# US 2022/0046531 A1 · Network slicing serving function

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- Number: US 2022/0046531 A1
- Document ID: US20220046531A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/451,901
- Filed: 2021-10-22
- Published: 2022-02-10
- Earliest claimed: 2017-03-20
- Assignees: Zte Corporation
- Applicants: ZTE Corporation
- Inventors: Tricci So
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220046531A1

## CPC

- H04W 48/18: Selecting a network or a communication service
- H04W 8/08: Mobility data transfer
- H04W 8/20: Transfer of user or subscriber data
- H04W 48/16: Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
- H04W 60/00: Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
- H04W 60/002: {Registration for requesting network slices}
- H04L 67/568: Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
- H04W 8/04: Registration at HLR or HSS [Home Subscriber Server]
- H04W 8/18: Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)

## Abstract

Techniques for implementing a network slice selection function are described. In one example aspect, a network slice instance request message is received for a user device. In response, the network slice selection function transmits a response message that includes information about allowed network slice instances for the user device. The allowed network slice instances include network slice instances that are available in the registration area of the user device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for providing network services to a mobile device operating in a visited network; comprising:
receiving, by a mobility function in the visited network, from the mobile device, a message identifying requested network slice assistance information;
obtaining identification of a session management function in a home network for the mobile device, wherein the obtaining is performed querying a network repository function in the home network for the mobile device with the requested network slice assistance information; and
providing the identification of the session management function in the home network to a session management function in the visited network.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further including:
caching, by the mobility function in the visited network, a network slice information context of the mobile device during a registration of the mobile device in the visited network.

### Claim 3

A communication apparatus comprising a processor for providing network services to a mobile device operating in a visited network; wherein the processor is configured for:
receiving, from the mobile device, a message identifying requested network slice assistance information;
obtaining identification of a session management function in a home network for the mobile device, wherein the obtaining is performed querying a network repository function in the home network for the mobile device with the requested network slice assistance information; and
providing the identification of the session management function in the home network to a session management function in the visited network.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The communication apparatus of claim 3, wherein the processor is further configured for:
caching, by the mobility function in the visited network, a network slice information context of the mobile device during a registration of the mobile device in the visited network.

### Claim 5

A computer program product comprising a computer readable memory having code stored thereupon, the code, when executed, causing a processor to implement a method for providing network services to a mobile device operating in a visited network; comprising:
receiving, by a mobility function in the visited network, from the mobile device, a message identifying requested network slice assistance information;
obtaining identification of a session management function in a home network for the mobile device, wherein the obtaining is performed querying a network repository function in the home network for the mobile device with the requested network slice assistance information; and
providing the identification of the session management function in the home network to a session management function in the visited network.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The computer program product of claim 5, wherein the method further includes:
caching, by the mobility function in the visited network, a network slice information context of the mobile device during a registration of the mobile device in the visited network.