Patent ID: 11792642

Abstract:
A data communication network serves a user application in User Equipment (UE) over a Virtual Private Network (VPN) Gateway (GW), Application Function (AF), and Network Exposure Function (NEF). The user application in the UE transfers user data to a VPN application in the UE. The VPN application in the UE transfers the user data over a VPN to the VPN-GW for delivery to the NEF. The VPN-GW receives user data over the VPN and transfers the user data to the AF for delivery to the NEF. The AF receives the user data for delivery to the NEF and generates an Application Programming Interface (API) call with the user data. The AF transfers the API call to the NEF. The NEF receives the API call and responsively exposes the user data. The user data may comprise user signaling, and the UE may exchange user data with external systems over the VPN GW responsive to the user signaling.