Apparatus and method for background data transfer

Abstract

An exposure node ( 50 ) receives a first request for resource management for future background data transfer between an application service provider and a plurality of radio terminals ( 10 ) from a server ( 60 ) associated with the application service provider and send a second request to a policy control node ( 40 ) in response to receiving the first request. The first request includes a parameter indicating whether background data transfer not complying with a previously agreed or negotiated transfer policy should be stopped, or whether the background data transfer should continue under a charging rule different from a previously agreed charging rule. The second request includes the parameter obtained from the first request. This enables the application service provider to negotiate with the radio communication network about handling of background data transfer not complying with a previously agreed transfer policy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A policy function entity comprising:
 at least one memory storing instructions;   at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to retrieve policy information based on a reference identifier (ID) for a background data transfer provided by an application function entity; and   an interface configured to send the policy information for the background data transfer to a user equipment (UE),   wherein the policy information comprises a time window and a location criteria.   
     
     
         14 . The policy function entity according to  claim 13 , further comprising at least one of a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) and a Policy Control function (PCF). 
     
     
         15 . The policy function entity according to  claim 13 , wherein the application function entity comprises an Application Function (AF). 
     
     
         16 . A User Equipment (UE) comprising:
 a transceiver configured to receive policy information for a background data transfer from a policy function entity,   wherein the policy information comprises a time window and a location criteria, and   wherein the policy information is retrieved by the policy function entity based on a reference identifier (ID) for the background data transfer provided by an application function entity, and   wherein the policy information is received by the UE.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the policy function entity comprises at least one of a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) and a Policy Control function (PCF). 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 ,
 wherein the application function entity comprises an Application Function (AF).   
     
     
         19 . A method performed by a policy function entity, the method comprising:
 retrieving policy information based on a reference identifier (ID) for a background data transfer provided by an application function entity; and   sending the policy information for the background data transfer to a user equipment (UE),   
       wherein the policy information comprises a time window and a location criteria. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the policy function entity comprises at least one of a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) and a Policy Control function (PCF). 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the application function entity comprises an Application Function (AF). 
     
     
         22 . A method performed by a User Equipment (UE), the method comprising:
 receiving policy information for a background data transfer from a policy function entity,   wherein the policy information comprises a time window and a location criteria, and   wherein the policy information is retrieved by the policy function entity based on a reference identifier (ID) for the background data transfer provided by an application function entity, and   wherein the policy information is received by the UE.   
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the policy function entity comprises at least one of a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) and a Policy Control function (PCF). 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the application function entity comprises an Application Function (AF).