A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, the method comprising: receiving, by a first control plane network element, call signaling related to a call service, sending, by the first control plane network element, network element requirement information and preferred network element information to a network storage function network element based on the call signaling, and receiving, by the first control plane network element, information of a target media plane network element from the network storage function network element. The call signaling comprises information of a first media plane network element configured to provide a first media plane service associated with the call service. The network element requirement information indicates information of a media plane network element capable of providing a second media plane service associated with the call service provided by the network storage function network element. The preferred network element information indicates that the first media plane network element is a preferred media plane network element. The target media plane network element is configured to provide the second media plane service. Through the scheme of the present application, it can be ensured that the target media plane network element selected by the network storage function network element is capable of providing the second media plane service, thereby reducing failure of the second media plane service.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) communication technology, and particularly to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] IMS networks are a type of communication network within IP networks used to provide multimedia services. In this network, media plane elements can provide various media plane services associated with call services to control plane elements, such as access services, interoperability services, and resource services (e.g., voice conferencing), thereby enabling the network side to provide rich media streaming services to terminal devices in the call service. Currently, all these media plane services are provided by the media plane elements initially selected by the control plane elements. However, with technological advancements, the media plane elements initially selected by the control plane elements may fail to provide all media plane services, leading to a failure on the network side to provide media streaming services to terminal devices in the call service. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to improve the success rate of resource-related services.

[0004] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first communication device. The first communication device can be a communication equipment or a communication device capable of supporting the functions required for the method to be implemented, such as a chip system. Exemplarily, the first communication device is a control plane network element, a chip disposed in a control plane network element, or other components for implementing the functions of the control plane network element. The following description uses the example of the communication device being a first control plane network element. The method includes:

[0005] The first control plane network element receives call signaling related to the call service, sends network element request information to the network storage function network element, and receives information from the target media plane network element from the network storage function network element. The call signaling includes information about the first media plane network element, which can provide first media plane services for the call service. The network element request information instructs the network storage function network element to provide information about media plane network elements capable of providing second media plane services associated with the call service. The target media plane network element is used to provide the second media plane service, and can be either the first or second media plane network element. In this scheme, the first media plane network element is the initially selected media plane network element capable of providing the first media plane service. When the first control plane network element needs media plane services (e.g., the second media plane service), it can provide the second media plane service to the network storage function network element. Thus, the network storage function network element determines the media plane network element (e.g., the target media plane network element) that provides media resources for the second media plane service. If the first media plane network element cannot provide the target media plane service, the network storage function network element can select a new media plane network element for the second media plane service, which can reduce the failure of the second media plane service.

[0006] In a possible implementation, the first control plane network element sends network element requirement information to the network storage function network element, including: the first control plane network element sending network element requirement information and preferred network element information to the network storage function network element. The preferred network element information indicates the preferred media plane network element among the media plane network elements capable of providing the second media plane service.

[0007] In possible implementations, the preferred network element information includes information about the first media plane network element, indicating that the first media plane network element is the preferred media plane network element. That is, when the first control plane network element needs the second media plane service, the first media plane network element can also be provided to the network storage function network element. If the first media plane network element can provide the target media plane service, then the network storage function network element can use the first media plane network element as the target media plane network element, thereby reducing the latency of the second media plane service.

[0008] In possible implementations, the preferred network element information indicates that the first media plane network element is the preferred media plane network element. This includes: when the network storage function network element determines that the first media plane network element can provide the second media plane service, the first media plane network element is used as the target media plane network element. This can also be understood as, under the condition that both the first media plane network element and the target media plane network element can provide the second media plane service for the call service, the first media plane network element is preferentially used as the target media plane network element. That is, under the premise that the first media plane network element can support the second media plane service, the first media plane network element is preferentially selected to continue using it. Since the first media plane network element has been selected to provide the first media plane service for the call service, the first control plane network element knows the media endpoint information on the first media plane network element and does not need to trigger the process of requesting media endpoint allocation, thereby reducing the latency of the entire second media plane service process.

[0009] In possible implementations, the first media plane service is an access service or an interoperability service, and the second media plane service is a resource service. The first media plane service being an access service or an interoperability service can be understood as the selected media plane network element providing either access or interoperability services. Access services primarily help user equipment achieve network address translation (NAT) traversal of media streams. Interoperability services primarily help user equipment within the local network achieve NAT of media streams to enable media stream communication with peer networks. Considering that a media plane network element providing access or interoperability services may not necessarily provide resource services, if a control plane network element requires resource services, it can request the network function storage function to re-determine a media plane network element to minimize the failure of resource services.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the first control plane network element sends network element requirement information and preferred network element information to the network storage function network element, including: the first control plane network element sends a service discovery request message to the network storage function network element, the service discovery request message including network element requirement information and preferred network element information.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: a first control plane network element acquiring target media endpoint information of a target media plane network element, the target media endpoint information including information of the target media endpoint in the target media plane network element used to provide second media plane services; the first control plane network element sending the target media endpoint information to a second control plane network element, the second control plane network element being a control plane network element that provides access-type services or interconnection-type services for the calling terminal equipment or called terminal equipment of a call service. It is understood that the first control plane network element can acquire the media endpoint information of the target media plane network element and provide it to the second control plane network element, thereby enabling the first media plane network element and the target media plane network element to establish a connection.

[0012] In possible implementations, the target media endpoint information includes the IP address and port number of the target media endpoint.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the target media plane network element and the first media plane network element are not the same network element. For example, the target media plane network element is the second media plane network element. The method further includes: the first control plane network element obtaining the target media endpoint information of the target media plane network element, including: the first control plane network element sending an endpoint allocation request to the target media plane network element and receiving an endpoint allocation response sent by the target media plane network element. The endpoint allocation request is used to request the target media endpoint information of the target media plane. The endpoint allocation response includes the target media endpoint information of the target media plane network element. If the target media plane network element and the first media plane network element are not the same network element, then the first control plane network element does not know the media endpoint information of the target media plane network element, and naturally cannot implement the target media plane service. In this case, the first control plane network element can request the target media endpoint information of the target media plane network element from the target media plane network element through the endpoint allocation request.

[0014] In possible implementations, the target media plane network element and the first media plane network element are the same network element. For example, the target media plane network element is the first media plane network element. The method further includes: the first control plane network element can obtain the media endpoint information of the first media plane network element from the received call signaling, that is, obtain the target media endpoint information of the target media plane network element. It is understood that if the second media plane network element and the first media plane network element are the same network element, then there is no need to re-trigger the process of requesting media endpoint allocation; the media endpoint already allocated by the first media plane network element can be directly used to establish a connection with the target media plane network element. Therefore, the first control plane network element does not need to request media endpoint information from the target media plane network element; it can obtain the media endpoint information of the first media plane network element from the received call signaling and forward it to the second control plane network element. This scheme informs the first control plane network element of the target media endpoint (i.e., the media endpoint of the first control plane network element) by carrying the target media endpoint (i.e., the media endpoint of the first control plane network element) information in the call signaling. The media endpoint allocated by the already connected media plane network element does not need to be sent separately, which can reduce signaling interaction.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: a first control plane network element requesting a target media plane network element to provide a second media plane service.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the first control plane network element requests the target media plane network element to provide a second media plane service, including: the first control plane network element sending indication information to the target media plane network element, the indication information instructing the target media plane network element to provide the second media plane service through a target media endpoint. For example, the indication information includes target media endpoint information. After the communication channel for implementing the second media plane service is established, the first control plane network element can trigger the target media plane network element to begin providing the second media plane service.

[0017] In possible implementations, the first control plane network element is an application server or service-call control network element that provides application services to the local end.

[0018] In possible implementations, the second control plane network element is a query-call session control network element or a proxy-call session control network element that provides access services to the local or peer end.

[0019] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which can be executed by a second communication device. The second communication device can be a communication equipment or a communication device capable of supporting the functions required for the method to be implemented, such as a chip system. Exemplarily, the second communication device is a network storage function element, or a chip disposed in the network storage function element, or other components used to implement the functions of the network storage function element. The following description uses the example of the communication equipment being a network storage function element. The method includes:

[0020] The network storage function network element receives network element request information sent by the first control plane network element. This network element request information instructs the network storage function network element to provide information on media plane network elements capable of providing a second media plane service associated with the call service requested by the terminal device. Preferred network element information indicates that the first media plane network element is a preferred media plane network element. Based on the network element request information and the preferred network element information, the network storage function network element determines a target media plane network element capable of providing the second media plane service associated with the call service. The network storage function network element sends the target media plane network element information to the first control plane network element. The target media plane network element is used to provide the second media plane service.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the network storage function network element receives network element requirement information sent by the first control plane network element. This includes: the network storage function network element receiving network element requirement information and preferred network element information sent by the first control plane network element.

[0022] In possible implementations, the preferred network element information indicates that the first media plane network element is a preferred media plane network element, including: when the network storage function network element determines that the first media plane network element can provide the second media plane service, the preferred network element information indicates that the first media plane network element is used as the target media plane network element.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the network storage function network element receives network element requirement information and preferred network element information sent by the first control plane network element, including: the network storage function network element receives a service discovery request message sent by the first control plane network element, the service discovery request message including network element requirement information and preferred network element information.

[0024] In possible implementations, the first media plane service includes access services or interoperability services, and the second media plane service includes resource services.

[0025] In a possible implementation, before the network storage function network element sends the target media plane network element information to the first control plane network element, the method further includes: the network storage function network element determining whether the first media plane network element can provide the second media plane service; if the network storage function network element determines that the first media plane network element can provide the second media plane service, then the network storage function network element determines the first media plane network element as the target media plane network element; if the network storage function network element determines that the first media plane network element cannot provide the second media plane service, then the network storage function network element selects a media plane network element that can support the second media plane service as the target media plane network element.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the network storage function determines whether the first media plane network element can support the second media plane service, including: the network function storage obtains the capability information of the first media plane network element, the capability information indicating the services that the first media plane network element can provide; the network storage function determines whether the first media plane network element can provide the second media plane service based on the capability information.

[0027] For the technical effects of the second aspect and its various possible implementations, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the first aspect and its various possible implementations.

[0028] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that has the function of implementing the behavior described in the method embodiments of the first or second aspect. The beneficial effects can be found in the descriptions of the first and second aspects, and will not be repeated here. The communication device may be a first control plane network element in the first aspect, or it may be a device capable of implementing the method provided in the first aspect, such as a chip or chip system. Alternatively, the communication device may be a network storage function network element in the second aspect, or it may be a device capable of implementing the method provided in the second aspect, such as a chip or chip system.

[0029] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding means or modules for performing the methods of the first or second aspect. For example, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module or processor) and / or a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module or transceiver). These units (modules) can perform the corresponding functions in the above-described examples of the methods of the first or second aspect, as detailed in the method examples, and will not be repeated here.

[0030] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which can be the communication device described in the first or second aspect of the above embodiments, or a chip or chip system disposed in the communication device described in the first or second aspect. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally, a memory. The memory stores a computer program, and the processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions, it causes the communication device to execute the method performed by the first control plane network element or the network storage function network element in the above method embodiments.

[0031] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including an input / output interface and logic circuitry. The input / output interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information. The logic circuitry is used to execute the methods described in the first or second aspect.

[0032] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a chip system including a processor, and may further include a memory and / or a communication interface for implementing the methods described in the first or second aspect. In one possible implementation, the chip system further includes a memory for storing a computer program. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0033] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, the communication system including a first control plane network element, a media plane network element, and a network storage function network element, wherein the first control plane network element is used to execute the method executed by the first control plane network element in the first aspect above, and the network storage function network element is used to execute the method executed by the network storage function network element in the second aspect above.

[0034] Eighthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed, implements the methods described in the first or second aspect above.

[0035] Ninthly, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising: computer program code, which, when executed, causes the methods of the first or second aspect described above to be performed.

[0036] The beneficial effects of the third to ninth aspects and their implementation methods can be referred to the description of the beneficial effects of the first to second aspects and their implementation methods. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a network architecture for a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the connection for establishing a media transmission channel provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 3 Another schematic diagram illustrating the establishment of a media transmission channel connection provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating the first communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating the second communication method provided in this application embodiment;

[0042] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another network architecture of the communication system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0043] Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating the connection for establishing a media transmission channel provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 8 Another schematic diagram illustrating the establishment of a media transmission channel connection provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating the third communication method provided in this application embodiment;

[0046] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating the fourth communication method provided in this application embodiment;

[0047] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 12 This is another schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0049] This application provides a communication method based on the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided by this application, some terms used in the embodiments are explained first.

[0050] 1) Media plane services, also known as media services, refer to network services provided to network entities (such as control plane network elements) based on service-based interfaces (SBIs). The implementation or provision of these network services includes providing media-related services to terminal devices (calling terminal devices and / or called terminal devices) in a call service, such as media streaming services and media processing services. Examples include ringback tone services for the calling party's terminal device and color ringing services for the calling party's terminal device. For instance, media plane services can be categorized into three types: resource services, access services, and interoperability services, which are described below.

[0051] Resource-based services, also known as media application services or media resource services, are services that require the provision of media resources. Examples include digit receiving (receiving numbers entered by terminal devices, such as menu numbers), audio playback (playing audio content to terminal devices), voice conferencing, video conferencing, data channel (DC) services, and extended reality management (XRM) services. Accordingly, the implementation or provision of resource-based services includes providing resource-based media streaming services to terminal devices in call services, such as customizable ringback tones.

[0052] Access services primarily assist terminal devices in call services in achieving NAT traversal of media streams. Accordingly, the implementation or provision of access services includes providing access-type media stream transmission services, such as NAT traversal services, to terminal devices in call services.

[0053] Interoperability services primarily assist terminal devices in call services in performing network address translation of media streams, such as the translation of IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, so that the terminal device can communicate with the peer network in the call service to exchange media streams. Accordingly, the implementation of interoperability services or the process of providing interoperability services includes providing interoperable media stream transmission services, such as address translation services, to terminal devices in the call service.

[0054] The network-side devices referred to in this application are a collective term for core network, gateway, and access network devices responsible for handling media plane services. Specific network-side devices will be illustrated below and will not be detailed here. The "terminal device" in this application can also be called a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. This terminal device can be any device that supports call functionality, such as a mobile phone, computer, virtual reality (VR) device, augmented reality (AR) device, wearable device, vehicle, drone, helicopter, airplane, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, etc. This application does not limit the specific call network used by the terminal device or the specific device form of the terminal device. The terminal device can make calls based on telephone lines, IP lines, or other technologies; this application does not limit the specific call technology used by the terminal device.

[0055] 2) Media plane network elements, also known as media plane functional network elements, refer to functional network elements that can provide media plane services. Media plane network elements can use their own media capabilities to provide media streaming services to terminal devices. By exposing their media capabilities to other network entities (such as control plane network elements) through the SBI, media plane network elements can enable other network entities to indirectly provide media streaming services to terminal devices. For example, media plane network elements may include access-side media processing network elements, central-side media processing network elements, and interconnection-side media processing network elements, etc. Access-side media processing network elements can implement functions such as user media access proxy and forwarding, NAT traversal, and audio codec conversion. For example, access-side media processing network elements include IMS Access Gateway (IMS-AGW). Interconnection-side media processing network elements can enable media interoperability between IMS and other networks. For example, interconnection-side media processing network elements may include transition gateway (TrGW) used to enable media plane interoperability between IMS and other IP networks. For example, the media processing network element on the interconnection side may include an IP multimedia media gateway (IM-MGW), which enables interoperability between the IMS network and other non-IP network media planes. The media processing network element on the central side can provide media resources for media plane services, such as playback resources, digit collection resources, voice conferencing resources, DC resources, XRM resources, etc. For example, the media processing network element on the central side may include a multimedia resource function processor (MRFP). It is understood that this example uses MRFP deployment on the central side. In some embodiments, MRFP can also be deployed on the access side. In other words, the media processing network element on the access side may also include MRFP. It is understood that media plane network elements can be physical network elements or logical network elements (or virtual network elements).

[0056] Based on the types of media plane services they can provide, media plane network elements can be divided into converged media plane network elements and non-converged media plane network elements. The former refers to media plane network elements that can provide multiple media plane services, such as media plane network elements that provide both access services and resource services. The latter refers to network elements that provide a single media plane service, such as media plane services that only provide access services.

[0057] 3) Media resources refer to the computer resources used to provide resource-type services in MRFP, such as the resources used by the media processing network elements on the central side to provide resource-type services. For example, media resources may include audio playback resources, digit collection resources, voice conferencing resources, video streaming resources, DC service resources, XRM service resources, etc.

[0058] 4) Media capabilities refer to the ability to provide media plane services, or the ability to provide the media resources required for media plane services. This indicates whether a media plane network element can provide media resources. For example, if a media plane network element has the ability to access media, it can be understood as the ability to enable user media access. Similarly, if a media plane network element has the ability to interoperate with IP networks, it can be understood as the ability to enable interoperability between the IMS network and other IP network media planes.

[0059] 5) Media processing (operations), including media service processing (operations), media access processing (operations), and media interoperability processing (operations). Media service processing (operations) mainly refers to the processing involved in functions such as playback, digit collection, voice conferencing, DC, and XRM provided by the media processing network elements on the central side. Media access processing (operations) mainly includes access processing provided by the media processing network elements on the access side, and media interoperability processing (operations) mainly includes interoperability processing provided by the media processing network elements on the interoperability side.

[0060] 6) An application service network element can be used to obtain information about the media plane network elements for initial access, and can also request media plane network elements to provide media plane services. In a 5G communication system, the application service network element can be an application server (AS) network element. In future communication systems (such as 6G communication systems), the application service network element may still be an AS network element, or it may have other names; this application embodiment is not limited to these.

[0061] 7) The call control function (CDC) element is a functional entity within the IMS network and is the core of the entire IMS network. It is primarily responsible for handling signaling control during multimedia call sessions. In 5G communication systems, the CDC element can be a serving-call session control function (CSCF) element. In future communication systems (such as 6G communication systems), the application service element may still be a CSCF element, or it may have other names; this application embodiment is not limited to these.

[0062] Based on their functions, CSCF network elements can be further divided into Serving-Call Session Control Function (SCSCF), Interrogating-Call Session Control Function (ICSCF), and Proxy-Call Session Control Function (PCSCF). Among them, the SSCCF network element is the service processing node of the IMS network, responsible for the IMS network registration of terminal devices and related media service processing. The PCSCF network element is located in the visited network and is an edge network node of the IMS network, and can also be considered as the entry point for users to access the IMS network. The role of the PCSCF network element in the IMS network is similar to performing proxy services; information from or sent to terminal devices must be forwarded through the PCSCF network element. For example, the PCSCF network element can be responsible for forwarding SIP signaling between SIP users and the home network. The ICSCF network element is located in the home network and is the unified entry point for the home network. The ICSCF network element can connect to SSCCF and PCSCF network elements, providing terminal devices with an entry point to their home network. When a terminal device roams to another network, it sends messages to the PCSCF network element. The PCSCF network element can forward messages from the terminal device to the ICSCF network element, which in turn forwards the messages to the SSCCF network element. The ICSCF network element can also be responsible for assigning or querying the SSCCF network element serving a user. Furthermore, the ICSCF / SCSCF network elements connect to the PCSCF network elements within the local network via the Mw interface.

[0063] Compared to media plane network elements that provide media services, PCSCF, SSCF, and ICSCF network elements all belong to control plane network elements. Functionally, PCSCF network elements can be considered access-type control plane network elements, while ICSCF network elements are interconnection-type control plane access network elements. It is understood that PCSCF, SSCF, and ICSCF network elements can be configured independently in different entities or integrated into the same entity. For ease of understanding and explanation, PCSCF, SSCF, and ICSCF network elements will be collectively referred to as CSCF network elements below. In this document, PCSCF network elements, SSCF network elements, and ICSCF network elements are interchangeable.

[0064] Media plane network elements can connect to call control function network elements through media gateway control network elements. The media gateway control network element can be understood as a gateway enabling communication between IMS users and client users. Call control signaling from client users is directed to the media gateway control network element. The media gateway control network element is primarily responsible for protocol conversion between call control and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) protocols unrelated to the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) user portion or bearer, and forwarding the session to IMS. In 5G communication systems, the media gateway control network element can be a media gateway control function (MGCF) network element. In future communication systems (such as 6G communication systems), the application service network element can still be an MGCF, or it can have other names; this application embodiment is not limited to these. The MGCF network element connects to P-CSCF network elements / I-CSCF network elements / S-CSCF network elements within the network.

[0065] Media plane network elements can also connect to call control function network elements through interconnection border control network elements. Interconnection border control network elements are boundary function entities of the control plane between two operator networks. In 5G communication systems, interconnection border control network elements can be interconnection border control functions (IBCF) network elements. In the embodiments of this application, in future communication systems (such as 6G communication systems), application service network elements can still be IBCCF network elements, or they can have other names; this application embodiment is not limited. IBCF network elements / TrGWs are deployed between different IMS core networks or between IMS core networks and other IP networks, with IP trunk connections between networks. IBCFs are connected to PCSCFs / ICSCFs / SCSCFs within the same network. The signaling plane of the IBCF connects to other networks through the Ici interface, and the media plane (TrGW) of the IBCF network element connects to other networks through the Izi interface. Each operator can select interconnection nodes according to the nature of the calling user. For example, when the calling user is an IMS user, interconnection is achieved through IBCF network elements / TrGWs.

[0066] 8) Network storage function (NRF) elements can be used to collect specific information about network entities, such as the services that network entities can provide and the identification information of the network implementation. For example, NRF elements can collect information such as the services that media plane elements can provide. In 5G communication systems, NRF elements can be network repository function (NRF) elements as defined in the 3GPP standard specifications. In future communication systems (such as 6G communication systems), NRF elements may still be NRF elements, or they may have other names; this application embodiment is not limited to these.

[0067] 9) A media endpoint is a logical entity located in a media gateway, such as a media plane network element, that can send / receive media streams and / or control streams. For example, a media endpoint can be characterized by an IP port or an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) port. An IP port includes an IP address and port number; refer to the relevant content of the H.248 protocol for details.

[0068] In this application's embodiments, the terms "system" and "network" can be used interchangeably. In this application's embodiments, "multiple" can also be understood as "at least two." "At least one" can be understood as one or more, such as one, two, or more. For example, including at least one means including one, two, or more, and is not limited to which ones are included. For example, including at least one of A, B, and C could mean including A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / ", unless otherwise specified, generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0069] Unless otherwise stated, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the order, timing, priority, or importance of multiple objects. For example, "first control plane network element" and "second control plane network element" are only used to distinguish different control plane network elements, and are not used to limit the function, priority, or importance of the two control plane network elements. In the embodiments of this application, "if" and "if" can be replaced, and unless otherwise specified, "when..." and "in the case of..." can be replaced.

[0070] The above describes some terms used in the embodiments of this application. The following describes some content related to the embodiments of this application.

[0071] Control plane network elements can combine and invoke multiple media plane network elements to implement specific media capabilities or specific media services. It is understood that, in the embodiments of this application, multiple media capabilities can be distributed across multiple media plane network elements, or multiple media capabilities can be integrated into a single media plane network element.

[0072] In the embodiments of this application, media plane network elements can also be referred to as unified media plane network elements or unified media function (UMF) network elements. It is understood that the specific name of the unified media plane network element is not limited in the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, in the embodiments of this application, media plane network elements are all referred to as UMF network elements.

[0073] An IMS network includes at least one control plane network element and at least one media plane network element. Control plane network elements may include CSCF network elements, AS, session border controller (SBC), and multimedia telephony (MMTEL) application service (AS) network elements. CSCF network elements may include SSCCF network elements, PCSCF network elements, ICSCF network elements, etc. Media plane network elements include UMF network elements. A single UMF network element can be obtained by normalizing multiple media plane network elements; this is called a converged UMF network element. Conversely, if a UMF network element is not obtained by normalizing multiple media plane network elements, then this UMF network element is a non-converged UMF network element. Alternatively, it can be understood that converged UMF network elements can provide multiple types of media plane services, while non-converged UMF network elements provide fewer types of media plane services, such as providing only one type of media plane service.

[0074] Currently, all media plane services are provided by the UMF network element initially selected by the control plane network element during the call process. Typically, this initially selected UMF network element is chosen for access or interoperability services. However, subsequent control plane network elements may require resource-related services. If the initially selected UMF network element is unable to provide resource-related services to the control plane network element due to its own limitations, then it will be unable to provide media stream transmission services to the corresponding terminal devices.

[0075] Therefore, the following solution is provided in this application embodiment. In this application embodiment, when a control plane network element needs media plane services, it can inform the network storage function network element of the initially selected media plane network element and the required media plane services. The network storage function network element can determine whether the initially selected media plane network element can support the media plane services required by the control plane network element. If the initially selected media plane network element cannot support the media plane services required by the control plane network element, the network storage function network element can reselect a media plane network element for the media plane services to minimize the failure of media plane services. Conversely, if the initially selected media plane network element can support the media plane services required by the control plane network element, the network storage function network element can notify the control plane network element to prioritize the use of the initially accessed media plane network element for media plane services. Since the control plane network element already knows the media endpoints allocated on the initially selected media plane network element, the control plane network element does not need to trigger the process of requesting media endpoint allocation. It can establish a channel between the terminal device and the media plane network element using the media endpoints already allocated by the initially selected control plane network element, thus reducing the latency of media plane services.

[0076] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication technology systems, 5G systems, or future mobile communication systems.

[0077] In one possible application scenario, a terminal device can initiate a call request to a control plane network element to request the other terminal device to perform the function required by the terminal device. For example, the called terminal device may play a special ringback tone on behalf of the calling terminal device.

[0078] Please see Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a communication system architecture. This communication system may include a network storage function element, at least one control plane element, at least one media plane element, and at least one terminal device. Figure 1 Taking an example where the network storage function network element is an NRF network element, the control plane network element is a PCSCF network element, and the media plane network element is a UMF network element, it is understood that a UMF network element in this embodiment can be a converged UMF network element or a non-converged UMF network element. Any UMF network element can initiate service registration with the NRF network element to register its information with the NRF network element. For example, each UMF network element can register its own network function service (NFS) information with the NRF network element. Different UMFs may provide different or the same media plane services.

[0079] like Figure 1As shown, UMF_1, UMF_2, and UMF_3 are three UMF network elements. For example, UMF_1 can provide media plane services including conferencing and voice recognition; UMF_2 can provide media plane services including network address translation, playback, and media processing; and UMF_3 can provide media plane services including network address translation and playback. Correspondingly, each UMF network element also registers its identification information with an NRF network element. The NRF network element can store the information of each UMF network element. It is understood that the NRF network element can store the NFS information of the UMF network element corresponding to its identification information, thus allowing the NRF network element to clearly identify the services that each UMF network element can provide. It is understood that the information of a UMF network element may include other information besides NFS information and identification information. This application focuses on the media services that each UMF network element can provide; therefore, other information about the UMF network elements is not described. It is understood that... Figure 1 This is merely an illustrative example. The IMS networks to which this application's embodiments apply are not limited to, but also include... Figure 1 The network elements shown may also include other elements not listed. Figure 1 The devices represented in the text, such as SSCCF network elements, will not be listed here individually. Figure 1 The distribution of each network element is merely exemplary, and the embodiments of this application do not limit the distribution of each network element.

[0080] exist Figure 1 In this architecture, AS network elements are divided into calling-side AS network elements (denoted as AS_O) and called-side AS network elements (denoted as AS_T); PCFCF network elements are divided into calling-side PCFCF network elements (denoted as PCSCF_O) and called-side PCFCF network elements (denoted as PCSCF_T); terminal equipment is divided into calling-side terminal equipment (denoted as UE_O) and called-side terminal equipment (denoted as UE_T). UMF network elements can connect to NRF network elements, PCSCF_O, PCSCF_T, UE_O, and UE_T. NRF network elements can connect to PCSCF_O and PCSCF_T. UE_O can connect to PCSCF_O, and UE_T can connect to PCSCF_T. AS_O can connect to AS_T and PCSCF_O. AS_T can connect to AS_O and PCSCF_T. Figure 1 The interfaces between various network elements can be found in the existing interface protocol definitions, which will not be elaborated here.

[0081] UMF network elements can provide media stream transmission services to UE_O or UE_T. During a call, UE_O and UE_T, as well as network elements such as UMF, NRF, PCSCF_O, and PCSCF_T, interact to establish necessary media transmission channels (or connections) between the UMF network element and UE_O and / or UE_T, enabling the UMF network element to provide media stream transmission services to UE_O and / or UE_T. In this embodiment, the media endpoint of a UMF network element connected to the UE and the media endpoints of the same UMF network element connected to other UMF network elements are connected by default. This can also be understood as follows: for a UMF network element, if the media endpoint connected to the UE receives information, it will forward it by default to the media endpoints of the same UMF network element connected to other UMF network elements. For example, if the media endpoint connected to the UE receives information, it can broadcast the information. Similarly, for a UMF network element, if the media endpoint connected to other UMF network elements receives information, it will forward it by default to the media endpoint of the same UMF network element connected to the UE. For example, a media endpoint that interfaces with other UMF network elements can receive information and broadcast it.

[0082] Please see Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the establishment of a media transmission channel connection according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 Taking UMF_O, UMF_O_Res, UMF_T, UMF_T_Res, UE_O, and UE_T as examples, the control plane network element on the O side (i.e., the calling side) can request the UMF network element to provide media stream transmission services for UE_O and / or UE_T. UE_T can request the network side to provide media stream transmission services through the control plane network element on the T side (i.e., the called side). Specifically, UMF_O is the UMF network element initially selected by the O-side control plane network element (e.g., PCSCF_O) during the UE_O joining the call session, capable of providing access-type media stream transmission services for UE_O and / or UE_T. UMF_O_Res is a UMF network element capable of providing resource-type media stream transmission services for UE_O and / or UE_T. UMF_T is the UMF network element initially selected by the T-side control plane network element (e.g., PCSCF_T) during the UE_T joining the call session, capable of providing access-type media stream transmission services for UE_O and / or UE_T. UMF_T_Res refers to the UMF network element capable of providing resource-class media stream transmission services for UE_O and / or UE_T. The initially selected UMF network element can also be understood as the UMF network element selected by the PCSCF network element on the side where the PCSCF network element is located when the PCSCF network element first requests a media endpoint during the call session.

[0083] During the process of UE_T joining a call session, UMF_T allocates a media endpoint (denoted as T_called_UE) to interface with UE_T and a media endpoint (denoted as T_called_NW) to interface with other UMFs. Similarly, during the process of UE_O joining a call session, UMF_O allocates a media endpoint (denoted as T_caller_UE) to interface with UE_O and a media endpoint (denoted as T_caller_NW) to interface with other UMFs. Furthermore, during the above access process, UE_T connects to T_called_UE, and UE_O connects to T_caller_UE. Therefore, when T_called_NW and T_caller_NW establish a connection, the media transmission channel between UE_O and UE_T can be established.

[0084] However, when UMF_T_Res is unable to provide media streaming services to UE_T, since the initially selected UMF network element is UMF_T, PCSCF_T is unaware of the media endpoints on UMF_T_Res. In this case, PCSCF_T requests to acquire the media endpoints on UMF_T_Res to establish a media transmission channel connection between UMF_T_Res and UE_O and / or UE_T. For example, PCSCF_T can request the allocation of a media endpoint from UMF_T_Res, which can allocate a media endpoint T_called_media. UMF_T_Res then provides media streaming services through T_called_media. When T_called_media is connected to T_caller_NW, it can provide media streaming services to UE_O. Similarly, PCSCF_O can request the allocation of a media endpoint from UMF_O, which can allocate a media endpoint T_caller_media. UMF_O_Res then provides media streaming services through T_caller_media. When T_caller_media is connected to T_called_NW, it can provide media streaming services for UE_T.

[0085] Please see Figure 3 This is another schematic diagram illustrating the establishment of a media connection provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 and Figure 2 The difference is that, Figure 3In this context, UMF_O is a UMF network element capable of providing access-type media stream transmission services to UE_O, as well as resource-type media stream transmission services to UE_T and / or UE_O. UMF_T is a UMF network element capable of providing access-type media stream transmission services to UE_T, as well as resource-type media stream transmission services to UE_O / UE_T. Alternatively, it can be understood that the UMF network element capable of providing resource-type media stream transmission services to UE_T is the UMF network element initially selected for providing access-type media stream transmission services to UE_T. Similarly, the UMF network element capable of providing resource-type media stream transmission services to UE_O is the UMF network element initially selected for providing access-type media stream transmission services to UE_O. In this case, since UMF_T has already allocated a media endpoint (denoted as T_called_UE) to interface with UE_T and a media endpoint (denoted as T_called_NW) to interface with other UMFs during the UE_T joining the call session, PCSCF_T does not need to trigger a request to allocate endpoints to UMF_T. Similarly, PCSCF_O does not need to trigger the process of requesting endpoint allocation to UMF_O.

[0086] During the process of a UE joining a call session, the UMF network element initially selected by the PCSCF network element typically provides access-type media stream transmission services. However, if the network side subsequently needs to provide resource-type media stream transmission services to the UE, the initially selected UMF network element may be unable to provide the required resource-type media stream transmission services due to its own capacity limitations, resulting in the failure of the resource-type media stream transmission service.

[0087] Therefore, this application provides a communication method that can minimize the failure of media streaming services. The method provided by the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, this method can be applied to… Figures 1-3 Taking any of the illustrated architectures as an example. In this application embodiment, the names of all network elements are merely examples and may be referred to by other names in future communications. Alternatively, the network elements involved in this application may be replaced by other entities or devices with the same functions in future communications, and this application does not limit their use in this regard. In this application embodiment, media plane services include access services, interoperability services, and resource services. Control plane network elements include access control plane network elements, interoperability control plane network elements, and other types of control plane network elements. Access control plane network elements may be PCSCF network elements. Interoperability control plane network elements may be ICSCF network elements. Other types of control plane network elements may be AS or SSCCF network elements. Taking a media plane network element that is a UMF network element as an example, this UMF network element may be a converged UMF network element or a non-converged UMF network element.

[0088] according to Figure 2 and Figure 3The calling process differs depending on the specific circumstances. The following sections will explain the differences in procedure. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The architecture shown illustrates the solution provided by the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 The architecture shown can also be considered as a non-converged UMF network element, relatively speaking. Figure 3 The architecture shown can be considered as a converged UMF network element. Taking the following description as an example, the resource-type media transport stream service is audio playback. This application embodiment does not limit the type of resource-type media transport stream service; for example, it can be a DC service, an XR service, or a conferencing service. The following example uses the T-side UMF network element providing audio playback service to UE_O.

[0089] First, let's introduce Figure 2 Under the architecture shown, the solution provided in this application embodiment is as follows: The UMF network element on the T side providing playback service for UE_O is a non-converged UMF network element; that is, the UMF network element providing playback service for UE_O is not the same network element as the UMF network element initially selected for UE_T. Figure 2 For example, the UMF network element initially selected for UE_T is UMF_T, and the UMF network element providing playback services for UE_O is UMF_T_Res. Correspondingly, the UMF network element initially selected for UE_O is UMF_O.

[0090] Please see Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method 400 provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication method is applied to... Figure 2 The architecture shown is an example. Figure 4 In the context of UMF_O, T_caller_UE@UMF_O refers to the media endpoint T_caller_UE within UMF_O. Similarly, T_caller_NW@UMF_O refers to the media endpoint T_caller_NW within UMF_O, T_called_UE@UMF_T refers to the media endpoint T_called_UE within UMF_T, T_called_UE@UMF_T refers to the media endpoint T_called_UE within UMF_T, and T_called_media@UMF_T_Res refers to the media endpoint T_called_media within UMF_T_Res. Figure 4 In this context, UMF_T refers to the first media plane network element in this embodiment, i.e., the initially selected UMF network element. UMF_T_Res refers to the target media plane network element. AS_T refers to the first control network element, and PCSCF_O refers to the second control plane network element. Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the playback service is the second media plane service in this application embodiment, and correspondingly, the service of the UE_T accessing the network is the first media plane service, i.e., the access service. Figure 4 Thin lines indicate signaling interactions, while thick lines indicate media stream interactions.

[0091] S401. Each UMF initiates service registration with the NRF network element.

[0092] A UMF network element can send a registration request to an NRF network element, which may include UMF information. After obtaining the UMF information from the registration request, the NRF network element can store the UMF information. The UMF information may include information about the services that the UMF can provide. The UMF information also includes information used to identify the UMF, such as the UMF's ID or IP address. It is understood that there is a correspondence between the UMF's NFS information and its identification information, thus the NRF network element can determine the services that each UMF can provide based on the UMF's identification information. Figure 4 As shown, UMF_O can initiate service registration with NRF network elements, and UMF_T and UMF_T_Res can also initiate registration requests with NRF network elements.

[0093] S402, UE_O sends a first call request to PCSCF_O, and correspondingly, PCSCF_O receives the first call request sent by UE_O.

[0094] For example, the first call request is an invite message in the call flow. This first call request may include information about UE_O and UE_T, as well as session description portocol (SDP) information related to the first call request. It is understood that the SDP is specific to UE_O, and for ease of description, the SDP information included in the first call request is denoted as SDP_UE_O. It is understood that SDP_UE_O may include the media information of UE_O, such as media type (audio, time-frequency, etc.), media format (H.264 video, etc.), transport address and port, etc.

[0095] S403, PCSCF_O initiates service discovery to the NRF network element. This service discovery request is used to request information from the UMF that provides access class services for UE_O.

[0096] For example, PCSCF_O sends a service discovery request to the NRF network element. Correspondingly, the NRF network element receives the service discovery request sent by PCSCF_O. This service discovery request can be used to request UMF network elements that can provide access-type services. It is understood that the NRF network element has information on multiple UMF network elements registered. Different UMFs may have different capabilities, provide different media resources, and offer different media streaming services. After receiving the service discovery request sent by PCSCF_O, the NRF network element can query the capabilities of each UMF network element to determine the media streaming services that each UMF network element can provide. Specifically, the NRF network element can obtain the stored capability information of each UMF network element. This capability information indicates the media services that the UMF network element can provide, thus allowing the NRF network element to determine the UMF network elements that can provide access-type services based on the capability information of each UMF network element. Figure 2 For example, the NRF network element determines that the UMF network element that can provide access class services for UE_O is UMF_O.

[0097] After determining UMF_O, the NRF network element can provide UMF_O information to PCSCF_O. For example, the NRF network element sends a service discovery response to PCSCF_O, which includes UMF_O information such as its identifier and IP address.

[0098] S404, PCSCF_O sends an endpoint allocation request to UMF_O, and UMF_O receives the endpoint allocation request sent by PCSCF_O accordingly.

[0099] This endpoint allocation request can be used to request the allocation of a media endpoint to UMF_O, or to request the acquisition of media endpoint information of UMF_O, such as the IP address and port of the media endpoint of UMF_O, so that UE_O can access the network based on the media endpoint allocated by UMF_O.

[0100] The endpoint allocation request may include SDP information from the first call request, namely SDP_UE_O. UMF_O can determine the media endpoint (denoted as T_caller_UE) that interfaces with UE_O based on SDP_UE_O, and determine the media endpoint (denoted as T_caller_NW) that interfaces with other UMFs (UMF_T is used as an example in this application embodiment).

[0101] S405, UMF_O sends an allocation endpoint response to PCSCF_O, and correspondingly, PCSCF_O receives the allocation endpoint response sent by UMF_O.

[0102] The endpoint allocation response may include media endpoint information allocated to UMF_O. For example, UMF_O may allocate two media endpoints, namely T_caller_UE and T_caller_NW. T_caller_NW is the media endpoint on UMF_O that interfaces with UMF_T. The endpoint allocation response may include information about T_caller_UE and T_caller_NW. Figure 4 As shown, the allocation response endpoint includes information for T_caller_UE@UMF_O and T_caller_NW@UMF_O. The T_caller_UE information may include the IP address and port number of the T_caller_UE. The T_caller_NW information may include the IP address and port number of the T_caller_NW.

[0103] S406, PCSCF_O sends an invite message, and PCFCS_T receives the invite message.

[0104] PCSCF_O can modify the IP address in the received SDP information to the IP address of T_caller_NW (denoted as IP_er_NW) and construct the header field of local media information (denoted as local-media). For example, local-media: T_caller_UE="UMF-beijing-haidian2\T-1"; T_caller_NW="UMF-beijing-haidian2\T-1", UMF_ori="UMF-beijing-haidian2". It can be understood that the information cell T_caller_UE can indicate the information of T_caller_UE, the information cell T_caller_NW can indicate the information of T_caller_UE, and the information cell UMF_ori indicates the information of UMF_O.

[0105] Subsequently, PCSCF_O forwards the invite message to PCSCF_T. It can be understood that PCSCF_O forwards the invite message to PCSCF_T through multiple network elements. These multiple network elements include network elements on the O side and network elements on the T side. When the O-side network element forwards the invite message to the T-side network element, it removes the "local-media" part from the invite message.

[0106] Understandably, similar to UE_O, UE_T can also request network access. That is, UE_T sends a request to the control plane network element on the T side. PCSCF_T receives the request from UE_T and requests the UMF network element that can provide access class services to UE_T from the NRF network element. The NRF network element can then determine that the UMF network element capable of providing access class services to UE_T is UMF_T. Subsequently, similarly, PCSCF_O and PCSCF_T can also request UMF_T to allocate media endpoints.

[0107] S407. PCSCF_T sends a service discovery request to the NRF network element. Correspondingly, the NRF network element receives the service discovery request sent by PCSCF_T. This service discovery request is used to obtain information about the UMF network element with the required access capabilities.

[0108] S408: The NRF network element sends a service discovery response to the PCSCF_T. Correspondingly, the PCSCF_T receives the service discovery response from the NRF network element, which indicates the UMF network element with the required access capabilities. For example, the service discovery response includes information about the UMF_T.

[0109] S409, PCSCF_T sends an endpoint allocation request to UMF_T, and correspondingly, UMF_T receives the endpoint allocation request sent by PCSCF_T.

[0110] The endpoint allocation request may include information about T_caller_NW@UMF_O, such as the IP address of T_caller_NW. The endpoint allocation request may also include SDP information, which includes information about T_caller_NW@UMF_O.

[0111] S410, UMF_T sends an allocation endpoint response to PCSCF_T, and PCSCF_T receives the allocation endpoint response sent by UMF_T accordingly.

[0112] The endpoint allocation response may include media endpoint information allocated to UMF_T. For example, UMF_T may allocate two media endpoints, namely T_called_UE and T_called_NW. T_called_UE is the media endpoint on UMF_T that interfaces with UE_T, and T_called_NW is the media endpoint on UMF_T that interfaces with other UMFs (UMF_O is used as an example in this embodiment). The endpoint allocation response includes information for T_called_UE@UMF_T and information for T_called_NW@UMF_T. The information for T_called_UE@UMF_T includes the IP address and port number of T_called_UE. The information for T_called_NW@UMF_T includes the IP address and port number of T_called_NW.

[0113] S411, PCSCF_T sends an invite message to UE_T, and UE_T receives the invite message sent by PCSCF_T accordingly.

[0114] When PCSCF_T receives an invite message from AS_T, it can modify the IP address in the SDP information included in the invite message to the IP address of T_called_UE of UMF_T, and then forward it to UE_T. In other words, the invite message sent by PCSCF_T to UE_T includes information about T_called_UE@UMF_T, such as the IP address and port number of T_called_UE.

[0115] S412, UE_T and UMF_T's T_called_UE establish a connection.

[0116] When UE_T receives the invite message, it can determine that the endpoint on UMF_T that interfaces with UE_T is T_called_UE based on the SDP information in the invite message, and thus establish a connection with T_called_UE of UMF_T.

[0117] S413, UE_T sends a 180 message to PCSCF_T, and correspondingly, PCSCF_T receives the 180 message sent by UE_T. This 180 message includes information about T_called_UE@UMF_T.

[0118] S414, AS_T receives call signaling.

[0119] This call signaling is associated with the call service between UE_O and UE_T. It can be understood that, triggered by the call signaling of UE_T, an access control plane element or an interconnection control plane element sends a call signaling message to AS_T. This call signaling message can be a 180 message in the call flow.

[0120] The call signaling includes media plane network element information and media endpoint information of the media plane network elements used to provide media plane services for the call service, such as the IP address and port number of the media endpoint. For example, after receiving the 180 message, PCSCF_T can construct the local-media header field, for example, local-media: T_called_UE="UMF-beijing-haidian1\T-1"; T_called_NW="UMF-beijing-haidian1\T-2", UMF_ori="UMF-beijing-haidian1". It can be understood that the information element T_called_UE can indicate the information of T_called_UE, the information element T_called_NW can indicate the information of T_called_UE, and the information element UMF_ori indicates the information of UMF_T. Afterwards, PCSCF_T forwards the 180 message after constructing the local-media, that is, the call signaling. Thus, it can be seen that the call signaling carries the information of T_called_UE of UMF_T, as well as the information of T_called_NW of UMF_T.

[0121] It is understandable that the call signaling received by AS_T can be either PCSCF_T or SSCCF-forwarded call signaling. AS_T receiving call signaling can be a single signaling message, for example, this signaling message includes information about T_called_NW@UMF_T, T_called_UE@UMF_T, UMF_T, and T_caller_UE@UMF_O. AS_T receiving call signaling can also be multiple signaling messages, for example, AS_T receiving two separate signaling messages, one including information about T_called_NW@UMF_T, T_called_UE@UMF_T, and UMF_T, and the other including information about T_caller_UE@UMF_O. It can also be understood that the information about T_caller_NW@UMF_O and UMF_T can be carried in a single signaling message or in different signaling messages.

[0122] S415, AS_T sends a first request message to the NRF network element, and correspondingly, the NRF network element receives the first request message sent by AS_T.

[0123] For example, after receiving the call signaling, AS_T determines, based on information in the call signaling, such as the identifier of UE_O or UE_T, that it needs to provide playback service to UE_O (for example, the user of UE_T has subscribed to the "playback" value-added service, i.e., ringback tone service), and thus determines that a UMF network element capable of providing playback service to UE_O is needed. To this end, AS_T can send a first request message to the NRF network element to request the acquisition of a UMF network element capable of providing playback service. This is because if the UMF_T initially selected for UE_T is still used to provide playback service for UE_O or UE_T, the playback service may not be able to be provided due to the limitations of the UMF_T itself. That is, using UMF_T to provide playback service by default may cause the playback service to fail. For example, Figure 4 UMF_T is Figure 1 The UMF_1 in the configuration file provides media plane services including conferencing and speech recognition, but not playback services. If playback services are provided to UE_O by default via UMF_T, the playback service will fail.

[0124] Therefore, in this embodiment, AS_T requests a media plane network element capable of providing playback services from the NRF network element. The NRF network element can then reselect a media plane network element capable of providing playback services, thereby reducing playback service failures. Specifically, AS_T can send a first request message to the NRF network element, which requests a media plane network element capable of supporting the playback services required by AS_T, such as... Figure 2 The UMF_T_Res in the example. It is understood that the specific name of the first request message is not limited in this application embodiment. For example, the first request message could be a service discovery request message.

[0125] Understandably, if UMF_T can also provide audio playback services, then UMF_T should be prioritized. This is because during the network access process, UMF_T has already allocated media endpoints, namely T_called_UE and T_called_NW. Therefore, a media transmission channel between UMF_T and UE_O can be established through T_called_NW without triggering the process of requesting media endpoint allocation again, thereby reducing the latency of providing audio playback services. Therefore, when UMF_T can provide audio playback services, NRF network elements can prioritize UMF_T to provide audio playback services to minimize latency.

[0126] Optionally, to ensure that the NRF network element prioritizes UMF_T as the target media plane network element for providing audio playback services, AS_T may provide UMF_T information to the NRF network element to instruct it to prioritize UMF_T. For example, the first request message may also include preferred network element information, which indicates the initially selected media plane network element. For example, if the initially selected media plane network element is UMF_T, the preferred network element information may include the ID or IP address of UMF_T. It should be understood that the call signaling received by AS_T includes UMF_T information, which is then provided to the NRF network element via the first request message.

[0127] The preferred network element information includes UMF_T information. This can also be understood as implicitly indicating that, when both UMF_T and UMF_T_Res can provide playback services, UMF_T should be used as the target media plane network element. That is, the target media plane network element and UMF_T can be the same network element, or they can be different network elements. Figure 2 (Using this as an example). Figure 4 China and Israel target media network elements Figure 2 Take UMF_T_Res as an example.

[0128] The first request message includes network element requirement information, which may indicate the required media plane service (corresponding to the second media plane service in the invention), such as audio playback service information. The audio playback service information may include values ​​indicating the UMF network element required to provide the audio playback service, signifying the need for a UMF network element capable of providing the audio playback service. Optionally, the network element requirement information may also indicate the required media plane network element information. The NRF network element can select a suitable media plane network element (referred to as the target media plane network element) for the audio playback service based on the network element requirement information, for example... Figure 2 The UMF_T_Res in the context. Specifically, the first request message can be an HTTP request message. As an example, the HTTP request message could be:

[0129] GET / nnrf-disc / v1 / nf-instances?requester-nf-type=AS&target-nf-type=UMF HTTP / 2.0

[0130] host: 10.2.102.10:31070

[0131] content-type: application / json

[0132] content-length: 44

[0133] accept-encoding: gzip

[0134] user-agent: Go-http-client / 2.0

[0135] {

[0136] …

[0137] “PreferedUMF”: “UMF-beijing-haidian1”, / / Preferred network element information

[0138] “RequiredUMF”: “nnrf-umf-playtone”; / / Network element requirement information…

[0139] }

[0140] The "PreferedUMF" indicates the UMF network element that is preferentially selected from the initially chosen UMF network element. For example, its value can be information about the initially selected UMF network element (such as UMF_T in this example), such as "UMF-beijing-haidian1", which indicates the initial access UMF network element carried from the aforementioned 180 message. "RequiredUMF" indicates the media plane network element that needs to provide second media plane services. For example, a value of "playtone" indicates that a UMF network element with the ability to "play to the calling UE" is required.

[0141] S416, the NRF network element sends a first response message to AS_T, and AS_T receives the first response message sent by the NRF network element accordingly.

[0142] The NRF network element determines the target media plane network element (UMF_T_Res) from multiple UMF network elements based on the preferred network element information and network element requirement information. After determining the target media plane network element, the NRF network element sends a first response message to AS_T, which instructs the target media plane network element.

[0143] For example, an NRF network element can obtain the NFS information of each stored UMF network element to determine the UMF network element that can provide playback services. First, based on the preferred network element information, the NRF network element can prioritize obtaining the capability information of UMF_T, thereby determining whether UMF_T can provide playback services. If UMF_T can provide playback services, the NRF network element will identify UMF_T as the target media plane network element; that is, the target media plane network element and UMF_T are the same network element. Conversely, if UMF_T cannot provide playback services, the NRF network element will obtain the capability information of other stored UMF network elements to select the UMF network element that can provide playback services. In other words, the NRF network element can select a UMF network element that can provide playback services as the target media plane network element. In this case, the target media plane network element and UMF_T are not the same network element. The NRF network element prioritizes UMF_T to minimize playback service latency while reducing the likelihood of playback service failures.

[0144] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 4 Assuming UMF_T is Figure 1 In the context of UMF1, the NRF network element can obtain the capability information of UMF_1 and determine that UMF_1 cannot provide playback services. Subsequently, the NRF network element can obtain the capability information of UMF_2 and UMF_3, thereby determining that UMF_2 can provide services including network address translation, playback, and media processing, while UMF_3 can provide services including network address translation and playback. The network storage function network element can then determine whether UMF_2 or UMF_3 is the target media plane network element, i.e., UME_T_Res.

[0145] Understandably, if the target media plane and UMF_T are the same network element, the first response message may include information about UMF_T, such as the UMF_T's ID or IP address; alternatively, the first response message may also include a feedback indication. If the first response message includes a feedback indication, the target media plane network element can be assumed to be UMF_T by default for AS_T. Optionally, AS_T may store information about UMF_T_Res upon receiving the first response message.

[0146] The first response message can be an HTTP response message. As an example, this HTTP response message could be:

[0147] HTTP / 2 200 OK

[0148] Server: nginx / 1.6.3

[0149] content-type: application / json

[0150] content-length: 44

[0151] {

[0152] …

[0153] {"validityPeriod":86400,"nfInstances":["nfInstanceId":"UMF-beijing-haidian1"….]}

[0154] }

[0155] The field "nfInstances" represents information about UMF network elements (i.e., UMF_T_Res) that meet the requirements for the audio playback service. "nfInstanceId" is a field belonging to the field "nfInstances" and represents the unique ID of the UMF, for example, the value is "UMF-beijing-haidian1" (consistent with the value specified in the first request message).

[0156] S417, AS_T sends a second request message to UMF_T_Res, and correspondingly, UMF_T_Res receives the second request message sent by AS_T.

[0157] This second request message can be used to request the allocation of a media endpoint (e.g., referred to as the target media endpoint) from UMF_T_Res. Figure 2 For example, the target media endpoint is T_called_media. It can also be understood that the second request message is used to request the target media endpoint that provides the playback service, or to request target media endpoint information. The target media endpoint information may include the IP address and port number used by UMF_T_Res to provide the playback service. It is understood that this application embodiment does not limit the specific name of the second request message; for example, the second request message may also be called an endpoint allocation request message.

[0158] The second request message may include media endpoint information for the UMF_O interface with the T-side UMF network element. (Continued) Figure 2 For ease of description, the media endpoint information for the interface between UMF_O and the UMF network element on the T side is the information of UMF_O's T_caller_NW. For example, the second request message may include SDP information, which includes the IP address and port number of UMF_O's T_caller_NW. Upon receiving the second request message, UMF_T_Res can allocate the target media endpoint, for example... Figure 2The T_called_media in the first request message. Similar to the first request message, the second request message is also an HTTP message.

[0159] S418, UMF_T_Res sends a second response message to AS_T, and AS_T receives the second response message sent by UMF_T_Res. This second response message can also be called a service discovery response message.

[0160] The second response message may instruct UMF_T_Res to allocate the target media endpoint, namely T_called_media, for providing the playback service. For example, the second response message may include information about the T_called_media of UMF_T_Res, such as the IP address and port number of the T_called_media.

[0161] Once AS_T knows the information about T_called_media in UMF_T_Res, it can forward this information to PCSCF_O. For example, AS_T can forward the information about T_called_media to AS_O, and AS_O can then forward the information about T_called_media to PCSCF_O.

[0162] S419, AS_T sends a 180 message to AS_O, and AS_O receives the 180 message sent by AS_T.

[0163] AS_T receives the second response message and can construct SDP information. Specifically, it assigns the IP address from the SDP information to the IP address of T_called_media in UMF_T_Res, and the port number from the SDP information to the port number of T_called_media in UMF_T_Res. Then, it sends a 180 message containing the SDP information to AS_O. This can be understood as AS_T transmitting the IP address of T_called_media to AS_O via a 180 message. For example, AS_T can send a 180 message carrying the IP address of T_called_media to SCSCF_T, SCSCF_T forwards the 180 message carrying the IP address of T_called_media to SCSCF_O, and SCSCF_O forwards the 180 message carrying the IP address of T_called_media to AS_O.

[0164] S420, AS_O sends a 180 message to PCSCF_O, and PCSCF_O receives the 180 message sent by AS_O accordingly.

[0165] The 180 message carries the same content as the 180 message of S419, that is, the 180 message also includes the information of T_called_media of UMF_T_Res.

[0166] S421, PCSCF_O instructs UMF_O that T_caller_NW of UMF_O is connected to T_called_media of UMF_T_Res.

[0167] S422, PCSCF_O sends an 18x message to UE_O, and UE_O receives the 18x message sent by PCSCF_O accordingly.

[0168] PCSCF_O can replace the IP address in the SDP information included in the 180 message received from AS_O with the IP address of T_caller_UE, generate a new 18x message, and then forward it to UE_O. For example, the 18x message can be a 183 message.

[0169] S423, UMF_O's T_caller_NW and UMF_T_Res's T_called_media establish a connection.

[0170] It is understandable that when T_caller_NW is connected to T_called_media, a channel connection can be established between UMF_O and UMF_T_Res, thereby establishing a channel connection between UE_O and UMF_T_Res.

[0171] S424, UMF_O's T_caller_UE establishes a connection with UE_O.

[0172] S425, UE_O and UE_T exchange PRACK request messages / 200 messages.

[0173] The PRACK request message / 200 message is carried by two signaling messages: one carrying the PRACK request message and the other carrying the 200 message. The 200 message can be considered a response to the PRACK request message. By exchanging PRACK request messages / 200 messages between UE_O and UE_T, it can be indicated that a connection has been established between UMF_O's T_caller_NW and UMF_T_Res's T_called_media. When UE_O receives an 18x message from PCSCF_O, it can send a PRACK request message / 200 message to PCSCF_O, which then forwards it to AS_O. Upon receiving the PRACK request message / 200 message, AS_O sends either a PRACK request message or a 200 message to AS_T. Upon receiving the PRACK request message / or the 200 message, AS_T can confirm that a connection has been established between UMF_O's T_caller_NW and UMF_T_Res's T_called_media.

[0174] S426, AS_T instructs UMF_T_Res to play audio to UE_O.

[0175] For example, in response to determining that a connection has been established between UMF_O's T_caller_NW and UMF_T_Res's T_called_media, AS_T can send an indication message to UMF_T_Res. This indication message can instruct UMF_T_Res to provide playback service, or it can be understood as instructing UMF_T_Res to start playback. This indication message may include information about UMF_T_Res's T_called_media to instruct T_called_media to play sound to UE_O.

[0176] S427, UMF_T_Res sends an audio stream to UE_O.

[0177] After receiving the indication information, UMF_T_Res sends an audio stream to UE_O. Although UMF_T cannot provide playback services for UE_O, UMF_T_Res can provide playback services, thus reducing the likelihood of playback service failures.

[0178] Figure 4 The process shown is applied to Figure 2 Taking the architecture shown as an example, that is Figure 4 The illustrated process uses the example where UMF_T and UMF_T_Res are not the same network element. If UMF_T can provide playback services for UE_O, then UMF_T is the target media plane network element, such as... Figure 3 As shown. To better understand the solution provided by the embodiments of this application, the following is an example. Figure 3Taking the architecture shown as an example, the solution provided by the embodiments of this application is introduced.

[0179] The following is an introduction Figure 3 Under the architecture shown, the solution provided in this application embodiment is that the UMF network element providing playback service for UE_T is the same network element as the UMF network element initially selected for UE_T. Figure 3 For example, the UMF network element initially selected for UE_T is UMF_T, and the UMF network element providing playback services for UE_O is also UMF_T. Correspondingly, the UMF network element initially selected for UE_O is UMF_O.

[0180] Please see Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method 500 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 by Figure 3 The architecture shown is an example. Figure 5 and Figure 4 The difference is that UMF_T is the first media plane element and also the target media plane element. Figure 5 In the context of UMF_O, T_caller_UE@UMF_O refers to the media endpoint T_caller_UE within UMF_O. Similarly, T_caller_NW@UMF_O refers to the media endpoint T_caller_NW within UMF_O. T_called_UE@UMF_T refers to the media endpoint T_called_UE within UMF_T. T_called_UE@UMF_T refers to the media endpoint T_called_UE within UMF_T. T_called_media@UMF_T_Res refers to the media endpoint T_called_media within UMF_T_Res. Figure 5 In this context, UMF_T refers to both the first media plane network element and the target media plane network element in the embodiments of this application. AS_T refers to the first control network element, and PCSCF_O refers to the second control plane network element. Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the playback service refers to the second media plane service in this application embodiment, and correspondingly, the service of the UE_T access network refers to the first media plane service, i.e., the access service. Figure 5 Thin lines indicate signaling interactions, while thick lines indicate media stream interactions.

[0181] S501 and UMF_O initiate service registration with NRF network elements.

[0182] S502, UE_O sends a first call request to PCSCF_O, and correspondingly, PCSCF_O receives the first call request sent by UE_O.

[0183] S503, PCSCF_O initiates service discovery to the NRF network element. This service discovery request is used to request information from the UMF that provides access class services for UE_O.

[0184] S504, PCSCF_O sends an endpoint allocation request to UMF_O, and UMF_O receives the endpoint allocation request sent by PCSCF_O accordingly.

[0185] S505, UMF_O sends an allocation endpoint response to PCSCF_O, and PCSCF_O receives the allocation endpoint response sent by UMF_O accordingly.

[0186] S506, PCSCF_O sends an invite message, and PCSCF_T receives an invite message.

[0187] S507, PCSCF_T sends a service discovery request to the NRF network element. Correspondingly, the NRF network element receives the service discovery request sent by PCSCF_T. This service discovery request is used to obtain information about the UMF network element with the required access capabilities.

[0188] S508 and NRF network elements send a service discovery response to PCSCF_T. Correspondingly, PCSCF_T receives the service discovery response sent by the NRF network element. This service discovery response indicates the UMF network element with the required access capabilities. For example, the service discovery response includes information about the UMF_T.

[0189] S509, PCSCF_T sends an endpoint allocation request to UMF_T, and correspondingly, UMF_T receives the endpoint allocation request sent by PCSCF_T.

[0190] S510, UMF_T sends an allocation endpoint response to PCSCF_T, and PCSCF_T receives the allocation endpoint response sent by UMF_T accordingly.

[0191] S511, PCSCF_T sends an invite message to UE_T, and UE_T receives the invite message sent by PCSCF_T accordingly.

[0192] S512, UE_T and UMF_T's T_called_UE establish a connection.

[0193] When UE_T receives the invite message, it can determine that the endpoint on UMF_T that interfaces with UE_T is T_called_UE based on the SDP information in the invite message, and thus establish a connection with T_called_UE of UMF_T.

[0194] S513, UE_T sends a 180 message to PCSCF_T, and correspondingly, PCSCF_T receives the 180 message sent by UE_T.

[0195] S514, AS_T receives call signaling. Similar to S414, this call signaling carries the information of T_called_UE of UMF_T and the information of T_called_NW of UMF_T.

[0196] For specific implementation details of S501-S514, please refer to the aforementioned... Figure 4 The relevant content of S401-S414 in the document will not be repeated here.

[0197] S515, AS_T sends a first request message to the NRF network element, and correspondingly, the NRF network element receives the first request message sent by AS_T. The first request message contains network element requirements and preferred network element information (i.e., UMF_T information).

[0198] S516, the NRF network element sends a first response message to AS_T, and AS_T receives the first response message sent by the NRF network element accordingly.

[0199] In this embodiment, the NRF network element obtains the capability information of the UMF_T based on the preferred network element information (i.e., the information of the UMF_T). If the NRF network element determines that the UMF_T can provide audio playback services based on the capability information, then the NRF network element designates the UMF_T as the target media plane network element. Since an additional connection establishment process is no longer required, the latency of the audio playback service can be reduced.

[0200] Accordingly, the first response message can indicate UMF_T. For example, the first response message includes information about UMF_T, such as its IP address and ID. Alternatively, the first response message can also include a feedback indication. If the first response message includes a feedback indication, the target media plane element can be assumed to be UMF_T for AS_T. For specific implementation details, please refer to the relevant content in S416 above; it will not be repeated here.

[0201] S517, AS_T sends a 180 message to AS_O, and AS_O receives the 180 message sent by AS_T.

[0202] Since AS_T already knows the information of UMF_T's T_called_NW based on the call signaling in S514, it can forward the T_called_NW information to AS_O. For example, AS_T can construct SDP information, that is, assign the IP address in the SDP information to the IP address of UMF_T's T_called_NW, assign the port in the SDP information to the port of UMF_T's T_called_NW, and then forward a 180 message including the SDP information to AS_O, which in turn forwards the T_called_NW information to PCSCF_O. Figure 5 In this context, T_called_NW of UMF_T is the target media endpoint of UMF_T in this embodiment. It can also be understood that AS_T can transmit the IP address of T_called_NW to AS_O via a 180 message. For example, AS_T can send a 180 message carrying the IP address of T_called_NW to SCSCF_T, SCSCF_T forwards the 180 message carrying the IP address of T_called_NW to SCSCF_O, and SCSCF_O forwards the 180 message carrying the IP address of T_called_NW to AS_O.

[0203] S518, AS_O sends a 180 message to PCSCF_O, and PCSCF_O receives the 180 message sent by AS_O accordingly.

[0204] The 180 message carries the same content as the 180 message of S517, that is, the 180 message also includes the information of T_called_NW of UMF_T.

[0205] S519, PCSCF_O instructs UMF_O that T_caller_NW of UMF_O be connected to T_called_NW of UMF_T.

[0206] S520, PCSCF_O sends an 18x message to UE_O, and UE_O receives the 18x message sent by PCSCF_O. PCSCF_O can replace the IP address in the SDP information included in the 180 message received from AS_O with the IP address of T_caller_UE, generate a new 18x message, and then forward it to UE_O. For example, the 18x message can be a 183 message.

[0207] S521, UMF_O's T_caller_NW and UMF_T's T_called_NW are connected.

[0208] It is understandable that when T_caller_NW is connected to T_called_NW, a channel connection between UMF_O and UMF_T can be achieved, thereby realizing a channel connection between UE_O and UMF_T.

[0209] S522, UE_O and UE_T exchange PRACK request messages or 200 messages.

[0210] AS_T determines, based on the PRACK message or 200 message, that a connection has been established between T_caller_NW of UMF_O and T_called_NW of UMF_T.

[0211] S523, AS_T instructs UMF_T to play a sound to UE_O.

[0212] In response to determining that a connection has been established between UMF_O's T_caller_NW and UMF_T's T_called_NW, AS_T can send an instruction message to UMF_T. This instruction message can instruct UMF_T to provide playback service, or it can be understood as instructing UMF_T to start playback. This instruction message may include information about UMF_T's T_called_media to instruct T_called_NW to play music.

[0213] S524, UMF_T sends an audio stream to UE_O.

[0214] After receiving the indication information, UMF_T sends an audio stream to UE_O. Since UMF_T can provide playback services, it can reduce playback service latency while minimizing playback service failures.

[0215] Figures 4-5 Taking UMF_T providing audio playback services for UE_O as an example, in possible application scenarios, UMF_T can also provide media plane services for UE_T. For instance, UMF_T can play a notification tone for UE_T. For example, if UE_T is in arrears, then during a call by UE_T, UMF_T can play a notification tone indicating that it is in arrears. This process does not distinguish between the calling UE and the called UE.

[0216] The following describes the process by which the network plays a prompt tone for the UE. This process can be applied to applications such as... Figure 6 The architecture is shown below. For ease of description, the following description uses the example of the network providing audio playback services to the UE.

[0217] Please see Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another network architecture applicable to the embodiments of this application. About Figure 6 For reference, see the above. Figure 1 The relevant content will not be repeated here. It is understandable that... Figure 2 and Figure 3 similar, Figure 6 In the architecture shown, the UMF network element providing playback services to the UE can be a different UMF network element than the initially selected one, such as UMF_Res. Figure 7 As shown. The UMF network element that provides audio playback service to the UE can also be the initially selected UMF network element, such as... Figure 8 As shown. For ease of description, the UMF network element that provides audio playback service to the UE will be referred to as the target UMF network element in the following text. The following sections will discuss... Figure 7 and Figure 8 Taking the architecture shown as an example, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are introduced.

[0218] Please see Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method 900 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 9 The process shown is applied to Figure 7 The architecture shown is an example. Figure 9 In this context, the UMF network element is the UMF network element initially selected by the corresponding control plane network element during the UE joining the call session. T_UE refers to the media endpoint on the UMF network element that interfaces with the UE, and T_NW refers to the media endpoint on the UMF network element that interfaces with other UMF network elements. UMF_Res is the UMF network element capable of providing audio playback services. UMF network element refers to the first media plane network element in this embodiment, UMF_Res refers to the target media plane network element in this embodiment, AS refers to the first control plane network element in this embodiment, and PCSCF refers to the second control plane network element. Figure 9 In the UMF network element, T_UE@UMF refers to the media endpoint T_UE, T_NW@UMF refers to the media endpoint T_NW, and T_media@UMF_Res refers to the media endpoint T_media. Figure 9 Thin lines indicate signaling interactions, while thick lines indicate media stream interactions. (The rest of the text is incomplete and requires further context.) Figure 9 The process shown is the same as Figure 4 The processes are the same, so I will not repeat them here.

[0219] S901 and UMF network elements initiate service registration with NRF network elements.

[0220] S902, the UE sends a first call request to the PCSCF network element, and the corresponding PCSCF network element receives the first call request sent by the UE.

[0221] S903, PCSCF network element initiates service discovery to NRF network element. This service discovery request is used to request UMF information for providing access class services to UE.

[0222] S904, the PCSCF network element sends an endpoint allocation request to the UMF, and the corresponding UMF network element receives the endpoint allocation request sent by the PCSCF network element.

[0223] The S905 and UMF network elements send an allocation endpoint response to the PCSCF, and the corresponding PCSCF network elements receive the allocation endpoint response sent by the UMF network elements.

[0224] For specific implementation details of S901-S905, please refer to the aforementioned... Figure 4 The relevant content in S401-S405, for example, will Figure 4 Replace UE_O with UE and PCSCF_O with PCSCF network element, which will not be elaborated here.

[0225] S906, AS receives call signaling.

[0226] Similar to S414, the difference is that this call signaling can include information about the UMF, as well as information about the media endpoints through which the UMF interfaces with other UMFs, i.e., information about T_NW@UMF. For details on the specific implementation of S906, please refer to the aforementioned content on S414; it will not be repeated here.

[0227] S907, AS sends a first request message to NRF network element, and correspondingly, NRF network element receives the first request message sent by AS.

[0228] Similar to S415, the difference lies in that this first request message includes network element requirement information and UMF network element information. For the specific implementation of S907, please refer to the relevant content of S415; it will not be repeated here.

[0229] The S908 and NRF network elements send a first response message to the AS, and the AS receives the first response message sent by the NRF network elements accordingly.

[0230] The first response message includes information about UMF_Res, indicating that the UMF network element capable of providing playback services is UMF_Res. For details on the specific implementation of S908, please refer to the aforementioned content of S416; it will not be repeated here.

[0231] S909, AS sends a second request message to UMF_Res, and correspondingly, UMF_Res receives the second request message sent by AS.

[0232] Similar to S417, the difference is that this second request message includes the T_NW information of the UMF network element. For the specific implementation of S909, please refer to the relevant content of S417; it will not be repeated here.

[0233] S910 and UMF_Res send a second response message to AS, and AS receives the second response message sent by UMF_Res accordingly.

[0234] The second response message may instruct UMF_Res to allocate the target media endpoint, T_media, for providing the playback service. For example, the second response message may include information about UMF_Res's T_media, such as the IP address and port number of T_media.

[0235] S911, AS sends a 183 message to PCSCF, and PCSCF receives the 183 message sent by AS. This 183 message includes information about the T_media of UMF_Res. Upon receiving the second response message, AS can construct SDP information, for example, assigning the IP address in the SDP information to the IP address of the T_media of UMF_Res, assigning the port in the SDP information to the port number of the T_media of UMF_Res, and then sending a 183 message containing the SDP information to PCSCF.

[0236] S912, the PCSCF network element instructs the UMF network element to connect the T_NW of the UMF network element with the T_media of the UMF_Res.

[0237] The S913 and UMF network elements establish a connection between their T_NW and UMF_Res T_media.

[0238] S914, the PCSCF network element sends a 183 message to the UE, and the UE receives the 183 message sent by the PCSCF.

[0239] After receiving the 183 message from the AS, the PCSCF network element can replace the IP address in the SDP information with the IP address of the UMF's T_UE, replace the port in the SDP information with the port of the UMF's T_UE, and then forward the 183 message to the UE.

[0240] The S915 and UMF network elements establish a connection between T_UE and UE.

[0241] S916, UE sends PRACK request message / 200 message.

[0242] AS determines that a connection has been established between UMF's T_NW and UMF_Res' T_media based on the PRACK request message / 200 message.

[0243] S917, AS instructs UMF_Res to play audio to the UE.

[0244] In response to determining that a connection has been established between the T_NW of the UMF and the T_media of the UMF_Res, the AS can send an indication message to the UMF_Res. This indication message can instruct the UMF_Res to provide playback services, or in other words, instruct the UMF_Res to start playback. This indication message may include information about the T_media of the UMF_Res to instruct the T_media to play sound to the UE.

[0245] S918 and UMF_Res send audio streams to the UE.

[0246] After receiving the indication information, UMF_Res sends an audio stream to the UE. Since UMF_Res can provide playback services, playback service failures can be reduced.

[0247] Figure 9 The process shown is applied to Figure 7 Taking the architecture shown as an example, that is Figure 9 The illustrated process assumes that UMF_T and UMF_Res are not the same network element. If UMF_T can provide playback services, then UMF_T is the target media plane network element, such as... Figure 8 As shown. To better understand the solution provided by the embodiments of this application, the following is an example. Figure 8 Taking the architecture shown as an example, the solution provided by the embodiments of this application is introduced.

[0248] The following is an introduction Figure 8 Under the architecture shown, the solution provided in this application embodiment is that the UMF network element providing audio playback service for the UE is the same network element as the UMF network element initially selected for the UE. Figure 8 For example, the UMF network element initially selected for the UE is... Figure 8 The UMF network element in the UE provides audio playback services. Figure 8 UMF in the middle.

[0249] Please see Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 10 by Figure 8 The architecture shown is an example. Figure 10 In this context, T_UE refers to the media endpoint on the UMF network element that interfaces with the UE, and T_NW refers to the media endpoint on the UMF network element that interfaces with other UMF network elements. The UMF network element is the UMF network element initially selected by the corresponding control plane network element during the UE joining the call session. Simultaneously, the UMF network element can also provide audio playback services. That is, the UMF network element refers to both the first media plane network element and the target media plane network element in this application embodiment, AS refers to the first control plane network element in this application embodiment, and PCSCF refers to the second control plane network element. Figure 10In the text, T_UE@UMF refers to the media endpoint T_UE in the UMF network element, and T_NW@UMF refers to the media endpoint T_NW in the UMF network element. (The rest of the text will be incomplete and requires further context.) Figure 10 The process shown is the same as Figure 9 The processes are similar, so I won't repeat them here. Figure 10 Thin lines indicate signaling interactions, while thick lines indicate media stream interactions.

[0250] S1001 and UMF network elements initiate service registration with NRF network elements.

[0251] S1002, the UE sends a first call request to the PCSCF network element, and the PCSCF receives the first call request sent by the UE.

[0252] S1003, the PCSCF network element initiates a service discovery request to the NRF network element. This service discovery request is used to request information from the UMF network element that provides access class services to the UE.

[0253] S1004. The PCSCF network element sends an endpoint allocation request to the UMF, and the corresponding UMF network element receives the endpoint allocation request sent by the PCSCF network element.

[0254] S1005, the UMF network element sends an allocation endpoint response to the PCSCF network element, and correspondingly, the PCSCF network element receives the allocation endpoint response sent by the UMF network element.

[0255] For specific implementation details of S1001-S1005, please refer to the aforementioned... Figure 4 The relevant content in S401-S405, for example, will Figure 4 Replace UE_O with UE and PCSCF_O with PCSCF network element, which will not be elaborated here.

[0256] S1006, AS receives call signaling.

[0257] Similar to S414, the difference is that this call signaling may include information about the UMF network element, as well as information about the media endpoints through which the UMF network element interfaces with other UMF network elements, i.e., the T_NW@UMF information. For a detailed explanation of the implementation of S1006, please refer to the aforementioned content on S414; it will not be repeated here.

[0258] S1007. AS sends a first request message to NRF network element, and correspondingly, NRF network element receives the first request message sent by AS.

[0259] For details on the implementation of S1007, please refer to the relevant content of S907, which will not be elaborated here.

[0260] S1008, the NRF network element sends a first response message to the AS, and correspondingly, the AS receives the first response message sent by the NRF network element.

[0261] The first response message includes information about the UMF network element, indicating that the UMF network element capable of providing audio playback service is the UMF network element indicated by the first response message. For a detailed explanation of the implementation of S1009, please refer to the relevant content of S416 above; it will not be repeated here.

[0262] S1009, AS sends a 183 message to the PCSCF network element, and the corresponding PCSCF network element receives the 183 message sent by AS.

[0263] Upon receiving the first response message, the AS can construct SDP information. For example, it can assign the IP address in the SDP information to the IP address of the T_NW of the UMF network element, and the port number in the SDP information to the port number of the T_NW of the UMF network element. Then, it sends a 183 message containing the SDP information to the PCSCF network element. It can be understood that the AS can obtain the IP address and port number of the T_NW of the UMF network element from the received call signaling.

[0264] S1010, PCSCF sends an 18x message to the UE, and the UE receives the 18x message sent by PCSCF accordingly.

[0265] 18x messages can be 183 messages. After receiving a 183 message from the AS, the PCSCF can replace the IP address in the SDP information with the IP address of the T_UE of the UMF network element, replace the port in the SDP information with the port of the T_UE of the UMF network element, and then forward the 183 message to the UE.

[0266] Understandably, the PCSCF can determine the IP address in the received SDP information. If the PCSCF determines that the IP address in the received SDP information is the IP address of the T_NW of the UMF network element, and the port in the SDP information is the port number of the T_NW of the UMF network element, then the PCSCF will not send a message to the UMF network element instructing the T_NW to establish a connection.

[0267] S1011, UMF network element T_UE establishes connection with UE.

[0268] S1012, UE sends PRACK request message / 200 message.

[0269] S1013, AS indicates that T_UE will play the sound.

[0270] The AS can send instruction information to the UMF network element, which instructs the UMF network element to provide audio playback service. This instruction information can also be understood as instructing the UMF network element to start audio playback. The instruction information may include information about the T_UE of the UMF network element to instruct the T_UE to play audio.

[0271] S1014, UMF network element sends audio stream to UE.

[0272] After receiving the indication information, the UMF network element sends an audio stream to the UE. Since the UMF network element can provide playback services, playback service failures can be reduced.

[0273] In this embodiment, the AS provides the information of the initially selected UMF network element and the required media plane services to the NRF network element, which then determines a new UMF network element capable of providing the media plane services required by the AS. If the initially selected UMF network element cannot provide the required media plane services, the NRF network element selects another UMF network element to provide the required media plane services, thereby reducing media plane service failures. If the initially selected UMF network element can provide the required media plane services, the NRF network element decides to continue using the initially selected UMF network element to provide the required media plane services to the AS, thereby reducing media plane service latency.

[0274] The embodiments provided in this application describe the methods from the perspective of interaction between terminal devices, control plane network elements, or media plane network elements. To implement the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the terminal devices, control plane network elements, and media plane network elements may include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0275] Based on the same concept as the method embodiments, this application provides a communication device. The communication device used to implement the above method in this application embodiment is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0276] Figure 11This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1100 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1100 may include a processing module 1110 and a transceiver module 1120. Optionally, it may also include a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions (code or program) and / or data. The processing module 1110 and the transceiver module 1120 may be coupled to the storage unit. For example, the processing module 1110 may read instructions (code or program) and / or data from the storage unit to implement a corresponding method. The above modules may be set independently, or partially or completely integrated.

[0277] In some possible implementations, the communication device 1100 can correspond to the behavior and function of the first control plane network element in the above method embodiment. The communication device 1100 can be the first control plane network element, or a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) applied in the first control plane network element, or a chip or chipset in the first control plane network element, or a part of a chip used to perform related method functions.

[0278] For example, communication device 1100 implements Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 In at least one embodiment of the figure, a method is performed by the first control plane network element. The transceiver module 1120 is used to perform operations related to receiving and sending messages by the first control plane network element, such as: receiving call signaling associated with a call service, sending network element requirement information and preferred network element information to the network storage function network element based on the call signaling, and receiving information from the target media plane network element of the network storage function network element. The call signaling includes information about the first media plane network element, which is used to provide a first media plane service associated with the call service. The network element requirement information indicates that the network storage function network element provides information about a media plane network element capable of providing a second media plane service associated with the call service. The preferred network element information indicates that the first media plane network element is a preferred media plane network element. The target media plane network element is used to provide the second media plane service. The processing module 1110 is used to perform operations of the first control plane network element other than receiving and sending messages, such as: determining the network element requirement information and preferred network element information.

[0279] As an optional implementation, the preferred network element information indicates that the first media plane network element is the preferred media plane network element, including: when the network storage function network element determines that the first media plane network element can provide the second media plane service, the preferred network element information indicates that the first media plane network element is the target media plane network element.

[0280] As an optional implementation, the first control plane network element sends network element requirement information and preferred network element information to the network storage function network element, including: the first control plane network element sends a service discovery request message to the network storage function network element, the service discovery request message including network element requirement information and preferred network element information.

[0281] As an optional implementation, the first media plane service is an access service or an interoperability service, and the second media plane service is a resource service.

[0282] As an optional implementation, the processing module 1110 is further configured to obtain target media endpoint information of the target media plane network element, the target media endpoint information including the target media endpoint information of the target media plane network element used to provide the second media plane service; the transceiver module 1120 is further configured to send the target media endpoint information to the second control plane network element, wherein the second control plane network element refers to the control plane network element that provides access services or interconnection services for the calling terminal equipment or called terminal equipment of the call service.

[0283] As an optional implementation, the target media endpoint information includes the IP address and port number of the target media endpoint.

[0284] As an optional implementation, the target media plane network element is a second media plane network element. The transceiver module 1120 is also used to send an allocation endpoint request to the target media plane network element and to receive an allocation endpoint response sent by the target media plane network element. The allocation endpoint request is used to request target media endpoint information, and the allocation endpoint response includes the target media endpoint information of the target media plane network element.

[0285] As an optional implementation, the target media plane network element is the first media plane network element, and the processing module 1110 is also used to obtain target media endpoint information from the call signaling.

[0286] As an optional implementation, the call signaling may also include target media endpoint information.

[0287] As an optional implementation, the transceiver module 1120 is also used to request the target media plane network element to provide a second media plane service.

[0288] As an optional implementation, the transceiver module 1120 is specifically used to send indication information to the target media plane network element, which instructs the target media plane network element to provide second media plane services through the target media endpoint. For example, the indication information includes the target media endpoint information of the target media plane network element.

[0289] As an optional implementation, the communication device 1100 is an application server or service-call control network element that provides application services to the local end.

[0290] As an optional implementation, the second control plane network element is a query-call session control network element or a proxy-call session control network element that provides access services for the local or peer end.

[0291] In some other possible implementations, the communication device 1100 can correspond to the behavior and function of the network storage function element in the above method embodiment. The communication device 1100 can be a network storage function element, or a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) applied in the network storage function element, or a chip or chipset in the network storage function element, or a part of a chip used to perform the relevant method function.

[0292] For example, communication device 1100 implements Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 In at least one embodiment of the figure, a method is performed by the network storage function network element. The transceiver module 1120 is used to perform operations related to receiving and sending messages by the network storage function network element, such as: receiving network element requirement information and preferred network element information sent by the first control plane network element, and sending information about a target media plane network element to the first control plane network element. The network element requirement information and preferred network element information indicate that the network storage function network element provides information about a media plane network element capable of providing a second media plane service associated with a call service requested by a terminal device. The preferred network element information indicates that the first media plane network element is a preferred media plane network element. The first media plane network element is used to provide a first media plane service associated with a call service. The target media plane network element is used to provide a second media plane service. The processing module 1110 is used to perform operations of the network storage function network element other than receiving and sending messages, such as: determining a target media plane network element capable of providing a second media plane service for a call service based on the network element requirement information and preferred network element information.

[0293] As an optional implementation, the preferred network element information indicates that the first media plane network element is the preferred media plane network element, including: when the network storage function network element determines that the first media plane network element can provide the second media plane service, the preferred network element information indicates that the first media plane network element is the target media plane network element.

[0294] As an optional implementation, the network storage function network element receives network element requirement information and preferred network element information sent by the first control plane network element, including: the network storage function network element receives a service discovery request message sent by the first control plane network element, the service discovery request message including network element requirement information and preferred network element information.

[0295] As an optional implementation, the first media plane service includes access services or interoperability services, and the second media plane service includes resource services.

[0296] As an optional implementation, the processing module 1110 is also used to: determine whether the first media plane network element can provide the second media plane service; if it is determined that the first media plane network element can provide the second media plane service, then determine the first media plane network element as the second media plane network element; if it is determined that the first media plane network element cannot provide the second media plane service, then select a media plane network element that can support the second media plane service as the second media plane network element.

[0297] As an optional implementation, the processing module 1110 is specifically used to: obtain the capability information of the first media plane network element, and determine whether the first media plane network element can provide the second media plane service based on the capability information. The capability information indicates the services that the first media plane network element can provide.

[0298] It should be understood that the processing module 1010 in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components, and the transceiver module 1020 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit components or a communication interface.

[0299] Figure 12 This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1200 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1200 can be a terminal device capable of implementing the function of the first control plane network element in the method provided in this application. The communication device 1200 can also be a device capable of supporting the first control plane network element in implementing the corresponding function in the method provided in this application, wherein the communication device 1200 can be a chip system. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. Specific functions can be found in the descriptions of the above method embodiments. The communication device 1200 can also be a network storage function network element capable of implementing the function of the network storage function network element in the method provided in this application. The communication device 1200 can also be a device capable of supporting the network storage function network element in implementing the corresponding function in the method provided in this application, wherein the communication device 1200 can be a chip system. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. Specific functions can be found in the descriptions of the above method embodiments.

[0300] The communication device 1200 includes one or more processors 1220, which can be used to implement or support the communication device 1200 in implementing the function of the first control plane network element in the method provided in the embodiments of this application. See the detailed description in the method examples for details, which will not be repeated here. The one or more processors 1220 can also be used to implement or support the communication device 1200 in implementing the function of the network storage function network element in the method provided in the embodiments of this application. See the detailed description in the method examples for details, which will not be repeated here. The processor 1220 can also be called a processing unit or processing module, and can implement certain control functions. The processor 1220 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it includes: a central processing unit, an application processor, a modem processor, a graphics processor, an image signal processor, a digital signal processor, a video codec processor, a controller, a memory, and / or a neural network processor, etc. The central processing unit can be used to control the communication device 1200, execute software programs, and / or process data. Different processors can be independent devices or integrated into one or more processors, for example, integrated on one or more application-specific integrated circuits.

[0301] Optionally, the communication device 1200 includes one or more memories 1230 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memories 1230 are coupled to the processor 1220. The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, and can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1220 may operate in conjunction with the memories 1230. The processor 1220 may execute program instructions and / or data stored in the memories 1230 to cause the communication device 1200 to implement a corresponding method. At least one of the at least one memories may be included in the processor 1220.

[0302] The communication device 1200 may further include a communication interface 1210, using any transceiver-like device, for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as radio access networks (RAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), wired access networks, etc. The communication interface 1210 is used to communicate with other devices via a transmission medium, thereby enabling the devices in the communication device 1200 to communicate with other devices. For example, when the communication device 1200 is a first control plane network element, the other device is a network storage function network element; or, when the communication device is a network storage function network element, the other device is a first control plane network element. The processor 1220 can use the communication interface 1210 to send and receive data. Specifically, the communication interface 1210 may be a transceiver.

[0303] This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the communication interface 1210, processor 1220, and memory 1230. This application embodiment... Figure 12 The memory 1230, processor 1220, and communication interface 1210 are connected via a bus 1240. Figure 12 The connections between other components are shown in bold and are for illustrative purposes only, not as limiting information. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 12 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0304] In the embodiments of this application, the processor 1220 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, capable of implementing or executing the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or being executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0305] The memory 1230 may be a ROM or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, RAM or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently and be connected to the processor via the communication bus 1240. Alternatively, the memory may be integrated with the processor.

[0306] The memory 1230 stores computer execution instructions for implementing the scheme of this application, and the processor 1220 controls the execution. The processor 1220 executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 1230, thereby implementing the communication method provided in the above embodiments of this application.

[0307] Optionally, the computer execution instructions in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as application code, and the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0308] It is understood that the communication device in the above embodiments can be a control plane network element (or a network storage function network element), a circuit, or a chip applied in the control plane network element (or network storage function network element), or other combined devices or components having the above-mentioned control plane network element (or network storage function network element). The processing module can be a processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU). The processing module can be the processor of a chip system. The transceiver module or communication interface can be the input / output interface or interface circuit of the chip system. For example, the interface circuit can be a code / data read / write interface circuit. The interface circuit can be used to receive code instructions (the code instructions are stored in memory and can be read directly from memory or through other devices) and transmit them to the processor; the processor can be used to run the code instructions to execute the method in the above method embodiments. For another example, the interface circuit can also be a signal transmission interface circuit between the communication processor and the transceiver.

[0309] When the communication device is a chip-based device or circuit, it may include a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface; the processing unit may be an integrated processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit.

[0310] This application also provides a communication system. Specifically, the communication system includes at least one first control plane network element terminal device and at least one network storage function network element, as well as at least one media plane network element, or may further include at least one access class control plane network element and / or interconnection class control plane network element. Exemplarily, the communication system includes components for implementing the above. Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 9 and Figure 10 The first control plane network element and network storage function network element, as well as the media plane network element, are related to the functions of any one or more diagrams. Please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0311] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, including instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform... Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 9 and Figure 10 The method executed by any one or more first control plane network elements in the diagram. Alternatively, when it runs on a computer, it causes the computer to execute... Figures 6 to 9A method for executing network storage functions in any diagram. This application also provides a computer program product, including instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to execute... Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 9 and Figure 10 The method executed by any one or more first control plane network elements in the diagram. Alternatively, when it runs on a computer, it causes the computer to execute... Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 9 and Figure 10 Methods executed by any one or more network storage function elements in the diagram.

[0312] This application provides a chip system including a processor and potentially a memory, for implementing the functions of the first control plane network element in the aforementioned method; or for implementing the functions of the network storage function network element in the aforementioned method. The chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0313] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes 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.

[0314] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps 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 this application.

[0315] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0316] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, 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 coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0317] 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 achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0318] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the essential contributing part of the technical solution of this application, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0319] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the embodiments of this application without departing from the scope of the embodiments of this application. Therefore, if these modifications and variations to the embodiments of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The first control plane network element receives call signaling related to the call service. The call signaling includes information of the first media plane network element, which is used to provide the first media plane service associated with the call service. The first control plane network element sends network element requirement information and preferred network element information to the network storage function network element based on the call signaling. The network element requirement information instructs the network storage function network element to provide information on media plane network elements that can provide second media plane services associated with the call service. The preferred network element information instructs the first media plane network element to be a preferred media plane network element. The first control plane network element receives information from the target media plane network element of the network storage function network element, the target media plane network element being used to provide the second media plane service.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The preferred network element information indicates that the first media plane network element is a preferred media plane network element, including: the preferred network element information indicates that when the network storage function network element determines that the first media plane network element can provide the second media plane service, the first media plane network element is used as the target media plane network element.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first control plane network element sends network element requirement information and preferred network element information to the network storage function network element, including: The first control plane network element sends a service discovery request message to the network storage function network element. The service discovery request message includes the network element's requirement information and the preferred network element information.

4. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first media plane service is an access service or an interoperability service, and the second media plane service is a resource service.

5. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first control plane network element acquires the target media endpoint information of the target media plane network element, the target media endpoint information including the information of the target media endpoint in the target media plane network element used to provide the second media plane service; The first control plane network element sends the target media endpoint information to the second control plane network element, whereby the second control plane network element refers to the control plane network element that provides access services or interconnection services for the calling terminal equipment or called terminal equipment of the call service.

6. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The target media endpoint information includes the Internet Protocol (IP) address and port number of the target media endpoint.

7. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The target media plane network element is a second media plane network element. The first control plane network element obtains the target media endpoint information of the target media plane network element, including: The first control plane network element sends an endpoint allocation request to the target media plane network element, the endpoint allocation request being used to request the target media endpoint information; The first control plane network element receives the allocation endpoint response sent by the target media plane network element, and the allocation endpoint response includes the target media endpoint information.

8. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The target media plane network element is the first media plane network element. The first control plane network element obtains the target media endpoint information of the target media plane network element, including: The first control plane network element obtains the target media endpoint information from the call signaling.

9. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first control plane network element requests the target media plane network element to provide the second media plane service.

10. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The first control plane network element requests the target media plane network element to provide the second media plane service, including: The first control plane network element sends an instruction message to the target media plane network element, the instruction message instructing the target media plane network element to provide the second media plane service through the target media endpoint.

11. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first control plane network element is an application server or service-call control network element that provides application services to this end.

12. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The second control plane network element is a query-call session control network element or a proxy-call session control network element that provides access services to the local or peer end.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The network storage function network element receives network element requirement information and preferred network element information sent by the first control plane network element. The network element requirement information indicates that the network storage function network element provides information on media plane network elements that can provide second media plane services associated with the call service. The preferred network element information indicates that the first media plane network element is a preferred media plane network element. The network storage function network element determines, based on the network element requirement information and the preferred network element information, a target media plane network element that can provide the second media plane service associated with the call service. The target media plane network element is used to provide the second media plane service. The network storage function network element sends the information of the target media plane network element to the first control plane network element.

14. The method as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The preferred network element information indicates that the first media plane network element is a preferred media plane network element, including: the preferred network element information indicates that when the network storage function network element determines that the first media plane network element can provide the second media plane service, the first media plane network element is used as the target media plane network element.

15. The method as described in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The network storage function network element receives network element requirement information and preferred network element information sent by the first control plane network element, including: The network storage function network element receives a service discovery request message sent by the first control plane network element. The service discovery request message includes the network element requirement information and the preferred network element information.

16. The method as described in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The first media plane service is an access service or an interoperability service, and the second media plane service is a resource service.

17. The method as described in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, Before the network storage function network element sends the information of the target media plane network element to the first control plane network element, the method further includes: The network storage function element determines whether the first media plane element can provide the second media plane service; If the network storage function element determines that the first media plane element can provide the second media plane service, then the network storage function element determines that the first media plane element is the target media plane element. If the network storage function element determines that the first media plane network element cannot provide the second media plane service, then the network storage function network element selects a media plane network element that can support the second media plane service as the target media plane network element.

18. The method as described in claim 17, characterized in that, The network storage function element determines whether the first media plane element can provide the second media plane service, including: The network storage function network element obtains the capability information of the first media plane network element, and the capability information indicates the services that the first media plane network element can provide. The network storage function element determines whether the first media plane element can provide the second media plane service based on the capability information.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processing module and a transceiver module; The transceiver module is configured to receive call signaling related to the call service, send network element requirement information and preferred network element information to the network storage function network element based on the call signaling, and receive information from the target media plane network element of the network storage function network element. The call signaling includes information about a first media plane network element, which is used to provide a first media plane service associated with the call service. The network element requirement information instructs the network storage function network element to provide information about a media plane network element capable of providing a second media plane service associated with the call service. The preferred network element information indicates that the first media plane network element is a preferred media plane network element, and the target media plane network element is used to provide the second media plane service. The processing module is used to determine the target media plane network element based on the network element requirement information and the preferred network element information.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that, The preferred network element information indicates that the first media plane network element is a preferred media plane network element, including: the preferred network element information indicates that when the network storage function network element determines that the first media plane network element can provide the second media plane service, the first media plane network element is used as the target media plane network element.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The transceiver module is specifically used for: A service discovery request message is sent to the network storage function network element. The service discovery request message includes the network element's requirement information and the preferred network element information.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The first media plane service is an access service or an interoperability service, and the second media plane service is a resource service.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The processing module is further configured to: obtain target media endpoint information of the target media plane network element, wherein the target media endpoint information includes information of the target media endpoint in the target media plane network element used to provide the second media plane service; The transceiver module is also used to send the target media endpoint information to the second control plane network element, which refers to the control plane network element that provides access services or interconnection services for the calling terminal equipment or called terminal equipment of the call service.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, characterized in that, The target media endpoint information includes the Internet Protocol (IP) address and port number of the target media endpoint.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, characterized in that, The target media plane network element is a second media plane network element, and the transceiver module is further configured to: Send an endpoint allocation request to the target media plane network element, wherein the endpoint allocation request is used to request the target media endpoint information of the target media plane; Receive the allocation endpoint response sent by the target media plane network element, the allocation endpoint response including the target media endpoint information.

26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, characterized in that, The target media plane network element is the first media plane network element, and the processing module is used to obtain the target media endpoint information from the call signaling.

27. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The transceiver module is also used to request the target media plane network element to provide the second media plane service.

28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27, characterized in that, The transceiver module is specifically used for: Send an instruction message to the target media plane network element, the instruction message instructing the target media plane network element to provide the second media plane service through the target media endpoint.

29. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The communication device is an application server or service-call control network element that provides application services to this end.

30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, characterized in that, The second control plane network element is a query-call session control network element or a proxy-call session control network element that provides access services to the local or peer end.

31. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a send / receive module and a processing module; The transceiver module is used to receive network element requirement information and preferred network element information sent by the first control plane network element. The network element requirement information indicates that the communication device provides information on media plane network elements that can provide second media plane services associated with the call service requested by the terminal device. The preferred network element information indicates that the first media plane network element is a preferred media plane network element. The processing module is used to determine, based on the network element requirement information and the preferred network element information, a target media plane network element that can provide the second media plane service associated with the call service, wherein the target media plane network element is used to provide the second media plane service; The transceiver module is also used to send information about the target media plane network element to the first control plane network element.

32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31, characterized in that, The preferred network element information indicates that the first media plane network element is a preferred media plane network element, including: the preferred network element information indicates that when the network storage function network element determines that the first media plane network element can provide the second media plane service, the first media plane network element is used as the target media plane network element.

33. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31 or 32, characterized in that, The transceiver module is specifically used to receive service discovery request messages sent by the first control plane network element. The service discovery request message includes the network element requirement information and the preferred network element information.

34. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31 or 32, characterized in that, The first media plane service is an access service or an interoperability service, and the second media plane service is a resource service.

35. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31 or 32, characterized in that, The processing module is also used for: Determine whether the first media plane network element can provide the second media plane service; If it is determined that the first media plane network element can provide the second media plane service, then the first media plane network element is determined as the target media plane network element. If it is determined that the first media plane network element cannot provide the second media plane service, then a media plane network element that can support the second media plane service is selected as the target media plane network element.

36. The apparatus as claimed in claim 35, characterized in that, The processing module is specifically used for: Obtain the capability information of the first media plane network element, and determine whether the first media plane network element can provide the second media plane service based on the capability information, wherein the capability information indicates the service that the first media plane network element can provide.

37. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor and a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program, and the processor being used to execute the computer program stored in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, or causing the communication device to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 18.

38. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes a control plane network element, a network storage function network element, and a terminal device, wherein the control plane network element is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, and the network storage function network element is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 18.

39. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 18.

40. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product stores a computer program that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 18.

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