IP Library Granted Patent US 11,588,656
Granted Patent B2
US 11,588,656 · App. 17/062,794 · Granted Feb 21, 2023

Selecting a user plane function based on a device type received by a session management function

Inventors: Weihua Qiao (Herndon, VA); Esmael Dinan (McLean, VA); Kyungmin Park (Herndon, VA); Peyman Talebi Fard (Sterling, VA)
Assignee: Ofinno, LLC
H04L12/1407B60L53/305H04M15/61H04M15/66H04M15/82H04W4/24H04W8/02H04W72/04H04W76/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,588,656
App. No.
17/062,794
Granted
Feb 21, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A session management function (SMF) receives, from an access and mobility management function (AMF): a request to establish at least one packet data unit (PDU) session for a wireless device; and a device type of the wireless device. The SMF sends to a policy control function: a request for at least one charging policy for the at least one PDU session; and the device type received by the SMF from the AMF. The SMF receives, from the policy control function, the at least one charging policy determined based on the device type. The SMF selects a user plane function based on the device type received by the SMF from the AMF. The SMF sends, to the user plane function, reporting rules based on the at least one charging policy.

Claims (90)

1. A method by a session management function (SMF), the method comprising:

receiving from an access and mobility management function (AMF) a first message comprising:

a request to establish at least one packet data unit (PDU) session for a wireless device; and

a device type of the wireless device;

sending to a policy control function:

a request for at least one charging policy for the at least one PDU session; and

the device type received by the SMF from the AMF via the first message;

receiving, from the policy control function, the at least one charging policy determined based on the device type;

selecting a user plane function based on the device type received by the SMF from the AMF via the first message; and

sending, to the user plane function, reporting rules based on the at least one charging policy.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending a request for session establishment for the at least one PDU session.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

sending, to an online charging system, a request for at least one credit, the request comprising the device type;

determining, by the online charging system a charging credit based on the device type; and

receiving, by the session management function from the online charging system, a charging credit applied to the device type, wherein the charging credit is based on the device type.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one charging policy comprises at least one of:

an information element indicating an online charging method;

an information element indicating an offline charging method; or

an information element indicating a charging rate.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device type comprises at least one of:

an internet of things (IoT) device;

a vehicle device;

a cell phone;

a wearable device; or

a sensor for industry automation.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending, to the access and mobility management function, an acknowledgment of establishment of the at least one PDU session.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending a service type comprises at least one of:

a machine type communications (MTC);

an ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC);

a vehicle-to-x communications (V2X);

an internet of things (IoT); or

an application type for packed data service.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving, from the user plane function, an acknowledgment of establishment of a user plane session.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

send, to the policy control function, a report of at least one traffic event associated with a device type; and

receiving, from the policy control function, at least one charging rule determined based on the at least one traffic event associated with the device type.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

sending, to a charging system, at least one traffic event associated with a device type; and

receiving, from the charging system, a charging based on the at least one traffic event associated with a device type.

11. An apparatus comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause a session management function (SMF) to:

receive, from an access and mobility management function (AMF), a first message comprising:

a request to establish at least one packet data unit (PDU) session for a wireless device; and

a device type of the wireless device;

send to a policy control function:

a request for at least one charging policy for the at least one PDU session; and

the device type received by the SMF from the AMF via the first message;

receive, from the policy control function, the at least one charging policy determined based on the device type;

select a user plane function based on the device type received by the SMF from the AMF via the first message; and

send, to the user plane function, reporting rules based on the at least one charging policy.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the SMF to send a request for session establishment for the at least one PDU session.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the SMF to:

send, to an online charging system, a request for at least one credit, the request comprising the device type; and

receiving, by the session management function from the online charging system, a charging credit applied to the device type, wherein the charging credit is based on the device type.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the at least one charging policy comprises at least one of:

an information element indicating an online charging method;

an information element indicating an offline charging method; or

an information element indicating a charging rate.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the device type comprises at least one of:

an internet of things (IoT) device;

a vehicle device;

a cell phone;

a wearable device; or

a sensor for industry automation.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the SMF to send, to the access and mobility management function, an acknowledgment of establishment of the at least one PDU session.

17. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the SMF to send a service type comprises at least one of:

a machine type communications (MTC);

an ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC);

a vehicle-to-x communications (V2X);

an internet of things (IoT); or

an application type for packed data service.

18. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the SMF to receive, from the user plane function, an acknowledgment of establishment of a user plane session.

19. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the SMF to:

send, to the policy control function, a report of at least one traffic event associated with a device type; and

receiving, from the policy control function, at least one charging rule determined based on the at least one traffic event associated with the device type.

20. A system comprising:

an access and mobility management function (AMF); and

a session management function (SMF) comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause a session management function (SMF) to:

receive, from an access and mobility management function (AMF), a first message comprising:

a request to establish at least one packet data unit (PDU) session for a wireless device; and

a device type of the wireless device;

send to a policy control function:

a request for at least one charging policy for the at least one PDU session; and

the device type received by the SMF from the AMF via the first message;

receive, from the policy control function, the at least one charging policy determined based on the device type;

select a user plane function based on the device type received by the SMF from the AMF via the first message; and

send, to the user plane function, reporting rules based on the at least one charging policy.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 8, 2025
From: OFINNO, LLC
To: PENINSULA TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 069849/0289 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 12, 2021
From: QIAO, WEIHUA; DINAN, ESMAEL HEJAZI; PARK, KYUNGMIN; TALEBI FARD, PEYMAN
To: OFINNO, LLC
Reel/Frame 055248/0290 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 16217166 · Dec 12, 2018
Provisional Application 62613317 · Jan 3, 2018
Provisional Application 62611308 · Dec 28, 2017
Related Publication 20210021437A1 · Jan 21, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,200,753