FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
“METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UPDATING A
PRECONFIGURED SESSION MANAGEMENT (SM) POLICY
ASSOCIATED WITH A NETWORK”
We, Jio Platforms Limited, an Indian National, of Office - 101, Saffron, Nr.
Centre Point, Panchwati 5 Rasta, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad - 380006, Gujarat,
India.
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed.
2
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UPDATING A PRECONFIGURED
SESSION MANAGEMENT (SM) POLICY ASSOCIATED WITH A
NETWORK
5 FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of
wireless communication. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure
relate to updating a preconfigured session management (SM) policy associated with
10 a network.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The following description of related art is intended to provide background
15 information pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may include
certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the present
disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section be used only to
enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and
not as admissions of prior art.
20
[0003] Wireless communication technology has rapidly evolved over the past few
decades, with each generation bringing significant improvements and
advancements. The first generation of wireless communication technology was
based on antilog technology and offered only voice services. However, with the
25 advent of the second generation (2G) technology, digital communication and data
services became possible, and text messaging was introduced. The third generation
(3G) technology marked the introduction of high-speed internet access, mobile
video calling, and location-based services. The fourth generation (4G) technology
revolutionized wireless communication with faster data speeds, better network
30 coverage, and improved security. Currently, the fifth generation (5G) technology is
3
being deployed, promising even faster data speeds, low latency, and the ability to
connect multiple devices simultaneously. With each generation, wireless
communication technology has become more advanced, sophisticated, and capable
of delivering more services to its users. As the wireless communication technology
has evolved to a great 5 extent, the number of users/subscribers of the wireless
networks has also increased to a great extent and it is important for the wireless
networks to provide better and smooth services to its subscribers. Session
management plays a critical role in providing better services to the
customers/subscribers of a telecom network. Improved session management may
10 lead to improved customer experience. Also, an increased number of sessions for
the subscribers may create various problems at a network end and hence impact the
user experience and network performance. Therefore, it is required to provide a
session management solution that can efficiently handle the sessions created for the
subscribers.
15
[0004] In the current scenario, a problem of updating arises when the network
function Session Management Function (SMF) sends an SM Policy Control Create
message to network function Policy Control Function (PCF). The PCF then initiates
a Spending Limit Control (SLC) Subscribe Request (SLR) message which is
20 directed towards the Charging Function (CHF)/ Online Charging System (OCS).
As may be known, the spending limit control (SLC) is a feature that is responsible
for monitoring and managing data usage of a user(s) to prevent exceeding the
predefined limits on the data usage (set by the telecom operator) which may be set
manually on the user devices. The SLR message may be a request message for
25 initiating the spending limit control (SLC) or as a part of the Initial or Intermediate
Spending Limit Report Request procedure.
[0005] The Charging Function (CHF) is a part of the converged charging system
(CCS) which may be an aggregation of online and off-line charging systems that
30 may be used to address new and emerging monetization use cases. The Converged
Charging System (CCS) consists of four distinct modules, the CHF, an Account
4
Balance Management Function (ABMF), a Charging Gateway Function (CGF) and
a Rating Function (RF). The CHF consists of Online Charging Function (OCF) and
Charging Data Function (CDF). The Online Charging Function (OCF) provides
quota management functionality under Credit-Control terminology. The Charging
Data Function (CDF) provides 5 Charging Data Records (CDRs) generation
functionality for charging events received from the Charging Trigger Function
(CTF) or Charging Exposure Function (CEF) via an Nchf interface.
[0006] The existing technology is lacking handling scenarios where the CHF
10 responds with error codes to the SLR message. If the CHF cannot successfully fulfil
the received SLR message, which may comprise a HTTP POST request, due to an
internal CHF error or due to the error in the HTTP POST request, the CHF shall
send error codes such as HTTP error responses. However, it is pertinent to note that
the current solutions do not provide a mechanism for managing such scenarios and
15 provide a solution for solving such problems. This deficiency prompts the need for
a novel solution that ensures uninterrupted service delivery by signaling a need for
corrective action to the PCF.
[0007] To tackle this challenge, a refined approach is needed that informs the SMF
20 of the encountered issue i.e., in the event of error codes from the CHF in response
to the SLR message.
[0008] Hence, in view of these and other existing limitations, there arises an
imperative need to update the session management (SM) policy associated with the
25 network to overcome the above-mentioned limitations by providing a method and
system for updating a preconfigured session management (SM) policy associated
with the network, which the present disclosure aims to address.
5
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0009] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one
embodiment disclosed herein satisfies are listed herein below.
5
[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system and a method for
ensuring service continuity in case of network reachability error between PCF and
CHF/OCS.
10 [0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide policy rules to
customers without any service interruption.
[0012] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a customer
experience that remains stable even in case of network outage of CHF/OCS or
15 connectivity between PCF and CHF/OCS.
[0013] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that
defines specific triggers to match unique requirements of network and services.
20 SUMMARY
[0014] This section is provided to introduce certain aspects of the present disclosure
in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description.
This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed
25 subject matter.
[0015] An aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a method for updating a
preconfigured session management (SM) policy associated with a network. The
method comprises receiving, by a transceiver unit at a Policy Control function
30 (PCF) from a Session Management Function (SMF), a first session Management
6
(SM) policy control create request. The method further comprises transmitting, by
the transceiver unit from the Policy Control function (PCF) to a Charging Function
(CHF), a first spending limit control subscribe request based on the first SM policy
control create request. The method further comprises receiving, by the transceiver
unit at the PCF from the CHF, 5 a first spending limit control subscribe response
comprising at least one error code based on the first spending limit control subscribe
request. The method further comprises transmitting, by the transceiver unit from
the PCF to the SMF, a first SM policy control create response based on the first
spending limit control subscribe response. The at least one error code is associated
10 with an event trigger. The method further comprises receiving, by the transceiver
unit at the PCF from the SMF, a first SM policy control update request comprising
at least one event trigger. The method further comprises determining, by a
processing unit at the PCF, an event trigger match based on the received at least one
event trigger. The method further comprises transmitting, by the transceiver unit
15 from the PCF to the CHF, a second spending limit control subscribe request based
on the event trigger match. The method further comprises identifying, by the
processing unit at the PCF from the CHF, a positive response comprising at least
one or more Policy Counter Identifiers (PCIDs) based on the second spending limit
control subscribe request. The method further comprises transmitting, by the
20 transceiver unit from the PCF to the SMF, an updated SM policy control update
response based on at least the positive response. And the method further comprises
updating, by the processing unit, the preconfigured SM policy associated with the
network based on the updated SM policy control update response.
25 [0016] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the positive response
received at the PCF from the SMF is a predefined response identified by the PCF
from the CHF.
7
[0017] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the updated SM policy
control update response initiates an update action associated with a Policy and
Charging Control (PCC) rules based on at least the one or more PCIDs.
[0018] In an exemplary 5 aspect of the present disclosure, the method further
comprises fetching, by the transceiver unit at the PCF, a preconfigured event trigger
list based on receiving, at the PCF, the first spending limit control subscribe
response.
10 [0019] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the first SM policy control
create response comprises a system (SY) error code.
[0020] Another aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a system for updating
a preconfigured session management (SM) policy associated with a network. The
15 system comprises a transceiver unit configured to receive, at a Policy Control
function (PCF) from a Session Management Function (SMF), a first session
Management (SM) policy control create request. The transceiver unit is further
configured to transmit, from the Policy Control function (PCF) to a Charging
Function (CHF), a first spending limit control subscribe request based on the first
20 SM policy control create request. The transceiver unit is further configured to
receive, at the PCF from the CHF, a first spending limit control subscribe response
comprising at least one error code based on the first spending limit control subscribe
request. The transceiver unit is further configured to transmit, from the PCF to the
SMF, a first SM policy control create response based on the first spending limit
25 control subscribe response. The at least one error code is associated with an event
trigger. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive, at the PCF from the
SMF, a first SM policy control update request comprising at least one event trigger.
The system further comprises a processing unit connected to at least the transceiver
unit. The processing unit is configured to determine, at the PCF, an event trigger
30 match based on the received at least one event trigger. The transceiver unit is further
8
configured to transmit, from the PCF to the CHF, a second spending limit control
subscribe request based on the event trigger match. The processing unit is further
configured to identify, at the PCF from the CHF, a positive response comprising at
least one or more Policy Counter Identifiers (PCIDs) based on the second spending
limit control subscribe request. The transceiver 5 unit is further configured to
transmit, from the PCF to the SMF, an updated SM policy control update response
based on at least the positive response. And the processing unit is further configured
to update the preconfigured SM policy associated with the network based on the
updated SM policy control update response.
10
[0021] Another aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a non-transitory
computer readable storage medium, storing instructions for updating a
preconfigured session management (SM) policy associated with a network, the
instructions include executable code which, when executed by one or more units of
15 a system, causes a transceiver unit to receive, at a Policy Control function (PCF)
from a Session Management Function (SMF), a first session Management (SM)
policy control create request. Further, the executable code which, when executed
causes the transceiver unit to transmit, from the Policy Control function (PCF) to a
Charging Function (CHF), a first spending limit control subscribe request based on
20 the first SM policy control create request. Further, the executable code which, when
executed causes the transceiver unit to receive, at the PCF from the CHF, a first
spending limit control subscribe response comprising at least one error code based
on the first spending limit control subscribe request. Further, the executable code
which, when executed causes the transceiver unit to transmit, from the PCF to the
25 SMF, a first SM policy control create response based on the first spending limit
control subscribe response. The at least one error code is associated with an event
trigger. Further, the executable code which, when executed causes the transceiver
unit to receive, at the PCF from the SMF, a first SM policy control update request
comprising at least one event trigger. Further, the executable code which, when
30 executed causes a processing unit to determine, at the PCF, an event trigger match
9
based on the received at least one event trigger. Further, the executable code which,
when executed causes the transceiver unit to transmit, from the PCF to the CHF, a
second spending limit control subscribe request based on the event trigger match.
Further, the executable code which, when executed causes the processing unit to
identify, at the PCF from the CHF, a 5 positive response comprising at least one or
more Policy Counter Identifiers (PCIDs) based on the second spending limit control
subscribe request. Further, the executable code which, when executed causes the
transceiver unit to transmit, from the PCF to the SMF, an updated SM policy control
update response based on at least the positive response. Further, the executable code
10 which, when executed causes the processing unit to update the preconfigured SM
policy associated with the network based on the updated SM policy control update
response.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
15
[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute
a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods
and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the
different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale,
20 emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present
disclosure. Some drawings may indicate the components using block diagrams and
may not represent the internal circuitry of each component. It will be appreciated
by those skilled in the art that disclosure of such drawings includes disclosure of
electrical components, electronic components or circuitry commonly used to
25 implement such components.
[0023] FIG.1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram representation of a 5th
generation core (5GC) network architecture.
10
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device upon
which the features of the present disclosure may be implemented in accordance with
exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block 5 diagram of a system for updating a
preconfigured session management (SM) policy associated with a network, in
accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method flow diagram for updating a
10 preconfigured session management (SM) policy associated with the network, in
accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary flow chart depicting interaction between the
network function(s) for updating a preconfigured session management (SM) policy
15 associated with the network, in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0028] The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed
description of the disclosure.
20
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various
specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of
25 embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that
embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific
details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one
another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not
address any of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the
30 problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be
11
fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Example embodiments of
the present disclosure are described below, as illustrated in various drawings in
which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different
drawings.
5
[0030] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not
intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather,
the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in
the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It
10 should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and
arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the
disclosure as set forth.
[0031] It should be noted that the terms "mobile device", "user equipment", "user
15 device", “communication device”, “device” and similar terms are used
interchangeably for the purpose of describing the disclosure. These terms are not
intended to limit the scope of the disclosure or imply any specific functionality or
limitations on the described embodiments. The use of these terms is solely for
convenience and clarity of description. The disclosure is not limited to any
20 particular type of device or equipment, and it should be understood that other
equivalent terms or variations thereof may be used interchangeably without
departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined herein.
[0032] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough
25 understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these
specific details. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other
components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to
obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known
12
circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without
unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.
[0033] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process
which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow 5 diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure
diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as
a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or
concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process
is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not
10 included in a FIG.
[0034] The word “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is used herein to mean
serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the
subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any
15 aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is not
necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or
designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques
known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms
“includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed
20 description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar
to the term “comprising” as an open transition word without precluding any
additional or other elements.
[0035] As used herein, an “electronic device”, or “portable electronic device”, or
25 “user device” or “communication device” or “user equipment” or “device” refers
to any electrical, electronic, electromechanical and computing device. The user
device is capable of receiving and/or transmitting one or parameters, performing
function/s, communicating with other user devices and transmitting data to the
other user devices. The user equipment may have a processor, a display, a memory,
30 a battery and an input-means such as a hard keypad and/or a soft keypad. The user
13
equipment may be capable of operating on any radio access technology including
but not limited to IP-enabled communication, Zig Bee, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low
Energy, Near Field Communication, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, etc. For
instance, the user equipment may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone,
smartphone, virtual reality (VR) 5 devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, laptop, a
general-purpose computer, desktop, personal digital assistant, tablet computer,
mainframe computer, or any other device as may be obvious to a person skilled in
the art for implementation of the features of the present disclosure.
10 [0036] Further, the user device and/or a system as described herein to implement
technical features as disclosed in the present disclosure may also comprise
a “processor” or “processing unit”, wherein processor refers to any logic circuitry
for processing instructions. The processor may be a general-purpose processor, a
special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor, a
15 plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a
Digital Signal Processor (DSP) core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application
Specific Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable Gate Array circuits, any other
type of integrated circuits, etc. The processor may perform signal coding data
processing, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables the
20 working of the system according to the present disclosure. More specifically, the
processor is a hardware processor.
[0037] As used herein, “a user equipment”, “a user device”, “a smart-user-device”,
“a smart-device”, “an electronic device”, “a mobile device”, “a handheld device”,
25 “a wireless communication device”, “a mobile communication device”, “a
communication device” may be any electrical, electronic and/or computing device
or equipment, capable of implementing the features of the present disclosure. The
user equipment/device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, smart
phone, laptop, a general-purpose computer, desktop, personal digital assistant,
30 tablet computer, wearable device or any other computing device which is capable
14
of implementing the features of the present disclosure. Also, the user device may
contain at least one input means configured to receive an input from at least one of
a transceiver unit, a processing unit, a storage unit, a detection unit and any other
such unit(s) which are required to implement the features of the present disclosure.
5
[0038] As used herein, “storage unit” or “memory unit” refers to a machine or
computer-readable medium including any mechanism for storing information in a
form readable by a computer or similar machine. For example, a computer-readable
medium includes read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”),
10 magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices or other
types of machine-accessible storage media. The storage unit stores at least the data
that may be required by one or more units of the system to perform their respective
functions.
15 [0039] As used herein “interface” or “user interface” refers to a shared boundary
across which two or more separate components of a system exchange information
or data. The interface may also be referred to a set of rules or protocols that define
communication or interaction of one or more modules or one or more units with
each other, which also includes the methods, functions, or procedures that may be
20 called.
[0040] All modules, units, components used herein, unless explicitly excluded
herein, may be software modules or hardware processors, the processors being a
general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor,
25 a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more
microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller,
Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Array
circuits (FPGA), any other type of integrated circuits, etc.
15
[0041] As used herein the transceiver unit includes at least one receiver and at least
one transmitter configured respectively for receiving and transmitting data, signals,
information or a combination thereof between units/components within the system
and/or connected with the system.
5
[0042] As discussed in the background section, the current known solutions have
several shortcomings. The present disclosure aims to overcome the abovementioned
and other existing problems in this field of technology by providing
method and system of updating a preconfigured session management (SM) policy
10 associated with a network.
[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram representation of 5th
generation core (5GC) network architecture, in accordance with exemplary
implementation of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the 5GC network
15 architecture [100] includes a user equipment (UE) [102], a radio access network
(RAN) [104], an access and mobility management function (AMF) [106], a Session
Management Function (SMF) [108], a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) [110],
an Authentication Server Function (AUSF) [112], a Network Slice Specific
Authentication and Authorization Function (NSSAAF) [114], a Network Slice
20 Selection Function (NSSF) [116], a Network Exposure Function (NEF) [118], a
Network Repository Function (NRF) [120], a Policy Control Function (PCF) [122],
a Unified Data Management (UDM) [124], an application function (AF) [126], a
User Plane Function (UPF) [128], a data network (DN) [130], wherein all the
components are assumed to be connected to each other in a manner as obvious to
25 the person skilled in the art for implementing features of the present disclosure.
[0044] The Radio Access Network (RAN) [104] is the part of a mobile
telecommunications system that connects the user equipment (UE) [102] to the core
network (CN) and provides access to different types of networks (e.g., 5G network).
16
It consists of radio base stations and the radio access technologies that enable
wireless communication.
[0045] The Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) [106] is the 5G core
network function responsible for managing access 5 and mobility aspects, such as UE
registration, connection, and reachability. It also handles mobility management
procedures like handovers and paging.
[0046] The Session Management Function (SMF) [108] is the 5G core network
10 function responsible for managing session-related aspects, such as establishing,
modifying, and releasing sessions. It coordinates with the User Plane Function
(UPF) [128] for data forwarding and handles IP address allocation and Quality of
Service (QoS) enforcement. Further, the SMF [108] facilitates enforcement of
session management related policy decisions from the PCF [122
15
[0047] The Service Communication Proxy (SCP) [110] is a network function in the
5G core network that facilitates communication between other network functions
by providing a secure and efficient messaging service. It acts as a mediator for
service-based interfaces.
20
[0048] The Authentication Server Function (AUSF) [112] is the network function
in the 5G core responsible for authenticating UEs during registration and providing
security services. It generates and verifies authentication vectors and tokens.
25 [0049] The Network Slice Specific Authentication and Authorization Function
(NSSAAF) [114] is the network function that provides authentication and
authorization services specific to network slices. It ensures that UEs can access only
the slices for which they are authorized.
17
[0050] The Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) [116] is the network function
responsible for selecting the appropriate network slice for the UE based on factors
such as subscription, requested services, and network policies.
[0051] The Network Exposure Function 5 (NEF) [118] is the network function that
exposes capabilities and services of the 5G network to external applications,
enabling integration with third-party services and applications.
[0052] The Network Repository Function (NRF) [120] is the network function that
10 acts as a central repository for information about available network functions and
services. It facilitates the discovery and dynamic registration of network functions.
[0053] The Policy Control Function (PCF) [122] enables efficient policy control
and management, facilitating network behaviour control, network slicing, user
15 equipment (UE) activities, and communication with other 5G core
network functions. PCF is responsible for policy control decisions, such as QoS,
charging, and access control, based on subscriber information and network policies.
The PCF is responsible for policy control decisions and flow-based charging control
functionalities.
20
[0054] The Unified Data Management (UDM) [124] is the network function that
centralizes the management of subscriber data, including authentication,
authorization, and subscription information.
25 [0055] The Application Function (AF) [126] is the network function that represents
external applications interfacing with the 5G core network to access network
capabilities and services.
18
[0056] The User Plane Function (UPF) [128] is the network function responsible
for handling user data traffic, including packet routing, forwarding, and QoS
enforcement.
[0057] The Data Network (DN) [5 130] refers to a network that provides data services
to user equipment (UE) [102] in a telecommunications system. The data services
may include but are not limited to Internet services, private data network related
services.
10 [0058] Generally, the Charging Function (CHF) [132] is a part of the converged
charging system (CCS) which may be an aggregation of online and off-line
charging systems that may be used to address new and emerging monetization use
cases. The Converged Charging System (CCS) generally consists of four distinct
modules, the CHF, an Account Balance Management Function (ABMF), a
15 Charging Gateway Function (CGF) and a Rating Function (RF). The CHF consists
of Online Charging Function (OCF) and Charging Data Function (CDF). The
Online Charging Function (OCF) provides quota management functionality under
Credit-Control terminology. The Charging Data Function (CDF) provides Charging
Data Records (CDRs) generation functionality for charging events received from
20 the Charging Trigger Function (CTF) or Charging Exposure Function (CEF) via an
Nchf interface.
[0059] The present disclosure can be implemented on a computing device [200] as
shown in FIG. 2. The computing device [200] implements the present disclosure in
25 accordance with the 5G communication network architecture (as shown in FIG. 1).
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of the computing device [200] upon
which the features of the present disclosure may be implemented in accordance with
exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. In an implementation, the
computing device [200] may also implement a method [400] for updating a
30 preconfigured session management (SM) policy associated with the network
utilising the system [300]. In another implementation, the computing device [200]
19
itself implements the method for updating a preconfigured session management
(SM) policy associated with a network using one or more units configured within
the computing device [200], wherein said one or more units are capable of
implementing the features as disclosed in the present disclosure.
5
[0060] The computing device [200] may include a bus [202] or other
communication mechanism for communicating information, and a hardware
processor [204] coupled with bus [202] for processing information. The hardware
processor [204] may be, for example, a general-purpose microprocessor. The
10 computing device [200] may also include a main memory [206], such as a randomaccess
memory (RAM), or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus [202]
for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor [204]. The
main memory [206] also may be used for storing temporary variables or other
intermediate information during execution of the instructions to be executed by the
15 processor [204]. Such instructions, when stored in non-transitory storage media
accessible to the processor [204], render the computing device [200] into a specialpurpose
machine that is customized to perform the operations specified in the
instructions. The computing device [200] further includes a read only memory
(ROM) [208] or other static storage device coupled to the bus [202] for storing static
20 information and instructions for the processor [204].
[0061] A storage device [210], such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or solid-state
drive is provided and coupled to the bus [202] for storing information and
instructions. The computing device [200] may be coupled via the bus [202] to a
25 display [212], such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), Liquid crystal Display (LCD),
Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, Organic LED (OLED) display, etc. for
displaying information to a computer user. An input device [214], including
alphanumeric and other keys, touch screen input means, etc. may be coupled to the
bus [202] for communicating information and command selections to the processor
30 [204]. Another type of user input device may be a cursor controller [216], such as
20
a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicating direction
information and command selections to the processor [204], and for controlling
cursor movement on the display [212]. The input device typically has two degrees
of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allow
5 the device to specify positions in a plane.
[0062] The computing device [200] may implement the techniques described
herein using customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware
and/or program logic which in combination with the computing device [200] causes
10 or programs the computing device [200] to be a special-purpose machine.
According to one implementation, the techniques herein are performed by the
computing device [200] in response to the processor [204] executing one or more
sequences of one or more instructions contained in the main memory [206]. Such
instructions may be read into the main memory [206] from another storage medium,
15 such as the storage device [210]. Execution of the sequences of instructions
contained in the main memory [206] causes the processor [204] to perform the
process steps described herein. In alternative implementations of the present
disclosure, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with
software instructions.
20
[0063] The computing device [200] also may include a communication interface
[218] coupled to the bus [202]. The communication interface [218] provides a twoway
data communication coupling to a network link [220] that is connected to a
local network [222]. For example, the communication interface [218] may be an
25 integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellite modem, or
a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of
telephone line. As another example, the communication interface [218] may be a
local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a
compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such
30 implementation, the communication interface [218] sends and receives electrical,
21
electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing
various types of information.
[0064] The computing device [200] can send messages and receive data, including
program code, through the network(s) 5 , the network link [220] and the
communication interface [218]. In the Internet example, a server [230] might
transmit a requested code for an application program through the Internet [228], the
ISP [226], the local network [222], the host [224] and the communication interface
[218]. The received code may be executed by the processor [204] as it is received,
10 and/or stored in the storage device [210], or other non-volatile storage for later
execution.
[0065] The present disclosure is implemented by the system [300] (as shown in
FIG. 3). The system [300] may be implemented using the computing device [200]
15 (as shown in FIG. 2). In an implementation, the computing device [200] may be
connected to the system [300] to perform the present disclosure. Referring to FIG.
3, an exemplary block diagram of the system [300] for updating a preconfigured
session management (SM) policy associated with a network, is shown, in
accordance with the exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. The
20 preconfigured session management (SM) policy here refers to a set of predefined
rules and governing rules that are responsible for managing sessions (primarily data
sessions) in the communication network (or simply the network). These rules help
in determining how the sessions are established, modified or terminated keeping in
mind the quality of services (QoS), resource allocation, traffic management and
25 users etc. in the network. The system [300] comprises at least one transceiver unit
[301], at least one policy control function (PCF) [122], at least one session
management function (SMF) [108], at least one charging function (CHF) [302], at
least one processing unit [303] and at least one or more policy counter identifiers
(PCIDs) [304]. The CHF [302] may be same as the CHF [132] and may be used
30 interchangeably in the present disclosure. The PCIDs [304] may refer to an
22
identifier used for reference to a policy counter in the OCS for a subscriber. Also,
all of the components/ units of the system [300] are assumed to be connected to
each other unless otherwise indicated below. As shown in the FIG. 3, all units
shown within the system [300] should also be assumed to be connected to each
other. Also, in FIG. 3 only a few 5 units are shown, however, the system [300] may
comprise multiple such units or the system [300] may comprise any such number
of said units, as required to implement the features of the present disclosure. In
another implementation, the system [300] may reside in a server or a network entity.
In yet another implementation, the system [300] may reside partly in the server/
10 network entity.
[0066] The system [300] is configured for updating a preconfigured session
management (SM) policy associated with a network, with the help of the
interconnection between the components/units of the system [300].
15
[0067] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the transceiver unit [301]
is configured to receive, at the Policy Control function (PCF) [122] from a Session
Management Function (SMF) [108], a first session Management (SM) policy
control create request. The SM policy control create request here refers to a request
20 to create a new session management policy association for establishing a Packet
Data Unit (PDU) session related to a UE. PDU session establishment is the process
of establishing a data path between the UE and the communication network. A PDU
session is a logical connection between the UE and a data network, such as internet
or a private network. The PCF uses this request to convey a new policy decision to
25 the SMF. The transceiver unit [301] is further configured to transmit, from the
Policy Control function (PCF) [122] to the Charging Function (CHF) [302], a first
spending limit control subscribe request based on the first SM policy control create
request. The spending limit control is a feature that is responsible for monitoring
and managing data usage of a user(s) to prevent exceeding the predefined limits on
30 the data usage (set by the telecom operator). In another embodiment, the spending
23
limit control of the data can be set manually on the user devices (or equipment).
The data consumption is thus monitored in real time. Upon reaching the spending
limit, it is controlled by restricting the data services given to the user(s) to avoid
overcharges. The first spending limit control subscribe request therefore enables the
network function(s) of the network 5 to retrieve policy control status information
which is responsible for governing the subscribed user’s data usage. The transceiver
unit [301] is further configured to receive, at the PCF [122] from the CHF [302], a
first spending limit control subscribe response comprising at least one error code
based on the first spending limit control subscribe request. The at least one error
10 code is indicative of the issues related to improper functioning of the CHF [302].
In an implementation of the present disclosure, the at least one error code may be
one of a 3002-error code (Unable to Deliver), 5012-error code (Diameter Unable to
Comply) and 404-error code (NOT Found). The 3002-error code is given when a
request cannot be delivered to a destination. The 5012-error code is returned when
15 a request is rejected for unspecified reasons. The 404-error code returned if the UE
identity cannot be derived.
[0068] The transceiver unit [301] is further configured to transmit, from the PCF
[122] to the SMF [108], a first SM policy control create response based on the first
20 spending limit control subscribe response. Further, the first SM policy control
create response comprises a system (SY) error rule. The SY error rule may refer to
a SY reference point that allows the interaction between the OCS and Policy and
Charging Rules Function (PCRF) for obtaining information from the OCS for
policy decision purposes. The Sy reference point enables transfer of policy counter
25 status information relating to subscriber spending from OCS to PCRF and supports
the following functions such as request of policy counter status reporting from
PCRF to OCS and subscribe to or unsubscribe from spending limit reports (i.e.
notifications of policy counter status changes). Further, the Sy reference point
supports the functions of providing a notification of spending limit reports from
30 OCS to PCRF, and cancellation of spending limit reporting from PCRF to OCS.
24
Further, it is to be noted that the at least one error code is associated with an event
trigger.
[0069] The event trigger may include but not limited to a specific condition for
prompting the update of policies for session 5 management. The event trigger may
refer to the types of events, the occurrence of which leads to charging event, and
the event trigger may be issued towards the CHF [302]. In an implementation of the
present disclosure, the event trigger may refer to an updated policy control request
trigger comprising either a new complete list of applicable Policy Control Request
10 Trigger(s) including location change (tracking area), change of UE presence in
PRA, if the Slice Support feature or a Data Network Name (DNN) Replacement
Control feature is supported, change of allowed NSSAI, and/or if the DNN
Replacement Control feature is supported, SMF selection information change, and/
or a "NULL" value to request the removal of all previously installed Policy Control
15 Request Trigger(s). In general, the DNN is an identifier used for selecting an SMF
and UPF(s) for a PDU session, selecting N6 interfaces for the PDU session and
determining policies to apply to the PDU session. In general, PDU session refers to
Packet Data Unit session.
20 [0070] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, based on the first spending
limit control subscribe response received at the PCF [122], the transceiver unit
[301] is configured to fetch, at the PCF [122], a preconfigured event trigger list.
The preconfigured event trigger list includes defined or customizable event triggers
based on which the PCF [122] makes additional attempts. For example, the event
25 triggers may be created with the help of utilization of the preconfigured event
trigger list such as a "chfSubscribeEventTriggerList" parameter. The
“chfSubscribeEventTriggerList” parameter is a list of event triggers for
subscription-related events. The preconfigured event list offers customization
options for handling errors as the parameter "chfSubscribeEventTriggerList" can be
30 pre-configured to define a set of event triggers. These event triggers dictate when
25
the PCF can initiate a spending limit subscription request on receiving an SM
update request. Therefore, the PCF [122] will only initiate the SLC subscribe
message if the event triggers received in the request match those listed in the
provisioned event triggers i.e. event triggers configured using the
"chfSubscribeEventTriggerList" 5 parameter. For e.g., the list may include
configured event trigger that activates CHF [302] spending limit control subscribe
request. Thus, one can define specific triggers to match the unique and specific
requirements of network, services and business needs, thereby allowing for tailored
responses to different error scenarios in the network.
10
[0071] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure the transceiver unit [301]
is further configured to receive, at the PCF [122] from the SMF [108], a first SM
policy control update request comprising at least one event trigger.
15 [0072] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the processing unit [303]
being connected to at least the transceiver unit [301], is configured to determine, at
the PCF [122], an event trigger match based on the received at least one event
trigger. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the event trigger match is
determined at the PCF [122] in an event of successfully matching the event trigger
20 and the preconfigured event trigger list.
[0073] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the transceiver unit [301]
is further configured to transmit, from the PCF [122] to the CHF [302], a second
spending limit control subscribe request based on the event trigger match.
25
[0074] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the processing unit [303]
is further configured to identify, at the PCF [122] from the CHF [302], a positive
response comprising at least one or more Policy Counter Identifiers (PCIDs) [304]
based on the second spending limit control subscribe request. The positive response
30 is indicative that the event triggers received in the second spending limit control
26
subscribe request match those listed in the preconfigured event trigger list, and
based on the match the PCF receives the new PCIDs and evaluates the PCC rules.
Subsequently, the PCF provides the updated PCC rules to the SMF.
[0075] In an exemplary aspect of the 5 present disclosure, the transceiver unit [301]
is further configured to transmit, from the PCF [122] to the SMF [108], an updated
SM policy control update response based on at least the positive response. The
updated SM policy control update response comprises the PCC rules based on the
new policy counter IDs.
10
[0076] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the processing unit [303]
is further configured to update the preconfigured SM policy associated with the
network based on the updated SM policy control update response. Thus, the impact
of updating the preconfigured SM policy enables the network to handle scenarios
15 where the CHF [302] responds with the error codes to the SLR message. Thereafter,
the PCF [122] provides the corresponding PCC rule (or updated preconfigured SM
policy) to the SMF [108] based on the received PCIDs.
[0077] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the updated SM policy
20 control update response initiates an update action associated with a Policy and
Charging Control (PCC) rules based on at least the one or more PCIDs [304]. The
update action includes modifying the PCC rules to adapt to the changed network
condition. The PCC rules are a set of information elements enabling the detection
of a service data flow and providing parameters for PCF [122] and/or charging
25 control/ charging function (CHF) [302]. The PCC rules enable policy control and
proper charging for a service data flow. There are two different types of PCC rules:
dynamic PCC rules and predefined PCC rules. The dynamic PCC rules are
dynamically provisioned by the PCF [122] to the SMF [108]. These PCC rules may
be either predefined or dynamically generated in the PCF [122]. The dynamic PCC
30 rules can be installed, modified and removed at any time. While the predefined PCC
27
rules are preconfigured in the SMF [108]. The predefined PCC rules can be
activated or deactivated by the PCF [122] at any time. The predefined PCC rules
within the PCF [122] may be grouped allowing the PCF [122] to dynamically
activate a set of PCC rules. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the positive
response received at the PCF [122] from 5 the SMF [108] is a predefined response
identified by the PCF [122] from the CHF [302]. The predefined response is a 201
created response that indicates that the SM policy request has led to the creation of
a policy decision for network resource.
10 [0078] Referring to FIG. 4, an exemplary method flow diagram [400] for updating
a preconfigured session management (SM) policy associated with a network, in
accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure is shown. In
an implementation the method [400] is performed by the system [300]. Further, in
an implementation, the system [300] may be present in a server device to implement
15 the features of the present disclosure. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the method [400]
starts at step [402].
[0079] At step [404], the method [400] comprises receiving, by a transceiver unit
[301] at a Policy Control function (PCF) [122] from a Session Management
20 Function (SMF) [108], a first session Management (SM) policy control create
request. The SM policy control create request here refers to a request to create a
new session management policy association for establishing a Packet Data Unit
(PDU) session related to a UE. PDU session establishment is the process of
establishing a data path between the UE and the communication network. A PDU
25 session is a logical connection between the UE and a data network, such as internet
or a private network. The PCF uses this request to convey a new policy decision to
the SMF
[0080] At step [406], the method [400] comprises transmitting, by the transceiver
30 unit [301] from the Policy Control function (PCF) [122] to a Charging Function
28
(CHF) [302], a first spending limit control subscribe request based on the first SM
policy control create request. The spending limit control is a feature that is
responsible for monitoring and managing data usage of a user(s) to prevent
exceeding the predefined limits on the data usage (set by the telecom operator). In
another embodiment, the spending limit control 5 of the data can be set manually on
the user devices (or equipment). The data consumption is thus monitored in real
time. Upon reaching the spending limit, it is controlled by restricting the data
services given to the user(s) to avoid overcharges. The first spending limit control
subscribe request therefore enables the network function(s) of the network to
10 retrieve policy control status information which is responsible for governing the
subscribed user’s data usage.
[0081] At step [408], the method [400] comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit
[301] at the PCF [122] from the CHF [302], a first spending limit control subscribe
15 response comprising at least one error code based on the first spending limit control
subscribe request. The at least one error code is indicative of the issues for improper
functioning of the CHF [302].
[0082] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the first SM policy control
20 create response comprises a system (SY) error code. In an implementation of the
present disclosure, the SY error code may be one of a 3002 code (Unable to
Deliver), 5012 code (Diameter Unable to Comply) and 404 code (NOT Found). The
3002-error code is given when a request cannot be delivered to a destination. The
5012-error code is returned when a request is rejected for unspecified reasons. The
25 404-error code returned if the UE identity cannot be derived.
[0083] At step [410], the method [400] comprises transmitting, by the transceiver
unit [301] from the PCF [122] to the SMF [108], a first SM policy control create
response based on the first spending limit control subscribe response. It is to be
30 noted that the at least one error code is associated with an event trigger. The event
29
trigger may include but not limited to a specific condition for prompting the update
of policies for session management.
[0084] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the method further
comprises fetching, by the tra 5 nsceiver unit [301] at the PCF [122], a preconfigured
event trigger list based on receiving, at the PCF [122], the first spending limit
control subscribe response. The preconfigured event trigger list includes defined or
customizable event triggers based on which the PCF [122] makes additional
attempts. These customizable event triggers are created with the help of utilization
10 of the "chfSubscribeEventTriggerList" parameter that offer customization options
for handling errors as the parameter "chfSubscribeEventTriggerList" may be preconfigured
to define a set of event triggers. These event triggers dictate when the
PCF can initiate a spending limit subscription request on receiving an SM update
request. Therefore, the PCF [122] will only initiate the SLC subscribe message if
15 the event triggers received in the request match those listed in the provisioned event
triggers i.e. event triggers configured using the "chfSubscribeEventTriggerList"
parameter. For e.g., the list may include configured event trigger that activates CHF
[302] spending limit control subscribe request. Thus, one can define specific
triggers to match the unique and specific requirements of network, services and
20 business needs, thereby allowing for tailored responses to different error scenarios
in the network.
[0085] At step [412], the method [400] comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit
[301] at the PCF [122] from the SMF [108], a first SM policy control update request
25 comprising at least one event trigger.
[0086] At step [414], the method [400] comprises determining, by a processing unit
[303] at the PCF [122], an event trigger match based on the received at least one
event trigger.
30
30
[0087] At step [416], the method [400] comprises transmitting, by the transceiver
unit [301] from the PCF [122] to the CHF [302], a second spending limit control
subscribe request based on the event trigger match.
[0088] 5 At step [418], the method [400] comprises identifying, by the processing
unit [303] at the PCF [122] from the CHF [302], a positive response comprising at
least one or more Policy Counter Identifiers (PCIDs) [304] based on the second
spending limit control subscribe request. The positive response is indicative of the
predefined limits on the data usage by the second spending limit control.
10
[0089] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the positive response
received at the PCF [122] from the SMF [108] is a predefined response identified
by the PCF [122] from the CHF [302]. The predefined response is a 201 created
response that indicates that the SM policy request has led to the creation of a
15 network resource.
[0090] At step [420], the method [400] comprises transmitting, by the transceiver
unit [301] from the PCF [122] to the SMF [108], an updated SM policy control
update response based on at least the positive response.
20
[0091] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the updated SM policy
control update response initiates an update action associated with a Policy and
Charging Control (PCC) rules based on at least the one or more PCIDs [304]. The
update action includes modifying the PCC rules to adapt to the changed network
25 condition. The PCC rules are a set of information elements enabling the detection
of a service data flow and providing parameters for PCF [122] and/or charging
control/ charging function (CHF) [302]. The PCC rules enable policy control and
proper charging for a service data flow. There are two different types of PCC rules:
dynamic PCC rules and predefined PCC rules. The dynamic PCC rules are
30 dynamically provisioned by the PCF [122] to the SMF [108]. These PCC rules may
31
be either predefined or dynamically generated in the PCF [122]. The dynamic PCC
rules can be installed, modified and removed at any time. While the predefined PCC
rules are preconfigured in the SMF [108]. The predefined PCC rules can be
activated or deactivated by the PCF [122] at any time. The predefined PCC rules
within the PCF [122] may be grouped 5 allowing the PCF [122] to dynamically
activate a set of PCC rules.
[0092] At step [422], the method [400] comprises updating, by the processing unit
[303], the preconfigured SM policy associated with the network based on the
10 updated SM policy control update response.
[0093] Thereafter, the method [400] terminates at step [424].
[0094] Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary flow chart [500] depicting interaction
15 between the network function(s) for updating a preconfigured session
mmanagement (SM) policy associated with the network is shown in accordance
with the present disclosure. Further, the performance of the method [400] (as
depicted in FIG. 4) by the system [300] (as depicted in FIG. 3) leads to the
interaction between various network function(s) as shown in FIG. 5.
20
[0095] The interaction between the network function(s) in performed in the
following manner:
Step 1: The PCF [122] receives an SM Policy Create message from the SMF
25 [108]. It then attempts to establish a connection with the CHF [302] [also
known as OCS] using the spending limit control (SLC) Subscribe request
(SLR) message, at step 1a. In an example, when an NF service consumer
receives an Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request (SM Policy
Create message), if the NF service consumer was requested not to interact
30 with the PCF [122], the NF service consumer shall not interact with the PCF
[122]. Otherwise, the NF service consumer shall send an HTTP POST request
32
to the PCF [122] to create an "Individual SM Policy" resource. The NF
service consumer shall include the "SmPolicyContextData" data structure in
the payload body of the HTTP POST request in order to request the creation
of a representation of the "Individual SM Policy" resource. In an embodiment,
the PCF [122] may provide the SMF 5 [108] with the charging information, i.e.
the CHF address(es), and if available, the associated CHF instance ID(s) and
CHF set ID(s), during the initial interaction with the SMF [108] defining the
charging function (CHF) [132] [respectively based on the operator policy. In
this case, the PCF [122] may retrieve the CHF addresses, and if available, the
10 associated CHF instance ID(s) and CHF set ID(s) as follows: -
1. The PCF [122] receives it from the UDR as part of the Policy Data
Subscription information.
2. It is locally configured in the PCF based on operator policies.
3. The PCF [122] discovers it by interacting with the NRF. In order to
15 provision the CHF information to the SMF [108], the PCF [122] shall
include the "chargingInfo" attribute containing the charging information
within the SmPolicyDecision data structure.
Step 2: If there's an outage or network problems at the CHF [302], the SLC
20 Subscribe/SLR message might either time out at the PCF [122] or return an
error code [preferably a system (SY) error code], such as 3002 (Unable to
Deliver) or 5012 (Diameter Unable to Comply) or 404 (NOT Found). The LR
response received in response to the SLR may comprise the SLR error code.
In an example, if errors occur when processing the HTTP POST request, the
25 PCF [122] shall apply the error handling procedures. If the user information
received within a "supi" attribute is unknown, the PCF [122] may reject the
request with an HTTP "400 Bad Request" response message including a
"cause" attribute of “ProblemDetails” data structure set to
"USER_UNKNOWN". If the PCF [122] is not able to provision a policy
30 decision as response to the request for PCC rules from the NF service
33
consumer, due to incomplete, erroneous or missing information (e.g. QoS,
RAT type, subscriber information), the PCF [122] may reject the request with
an HTTP "400 Bad Request" response message including the "cause"
attribute of the “ProblemDetails” data structure set to
5 "ERROR_INITIAL_PARAMETERS.
Step 3: Upon receiving the error code from the CHF [302], the PCF [122]
includes the SY Error Rule in the SM Policy Create response. The SY error
rule may refer to a SY reference point that allows the interaction between the
10 OCS and Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) for obtaining
information from the OCS for policy decision purposes. The Sy reference
point enables transfer of policy counter status information relating to
subscriber spending from OCS to PCRF and supports the following functions
such as request of policy counter status reporting from PCRF to OCS and
15 subscribe to or unsubscribe from spending limit reports (i.e. notifications of
policy counter status changes). Further, the Sy reference point supports the
functions of providing a notification of spending limit reports from OCS to
PCRF, and cancellation of spending limit reporting from PCRF to OCS.
20 Step 4: The SMF [108] sends SM Policy Control Update messages to the PCF
[122]. The SM Policy control update messages may refer to an updated policy
control request trigger comprising either a new complete list of applicable
Policy Control Request Trigger(s) including location change (tracking area),
change of UE presence in PRA, if the Slice Support feature or the Data
25 Network Name (DNN) Replacement Control feature is supported, change of
allowed NSSAI, and/or if the Data Network Name (DNN) Replacement
Control feature is supported, SMF selection information change, and/ or a
"NULL" value to request the removal of all previously installed Policy
Control Request Trigger(s).
30
34
Step 5: The PCF [122] checks its stored profile and notes that the earlier
SLC/Sy session was unsuccessful for the same situation. The earlier SLC/Sy
session is the attempted establishment of the connection with the CHF.
Consequently, the PCF [122] will make another attempt to send the SLC
Subscribe/SLR message to the 5 CHF [302]. Importantly, the PCF [122] will
only initiate the SLC subscribe message if the event triggers received in the
request match those listed in the provisioned event triggers i.e.
"chfSubscribeEventTriggerList".
10 Step 6: If the subsequent attempt is successful, the process advances which
further enables the CHF [302] to send policy counter identifiers/IDs (PCIDs)
(or the created PCIDs as illustrated in the figures) to the PCF [122]. If not,
then the PCF [122] reverts to step 4.
15 Step 7: Upon receiving a successful response, the PCF [122] evaluates the
rules based on newly received policy counter IDs and information previously
stored from the SM Policy Create. Subsequently, it provides updated Policy
and Charging Rules to the SMF [108].
20 [0096] The present disclosure further discloses a non-transitory computer readable
storage medium, storing instructions for updating a preconfigured session
management (SM) policy associated with a network, the instructions include
executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes a
transceiver unit to receive, at a Policy Control function (PCF) from a Session
25 Management Function (SMF), a first session Management (SM) policy control
create request. Further, the executable code which, when executed causes the
transceiver unit to transmit, from the Policy Control function (PCF) to a Charging
Function (CHF), a first spending limit control subscribe request based on the first
SM policy control create request. Further, the executable code which, when
30 executed causes the transceiver unit to receive, at the PCF from the CHF, a first
35
spending limit control subscribe response comprising at least one error code based
on the first spending limit control subscribe request. Further, the executable code
which, when executed causes the transceiver unit to transmit, from the PCF to the
SMF, a first SM policy control create response based on the first spending limit
control subscribe response. It is to 5 be noted that the at least one error code is
associated with an event trigger. Further, the executable code which, when executed
causes the transceiver unit to receive, at the PCF from the SMF, a first SM policy
control update request comprising at least one event trigger. Further, the executable
code which, when executed causes a processing unit to determine, at the PCF, an
10 event trigger match based on the received at least one event trigger. Further, the
executable code which, when executed causes the transceiver unit to transmit, from
the PCF to the CHF, a second spending limit control subscribe request based on the
event trigger match. Further, the executable code which, when executed causes the
processing unit to identify, at the PCF from the CHF, a positive response
15 comprising at least one or more Policy Counter Identifiers (PCIDs) based on the
second spending limit control subscribe request. Further, the executable code
which, when executed causes the transceiver unit to transmit, from the PCF to the
SMF, an updated SM policy control update response based on at least the positive
response. Further, the executable code which, when executed causes the processing
20 unit to update the preconfigured SM policy associated with the network based on
the updated SM policy control update response.
[0097] Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, it is to be acknowledged
that the functionality described for the various the components/units can be
25 implemented interchangeably. While specific embodiments may disclose a
particular functionality of these units for clarity, it is recognized that various
configurations and combinations thereof are within the scope of the disclosure. The
functionality of specific units as disclosed in the disclosure should not be construed
as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Consequently, alternative
30 arrangements and substitutions of units, provided they achieve the intended
36
functionality described herein, are considered to be encompassed within the scope
of the present disclosure.
[0098] As is evident from the above, the present disclosure provides a technically
advanced solution for updating 5 a preconfigured session management (SM) policy
associated with a network. The present disclosure also optimises scheduling a
notification at a network function(s). Additionally, the present disclosure provides
the following advantages:
1. Ensuring service continuity by maintaining operational service even during
10 instances of network disruptions between the Policy Control Function (PCF)
[122] and CHF [302]. This continuity extends to scenarios where the CHF
[302] experiences unavailability, ensuring a consistent user experience.
2. Enhanced user experience by seamlessly providing appropriate policy rules
15 to customers after network or CHF [302] issues are resolved. This
eliminates service interruptions and the need for customers to reconnect,
leading to an elevated level of satisfaction among subscribers due to the
more reliable service.
20 3. Increased stability of the customer experience remains intact even in the
face of CHF [302] network outage or connectivity problems between the
PCF [122] and CHF [302].
4. The utilization of the "chfSubscribeEventTriggerList" parameter empowers
25 customization, allowing for tailored error handling. This flexibility permits
the definition of specific triggers that align precisely with the distinct
requirements of the network and services, thereby enhancing the
adaptability and effectiveness of the solution.
30 [0099] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the disclosed
implementations, it will be appreciated that many implementations can be made and
37
that many changes can be made to the implementations without departing from the
principles of the present disclosure. These and other changes in the implementations
of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, whereby it is to
be understood that the foregoing descriptive matter to be implemented is illustrative
5 and non-limiting.

We Claim:

1. A method [400] for updating a preconfigured session Management (SM) policy
associated with a network, the method [400] comprising:
- receiving, by a transceiver unit [301] at a Policy Control function (PCF)
[122] from a Session Management Function (SMF) [108], a first session
Management (SM) policy control create request;
- transmitting, by the transceiver unit [301] from the Policy Control
function (PCF) [122] to a Charging Function (CHF) [302], a first
spending limit control subscribe request based on the first SM policy
control create request;
- receiving, by the transceiver unit [301] at the PCF [122] from the CHF
[302], a first spending limit control subscribe response comprising at
least one error code based on the first spending limit control subscribe
request;
- transmitting, by the transceiver unit [301] from the PCF [122] to the
SMF [108], a first SM policy control create response based on the first
spending limit control subscribe response, wherein the at least one error
code is associated with an event trigger;
- receiving, by the transceiver unit [301] at the PCF [122] from the SMF
[108], a first SM policy control update request comprising at least one
event trigger;
- determining, by a processing unit [303] at the PCF [122], an event
trigger match based on the received at least one event trigger;
- transmitting, by the transceiver unit [301] from the PCF [122] to the
CHF [302], a second spending limit control subscribe request based on
the event trigger match;
- identifying, by the processing unit [303] at the PCF [122] from the CHF
[302], a positive response comprising at least one or more Policy
Counter Identifiers (PCIDs) [304] based on the second spending limit
control subscribe request;

- transmitting, by the transceiver unit [301] from the PCF [122] to the
SMF [108], an updated SM policy control update response based on at
least the positive response; and
- updating, by the processing unit [303], the preconfigured SM policy
associated with the network based on the updated SM policy control
update response.

2. The method [400] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positive response received
at the PCF [122] from the SMF [108] is a predefined response identified by the
PCF [122] from the CHF [302].

3. The method [400] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the updated SM policy control
update response initiates an update action associated with a Policy and Charging
Control (PCC) rules based on at least the one or more PCIDs [304].

4. The method [400] as claimed in claim 1, further comprises fetching, by the
transceiver unit [301] at the PCF [122], a preconfigured event trigger list based
on receiving, at the PCF [122], the first spending limit control subscribe
response.

5. The method [400] as claimed in claim 4, wherein the event trigger match is
determined at the PCF [122] in an event of successfully matching the event
trigger and the preconfigured event trigger list.

6. The method [400] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first SM policy control
create response comprises a system (SY) error code.

7. A system [300] for updating a preconfigured session management (SM) policy
associated with a network, the system [300] comprises:
a transceiver unit [301], wherein the transceiver unit [301] is configured to:

- receive, at a Policy Control function (PCF) [122] from a Session
Management Function (SMF) [108], a first session Management (SM)
policy control create request,
- transmit, from the Policy Control function (PCF) [122] to a Charging
Function (CHF) 5 [302], a first spending limit control subscribe request
based on the first SM policy control create request,
- receive, at the PCF [122] from the CHF [302], a first spending limit
control subscribe response comprising at least one error code based on
the first spending limit control subscribe request,
- transmit, from the PCF [122] to the SMF [108], a first SM policy
control create response based on the first spending limit control
subscribe response, wherein the at least one error code is associated
with an event trigger,
- receive, at the PCF [122] from the SMF [108], a first SM policy
control update request comprising at least one event trigger; and
a processing unit [303] connected to at least the transceiver unit [301],
wherein the processing unit [303] is configured to:
- determine, at the PCF [122], an event trigger match based on the
received at least one event trigger;
wherein the transceiver unit [301] is further configured to:
- transmit, from the PCF [122] to the CHF [302], a second spending
limit control subscribe request based on the event trigger match;
wherein the processing unit [303] is further configured to:
- identify, at the PCF [122] from the CHF [302], a positive response
comprising at least one or more Policy Counter Identifiers (PCIDs)
[304] based on the second spending limit control subscribe request;
wherein the transceiver unit [301] is further configured to:
- transmit, from the PCF [122] to the SMF [108], an updated SM policy
control update response based on at least the positive response; and
wherein the processing unit [303] is further configured to:

- update the preconfigured SM policy associated with the network based
on the updated SM policy control update response.

8. The system [300] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the positive response received
at the PCF [122] from the SMF [108] is a predefined response identified by the
PCF [122] from the CHF [302].

9. The system [300] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the updated SM policy control
update response initiates an update action associated with a Policy and Charging
Control (PCC) rules based on at least the one or more PCIDs [304].

10. The system [300] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the transceiver unit [301] is
further configured to fetch, at the PCF [122], a preconfigured event trigger list
based on the first spending limit control subscribe response received at the PCF
[122].

11. The system [300] as claimed in claim 10, wherein the event trigger match is
determined at the PCF [122] in an event of successfully matching the event
trigger and the preconfigured event trigger list.

12. The system [300] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first SM policy control
create response comprises a system (SY) error code.

Dated this the 4th Day of September, 2023