WO2013086668A1 - Policy and charging control method, policy and charging rules function, and policy and charging control system - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a policy and charging control method, a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) and a policy and charging control system. The policy and charging control method comprises: a first RCRF receiving a second policy and charging rule and a priority of the second policy and charging rule which are sent by a second PCRF; and the first PCRF determining, according to the priority, a current policy and charging rule and sending the current policy and charging rule to a PCEF. With the policy and charging control method, the RCRF and the policy and charging control system provided in the embodiments of the present invention, the defect of confliction between rules due to multiple rules set in the first PCRF can be avoided, thereby improving the flexibility and reliability of the PCRF.

Description

 Policy and charging control methods, entities and systems

TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to communication technologies, and in particular, to a policy and charging control method, an entity, and a system. Background technique

 With the advancement of network construction by mobile operators' third-generation mobile communication technology (3G-Generation, 3G for short), the Internet has been greatly developed in the wireless field. In order to better guide the construction of the billing support system in the 3G environment, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defines the Policy and Charging Control (PCC) framework. A policy is generated by a Policy and Charging Control Function (PCRF), and a policy and a Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) are used to execute the policy.

 Operators deploy PCRF extensively in wireless communication services, providing flexible policy control and rule delivery. Since the PCRF is a standard network element, there is a rule conflict problem when the operator's deployed PCRF is used to implement the control function of a specific environment (such as government). For example, when the government controls, the user is prohibited from accessing the Internet, and the rule defined by the operator in the PCRF is that the user can access the Internet at a rate of 2 Mbps. These two rules conflict, and the PCRF cannot implement specific control functions. Summary of the invention

 The embodiments of the present invention provide a policy and charging control method, entity, and system, to avoid the defects of multiple rules conflicts in the policy and charging control entity, and improve the flexibility and reliability of the policy and charging control entity.

 The embodiment of the invention provides a policy and charging control method, including:

The first policy and charging control entity PCRF receives the second policy and charging rule sent by the second PCRF and the priority of the second policy and charging rule, where the second policy and charging rule are The second PCRF is generated according to the second decision reference information and the type information of the policy and charging execution entity PCEF; The first PCRF determines the current policy and the charging rule according to the priority, and sends the policy to the PCEF, where the current policy and the charging rule include the first policy and the meter generated by the first PCRF. a fee rule or the second policy and charging rule or a policy and charging rule generated according to the first policy and charging rule and the second policy and charging rule.

 The embodiment of the invention provides a policy and charging control method, including:

 The second policy and charging control entity PCRF receives the credit control request sent by the first PCRF and the type information of the policy and charging execution entity PCEF, where the type information is the type of the PCEF that initiated the credit control request;

 The second PCRF determines second decision reference information according to the credit control request, generates a second policy and charging rule, and the second policy and charging rule according to the second decision reference information and the type information. priority;

 The second PCRF sends the priority and the second policy and charging rule to the first PCRF.

 The embodiment of the invention provides a policy and charging control entity, including:

 a first receiving unit, configured to receive a second policy and charging rule sent by the second policy and the charging control entity PCRF, and a priority of the second policy and charging rule, where the second policy and charging The rule is that the second PCRF is generated according to the second decision reference information and the type information of the policy and charging execution entity PCEF;

 a policy determining unit, configured to determine, according to the priority, the current policy and the charging rule, and send the policy to the PCEF, where the current policy and the charging rule include the first generated by the policy and the charging control entity a policy and charging rule or the second policy and charging rule or a policy and charging rule generated according to the first policy and charging rule and the second policy and charging rule.

 The embodiment of the invention provides a policy and charging control entity, including:

 a second receiving unit, configured to receive a credit control request sent by the first policy and the charging control entity PCRF, and type information of the policy and charging execution entity PCEF, where the type information is a PCEF that initiates the credit control request Types of;

 a second policy generating unit, configured to determine second decision reference information according to the credit control request, generate a second policy and charging rule, and the second policy and meter according to the second decision reference information and the type information Priority of the fee rule;

a sending unit, configured to send the priority and the second policy and charging rule to the First PCRF.

 Embodiments of the present invention provide a policy and charging control system, including a policy and charging execution entity.

PCEF, further comprising a first policy and charging control entity PCRF and a second PCRF;

 The first PCRF is a policy and charging control entity provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

 The second PCRF is a policy and charging control entity provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

 According to the foregoing technical solution, the method and the charging control method, the entity and the system provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the first PCRF acquires the type information of the PCEF according to the credit control request sent by the PCEF, and determines the first decision reference information according to the credit control request. . Generating a first policy and charging rule according to the first decision reference information and the type information, and transmitting the credit control request and the type information to the second PCRF. When receiving the second policy and charging rule generated by the second PCRF according to the second decision reference information and the type information, and the priority of the second policy and the charging rule, the first PCRF determines the current policy and charging according to the priority. The rules are sent to the PCEF. Since the second policy and the charging rule are generated by the second PCRF, and there is no need to set multiple rules in the first PCRF, the defects of setting rules in the first PCRF and causing conflicts between rules are avoided, and the problem is improved. The flexibility and reliability of PCRF. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, a brief description of the drawings used in the embodiments or the prior art description will be briefly described below. The drawings are some embodiments of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any inventive labor.

 1 is a flowchart of a policy and charging control method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

 2 is a flowchart of a policy and charging control method according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

 3 is a flowchart of a policy and charging control method according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

4 is a schematic structural diagram of a policy and a charging control entity according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a policy and a charging control entity according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a policy and charging control system according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the following will be combined with the present invention. The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are clearly and completely described in the drawings, and the embodiments are described as a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts are within the scope of the present invention.

 Policy and charging control method embodiment 1

 FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a policy and charging control method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the policy and charging control method provided in this embodiment may be specifically applied to policy and charging control under the PCC framework. The policy and charging control method provided in this embodiment specifically includes:

 Step A10: The first policy and charging control entity PCRF receives the second policy and charging rule sent by the second PCRF and the priority of the second policy and charging rule, where the second policy and charging rule Generating for the second PCRF according to the second decision reference information and the type information of the policy and charging execution entity PCEF;

 Specifically, the first PCRF may be a PCRF deployed by an operator, and the PCEF may be a GPRS Gateway (Gateway GPRS Support Node, GGSN for short). When multiple PCEFs are set in the PCC framework, the PCEF may also be a deep packet detection (Deep Packet). Other devices such as Inspection (DPI), video optimization, etc. DPI devices and video optimization devices can be set independently of the GGSN or integrated into the GGSN. Data interaction can be performed between the PCEFs through the Gi interface, and data exchange can be performed between the PCEF and the PCRF through the Gx interface.

 The wireless user usually accesses the wireless network through the GGSN. When the user goes online, the user sends a network connection request to the GGSN through the terminal. The GGSN obtains the user corresponding user information according to the network connection request. Specifically, the user information may be pre-stored in the GGSN. Can be stored in other user information management devices. The user information may include, for example, an Internet Protocol (IP) address, an Access Point Name (APN), an access type, or a Quality of Service (QoS) information. The above information. The GGSN may include the user information in a Credit Control Request (CCR), and send the credit control request carrying the user information to the first PCRF. When other devices such as DPI or video optimization are also set in the PCC framework, the GGSN also sends user information to the DPI device or video optimization device. In order for the DPI device or the video optimization device to include the user information in each generated credit control request, the credit control request is sent to the first PCRF.

The first PCRF acquires the credit control request according to the received credit control request. The type information of the PCEF, the type information of the PCEF may be stored in the first PCRF in advance, or may be stored in other device management devices. Decision reference information is preset in the first PCRF. The first PCRF may specifically determine the first decision reference information according to the user information in the credit control request, and the first decision reference information may specifically include information such as user subscription information or network support information, and is of course not limited to the foregoing information. The first PCRF generates a first policy and a charging rule according to the first decision reference information and the type information of the PCEF, where the first policy and the charging rule correspond to the type of the PCEF, for example, for the GGSN, the first policy and charging The rules may include a charging policy and a QoS-related policy. For DPI, the first policy and charging rules may include policies related to services (such as HTTP, Skype, P2P, Facebook, Twitter, etc.), and may set services that need to be prohibited and service limits. Speed and so on.

 The first PCRF transmits the credit control request and the type information of the PCEF to the second PCRF. The second PCRF may be specifically maintained by a specific institution (such as a government), and the second PCRF stores decision reference information suitable for a specific range of control. The second PCRF may specifically determine the second decision reference information according to the user information in the credit control request, and generate the second policy and the charging rule and the second policy and the charging rule according to the second decision reference information and the type information of the PCEF. level. The priority is used to indicate the level of the second policy and charging rules, and the second policy and charging rules are also adapted to the type of PCEF. The second PCRF sends the priority and the second policy and charging rules to the first PCRF. The second decision reference information may also be a policy configured in the second PCRF or a subscription information of the user. For example, when the second PCRF is a government-maintained device, the second decision reference information may be applicable to a network connection of a user within a specific control scope. The policy, for example, the second PCRF is a device maintained by the enterprise, and the second decision reference information may also be a binding information between the user and the enterprise. The second decision reference information may be set according to the needs of the specific application scenario, and is not limited to this embodiment. Since the second decision reference information is stored in the second PCRF deployed by the specific organization, leakage of important information can be effectively avoided.

 Step A20: The first PCRF determines the current policy and the charging rule according to the priority, and sends the policy to the PCEF, where the current policy and the charging rule include the first generated by the first PCRF. Policy and charging rules or the second policy and charging rules or policies and charging rules generated according to the first policy and charging rules and the second policy and charging rules.

When the first PCRF receives the second policy and charging rule sent by the second PCRF and the priority of the second policy and charging rule, the first PCRF according to the priority, the first policy and the charging rule or Second policy and charging rules or according to the first policy and charging rules and the second policy and charging The policy and charging rules generated by the rule are sent to the PCEF. The PCEF performs the policy and charging rules delivered by the first PCRF, and implements corresponding control on the wireless network access of the user.

 For example, in the subscription information between the user and the operator, the operator provides the user with a speed of 2 Mbps, but in the government control area, the user is prohibited from accessing the Internet. When the user performs a wireless network connection in the area controlled by the government, the user terminal sends a network connection request to the GGSN, and the GGSN obtains the user corresponding user information according to the network connection request, and the GGSN includes the user information in the credit control request, and the carrying A credit control request with user information is sent to the first PCRF. The first PCRF obtains the type information of the PCEF that sends the credit control request according to the received credit control request, and the first PCRF determines the first decision reference information according to the credit control request, and generates the first policy and the first decision reference information and the type information. Billing rules. The first PCRF sends the credit control request and the type information to the second PCRF, the second PCRF determines the second decision reference information according to the credit control request, generates the second policy and the charging rule according to the second decision reference information and the type information, and The priority of the second policy and charging rules. The priority of the second policy and charging rules can set an exclusive priority. The first PCRF sends only the second policy and the charging rule to the PCEF according to the priority. The PCEF executes the second policy and charging rules, which prohibits users from accessing the Internet in the government-controlled area.

 In the policy and charging control method provided by the embodiment, the first PCRF receives the second policy and the charging rule sent by the second PCRF, and the priority of the second policy and the charging rule, and determines the current policy and the meter according to the priority. The fee rules are sent to the PCEF. Since the current policy and charging rule includes a first policy and charging rule or a second policy and charging rule or a policy and charging rule generated according to the first policy and charging rule and the second policy and charging rule, and The second policy and the charging rule are generated by the second PCRF, and there is no need to set multiple rules in the first PCRF, which avoids the defects of setting rules in the first PCRF and causing conflicts between rules, and improves the PCRF. Flexibility and reliability.

 Policy and charging control method embodiment 2

 FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a policy and charging control method according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the policy and charging control method provided in this embodiment adds the step A30 to the policy and charging control method provided in the first embodiment.

 Specifically, before the first policy and the charging control entity PCRF receives the second policy and the charging rule sent by the second PCRF and the priority of the second policy and the charging rule, the method may further include the following steps. :

Step A30: The first PCRF acquires the location according to the credit control request sent by the PCEF. Determining the type information of the PCEF, determining the first decision reference information according to the credit control request, and generating the first policy and the charging rule according to the first decision reference information and the type information.

 The first policy and the charging rule generated by the first PCRF are generated according to the first decision reference information and the type information of the PCEF, and the first decision reference information is determined according to the credit control request sent by the PCEF, where the first decision reference information is According to the user information and the actual situation of the PCEF accessed, it is targeted.

 In this embodiment, in step A20, the first PCRF determines the current policy and the charging rule according to the priority, and sends the policy to the PCEF, which may include the following steps:

 If the priority is an exclusive priority, the first PCRF sends the second policy and charging rule to the PCEF.

 The exclusive priority is specifically used to indicate that the second policy and the charging rule have the highest level, that is, the second policy and the charging rule are issued only under any circumstances. When the first PCRF receives the priority of the second policy and the charging rule as the exclusive priority, only the second policy and the charging rule are sent to the PCEF. The first PCRF may delete the first policy and the charging rule generated by itself.

 Optionally, in this embodiment, in step A20, the first PCRF determines, according to the priority, the current policy and the charging rule, and sends the policy to the PCEF, which may include the following steps:

 If the priority is a high priority, the first PCRF compares the first policy and charging rule with the second policy and charging rule, and if there is a conflict, the second Policy and charging rules are sent to the PCEF.

 If the priority is the advanced priority, the first policy and the charging rule are compared with the second policy and the charging rule, and the first policy and the charging rule and the second policy and the charging rule are determined. There is a conflict. If there is a conflict, only the second policy and the charging rule are sent to the PCEF. If there is no conflict, the second policy and the charging rule may be sent to the PCEF, and then the first policy and the charging rule are sent to the PCEF. The PCEF may sequentially execute the second policy and charging rules and the first policy and charging rules.

 Optionally, in this embodiment, in step A20, the first PCRF determines, according to the priority, the current policy and the charging rule, and sends the policy to the PCEF, which may include the following steps:

If the priority is a normal priority, the first PCRF sends the current policy and charging rule generated according to the first policy and charging rule and the second policy and charging rule to the PCEF. If the priority is the normal priority, the first PCRF may generate the current policy and the charging rule according to the first policy and the charging rule and the second policy and the charging rule, and the current policy and the charging rule may include the first Policy and charging rules and some or all of the second policy and charging rules. When the first policy and the charging rule and the second policy and the charging rule are all included, the first PCRF may further include the first policy and the charging rule and the second policy and the charging rule according to the preset sending order. Send to PCEF. The PCEF executes the received policy in turn. When there is a conflict between the PCEF encountering the subsequent policy and the first executed policy, the subsequent policy is not executed.

 It should be noted that the priority may be specifically set according to actual policy implementation requirements, and is not limited to this embodiment.

 In this embodiment, the first decision reference information includes user subscription information or user network support information. The user network support information is specifically the network support information of the user's location. Because the network support situation is different in the network deployed in different regions, the user subscription information and/or the user network support information is used as part of the first decision reference information, and according to the The first decision reference information is used to generate the first policy and the charging rule, and the adaptability of the first policy and the charging rule can be improved.

 In practical applications, the second PCRF can have two operational states, such as a decision state and a non-decision state. When the second PCRF is in the decision state, when the credit control request and the type information sent by the first PCRF are received, the second policy and the rule and the priority of the second policy and the charging rule are generated, and the priority and the The second policy and rules are sent to the first PCRF, so that the first PCRF determines the issued policies and rules. When the second PCRF is in the non-decision state, when the credit control request and the type information sent by the first PCRF are received, the second PCRF does not need to generate a policy, and the response message generated by the second PCRF does not carry the second policy and The charging rule is a null message, and the null message is sent to the first PCRF to indicate that the second PCRF learns the state of the second PCRF according to the null message. When the first PCRF receives the null message sent by the second PCRF, the first policy and the charging rule are sent to the PCEF. The state of the second PCRF may be set manually or may be set according to the received status indication information.

 Policy and charging control method embodiment three

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a policy and charging control method according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the policy and charging control method provided in this embodiment may be specifically applied to the policy and charging control in the PCC framework, and may be implemented in combination with the policy and charging control method provided in the first embodiment or the second embodiment. The specific implementation process will not be described here. The policy and charging control method provided in this embodiment specifically includes:

 Step B10: The second policy and charging control entity PCRF receives the credit control request sent by the first PCRF and the type information of the policy and charging execution entity PCEF, where the type information is the type of the PCEF that initiated the credit control request. ;

 Step B20: The second PCRF determines second decision reference information according to the credit control request, generates a second policy and charging rule, and the second policy and meter according to the second decision reference information and the type information. Priority of the fee rule;

 Step B30: The second PCRF sends the priority and the second policy and charging rule to the first PCRF.

 In the policy and charging control method provided by this embodiment, the second PCRF may determine the second decision reference information according to the credit control request received from the first PCRF, and generate the first according to the type information of the received PCEF and the second decision reference information. a second policy and charging rule, and a priority of the second policy and charging rule, and sending the priority and the second policy and charging rule to the first PCRF, so that the first PCRF determines the current priority according to the priority Policy and charging rules are issued. The second policy and the charging rule are generated by the second PCRF and sent to the first PCRF, so that there is no need to set multiple rules in the first PCRF, which avoids conflicts between rules caused by setting multiple rules in the first PCRF. The drawbacks increase the flexibility and reliability of the PCRF.

 In this embodiment, in step B20, the second PCRF generates a second policy and a charging rule, and a priority of the second policy and the charging rule according to the second decision reference information and the type information, which may specifically include The following steps:

 And if the user online location indicated by the credit control request is located in a preset area in the second decision reference information, the second PCRF generates the first according to the second decision reference information and the type information. The second policy and charging rules and the priority of the second policy and charging rules.

 Specifically, the user information in the credit control request includes information useful to indicate the user's online location. The second decision reference information includes preset area information. If the user's online location is in the preset area, the second PCRF generates the second policy and the charging rule and the priority of the second policy and the charging rule. If the user's online location is not located in the preset area, the operation of generating the second policy and the charging rule and the priority of the second policy and the charging rule may not be performed. The first PCRF can then send the generated first policy and charging rules to the PCEF.

Policy and Billing Control Entity Embodiment 4 FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a policy and charging control entity according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the policy and charging control entity 12 provided in this embodiment may implement various steps of the policy and charging control method provided in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and details are not described herein again. The billing control entity 12 can be the first PCRF.

 The policy and charging control entity 12 provided in this embodiment may specifically include a first receiving unit 121 and a policy determining unit 122. The first receiving unit 121 is configured to receive a second policy and charging rule sent by the second policy and the charging control entity PCRF13, and a priority of the second policy and charging rule, where the second policy and charging The rule is generated by the second PCRF 13 according to the second decision reference information and the type information of the policy and charging execution entity PCEF11. The policy determining unit 122 is configured to determine, according to the priority, the current policy and the charging rule, and send the policy to the PCEF1, where the current policy and charging rule includes the policy and charging control entity 12 generating a first policy and charging rule or the second policy and charging rule or a policy and charging rule generated according to the first policy and charging rule and the second policy and charging rule.

 In the policy and charging control entity 12 provided by this embodiment, the first receiving unit 121 receives the second policy and charging rules sent by the second policy and the charging control entity PCRF 13 and the priorities of the second policy and charging rules. The policy determining unit 122 determines the current policy and the charging rule according to the priority, and sends the policy and the charging rule to the PCEF1, where the current policy and the charging rule include the first policy and the charging rule generated by the policy and the charging control entity 12 or The second policy and charging rules or policies and charging rules generated according to the first policy and charging rules and the second policy and charging rules. Since the second policy and charging rules are generated by the second PCRF 13, without setting a plurality of rules in the policy and charging control entity 12, it is avoided that multiple settings are set in the policy and charging control entity 12. The drawbacks of rules that cause conflicts between rules increase the flexibility and reliability of the PCRF.

 Optionally, in this embodiment, the policy and charging control entity 12 may further include a first policy generating unit, where the first policy generating unit is configured to acquire the PCEF1 according to the credit control request sent by the PCEF1 l Type information, determining first decision reference information according to the credit control request, and generating the first policy and charging rule according to the first decision reference information and the type information.

 Optionally, in this embodiment, the policy determining unit 122 is further configured to send the second policy and charging rule to the PCEF 11 if the priority is an exclusive priority.

Optionally, in this embodiment, the policy determining unit 122 is further configured to: if the priority is The advanced priority is used to compare the first policy and the charging rule with the second policy and the charging rule. If there is a conflict, the second policy and the charging rule are sent to the PCEF 11.

 Optionally, in this embodiment, the policy determining unit 122 is further configured to: according to the first policy and charging rule, the second policy and charging, if the priority is a normal priority The policy generated by the rule and the charging rule are sent to the PCEF 11.

 Through the setting of multiple priorities, you can set the priority according to the actual policy delivery requirements, and you can flexibly adapt to different scenarios.

 Policy and Billing Control Entity Embodiment 5

 FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a policy and charging control entity according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the policy and charging control entity 13 provided in this embodiment may specifically implement the steps of the policy and charging control method provided in the third embodiment, and details are not described herein again. The policy and charging control entity 13 may be Second PCRF. The policy and charging control entity 13 provided in this embodiment specifically includes a second receiving unit 131, a second policy generating unit 132, and a sending unit 133. The second receiving unit 131 is configured to receive the credit control request sent by the first policy and the charging control entity PCRF12 and the type information of the policy and charging execution entity PCEF1, wherein the type information is the PCEF1 that initiates the credit control request. Type of l. The second policy generating unit 132 is configured to determine second decision reference information according to the credit control request, generate a second policy and charging rule, and the second policy and meter according to the second decision reference information and the type information. The priority of the fee rule. The sending unit 133 is configured to send the priority and the second policy and charging rule to the first PCRF 12.

 The policy and charging control entity 13 provided in this embodiment may determine the second decision reference information according to the credit control request received from the first PCRF 12, and generate the first according to the type information of the received PCEF1 and the second decision reference information. a second policy and charging rule, and a priority of the second policy and charging rule, and sending the priority and the second policy and charging rule to the first PCRF 12, so that the first PCRF 12 determines the current priority according to the priority Policy and charging rules are issued. The second policy and the charging rule are generated by the policy and charging control entity 13 and sent to the first PCRF 12, so that it is not necessary to set multiple rules in the first PCRF 12, thereby avoiding setting multiple rules in the first PCRF 12. The flaws that cause conflicts between rules increase the flexibility and reliability of the PCRF.

In this embodiment, the second policy generating unit 132 may be further configured to: if the user online location indicated by the credit control request is located in a preset area in the second decision reference information, according to the Generating the second policy and charging by using the second decision reference information and the type information The rules and the priority of the second policy and charging rules.

 Policy and Billing Control System Embodiment 6

 FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a policy and charging control system according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the policy and charging control system provided by this embodiment specifically includes a policy and charging execution entity PCEF11, and further includes a first policy and charging control entity PCRF12 and a second PCRF13. The first PCRF12 is a policy and charging control entity provided by Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The second PCRF13 is a policy and charging control entity provided in Embodiment 5 of the present invention. The specific implementation process of the policy and charging control system will not be described here.

 The policy and charging control system provided in this embodiment, by setting the first PCRF 12 and the second PCRF 13, the first PCRF 12 and the second PCRF 13 may respectively generate the first policy and charging rules and the first according to the decision information of the first PCRF. The second policy and the charging rule are generated, and the second PCRF 13 further generates the priority of the second policy and the charging rule, so that the first PCRF 12 determines that the current policy and the charging rule are sent to the PCEF 11 according to the priority. The second policy and the charging rule are generated by the policy and charging control entity 13 and sent to the first PCRF 12, so that it is not necessary to set multiple rules in the first PCRF 12, thereby avoiding setting multiple rules in the first PCRF 12. The flaws that cause conflicts between rules increase the flexibility and reliability of the PCRF.

 Policy and Billing Control System Example 7

 FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a policy and charging control system according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the policy and charging control system provided in this embodiment may specifically support a roaming network. The policy and charging control system provided by this embodiment specifically includes a policy and charging execution entity PCEF11, and also includes a visited policy and a charging control entity V-PCRF14 and a home policy and charging control entity H-PCRF15. The V-PCRF 14 is a policy and charging control entity provided in Embodiment 4 of the present invention, and the H-PCRF 15 is a policy and charging control entity provided in Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

The first decision reference information stored in the V-PCRF 14 may specifically include the user rule information of the visited place. The second decision reference information stored in the H-PCRF 15 may specifically include the user subscription information of the home location. The V-PCRF 14 may generate a first policy and charging rules adapted to the local network and local rules, and the H-PCRF 15 may generate a second policy and charging rules suitable for user agreement. Since the V-PCRF 14 does not know the subscription information of the user at the home location, the H-PCRF 15 sends the generated second policy and charging rules and priorities to the V-PCRF 14 so that the V-PCRF 14 can comprehensively consider the strategy. Increase the flexibility of roaming services. A person skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the steps of implementing the above method embodiments may be completed by using hardware related to program instructions, and the foregoing program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, and the program is executed when executed. The foregoing steps include the steps of the foregoing method embodiments; and the foregoing storage medium includes: a medium that can store program codes, such as a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

 It should be noted that the above embodiments are only for explaining the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to be limiting; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that: The technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments are modified, or some of the technical features are equivalently replaced; and the modifications or substitutions do not deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

Claim A method for controlling policy and charging, characterized in that it comprises:  The first policy and charging control entity PCRF receives the second policy and charging rule sent by the second PCRF and the priority of the second policy and charging rule, where the second policy and charging rule are The second PCRF is generated according to the second decision reference information and the type information of the policy and charging execution entity PCEF;  The first PCRF determines the current policy and the charging rule according to the priority, and sends the policy to the PCEF, where the current policy and the charging rule include the first policy and the meter generated by the first PCRF. a fee rule or the second policy and charging rule or a policy and charging rule generated according to the first policy and charging rule and the second policy and charging rule.  The policy and charging control method according to claim 1, wherein the first policy and charging control entity PCRF receives the second policy and charging rule sent by the second PCRF, and the second policy and meter Before the priority of the fee rule, it also includes:  The first PCRF acquires type information of the PCEF according to the credit control request sent by the PCEF, determines first decision reference information according to the credit control request, and generates a location according to the first decision reference information and the type information. The first policy and charging rules are described.  3. The policy and charging control method according to claim 2, wherein: the first decision reference information comprises user subscription information or user network support information.  The policy and charging control method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein the first PCRF determines the current policy and the charging rule according to the priority, and sends the policy to the PCEF, including:  If the priority is an exclusive priority, the first PCRF sends the second policy and charging rule to the PCEF.  The policy and charging control method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein the first PCRF determines the current policy and the charging rule according to the priority, and sends the policy to the PCEF, including:  If the priority is a high priority, the first PCRF compares the first policy and charging rule with the second policy and charging rule, and if there is a conflict, the second Policy and charging rules are sent to the PCEF. 6. The policy and charging control method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein The first PCRF determines the current policy and the charging rule according to the priority, and sends the policy to the PCEF, including: if the priority is a normal priority, the first PCRF is based on the first policy and The fee rule and the policy and charging rule generated by the second policy and charging rule are sent to the PCEF.  7. A policy and charging control method, characterized in that:  The second policy and charging control entity PCRF receives the credit control request sent by the first PCRF and the type information of the policy and charging execution entity PCEF, where the type information is the type of the PCEF that initiated the credit control request;  The second PCRF determines second decision reference information according to the credit control request, generates a second policy and charging rule, and the second policy and charging rule according to the second decision reference information and the type information. priority;  The second PCRF sends the priority and the second policy and charging rule to the first PCRF.  The policy and charging control method according to claim 7, wherein the second PCRF generates a second policy and charging rule and the second policy according to the second decision reference information and the type information. And the priority of the billing rules, including:  And if the user online location indicated by the credit control request is located in a preset area in the second decision reference information, the second PCRF generates the first according to the second decision reference information and the type information. The second policy and charging rules and the priority of the second policy and charging rules.  9. A policy and charging control entity, characterized by comprising:  a first receiving unit, configured to receive a second policy and charging rule sent by the second policy and the charging control entity PCRF, and a priority of the second policy and charging rule, where the second policy and charging The rule is that the second PCRF is generated according to the second decision reference information and the type information of the policy and charging execution entity PCEF;  a policy determining unit, configured to determine, according to the priority, the current policy and the charging rule, and send the policy to the PCEF, where the current policy and the charging rule include the first generated by the policy and the charging control entity a policy and charging rule or the second policy and charging rule or a policy and charging rule generated according to the first policy and charging rule and the second policy and charging rule. The policy and charging control entity according to claim 9, further comprising: a first policy generating unit, configured to acquire, according to the credit control request sent by the PCEF, type information of the PCEF, according to the The credit control request determines the first decision reference information, according to the The first decision reference information and the type information generate the first policy and charging rules.  The policy and charging control entity according to claim 9 or 10, wherein: the policy determining unit is further configured to: if the priority is an exclusive priority, the second policy and the meter The fee rule is sent to the PCEF.  The policy and charging control entity according to claim 9 or 10, wherein: the policy determining unit is further configured to: if the priority is a high priority, the first policy and the meter The fee rule is compared with the second policy and the charging rule. If there is a conflict, the second policy and the charging rule are sent to the PCEF.  The policy and charging control entity according to claim 9 or 10, wherein: the policy determining unit is further configured to: according to the first policy, if the priority is a normal priority The charging rule and the policy and charging rule generated by the second policy and the charging rule are sent to the PCEF.  14. A policy and charging control entity, comprising:  a second receiving unit, configured to receive a credit control request sent by the first policy and the charging control entity PCRF, and type information of the policy and charging execution entity PCEF, where the type information is a PCEF that initiates the credit control request Types of;  a second policy generating unit, configured to determine second decision reference information according to the credit control request, generate a second policy and charging rule, and the second policy and meter according to the second decision reference information and the type information Priority of the fee rule;  And a sending unit, configured to send the priority and the second policy and charging rule to the first PCRF.  The policy and charging control entity according to claim 14, wherein: the second policy generating unit is further configured to: if the user online location indicated by the credit control request is located in the second decision reference information And generating, in the preset area, the second policy and the charging rule, and the priority of the second policy and the charging rule according to the second decision reference information and the type information.  A policy and charging control system, comprising a policy and charging enforcement entity PCEF, further comprising: a first policy and charging control entity PCRF and a second PCRF;  The first PCRF is the policy and charging control entity according to any one of claims 9-13; and the second PCRF is the policy and charging control entity according to any one of claims 14-15.