Association method and apparatus, communication device, and storage medium

Abstract

This application discloses an association method, apparatus, communication device, and storage medium, belonging to the field of communication technology. The method includes: a first network function sending first information to a second network function, the first information including at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, and first association information; wherein, the first identification information is used to indicate a first terminal, the second identification information is used to indicate a target terminal group, and the first association information is used to indicate that the first network function is associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; the first network function receiving second information from the second network function, the second information including at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, third information, and fourth information; wherein, the third information is used to indicate the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; and the fourth information is used to indicate the association result of the first network function with the first identification information or with the second identification information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of communication technology, specifically relating to a method, apparatus, communication device, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, a Personal IoT Network (PIN) typically has multiple administrators, each of whom can use their corresponding network management instance to manage the PIN and its devices.

[0003] However, since multiple administrators use their own network management instances to manage the PIN and its devices, and different administrators may use different network management instances, multiple administrators cannot coordinate to manage the PIN, resulting in a low success rate for multiple administrators to jointly manage the PIN and its devices. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a method, apparatus, communication device, and storage medium for association, which can solve the problem of low success rate of multiple administrators jointly managing a home network and its devices.

[0005] In a first aspect, an association method is provided, comprising: a first network function sending first information to a second network function, the first information including at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, and first association information; wherein the first network function is a PIN-related network function, the first identification information is used to indicate a first terminal, the second identification information is used to indicate a target terminal group, and the first association information is used to indicate the first network function, and the first network function is associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; the first network function receiving second information from the second network function, the second information including at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, third information, and fourth information; wherein the third information is used to indicate a network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; and the fourth information is used to indicate the association result of the first network function with the first identification information or with the second identification information.

[0006] In a second aspect, an association device is provided, applied to a first network function, which is a PIN-related network function. The device includes a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to send first information to the second network function, the first information including at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, and first association information; wherein the first identification information is used to indicate a first terminal, the second identification information is used to indicate a target terminal group, and the first association information is used to indicate the first network function, and the first network function is associated with the first identification information or the second identification information. The receiving module is used to receive second information from the second network function, the second information including at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, third information, and fourth information; wherein the third information is used to indicate the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; and the fourth information is used to indicate the association result of the first network function with the first identification information or with the second identification information.

[0007] Thirdly, an association method is provided, comprising: a second network function receiving first information sent by a first network function, the first information including at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, and first association information; wherein the first network function is a PIN-related network function, the first identification information is used to indicate a first terminal, the second identification information is used to indicate a target terminal group, and the first association information is used to indicate the first network function, and the first network function is associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; the second network function sending second information to the first network function, the second information including at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, third information, and fourth information; wherein the third information is used to indicate a network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; and the fourth information is used to indicate the association result of the first network function with the first identification information or with the second identification information.

[0008] Fourthly, an association device is provided for a second network function. The device includes a receiving module and a sending module. The receiving module receives first information sent by a first network function. The first information includes at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, and first association information. The first network function is a PIN-related network function. The first identification information indicates a first terminal, the second identification information indicates a target terminal group, and the first association information indicates the first network function. The first network function is associated with either the first identification information or the second identification information. The sending module sends second information to the first network function. The second information includes at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, third information, and fourth information. The third information indicates a network function associated with either the first or second identification information. The fourth information indicates the association result between the first network function and the first identification information, or with the second identification information.

[0009] Fifthly, an association identification method is provided, the method comprising: a first network function sending target identification information to a second network function, the target identification information including any one of the following: first identification information; first identification information and third identification information; wherein, the first network function is a PIN-related network function, the first identification information is used to indicate a first terminal or a target terminal group, and the third identification information is used to indicate a second terminal.

[0010] In a sixth aspect, an association identification device is provided, applied to a first network function, the first network function being a PIN-related network function, the device including a sending module; the sending module is used to send target identification information to a second network function, the target identification information including any one of the following: first identification information; first identification information and third identification information; wherein, the first identification information is used to indicate a first terminal or a target terminal group, and the third identification information is used to indicate a second terminal.

[0011] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, the communication device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, or implementing the steps of the method as described in the third aspect, or implementing the steps of the method as described in the fifth aspect.

[0012] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein:

[0013] The communication device is a PIN-related network function. The communication interface is used to send first information to the second network function. The first information includes at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, and first association information; wherein the first identification information is used to indicate a first terminal, the second identification information is used to indicate a target terminal group, and the first association information is used to indicate a first network function, and the first network function is associated with the first identification information or the second identification information. The device also receives second information from the second network function. The second information includes at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, third information, and fourth information; wherein the third information is used to indicate the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; and the fourth information is used to indicate the association result between the first network function and the first identification information, or with the second identification information.

[0014] Alternatively, the communication interface is used to receive first information sent by a first network function, the first information including at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, and first association information; wherein, the first network function is a PIN-related network function, the first identification information is used to indicate a first terminal, the second identification information is used to indicate a target terminal group, the first association information is used to indicate the first network function, and the first network function is associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; and sends second information to the first network function, the second information including at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, third information, and fourth information; wherein, the third information is used to indicate the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; and the fourth information is used to indicate the association result of the first network function with the first identification information or with the second identification information.

[0015] Alternatively, the communication device is a PIN-related network function, and the communication interface is used to send target identification information to the second network function. The target identification information includes any one of the following: first identification information; first identification information and third identification information; wherein the first identification information is used to indicate a first terminal or a target terminal group, and the third identification information is used to indicate a second terminal.

[0016] A ninth aspect provides a communication system comprising: a first network function and a second network function, wherein the first network function is configured to perform steps of the association method as described in the first aspect, or to perform steps of the association identification method as described in the fifth aspect, and the second network function is configured to perform steps of the association method as described in the third aspect.

[0017] In a tenth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instructions are stored, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method described in the third aspect, or the steps of the method described in the fifth aspect.

[0018] Eleventhly, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface being coupled to the processor, the processor being configured to run programs or instructions to implement the method as described in the first aspect, or the method as described in the third aspect, or the method as described in the fifth aspect.

[0019] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, which is stored in a storage medium and is executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the association method as described in the first aspect, or the steps of the association method as described in the third aspect, or the steps of the association identification method as described in the fifth aspect.

[0020] In this embodiment, a first network function sends first information to a second network function. The first information includes at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, and first association information. The first network function is a PIN-related network function. The first identification information indicates a first terminal, the second identification information indicates a target terminal group, and the first association information indicates the first network function. The first network function is associated with either the first identification information or the second identification information. The first network function receives second information from the second network function. The second information includes at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, third information, and fourth information. The third information indicates a network function associated with either the first or second identification information. The fourth information indicates the association result between the first network function and the first identification information, or with the second identification information. Through this scheme, since the first network function associated with the PIN can receive at least one of the following through information interaction with the second network function: fourth information indicating the association result between the first network function and the first identification information or the second identification information; third information indicating the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; second identification information indicating the target terminal group; and first identification information indicating the first terminal, the first terminal and the terminals in the target terminal group can correspond to the same network function when managing the PIN and its devices, thereby improving the success rate of multiple managers jointly managing the PIN and its devices. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a PIN example;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of an association method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an association method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of an association identification method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an association identification method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 7 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of an associated device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0028] Figure 8This is a second schematic diagram of the structure of an associated device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an association identification device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a network function provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0033] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same class, not limited in number; for example, a first object can be one or more. Furthermore, in the specification and claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0034] It is worth noting that the technologies described in this application are not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in this application are often used interchangeably, and the described technologies can be used with the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as with other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes New Radio (NR) systems for illustrative purposes, and NR terminology is used in most of the following description; however, these technologies can also be applied to applications beyond NR systems, such as 6th generation (6G) radio systems. th Generation 6G communication system.

[0035] Figure 1This diagram illustrates a block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. Terminal 11 can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld computer, netbook, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), mobile internet device (MID), augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) device, robot, wearable device, vehicle-mounted device (VUE), pedestrian terminal (PUE), smart home (home devices with wireless communication capabilities, such as refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, or furniture), game console, personal computer (PC), ATM, or self-service machine, etc. Wearable devices include: smartwatches, smart bracelets, smart headphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart chains, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of terminal 11 is not limited in this embodiment. Network-side equipment 12 may include access network equipment or core network equipment. Access network equipment 12 may also be referred to as radio access network equipment, radio access network (RAN), radio access network function, or radio access network unit. Access network equipment 12 may include base stations, WLAN access points, or WiFi nodes, etc. Base stations may be referred to as Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), access point, base transceiver station (BTS), radio base station, radio transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), home B node, home evolved B node, Transmitting Receiving Point (TRP), or any other suitable term in the field, as long as the same technical effect is achieved. The base station is not limited to specific technical terms. It should be noted that in this application embodiment, only a base station in an NR system is used as an example for description, and the specific type of base station is not limited.Core network equipment may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: core network node, core network function, Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Unified Data Repository (UDR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Centralized network configuration (CNC), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Local NEF (or L-NEF), Binding Support Function (BSF), and Application Function. Function (AF), etc. It should be noted that the embodiments of this application only use the core network equipment in the NR system as an example for introduction, and do not limit the specific type of core network equipment.

[0036] It should be noted that the network functions described in the embodiments of this application can be understood as network function entities, network elements, or gateways and other network-side devices.

[0037] The associated methods, apparatus, communication devices, and storage media provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through some embodiments and application scenarios.

[0038] Currently, in PIN application scenarios, all personal IoT devices (PIN Element, PINE), personal IoT gateway devices (PIN Element with Gateway Capability, PEGC), and personal IoT management devices (PIN Element with Management Capability, PEMC) should be registered before being added to a PIN.

[0039] In PIN application scenarios, trusted members can be signed up by users of a PEMC, which includes itself as well as other PEMCs or PEGCs. Any two PEMCs within a trusted member group trust each other, and a PEMC may belong to multiple trusted members. For example, a PEMC used for smart homes can also be used for smart offices. An example of trusted members is: multiple mobile phones used by a user for wearable applications, family members for smart home applications, and partner members for smart office applications. If a trusted member group includes a PEGC, for example, if a user simultaneously signs up a smart home gateway as a trusted member, then the authorization of that PEGC is based on the signing up; otherwise, the authorization of that PEGC is based on its own request. The identification of PIN trusted member groups can be performed by the 5G core network (5G Core, 5GC) using external group IDs (i.e., External Group IDs) and internal group IDs (i.e., Internal Group IDs).

[0040] Figure 2 An example of a PIN is shown, such as Figure 2 As shown, PIN1 includes PEMC-A and PEMC-B, meaning that both PEMC-A and PEMC-B can update and delete PIN1. PEMC-C and PEMC-D are trusted members but not PEMCs in PIN1, so they can only view information from PIN1. For example, in a smart home scenario, PEMC-A and PEMC-B belong to the parents, while PEMC-C and PEMC-D belong to the son and daughter. PEGC-I, included in both PIN1 and PIN2, is a trusted member, so it can be pre-configured into PIN1 / PIN2 or dynamically added to PIN1 / PIN2, serving both PIN1 and PIN2. PEGC-II, included in PIN3, is not a trusted member, so it is dynamically added to PIN3. PEGC-III and PINE10 are registered but have not yet been added to any PIN.

[0041] Taking a home network with a PIN as an example, a home network typically has more than one administrator. Each administrator can use its corresponding network management instance to manage the home network and its devices. However, because multiple administrators use their respective network management instances to manage the home network and its devices, and these instances may differ between administrators, collaborative management becomes impossible, resulting in a low success rate for multiple administrators jointly managing the home network and its devices. This necessitates that 5G networks provide authorization capabilities for managing home networks and their devices, enabling multiple administrators to use the same network function instance for home network management.

[0042] To address the aforementioned issues, in the association method provided in this application embodiment, a first network function sends first information to a second network function. The first information includes at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, and first association information. The first network function is a PIN-related network function; the first identification information indicates a first terminal; the second identification information indicates a target terminal group; and the first association information indicates that the first network function is associated with either the first or second identification information. The first network function receives second information from the second network function. The second information includes at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, third information, and fourth information. The third information indicates the network function associated with either the first or second identification information; and the fourth information indicates the association result between the first network function and the first or second identification information. Through this scheme, since the first network function associated with the PIN can receive at least one of the following through information exchange with the second network function: fourth information indicating the association result of the first network function with the first identification information or with the second identification information; third information indicating the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; second identification information indicating the target terminal group; and first identification information indicating the first terminal, the first terminal and the terminals in the target terminal group can correspond to the same network function when managing the home network and its devices, thereby improving the success rate of multiple managers jointly managing the home network and its devices.

[0043] This application provides an association method. Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating the association method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 3 As shown, the association method provided in this application embodiment may include the following steps 301 to 304.

[0044] Step 301: The first network function sends the first information to the second network function.

[0045] In this embodiment of the application, the first information includes at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, and first association information.

[0046] In this embodiment of the application, the first identification information is used to indicate the first terminal; the second identification information is used to indicate the target terminal group; and the first association information is used to indicate the first network function and is associated with the first identification information or the second identification information.

[0047] In this embodiment of the application, the first network function is a PIN-related network function.

[0048] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the first network function can be a Personal Internet of Things Management Function (PINMF).

[0049] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the second network function may be Unified Data Management (UDM) or Network Exposure Function (NEF).

[0050] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the first identification information can be a Generic Public Subscription Identifier (GPSI), i.e., a telephone number.

[0051] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the second identification information can be the target terminal group ID, which can be understood as the target terminal group being the trusted member group.

[0052] Step 302: The second network function receives the first information sent by the first network function.

[0053] Step 303: The second network function sends the second information to the first network function.

[0054] In this embodiment of the application, the second information includes at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, third information, and fourth information.

[0055] In this embodiment of the application, the third information is used to indicate the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; the fourth information is used to indicate the association result of the first network function with the first identification information or with the second identification information.

[0056] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, the fourth information may include at least one of the following: association success information, association failure information, and fifth information.

[0057] In this embodiment of the application, the fifth information is used to indicate the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information.

[0058] In this embodiment of the application, the association success information is used to indicate that the first network function is successfully associated with the first identification information or with the second identification information.

[0059] In this embodiment of the application, the association failure information is used to indicate that the association between the first network function and the first identification information, or with the second identification information, has failed.

[0060] In this embodiment of the application, since the fourth information may include at least one of association success information, association failure information and fifth information, the second network function may send different fourth information to the first network function based on the specific interaction process with the first network function, so as to inform the first network function of different association results.

[0061] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the association success information is: information that does not include third information, or information that includes information related to the first network function.

[0062] In this embodiment of the application, since the association success information is either information that does not include the third information or information that includes information related to the first network function, the second network function can send different association success information to the first network function based on the specific interaction process with the first network function, so as to inform the first network function that the association with the first identification information or the second identification information is successful.

[0063] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the first information does not include the first associated information, so the above step 303 can be implemented by the following step 303a.

[0064] Step 303a: The second network function sends the second information to the first network function based on the first information.

[0065] In this embodiment of the application, the second information does not include the fourth information.

[0066] It is understood that the second information does not include the fourth information; that is, the second information is only used to respond to the information required by the first network function.

[0067] In this embodiment of the application, since the second network function can send the second information, which does not include the fourth information, to the first network function based on the first information that does not include the first associated information, the first network function can satisfy its need to query information by sending the fourth information to the first network function.

[0068] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the first information includes the first associated information, and the above step 303 can be specifically implemented by the following step 303b.

[0069] Step 303b: The second network function sends the second information to the first network function based on the first association information.

[0070] In this embodiment of the application, the second information includes the fourth information.

[0071] In this embodiment of the application, since the second network function can send the second information including the fourth information to the first network function based on the first information including the first association information, the registration requirements of the first network function can be met by sending the fourth information to the first network function.

[0072] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, if the second information does not include the third information, the second information includes the fourth information; and / or, if the second information includes the third information, the second information does not include the fourth information; and / or, if the second information includes the third information and the network function indicated by the third information is the first network function, the second information includes the fourth information, and the fourth information includes association success information; and / or, if the second information includes the third information and the network function indicated by the third information is not the first network function, the second information includes the fourth information, and the fourth information includes association failure information and / or the fifth information.

[0073] In this embodiment of the application, since the second information can be composed of different information, different association results can be indicated by sending different second information to the first network function to meet different interaction needs.

[0074] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the first information includes the second identification information, and the above step 303 can be specifically implemented by the following step 303c.

[0075] Step 303c: The second network function sends the second information to the first network function based on the second information that does not include the third information, or based on the third information.

[0076] In this embodiment of the application, the second information includes the first identification information.

[0077] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, if the second network function sends the second information to the first network function based on the second information that does not include the third information, it can instruct the first identification information or the second identification information to be associated with the first network function.

[0078] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, if the second network function sends the second information to the first network function based on the third information, it can indicate that the first identification information or the second identification information is associated with the network function indicated by the third information.

[0079] In this embodiment of the application, since the second network function can send the second information including the first identification information to the first network function based on the second information that does not include the third information, or based on the third information, when the first information includes the second identification information, the authorization result of the terminal in the target terminal group can be informed to the first network function through the second information.

[0080] Step 304: The first network function receives the second information from the second network function.

[0081] In the association method provided in this application embodiment, since the first network function associated with the PIN can receive at least one of the following through information interaction with the second network function: fourth information indicating the association result of the first network function with the first identification information or with the second identification information; third information indicating the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; second identification information indicating the target terminal group; and first identification information indicating the first terminal, the first terminal and the terminals in the target terminal group can correspond to the same network function when managing the PIN and its device, thereby improving the success rate of multiple managers jointly managing the PIN and its device.

[0082] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, before step 303 above, the association method provided in the embodiments of this application may further include step 305 below.

[0083] Step 305: The second network function obtains the second information from the third network function.

[0084] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the third network function can be a Unified Data Repository (UDR).

[0085] In this embodiment of the application, since the second network function can obtain the second information from the third network function before sending the second information to the first network function, the accuracy of the second information sent can be ensured.

[0086] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, step 305 can be implemented by steps 305a and 305b as described below, or by steps 305a, 305c and 305d as described below.

[0087] Step 305a: If the first information includes the first associated information, the second network function obtains the sixth information from the third network function.

[0088] In this embodiment of the application, the sixth information includes at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, and third information.

[0089] Step 305b: The second network function obtains the second information based on the first associated information and the sixth information.

[0090] Step 305c: The second network function sends the first associated information to the third network function based on the sixth information.

[0091] Step 305d: The second network function receives the second information sent by the third network function.

[0092] In this embodiment of the application, since the second network function can obtain the second information based on the first associated information and the sixth information, or can receive the second information from the third network function by sending the first associated information to the third network function based on the sixth information, the flexibility of the second network function in obtaining the second information can be improved.

[0093] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, the above step 305c can be specifically implemented by the following step 305c1.

[0094] Step 305c1: If the sixth information does not include the third information, the second network function sends the first associated information to the third network function.

[0095] It is understandable that the sixth piece of information does not include the third piece of information, that is, the first or second identification information does not have associated network functions.

[0096] In this embodiment, since the second network function sends the first association information to the third network function when the sixth information does not include the third information, the first association information can be sent when there is no associated network function for the first identification information or the second identification information, thus improving the success rate of association.

[0097] Optionally, the association method provided in this application embodiment may further include the following step 306.

[0098] Step 306: When the second network function receives the first information sent by the first network function, and has previously received the first information but has not yet obtained the second information from the third network function, it suspends the operation of obtaining the sixth information from the third network function.

[0099] It is understandable that suspending the operation of obtaining the sixth information from the third network function means stopping the operation of obtaining the sixth information from the third network function.

[0100] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the first information previously received may be sent by different first network functions.

[0101] In this embodiment, since the second network function suspends the operation of obtaining the sixth information from the third network function when it receives the first information sent by the first network function, and has previously received the first information but has not yet obtained the second information from the third network function, power consumption can be saved and the accuracy of obtaining the sixth information can be improved.

[0102] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the first information does not include the first associated information, and the second information does not include the fourth information. Then, after step 304 above, the association method provided in this embodiment of the application may further include step 307 below.

[0103] Step 307: The first network function sends the first associated information to the second network function based on the second information.

[0104] It is understandable that the first network function sends the first associated information to the second network function based on the second information, which can be used to request registration.

[0105] In this embodiment of the application, since the first network function can send the first association information to the second network function to request registration after receiving the second information (excluding the fourth information) from the second network function, the flexibility of association can be improved.

[0106] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, step 307 can be implemented by step 307a as described below.

[0107] Step 307a: If the second information does not include the third information, the first network function sends the first associated information to the second network function.

[0108] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the second information does not include the third information, that is, the second information does not include information about network functions associated with the first identification information or the second identification information.

[0109] In this embodiment of the application, since the first network function can send the first association information to the second network function even if the second information does not include the third information, the success rate of association can be further improved.

[0110] Optionally, the association method provided in the embodiments of this application may further include the following steps 308 and 309.

[0111] Step 308: The first network function receives the fourth information from the second network function.

[0112] Step 309: The first network function sends instruction information to the first terminal based on the fourth information.

[0113] In this embodiment of the application, the above-mentioned indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the network function associated with the first terminal, the association success information, and the association failure information.

[0114] In this embodiment of the application, since the first network function can send indication information to the first terminal based on the fourth information, indicating at least one of the network function associated with the first terminal, the association success information, and the association failure information, that is, the indication information can be sent to the first terminal based on the association result of the first network function with the first identification information or with the second identification information, the accuracy of the indication to the first terminal can be improved.

[0115] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the first information does not include the first associated information, and the second information includes the third information. Then, after step 304 above, the association method provided in this embodiment of the application may further include the following step 310.

[0116] Step 310: The first network function sends instruction information to the first terminal based on the third information.

[0117] In this embodiment of the application, the above-mentioned indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the network function associated with the first terminal, the association success information, and the association failure information.

[0118] It is understood that the first information does not include the first associated information, and the second information includes the third information. That is, when the first network function only needs to query the identification information, it can also receive network function information associated with the first identification information or the second identification information.

[0119] In this embodiment of the application, since the first information does not include the first associated information and the second information includes the third information, the first network function can send instruction information to the first terminal based on the third information, thus ensuring the accuracy of the instruction information.

[0120] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, the first information includes first association information, the second information includes fourth information but does not include third information, then the association method provided in the embodiments of this application may further include the following step 311.

[0121] Step 311: The first network function sends instruction information to the first terminal based on the fourth information.

[0122] In this embodiment of the application, the above-mentioned indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the network function associated with the first terminal, the association success information, and the association failure information.

[0123] It is understood that the first information includes the first associated information, the second information includes the fourth information but does not include the third information, that is, the first network function does not need to query the identification information, but only needs to register.

[0124] In this embodiment of the application, since the first information includes the first associated information and the second information includes the fourth information but does not include the third information, the first network function can send the indication information to the first terminal based on the fourth information, thus further ensuring the accuracy of the indication information.

[0125] The association method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described exemplarily below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0126] For example, taking PEMC registering itself with PINMF as an example, if PEMC users have already signed up for the PIN service, then... Figure 4 As shown, the registration process is as follows: 1. The PEMC (i.e., the first terminal) sends a registration request (including GPSI, i.e., the first identification information) to PINMF-A (i.e., the first network function) based on pre-configured information; 2. PINMF-A interacts with UDR (i.e., the third network function) to check whether the terminal identified by the GPSI has already subscribed to become a PEMC. If the terminal has already subscribed to become a PEMC, UDR returns the PEMC's Trusted Member Group ID (i.e., the second identification information). This interaction is via UDM or NEF (i.e., the second network function). 3. If PINMF-A has not registered a GPSI or Trusted Member Group ID, then PINMF-A sends a PINMF registration request (including GPSI / Trusted Member Group ID, PINMF information) to UDM / NEF. The purpose of registering PINMF is to allow users to still perform management operations when they change their PEMC's phone or use other PEMCs in the Trusted Member Group. 4. UDM / NEF queries the PINMF information from UDR based on the GPSI or Trusted Member Group ID. UDR returns the PINMF information associated with the GPSI or Trusted Member Group ID. 5. If the UDR does not return PINMF information, then the UDM / NEF registers the PINMF with the UDR associated with the GPSI or Trusted Member Group ID. During this process, the UDM / NEF will not process consecutive PINMF registration requests associated with the GPSI or Trusted Member Group ID until steps 4 and 5 are completed. 6. The UDM / NEF responds with PINMF-A, which may include PINMF information. 7. If steps 3-6 were not performed, or if steps 3-6 were performed but no PINMF information was received, then PINMF-A responds to the PEMC with the assigned PEMC ID. If steps 3-6 were performed and PINMF information unrelated to PINMF-A was received, then PINMF-A instructs the PEMC to redirect registration to PINMF-B indicated by the received PINMF information. 8. If the PEMC is instructed to redirect registration, steps 1-7a are performed again using PINMF-B. In this way, the PEMC can register itself with the PINMF.

[0127] This application provides an association identification method. Figure 5 A flowchart of the association identification method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 5 As shown, the association identification method provided in this application embodiment may include the following step 501.

[0128] Step 501: The first network function sends the target identification information to the second network function.

[0129] In this embodiment of the application, the target identification information includes at least one of the following: first identification information; first identification information and third identification information;

[0130] In this embodiment of the application, the first identification information is used to indicate the first terminal or the target terminal group, and the third identification information is used to indicate the second terminal.

[0131] In the association identification method provided in the embodiments of this application, since the first network function related to the PIN can send the first identification information to the second network function, or send the first identification information and the third identification information, and the first identification information can be used to indicate the first terminal or the target terminal group, and the third identification information can be used to indicate the second terminal, the association relationship between terminals can be identified through the second network function, thereby improving the accuracy of association identification.

[0132] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the target identification information includes first identification information and third identification information. Then, the association identification method provided in this embodiment of the application may further include the following step 502.

[0133] Step 502: The first network function receives target association information from the second network function.

[0134] In this embodiment of the application, the target association information is used to indicate the association result between the first identification information and the third identification information.

[0135] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, the target association information may include third identification information or may not include third identification information.

[0136] It is understandable that if the target association information includes the third identification information, then the first identification information is associated with the third identification information; if the target association information does not include the third identification information, then the first identification information is not associated with the third identification information.

[0137] In this embodiment of the application, since the target association information may include or exclude the third identification information, the first network function can obtain the different association results between the first identification information and the third identification information through the target association relationship.

[0138] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the target association information is used to indicate the association result between the first identification information and the third identification information, and may include at least one of the following:

[0139] When the first identification information is used to indicate the first terminal, the target association information is used to indicate whether the first terminal and the second terminal are in the same terminal group or not in the same terminal group.

[0140] When the first identification information is used to indicate the target terminal group, the target association information is used to indicate whether the target terminal group includes the second terminal or does not include the second terminal.

[0141] In this embodiment of the application, since the target association information can indicate different content when the first identification information indicates the first terminal or the target terminal group, the flexibility of the content indicated by the target association information can be improved.

[0142] In this embodiment of the application, since the target identification information includes first identification information and third identification information, the first network function can receive target association information from the second network function to indicate the association result between the first identification information and the third identification information. Therefore, the association relationship between different identification information can be identified through the identification information, thereby improving the flexibility of association identification.

[0143] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the target identification information includes first identification information. Then, before step 501 above, the association identification method provided in this embodiment of the application may further include step 503 below; after step 501 above, the association identification method provided in this embodiment of the application may further include steps 504 and 505 below.

[0144] Step 503: The first network function receives the fourth identification information from the first terminal.

[0145] In this embodiment of the application, the fourth identification information is used to indicate the third terminal.

[0146] Step 504: The first network function receives the third identification information from the second network function.

[0147] Step 505: The first network function sends the fourth identification information to the first terminal based on the third identification information and the fourth identification information.

[0148] In this embodiment, since the first network function can first receive the fourth identification information for indicating the third terminal from the first terminal, and then after sending the first identification information to the second network function, it can receive the third identification information from the second network function, and send the fourth identification information to the first terminal based on the third identification information and the fourth identification information, the accuracy of sending the fourth identification information to the first terminal can be improved.

[0149] For other descriptions in the embodiments of this application, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments. To avoid repetition, they will not be repeated here.

[0150] The association method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described exemplarily below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0151] For example, taking the PEMC request to create a PIN as an example, if a user can sign up to be a trusted member of PEMC or PEGC, then as follows Figure 6 As shown, the creation process is as follows: 1. The PEMC sends a PIN creation request (including PEMC ID, PIN name, PIN description, [Duration], [Additional PEMC GPSIs]) to the PINMF (i.e., the first network function) through the application layer. The Duration indicates the PIN's validity period, and the Additional PEMC GPSIs indicate the additional PEMCs authorized to manage the PIN. 2. If the PINMF receives the Additional PEMC GPSIs, it checks with the UDR whether the Additional PEMC identified by the Additional PEMC GPSIs is included in the trusted members of the PEMC identified by the PEMC ID. Interaction between the PINMF and the UDR can be via the UDM or the NEF (i.e., the second network function). The NEF verifies whether the PINMF is a PIN registered in the trusted member group. Although a PIN may contain multiple PEMCs, at any given time, the PINMF only allows one PEMC to control the PIN. 3. The PINMF responds to the PEMC with the PIN ID assigned to the PIN. If the UE identified by the Additional PEMC GPSIs is not authorized as a PEMC, the response includes the corresponding error information. This allows the PEMC to create the PIN.

[0152] The association method provided in this application can be executed by an association device. This application uses an association device executing the association method as an example to illustrate the association device provided in this application.

[0153] Combination Figure 7This application provides an association device 70 applied to a first network function, which is a PIN-related network function. The association device 70 may include a sending module 71 and a receiving module 72. The sending module 71 can be used to send first information to a second network function. The first information includes at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, and first association information; wherein the first identification information indicates a first terminal, the second identification information indicates a target terminal group, and the first association information indicates a first network function, and the first network function is associated with the first identification information or the second identification information. The receiving module 72 can be used to receive second information from the second network function. The second information includes at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, third information, and fourth information; wherein the third information indicates a network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; and the fourth information indicates the association result between the first network function and the first identification information, or with the second identification information.

[0154] In one possible implementation, the fourth information includes at least one of the following: association success information, association failure information, and fifth information; wherein the fifth information is used to indicate the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information.

[0155] In one possible implementation, the first information does not include the first associated information, and the second information does not include the fourth information. The sending module 71 can also be used to send the first associated information to the second network function based on the second information after the receiving module 72 receives the second information from the second network function.

[0156] In one possible implementation, the sending module 71 can be used to send the first associated information to the second network function when the second information does not include the third information.

[0157] In one possible implementation, the receiving module 72 can also be used to receive fourth information from the second network function. The sending module 71 can also be used to send indication information to the first terminal based on the fourth information, the indication information being used to indicate at least one of the following: the network function associated with the first terminal, association success information, and association failure information.

[0158] In one possible implementation, the first information does not include the first association information, and the second information includes the third information. The sending module 71 can also be used to send indication information to the first terminal based on the third information after the receiving module 72 receives the second information from the second network function. The indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the network function associated with the first terminal, association success information, and association failure information.

[0159] In one possible implementation, the first information includes first association information, and the second information includes fourth information but does not include third information. The sending module 71 can also be used to send indication information to the first terminal based on the fourth information, the indication information being used to indicate at least one of the following: the network function associated with the first terminal, association success information, and association failure information.

[0160] In the association device provided in this application embodiment, since the association device associated with the PIN can receive at least one of the following through information interaction with the second network function: fourth information indicating the association result of the first network function with the first identification information or with the second identification information; third information indicating the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; second identification information indicating the target terminal group; and first identification information indicating the first terminal, the first terminal and the terminals in the target terminal group can correspond to the same network function when managing the PIN and its device, thereby improving the success rate of multiple managers jointly managing the PIN and its device.

[0161] The associated device in this application embodiment can be an electronic device, such as an electronic device with an operating system, or a component in an electronic device, such as an integrated circuit or a chip. The electronic device can be a terminal or other devices besides a terminal. For example, the terminal can be, but is not limited to, the type of terminal 11 listed above, and other devices can be servers, network attached storage (NAS), etc., and this application embodiment does not specifically limit the types.

[0162] The association device provided in this application embodiment can implement the various processes implemented in the above-described association method embodiment applied to the first network function, and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0163] Combination Figure 8This application provides an association device 80, which is applied to a second network function. The association device 80 may include a receiving module 81 and a sending module 82. The receiving module 81 can be used to receive first information sent by a first network function. The first information includes at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, and first association information; wherein the first network function is a PIN-related network function, the first identification information is used to indicate a first terminal, the second identification information is used to indicate a target terminal group, and the first association information is used to indicate the first network function, wherein the first network function is associated with the first identification information or the second identification information. The sending module 82 can be used to send second information to the first network function. The second information includes at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, third information, and fourth information; wherein the third information is used to indicate a network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; and the fourth information is used to indicate the association result between the first network function and the first identification information, or with the second identification information.

[0164] In one possible implementation, the fourth information includes at least one of the following: association success information, association failure information, and fifth information; wherein the fifth information is used to indicate the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information.

[0165] In one possible implementation, the first information does not include the first associated information. Specifically, the sending module 82 can be used to send second information to the first network function based on the first information; wherein the second information does not include the fourth information.

[0166] In one possible implementation, the first information includes first associated information. Specifically, the sending module 82 can be used to send second information to a first network function based on the first associated information; wherein the second information includes fourth information.

[0167] In one possible implementation, if the second information does not include the third information, the second information includes the fourth information; and / or, if the second information includes the third information, the second information does not include the fourth information; and / or, if the second information includes the third information and the network function indicated by the third information is the first network function, the second information includes the fourth information, and the fourth information includes association success information; and / or, if the second information includes the third information and the network function indicated by the third information is not the first network function, the second information includes the fourth information, and the fourth information includes association failure information and / or the fifth information.

[0168] In one possible implementation, the association device 80 may further include an acquisition module. The acquisition module may be used to acquire the second information from the third network function before the sending module 82 sends the second information to the first network function.

[0169] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned acquisition module can be specifically used to acquire sixth information from a third network function when the first information includes first associated information. The sixth information includes at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, and third information; and acquire second information based on the first associated information and the sixth information; or, send the first associated information to the third network function based on the sixth information and receive the second information sent by the third network function.

[0170] In one possible implementation, the sending module 82 can be used to send the first associated information to the third network function when the sixth information does not include the third information.

[0171] In one possible implementation, the association device 80 may further include a processing module. The processing module can be used to suspend the operation of obtaining sixth information from the third network function when it receives first information sent by the first network function, and has previously received the first information but has not yet obtained the second information from the third network function.

[0172] In one possible implementation, the association success information is either information that does not include third-party information, or information that includes information related to the first network function.

[0173] In one possible implementation, the first information includes second identification information. Specifically, the sending module 82 can be used to send the second information to the first network function based on the second information excluding the third information, or based on the third information; wherein the second information includes the first identification information.

[0174] In the association device provided in this application embodiment, since the association device can send at least one of the following to the first network function (the network function related to the PIN): fourth information indicating the association result of the first network function with the first identification information or with the second identification information; third information indicating the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; second identification information indicating the target terminal group; and first identification information indicating the first terminal, through information interaction with the first network function (the network function related to the PIN), the first terminal and the terminals in the target terminal group can correspond to the same network function when managing the PIN and its devices, thereby improving the success rate of multiple managers jointly managing the PIN and its devices.

[0175] The associated device in this application embodiment can be an electronic device, such as an electronic device with an operating system, or a component in an electronic device, such as an integrated circuit or a chip. The electronic device can be a terminal or other devices besides a terminal. For example, the terminal can be, but is not limited to, the type of terminal 11 listed above, and other devices can be servers, network attached storage (NAS), etc., and this application embodiment does not specifically limit the types.

[0176] The association device provided in this application embodiment can implement the various processes implemented in the above-described association method embodiment applied to the second network function, and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0177] The association identification method provided in this application can be executed by an association identification device. This application uses an association identification device executing the association identification method as an example to illustrate the association identification device provided in this application.

[0178] Combination Figure 9 This application provides an association identification device 90, which is applied to a first network function, namely a PIN-related network function. The association identification device 90 may include a sending module 91. The sending module 91 can be used to send target identification information to a second network function. The target identification information includes any one of the following: first identification information; first identification information and third identification information; wherein the first identification information is used to indicate a first terminal or a target terminal group, and the third identification information is used to indicate a second terminal.

[0179] In one possible implementation, the target identification information includes first identification information and third identification information, and the association identification device 90 may further include a receiving module. The receiving module can be used to receive target association information from a second network function, and the target association information is used to indicate the association result between the first identification information and the third identification information.

[0180] In one possible implementation, the target association information may include third identification information or may not include third identification information.

[0181] In one possible implementation, the target association information is used to indicate the association result between the first identification information and the third identification information, including at least one of the following: when the first identification information is used to indicate the first terminal, the target association information is used to indicate that the first terminal and the second terminal are in the same terminal group or not in the same terminal group; when the first identification information is used to indicate the target terminal group, the target association information is used to indicate that the target terminal group includes the second terminal or does not include the second terminal.

[0182] In one possible implementation, the target identification information includes first identification information. The receiving module can also be configured to receive fourth identification information from the first terminal before the sending module 91 sends the target identification information to the second network function, wherein the fourth identification information is used to indicate the third terminal. The receiving module can also be configured to receive third identification information from the second network function after the sending module 91 sends the target identification information to the second network function. The sending module 91 can also be configured to send the fourth identification information to the first terminal based on the third and fourth identification information.

[0183] In the association identification device provided in the embodiments of this application, since the association identification device related to the PIN can send first identification information to the second network function, or send first identification information and third identification information, and the first identification information can be used to indicate the first terminal or target terminal group, and the third identification information can be used to indicate the second terminal, the association relationship between terminals can be identified through the second network function, thereby improving the accuracy of association identification.

[0184] The association identification device in this application embodiment can be an electronic device, such as an electronic device with an operating system, or a component in an electronic device, such as an integrated circuit or a chip. The electronic device can be a terminal or other devices besides a terminal. For example, the terminal can be, but is not limited to, the type of terminal 11 listed above, and other devices can be servers, network attached storage (NAS), etc., and this application embodiment does not specifically limit the types.

[0185] The association identification device provided in this application embodiment can realize the various processes implemented in the above-described association identification method embodiment applied to the first network function, and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0186] Optionally, such as Figure 10 As shown, this application embodiment also provides a communication device 100, including a processor 101 and a memory 102. The memory 102 stores a program or instructions that can run on the processor 101. For example, when the communication device 100 is a network function, when the program or instructions are executed by the processor 101, they implement the various steps of the above-described first network function side or second network function side method embodiments and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0187] This application embodiment also provides a network function, including a processor and a communication interface. The network function is a PIN-related network function. The communication interface is used to send first information to a second network function, the first information including at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, and first association information; wherein the first identification information indicates a first terminal, the second identification information indicates a target terminal group, and the first association information indicates that the first network function is associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; and receives second information from the second network function, the second information including at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, third information, and fourth information; wherein the third information indicates the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; and the fourth information indicates the association result between the first network function and the first identification information, or with the second identification information. Alternatively, the communication interface is used to receive first information sent by a first network function, the first information including at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, and first association information; wherein the first network function is a PIN-related network function, the first identification information is used to indicate a first terminal, the second identification information is used to indicate a target terminal group, and the first association information is used to indicate that the first network function is associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; and sends second information to the first network function, the second information including at least one of the following: first identification information, second identification information, third information, and fourth information; wherein the third information is used to indicate the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; and the fourth information is used to indicate the association result of the first network function with the first identification information or with the second identification information. Alternatively, the network function is a PIN-related network function, and the communication interface is used to send target identification information to the second network function, the target identification information including any one of the following: first identification information; first identification information and third identification information; wherein the first identification information is used to indicate a first terminal or a target terminal group, and the third identification information is used to indicate a second terminal. This network function embodiment corresponds to the first network function or the second network function method embodiment described above. All implementation processes and methods of the above method embodiments can be applied to this network function embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect.

[0188] Specifically, embodiments of this application also provide a network function. For example... Figure 11 As shown, the network function 1100 includes a processor 1101, a network interface 1102, and a memory 1103. The network interface 1102 is, for example, a common public radio interface (CPRI).

[0189] Specifically, the network function 1100 of this embodiment of the invention further includes: instructions or programs stored in memory 1103 and executable on processor 1101, wherein processor 1101 calls the instructions or programs in memory 1103 to execute. Figures 7 to 9 The methods executed by each module shown achieve the same technical effect, and to avoid repetition, they will not be described in detail here.

[0190] The network functions provided in this application embodiment can realize the various processes of the first network function or the second network function in the above method embodiment and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0191] This application also provides a readable storage medium storing a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the various processes of the above method embodiments and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0192] The processor mentioned above is the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiments. The readable storage medium can be a non-volatile readable storage medium or a non-transient readable storage medium. For example, the readable storage medium can include a computer-readable storage medium, such as a computer read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0193] This application embodiment also provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor. The processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above method embodiments and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0194] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a system-on-a-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip, etc.

[0195] This application also provides a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium and executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes of the above method embodiments and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0196] This application also provides a communication system, including: a terminal and a network-side device, including: a first network function and a second network function, wherein the first network function can be used to perform the steps of the above-described association method, or to perform the steps of the above-described association identification method, and the second network function can be used to perform the steps of the above-described association method.

[0197] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatuses in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0198] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of software plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms. Of course, they can also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases the former is a better implementation method. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a computer software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM / RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk) and includes several instructions to cause a terminal (which may be a mobile phone, computer, server, air conditioner, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0199] The embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other forms under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and all of these forms are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A method for association, characterized in that, The method includes: A first network function sends first information to a second network function, the first information including first association information and at least one of the following: first identification information and second identification information; Wherein, the first network function is a network function related to a Personal Internet of Things (PIoT) PIN; the first identification information is used to indicate a first terminal; the second identification information is used to indicate a target terminal group; the first association information is used to indicate the first network function; and the first network function is associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; the first terminal includes a Personal Internet of Things Management Device (PEMC); and the target terminal group includes a trusted member group of the PEMC. The first network function receives second information from the second network function, the second information including at least one of third information and fourth information and at least one of the following: the first identification information and the second identification information; The third information is used to indicate the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; the fourth information is used to indicate the association result between the first network function and the first identification information, or with the second identification information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fourth information includes at least one of the following: association success information, association failure information, and fifth information; The fifth piece of information is used to indicate network functions associated with the first identification information or the second identification information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information does not include the first associated information, and the second information does not include the fourth information; After the first network function receives the second information from the second network function, the method further includes: The first network function sends the first associated information to the second network function based on the second information.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first network function sends the first associated information to the second network function based on the second information, including: If the second information does not include the third information, the first network function sends the first associated information to the second network function.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first network function receives the fourth information from the second network function; Based on the fourth information, the first network function sends indication information to the first terminal, the indication information being used to indicate at least one of the following: The network functions associated with the first terminal, association success information, and association failure information.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information does not include the first associated information, and the second information includes the third information; After the first network function receives the second information from the second network function, the method further includes: Based on the third information, the first network function sends indication information to the first terminal, the indication information indicating at least one of the following: The network functions associated with the first terminal, association success information, and association failure information.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information includes the first associated information, the second information includes the fourth information but does not include the third information, and the method further includes: Based on the fourth information, the first network function sends indication information to the first terminal, the indication information being used to indicate at least one of the following: The network functions associated with the first terminal, association success information, and association failure information.

8. A method for association, characterized in that, The method includes: The second network function receives first information sent by the first network function, the first information including first association information and at least one of the following: first identification information and second identification information; Wherein, the first network function is a PIN-related network function, the first identification information is used to indicate the first terminal, the second identification information is used to indicate the target terminal group, the first association information is used to indicate the first network function, and the first network function is associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; the first terminal includes a Personal Internet of Things Management Device (PEMC), and the target terminal group includes the trusted member group of the PEMC; The second network function sends second information to the first network function, the second information including at least one of third information and fourth information and at least one of the following: the first identification information and the second identification information; The third information is used to indicate the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; the fourth information is used to indicate the association result between the first network function and the first identification information, or with the second identification information.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The fourth information includes at least one of the following: association success information, association failure information, and fifth information; The fifth piece of information is used to indicate network functions associated with the first identification information or the second identification information.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The first information does not include the first associated information; the second network function sends second information to the first network function, including: The second network function sends the second information to the first network function based on the first information; The second information does not include the fourth information.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that, The first information includes the first associated information; The second network function sends second information to the first network function, including: The second network function sends the second information to the first network function based on the first association information; The second information includes the fourth information.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, If the second information does not include the third information, the second information includes the fourth information; And / or, If the second information includes the third information, the second information does not include the fourth information; And / or, If the second information includes the third information and the network function indicated by the third information is the first network function, then the second information includes the fourth information, and the fourth information includes association success information. And / or, If the second information includes the third information, and the network function indicated by the third information is not the first network function, then the second information includes the fourth information, and the fourth information includes association failure information and / or fifth information.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that, Before the second network function sends the second information to the first network function, the method further includes: The second network function obtains the second information from the third network function.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The second network function obtains the second information from the third network function, including: When the first information includes the first associated information, the second network function obtains the sixth information from the third network function, and the sixth information includes at least one of the following: the first identification information, the second identification information, and the third information; The second network function obtains the second information based on the first association information and the sixth information; or, The second network function sends the first associated information to the third network function based on the sixth information; The second network function receives the second information sent by the third network function.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The second network function sends the first associated information to the third network function based on the sixth information, including: If the sixth information does not include the third information, the second network function sends the first associated information to the third network function.

16. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the second network function receives the first information sent by the first network function, and has previously received the first information but has not yet obtained the second information from the third network function, it suspends the operation of obtaining the sixth information from the third network function.

17. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The association success information is either information that does not include the third information, or information that includes information related to the first network function.

18. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that, The first information includes the second identification information; The second network function sends second information to the first network function, including: The second network function sends the second information to the first network function based on the second information excluding the third information, or based on the third information; The second information includes the first identification information.

19. An association device applied to a first network function, wherein the first network function is a PIN-related network function, characterized in that, The device includes a transmitting module and a receiving module; The sending module is used to send first information to the second network function, the first information including first association information and at least one of the following: first identification information and second identification information; Wherein, the first identification information is used to indicate a first terminal, the second identification information is used to indicate a target terminal group, the first association information is used to indicate the first network function, and the first network function is associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; the first terminal includes a Personal Internet of Things Management Device (PEMC), and the target terminal group includes a trusted member group of the PEMC; The receiving module is configured to receive second information from the second network function, the second information including at least one of third information and fourth information and at least one of the following: the first identification information and the second identification information; The third information is used to indicate the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; the fourth information is used to indicate the association result between the first network function and the first identification information, or with the second identification information.

20. An association device applied to a second network function, characterized in that, The device includes a receiving module and a transmitting module; The receiving module is used to receive first information sent by the first network function, the first information including first association information and at least one of the following: first identification information and second identification information; Wherein, the first network function is a PIN-related network function, the first identification information is used to indicate the first terminal, the second identification information is used to indicate the target terminal group, the first association information is used to indicate the first network function, and the first network function is associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; the first terminal includes a Personal Internet of Things Management Device (PEMC), and the target terminal group includes the trusted member group of the PEMC; The sending module is configured to send second information to the first network function, the second information including at least one of third information and fourth information and at least one of the following: the first identification information and the second identification information; The third information is used to indicate the network function associated with the first identification information or the second identification information; the fourth information is used to indicate the association result between the first network function and the first identification information, or with the second identification information.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions that can run on the processor, the program or instructions being executed by the processor to implement the steps of the association method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, or to implement the steps of the association method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 18.

22. A readable storage medium, characterized in that, The readable storage medium stores a program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the association method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, or implement the steps of the association method as described in any one of claims 8 to 18.

Images