Abstract: A technique for generating or updating a user profile based on a packet flow in a communications network from a user terminal to a destination address is described. A method implementation of this technique comprises receiving, by a Policy Control and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) from a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF), at least one item of information indicative of at least one of the destination address and a service provided at the destination address to the user terminal. Based on this item of information, a user profile for a user associated with the user terminal is generated or updated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the implementation of policy and/or charging control for an IP Connectivity Access Network session established for a user, that enables the user to select one of several Quality or Service levels, and an associated charging rate, that can be provided to the user for an identified traffic type that is being sent over the IP-CAN session. A set of Policy and Charging Control rules that apply the selected QoS level and the associated charging rate are then generated and applied to traffic of the identified type that is sent over the IP-CAN session.

Abstract: A Policy and Charging Rules Function server (PCRF) of a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) Architecture for deciding control rules applicable to user traffic flows to be inspected, in accordance with applicable telecommunication protocols for each traffic flow, by a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function server with Deep Packet inspection capabilities (PCEF-DPI) of the PCC Architecture. The PCRF includes a database having a list of protocols used in the user tialYtc flow s The PCRF includes an interface unit which receives a query from the PCEF-DPI about applicable control rules for an IP Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) session established for a user at the PCEF-DPI The PCRF includes a processing unit which sends the applicable control rules for the IP-CAN session and the list of protocols through the interface unit to the PCEF-DPI. A Policy and Charging Enforcement Function, server having Deep Packet Inspection capabilities (PCEF-DPI) of a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) Architecture.

Abstract: A Parental Control Manager “PCM” server of a Policy and Charging Control “PCC” architecture with the Parental Control Manager “PCM” server, a Policy Control Enforcement Function device with Deep Packet Inspection capabilities “PCEF-DPI device”, and a Policy Control Rules Function “PCRF” server. The PCM server includes a user interface unit for receiving a logon from a user, and for receiving from the user monitoring criteria on Internet traffic types to be monitored for the user, and corresponding actions to be carried out when any monitoring criteria fit a given Internet traffic type. The PCM server includes a network interface unit for submitting the monitoring criteria and corresponding actions received from the user to a PCRF server. A PCRF server of a PCC architecture with a PCM server, a PCEF-DPI device, and the PCRF server. A PCEF-DPI device of a PCC architecture with a PCM server, the PCEF-DPI device, and a PCRF server.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the implementation of policy and/or charging control for an IP Connectivity Access Network session established for a user, that enables the user to select one of several Quality or Service levels, and an associated charging rate, that can be provided to the user for an identified traffic type that is being sent over the IP-CAN session. A set of Policy and Charging Control rules that apply the selected QoS level and the associated charging rate are then generated and applied to traffic of the identified type that is sent over the IP-CAN session.

Abstract: A Policy and Charging Rules Function server (PCRF) of a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) Architecture for deciding control rules applicable to user traffic flows to be inspected, in accordance with applicable telecommunication protocols for each traffic flow, by a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function server with Deep Packet inspection capabilities (PCEF-DPI) of the PCC Architecture. The PCRF includes a database having a list of protocols used in the user tialYtc flow s The PCRF includes an interface unit which receives a query from the PCEF-DPI about applicable control rules for an IP Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) session established for a user at the PCEF-DPI The PCRF includes a processing unit which sends the applicable control rules for the IP-CAN session and the list of protocols through the interface unit to the PCEF-DPI. A Policy and Charging Enforcement Function, server having Deep Packet Inspection capabilities (PCEF-DPI) of a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) Architecture.

Abstract: A technique for generating or updating a user profile based on a packet flow in a communications network from a user terminal to a destination address is described. A method implementation of this technique comprises receiving, by a Policy Control and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) from a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF), at least one item of information indicative of at least one of the destination address and a service provided at the destination address to the user terminal. Based on this item of information, a user profile for a user associated with the user terminal is generated or updated.

Abstract: A Parental Control Manager “PCM” server of a Policy and Charging Control “PCC” architecture with the Parental Control Manager “PCM” server, a Policy Control Enforcement Function device with Deep Packet Inspection capabilities “PCEF-DPI device”, and a Policy Control Rules Function “PCRF” server. The PCM server includes a user interface unit for receiving a logon from a user, and for receiving from the user monitoring criteria on Internet traffic types to be monitored for the user, and corresponding actions to be carried out when any monitoring criteria fit a given Internet traffic type. The PCM server includes a network interface unit for submitting the monitoring criteria and corresponding actions received from the user to a PCRF server. A PCRF server of a PCC architecture with a PCM server, a PCEF-DPI device, and the PCRF server. A PCEF-DPI device of a PCC architecture with a PCM server, the PCEF-DPI device, and a PCRF server.

Abstract: In a policy and charging control method, a network node including a policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF) establishes a user plane session with a user and obtains a profile of the user. Upon receiving a packet, the PCEF determines, through a deep inspection of the packet, whether the packet indicates that content of a particular type, referred to as original content, is to be received by the user. If it is determined that the packet indicates that the original content of the particular type is to be received by the user, the PCEF obtains, based on the user profile and the particular type of the original content, information regarding operations to be performed in relation to the original content. The PCEF then performs the operations in relation to the original content. The invention further relates to network nodes implementing a PCEF and to computer programs.