Method and apparatus for inter-device communication

Abstract

The application provides a method and device for inter-device communication, the method for inter-device communication comprising: a first terminal device obtaining a first parameter used for identifying a first communication group, and sending a first message used for requesting to establish a first session to a first network device, the first session being used for the first terminal device to communicate with a second terminal device in the first communication group, the first message comprising the first parameter and a session establishment request message; and the first terminal device receiving a second message from the first network device, the second message being used for accepting the request to establish the first session. The terminal devices in the communication group communicate through the establishment of the session used for group communication, thereby improving the uniformity of the management of the devices in the communication group.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for communication between devices. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of communication technology, users are owning more and more electronic devices and more and more smart home devices that can be connected to the Internet. Therefore, communication between personal devices (such as remotely controlling home devices via mobile phone) has become a new communication demand.

[0003] Currently, communication between devices relies on the servers of smart device manufacturers. If a user's smart devices belong to different manufacturers, they need to install the applications (apps) provided by each manufacturer separately, resulting in a poor user experience. Therefore, optimizing communication between devices and improving the user experience has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a method for inter-device communication, aiming to optimize inter-device communication and improve user experience.

[0005] Firstly, a method for inter-device communication is provided. This method can be executed by a first terminal device, or by a chip or circuit disposed in the first terminal device; this application does not limit this. For ease of description, the following explanation uses the execution by the first terminal device as an example.

[0006] The method for inter-device communication includes:

[0007] A first terminal device acquires a first parameter, which identifies a first communication group to which the first terminal device belongs; the first terminal device sends a first message to a first network device, wherein the first message includes the first parameter and a session establishment request message, which requests the establishment of a first session for communication between the first terminal device and a second terminal device in the first communication group; the first terminal device receives a second message from the first network device, which indicates acceptance of the request to establish the first session.

[0008] The method for inter-device communication provided in this application embodiment involves a first terminal device requesting to establish a first session with a second terminal device in its first communication group, so that the first terminal device and the second terminal device in the first communication group can communicate through the first session. The terminal devices are uniformly managed in the form of a communication group, which can optimize inter-device communication and improve user experience without relying on the manufacturer's server.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the session establishment request message includes the first parameter.

[0010] The first parameter mentioned above can be carried in the session establishment request message, so that the first network device does not need to parse the session establishment request message, thus simplifying the behavior of the first network device.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first terminal device receiving a second parameter from the first network device, the second parameter including parameters for describing the application, parameters for describing the first communication group, and routing parameters for determining the first session, wherein the routing parameters include at least one of network slice, service continuity mode, data network name, session type, and access type.

[0012] The method for inter-device communication provided in this application embodiment allows the first terminal device to obtain a second parameter from the first network device, and the second parameter includes a routing parameter for determining the first session, so that the first terminal device can establish the first session according to the second parameter, thereby improving the accuracy of the first terminal device in establishing the first session.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, where the application corresponding to the parameter describing the application matches the application running on the first terminal device, and the parameter used to describe the first communication group matches the first parameter, the method further includes: the first terminal device determining the routing parameters of the first session based on the application running on the first terminal device and the first parameter, wherein the routing parameters of the first session are associated with the application running on the first terminal device and the first parameter.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first terminal device sending a third message to the first network device, the third message being used to request an Internet Protocol (IP) address, the IP address being the IP address of the second terminal device in the first communication group; the first terminal device receiving the IP address from the first network device, wherein the third message includes an identifier of the second terminal device and the first parameter.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first terminal device sending a fourth message to the first network device, wherein the fourth message includes a communication group establishment request message, the communication group establishment request message being used to request the establishment of the first communication group; the first terminal device obtaining a first parameter, including: the first terminal device receiving the first parameter from the first network device.

[0016] The method for inter-device communication provided in this application embodiment involves a first terminal device requesting the establishment of a first communication group via a fourth message, thereby enabling device management based on communication groups and achieving unified management.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the fourth message also includes the identifier of the first terminal device and a third parameter, the third parameter being used to indicate the function of the first terminal device in the first communication group.

[0018] During the process of requesting the establishment of a communication group, the first terminal device can report its own functions in the communication group so that the functional entity establishing the communication group can know the functions of the first terminal device in the communication group.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first terminal device sending a fifth message to the first network device, the fifth message being used to request the update or deletion of the first communication group, wherein the fifth message includes the first parameter; the first terminal device receiving a sixth message from the first network device in response to the fifth message, the sixth message including information indicating successful or failed update, or the sixth message including information indicating successful or failed deletion.

[0020] The method for inter-device communication provided in this application embodiment allows a first terminal device to update or delete an established first communication group via a fifth message, thereby enabling the established communication group to better meet the requirements.

[0021] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, when the fifth message is used to request an update to the first communication group, the fifth message also includes operation instructions for adding or deleting terminal devices and the identifier of the added or deleted terminal device.

[0022] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first terminal device communicating with the second terminal device through the first session.

[0023] Secondly, a method for inter-device communication is provided. This method can be executed by a first network device, or by a chip or circuit disposed in the first network device; this application does not limit this. For ease of description, the following explanation uses the execution by the first network device as an example.

[0024] The method for inter-device communication includes:

[0025] A first network device receives a first message from a first terminal device, wherein the first message includes a first parameter and a session establishment request message, the session establishment request message being used to request the establishment of a first session, the first parameter being used to identify a first communication group, the first terminal device belonging to the first communication group, and the first session being used for communication between the first terminal device and a second terminal device in the first communication group; the first network device sends a seventh message to the second network device, the seventh message including the first parameter and the session establishment request message; the first network device receives a second message from the second network device, the second message being used to indicate acceptance of the request to establish the first session; the first network device sends the second message to the first terminal device.

[0026] The method for inter-device communication provided in this application embodiment involves a first terminal device requesting to establish a first session with a second terminal device in its first communication group, so that the first terminal device and the second terminal device in the first communication group can communicate through the first session. The terminal devices are uniformly managed in the form of a communication group, which can optimize inter-device communication and improve user experience without relying on the manufacturer's server.

[0027] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the first network device determining the second network device based on the first parameter.

[0028] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the first network device receiving a second parameter from a third network device, the second parameter including parameters for describing the application, parameters for describing the first communication group, and routing parameters for determining the first session, wherein the routing parameters include at least one of network slice, service continuity mode, data network name, session type, and access type; the first network device sending the second parameter to the first terminal device.

[0029] The method for inter-device communication provided in this application embodiment allows the first terminal device to obtain a second parameter from the first network device, and the second parameter includes a routing parameter for determining the first session, so that the first terminal device can establish the first session according to the second parameter, thereby improving the accuracy of the first terminal device in establishing the first session.

[0030] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the first network device receiving a third message from the first terminal device, wherein the third message includes the identifier of the second terminal device and the first parameter, the third message being used to request an Internet Protocol (IP) address, the IP address being the IP address of the second terminal device in the first communication group; the first network device sending an eighth message to a fourth network device, the eighth message including the identifier of the second terminal device and the first parameter; the first network device receiving the IP address from the fourth network device; and the first network device sending the IP address to the first terminal device.

[0031] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the first network device receiving a fourth message from the first terminal device, wherein the fourth message includes a communication group establishment request message, the communication group establishment request message being used to request the establishment of the first communication group; the first network device sending the communication group establishment request message to the fourth network device; the first network device receiving a first parameter from the fourth network device; and the first network device sending the first parameter to the first terminal.

[0032] The method for inter-device communication provided in this application embodiment involves a first terminal device requesting the establishment of a first communication group via a fourth message, thereby enabling device management based on communication groups and achieving unified management.

[0033] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the fourth message and / or the establish communication group request message further include the identifier of the first terminal device and a third parameter, the third parameter being used to indicate the function of the first terminal device in the first communication group.

[0034] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the first network device receiving a fifth message from the first terminal, the fifth message being used to request the update or deletion of the first communication group, wherein the fifth message includes the first parameter; the first network device sending a ninth message to a fourth network device, the ninth message including the first parameter, the ninth message being used to request the update or deletion of the first communication group; the first network device receiving information from the fourth network device indicating successful or failed update, or information indicating successful or failed deletion; the first network device sending a sixth message in response to the fifth message to the first terminal, the sixth message including the information indicating successful or failed update, or the sixth message including the information indicating successful or failed deletion.

[0035] The method for inter-device communication provided in this application embodiment allows a first terminal device to update or delete an established first communication group via a fifth message, thereby enabling the established communication group to better meet the requirements.

[0036] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, when the fifth message is used to request an update to the first communication group, the fifth message also includes operation instructions for adding or deleting terminal devices and the identifier of the added or deleted terminal device.

[0037] Thirdly, a method for inter-device communication is provided. This method can be executed by a second network device, or by a chip or circuit disposed in the second network device; this application does not limit this. For ease of description, the following explanation uses the execution by a second network device as an example.

[0038] The method for inter-device communication includes:

[0039] The second network device receives a seventh message from the first network device, the seventh message including a first parameter and a session establishment request message, the session establishment request message being used to request the establishment of a first session; the second network device sends a second message to the first network device, the second message being used to accept the request to establish the first session, wherein the first parameter is used to identify a first communication group, the first terminal device belongs to the first communication group, and the first session is used for the first terminal device to communicate with the second terminal device in the first communication group.

[0040] The method for inter-device communication provided in this application embodiment involves a second network device establishing a first session between a first terminal device and a second terminal device in a first communication group, so that the first terminal device and the second terminal device in the first communication group can communicate through the first session. The terminal devices are managed uniformly in the form of a communication group, which can optimize inter-device communication and improve user experience without relying on the manufacturer's server.

[0041] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the second network device determining a communication method between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, wherein the communication method includes any one of the following: data between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is transmitted through a fifth network device; or, data between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is transmitted through two fifth network devices, the data being transmitted between the two fifth network devices through a communication interface; or, data between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is forwarded through a data network.

[0042] The method for inter-device communication provided in this application embodiment offers multiple communication methods between different terminal devices in a communication group, thereby improving the flexibility of the solution.

[0043] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the second network device sending first indication information to the fifth network device, the first indication information being used to indicate the communication method.

[0044] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the second network device determining the fifth network device based on the first parameter.

[0045] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the second network device sending a tenth message to the sixth network device, the tenth message including the first parameter, the identifier of the first terminal device, the identifier of the first session, the identifier of the fifth network device, and the Internet Protocol IP address of the first session.

[0046] Fourthly, a method for inter-device communication is provided. This method can be executed by a third network device, or by a chip or circuit disposed in the third network device; this application does not limit this. For ease of description, the following explanation uses the execution by a third network device as an example.

[0047] The method for inter-device communication includes:

[0048] The third network device receives a notification message from the seventh network device. The notification message includes the identifier of the first terminal device, first parameters, and information about the first communication group. The first parameters are used to identify the first communication group, and the first terminal device belongs to the first communication group. The third network device determines second parameters based on the notification message. The second parameters include parameters for describing the application, parameters for describing the first communication group, and routing parameters for determining the first session. The first session is used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device in the first communication group. The routing parameters include at least one of network slice, service continuity mode, data network name, session type, and access type.

[0049] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: the third network device sending the second parameter to the first network device.

[0050] Fifthly, a method for inter-device communication is provided. This method can be executed by a fourth network device, or by a chip or circuit disposed in the fourth network device; this application does not limit this. For ease of description, the following explanation uses the execution by a fourth network device as an example.

[0051] The method for inter-device communication includes:

[0052] The fourth network device receives an eighth message from the first network device, which requests the Internet IP address of the second terminal device in the first communication group; the fourth network device sends the IP address to the first network device, wherein the first terminal device and the second terminal device belong to the first communication group, and the eighth message includes information about the second terminal device and a first parameter for identifying the first communication group.

[0053] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, before the fourth network device receives the eighth message from the first network device, the method further includes: the fourth network device receiving a communication group establishment request message from the first network device, the communication group establishment request message being used to request the establishment of the first communication group; the fourth network device creating the first communication group and allocating the first parameter to the first communication group; and the fourth network device sending the first parameter to the first network device.

[0054] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the communication group establishment request message also includes the identifier of the first terminal device and a third parameter, the third parameter being used to indicate the function of the first terminal device in the first communication group.

[0055] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: the fourth network device sending an eleventh message to the sixth network device, the eleventh message being used to request the synchronous creation of the first communication group, the eleventh message including the first parameter, the first communication group information, and the identifier of the terminal device located in the first communication group, wherein the information of the first communication group includes information for inter-group communication of the first communication group and information of the application managed by the first communication group.

[0056] Sixthly, a method for inter-device communication is provided. This method can be executed by a sixth network device, or by a chip or circuit disposed in the sixth network device; this application does not limit this. For ease of description, the following explanation uses the execution of the method by the sixth network device as an example.

[0057] The method for inter-device communication includes:

[0058] The sixth network device receives an eleventh message from the fourth network device. This eleventh message requests the synchronous creation of a first communication group. The eleventh message includes a first parameter identifying the first communication group, information about the first communication group, and identifiers of terminal devices located within the first communication group.

[0059] The information in the first communication group includes information for inter-group communication within the first communication group and information about the applications managed by the first communication group.

[0060] The sixth network device sends a twelfth message to the seventh network device. The twelfth message is used to query the subscription information of the first terminal device, which is the terminal device that requested to create the first communication group.

[0061] The sixth network device determines to establish the first communication group based on the subscription information of the first terminal device.

[0062] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the method further includes: the sixth network device assigning an internal identifier to the first communication group, the internal identifier being associated with the first parameter; and the sixth network device sending a thirteenth message to the seventh network device, the thirteenth message including the identifier of the first terminal device, the internal identifier, and information about the first communication group.

[0063] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the method further includes:

[0064] The sixth network device receives a tenth message from the second network device, the tenth message including the first parameter, the identifier of the first terminal device, the identifier of the first session, the identifier of the fifth network device, and the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the first session.

[0065] In a seventh aspect, an apparatus for inter-device communication is provided, comprising a unit for performing the method described in the first aspect above. The apparatus for inter-device communication may be a first terminal device, or may be a chip or circuit disposed in the first terminal device, and this application does not limit it in this regard.

[0066] The device for inter-device communication includes:

[0067] An acquisition unit is used to acquire a first parameter, which is used to identify a first communication group, and the device for inter-device communication belongs to the first communication group;

[0068] A sending unit is configured to send a first message to a first network device, wherein the first message includes the first parameter and a session establishment request message, the session establishment request message is used to request the establishment of a first session, the first session is used for communication between the device for inter-device communication and the second terminal device in the first communication group;

[0069] The receiving unit is configured to receive a second message from the first network device, the second message indicating acceptance of the request to establish the first session.

[0070] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, the session establishment request message includes the first parameter.

[0071] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, the receiving unit is further configured to receive second parameters from the first network device, the second parameters including parameters for describing the application, parameters for describing the first communication group, and routing parameters for determining the first session, wherein the routing parameters include at least one of network slice, service continuity mode, data network name, session type, and access type.

[0072] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, where the application corresponding to the parameter describing the application matches the application running on the device for inter-device communication, and the parameter describing the first communication group matches the first parameter, the device further includes: a processing unit, configured to determine routing parameters for the first session based on the application running on the device for inter-device communication and the first parameter, wherein the routing parameters for the first session are associated with the application running on the device for inter-device communication and the first parameter.

[0073] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send a third message to the first network device, the third message being used to request an Internet Protocol (IP) address, the IP address being the IP address of the second terminal device in the first communication group; the receiving unit is further configured to receive the IP address from the first network device, wherein the third message includes the identifier of the second terminal device and the first parameter.

[0074] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send a fourth message to the first network device, wherein the fourth message includes a communication group establishment request message, which is used to request the establishment of the first communication group; the receiving unit is further configured to receive the first parameter from the first network device.

[0075] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, the fourth message also includes an identifier of the device for inter-device communication and a third parameter, the third parameter being used to indicate the function of the device for inter-device communication in the first communication group.

[0076] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send a fifth message to the first network device, the fifth message being used to request the update or deletion of the first communication group, wherein the fifth message includes the first parameter; the receiving unit is further configured to receive a sixth message from the first network device in response to the fifth message, the sixth message including information indicating whether the update was successful or failed, or the sixth message including information indicating whether the deletion was successful or failed.

[0077] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, when the fifth message is used to request an update to the first communication group, the fifth message also includes operation instructions for adding or deleting terminal devices and the identifier of the added or deleted terminal device.

[0078] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, the apparatus further includes: a communication unit for communicating with the second terminal device through the first session.

[0079] Eighthly, an apparatus for inter-device communication is provided, comprising a unit for performing the method described in the second aspect above. The apparatus for inter-device communication may be a first network device, or may be a chip or circuit disposed in the first network device, which is not limited in this application.

[0080] The device for inter-device communication includes:

[0081] The receiving unit is configured to receive a first message from a first terminal device, wherein the first message includes a first parameter and a session establishment request message, the session establishment request message being used to request the establishment of a first session, the first parameter being used to identify a first communication group, the first terminal device belonging to the first communication group, and the first session being used for communication between the first terminal device and a second terminal device in the first communication group; the sending unit is configured to send a seventh message to a second network device, the seventh message including the first parameter and the session establishment request message; the receiving unit is further configured to receive a second message from the second network device, the second message being used to indicate acceptance of the request to establish the first session; the sending unit is further configured to send the second message to the first terminal device.

[0082] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the apparatus further includes: a processing unit for determining the second network device based on the first parameter.

[0083] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a second parameter from a third network device, the second parameter including parameters for describing the application, parameters for describing the first communication group, and routing parameters for determining the first session, wherein the routing parameters include at least one of network slice, service continuity mode, data network name, session type, and access type; the sending unit is further configured to send the second parameter to the first terminal device.

[0084] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a third message from the first terminal device, wherein the third message includes the identifier of the second terminal device and the first parameter, and the third message is used to request an Internet Protocol (IP) address, the IP address being the IP address of the second terminal device in the first communication group; the sending unit is further configured to send an eighth message to a fourth network device, the eighth message including the identifier of the second terminal device and the first parameter; the receiving unit is further configured to receive the IP address from the fourth network device; and the sending unit is further configured to send the IP address to the first terminal.

[0085] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a fourth message from the first terminal device, wherein the fourth message includes a communication group establishment request message, which is used to request the establishment of the first communication group; the sending unit is further configured to send the communication group establishment request message to the fourth network device; the receiving unit is further configured to receive a first parameter from the fourth network device; and the sending unit is further configured to send the first parameter to the first terminal.

[0086] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the fourth message and / or the request message to establish a communication group further includes the identifier of the first terminal device and a third parameter, the third parameter being used to indicate the function of the first terminal device in the first communication group.

[0087] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a fifth message from the first terminal, the fifth message being used to request the update or deletion of the first communication group, wherein the fifth message includes the first parameter; the sending unit is further configured to send a ninth message to the fourth network device, the ninth message including the first parameter, the ninth message being used to request the update or deletion of the first communication group; the receiving unit is further configured to receive information from the fourth network device indicating successful or failed update, or information indicating successful or failed deletion; the sending unit is further configured to send a sixth message in response to the fifth message to the first terminal, the sixth message including the information indicating successful or failed update, or the sixth message including the information indicating successful or failed deletion.

[0088] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, when the fifth message is used to request an update to the first communication group, the fifth message also includes operation instructions for adding or deleting terminal devices and the identifier of the added or deleted terminal device.

[0089] In a ninth aspect, an apparatus for inter-device communication is provided, comprising a unit for performing the method described in the third aspect above. The apparatus for inter-device communication may be a second network device, or may be performed by a chip or circuit disposed in the second network device, which is not limited in this application.

[0090] The device for inter-device communication includes:

[0091] The receiving unit is configured to receive a seventh message from the first network device, the seventh message including a first parameter and a session establishment request message, the session establishment request message being used to request the establishment of a first session; the sending unit is configured to send a second message to the first network device, the second message being used to accept the request to establish the first session, wherein the first parameter is used to identify a first communication group, the first terminal device belongs to the first communication group, and the first session is used for the first terminal device to communicate with a second terminal device in the first communication group.

[0092] In conjunction with the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, the apparatus further includes: a processing unit configured to determine a communication method between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, wherein the communication method includes any one of the following: data between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is transmitted through a fifth network device; or, data between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is transmitted through two fifth network devices, the data being transmitted between the two fifth network devices through a communication interface; or, data between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is forwarded through a data network.

[0093] In conjunction with the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send first indication information to the fifth network device, the first indication information being used to indicate the communication method.

[0094] In conjunction with the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, the apparatus further includes a processing unit, which is also configured to determine the fifth network device based on the first parameter.

[0095] In conjunction with the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send a tenth message to the sixth network device, the tenth message including the first parameter, the identifier of the first terminal device, the identifier of the first session, the identifier of the fifth network device, and the Internet Protocol IP address of the first session.

[0096] In a tenth aspect, an apparatus for inter-device communication is provided, comprising a unit for performing the method described in the fourth aspect above. The apparatus for inter-device communication may be a third network device, or may be performed by a chip or circuit disposed in a third network device, which is not limited in this application.

[0097] The method for inter-device communication includes:

[0098] A receiving unit is configured to receive a notification message from a seventh network device, the notification message including an identifier of a first terminal device, a first parameter, and information about a first communication group, the first parameter being used to identify the first communication group, and the first terminal device belonging to the first communication group; a processing unit is configured to determine a second parameter based on the notification message, the second parameter including parameters describing the application, parameters describing the first communication group, and routing parameters for determining a first session, wherein the first session is used for communication between the first terminal device and a second terminal device in the first communication group, and the routing parameters include at least one of network slice, service continuity mode, data network name, session type, and access type.

[0099] In conjunction with the tenth aspect, in some implementations of the tenth aspect, the apparatus further includes: a transmitting unit for transmitting the second parameter to the first network device.

[0100] Eleventhly, an apparatus for inter-device communication is provided, including a unit for performing the method described in the fifth aspect above. The apparatus for inter-device communication may be a fourth network device, or may be performed by a chip or circuit disposed in the fourth network device. This application does not limit this.

[0101] The device for inter-device communication includes:

[0102] The receiving unit is configured to receive an eighth message from the first network device, the eighth message being used to request the Internet IP address of the second terminal device in the first communication group; the sending unit is configured to send the IP address to the first network device, wherein the first terminal device and the second terminal device belong to the first communication group, and the eighth message includes information about the second terminal device and a first parameter for identifying the first communication group.

[0103] In conjunction with the eleventh aspect, in some implementations of the eleventh aspect, before the receiving unit receives the eighth message from the first network device, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a communication group establishment request message from the first network device, the communication group establishment request message being used to request the establishment of the first communication group; the processing unit is configured to create the first communication group and allocate the first parameter to the first communication group; the sending unit is further configured to send the first parameter to the first network device.

[0104] In conjunction with the eleventh aspect, in some implementations of the eleventh aspect, the communication group establishment request message also includes the identifier of the first terminal device and a third parameter, the third parameter being used to indicate the function of the first terminal device in the first communication group.

[0105] In conjunction with the eleventh aspect, in some implementations of the eleventh aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send an eleventh message to the sixth network device. The eleventh message is used to request the synchronous creation of the first communication group. The eleventh message includes the first parameter, the first communication group information, and the identifier of the terminal device located in the first communication group. The information of the first communication group includes information for inter-group communication of the first communication group and information of the application managed by the first communication group.

[0106] In a twelfth aspect, an apparatus for inter-device communication is provided, comprising a unit for performing the method described in the sixth aspect above. The apparatus for inter-device communication may be a sixth network device, or may be performed by a chip or circuit disposed in the sixth network device, which is not limited in this application.

[0107] The device for inter-device communication includes:

[0108] The receiving unit is configured to receive an eleventh message from a fourth network device, the eleventh message being a request to synchronously create a first communication group. The eleventh message includes a first parameter identifying the first communication group, information about the first communication group, and identifiers of terminal devices located within the first communication group.

[0109] The information in the first communication group includes information for inter-group communication within the first communication group and information about the applications managed by the first communication group.

[0110] The sending unit is used to send a twelfth message to the seventh network device. The twelfth message is used to query the subscription information of the first terminal device, which is the terminal device that requested to create the first communication group.

[0111] The processing unit is used to determine the establishment of the first communication group based on the subscription information of the first terminal device.

[0112] In conjunction with the twelfth aspect, in some implementations of the twelfth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to assign an internal identifier to the first communication group, the internal identifier being associated with the first parameter;

[0113] The sending unit is further configured to send a thirteenth message to the seventh network device, the thirteenth message including the identifier of the first terminal device, the internal identifier, and the information of the first communication group.

[0114] In conjunction with the twelfth aspect, in some implementations of the twelfth aspect, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a tenth message from the second network device, the tenth message including the first parameter, the identifier of the first terminal device, the identifier of the first session, the identifier of the fifth network device, and the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the first session.

[0115] In a thirteenth aspect, an apparatus for inter-device communication is provided, the apparatus including a processor for implementing the functions of a first terminal device in the method described in the first aspect above.

[0116] Optionally, the device for inter-device communication may further include a memory coupled to the processor, which implements the functions of the first terminal device in the method described in the first aspect above.

[0117] In one possible implementation, the memory is used to store program instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, which can call and execute the program instructions stored in the memory to implement the functions of the first terminal device in the method described in the first aspect above.

[0118] Optionally, the device for inter-device communication may further include a communication interface for communicating with other devices. When the device for inter-device communication is a first terminal device, the communication interface may be a transceiver, an input / output interface, or a circuit, etc.

[0119] In one possible design, the device for inter-device communication includes: a processor and a communication interface.

[0120] The processor is used to run computer programs so that the communication device implements any of the methods described in the first aspect above;

[0121] The processor uses this communication interface to communicate with the outside world.

[0122] It is understood that the external entity can be an object outside the processor or an object outside the device.

[0123] In another possible design, the device for inter-device communication is a chip or chip system. The communication interface can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuitry on the chip or chip system. The processor can also be represented as processing circuitry or logic circuitry.

[0124] In a fourteenth aspect, an apparatus for inter-device communication is provided, the apparatus including a processor for implementing the functions of a first network device in the method described in the second aspect above.

[0125] Optionally, the device for inter-device communication may further include a memory coupled to the processor, which implements the functions of the first network device in the method described in the second aspect above.

[0126] In one possible implementation, the memory is used to store program instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, which can call and execute the program instructions stored in the memory to implement the functions of the first network device in the method described in the second aspect above.

[0127] Optionally, the device for inter-device communication may further include a communication interface for communicating with other devices. When the device for inter-device communication is a first network device, the communication interface may be a transceiver, an input / output interface, or a circuit, etc.

[0128] In one possible design, the device for inter-device communication includes: a processor and a communication interface.

[0129] The processor is used to run computer programs so that the communication device implements any of the methods described in the second aspect above;

[0130] The processor uses this communication interface to communicate with the outside world.

[0131] It is understood that the external entity can be an object outside the processor or an object outside the device.

[0132] In another possible design, the device for inter-device communication is a chip or chip system. The communication interface can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuitry on the chip or chip system. The processor can also be represented as processing circuitry or logic circuitry.

[0133] In a fifteenth aspect, an apparatus for inter-device communication is provided, the apparatus including a processor for implementing the functions of the second network device in the method described in the third aspect above.

[0134] Optionally, the apparatus for inter-device communication may further include a memory coupled to the processor, which implements the functions of the second network device in the method described in the third aspect above.

[0135] In one possible implementation, the memory is used to store program instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, which can call and execute the program instructions stored in the memory to implement the functions of the second network device in the method described in the third aspect above.

[0136] Optionally, the device for inter-device communication may further include a communication interface for communicating with other devices. When the device for inter-device communication is a second network device, the communication interface may be a transceiver, an input / output interface, or a circuit, etc.

[0137] In one possible design, the device for inter-device communication includes: a processor and a communication interface.

[0138] The processor is used to run computer programs so that the communication device implements any of the methods described in the third aspect above;

[0139] The processor uses this communication interface to communicate with the outside world.

[0140] It is understood that the external entity can be an object outside the processor or an object outside the device.

[0141] In another possible design, the device for inter-device communication is a chip or chip system. The communication interface can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuitry on the chip or chip system. The processor can also be represented as processing circuitry or logic circuitry.

[0142] In a sixteenth aspect, an apparatus for inter-device communication is provided, the apparatus including a processor for implementing the functions of the third network device in the method described in the fourth aspect above.

[0143] Optionally, the apparatus for inter-device communication may further include a memory coupled to the processor, which implements the functions of the third network device in the method described in the fourth aspect above.

[0144] In one possible implementation, the memory is used to store program instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, which can call and execute the program instructions stored in the memory to implement the functions of the third network device in the method described in the fourth aspect above.

[0145] Optionally, the device for inter-device communication may further include a communication interface for communicating with other devices. When the device for inter-device communication is a third network device, the communication interface may be a transceiver, an input / output interface, or a circuit, etc.

[0146] In one possible design, the device for inter-device communication includes: a processor and a communication interface.

[0147] The processor is used to run computer programs so that the communication device implements any of the methods described in the fourth aspect above;

[0148] The processor uses this communication interface to communicate with the outside world.

[0149] It is understood that the external entity can be an object outside the processor or an object outside the device.

[0150] In another possible design, the device for inter-device communication is a chip or chip system. The communication interface can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuitry on the chip or chip system. The processor can also be represented as processing circuitry or logic circuitry.

[0151] In a seventeenth aspect, an apparatus for inter-device communication is provided, the apparatus including a processor for implementing the functions of the fourth network device in the method described in the fifth aspect above.

[0152] Optionally, the means for inter-device communication may further include a memory coupled to the processor for implementing the functions of the fourth network device in the method described in the fifth aspect above.

[0153] In one possible implementation, the memory is used to store program instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, which can call and execute the program instructions stored in the memory to implement the functions of the fourth network device in the method described in the fifth aspect above.

[0154] Optionally, the device for inter-device communication may further include a communication interface for communicating with other devices. When the device for inter-device communication is a fourth network device, the communication interface may be a transceiver, an input / output interface, or a circuit, etc.

[0155] In one possible design, the device for inter-device communication includes: a processor and a communication interface.

[0156] The processor is used to run computer programs so that the communication device implements any of the methods described in the fifth aspect above;

[0157] The processor uses this communication interface to communicate with the outside world.

[0158] It is understood that the external entity can be an object outside the processor or an object outside the device.

[0159] In another possible design, the device for inter-device communication is a chip or chip system. The communication interface can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuitry on the chip or chip system. The processor can also be represented as processing circuitry or logic circuitry.

[0160] Eighteenth aspect: A device-to-device communication apparatus is provided, the apparatus including a processor for implementing the functions of the sixth network device in the method described in the sixth aspect above.

[0161] Optionally, the means for inter-device communication may further include a memory coupled to the processor for implementing the functions of the sixth network device in the method described in the sixth aspect above.

[0162] In one possible implementation, the memory is used to store program instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, which can call and execute the program instructions stored in the memory to implement the functions of the sixth network device in the method described in the sixth aspect above.

[0163] Optionally, the device for inter-device communication may further include a communication interface for communicating with other devices. When the device for inter-device communication is a sixth network device, the communication interface may be a transceiver, an input / output interface, or a circuit, etc.

[0164] In one possible design, the device for inter-device communication includes: a processor and a communication interface.

[0165] The processor is used to run computer programs so that the communication device implements any of the methods described in the sixth aspect above;

[0166] The processor uses this communication interface to communicate with the outside world.

[0167] It is understood that the external entity can be an object outside the processor or an object outside the device.

[0168] In another possible design, the device for inter-device communication is a chip or chip system. The communication interface can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuitry on the chip or chip system. The processor can also be represented as processing circuitry or logic circuitry.

[0169] In a nineteenth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described in the above aspects.

[0170] In a twentieth aspect, this application provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described in the above aspects.

[0171] In a twentieth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising the means for inter-device communication shown in the seventh aspect to the means for inter-device communication shown in the twelfth aspect.

[0172] In a twenty-second aspect, a chip device is provided, including processing circuitry for calling and running a program from a memory, causing a communication device equipped with the chip device to perform the method in any of the possible implementations of the first to sixth aspects described above. Attached Figure Description

[0173] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the architecture of a 5G system to which embodiments of this application are applicable is shown.

[0174] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a method for communication between devices.

[0175] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart of a UE controlling a smart device.

[0176] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart of a method for inter-device communication provided in this application.

[0177] Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart of another method for inter-device communication provided in this application.

[0178] Figure 6 This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of this application.

[0179] Figure 7 This is another schematic block diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0180] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0181] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as 5th generation (5G) systems, new radio (NR) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, etc. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as 6th generation mobile communication systems. The technical solutions of this application can also be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems or other communication systems.

[0182] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, firstly, in conjunction with Figure 1 This paper briefly introduces the 5G system to which the embodiments of this application are applicable.

[0183] It should be understood that the 5G system described in this document is merely an example and should not constitute any limitation on this application. The communication method provided in this application can also be applied to other systems. This application does not elaborate on the application scenarios.

[0184] It should also be understood that some network elements in a 5G system can communicate using service-oriented interfaces or point-to-point interfaces. The following section will discuss this further. Figure 1 This paper introduces a 5G system framework based on a point-to-point interface. For a 5G system framework based on a service-oriented interface, please refer to the descriptions in the relevant current technologies. This application will not describe it further.

[0185] As an example, Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the architecture of a 5G system to which embodiments of this application are applicable is shown. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a point-to-point interface. Figure 1 As shown, the network architecture may include, but is not limited to, the following network elements (or functional network elements, functional entities, nodes, devices, etc.):

[0186] User equipment (UE), radio access network (R)AN, access and mobility management function (AMF) network elements, session management function (SMF) network elements, user plane function (UPF) network elements, policy control function (PCF) network elements, unified data management (UDM) network elements, data network (DN), unified data management (UDM), unified data repository (UDR), and personal IoT network function (PIN function), etc.

[0187] The following is a brief introduction to each network element shown in Figure 1:

[0188] 1. UE: A device that communicates with (R)AN, also known as terminal equipment, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device. Terminal equipment can be a device that provides voice / data connectivity to a user, such as a handheld device with wireless connectivity, vehicle-mounted equipment, etc. Currently, examples of terminals include: mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities (such as laptops and PDAs), mobile internet devices (MIDs), virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks, or future public land mobile communication networks. Terminal devices in a network (PLMN), etc.

[0189] Furthermore, terminal devices can also be terminal devices in Internet of Things (IoT) systems. IoT is an important component of future information technology development. Its main technical characteristic is connecting objects to networks through communication technologies, thereby realizing an intelligent network that enables human-machine interconnection and machine-to-machine interconnection. IoT technology can achieve massive connectivity, deep coverage, and low power consumption at the terminal level through technologies such as narrowband (NB).

[0190] It should be understood that a terminal device can be any device capable of accessing a network. Terminal devices and access network devices can communicate with each other using some form of air interface technology.

[0191] Alternatively, the user equipment (UE) can be used to act as a base station. For example, the UE can act as a scheduling entity, providing sidelink signaling between UEs in V2X or D2D, etc. For instance, cellular phones and cars communicate with each other using sidelink signals. Cellular phones and smart home devices can communicate without relaying communication signals through a base station.

[0192] 2. (R)AN: Used to provide network access functionality for authorized user equipment in a specific area, and can use transmission tunnels with different service qualities according to the user equipment level, service requirements, etc.

[0193] (R)AN can manage radio resources, provide access services for user equipment, and then complete the forwarding of control signals and user equipment data between user equipment and the core network. (R)AN can also be understood as a base station in a traditional network.

[0194] For example, the access network device in this application embodiment can be any communication device with wireless transceiver function for communicating with user equipment. The access network equipment includes, but is not limited to: evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home evolved Node B (HeNB, or home Node B (HNB), baseband unit (BBU), access point (AP), wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP), or transmission and reception point (TRP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system. It can also be a gNB in ​​a 5G system, such as NR, or a transmission point (TRP or TP), one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system, or a network node constituting a gNB or transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU) or a distributed unit (DU).

[0195] In some deployments, a gNB may include a centralized unit (CU) and a distribution unit (DU). The gNB may also include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements some of the gNB's functions, and the DU implements others. For example, the CU handles non-real-time protocols and services, implementing radio resource control (RRC) and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer functions. The DU handles physical layer protocols and real-time services, implementing radio link control (RLC), media access control (MAC), and physical (PHY) layer functions. The AAU implements some physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing, and active antenna-related functions. Since RRC layer information ultimately becomes PHY layer information, or is derived from PHY layer information, in this architecture, higher-layer signaling, such as RRC layer signaling, can be considered to be sent by the DU, or by the DU+AAU. It is understood that access network equipment can be devices including one or more of the following: CU nodes, DU nodes, and AAU nodes. In addition, the CU can be classified as an access network device in the radio access network (RAN) or as an access network device in the core network (CN), and this application does not limit this.

[0196] 3. UPF network element: mainly includes the following functions: data packet routing and transmission, packet inspection, service usage reporting, quality of service (QoS) processing, legitimate monitoring, uplink packet inspection, downlink data packet storage, and other user plane related functions.

[0197] In 5G communication systems, user plane network elements can be UPF network elements. In future communication systems, user plane network elements can still be UPF network elements, or they can have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0198] 4. DN: A network used to provide data transmission.

[0199] In 5G communication systems, the data network can be a DN (Data Network). In future communication systems, the data network can still be a DN, or it can have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0200] 5. AMF network element: mainly includes the following functions: connection management, mobility management, registration management, access authentication and authorization, reachability management, security context management and other access and mobility-related functions.

[0201] In 5G communication systems, the access management network element can be an AMF (Access Management Function) network element. In future communication systems, the access management network element can still be an AMF network element, or it can have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0202] 6. SMF network element: mainly used for session management, allocation and management of network interconnection protocol (IP) addresses of terminal equipment, selection of manageable user plane functions, policy control and charging function interface endpoints, and downlink data notification. In 5G communication systems, the session management network element can be an SMF network element.

[0203] In future communication systems, the session management network element can still be an SMF network element, or it can have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0204] 7. PCF network element: A unified policy framework used to guide network behavior, providing policy rule information for control plane function network elements (such as AMF, SMF, etc.).

[0205] In 5G communication systems, this policy control network element can be a PCF network element. In future communication systems, the policy control network element can still be a PCF network element, or it can have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0206] 8. UDM: This can be understood as the naming of the Unified Data Management Network Element in the 5G architecture. The Unified Data Management Network Element mainly includes the following functions: unified data management, supporting authentication trust letter processing in 3GPP authentication and key negotiation mechanisms, user identity processing, access authorization, registration and mobility management, subscription management, and SMS management.

[0207] 9. UDR: Primarily used for storing and retrieving data types such as contract data, strategy data, and application data.

[0208] It is understood that the aforementioned network elements or functional network elements can be network components in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0209] 10. PIN function: Used to perform PIN creation and management, including: PIN creation, updating, and deletion; managing PIN identifiers, PIN device identifiers, PIN device roles within the PIN, and IP addresses used for communication between PIN devices; managing parameters such as slices for establishing Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions and data network names (DNNs) for PIN devices.

[0210] It should be understood that the PIN function involved in the embodiments of this application is a logical functional entity, which can be co-located with other network elements during actual deployment, such as co-located with AMF or PCF. After co-location, the interaction between the PIN function and the co-located network element is an internal interaction.

[0211] from Figure 1 It can be seen that, Figure 1 The interfaces between the various control plane network elements are point-to-point interfaces.

[0212] exist Figure 1 In the architecture shown, the interface names and functions between the various network elements are as follows:

[0213] 1) N1: The interface between AMF and the terminal, which can be used to transmit QoS control rules to the terminal.

[0214] 2) N2: The interface between AMF and RAN, which can be used to transmit radio bearer control information from the core network side to the RAN.

[0215] 3) N3: The interface between RAN and UPF, mainly used to transmit uplink and downlink user plane data between RAN and UPF.

[0216] 4) N4: The interface between SMF and UPF, which can be used to transmit information between the control plane and the user plane, including the distribution of forwarding rules, QoS control rules, traffic statistics rules, etc. from the control plane to the user plane, as well as the reporting of information from the user plane.

[0217] 5) N5: The interface between AF and PCF, which can be used for application service request issuance and network event reporting.

[0218] 6) N6: The interface between UPF and DN, used to transmit uplink and downlink user data streams between UPF and DN.

[0219] 7) N7: The interface between PCF and SMF, which can be used to issue PDU session granularity and business data flow granularity control policies.

[0220] 8) N8: The interface between AMF and UDM, which can be used by AMF to obtain access and mobility management related subscription data and authentication data from UDM, as well as by AMF to register terminal current mobility management related information with UDM.

[0221] 9) N9: User plane interface between UPFs, used to transmit uplink and downlink user data streams between UPFs.

[0222] 10) N10: The interface between SMF and UDM, which can be used by SMF to obtain session management-related subscription data from UDM, and by SMF to register terminal current session-related information with UDM.

[0223] 11) N11: The interface between SMF and AMF, which can be used to transmit PDU session tunnel information between RAN and UPF, transmit control messages sent to the terminal, and transmit radio resource control information sent to RAN, etc.

[0224] 12) The interface between the PIN function and the UDM or AMF can be called Nx.

[0225] It should be noted that, as one possible implementation, the PIN function can be co-located with other network elements. For ease of description, the network element co-located with the PIN function is referred to as the co-located network element. In the case of co-location, the interaction between the PIN function and the co-located network element is achieved through internal interaction, while the interaction with other network elements can be performed through the co-located network element. As another possible implementation, the PIN function can be set up independently. In the case of independent setting, the interaction between the PIN function and other network elements can be performed through an interface, the name of which is not limited in this application.

[0226] Additionally, it should be noted that, Figure 1 The interfaces between the various control plane network elements can also be service interfaces, which will not be elaborated further in this application.

[0227] It is understood that the aforementioned network elements or functions can be network components in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0228] For ease of explanation, this application will subsequently use the Access Management Function network element (AMF) and the Session Management network element (SMF) as examples. Furthermore, the AMF network element will be abbreviated as AMF, and the SMF network element as SMF. That is, the AMF described below can be replaced with the Access Management Function network element, and the SMF can be replaced with the Session Management network element.

[0229] For ease of explanation, the following descriptions of the communication method will be based on the example of the device being an AMF entity or an SMF entity. For the implementation methods of the chip within the AMF entity or the chip within the SMF entity, please refer to the specific descriptions of the devices being AMF entities and SMF entities respectively, and will not be repeated here.

[0230] It should be noted that, Figure 1 The names of the various network elements and communication interfaces between them are simply illustrated using examples from current protocols, but this does not limit the embodiments of this application to only known communication systems. Therefore, the standard names that appear when describing using current protocols as examples are functional descriptions. This application does not limit the specific names of network elements, interfaces, or signaling, but only indicates the function of the network element, interface, or signaling, which can be extended to other systems, such as 4G or future communication systems.

[0231] Additionally, it should be noted that in some network architectures, network function elements such as AMF, SMF, PCF, and UDM are all referred to as network function (NF) elements; or, in other network architectures, a collection of AMF, SMF, PCF, and UDM elements can be referred to as control plane function elements.

[0232] Figure 1 For the communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application, in order to facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, before introducing the solutions of the embodiments of this application based on the 5G architecture, some terms or concepts in 5G that may be involved in the embodiments of this application will be briefly described first.

[0233] 1. Personal Internet of Things (PIN).

[0234] Personal Internet of Things (IoT) is an intelligent service system centered on individual users. Through the user's terminal device (such as a mobile phone), it connects smart devices with other information resources according to agreed protocols to meet the user's needs for a high-quality and convenient life.

[0235] The Internet of Things (IoT) is divided into consumer IoT and industrial IoT based on demand and supply sides. Personal IoT networks and home IoT networks are subcategories of consumer IoT, and their relationship depends on the role of the IoT end-user and the nature of the scenario. When discussing personal IoT, the emphasis is on mobile scenarios centered on the individual, while home IoT emphasizes the less mobile home space scenario centered on the family user. Personal IoT is a key mobile connection point in the IoT, and connecting home IoT with industrial IoT is a crucial foundation for the interconnection of everything.

[0236] 2. Communication between personal devices.

[0237] In recent years, with the development of communication technology, users own an increasing number of electronic devices. For example, users have mobile phones, tablets, computers, watches, and other communication-capable electronic devices, as well as a growing number of network-connected smart home devices (such as smart door locks, smart cameras, smart displays, and smart printers). Therefore, communication between personal devices (such as remotely controlling home appliances via mobile phone to access services provided by the devices, etc.) is becoming increasingly important. Figure 2 As shown in the figure, this has become a new communication requirement.

[0238] For ease of understanding, combined with Figure 2 A brief introduction to communication between personal devices. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a device-to-device communication method. The specific process includes: the UE controls the smart device through the 5G core network and the smart device gateway. Here, the UE can be understood as a user's handheld device (such as a mobile phone), and the smart device can be understood as a home appliance (such as a smart door lock, smart camera, etc.).

[0239] 3. PIN element.

[0240] In this application, a smart device may also be referred to as a PIN element, meaning that a smart device can be understood as an element in a personal Internet of Things (IoT) network.

[0241] As can be seen from the above, with the development of communication technology, optimizing communication between personal devices has become an urgent problem to be solved. Currently, communication between personal devices (e.g., UE controlling smart devices) mainly includes:

[0242] Smart device providers typically release a mobile application (APP) for managing smart devices. They also use a server. The process of the user interface (UE) controlling the smart device usually involves the UE sending control commands to the device manufacturer's server, which then forwards the commands to the target smart device, thus enabling the phone to control the device. For example... Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating how a user interface (UE) controls a smart device. It includes the following steps:

[0243] S310, smart devices are registered to the smart device manufacturer's server.

[0244] S320, the UE has an APP released by the smart device manufacturer installed, which is used to manage the smart device.

[0245] When the UE needs to send control commands to the smart device Figure 3 The process shown also includes:

[0246] In S330, the APP installed in the UE sends control commands to the smart device manufacturer's server.

[0247] In S340, the smart device manufacturer's server sends control commands to the smart device.

[0248] S350, the smart device sends a response to the control command mentioned above to the smart device manufacturer's server.

[0249] S360, the smart device manufacturer's server sends a response to the control command mentioned above to the UE.

[0250] The above process is used to control the smart device.

[0251] from Figure 3 As can be seen from the illustrated process, the interaction between the UE and the smart device relies on the smart device manufacturer's server. If the user's different smart devices belong to different smart device manufacturer servers, then the APP provided by each smart device manufacturer's server needs to be installed separately. Figure 3 The method shown cannot achieve unified management of smart devices on servers from different smart device manufacturers.

[0252] In addition, smart device manufacturers' servers do not require authentication of UEs requesting control of smart devices, which poses a security risk to the operation of smart devices or the acquisition of services.

[0253] To avoid the drawbacks of the aforementioned UE control smart device methods, this application provides a communication method that optimizes the communication process between personal devices.

[0254] The embodiments shown below do not specifically limit the structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of this application. As long as it is possible to communicate according to the method provided in the embodiments of this application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiments of this application, for example, the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of this application can be a terminal device or a core network device, or a functional module in the terminal device or core network device that can call and execute the program.

[0255] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following points are provided.

[0256] First, in this application, "for instruction" can be understood as "enabling," and "enabling" can include direct enabling and indirect enabling. When describing information for enabling A, it can include whether the information directly enables A or indirectly enables A, but does not necessarily mean that the information carries A.

[0257] The information that enables the information is called the information to be enabled. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to enable the information to be enabled, such as, but not limited to, directly enabling the information to be enabled, such as the information to be enabled itself or its index. It can also be indirectly enabled by enabling other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be enabled. It can also enable only a part of the information to be enabled, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, enabling specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing enabling overhead to some extent. Simultaneously, common parts of various pieces of information can be identified and enabled uniformly to reduce the enabling overhead caused by individually enabling the same information.

[0258] Second, the first, second, and various numerical designations (e.g., "#1", "#2", etc.) shown in this application are merely for descriptive convenience and to distinguish objects, and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, to distinguish different messages, etc., rather than to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such described objects can be interchanged where appropriate to describe solutions other than those in the embodiments of this application.

[0259] Third, in this application, "preset" may include predefined terms, such as protocol definitions. These "predefined terms" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means of indicating relevant information in the device (e.g., including user equipment or core network equipment), and this application does not limit the specific implementation method.

[0260] Fourth, the term "storage" in the embodiments of this application can refer to storage in one or more memories. These memories can be separate installations or integrated into an encoder, decoder, processor, or communication device. Alternatively, some memories can be separately installed, while others can be integrated into the decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, and this application does not limit this.

[0261] Fifth, the “protocol” involved in the embodiments of this application may refer to standard protocols in the field of communication, such as 5G protocols, new radio (NR) protocols, and related protocols applied in future communication systems. This application does not limit this.

[0262] Without loss of generality, the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below using the interaction between network elements as an example.

[0263] For ease of understanding, the following explanation will use AMF as the first network device, SMF as the second network device, PCF as the third network device, PIN function as the fourth network device, UPF as the fifth network device, UDM as the sixth network device, and UDR as the seventh network device as the seventh network device.

[0264] It should be noted that this application does not impose any restrictions on the names of network devices.

[0265] For example, the first network device can be an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element. The AMF network element can be an AMF, or other network elements capable of implementing access and mobility management functions.

[0266] For example, the second network device can be a session management function (SMF) network element. The session management function network element can be an SMF, or other network elements capable of implementing session management functions.

[0267] For example, the third network device can be a policy control function network element. The policy control function network element can be a PCF, or other network elements capable of implementing policy control functions.

[0268] For example, a third network device can be a Personal Internet of Things (IoT) network function entity. A Personal IoT network function entity can be a PIN function, or other network elements capable of performing PIN creation and management functions.

[0269] For example, the fifth network device can be a user plane function network element. A user plane function network element can be a UPF, or other network elements capable of implementing user plane functions.

[0270] For example, the sixth network device could be a unified data management network element. Unified data management could be a UDM, or other network elements capable of implementing data management functions.

[0271] For example, the seventh network device could be a unified data storage network element. The unified data storage could be a UDR (User Data Controller) or other network elements capable of data storage functionality.

[0272] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in this application. It includes the following steps:

[0273] S410, the first terminal device obtains the first parameter.

[0274] The first parameter is used to identify the first communication group, to which the first terminal device belongs.

[0275] For example, the first terminal device in this application embodiment may be a PIN element, which is a smart device in a personal Internet of Things network. For example, the first terminal device may be a home smart appliance or a user handheld smart device. The specific form of the first terminal device is not limited in this application embodiment. All smart devices that can be connected to the Internet are within the protection scope of this application.

[0276] For example, the first communication group may be a personal Internet of Things network including a first terminal device, such as a first PIN.

[0277] For ease of description, the communication group may be referred to as PIN in the following text.

[0278] For example, the first parameter can be a parameter used to identify the first PIN, such as a PIN identifier (PIN ID), PIN indication information, etc. The specific form of the first parameter is not limited in this application embodiment; all information that can be used to identify the first PIN is within the protection scope of this application. For ease of description, the first parameter will be described below as the first PIN ID.

[0279] Specifically, the first terminal device belonging to the first PIN can be understood as the first PIN including multiple terminal devices, the multiple terminal devices being referred to as one PIN, and the multiple terminal devices including the first terminal device.

[0280] It should be noted that the above statement that the first terminal device belongs to the first PIN only means that the first PIN includes the first terminal device, but does not limit the first terminal device to only belonging to the first PIN. The first terminal device can also belong to other PINs, and this application does not limit this.

[0281] For example, the first PIN includes a first terminal device, a second terminal device, and a third terminal device; the second PIN includes a first terminal device, a fourth terminal device, and a fifth terminal device. That is to say, the first terminal device can belong to both the first PIN and the second PIN.

[0282] As one possible implementation, the first terminal device obtains the first PIN ID by initiating or joining the first PIN establishment process and acquiring the first PIN ID from the SMF. This will be discussed in the following section. Figure 5 The details of how the first terminal device obtains the first PIN ID during the first PIN establishment process will not be elaborated here.

[0283] As another possible implementation, the first terminal device may obtain the first PIN ID from another terminal device in the first PIN.

[0284] As another possible implementation, the first terminal device can obtain the first PIN ID by obtaining the identifier of its own first PIN from other management devices.

[0285] As another possible implementation, the first terminal device can obtain the first PIN ID by determining the identifier of the PIN to which the first terminal device belongs in a predefined manner.

[0286] In this embodiment of the application, the method by which the first terminal device obtains the first PIN ID is not limited.

[0287] Furthermore, after obtaining the first PIN ID, the first terminal device can send the first message to the AMF.

[0288] Optionally, the first message may be a non-access stratum (NAS) message, sent to the AMF through the communication interface (e.g., N1) between the first terminal device and the AMF.

[0289] Optionally, the first message can also be a new or existing message between the first terminal device and the AMF, other than the NAS message.

[0290] It should be noted that if the first message reuses existing messages between the first terminal device and the AMF, signaling overhead can be saved.

[0291] For ease of description, the following text will use the first NAS message as an example. Figure 4 The method flow shown also includes:

[0292] S420, the first terminal device sends the first NAS message to the AMF, or in other words, the AMF receives the first NAS message from the first terminal device.

[0293] The first NAS message includes the aforementioned first PIN ID and a session establishment request message (e.g., PDU sessionestablishment request). The actual function of this first message is to request the establishment of the first session, and the function of the session establishment request message is also to request the establishment of the first session.

[0294] Optionally, the first NAS message may also include an identifier of the first session (e.g., PDU session ID).

[0295] The first session described above is used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device in the first PIN. The second terminal device is any terminal device in the first PIN other than the first terminal device. The second terminal device can be one or more terminal devices. For example, the first terminal device can communicate with at least one other terminal device in the first PIN through the first session.

[0296] In this application, "session" is used as an example to illustrate the method. In practical applications, PDU session can also be replaced with other sessions, and this application does not limit this.

[0297] As one possible implementation, the first NAS message includes a first PIN ID and a session establishment request message, which also includes the first PIN ID. The first NAS message includes an identifier of the first session (e.g., PDU session ID), and the session establishment request message also includes the identifier of the first session.

[0298] After receiving the first NAS message, AMF does not need to parse the session establishment request message; it can simply forward it to SMF.

[0299] For example, the first terminal device initiates a NAS message to establish a PDU session. The NAS message carries a PDU session ID, which is used to identify this first session. The NAS message also includes an N1 container, such as a PDU session establishment request message. The PDU session establishment request includes a PIN ID and a PDU session ID. The AMF does not parse the N1 container and sends it to the SMF.

[0300] The first terminal device can determine the routing parameters for the first session based on the acquired second parameter. Figure 4 The method flow shown also includes:

[0301] S421, the AMF receives the second parameter from the PCF, or in other words, the PCF sends the second parameter to the AMF.

[0302] It should be noted that the second parameter is determined by the PCF, which sends the second parameter to the AMF, and the AMF then sends the second parameter to the first terminal device.

[0303] The second parameter includes parameters for describing the application, parameters for describing the first PIN, and routing parameters for determining the first session, wherein the routing parameters include at least one of network slice, service continuity mode, data network name, session type, and access type.

[0304] S422, the first terminal device receives the second parameter from the AMF, or in other words, the AMF sends the second parameter to the first terminal device.

[0305] When the parameters describing the application match the application running on the first terminal, and the parameters describing the first PIN match the first PIN ID, the first terminal determines the routing parameters for the first session based on the application running on the first terminal and the first PIN ID, wherein the routing parameters for the first session are associated with the application running on the first terminal and the first PIN ID.

[0306] As one possible implementation, matching the parameters describing the application with the application running on the first terminal can be understood as the parameters describing the application being the same as or partially the same as the parameters of the application running on the first terminal.

[0307] As one possible implementation, matching the parameters used to describe the first PIN with the first PIN ID can be understood as the parameters used to describe the first PIN being the same as or partially the same as the first PIN ID.

[0308] As one possible implementation, associating the routing parameters of the first session with the application running on the first terminal and the first PIN ID can be understood as configuring a mapping relationship: the identifier of the application running on the first terminal and the identifier of the first PIN correspond to the routing parameters of the first session, for example, APP ID + PIN ID -> routing parameters.

[0309] Optionally, the above service continuity modes include three modes: mode#1, mode#2 and mode#3. Mode#1 ensures that the session's IP address and UPF remain unchanged; mode#2 and mode#3 can change the session's IP address by redirecting the UPF.

[0310] For example, the second parameter may be determined by the first terminal device initiating the first PIN establishment process or joining the first PIN process, as will be discussed below. Figure 5 The details of how PCF determines the second parameter during the first PIN establishment process are not elaborated here.

[0311] After receiving the first NAS message, the AMF can determine the SMF used for inter-group communication of the first PIN based on the first PIN ID included in the first NAS message. Figure 4 The method flow shown also includes:

[0312] S430, AMF determines SMF.

[0313] As one possible implementation, the AMF determines that the first terminal device belongs to the first PIN based on the session context of the first PIN, and selects the network device associated with the session already established by the first PIN as the SMF.

[0314] For example, when the AMF determines that the first terminal device belongs to the first PIN, it selects the SMF associated with the PDUsession already established in the first PIN.

[0315] As another possible implementation, the AMF can randomly select a network device as the SMF.

[0316] As another possible implementation, the AMF can choose a network device that supports PIN group communication as the SMF.

[0317] It should be noted that the method for determining the SMF using the AMF is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0318] For example, the AMF may store the session context of the first PIN locally; or the AMF may obtain the session context of the first PIN from other network devices (e.g., another AMF or UDM).

[0319] For example, the session context of the first PIN described above is shown in Table 1 below:

[0320] Table 1

[0321]

[0322] As shown in Table 1, the PIN includes UE#1 and UE#2. The PIN is identified by its PIN ID. UE#1's communication address in the PIN is its IP address #1. The identifier of UE#1's established PDU session #1 is UE1 PDU sessionID. This PDU session #1 is established by SMF #1, and SMF #1 is identified by its SMF ID #1. UE#1's data is sent through UPF #1, and UPF #1 is identified by its UPF ID #1. Similarly, UE#2's communication address in the PIN is its IP address #2. UE#2's established PDU session #2 is identified by its UE2 PDU session ID. This PDU session #2 is established by SMF #2, and SMF #2 is identified by its SMF ID #2. UE#2's data is sent through UPF #2, and UPF #2 is identified by its UPF ID #2. For example, SMF #1 and SMF #2 can be the same SMF, and UPF #1 and UPF #2 can be the same UPF.

[0323] After identifying the SMF, the AMF sends a seventh message to the SMF, requesting the establishment of the first session.

[0324] Optionally, the seventh message can be a session update request message.

[0325] Optionally, the seventh message can be a request message to establish a session.

[0326] Optionally, the seventh message may also be other messages that include the first PIN ID and session establishment request message included in the first NAS message described above.

[0327] For ease of description, the seventh message will be used as an example in the following description, representing a session update request message. Figure 4 The method flow shown also includes:

[0328] S440, the AMF sends a session update request message to the SMF, or in other words, the SMF receives a session update request message from the AMF.

[0329] The session update request message includes the first PIN ID and the session establishment request message.

[0330] For example, the session update request message is a session update request message.

[0331] The first PIN ID and session establishment request message included in the session update request message in step S440 are the same as the first PIN ID and session establishment request message included in the first NAS message involved in S420 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0332] After receiving the Session Update Request message, the SMF can determine the UPF used for inter-group communication of the first PIN based on the first PINID included in the Session Update Request message. Figure 4 The method flow shown also includes:

[0333] S450, SMF determines UPF.

[0334] For example, the SMF determines the UPF for communication between terminal devices in the first PIN based on the session context of the first PIN.

[0335] As one possible implementation, SMF can store the session context of the first PIN mentioned above locally;

[0336] As another possible implementation, the SMF can obtain the session context of the first PIN mentioned above from other network devices (such as another SMF or UDM).

[0337] For example, the session context of the first PIN mentioned above is shown in Table 1 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0338] Furthermore, the SMF can determine the inter-group communication method for the first PIN based on the UPF used for inter-group communication of the first PIN. Figure 4 The method flow shown also includes:

[0339] S460, SMF determines the communication method.

[0340] When the UPF (e.g., UPF#1) is the same as the UPF#2 of the PDU session already established in the first PIN, local UPF forwarding is performed, and the communication method is local UPF forwarding:

[0341] For example, if UPF#1 receives data from one device (e.g., the first terminal device) within the first PIN that needs to be sent to another device (e.g., the second terminal device) within the first PIN, UPF#1 will directly send the data to the other device; or

[0342] When the UPF (e.g., UPF#1) is different from the UPF#2 of the PDU session already established in the first PIN, a data transmission interface (e.g., N9 interface) is created between UPF#1 and UPF#2, and forwarding between UPFs is performed. The communication method is forwarding between UPFs.

[0343] For example, the first terminal device and the second terminal device belong to the same operator, but the first terminal device uses UPF#1 for data transmission, while the second terminal device uses UPF#2. When UPF#1 receives data from one device in the first PIN (e.g., the first terminal device) that wants to send data to another device in the first PIN (e.g., the second terminal device), UPF#1 sends the data to UPF#2 (e.g., via the N9 interface), and UPF#2 then sends the data to the other device.

[0344] When the UPF (e.g., UPF#1) is different from the UPF#2 of the PDU session already established in the first PIN, and a data transmission interface cannot be established between UPF#1 and UPF#2, DN forwarding is used for communication.

[0345] For example, the first terminal device and the second terminal device belong to different operators. The first terminal device transmits data via UPF#1, while the second terminal device transmits data via UPF#2. When UPF#1 receives data from one device (e.g., the first terminal device) within the first PIN that wants to send to another device (e.g., the second terminal device) within the first PIN, UPF#1 sends the data to DN (e.g., data transmission via the N6 interface), DN sends the data to UPF#2 (e.g., data transmission via the N6 interface), and UPF#2 then sends the data to the other device.

[0346] The different communication methods described above can be referred to as routing rules. For example, the routing rules are shown in Table 2 below:

[0347] Source IP address #1 Destination IP address #1 UPF Local Forwarding Source IP address #1 Destination IP address #2 Forwarding between UPF Source IP address #1 Destination IP address #3 DN forwarding

[0348] Specifically, after the SMF determines the aforementioned communication method, it can notify the UPF of this method so that the UPF knows the data transmission method, which is beneficial for subsequent data transmission. Figure 4 The method flow shown may also include:

[0349] S461, SMF sends the first instruction information to UPF, or in other words, UPF receives the first instruction information from SMF.

[0350] For example, the SMF can send the first indication information to the UPF via an N4 session establishment or modification message.

[0351] Specifically, the first instruction information is used to indicate the aforementioned communication method.

[0352] For example, the first instruction information is the instruction information in Table 2 above.

[0353] In this application embodiment, the specific form of the first instruction information is not limited, and any instruction information that can indicate the above-mentioned communication method is not protected by this application.

[0354] After the SMF determines the inter-group communication method in the first PIN, the SMF sends a second message to the AMF. For example, the second message is a PDU session establishment accept message.

[0355] For ease of description, the following text will use the second message as an example to illustrate the establishment of the session and the acceptance of the message. Figure 4 The method flow shown also includes:

[0356] S470, the SMF sends a session establishment accept message to the AMF, or in other words, the AMF receives a session establishment accept message from the SMF.

[0357] The session establishment acceptance message is used to indicate that the request to establish the first session has been accepted.

[0358] The message received upon establishing the session includes the identifier of the first session (PDU session ID).

[0359] Furthermore, the AMF needs to send the session establishment acceptance message to the first terminal device so that the first terminal device is aware that the first session is allowed to be established. Figure 4 The method flow shown also includes:

[0360] S480, the first terminal device receives a session establishment accept message from the AMF, or in other words, the AMF sends a first NAS message to the first terminal device.

[0361] After the first session is established, the SMF may want to register the relevant information of the first session with the UDM. The SMF sends a tenth message to the UDM, which is used to register the relevant information of the first session with the UDM.

[0362] For ease of description, the tenth message will be used as an example in the following description, representing the registration message. Figure 4 The method flow shown also includes:

[0363] S490, the SMF sends a registration message to the UDM, or in other words, the UDM receives a registration message from the SMF.

[0364] The tenth message includes a first PIN ID, an identifier for a first terminal device, an identifier for a first session, an identifier for a UPF, and an IP address for the first session, wherein the IP address for the first session is an IP address assigned to the first session by the SMF and / or the UPF.

[0365] After obtaining the relevant information for the first session, the UDM sends the first IP address of the first terminal device in the first PIN to the PIN function. Figure 4 The method flow shown also includes:

[0366] S491, UDM sends the first IP address to the PIN function, or in other words, the PIN function receives the first IP address from UDM.

[0367] For example, the PIN function is a PIN function.

[0368] Optionally, the context information related to the first PIN stored in the PIN function is shown in Table 3 below:

[0369] Table 3

[0370]

[0371] Specifically, the IP address information of the terminal devices included in the first PIN in Table 3 (e.g., the IP address of each GPSI shown in Table 3) can be obtained through the above step S491. For example, each terminal device in the first PIN can execute the above step S491 in the process of requesting to establish an inter-group communication session. The PIN function can obtain the IP addresses of all terminal devices included in the first PIN for inter-group communication.

[0372] The parameters in Table 3, excluding the IP address of the terminal device included in the first PIN, can be determined during the first PIN creation process. For example, PIN group data, also known as first PIN information, can be determined by the PCF when creating the first PIN; similarly, PIN group membership, which refers to the information of the terminal devices within the first PIN, can be obtained by the PIN function from the terminal devices that need to create or join the first PIN. The following will combine... Figure 5 Detailed explanations will not be repeated here.

[0373] After the first session is established, the first terminal device can communicate with the devices in the first PIN through the first session.

[0374] Specifically, the first terminal device sends a third message to the AMF.

[0375] Optionally, the third message can be a NAS message, sent to the AMF via the communication interface (e.g., N1) between the first terminal device and the AMF.

[0376] Optionally, the third message can also be any new or existing message between the first terminal device and the AMF, other than the NAS message.

[0377] It should be noted that if the third message reuses existing messages between the first terminal device and the AMF, signaling overhead can be saved.

[0378] For ease of description, the following text will use the third message as an example of the second NAS message. Figure 4 The method flow shown also includes:

[0379] S492, the first terminal device sends a second NAS message to the AMF, or in other words, the AMF receives a second NAS message from the first terminal device.

[0380] Specifically, when the first terminal device and the second terminal device have a communication need, the first terminal device sends a second NAS message to the AMF.

[0381] The second NAS message is used to request the IP address of the second terminal device in the first PIN. The second NAS message includes the identifier of the second terminal device and / or the first PIN ID.

[0382] As one possible implementation, the identifier of the second terminal device can be information used to indicate the second terminal device, such as the ID of the second terminal device; or, for example, the functional information of the second terminal device in the first PIN (e.g., a device that implements temperature regulation function).

[0383] It should be noted that the purpose of the first terminal device sending the second NAS message to the AMF is to send a message requesting the IP address of the second terminal device in the first PIN to the PIN function.

[0384] Furthermore, after receiving the second NAS message, the AMF can send an eighth message to the PIN function, which is used to request the IP address of the second terminal device in the first PIN.

[0385] Optionally, the eighth message may be referred to as the second terminal device query request message.

[0386] Optionally, the eighth message may also be other messages used to request the IP address of the second terminal device in the first PIN.

[0387] For ease of description, the eighth message will be used as an example to illustrate the query request message from the second terminal device. Figure 4 The method flow shown also includes:

[0388] S493, the AMF sends a second terminal device query request message to the PIN function, or in other words, the PIN function receives a second terminal device query request message from the AMF.

[0389] For example, the second terminal device query request message can be called the second terminal device query request message, which is used to request the IP address of the second terminal device in the first PIN.

[0390] The second terminal device query request message includes the identifier of the second terminal device and the first PIN ID.

[0391] For example, the first terminal device sends a second terminal device query request message to the PIN function via the AMF, including:

[0392] The first terminal device sends a second NAS message (e.g., a NAS message) to the AMF. The second NAS message includes a first PIN ID and a second terminal device query request message (e.g., a second terminal device query request message). The second NAS message includes the first PIN ID and the identifier of the second terminal device (e.g., the ID of the second terminal device). After receiving the second NAS message, the AMF does not parse the second terminal device query request message, but forwards the second terminal device query request message to the PIN function.

[0393] After receiving the query request message from the second terminal device, the PIN function determines that the first terminal device belongs to the first PIN. Figure 4 The method flow shown also includes:

[0394] S494, PIN function determines that the first terminal device belongs to the first PIN.

[0395] Specifically, the PIN function can determine that the first terminal device belongs to the first PIN based on the context information of the first PIN stored locally.

[0396] If the PIN function determines that the first terminal device belongs to the first PIN, the IP address of the second terminal device in the first PIN is sent to the AMF. Figure 4 The method flow shown also includes:

[0397] S495, the PIN function sends the IP address to the AMF, or in other words, the AMF receives the IP address from the PIN function.

[0398] The IP address is the IP address of the second terminal device in the first PIN.

[0399] It should be noted that the IP address sent by the PIN function to the AMF includes:

[0400] The PIN function sends a second terminal device query response message to the AMF, which includes the IP address.

[0401] After receiving the query response message from the second terminal device, AMF does not parse the second terminal device's query response message, but forwards the second terminal device's query response message to the first terminal device via NAS message. Figure 4 The method flow shown also includes:

[0402] S496, the AMF sends an IP address to the first terminal device, or in other words, the first terminal device receives an IP address from the AMF.

[0403] After obtaining the IP address of the second terminal device, the first terminal device communicates with the second terminal device through a first session. Figure 4 The method flow shown also includes:

[0404] S497, Data transmission occurs between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0405] Specifically, data transmission methods include the following:

[0406] Method 1:

[0407] The data to be transmitted by the first terminal device is sent to UPF#1, which then forwards it to the second terminal device.

[0408] Method 2:

[0409] The data to be transmitted by the first terminal device is sent to UPF#1, which then forwards it to UPF#2 via the N9 interface, and finally forwards it to the second terminal device.

[0410] Method 3:

[0411] The data to be transmitted by the first terminal device is sent to UPF#1, which then forwards it to DN through the N6 interface. DN then forwards it to UPF#2 through the N6 interface, and finally UPF#2 forwards it to the second terminal device.

[0412] The above combination Figure 4 This describes the process of establishing inter-group communication between the first terminal device and the devices in the first PIN. As mentioned above, the first terminal device belongs to the first PIN. The following section will combine... Figure 5 This describes the process of the first terminal device requesting the creation of the first PIN. Figure 5This is a schematic flowchart of a method for creating a PIN provided in an embodiment of this application. The first terminal device can request to establish the aforementioned first PIN by sending a fourth message to the AMF.

[0413] Optionally, the fourth message may be a NAS message, sent to the AMF via the communication interface (e.g., N1) between the first terminal device and the AMF.

[0414] Optionally, the fourth message can also be any new or existing message between the first terminal device and the AMF, other than the NAS message.

[0415] It should be noted that if the fourth message reuses existing messages between the first terminal device and the AMF, signaling overhead can be saved.

[0416] For ease of description, the following text will use the fourth message as an example of the third NAS message. Figure 5 The method flow 5 shown includes:

[0417] S510, the first terminal device sends a third NAS message to the AMF, or in other words, the AMF receives a third NAS message from the first terminal device.

[0418] The third NAS message includes a PIN establishment request message, which requests the establishment of the first PIN mentioned above.

[0419] For example, the third NAS message can be a NAS message. The first terminal device sends a NAS message to the AMF, which includes a PIN request message (e.g., create PIN request). After receiving the NAS message, the AMF sends a PIN request message to the PIN function to request the PIN function to create a first PIN. Figure 5 The method flow shown also includes:

[0420] S511, the AMF sends a PIN establishment request message to the PIN function, or in other words, the PIN function receives a PIN establishment request message from the AMF.

[0421] For example, after receiving the aforementioned third NAS message, the AMF does not need to parse the PIN establishment request message included in the third NAS message; it can simply forward it to the PIN function.

[0422] Optionally, the third NAS message and / or the PIN establishment request message may also include a third parameter, which is used to indicate the function of the first terminal device in the first PIN.

[0423] For example, the functions of the first terminal device in the first PIN include: the first terminal device acting as a gateway device in the first PIN, the first terminal device acting as a management device in the first PIN, and the first terminal device acting as a regular communication device in the first PIN.

[0424] For example, the first PIN includes multiple UEs, one of which can act as a smart device gateway (e.g., Figure 2 The smart device gateway shown in the figure can be referred to as a smart device with gateway capability.

[0425] For example, the first PIN may include multiple UEs, one of which may act as a smart device manager (e.g., the UE may relay data from other UEs). This smart device manager may be referred to as a smart device with management capabilities (PIN element with management capability).

[0426] For example, the first PIN may include multiple UEs, at least one of which is a regular UE (e.g., the at least one device is added to the PIN as a regular communication device). This regular UE may be referred to as a (PIN element).

[0427] Optionally, the third NAS message may also include the identifier of the first terminal device.

[0428] As one possible implementation, the third NAS message may also include the identifier of the first terminal device, which may be located outside the PIN establishment request message, meaning that the identifier of the first terminal device may not be included in the PIN establishment request message.

[0429] For example, the third NAS message may include a temporary or permanent identifier or other external identifier of the first terminal device. The AMF can determine the identifier of the first terminal device based on the identifier of the UE and send the identifier of the first terminal device and the PIN establishment request message to the PIN function.

[0430] As another possible implementation, the third NAS message may also include the identifier of the first terminal device, which may be located in the PIN establishment request message, that is, the identifier of the first terminal device may not be included outside the PIN establishment request message.

[0431] For example, if the PIN request message includes a permanent identifier or other external identifier of the first terminal device, the AMF can forward the PIN request message to the PIN function.

[0432] As another possible implementation, the third NAS message may also include the identifier of the first terminal device, which may be located both in and outside the PIN request message.

[0433] For example, the third NAS message includes a temporary or permanent identifier or other external identifier of the first terminal device, and the PIN establishment request message includes a permanent identifier or other external identifier of the first terminal device. The AMF can determine the identifier of the first terminal device based on the identifier of the first terminal device, and send the identifier of the first terminal device and the PIN establishment request message to the PIN function.

[0434] It should be noted that, from the perspective of saving signaling overhead and simplifying the operation of core network equipment, the identifier of the first terminal device mentioned above can be carried in the PIN establishment request message. In this way, the AMF does not need to determine the identifier of the first terminal device to be sent to the PIN function based on the identifier of the first terminal device outside the PIN establishment request message, and can directly forward the PIN establishment request message to the PIN function.

[0435] Furthermore, after receiving the PIN creation request message, the PIN function can accept the request from the first terminal device to create a first PIN, create the first PIN, and assign a first PIN ID to the first PIN to identify it. Figure 5 The method flow shown also includes:

[0436] S520, PIN function creates the first PIN.

[0437] It should be noted that for a newly created first PIN, the PIN function must assign a first PIN ID to identify the first PIN.

[0438] The PIN function can provide the relevant parameters of the first PIN to the UDM. The PIN function sends an eleventh message to the UDM, which is used to request the synchronous creation of the first PIN.

[0439] For ease of description, the following text will use the eleventh message as an example to illustrate the request to synchronously create the first PIN message. Figure 5 The method flow shown also includes:

[0440] S530, the PIN function sends a request to the UDM to synchronously create the first PIN message, or in other words, the UDM receives the first request from the PIN function to synchronously create the first PIN message.

[0441] The request synchronously creates the first PIN message, which includes the first PIN ID, the first PIN information, and information about the terminal device located within the first PIN.

[0442] The information of the first PIN includes information for inter-group communication of the first PIN and information for the application managed by the first PIN.

[0443] Optionally, the request to synchronously create the first PIN information included in the first PIN message and the terminal device information located within the first PIN are respectively the PIN group data and PIN group membership in Table 3 above.

[0444] For example, the information used for the first PIN group inter-communication includes information such as DNN, S-NSSAI, and session type (e.g., PDU type) for the first PIN group inter-communication.

[0445] For example, the information of the first PIN-managed application (e.g., App descriptor) includes PIN APP ID, triplet, and other information.

[0446] For example, the information of the terminal device located in the first PIN includes information about the devices added to the PIN (e.g., list of GPSI, Role of each GPSI, etc.).

[0447] Specifically, after UDM obtains the relevant parameters of the first PIN, it can obtain the subscription information of the first terminal device from UDR to determine whether the first PIN can be established synchronously for the first terminal device. UDM sends a twelfth message to UDR, which is used to query the subscription information of the first terminal device.

[0448] Optionally, the twelfth message can be a query request message.

[0449] Optionally, the twelfth message may also be other messages used to query the subscription information of the first terminal device.

[0450] For ease of description, the following text will use the twelfth message as an example, representing a query request message. Figure 4 The method flow shown also includes:

[0451] S540, UDM sends a query request message to UDR, or UDR receives a query request message from UDM.

[0452] After the UDM determines that it can establish the first PIN for the first terminal device, the UDM sends a thirteenth message to the UDR to instruct the synchronous creation of the first PIN.

[0453] Optionally, the thirteenth message can be a synchronous creation of the first PIN indication message.

[0454] Alternatively, the thirteenth message can be any other message used to indicate the synchronous creation of the first PIN.

[0455] For ease of description, the following text will use the thirteenth message as an example to illustrate the synchronous creation of the first PIN indication message. Figure 5 The method flow shown also includes:

[0456] S550, UDM sends a Synchronous Create First PIN Indication Message to UDR, or UDR receives a Synchronous Create First PIN Indication Message from UDM.

[0457] The synchronous creation of the first PIN instruction message includes the identifier of the first terminal device, the internal identifier, and the aforementioned first PIN information.

[0458] For the newly created first PIN, the UDM needs to assign an internal first PIN identifier (e.g., internal identifier) ​​to the first PIN.

[0459] For example, the internal identifier can be stored within the network and does not need to be sent to the first terminal device. The internal identifier is associated with the first PIN ID (e.g., there is an internal identifier for a PIN and a first PIN ID corresponding to the internal identifier).

[0460] Furthermore, after the first PIN is created, the identifier of the created first PIN (e.g., the first PIN ID mentioned above) needs to be sent to the first terminal device. Figure 5 The method flow shown also includes:

[0461] S560, the PIN function sends the first PIN ID to the AMF.

[0462] S570, AMF stores the association between the first PIN ID and the PIN function.

[0463] If the first PIN ID includes an identifier for the PIN function, AMF does not need to generate an association between the first PIN ID and the PIN function during the first PIN creation process. This association will be removed during subsequent session establishment processes (such as...). Figure 4 As shown in the process, the AMF can determine the corresponding PIN function based on the identifier of the PIN function included in the first PIN ID when it receives the first PIN ID, so there is no need to save the association between the first PIN ID and the PIN function separately.

[0464] S580, AMF sends the first PIN ID to the first terminal device.

[0465] Alternatively, as an option, after the first PIN is created, the first terminal device may request to update or delete the first PIN.

[0466] Optionally, after the first PIN is created, the first terminal device may send a fifth message to the AMF.

[0467] The fifth message can be a NAS message, sent to the AMF through the communication interface (e.g., N1) between the first terminal device and the AMF.

[0468] Optionally, the fifth message can also be any new or existing message between the first terminal device and the AMF, other than the NAS message.

[0469] It should be noted that if the fifth message reuses existing messages between the first terminal device and the AMF, signaling overhead can be saved.

[0470] For ease of description, the fifth message will be used as the fourth NAS message in the following description.

[0471] Under this possibility, Figure 5 The method flow shown also includes:

[0472] S590, the first terminal device sends a fourth NAS message to the AMF, or in other words, the AMF receives a fourth NAS message from the first terminal device.

[0473] The fourth NAS message is used to request an update or deletion of the first PIN that has already been created.

[0474] Furthermore, after receiving the fourth NAS message, the AMF can send a ninth message to the PIN function to request an update or deletion of the first PIN.

[0475] For ease of description, the following text will use the ninth message as an example, which requests an update or deletion of the first PIN. Figure 5 The method flow shown also includes:

[0476] S591, the AMF sends a message to the PIN function requesting an update or deletion of the first PIN, or in other words, the PIN function receives a message from the AMF requesting an update or deletion of the first PIN.

[0477] The message requesting to update or delete the first PIN includes the first PIN ID, and the message requesting to update or delete the first PIN is used to request to update or delete the first PIN.

[0478] For example, the first terminal device sends a message to the PIN function via the AMF to request an update or deletion of the first PIN, including:

[0479] The first terminal device sends a fourth NAS message (e.g., NAS message) to the AMF. This fourth NAS message includes a message requesting the update or deletion of the first PIN (e.g., delete / update PIN request). After receiving the fourth NAS message, the AMF sends a message requesting the PIN function to update or delete the first PIN.

[0480] Specifically, after receiving the aforementioned fourth NAS message, the AMF does not need to parse the message requesting the update or deletion of the first PIN included in the fourth NAS message; it can simply forward it to the PIN function.

[0481] Optionally, when the fourth NAS message is used to request an update to the first PIN, the fourth NAS message may also include operation instructions for adding or deleting terminal devices and the identifier of the added or deleted terminal device.

[0482] Optionally, when the message requesting the update or deletion of the first PIN is used to request the update of the first PIN, the message requesting the update or deletion of the first PIN may also include operation instruction information for adding or deleting a terminal device and the identifier of the added or deleted terminal device.

[0483] Optionally, the fourth NAS message may also include a first PIN ID, which instructs the AMF to send the fourth NAS message to the PIN function associated with the first PIN ID. If the fourth NAS message does not carry the first PIN ID, the AMF selects a PIN function to send a message requesting the update or deletion of the first PIN.

[0484] It should be noted that the first PIN ID can be assigned by the PIN function, including the identifier of the PIN function and the part used to identify the first PIN in the PIN function. The AMF can also determine the PIN function based on the PCF identifier in the first PIN ID and forward the message requesting to update or delete the first PIN to the determined PIN function.

[0485] It should be noted that if the process involves updating or deleting a PIN, the instructions issued during the S560-S590 processes described above indicate whether the update was successful or failed, or whether the deletion was successful or failed. Figure 5 The method flow shown also includes:

[0486] S592, the AMF receives the second instruction information from the PIN function, or in other words, the PIN function sends the second instruction information to the AMF.

[0487] The second indication information is used to indicate whether the update was successful or failed, or to indicate whether the deletion was successful or failed.

[0488] Furthermore, the AMF can notify the first terminal device via a sixth message whether the update was successful or failed, or whether the deletion was successful or failed.

[0489] Optionally, the sixth message may be a NAS message, sent to the AMF via the communication interface (e.g., N1) between the first terminal device and the AMF.

[0490] Optionally, the sixth message can also be any new or existing message between the first terminal device and the AMF, other than the NAS message.

[0491] It should be noted that if the sixth message reuses existing messages between the first terminal device and the AMF, signaling overhead can be saved.

[0492] For ease of description, the sixth message will be used as the fifth NAS message in the following description. Figure 5 The method flow shown also includes:

[0493] S593, the first terminal device receives the fifth NAS message from the AMF, or in other words, the AMF sends the fifth NAS message to the first terminal device.

[0494] The fifth NAS message is a fifth NAS message that responds to the fourth NAS message. The fifth NAS message includes information indicating whether the update was successful or failed, or the fifth NAS message includes information indicating whether the deletion was successful or failed.

[0495] Furthermore, after the first PIN is established, the PCF needs to update the routing policy of the first terminal device. Figure 5 The method flow shown also includes:

[0496] S594, UDR sends a notification message to PCF, or PCF receives a notification message from UDR.

[0497] The notification message includes the identifier of the first terminal device, the first PIN ID, and the first PIN information.

[0498] S595, PCF determines the second parameter.

[0499] The second parameter includes parameters describing the application, parameters describing the first PIN, and routing parameters for determining the first session.

[0500] The first session is used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device in the first PIN, and the routing parameters include at least one of network slice, service continuity mode, data network name, session type, and access type.

[0501] S594, PCF sends the second parameter to AMF.

[0502] S597, AMF sends the second parameter to the first terminal device.

[0503] This can be understood as PCF sending the second parameter to the first terminal device through AMF.

[0504] Specifically, the SMF sends the second parameter to the first terminal device via the AMF in the following two ways:

[0505] Method 1:

[0506] SMF sends a PIN URSP to the first terminal device via AMF. The PIN URSP is an enhanced URSP, which adds a PIN descriptor compared to the URSP that does not involve the PIN creation process. The App descriptor and PIN descriptor are used to determine the PDU parameters.

[0507] Add a Group descriptor (or PIN descriptor) to the URSP. If the URSP includes a Group descriptor, the Application descriptors (the parameters used to describe the application mentioned above) and the Group descriptor (the parameters used to describe the first PIN mentioned above) must match simultaneously, as shown in Table 4 below.

[0508]

[0509] Method 2:

[0510] SMF sends a PIN rule (the parameters described above for the first PIN) to the first terminal device through AMF. The PIN rule includes parameters such as DNN and slice used to establish the PDU session for PIN communication.

[0511] The PIN rule can be sent to the first terminal device as a separate parameter without enhancing URSP.

[0512] It should be understood that the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0513] It should also be understood that, in the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0514] It should also be understood that in some of the above embodiments, the examples are mainly based on devices in existing network architectures (such as network devices, terminal devices, etc.). It should be understood that the specific form of the device is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, any device that can achieve the same function in the future is applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0515] It is understood that in the above-described method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by devices (such as the first terminal device, the second terminal device, the first core network element, the service provider, etc.) can also be implemented by components of the devices (such as chips or circuits).

[0516] The above, combined with Figure 4 and Figure 5The relay communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is described in detail. The relay communication method described above is mainly introduced from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. It is understood that each network element includes the corresponding hardware structure and / or software module to perform the above functions in order to achieve the above functions.

[0517] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the units and algorithm steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0518] The following, combined with Figure 6 and Figure 7 This application provides a detailed description of the relay communication apparatus provided in the embodiments. It should be understood that the descriptions of the apparatus embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the method embodiments; therefore, any content not described in detail can be found in the above method embodiments. For brevity, some content is omitted.

[0519] This application embodiment can divide the transmitting or receiving device into functional modules according to the above method examples. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. The following description uses the division of functional modules according to each function as an example.

[0520] Figure 6 This is a schematic block diagram of the device 600 provided in an embodiment of this application. The device 600 includes a transceiver unit 610 and a processing unit 620. The transceiver unit 610 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing unit 620 is used for data processing. The transceiver unit 610 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit. When the transceiver unit 610 implements the function of acquiring information, it can also be referred to as an acquisition unit.

[0521] Optionally, the device 600 may further include a storage unit for storing instructions and / or data, and the processing unit 620 may read the instructions and / or data from the storage unit to enable the device to implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0522] The device 600 can be used to perform the actions performed by the devices (such as the core network elements, terminal devices, etc. mentioned above) in the above method embodiments. In this case, the device 600 can be a device or a component that can be configured on the device. The transceiver unit 610 is used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the device in the above method embodiments, and the processing unit 620 is used to perform the processing-related operations of the device in the above method embodiments.

[0523] As a design, the device 600 is used to perform the actions performed by the first terminal device in the above method embodiments.

[0524] The transceiver unit 610 is used to acquire a first parameter, which is used to identify a first communication group, and the device for inter-device communication belongs to the first communication group.

[0525] The transceiver unit 610 is used to send a first message to a first network device, wherein the first message includes the first parameter and a session establishment request message, the session establishment request message is used to request the establishment of a first session, the first session is used for the device for inter-device communication to communicate with a second terminal device in the first communication group;

[0526] The transceiver unit 610 is configured to receive a second message from the first network device, the second message indicating acceptance of the request to establish the first session.

[0527] Optionally, the transceiver unit 610 is further configured to receive a second parameter from the first network device, the second parameter including parameters for describing the application, parameters for describing the first communication group, and routing parameters for determining the first session, wherein the routing parameters include at least one of network slice, service continuity mode, data network name, session type, and access type.

[0528] Optionally, if the application corresponding to the parameter describing the application matches the application running on the device for inter-device communication, and the parameter describing the first communication group matches the first parameter, the device further includes: a processing unit 620, configured to determine routing parameters for the first session based on the application running on the device for inter-device communication and the first parameter, wherein the routing parameters for the first session are associated with the application running on the device for inter-device communication and the first parameter.

[0529] Optionally, the transceiver unit 610 is further configured to send a third message to the first network device, the third message being used to request an Internet Protocol IP address, the IP address being the IP address of the second terminal device in the first communication group;

[0530] The transceiver unit 610 is also configured to receive the IP address from the first network device, wherein the third message includes the identifier of the second terminal device and the first parameter.

[0531] Optionally, the transceiver unit 610 is further configured to send a fourth message to the first network device, wherein the fourth message includes a communication group establishment request message, which is used to request the establishment of the first communication group;

[0532] The transceiver unit 610 is also used to receive the first parameter from the first network device.

[0533] Optionally, the transceiver unit 610 is further configured to send a fifth message to the first network device, the fifth message being used to request the update or deletion of the first communication group, wherein the fifth message includes the first parameter;

[0534] The transceiver unit 610 is further configured to receive a sixth message from the first network device in response to the fifth message, the sixth message including information indicating whether the update was successful or failed, or the sixth message including information indicating whether the deletion was successful or failed.

[0535] Optionally, the transceiver unit 610 is also used to communicate with the second terminal device through the first session.

[0536] The device 600 can implement steps or processes corresponding to those executed by the first terminal device in the method embodiment according to the present application. The device 600 may include units for executing the method executed by the first terminal device in the method embodiment. Furthermore, each unit in the device 600 and the other operations and / or functions described above are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes of the method embodiment in the first terminal device in the method embodiment.

[0537] Among them, when the device 600 is used to perform Figure 4 When the method is in use, the transceiver unit 610 can be used to execute the transceiver steps in the method, such as steps S410, S420, S422, S480, S492, S496 and S497; the processing unit 620 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method.

[0538] When the device 600 is used to perform Figure 5 When the method is in use, the transceiver unit 610 can be used to execute the transceiver steps in the method, such as steps S510, S580, S590, S593 and S597; the processing unit 620 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method.

[0539] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0540] As an alternative design, the device 600 is used to perform the actions performed by the first network device in the above method embodiments.

[0541] The transceiver unit 610 is configured to receive a first message from a first terminal device, wherein the first message includes a first parameter and a session establishment request message, the session establishment request message is used to request the establishment of a first session, the first parameter is used to identify a first communication group, the first terminal device belongs to the first communication group, and the first session is used for the first terminal device to communicate with a second terminal device in the first communication group.

[0542] The transceiver unit 610 is also configured to send a seventh message to the second network device, the seventh message including the first parameter and the session establishment request message;

[0543] The transceiver unit 610 is further configured to receive a second message from the second network device, the second message indicating acceptance of the request to establish the first session; the sending unit is further configured to send the second message to the first terminal device.

[0544] Optionally, the processing unit 620 is used to determine the second network device based on the first parameter.

[0545] Optionally, the transceiver unit 610 is further configured to receive a second parameter from a third network device, the second parameter including parameters describing the application, parameters describing the first communication group, and routing parameters for determining the first session, wherein the routing parameters include at least one of network slice, service continuity mode, data network name, session type, and access type; the sending unit is further configured to send the second parameter to the first terminal device.

[0546] Optionally, the transceiver unit 610 is further configured to receive a third message from the first terminal device, wherein the third message includes the identifier of the second terminal device and the first parameter, and the third message is used to request to obtain an Internet Protocol IP address, wherein the IP address is the IP address of the second terminal device in the first communication group;

[0547] The transceiver unit 610 is also configured to send an eighth message to the fourth network device, the eighth message including the identifier of the second terminal device and the first parameter;

[0548] The transceiver unit 610 is further configured to receive the IP address from the fourth network device; the sending unit is further configured to send the IP address to the first terminal.

[0549] Optionally, the transceiver unit 610 is further configured to receive a fourth message from the first terminal device, wherein the fourth message includes a communication group establishment request message, which is used to request the establishment of the first communication group;

[0550] The transceiver unit 610 is also used to send the group establishment request message to the fourth network device;

[0551] The transceiver unit 610 is further configured to receive a first parameter from the fourth network device; the transmitting unit is further configured to transmit the first parameter to the first terminal.

[0552] Optionally, the transceiver unit 610 is further configured to receive a fifth message from the first terminal, the fifth message being used to request the update or deletion of the first communication group, wherein the fifth message includes the first parameter;

[0553] The transceiver unit 610 is also configured to send a ninth message to the fourth network device, the ninth message including the first parameter, the ninth message being used to request the update or deletion of the first communication group;

[0554] The transceiver unit 610 is also configured to receive information from the fourth network device indicating whether the update was successful or failed, or information indicating whether the deletion was successful or failed.

[0555] The transceiver unit 610 is further configured to send a sixth message in response to the fifth message to the first terminal, the sixth message including information indicating whether the update was successful or failed, or the sixth message including information indicating whether the deletion was successful or failed.

[0556] The apparatus 600 can implement steps or processes corresponding to those executed by the first network device in the method embodiment according to the present application. The apparatus 600 may include units for executing the method performed by the first network device in the method embodiment. Furthermore, each unit in the apparatus 600 and the other operations and / or functions described above respectively implement the corresponding processes of the method embodiment in the first network device of the method embodiment.

[0557] Among them, when the device 600 is used to perform Figure 4 When the method is in use, the transceiver unit 610 can be used to execute the transceiver steps in the method, such as steps S420, S421, S422, S440, S470, S480, S492, S493, S495 and S496; the processing unit 620 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as step S430.

[0558] When the device 600 is used to perform Figure 5When the method is in use, the transceiver unit 610 can be used to execute the transceiver steps in the method, such as steps S510, S511, S580, S590, S591, S593, S592, S596 and S597; the processing unit 620 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as step S570.

[0559] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0560] As another design, the device 600 is used to perform the actions performed by the second network device in the above method embodiments.

[0561] Transceiver unit 610 is configured to receive a seventh message from a first network device, the seventh message including a first parameter and a session establishment request message, the session establishment request message being used to request the establishment of a first session;

[0562] The transceiver unit 610 is also configured to send a second message to the first network device, the second message being used to accept a request to establish the first session, wherein the first parameter is used to identify the first communication group, the first terminal device belongs to the first communication group, and the first session is used for the first terminal device to communicate with a second terminal device in the first communication group.

[0563] Optionally, the processing unit 620 is configured to determine the communication method between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, wherein the communication method includes any one of the following: data between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is transmitted through a fifth network device; or, data between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is transmitted through two fifth network devices, and the data is transmitted between the two fifth network devices through a communication interface; or, data between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is forwarded through a data network.

[0564] Optionally, the transceiver unit 610 is further configured to send first indication information to the fifth network device, the first indication information being used to indicate the communication method.

[0565] Optionally, the processing unit 620 is configured to determine the fifth network device based on the first parameter.

[0566] Optionally, the transceiver unit 610 is further configured to send a tenth message to the sixth network device, the tenth message including the first parameter, the identifier of the first terminal device, the identifier of the first session, the identifier of the fifth network device, and the Internet Protocol IP address of the first session.

[0567] The apparatus 600 can implement steps or processes corresponding to those executed by the second network device in the method embodiment according to the present application. The apparatus 600 may include units for executing the methods performed by the second network device in the method embodiment. Furthermore, each unit in the apparatus 600 and the other operations and / or functions described above respectively implement the corresponding processes of the method embodiment in the second network device of the method embodiment.

[0568] Among them, when the device 600 is used to perform Figure 4 When the method is in use, the transceiver unit 610 can be used to execute the transceiver steps in the method, such as steps S440, S461, S470, and S490; the processing unit 620 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as steps S450 and S460.

[0569] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0570] As another design, the device 600 is used to perform the actions performed by the third network device in the above method embodiments.

[0571] Transceiver unit 610 is used to receive a notification message from a seventh network device. The notification message includes the identifier of the first terminal device, a first parameter, and information about a first communication group. The first parameter is used to identify the first communication group, and the first terminal device belongs to the first communication group.

[0572] The processing unit 620 is configured to determine a second parameter based on the notification message. The second parameter includes parameters describing the application, parameters describing the first communication group, and routing parameters for determining the first session. The first session is used for communication between the first terminal device and a second terminal device in the first communication group. The routing parameters include at least one of network slice, service continuity mode, data network name, session type, and access type.

[0573] Optionally, the transceiver unit 610 is also configured to send the second parameter to the first network device.

[0574] The apparatus 600 can implement steps or processes corresponding to those executed by the third network device in the method embodiments according to the present application. The apparatus 600 may include units for executing the methods performed by the third network device in the method embodiments. Furthermore, each unit in the apparatus 600 and the other operations and / or functions described above respectively implement the corresponding processes of the method embodiments in the third network device.

[0575] Among them, when the device 600 is used to perform Figure 4When the method is in use, the transceiver unit 610 can be used to execute the transceiver steps in the method, such as step S421; the processing unit 620 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method.

[0576] When the device 600 is used to perform Figure 5 When the method is executed, the transceiver unit 610 can be used to execute the transceiver steps in the method, such as step S594; the processing unit 620 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as step S595.

[0577] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0578] As another design, the device 600 is used to perform the actions performed by the fourth network device in the above method embodiments.

[0579] Transceiver unit 610 is used to receive an eighth message from the first network device, the eighth message being used to request the Internet IP address of the second terminal device in the first communication group;

[0580] The transceiver unit 610 is also used to send the IP address to the first network device, wherein the first terminal device and the second terminal device belong to the first communication group, and the eighth message includes information about the second terminal device and a first parameter for identifying the first communication group.

[0581] Optionally, the transceiver unit 610 is further configured to receive a communication group establishment request message from the first network device, the communication group establishment request message being used to request the establishment of the first communication group;

[0582] The processing unit 620 is further configured to create the first communication group and assign the first parameter to the first communication group; the sending unit is further configured to send the first parameter to the first network device.

[0583] Optionally, the transceiver unit 610 is further configured to send an eleventh message to the sixth network device. The eleventh message is used to request the synchronous creation of the first communication group. The eleventh message includes the first parameter, the first communication group information, and the identifier of the terminal device located in the first communication group. The information of the first communication group includes information for inter-group communication of the first communication group and information of the application managed by the first communication group.

[0584] The apparatus 600 can implement steps or processes corresponding to those executed by the fourth network device in the method embodiments according to the present application. The apparatus 600 may include units for executing the methods performed by the fourth network device in the method embodiments. Furthermore, each unit in the apparatus 600 and the other operations and / or functions described above respectively implement the corresponding processes of the method embodiments in the fourth network device.

[0585] Among them, when the device 600 is used to perform Figure 4 When the method is in use, the transceiver unit 610 can be used to execute the transceiver steps in the method, such as steps S491, S493 and S495; the processing unit 620 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as step S494.

[0586] When the device 600 is used to perform Figure 5 When the method is in use, the transceiver unit 610 can be used to execute the transceiver steps in the method, such as steps S511, S530, S540, S560, S591 and S592; the processing unit 620 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as step S520.

[0587] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0588] As another design, the device 600 is used to perform the actions performed by the sixth network device in the above method embodiments.

[0589] The transceiver unit 610 is configured to receive an eleventh message from a fourth network device. The eleventh message is used to request the synchronous creation of a first communication group. The eleventh message includes a first parameter for identifying the first communication group, information about the first communication group, and identifiers of terminal devices located within the first communication group.

[0590] The information in the first communication group includes information for inter-group communication within the first communication group and information about the applications managed by the first communication group.

[0591] The transceiver unit 610 is also used to send a twelfth message to the seventh network device, the twelfth message being used to query the subscription information of the first terminal device, the first terminal device being the terminal device that requested to create the first communication group;

[0592] The processing unit 620 is used to determine the establishment of the first communication group based on the subscription information of the first terminal device.

[0593] Optionally, the processing unit 620 is further configured to assign an internal identifier to the first communication group, the internal identifier being associated with the first parameter;

[0594] The transceiver unit 610 is also used to send a thirteenth message to the seventh network device, the thirteenth message including the identifier of the first terminal device, the internal identifier, and the information of the first communication group.

[0595] Optionally, the transceiver unit 610 is further configured to receive a tenth message from the second network device, the tenth message including the first parameter, the identifier of the first terminal device, the identifier of the first session, the identifier of the fifth network device, and the Internet Protocol IP address of the first session.

[0596] The apparatus 600 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those executed by the sixth network device in the method embodiment according to the present application. The apparatus 600 may include units for executing the methods performed by the sixth network device in the method embodiment. Furthermore, each unit in the apparatus 600 and the other operations and / or functions described above respectively implement the corresponding processes of the method embodiment in the sixth network device of the method embodiment.

[0597] Among them, when the device 600 is used to perform Figure 4 When the method is in use, the transceiver unit 610 can be used to execute the transceiver steps in the method, such as steps S490 and S491; the processing unit 620 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method.

[0598] When the device 600 is used to perform Figure 5 When the method is in use, the transceiver unit 610 can be used to execute the transceiver steps in the method, such as steps S530, S540 and S5550; the processing unit 620 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method.

[0599] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0600] The processing unit 60 in the above embodiments can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuitry. The transceiver unit 610 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuitry. The storage unit can be implemented by at least one memory.

[0601] like Figure 7 As shown, this application embodiment also provides an apparatus 700. The apparatus 700 includes a processor 710 and may further include one or more memories 720. The processor 710 is coupled to the memory 720, which stores computer programs or instructions and / or data. The processor 710 executes the computer programs or instructions and / or data stored in the memory 720, causing the methods in the above method embodiments to be executed. Optionally, the apparatus 700 includes one or more processors 710.

[0602] Alternatively, the memory 720 can be integrated with the processor 710, or it can be set separately.

[0603] Optionally, such as Figure 7 As shown, the device 700 may further include a transceiver 730 for receiving and / or transmitting signals. For example, a processor 710 is used to control the transceiver 730 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0604] As one approach, the device 700 is used to implement the operations performed by the devices (such as the aforementioned core network elements, terminal devices, etc.) in the above method embodiments.

[0605] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for implementing the methods executed by devices (such as the aforementioned core network elements, terminal devices, etc.) in the above method embodiments.

[0606] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, it enables the computer to implement the method executed by the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0607] This application also provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the method described above, which is executed by a device (such as the aforementioned core network elements, terminal devices, etc.).

[0608] This application also provides a communication system, which includes the devices described in the above embodiments (such as the core network elements and terminal devices mentioned above).

[0609] The explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the devices provided above can be found in the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0610] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0611] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM can include a variety of forms, such as: static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0612] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0613] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0614] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of protection of this application.

[0615] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of apparatus or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0616] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to implement the solution provided in this application, depending on actual needs.

[0617] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0618] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. For example, the computer can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs). For example, the aforementioned available media may include, but are not limited to, USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks, and other media capable of storing program code.

[0619] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for inter-device communication, characterized in that, The method is executed by a first terminal device or a chip in the first terminal device, and the method includes: Obtain a first parameter, which is used to identify a first communication group, and the first terminal device belongs to the first communication group; Receive a second parameter from a first network device, the second parameter including parameters for describing the first communication group and routing parameters for establishing a first session; If the parameters used to describe the first communication group match the first parameters, the routing parameters used to establish the first session are determined, and the routing parameters used to establish the first session are associated with the first parameters. Send a session establishment request message to the first network device. The session establishment request message is used to request the establishment of the first session. The first session is used for the first terminal device to communicate with the second terminal device in the first communication group. A second message is received from the first network device, the second message indicating acceptance of the request to establish the first session.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The routing parameters include at least one of network slice, service continuity mode, data network name, session type, and access type.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second parameter also includes parameters for describing the application. The step of determining the routing parameters for establishing the first session when the parameters for describing the first communication group match the first parameter, wherein the routing parameters for establishing the first session are associated with the first parameter, includes: If the application corresponding to the parameters describing the application matches the application running on the first terminal device, and the parameters describing the first communication group match the first parameters, then the routing parameters for establishing the first session are determined. The routing parameters used to establish the first session are associated with the application running on the first terminal device and the first parameters.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a third message to the first network device, the third message being used to request an Internet Protocol (IP) address, the IP address being the IP address of the second terminal device in the first communication group; Receive the IP address from the first network device. The third message includes the identifier of the second terminal device and the first parameter.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a fourth message to the first network device, wherein the fourth message includes a communication group establishment request message, the communication group establishment request message being used to request the establishment of the first communication group; The process of obtaining the first parameter includes: Receive the first parameter from the first network device.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fourth message also includes the identifier of the first terminal device and a third parameter, the third parameter being used to indicate the function of the first terminal device in the first communication group.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: A fifth message is sent to the first network device, the fifth message being used to request the update or deletion of the first communication group. The fifth message includes the first parameter; The first network device receives a sixth message in response to the fifth message, the sixth message including information indicating whether the update was successful or failed, or the sixth message including information indicating whether the deletion was successful or failed.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first session communicates with the second terminal device.

9. A method for inter-device communication, characterized in that, include: The first network device receives a second parameter from the third network device. The second parameter includes parameters for describing the first communication group and routing parameters for establishing a first session. The first session is used for communication between the first terminal device in the first communication group and the second terminal device in the first communication group. The first network device sends the second parameter to the first terminal device; The first network device receives a session establishment request message from the first terminal device, the session establishment request message being used to request the establishment of the first session; The first network device sends the session establishment request message to the second network device; The first network device receives a second message from the second network device, the second message indicating acceptance of the request to establish the first session; The first network device sends the second message to the first terminal device.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first network device receives a session establishment request message from the first terminal device, including: The first network device receives a first parameter and a session establishment request message from the first terminal device, wherein the first parameter is used to identify the first communication group; The method further includes: The first network device determines the second network device based on the first parameter.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that... The routing parameters include at least one of network slice, service continuity mode, data network name, session type, and access type.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first network device receives a third message from the first terminal device. The third message includes the identifier of the second terminal device and the first parameter. The third message is used to request an Internet Protocol (IP) address, which is the IP address of the second terminal device in the first communication group. The first network device sends an eighth message to the fourth network device, the eighth message including the identifier of the second terminal device and the first parameter; The first network device receives the IP address from the fourth network device; The first network device sends the IP address to the first terminal.

13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first network device receives a fourth message from the first terminal device, wherein the fourth message includes a communication group establishment request message, which is used to request the establishment of the first communication group; The first network device sends the group establishment request message to the fourth network device; The first network device receives the first parameter from the fourth network device; The first network device sends the first parameter to the first terminal.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The fourth message and / or the request message to establish a communication group further include the identifier of the first terminal device and a third parameter, wherein the third parameter is used to indicate the function of the first terminal device in the first communication group.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first network device receives a fifth message from the first terminal, the fifth message being used to request the update or deletion of the first communication group. The fifth message includes the first parameter; The first network device sends a ninth message to the fourth network device, the ninth message including the first parameter, the ninth message being used to request the update or deletion of the first communication group; The first network device receives information from the fourth network device indicating whether the update was successful or failed, or information indicating whether the deletion was successful or failed. The first network device sends a sixth message to the first terminal in response to the fifth message. The sixth message includes information indicating whether the update was successful or failed, or the sixth message includes information indicating whether the deletion was successful or failed.

16. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second network device determines the communication method between the first terminal device and the second terminal device. The communication method includes any one of the following: Data between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is transmitted through a fifth network device; or, Data between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is transmitted through two fifth network devices, and the data is transmitted between the two fifth network devices through a communication interface; or... Data between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is forwarded via a data network.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second network device sends a first indication message to the fifth network device, the first indication message being used to indicate the communication method.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second network device determines the fifth network device based on the first parameter.

19. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second network device sends a tenth message to the sixth network device. The tenth message includes the first parameter, the identifier of the first terminal device, the identifier of the first session, the identifier of the fifth network device, and the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the first session.

20. An apparatus for inter-device communication, characterized in that, Includes a unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the device is a first terminal device or a chip in the first terminal device.

21. An apparatus for inter-device communication, characterized in that, Includes a unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 19, wherein the apparatus is a first network device.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program that, when executed, causes a first terminal device or a chip in the first terminal device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or causes a first network device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 19.

23. A chip system, characterized in that, include: A processor is configured to retrieve and run a computer program from memory, causing a first terminal device having the chip system installed to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8; or causing a first network device having the chip system installed to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 19.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Memory, used to store computer programs; A processor is configured to execute a computer program stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the communication device is a first terminal device or a chip in the first terminal device; or to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 9 to 19, wherein the communication device is a first network device.

25. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes the apparatus for inter-device communication as described in claim 21 and a third network device, the third network device being used for: Send the second parameter to the device for inter-device communication.

26. The communication system according to claim 25, characterized in that, The communication system further includes a second network device, the second network device being used for: Receive the session establishment request message from the means for inter-device communication; The second message is sent to the device for inter-device communication.

27. A method for inter-device communication, characterized in that, include: The third network device sends a second parameter to the first network device. The second parameter includes parameters for describing the first communication group and routing parameters for establishing a first session. The first session is used for communication between the first terminal device in the first communication group and the second terminal device in the first communication group. The first network device receives the second parameter from the third network device and sends the second parameter to the first terminal device; The first network device receives a session establishment request message from the first terminal device, the session establishment request message being used to request the establishment of the first session; The first network device sends the session establishment request message to the second network device; The first network device receives a second message from the second network device, the second message indicating acceptance of the request to establish the first session; The first network device sends the second message to the first terminal device.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second network device receives the session establishment request message from the first network device; The second network device sends the second message to the first network device.

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