit in the message, and at this time, the UE defaults to that the APN is of a normal priority or a high priority and operates in a normal manner; or, when the APN is of a low priority, the network side may not carry the indication bit in the message, and at this time, the UE defaults to that the APN is of a low priority, and so on.

for example, the MME transfers the priority attribute of the current bearer to the UE, and the MME may add an attribute indication field in the request for activating the default EPS bearer context in the PDN connection accept message, and use the attribute indication field to carry the priority attribute information of the bearer to transfer the priority attribute information to the UE. The attribute indication field may indicate, for example, a low priority (e.g., high delay tolerance), or when the bearer is not a low priority (e.g., low delay tolerance), the MME may not carry the attribute indication field in the message, and at this time, the UE defaults to that the bearer is a normal priority or a high priority and operates in a normal manner.

305. When the subsequent UE is switched from the idle state to the connection state by initiating the service request or when the service request is initiated in the connection state, the access attribute indication can be generated according to the APN or the bearing priority of the service to be initiated by the service request, and the message carrying the access attribute indication is sent to the network side, so that the network side equipment can conveniently carry out access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, because the MME transfers policy information for determining a priority attribute of a bearer or a signed APN of the UE to the UE based on the PDN connection establishment procedure, the UE may determine the policy information according to the priority attribute and determine a priority of the bearer or the APN on which the initiated service is based; generating an access attribute indication corresponding to the priority of the determined bearer; and sending the message carrying the access attribute indication to the network side, so that the network side can perform access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication. The mechanism enables the UE to make clear the priority of the bearer based on which the UE initiates the service, and the UE makes the network side clear the service access control logic through indication, thereby being beneficial to improving the rationality of the network side for processing the UE initiating service and enhancing the experience of a user on specific application.

In addition, referring to fig. 4, the priority attribute information of the APN or the bearer may also be transferred to the UE through a dedicated bearer establishment procedure initiated by the PGW.

401. The PGW sends a Create bearer Request (Create bearer Request) message to the MME.

The PGW, the SGW, or the PCRF entity may also determine the priority attribute of the dedicated bearer according to one or more of the APN information, the operator policy, the local policy, and the like, and carry the priority attribute of the dedicated bearer in a Create bearer Request message to be transmitted to the MME, and of course, the message may also carry the priority attribute information of other APNs subscribed by the UE or the bearer.

402. The MME sends an Activate truncated EPS bearer context request message to the UE.

Specifically, an attribute indication field may be added to the active truncated EPS bearer context request message, and the attribute indication field is used to carry the priority attribute information of the bearer, so as to transmit the priority attribute information to the UE. The attribute indication field may indicate high/low priority, for example, or when the bearer is not low priority (e.g., low delay tolerance), the MME may not carry the attribute indication field in the message, and at this time, the UE defaults to the normal priority or high priority of the bearer and may operate in a normal manner. Of course, the activated truncated EPS bearer context request message may also carry priority attribute information of one or more APNs or bearers subscribed by the UE.

403. The UE sends the context acceptance message for activating the special EPS bearer to the MME;

404. the MME sends a Create bearer Response (Create bearer Response) message to the PGW.

405. When the subsequent UE is switched from the idle state to the connection state by initiating the service request or when the service request is initiated in the connection state, the access attribute indication can be generated according to the APN or the bearing priority of the service to be initiated by the service request, and the message carrying the access attribute indication is sent to the network side, so that the network side equipment can conveniently carry out access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, because the MME transmits policy information for determining a priority attribute of a bearer of the UE or a signed APN to the UE based on a dedicated bearer establishment procedure initiated by the PGW, the UE may determine the policy information according to the priority attribute and determine a priority of the bearer or the APN on which the initiated service is based; generating an access attribute indication corresponding to the priority of the determined bearer; and sending the message carrying the access attribute indication to the network side, so that the network side can perform access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication. The mechanism enables the UE to make clear the priority of the bearer based on which the UE initiates the service, and the UE makes the network side clear the service access control logic through indication, thereby being beneficial to improving the rationality of the network side for processing the UE initiating service and enhancing the experience of a user on specific application.

EXAMPLE III

In this embodiment, the present invention is mainly directed to a case that a UE has subscribed to an APN or has a changed priority attribute of a bearer, and a network side has a bearer related to the APN, and priority attribute information of the APN or the bearer needs to be stored in a gateway device (e.g., a PGW, an SGW, or the like).

Referring to fig. 5, the specific steps may include:

501. the HSS informs the MME that the attribute of the APN subscribed by the UE changes;

if the priority attribute of the APN subscribed by the UE, which is stored by the HSS, changes (for example, Qos parameters of the subscribed APN change), and the priority attribute of the current UE bearer is affected, the HSS notifies the MME.

In addition, the MME may change the priority attribute of the APN or the bearer due to a change in one or more of parameters such as subscription data change, local policy, operator configuration, and the like, and at this time, the MME needs to notify the UE.

502. If the UE is in an IDLE (RRC _ IDLE) state, the MME initiates a service request process to transfer to a Connected (RRC _ Connected) state after paging the UE.

If already in the RRC Connected state, step 502 need not be performed.

503. MME sends a bearer modification command message to PGW;

wherein, if the priority attribute of the APN changes: the MME sends a modify bearer command message to the PGW, for example, the modify bearer command message may carry a parameter Link Bearer Identity (LBI), where the LBI indicates the APN with the modified priority attribute and may also carry priority attribute information modified by the APN.

It is conceivable that the priority attribute of the APN may be determined by a certain node in the network element, or may be determined by a plurality of nodes together according to one or more factors of the subscription data of the HSS, APN information, operator policy, local policy, and the like.

The PGW, the SGW, or the PCRF entity may also determine the priority attribute of the APN according to one or more of APN information, operator configuration on a network element, local policy, and the like.

If the priority attribute of the bearer changes: the MME sends a modify bearer command message to the PGW, for example, the modify bearer command message may carry a bearer identifier and may also carry priority attribute information of the bearer modification.

504. The PGW initiates a bearer update process, and notifies the UE of the currently changed APN or the priority attribute of the bearer through the MME.

In practical applications, the UE may be notified of the currently changed APN or priority attribute of the bearer by adding an indication parameter to the existing flow message.

For example, the message for adding the parameter may be a modified Bearer Request (Update Bearer Request) message between the PGW, the SGW, and the MME, or a modified EPS Bearer CONTEXT Request (modified EPS Bearer CONTEXT Request) message between the MME and the UE.

Wherein, if the bearer establishment procedure is used: the message requiring parameter addition may be a PGW, a Create Bearer Request (Create Bearer Request) between the SGW and the MME, an activate dedicated EPS Bearer context Request between the MME and the UE, and the like.

Of course, the MME may also carry priority attribute information of other one or more APNs or bearers subscribed to the UE in the above message.

505. When the subsequent UE is switched from the idle state to the connection state by initiating the service request or when the service request is initiated in the connection state, the access attribute indication can be generated according to the APN or the bearing priority of the service to be initiated by the service request, and the message carrying the access attribute indication is sent to the network side, so that the equipment at the network side can conveniently carry out access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, because the MME transfers the policy information determined by the bearer of the UE or the priority attribute of the signed APN to the UE based on the bearer update procedure, the UE can determine the policy information according to the priority attribute and determine the priority of the bearer or the APN on which the initiated service is based; generating an access attribute indication corresponding to the priority of the determined bearer; and sending the message carrying the access attribute indication to the network side, so that the network side can perform access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication. The mechanism enables the UE to make clear the priority of the bearer based on which the UE initiates the service, and the UE makes the network side clear the service access control logic through indication, thereby being beneficial to improving the rationality of the network side for processing the UE initiating service and enhancing the experience of a user on specific application.

Example four

In this embodiment, the UE is mainly directed to a scenario in which the UE has subscribed to an APN or has a changed bearer attribute, the network side has a bearer related to the APN, the PGW does not store the priority attribute of the APN or the bearer, and the PGW does not determine the priority attribute.

Referring to fig. 6, the specific steps may include:

601. the HSS informs the MME that the priority attribute of the APN signed by the UE changes or parameters such as Qos of the signed APN change;

the HSS informs the MME that the attribute of the APN subscribed by the UE changes;

602. If the UE is in the RRC _ IDLE state, the service request flow is switched to the RRC _ Connected state after the MME pages the UE.

If it is already in the RRC _ Connected state, step 602 need not be performed.

603. When the PGW does not store the attribute of the APN or the bearer and the PGW does not determine the attribute of the APN or the bearer, the MME may select to release the PDN connection of the relevant APN or deactivate the bearer, may carry the priority attribute information of the modified APN or bearer in the deactivation message, and refers to and uses the information when the UE accesses the UE next time.

Wherein, if the priority attribute of the APN changes: the MME sends a modify bearer command message to the UE, for example, the modify bearer command message may carry a parameter Link Bearer Identity (LBI), where the LBI indicates the APN with the modified priority attribute and may also carry priority attribute information modified by the APN.

Of course, the MME may also carry priority attribute information of other one or more APNs or bearers subscribed to by the UE in the modify bearer command message.

604. When the subsequent UE is switched from the idle state to the connection state by initiating the service request or when the service request is initiated in the connection state, the access attribute indication can be generated according to the APN or the bearing priority of the service to be initiated by the service request, and the message carrying the access attribute indication is sent to the network side, so that the network side equipment can conveniently carry out access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication.

Wherein, if the bearer is established by using the default configuration of the UE, the access attribute indication can not be carried.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, because the MME deactivates the procedure based on the bearer or PDN connection, the policy information is determined by the priority attribute of the bearer or the signed APN of the UE and is transferred to the UE, and the UE can determine the policy information according to the priority attribute and determine the priority of the bearer or the APN on which the initiated service is based; generating an access attribute indication corresponding to the priority of the determined bearer; and sending a message carrying the access attribute indication to the network side, so that the network side can perform access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication. The mechanism enables the UE to make clear the priority of the bearer based on which the UE initiates the service, and the UE makes the network side clear the service access control logic through indication, thereby being beneficial to improving the rationality of the network side for processing the UE initiating service and enhancing the experience of a user on specific application.

EXAMPLE five

In order to better understand the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention, the embodiment mainly takes the specific implementation in the SAE communication system as an example for description.

In this embodiment, the priority attribute mainly for the APN that the UE has subscribed to or the bearer that exists changes, and the network side exists in relation to the bearer of this APN, and the priority attribute of the APN or the bearer is not stored in the PGW, and the PGW does not determine the priority attribute. The MME may modify the priority attributes of the relevant APNs or bearers.

Referring to FIG. 7, specific steps may include

701. The HSS informs the MME that the priority attribute of the APN signed by the UE changes or parameters such as Qos of the signed APN change;

In addition, the MME may change the priority attribute of the APN or the bearer due to a change in one or more of parameters such as subscription data change, local policy, operator configuration, and the like, and at this time, the MME needs to notify the UE. .

702. If the UE is in the RRC _ IDLE state, the service request flow is switched to the RRC _ Connected state after the MME pages the UE.

If already in the RRC _ Connected state, step 702 need not be performed.

703. When APN or bearer attributes are not saved in the PGW and the PGW does not decide its attributes. And the MME modifies the priority attribute of the related APN or the bearer and informs the UE.

Wherein, if the priority attribute of the APN changes: in a MODIFY EPS BEARER CONTEXT REQUEST (modified EPS BEARER CONTEXT REQUEST) message sent by the MME to the UE, a parameter LBI (linked BEARER id) may be carried, where the LBI indicates an APN whose priority attribute is modified, and may also carry priority attribute information for the APN modification.

If the priority attribute of the bearer changes: : the modified EPS BEARER CONTEXT REQUEST (modified EPS BEARER CONTEXT REQUEST) message sent by the MME to the UE may carry the BEARER identity, and may also carry the priority attribute information of the BEARER modification.

Of course, the MME may also carry priority attribute information of other one or more APNs or BEARERs subscribed to by the UE in the MODIFY EPS BEARER CONTEXT REQUEST message described above.

704. When the subsequent UE is switched from the idle state to the connection state by initiating the service request or when the service request is initiated in the connection state, the access attribute indication can be generated according to the APN or the bearing priority of the service to be initiated by the service request, and the message carrying the access attribute indication is sent to the network side, so that the network side equipment can conveniently carry out access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, because the MME transfers the policy information determined by the bearer of the UE or the priority attribute of the signed APN to the UE based on the bearer modification procedure, the UE can determine the policy information according to the priority attribute and determine the priority of the bearer or the APN on which the initiated service is based; generating an access attribute indication corresponding to the priority of the determined bearer; and sending a message carrying the access attribute indication to the network side, so that the network side can perform access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication. The mechanism enables the UE to make clear the priority of the bearer based on which the UE initiates the service, and the UE makes the network side clear the service access control logic through indication, thereby being beneficial to improving the rationality of the network side for processing the UE initiating service and enhancing the experience of a user on specific application.

EXAMPLE six

If the UE newly subscribes to the APN and the network does not have a bearer corresponding to the APN, the network side may also transfer the priority attribute information of the APN to the UE in the following example manner;

in a first mode, in a process of performing Tracking Area Update (TAU) by the UE, the MME transfers, through a TAU Accept message, priority attribute information of an APN newly signed by the UE to the UE. Of course, the MME may also carry priority attribute information of other one or more APNs or bearers subscribed to by the UE in the tracking area update accept message.

And in the second mode, when the UE initiates PDN connection establishment to other APNs, the UE transmits the priority attribute information of the APN newly subscribed by the UE to the UE through PDN connection acceptance/rejection (PDN connection acceptance or rejection message) sent by the MME. Of course, the MME may also carry priority attribute information of other one or more APNs or bearers subscribed to by the UE in the PDN connection accept or reject message.

In a third way, the network detaches the UE, and the UE may obtain the priority attribute information of the APN newly subscribed through, for example, the attach procedure in the first embodiment when re-attaching.

Of course, the MME may also transfer the priority attribute information of the other APN or bearer or bearers to the UE during the UE reattachment procedure.

When the subsequent UE is switched from the idle state to the connection state by initiating the service request or when the service request is initiated in the connection state, the access attribute indication can be generated according to the APN or the bearing priority of the service to be initiated by the service request, and the message carrying the access attribute indication is sent to the network side, so that the network side equipment can conveniently carry out access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication.

It will be appreciated that the above approach may also be equally applicable to scenarios where the attributes are changed for an already subscribed APN or presence bearer, and the network side is concerned with the presence of the bearer for this APN.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, because the MME transfers policy information determined by a priority attribute of a bearer or a signed APN of the UE to the UE based on a location update procedure, a PDN connection establishment, or an attach procedure, the UE may determine the policy information according to the priority attribute and determine a priority of the bearer or the APN on which the initiated service is based; generating an access attribute indication corresponding to the priority of the determined bearer; and sending a message carrying the access attribute indication to the network side, so that the network side can perform access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication. The mechanism enables the UE to make clear the priority of the bearer based on which the UE initiates the service, and the UE makes the network side clear the service access control logic through indication, thereby being beneficial to improving the rationality of the network side for processing the UE initiating service and enhancing the experience of a user on specific application.

It should be noted that, the scenarios illustrated in the foregoing embodiments are only partial scenarios in which the MME transfers the APN or the priority attribute of the bearer to the UE, and of course, the MME may also transfer the APN or the priority attribute of the bearer to the UE in other flows, and so on, which is not described here again.

It should be noted that, for simplicity of description, the above-mentioned method embodiments are described as a series of acts or combination of acts, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited by the order of acts, as some steps may occur in other orders or concurrently in accordance with the invention. Further, those skilled in the art should also appreciate that the embodiments described in the specification are preferred embodiments and that the acts and modules referred to are not necessarily required by the invention.

In the above embodiments, the descriptions of the respective embodiments have respective emphasis, and for parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference may be made to related descriptions of other embodiments.

In order to better implement the technical scheme of the embodiment of the invention, the embodiment of the invention also provides a related device and a related system for implementing the scheme.

Referring to fig. 8, a mobility management network element 800 provided in an embodiment of the present invention may include: a policy acquisition module 810 and a policy delivery module 820.

The policy obtaining module 810 is configured to obtain a bearer of the UE or a priority attribute of a signed access point name APN to determine policy information;

a policy transfer module 820, configured to send a non-access stratum message carrying the priority attribute determination policy information to the UE.

The priority indication of the bearer or the signed APN, and/or the indication of the service quality range, the delay tolerance range or the packet loss rate range corresponding to at least one priority level.

In one application scenario, the policy obtaining module 810 may include: the first strategy obtaining submodule and/or the second strategy obtaining submodule.

The first policy obtaining submodule is used for obtaining the load bearing of the user equipment UE or the priority attribute of the signed access point name APN from the gateway equipment or the home subscriber server to determine policy information;

and the second policy obtaining submodule is used for obtaining the load bearing of the UE or the priority attribute of the signed Access Point Name (APN) to determine policy information according to at least one of the signed data, the operator policy and the local policy of the UE.

In an application scenario, the policy transfer module 820 may be specifically configured to send an EPS bearer context request message for activating a dedicated evolved packet domain system to the UE, where the EPS bearer context request message for activating a dedicated EPS carries the policy information for determining the priority attribute; or,

sending an EPS bearing context deactivation request message to the UE, wherein the EPS bearing context deactivation request message carries the priority attribute determination strategy information; or,

sending a request message for modifying the EPS bearing context to the UE, wherein the request message for modifying the EPS bearing context carries the priority attribute determination strategy information; or,

sending a Packet Data Network (PDN) connection receiving message to the UE, wherein the PDN connection receiving message carries the priority attribute determination strategy information; or,

sending a PDN connection rejection message to the UE, wherein the PDN connection rejection message carries the priority attribute determination strategy information; or,

sending a tracking area update acceptance message to the UE, wherein the tracking area update acceptance message carries the priority attribute determination strategy information; or,

and sending an attachment acceptance message carrying the priority attribute determination strategy information to the UE.

It can be understood that the functions of each functional module of the mobility management network element 800 may be specifically implemented according to the method in the foregoing method embodiment, and the specific implementation process may refer to the related description of the foregoing method embodiment, which is not described herein again.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, the mobility management network element 800 transmits the policy information determined by the bearer of the UE or the priority attribute of the signed APN to the UE through the NAS message, so that the UE can determine the policy information according to the priority attribute and determine the priority of the bearer or the APN on which the initiated service is based; and can generate the access attribute indication corresponding to the priority of the determined load bearing; and sending the message carrying the access attribute indication to the network side, so that the network side can perform access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication. The mechanism is beneficial to the UE to determine the priority of the bearer based on which the UE initiates the service, so that the UE can indicate the network side to determine the service access control logic of the UE, the rationality of the network side for processing the UE initiating service is improved, and the experience of a user on specific application is enhanced.

Referring to fig. 9, a user equipment 900 provided in an embodiment of the present invention may include: a receiving module 910, a priority determining module 920, an indication generating module 930, and a transmitting module 940.

The receiving module 910 is configured to receive an NAS message sent by a mobility management network element, where the NAS message carries policy information for determining a bearer of the UE or a priority attribute of a signed APN;

a priority determining module 920, configured to determine policy information according to the priority attribute, and determine a priority of a bearer or an APN on which the initiated service is based;

an indication generating module 930, configured to generate an access attribute indication corresponding to the priority determined by the priority determining module 920;

a sending module 940, configured to send a message carrying the access attribute indication generated by the indication generating module 930 to the network side, so that the network side performs access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication.

In an application scenario, the sending module 940 may include: a first transmission submodule and/or a second transmission submodule.

The first sending submodule is configured to send a radio resource control RRC message carrying the access attribute indication generated by the indication generating module 930 to the access network element;

a second sending submodule, configured to send, to the mobility management network element, an NAS message (for example, a service request message, an attach request message, or a location update request message) carrying the access attribute indication generated by the indication generating module 930.

It can be understood that the functions of the functional modules of the user equipment 900 may be specifically implemented according to the method in the foregoing method embodiment, and the specific implementation process may refer to the relevant description of the foregoing method embodiment, which is not described herein again.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, since the mobility management network element transmits the policy information determined by the bearer of the user equipment 900 or the priority attribute of the signed APN to the user equipment 900 through the NAS message, the user equipment 900 may determine the policy information according to the priority attribute and determine the priority of the bearer or the APN on which the initiated service is based; generating an access attribute indication corresponding to the priority of the determined bearer; and sends the message carrying the access attribute indication to the network side, so that the network side can perform access control on the service initiated by the user equipment 900 according to the access attribute indication. The mechanism enables the user equipment 900 to make clear the priority of the bearer based on which the user equipment initiates the service, and the user equipment 900 makes the network side clear the service access control logic through indication, so that the rationality of processing the service initiated by the user equipment 900 by the network side is improved, and the experience of the user on specific application is enhanced.

Referring to fig. 10, a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes: a mobility management network element 1010 and a user equipment 1020.

The mobility management network element 1010 is configured to obtain a bearer of the user equipment 1020 or a priority attribute of a signed access point name APN to determine policy information; sending a non-access stratum (NAS) message carrying the priority attribute determination policy information to the user equipment 1020;

the user equipment 1020 is configured to receive the NAS message sent by the mobility management network element 1010; determining policy information according to the priority attribute carried by the NAS message, and determining the priority of a bearer or APN (access point name) based on the initiated service; generating an access attribute indication corresponding to the determined priority; and sending a message carrying the access attribute indication to the network side, so that the network side performs access control on the service initiated by the user equipment 1020 according to the access attribute indication.

Further, the communication system may further include:

an access network element, configured to receive a message carrying an access attribute indication sent by a user equipment 1020 in a service initiation process; and performing access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication.

The communication system provided by the embodiment of the invention comprises: mobility management network element 800 and/or user equipment 900.

In summary, in the embodiment of the present invention, since the mobility management network element transmits the policy information for determining the priority attribute of the bearer or the signed APN of the UE to the UE through the NAS message, the UE may determine the policy information according to the priority attribute and determine the priority of the bearer or the APN on which the initiated service is based; generating an access attribute indication corresponding to the priority of the determined bearer; and sending the message carrying the access attribute indication to the network side, so that the network side can carry out access control on the service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication. The mechanism enables the UE to make clear the priority of the bearer based on which the UE initiates the service, and the UE makes the network side clear the service access control logic through indication, thereby being beneficial to improving the rationality of the network side for processing the UE initiating service and enhancing the experience of a user on specific application.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of the steps in the methods of the above embodiments may be implemented by associated hardware instructed by a program, which may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and the storage medium may include: read-only memory, random access memory, magnetic or optical disk, and the like.

The attribute information delivery method, the service initiation method, the related device and the system provided by the embodiment of the invention are described in detail, a specific embodiment is applied in the text to explain the principle and the implementation mode of the invention, and the description of the embodiment is only used for helping to understand the method and the core idea of the invention; meanwhile, for a person skilled in the art, according to the idea of the present invention, there may be variations in the specific embodiments and the application scope, and in summary, the content of the present specification should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting attribute information of a bearer or an access point name is characterized by comprising the following steps:

sending a non-access layer message carrying the priority attribute determination policy information to the UE, so that the UE sends a message carrying an access attribute indication to a network side, and the network side performs access control on a service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication; the access attribute indication corresponds to the priority of the bearer or the APN on which the service initiated by the UE is based, and the priority of the bearer or the APN on which the service initiated by the UE is based is determined by the UE according to the priority attribute determination policy information;

wherein, the determining the policy information of the priority attribute of the bearer or the signed APN comprises: the priority indication of the bearer or the signed APN, and/or the indication of the service quality range, the delay tolerance range or the packet loss rate range corresponding to at least one priority level.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the priority attribute determination policy information of the bearer of the UE or the subscribed APN comprises:

obtaining the load bearing of the user equipment UE or the priority attribute of the signed APN from the gateway equipment or the home subscriber server to determine the strategy information; or obtaining the bearer of the UE or the priority attribute of the signed APN to determine the policy information according to at least one of the subscription data of the UE, the operator policy and the local policy.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending a non-access stratum message carrying the priority attribute determination policy information to the UE comprises:

sending a request message for activating the special evolved packet domain (EPS) bearer context to the UE, wherein the request message for activating the special EPS bearer context carries the priority attribute determination policy information;

or,

sending an EPS bearing context deactivation request message to the UE, wherein the EPS bearing context deactivation request message carries the priority attribute determination policy information;

or,

sending an EPS bearing context modification request message to the UE, wherein the EPS bearing context modification request message carries the priority attribute determination strategy information;

or,

sending a Packet Data Network (PDN) connection receiving message to the UE, wherein the PDN connection receiving message carries the priority attribute determination strategy information;

or,

sending a PDN connection rejection message to the UE, wherein the PDN connection rejection message carries the priority attribute determination strategy information;

or,

sending a tracking area update acceptance message to the UE, wherein the tracking area update acceptance message carries the priority attribute determination strategy information;

or,

4. A method for service initiation, comprising:

user Equipment (UE) receives a non-access stratum (NAS) message sent by a mobility management network element, wherein the NAS message carries priority attribute determination policy information of a bearer or a signed Access Point Name (APN) of the UE, and the priority attribute determination policy information of the bearer or the signed APN comprises the following steps: a priority indication of the bearer or the signed APN, and/or an indication of a service quality range, a delay tolerance range or a packet loss rate range corresponding to at least one priority level;

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sending the message carrying the access attribute indication to the network side comprises:

sending a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message carrying the access attribute indication to an access network element;

and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

and sending the NAS message carrying the access attribute indication to a mobility management network element.

6. A mobility management network element, comprising:

a policy transfer module, configured to send a non-access stratum message carrying the priority attribute determination policy information to the UE, so that the UE sends a message carrying an access attribute indication to a network side, and the network side performs access control on a service initiated by the UE according to the access attribute indication; the access attribute indication corresponds to the priority of the bearer or the APN on which the service initiated by the UE is based, and the priority of the bearer or the APN on which the service initiated by the UE is based is determined by the UE according to the priority attribute determination policy information;

7. The mobility management network element of claim 6,

the policy obtaining module includes:

a first policy obtaining submodule, configured to obtain, from a gateway device or a home subscriber server HSS, bearer of a user equipment UE or a priority attribute of a signed APN, to determine policy information;

or,

and the second policy obtaining submodule is used for obtaining the bearer of the UE or the priority attribute of the signed APN to determine policy information according to at least one of the subscription data of the UE, the operator policy and the local policy.

8. Mobility management network element according to claim 6 or 7,

the policy transfer module is configured to send a request message for activating an EPS bearer context of the dedicated evolved packet domain system to the UE, where the request message for activating the EPS bearer context carries the policy information for determining the priority attribute; or,

sending an EPS bearing context deactivation request message to the UE, wherein the EPS bearing context deactivation request message carries the priority attribute determination policy information; or,

sending an EPS bearing context modification request message to the UE, wherein the EPS bearing context modification request message carries the priority attribute determination strategy information; or,

9. A user device, comprising:

a receiving module, configured to receive a non-access stratum message sent by a mobility management network element, where the non-access stratum message carries policy information for determining a priority attribute of a bearer or a signed APN of a UE, and the policy information for determining a priority attribute of the bearer or the signed APN includes: a priority indication of the bearer or the signed APN, and/or an indication of a service quality range, a delay tolerance range or a packet loss rate range corresponding to at least one priority level;

10. The user equipment of claim 9,

the sending module comprises:

the first sending submodule is used for sending a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message carrying the access attribute indication to an access network element;

and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

and the second sending submodule is used for sending the non-access stratum NAS message carrying the access attribute indication to a mobility management network element.

11. A communication system, comprising:

the mobile management network element is used for obtaining the load bearing of the user equipment UE or the priority attribute of the signed access point name APN to determine the strategy information; sending a non-access stratum (NAS) message carrying the priority attribute determination policy information to the UE, wherein the priority attribute determination policy information of the bearer or the signed APN comprises: a priority indication of the bearer or the signed APN, and/or an indication of a service quality range, a delay tolerance range or a packet loss rate range corresponding to at least one priority level;