Information processing method, terminal, first network element, communication system and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a processing method, a terminal, a first network element, a communication system and a storage system. The information processing method comprises the steps that the terminal sends a first request to a first network element; wherein the first request comprises path switching indication information, and the path switching indication information is used for requesting the MA PDU session to be switched from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access; therefore, the MA PDU session of the terminal can realize path switching among a plurality of 3GPP access networks, on one hand, the method can adapt to more scenes, on the other hand, new 3GPP access can be used when the current 3GPP access is changed, and the service experience is ensured.

Description

Information processing method, terminal, first network element, communication system and storage medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to an information processing method, a terminal, a first network element, a communication system and a storage medium.

[0002] In the field of communication technology, terminals and network devices can support the access traffic steering, splitting, switching (ATSSS) function; and supporting the ATSSS function requires establishing a multi-access (MA) protocol data unit (PDU) connection service.

[0003]

[0004] The disclosed embodiments need to solve the problem of how to implement the switching of an MA PDU session from one 3GPP access to another 3GPP access when an MA PDU session is established through multiple 3GPP access networks.

[0005] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, an information processing method is proposed, including: a terminal sends a first request to a first network element; wherein the first request includes path switching indication information, and the path switching indication information is used to request that an MA PDU session be switched from using a first 3GPP access to using a second 3GPP access.

[0006] According to the second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, an information processing method is proposed, including: a first network element receives a first request sent by a terminal; wherein the first request includes path switching indication information, and the path switching indication information is used to request a multi-access protocol data unit MA PDU session to switch from using a first 3GPP access to using a second 3GPP access.

[0007] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, an information processing method is proposed, including: a core network device receives a first request sent by a terminal, wherein the first request includes path switching indication information, and the path switching indication information is used to request that an MA PDU session be switched from using a first 3GPP access to using a second 3GPP access.

[0008] According to the fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is proposed, comprising: a first transceiver module, configured to send a first request to a first network element; wherein the first request includes path switching indication information, and the path switching indication information is used to request that the MA PDU session be switched from using a first 3GPP access to using a second 3GPP access.

[0009] According to the fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network element is proposed, comprising: a second transceiver module, configured to receive a first request sent by a terminal; wherein the first request includes path switching indication information, and the path switching indication information is used to request that the MA PDU session be switched from using a first 3GPP access to using a second 3GPP access.

[0010] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the terminal is used to execute an optional implementation of the first aspect.

[0011] According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network element is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the first network element is used to execute an optional implementation method of the second aspect.

[0012] According to the eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is proposed, comprising: a terminal and a terminal; wherein the above-mentioned network device is configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect, and the above-mentioned terminal is configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0013] According to the ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is proposed, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect and the third aspect.

[0014] The embodiments of the present disclosure can implement the switching of an MA PDU session from one 3GPP access to another 3GPP access.

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings required for describing the embodiments are introduced below. The following drawings are only some embodiments of the present disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG1A is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG1B is a schematic diagram showing an ATSSS function according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG3A is a schematic flow chart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG3B is a flowchart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG4A is a flow chart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG4B is a flow chart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG4C is a flowchart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG4D is a flow chart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG4E is a flowchart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG5 is a flow chart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG6A is a flowchart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG6B is a flowchart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG7B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first network element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG8A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG8B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an information processing method, a terminal, a first network element, a communication system, and a storage system.

[0034] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes an information processing method, including: a terminal sends a first request to a first network element; wherein the first request includes path switching indication information, and the path switching indication information is used to request that an MA PDU session be switched from using a first 3GPP access to using a second 3GPP access.

[0035] In the above embodiment, a first request can be sent by the terminal to the first network element to request that the MA PDU session be switched from one 3GPP access to another 3GPP access, so that the MA PDU session of the terminal can realize path switching between multiple 3GPP access networks; on the one hand, this can adapt to more scenarios, and on the other hand, when the current 3GPP access changes, the new 3GPP access can be used to ensure the service experience.

[0036] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first request further includes: an MA PDU session identifier, where the MA PDU session identifier is used to identify an MA PDU session established by the terminal through multiple access networks.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the MA PDU session identifier may be used to identify the MA PDU session, so that the first network element can know which MA PDU session is to be path-switched, thereby facilitating path switching of the MA PDU session.

[0038] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the path switching indication information is further used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0039] Before the path switching of the MA PDU session is completed, the connection established by the terminal through the first 3GPP access will not be released;

[0040] Before the path switching of the MA PDU session is completed, the terminal can continue to use the MA PDU session established based on the first 3GPP access.

[0041] In the above embodiment, before the MA PDU session path switching is completed, by retaining the connection established through the first 3GPP access, it can be ensured that the terminal can continue to use the MA PDU session or other operations established through the first 3GPP access, thereby reducing the occurrence of situations that affect the service experience.

[0042] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first request includes one of the following:

[0043] Registration request for mobility registration update;

[0044] Registration request for initial registration.

[0045] In the above embodiment, during the mobility registration update process or the initial registration process, the first network element may be requested to execute the switching of the MA PDU session from one 3GPP access to another 3GPP access, thereby adapting to more application scenarios.

[0046] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0047] A first response is received, wherein the first response includes one of:

[0048] The first indication information is used to indicate the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal;

[0049] The second indication information is used to indicate rejection of path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal.

[0050] In the above embodiment, whether the path switching of the MA PDU session is successful can be learned by the terminal receiving the first response sent by the first network element.

[0051] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes an information processing method, including: a first network element receives a first request sent by a terminal; wherein the first request includes path switching indication information, and the path switching indication information is used to request a multi-access protocol data unit MA PDU session to switch from using a first 3GPP access to using a second 3GPP access.

[0052] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first request further includes: an MA PDU session identifier, where the MA PDU session identifier is used to identify an MA PDU session established by the terminal through multiple access networks.

[0053] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the path switching indication information is further used to indicate one of the following indications:

[0054] Before the path switching of the MA PDU session is completed, the connection established by the terminal through the first 3GPP access will not be released;

[0055] Before the path switching of the MA PDU session is completed, the terminal can continue to use the MA PDU session established based on the first 3GPP access.

[0056] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first request includes one of the following:

[0057] Registration request for mobility registration update;

[0058] Registration request for initial registration.

[0059] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: determining whether to accept the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal based on the first request.

[0060] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to accept the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal based on the first request includes one of the following:

[0061] Based on receiving the first request and the first network element supporting 3GPP access path switching, determining to accept the MA PDU session switching from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access;

[0062] Based on receiving the first request and the first network element not supporting 3GPP access path switching, it is determined to reject switching of the MA PDU session from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access.

[0063] In the above embodiment, when the first network element receives the first request, it can determine whether to accept the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal according to whether the first network element supports 3GPP access path switching.

[0064] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0065] Based on accepting the switching of the MA PDU session from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access, a first response is sent to the terminal, wherein the first response includes: first indication information; the first indication information is used to indicate the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal.

[0066] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to accept the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal based on the first request includes:

[0067] Based on the fact that the first network element selected by the terminal through the first 3GPP access is different from the first network element selected by the terminal through the second 3GPP access, it is determined to reject the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal.

[0068] In the above embodiment, if the first network element selected by the first 3GPP access and the first network element selected by the second 3GPP access are different, it can be determined that the PLMNs of the first 3GPP access and the second 3GPP access are different, and it can be determined to reject the path switching request for the MA PDU session of the terminal, thereby simplifying the complex MA PDU session path switching process.

[0069] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0070] Based on rejecting the switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access, a first response is sent to the terminal, wherein the first response includes: second indication information; the second indication information is used to indicate the path switching of the MA PDU session of the rejected terminal.

[0071] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: based on the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal switching from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access, sending a second request corresponding to the first request to the second network element.

[0072] In the above embodiment, after the first network element determines the switching path of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, it may send a second request to the second network element so that the second network element can establish a connection with other devices.

[0073] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first request corresponding to the second request is a registration request for mobility registration update, and the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0074] Establishing an N2 connection with a second 3GPP access based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal;

[0075] After the N2 connection with the second 3GPP access is established, the N2 connection with the first 3GPP access is released based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal;

[0076] Based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, a user plane data connection is established with the terminal through the second 3GPP access;

[0077] Based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, after the user plane data connection is established through the second 3GPP access, the user plane data connection between the terminal and the first 3GPP access is released.

[0078] In the above embodiment, for the registration request of the mobility registration update, after the first network element determines to accept the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal, it can establish an N2 connection with the second 3GPP access and release the N2 connection with the first 3GPP access, and / or can establish a user plane data connection with the terminal through the second 3GPP access and release the user plane data connection between the terminal and the first 3GPP access, etc., thereby completing the switching of the MA PDU session from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access.

[0079] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first request corresponding to the second request is a registration request for initial registration, and the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0080] Based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, establish an N2 connection with the second 3GPP access and / or establish an N1 connection with the terminal through the second 3GPP access;

[0081] Based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, after the N2 connection with the second 3GPP is established, the N2 connection with the first 3GPP access is released and / or the N1 connection with the terminal through the first 3GPP access is released;

[0082] Based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, a user plane data connection is established with the terminal through the second 3GPP access;

[0083] Based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, after the user plane data connection is established through the second 3GPP access, the user plane data connection between the terminal and the first 3GPP access is released.

[0084] In the above embodiment, for the registration request of the initial registration, after the first network element determines to accept the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal, it can establish the N2 and N1 connections between the second 3GPP access and release the N2 and N1 connections between the first 3GPP access, and / or it can establish a user plane data connection with the terminal through the second 3GPP access and release the user plane data connection between the terminal and the first 3GPP access, etc., thereby completing the switching of the MA PDU session from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access.

[0085] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element is an access and mobility management function; and / or the second network element includes: a session management function SMF, or a user plane network element UPF.

[0086] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes an information processing method, including: a core network device receives a first request sent by a terminal, wherein the first request includes path switching indication information, and the path switching indication information is used to request that the MA PDU session be switched from using a first 3GPP access to using a second 3GPP access.

[0087] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a terminal, comprising: a first transceiver module, configured to send a first request to a first network element; wherein the first request includes path switching indication information, and the path switching indication information is used to request that the MA PDU session be switched from using a first 3GPP access to using a second 3GPP access.

[0088] In the fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first network element, comprising: a second transceiver module, configured to receive a first request sent by a terminal; wherein the first request includes path switching indication information, and the path switching indication information is used to request that the MA PDU session be switched from using a first 3GPP access to using a second 3GPP access.

[0089] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a terminal, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the terminal is used to execute the optional implementation method of the first aspect.

[0090] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first network element, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the first network element is used to execute an optional implementation method of the first aspect.

[0091] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, comprising: a terminal and a first network element; wherein the terminal is configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect, and the first network element is configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0092] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect and the third aspect.

[0093] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product, which, when executed by a communication device, enables the communication device to execute the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect and the third aspect.

[0094] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the information processing method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the third aspect.

[0095] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a chip or a chip system; the chip or chip system includes a processing circuit configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the above-mentioned first aspect, second aspect and third aspect.

[0096] It is understandable that the above-mentioned terminal, first network element, communication system, storage medium, program product, computer program, chip or chip system are all used to execute the method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be repeated here.

[0097] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an information processing method, a terminal, a first network element, a communication system, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms information processing method and communication method are interchangeable, the terms information processing device and communication device are interchangeable, and the terms information processing system and communication system are interchangeable.

[0098] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but are only illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0099] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be utilized mutually, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment according to their internal logical relationships.

[0100] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0101] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "aforementioned", "this", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun after the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0102] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0103] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one,” “one or more,” “a plurality of,” “multiple,” etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0104] In some embodiments, "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another case", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions according to the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). When there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc., the above is also similar.

[0105] In some embodiments, the recording method of "A or B" may include the following technical solutions according to the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). When there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc., the above is also similar.

[0106] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects, and do not constitute restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. The statement of the description object refers to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and should not constitute unnecessary restrictions due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields", and the "first" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number, and can be one or more. Taking the "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes may be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" may be the same device or different devices, and their types may be the same or different. For another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" may be the same information or different information, and their contents may be the same or different.

[0107] In some embodiments, “including A”, “comprising A”, “used to indicate A”, and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0108] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to ...", "in response to determining ...", "in the case of ...", "at the time of ...", "when ...", "if ...", "if ...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0109] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not lower than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "no more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0110] In some embodiments, devices, etc. can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", and "subject" can be used interchangeably.

[0111] In some embodiments, "network" may be interpreted as devices included in the network (eg, access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.).

[0112] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station (radio base station)", "fixed station (fixed station)", "node (node)", "access point (access point)", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (reception point, RP)", "transmission / reception point (transmission / reception point, TRP)", "panel (panel)", "antenna panel (antenna panel)", "antenna array (antenna array)", "cell (cell)", "macro cell (macro cell)", "small cell (small cell)", "femto cell (femto cell)", "pico cell (pico cell)", "sector (sector)", "cell group (cell)", "carrier (carrier)", "component carrier (component carrier)", "bandwidth part (bandwidth part, BWP)" and the like can be used interchangeably.

[0113] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal" "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0114] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the various embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the communication between the terminals is replaced by the communication between multiple terminals (for example, it can also be referred to as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, it can also be set as a structure in which the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, the language such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced by the language corresponding to the communication between the terminals (for example, "side"). For example, the uplink channel, the downlink channel, etc. can be replaced by the side channel, and the uplink, the downlink, etc. can be replaced by the side link.

[0115] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device may also be configured to have a structure that has all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0116] In some embodiments, acquisition of data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0117] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0118] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns may also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0119] FIG1A is a schematic diagram of a structure of an information processing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG1A , the information processing system 100 may include: a terminal 101 and a network device 102 .

[0120] In some embodiments, the network device 102 may include at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0121] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things (IOT) device or terminal, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0122] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, but is not limited thereto.

[0123] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure may be applicable to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may become internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces may be implemented through software or programs.

[0124] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a centralized unit (central unit, CU) and a distributed unit (distributed unit, DU), wherein the CU may also be referred to as a control unit (control unit). The CU-DU structure may be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with some functions of the protocol layer being centrally controlled by the CU, and the remaining part or all of the functions of the protocol layer being distributed in the DU, and the DU being centrally controlled by the CU, but not limited to this.

[0125] In some embodiments, the core network device may be a device including a first network element, a second network element, a third network element, etc., or may be a plurality of devices or a group of devices, including all or part of the first network element, the second network element, and the third network element. The network element may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0126] In some embodiments, the first network element is, for example, an access and mobility management function (Access Management Function, AMF).

[0127] In some embodiments, the first network element may be used to perform user access and mobility management, and its name is not limited thereto.

[0128] In some embodiments, the second network element is, for example, a session management function (SMF).

[0129] In some embodiments, the second network element may be used for session management and / or data caching, etc., but its name is not limited thereto.

[0130] In some embodiments, the second network element is, for example, a user plane function (UPF).

[0131] In some embodiments, the second network element may be used for packet routing forwarding and / or data caching, etc., and its name is not limited thereto.

[0132] In some embodiments, the third network element is, for example, Unified Data Management (UDM).

[0133] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may be used for registration, mobility and / or subscription, etc., and its name is not limited thereto.

[0134] It can be understood that the information processing system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure. A person skilled in the art can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0135] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the information processing system 100 shown in FIG1A, or part of the main body, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1A are examples, and the information processing system may include all or part of the main bodies in FIG1A, or may include other main bodies other than FIG1A, and the number and form of the main bodies are arbitrary, and the connection relationship between the main bodies is an example, and the main bodies may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, which may be a direct connection or an indirect connection, and may be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0136] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G New Radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, Device-to-Device (D2D) system, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) system, Internet of Things (IoT) system, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems using other communication methods, next-generation systems based on them, etc. In addition, multiple systems can also be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A and 5G, etc.) for application.

[0137] In some embodiments, the terminals and network equipment of the 5G system support the ATSSS function. The ATSSS function establishes an MA PDU connection service to exchange PDUs between the UE and the data network through both the 3GPP access network and the non-3GPP access network, and through two independent N3 / N9 interfaces between the protocol data unit session anchor (PSA) and the radio access network (RAN) / access network (AN). The MA PDU connection service is implemented by establishing an MA PDU session, that is, a PDU session can have user plane resources of two access networks. When the UE registers using 3GPP access and non-3GPP access, it can request to establish an MA PDU session. Using the ATSSS function helps to improve data transmission reliability and quality of service (such as bandwidth).

[0138] Optionally, as shown in FIG1B , a schematic diagram of an ATSSS function is provided; in FIG1B , the UE accesses the 5GC network through 3GPP access and non-3GPP access; wherein, the 3GPP access network and the non-3GPP access network respectively establish an N3 connection with the user plane function (User Plane Function); an N9 connection is established between the UPF and the UPF PSA; and an N6 connection is established between the UPF PSA and the server host (Server host) of the data network. The non-3GPP access of the UE accesses the 5GC network through the non-3GPP interworking function (Non-3GPP InterWorking Function, N3IWF).

[0139] In some application scenarios, the network access (3GPP access or non-3GPP access) used by the UE may have coverage restrictions, for example, the UE is located in some areas without non-3GPP access coverage. In this case, if there are other available non-3GPP accesses, in order to support the ATSSS function, the UE can perform path switching of the ATSSS function in the non-3GPP access. That is, the UE moves the MA PDU session from 3GPP access and non-3GPP access to 3GPP access and another non-3GPP access. However, due to limitations such as spectrum, the UE cannot access multiple 3GPP accesses at the same time, and thus cannot implement path switching of the ATSSS function between 3GPP access networks. However, with the continuous enhancement of the UE's 5G functions, the UE can support simultaneous access to multiple 3GPP access networks. The disclosed embodiment implements the switching of the MA PDU session from 3GPP access to another 3GPP access network.

[0140] Optionally, the UE may be a terminal.

[0141] FIG2 is an interactive schematic diagram of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2 , the present disclosure embodiment relates to an information processing method for an information processing system 100, and the method includes:

[0142] Step S2101: The terminal establishes an MA PDU session with a network device.

[0143] In some embodiments, the network device includes a first 3GPP access base station, a second 3GPP access base station, a non-3GPP InterWorking Function (N3IWF), a first network element, a second network element and / or a third network element, etc.

[0144] Optionally, the first network element may be the AMF in the previous embodiment; the second network element may be the SMF or UPF in the previous embodiment; and the third network element may be the UDM in the previous embodiment.

[0145] In some embodiments, the terminal accesses the 5GC network through a first 3GPP access and a non-3GPP access to activate the ASSS function.

[0146] Optionally, the network device configures an MA PDU session identifier for the MA PDU session.

[0147] Optionally, the MA PDU session identifier may be one or more bits; for example, the MA PDU session identifier may be a number, index or character string of any bit.

[0148] Step S2102: The terminal sends a first request to the first network element.

[0149] In some embodiments, the first network element receives a first request sent by the terminal.

[0150] In some embodiments, the first request is used to request a path switch of the MA PDU session. Optionally, the path switch of the MA PDU session may be: the MA PDU session is switched from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access.

[0151] In some embodiments, the first request is used by the first network element to determine whether to accept the path switch of the MA PDU session of the terminal.

[0152] In some embodiments, the name of the first request is not limited, and it may be, for example, a registration request, an indication request, a path switching request, or a 3GPP path switching request.

[0153] In some embodiments, the first request comprises a registration request for a mobility registration update or a registration request for an initial registration.

[0154] In some embodiments, the first request includes path switching indication information.

[0155] Optionally, the path switching indication information is used for switching the MA PDU session from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access.

[0156] Optionally, the path switching indication information is used to indicate that the connection established by the terminal through the first 3GPP access will not be released before the path switching of the MA PDU session is completed. Optionally, the connection includes an N1 connection and an N2 connection. Exemplarily, the N1 connection can be a connection between the terminal and the first network element (e.g., AMF); the N2 connection can be a connection between the RAN / AN and the first network element (e.g., AMF).

[0157] Optionally, the path switching indication information is used to indicate that before the path switching of the MA PDU session is completed, the terminal can continue to use the MA PDU session established based on the first 3GPP access.

[0158] Optionally, the name of the path switching indication information is not limited, and it may be, for example, a path switching indication, a 3GPP path switching indication, or a path switching indication of an MA PDU session.

[0159] In some embodiments, the first request includes a MA PDU session identifier.

[0160] Optionally, the MA PDU session identifier is used to identify an MA PDU session established by the terminal through multiple access networks.

[0161] Optionally, the multiple access networks may be any 3GPP access network and / or any non-3GPP access network and / or other evolved access networks, etc.

[0162] Step S2103: The first network element determines whether to accept the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal.

[0163] In some embodiments, the first network element determines whether to accept the path switch of the MA PDU session of the terminal based on the first request.

[0164] Optionally, the first network element determines to accept the switching of the MA PDU session from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access based on receiving the first request and the first network element supporting 3GPP access path switching.

[0165] Optionally, based on receiving the first request and the first network element not supporting 3GPP access path switching, it is determined to reject the switching of the MA PDU session from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access.

[0166] Optionally, the first network element selected by the first 3GPP access determines to reject the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal based on that the first network element selected by the terminal through the first 3GPP access is different from the first network element selected by the terminal through the second 3GPP access.

[0167] Exemplarily, the first network element in step S2103 is the first network element selected by the first 3GPP access. For example, if the first network element selected by the first 3GPP access is the same as the first network element selected by the second 3GPP access, then the first network element in step S2103 is the first network element selected by both the first 3GPP access and the second 3GPP access. For another example, if the first network element selected by the first 3GPP access is different from the first network element selected by the second 3GPP access, then the first network element in step S2108 is the first network element selected by the first 3GPP access.

[0168] Optionally, the 3GPP access path switching may be a path switching of an MA PDU session; or, the 3GPP access path switching may be a switching of an MA PDU session from using a first 3GPP access to using a second 3GPP access.

[0169] Exemplarily, accepting the switching of an MA PDU session from using a first 3GPP access to using a second 3GPP access may be: accepting the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal; and / or rejecting the switching of an MA PDU session from using a first 3GPP access to using a second 3GPP access may be: rejecting the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal.

[0170] Optionally, the path switching of the MA PDU session includes: 3GPP access path switching of the MA PDU session, and / or non-3GPP access path switching of the MA PDU session.

[0171] Optionally, the first network element selected through the first 3GPP access is different from the first network element selected through the second 3GPP access, including that a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) to which the first 3GPP access belongs is different from a PLMN to which the second 3GPP belongs.

[0172] Step S2104: The first network element sends a second request to the second network element.

[0173] In some embodiments, the second network element receives the second request sent by the first network element.

[0174] In some embodiments, the first network element sends a second request corresponding to the first request to the second network element based on the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal switching from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access.

[0175] In some embodiments, the second request is determined based on the first request. Optionally, the second request corresponds to the first request.

[0176] In some embodiments, the second request is used to request or indicate a path switch of the MA PDU session.

[0177] In some embodiments, the second request is used to request the MA PDU session to be modified. For example, the second request may be used to request the MA PDU session to be accessed by the second 3GPP access to the network.

[0178] In some embodiments, the name of the second request is not limited, and it is, for example, a session modification request, an MA PDU session modification request, a registration request, a path switch request, or a 3GPP path switch request.

[0179] In some embodiments, the second request includes path switching indication information and / or an MA PDU session identifier.

[0180] Step S2105: The first network element sends a first response to the terminal.

[0181] In some embodiments, the terminal receives a first response sent by the first network element.

[0182] In some embodiments, the first response is used by the terminal to determine whether to establish a connection with the network device and / or release the connection.

[0183] In some embodiments, the name of the first response is not limited, and it may be, for example, registration accept, registration reject, path switch response, or 3GPP path switch response.

[0184] In some embodiments, the first response includes first indication information and / or second indication information.

[0185] Optionally, the first indication information is used to indicate the path switching of the MA PDU session of the accepting terminal; and / or, the second indication information is used to indicate the path switching of the MA PDU session of the rejecting terminal.

[0186] Optionally, the name of the first indication information is not limited, and it may be, for example, acceptance indication information.

[0187] Optionally, the name of the second indication information is not limited, and it may be, for example, rejection indication information.

[0188] Optionally, the first indication information and the second indication information may both be one or more bits.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first network element sends a first response including first indication information to the terminal based on accepting that the MA PDU session is switched from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access.

[0190] Optionally, if the first response includes the first indication information, the first response is used for the terminal to access the network through the base station accessed by the second 3GPP.

[0191] Optionally, if the first request is a registration request for mobility registration update and the first response includes first indication information, the first response is used by the terminal to determine to establish an N1 connection with the second 3GPP access and / or to retain the N1 connection with the first 3GPP access.

[0192] Optionally, if the first request is a registration request for an initial registration update and the first response includes first indication information, the first response is used by the terminal to determine to establish an N1 connection with the second 3GPP access and / or release the N1 connection with the first 3GPP access.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first network element sends a first response including second indication information to the terminal based on rejecting the switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access.

[0194] Step S2106: The first network element determines connection establishment and / or connection release.

[0195] In some embodiments, the first network element determines to release a connection with a first 3GPP access, and / or the first network element determines to establish a connection with a second 3GPP access.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first request corresponding to the second request is a registration request for mobility registration update; the first network element establishes an N2 connection with the second 3GPP access based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, and / or releases the N2 connection with the first 3GPP access after the N2 connection with the second 3GPP is established.

[0197] In some embodiments, the first request corresponding to the second request is a registration request for mobility registration update; the first network element establishes a user plane data connection with the terminal through the second 3GPP access based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, and / or after establishing the user plane data connection through the second 3GPP access, releases the user plane data connection between the terminal and the first 3GPP access.

[0198] In some embodiments, the first request corresponding to the second request is a registration request for initial registration, and the first network element establishes an N2 connection with the second 3GPP access and / or establishes an N1 connection with the terminal through the second 3GPP access based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal.

[0199] In some embodiments, the first request corresponding to the second request is a registration request for initial registration, and after establishing a connection with the second 3GPP access, the N2 connection with the first 3GPP access and / or the N1 connection established with the terminal through the first 3GPP access is released. Optionally, after establishing an N1 connection with the terminal through the second 3GPP access, the N1 connection with the terminal through the first 3GPP access is released.

[0200] In some embodiments, the first request corresponding to the second request is a registration request for initial registration; the first network element establishes a user plane data connection with the terminal through the second 3GPP access based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, and / or after establishing the user plane data connection through the second 3GPP access, releases the user plane data connection between the terminal and the first 3GPP access.

[0201] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "code element", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0202] In some embodiments, terms such as "moment", "time point", "time", and "time position" can be interchangeable, and terms such as "duration", "period", "time window", "window", and "time" can be interchangeable.

[0203] In some embodiments, "obtain", "obtain", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be interchangeable, and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from high levels, obtaining by self-processing, autonomous implementation, etc.

[0204] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "send", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0205] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain", "preset", "preset", "setting", "indicated", "some", "any", and "first" can be interchangeable, and "specific A", "preset A", "preset A", "setting A", "indicated A", "some A", "any A", and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol, etc., or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or indication, etc., and can also be interpreted as specific A, some A, any A, or first A, etc., but is not limited to this.

[0206] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be performed by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), by a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or by comparison of numerical values ​​(for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited to this.

[0207] The information processing method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2106. For example, step S2101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; step S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; step S2103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; step S2106 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step S2103 and step S2104 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step S2102 and step S2105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step S2102, step S2103 and step S2104 may be implemented as an independent embodiment. The combination of step S2102, step S2103 and step S2105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step S2102, step S2103, step S2105 and step S2106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step S2102, step S2103, step S2104, step S2105 and step S2106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step S2101 to step S2106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0208] In some embodiments, step S2104 and step S2105 may be executed in an interchangeable order or simultaneously.

[0209] In some embodiments, step S2101, step S2103, step S2104, step S2106, and step S2105 may be optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0210] In some embodiments, step S2101, step S2104, step S2105, and step S2106 may be optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0211] In some embodiments, step S2101, step S2104, and step S2106 may be optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0212] In some embodiments, step S2101, step S2105, and step S2106 may be optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0213] FIG3A is a flow chart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3A , the present disclosure embodiment relates to an information processing method, which is executed by a terminal, and the method includes:

[0214] Step S3101, sending a first request.

[0215] The optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in FIG. 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0216] In some embodiments, the terminal sends the first request to the first network element, but is not limited thereto, and the first request may also be sent to other entities.

[0217] Step S3102, obtain the first response.

[0218] The optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in FIG. 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0219] In some embodiments, the terminal receives a first response sent by the first network element, but is not limited thereto, and may also receive a first response sent by other entities.

[0220] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains a first response specified by the protocol.

[0221] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the first response from an upper layer(s).

[0222] In some embodiments, the terminal performs processing to obtain a first response.

[0223] In some embodiments, step S3102 is omitted, and the terminal autonomously implements the function indicated by the first response, or the above function is default or acquiescent.

[0224] The information processing method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S2101 to step S2102. For example, step S2101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; step S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; and the combination of step S2101 and step S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0225] In some embodiments, step S2102 may be optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0226] In some embodiments, step S2101 may be optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0227] FIG3B is a flow chart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3B , the present disclosure embodiment relates to an information processing method, which is executed by a terminal, and the method includes:

[0228] Step S3201, sending a first request.

[0229] The optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to step S2102 in FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S3101 in FIG. 3A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0230] Optionally, the first request includes path switching indication information, where the path switching indication information is used to request that the MA PDU session be switched from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access.

[0231] In some embodiments, the first request further includes: an MA PDU session identifier, where the MA PDU session identifier is used to identify an MA PDU session established by the terminal through multiple access networks.

[0232] In some embodiments, the path switching indication information is further used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0233] Before the path switching of the MA PDU session is completed, the connection established by the terminal through the first 3GPP access will not be released;

[0234] Before the path switching of the MA PDU session is completed, the terminal can continue to use the MA PDU session established based on the first 3GPP access.

[0235] Optionally, the path switching of the MA PDU session may be: 3GPP access path switching; or, the path switching of the MA PDU session may be: the MA PDU session is switched from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access.

[0236] In some embodiments, the first request includes one of:

[0237] Registration request for mobility registration update;

[0238] Registration request for initial registration.

[0239] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving a first response, wherein the first response comprises one of:

[0240] The first indication information is used to indicate the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal;

[0241] The second indication information is used to indicate rejection of path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal.

[0242] The above embodiments may be implemented individually or in combination with each other. For optional implementations, please refer to the optional implementations of the steps in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0243] FIG4A is a flow chart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4A , the present disclosure embodiment relates to an information processing method, which is executed by a first network element. The method includes:

[0244] Step S4101, obtain the first request.

[0245] The optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in FIG. 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0246] In some embodiments, the first network element receives the first request sent by the terminal, but is not limited thereto, and may also receive the first request sent by other entities.

[0247] In some embodiments, the first network element obtains a first request specified by a protocol.

[0248] In some embodiments, the first network element obtains the first request from an upper layer(s).

[0249] In some embodiments, the first network element performs processing to obtain the first request.

[0250] In some embodiments, step S4101 is omitted, and the terminal autonomously implements the function indicated by the first request, or the above function is default or acquiescent.

[0251] Step S4102: determine whether to accept the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal.

[0252] The optional implementation of step S4102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in FIG. 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0253] Step S4103, sending a second request.

[0254] The optional implementation of step S4103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in FIG. 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0255] In some embodiments, the first network element sends the first request to the second network element, but is not limited thereto, and the first request may also be sent to other entities.

[0256] Step S4104, sending a first response.

[0257] The optional implementation of step S4104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in FIG. 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0258] In some embodiments, the first network element sends the first response to the terminal, but is not limited thereto, and the first response may also be sent to other entities.

[0259] Step S4105, determine connection establishment and / or connection release.

[0260] Optionally, the first network element determines establishment of the N1 connection and / or the N2 connection, and / or determines release of the N1 connection and / or the N2 connection.

[0261] The optional implementation of step S4105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in FIG. 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0262] The information processing method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4101 to S4105. For example, step S4101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; step S4102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; step S4105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step S4102 and step S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step S4101 and step S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step S4101 and step S4102 and step S4103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step S4101 and step S4102 and step S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step S4101 and step S4102 and step S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step S4101 and step S4102 and step S4104 and step S4105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step S4101 and step S4102 and step S4103 and step S4104 and step S4105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0263] In some embodiments, step S4103 and step S4104 may be executed in an interchangeable order or simultaneously.

[0264] In some embodiments, step S4102, step S4103, step S4105, and step S4104 may be optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0265] In some embodiments, step S4103, step S4104, and step S4105 may be optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0266] In some embodiments, step S4103 and step S4105 may be optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0267] In some embodiments, step S4104 and step S4105 may be optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0268] FIG4B is a flow chart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4B , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing method, which is executed by a first network element. The method includes:

[0269] Step S4201, obtain the first request.

[0270] The optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to step S2102 in FIG. 2 , the optional implementation of step S4101 in FIG. 4A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0271] Optionally, the first request includes path switching indication information, where the path switching indication information is used to request that a multi-access protocol data unit MA PDU session be switched from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access.

[0272] In some embodiments, the first request further includes: an MA PDU session identifier, where the MA PDU session identifier is used to identify an MA PDU session established by the terminal through multiple access networks.

[0273] In some embodiments, the path switching indication information is further used to indicate one of the following indications:

[0274] Before the path switching of the MA PDU session is completed, the connection established by the terminal through the first 3GPP access will not be released;

[0275] Before the path switching of the MA PDU session is completed, the terminal can continue to use the MA PDU session established based on the first 3GPP access.

[0276] In some embodiments, the first request includes one of:

[0277] Registration request for mobility registration update;

[0278] Registration request for initial registration.

[0279] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: determining whether to accept a path switch of the MA PDU session of the terminal based on the first request.

[0280] In some embodiments, based on the first request, determining whether to accept the path switch of the MA PDU session of the terminal includes one of the following:

[0281] Based on receiving the first request and the first network element supporting 3GPP access path switching, determining to accept the MA PDU session switching from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access;

[0282] Based on receiving the first request and the first network element not supporting 3GPP access path switching, it is determined to reject switching of the MA PDU session from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access.

[0283] In some embodiments, the method further includes: based on accepting the MA PDU session switching from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access, sending a first response to the terminal, wherein the first response includes: first indication information; the first indication information is used to indicate the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal.

[0284] In some embodiments, based on the first request, determining whether to accept the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal includes:

[0285] Based on the fact that the first network element selected by the terminal through the first 3GPP access is different from the first network element selected by the terminal through the second 3GPP access, it is determined to reject the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal.

[0286] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0287] Based on rejecting the switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access, a first response is sent to the terminal, wherein the first response includes: second indication information; the second indication information is used to indicate the path switching of the MA PDU session of the rejected terminal.

[0288] In some embodiments, the method further includes: based on the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal switching from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access, sending a second request corresponding to the first request to the second network element.

[0289] In some embodiments, the first request corresponding to the second request is a registration request for mobility registration update, and the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0290] Establishing an N2 connection with a second 3GPP access based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal;

[0291] After the N2 connection with the second 3GPP access is established, the N2 connection with the first 3GPP access is released based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal;

[0292] Based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, a user plane data connection is established with the terminal through the second 3GPP access;

[0293] Based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, after the user plane data connection is established through the second 3GPP access, the user plane data connection between the terminal and the first 3GPP access is released.

[0294] In some embodiments, the first request corresponding to the second request is a registration request for initial registration, and the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0295] Based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, establish an N2 connection with the second 3GPP access and / or establish an N1 connection with the terminal through the second 3GPP access;

[0296] Based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, after the N2 connection with the second 3GPP is established, the N2 connection with the first 3GPP access is released and / or the N1 connection established between the terminal and the first 3GPP access is released;

[0297] Based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, a user plane data connection is established with the terminal through the second 3GPP access;

[0298] Based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, after the user plane data connection is established through the second 3GPP access, the user plane data connection between the terminal and the first 3GPP access is released.

[0299] The above embodiments may be implemented individually or in combination with each other. For optional implementations, please refer to the optional implementations of the steps in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0300] FIG4C is a flow chart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4B , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing method, which is executed by a first network element, and the method includes:

[0301] Step S4301, determining whether to accept the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal.

[0302] The optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2, step S4102 in Figure 4A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 4A, which will not be repeated here.

[0303] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: sending a first response to the terminal.

[0304] The above embodiments may be implemented individually or in combination with each other. For optional implementations, please refer to the optional implementations of the steps in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0305] FIG4D is a flow chart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4B , the present disclosure embodiment relates to an information processing method, which is executed by a first network element, and the method includes:

[0306] Step S4401, determine connection establishment and / or connection release.

[0307] The optional implementation of step S4401 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in Figure 2, step S4105 in Figure 4A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 4A, which will not be repeated here.

[0308] The above embodiments may be implemented individually or in combination with each other. For optional implementations, please refer to the optional implementations of the steps in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0309] FIG4E is a flow chart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4B , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing method, which is executed by a first network element, and the method includes:

[0310] Step S4501: Send a second request to a second network element.

[0311] The optional implementation of step S4501 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2, step S4103 in Figure 4A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 4A, which will not be repeated here.

[0312] The above embodiments may be implemented individually or in combination with each other. For optional implementations, please refer to the optional implementations of the steps in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0313] FIG5 is a flow chart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5, the present disclosure embodiment relates to an information processing method, which is applied to a communication system. The method includes:

[0314] Step S5101: The terminal sends a first request to the core network device.

[0315] Optionally, the first request includes path switching indication information, where the path switching indication information is used to request that the MA PDU session be switched from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access.

[0316] The optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2, step S3101 in Figure 3, step S4101 in Figure 4A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2, 3A, and 4A, which will not be repeated here.

[0317] In some optional embodiments, the core network device determines whether to accept the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal based on the first request.

[0318] In some optional embodiments, the core network device sends a first response to the terminal.

[0319] In some optional embodiments, the core network device determines connection establishment and / or connection release.

[0320] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above-mentioned embodiments of the information processing system 100 side, the terminal side, the first network element side, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0321] The present disclosure relates to an information processing method, which includes:

[0322] In some embodiments, if the UE wants to switch the MA PDU session from the current 3GPP access to a new 3GPP access, the UE sends a 3GPP access path switching indication; wherein the 3GPP access path switching indication is used to indicate that the connection of the MA PDU session is switched from the current 3GPP access to the new 3GPP access, but before the switching is completed, the connection established through the current 3GPP access can still be used for the MA PDU session.

[0323] Optionally, assuming that the current 3GPP access and the new 3GPP access belong to the same PLMN. If the PLMN of the selected new 3GPP access is different from the PLMN of the current 3GPP access, the AMF of the selected new PLMN will reject the registration update, and the 3GPP access path switching fails.

[0324] Optionally, the current 3GPP access may be the first 3GPP access in the previous embodiment; the new 3GPP access may be the second 3GPP access in the previous embodiment; the 3GPP access path switching indication may be the path switching indication information in the previous embodiment; and the UE may be the terminal in the previous embodiment.

[0325] Solution 1, implementation of 3GPP access path switching:

[0326] The UE initiates a mobile registration update process and sends a 3GPP access path switching indication to the AMF; if the AMF receives the 3GPP access path switching indication and if the AMF supports 3GPP access path switching, the AMF delays the release of the current N2 connection until a connection using the new 3GPP access is established.

[0327] If the UE and AMF support 3GPP access path switching, the AMF sends the 3GPP access path switching indication to the SMF. If the SMF receives the 3GPP access path switching indication, the SMF does not trigger the connection release of the current 3GPP access before the connection in the new 3GPP access is established.

[0328] Fig. 6A is a flow chart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 6A, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing method, which is used in a communication system.

[0329] Optionally, before performing 3GPP access path switching, the UE establishes an MA PDU session through satellite NR access and non-3GPP access to support ATSSS functionality. The UE switches from satellite NR access to NR access and performs 3GPP access path switching for ATSSS functionality.

[0330] Optionally, the satellite NR access may be the first 3GPP access in the previous embodiment; the NR access may be the second 3GPP access in the previous embodiment.

[0331] The above methods include:

[0332] Step S6101, UE registers using non-3GPP access.

[0333] Optionally, the UE registers to 5GC using non-3GPP access.

[0334] Step S6102: UE uses satellite NR access registration.

[0335] Optionally, the UE registers to the 5GC using satellite NR access.

[0336] Step S6103: The UE's MA PDU session is established.

[0337] Optionally, if the UE registers to the 5GC via non-3GPP access and 3GPP access, an MA PDU session needs to be established to enable the ATSSS function. An MA PDU session identifier is allocated to the MA PDU session.

[0338] Step S6104: The UE sends a registration request for mobility update to the AMF.

[0339] Optionally, if the UE wants to switch the user plane connection from satellite NR access to NR access, the UE can initiate a mobility registration update procedure to the network by sending a registration request to the AMF. In the registration request for mobility update, the registration type should be set to registration update, and the UE indicates the PDU session identifier of the MA PDU session. In addition, the UE can also provide a 3GPP access path switch indication in the registration request to indicate that the connection is switched from satellite NR access to NR access, but before the switch is completed, the connection established using satellite NR access can still be used for MA PDU sessions.

[0340] Step S6105, AMF sends a session modification request to SMF.

[0341] Optionally, when AMF receives a registration request for mobility registration update, and if AMF supports 3GPP access path switching, AMF receives mobility registration update; AMF initiates N2 connection establishment to NR access.

[0342] Optionally, when the AMF receives a registration request for mobility registration update, and if the AMF does not support 3GPP access path switching, the AMF shall reject the mobility registration update and indicate to the UE that the 3GPP access path switching has failed, and skip other steps (e.g., S6106 to S6109).

[0343] Optionally, the registration request for mobility registration update may be the first request in the previous embodiment; and the session modification request may be the second request in the previous embodiment.

[0344] Step S6106: AMF sends a registration acceptance message to the UE.

[0345] Optionally, if the mobility registration update is successful, the AMF returns a registration acceptance message to the UE. After the mobility registration update, the UE registers to the 5GC via NR access. The AMF establishes an N2 connection via NR access.

[0346] Optionally, the registration acceptance message may be the first indication information in the previous embodiment.

[0347] Step S6107, SMF initiates MA PDU session modification.

[0348] Step S6108, SMF initiates the release of the connection established through satellite NR access.

[0349] Optionally, if the UE establishes a connection via NR access, the SMF initiates the release of the connection established via satellite NR access.

[0350] Step S6109: AMF initiates the release of the N2 connection accessed via satellite NR.

[0351] Optionally, if the N2 connection accessed via NR is established, the AMF sends a release of the N2 connection accessed via satellite NR. Here, the N1 connection accessed using satellite NR should not be released.

[0352] The information processing method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S6101 to S6109. For example, step S6104 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; step S6109 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; step S6105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step S6104 and step S6105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step S6103 and step S6104 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps S6101 to S6109 may be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0353] Solution 2, implementation of 3GPP access path switching:

[0354] The UE initiates the registration process and sends a 3GPP access path switching indication to the AMF; if the AMF receives the 3GPP access path switching indication and if the AMF supports 3GPP access path switching, the AMF delays the UE's deregistration from the current 3GPP access until a connection using the new 3GPP access is established.

[0355] If the UE and AMF support 3GPP access path switching, the AMF sends the 3GPP access path switching indication to the SMF. If the SMF receives the 3GPP access path switching indication, the SMF does not trigger the release of the current 3GPP access connection before the new 3GPP access connection is established.

[0356] Fig. 6B is a flow chart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 6B, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing method, which is used in a communication system.

[0357] Optionally, before performing 3GPP access path switching, the UE establishes an MA PDU session through satellite NR access and non-3GPP access to support ATSSS functionality. The UE switches from satellite NR access to NR access and performs 3GPP access path switching for ATSSS functionality.

[0358] Optionally, the satellite NR access may be the first 3GPP access in the previous embodiment; the NR access may be the second 3GPP access in the previous embodiment.

[0359] The above methods include:

[0360] Step S6201, UE registers using non-3GPP access.

[0361] Optionally, the UE registers to 5GC using non-3GPP access.

[0362] Step S6202: UE uses satellite NR access registration.

[0363] Optionally, the UE registers to the 5GC using satellite NR access.

[0364] Step S6203: The UE's MA PDU session is established.

[0365] Optionally, if the UE registers to the 5GC using non-3GPP access and 3GPP access, an MA PDU session needs to be established to enable the ATSSS function. An MA PDU session identifier is allocated to the MA PDU session.

[0366] Step S6204: The UE sends a registration request for initial registration to the AMF.

[0367] Optionally, if the UE wants to switch the user plane connection from satellite NR access to NR access, the UE can initiate an initial registration procedure to the network by sending a registration request to the AMF. In the registration request for initial registration, the registration type should be set to initial registration, and the UE indicates the PDU session identifier of the MA PDU session. In addition, the UE can also provide a 3GPP access path switching indication in the registration request to indicate that the connection is switched from satellite NR access to NR access, but before the switch is completed, the connection established using satellite NR access can still be used for MA PDU sessions.

[0368] Step S6205, AMF sends a session modification request to SMF.

[0369] Optionally, when the AMF receives a registration request for initial registration and if the AMF supports 3GPP access path switching, the AMF receives the initial registration; the AMF initiates N2 and N1 connection establishment through NR access.

[0370] Optionally, when the AMF receives a registration request for initial registration, and if the AMF does not support 3GPP access path switching, the AMF shall reject the initial registration and indicate to the UE that the 3GPP access path switching has failed, and skip other steps (e.g., S6206 to S6209).

[0371] Optionally, the registration request for initial registration may be the first request in the previous embodiment; and the session modification request may be the second request in the previous embodiment.

[0372] Step S6206: AMF sends a registration acceptance message to the UE.

[0373] Optionally, if the initial registration is successful, the AMF returns a registration acceptance message to the UE. After the initial registration is successful, the UE registers to the 5GC through NR access. The AMF establishes an N2 connection and an N1 connection through NR access.

[0374] Optionally, the registration acceptance message may be the first indication information in the previous embodiment.

[0375] Step S6207, SMF initiates MA PDU session modification.

[0376] Step S6208, SMF initiates the release of the connection established through satellite NR access.

[0377] Optionally, if the UE establishes a connection via NR access, the SMF initiates the release of the connection established via satellite NR access.

[0378] Step S6209: AMF initiates the release of the N2 connection and N1 connection accessed via satellite NR.

[0379] Optionally, if the N2 connection via NR access is established, the AMF initiates the deregistration of the UE from the satellite NR access. For example, the AMF releases the N2 and N1 connections established via satellite NR access.

[0380] The information processing method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S6201 to S6209. For example, step S6204 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; step S6209 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; step S6205 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step S6204 and step S6205 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step S6203 and step S6204 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps S6201 to S6209 may be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0381] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, part or all of the steps and their optional implementations may be arbitrarily combined with part or all of the steps in other embodiments, and may also be arbitrarily combined with optional implementations of other embodiments.

[0382] The embodiments of the present disclosure also propose a device for implementing any of the above methods, for example, a device is proposed, the above device includes a unit or module for implementing each step performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another device is also proposed, including a unit or module for implementing each step performed by the terminal (e.g., terminal, first network element, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0383] It should be understood that the division of the units in the above device is only a division of logical functions, and in actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into one physical entity, or they can be physically separated. In addition, the units in the device can be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, the memory stores computer instructions, and the processor calls the computer instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the above-mentioned units of the device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory inside the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of some or all of the above units are realized by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for another example, in another implementation, the above hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD), taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by a configuration file, so as to realize the functions of some or all of the above units. All units of the above device can be realized in the form of a processor calling software, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by a processor calling software, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0384] In the disclosed embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor may be a circuit with instruction reading and running capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which may be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP), etc.; in another implementation, the processor may implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit, and the logical relationship of the above hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable, such as a hardware circuit implemented by a processor as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads a configuration document to implement the process of hardware circuit configuration, which may be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units. In addition, it may also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which may be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0385] FIG7A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7A , the terminal 7100 includes: a first transceiver module 7101. In some embodiments, the first transceiver module 7101 is used to send a first message to a first network element. Optionally, the first transceiver module 7101 is used to execute at least one of the steps of receiving and / or sending (such as steps S2102 and / or step S2105, but not limited to these) executed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here. Optionally, the terminal 7100 also includes: a first processing module, which is used to execute at least one of the steps of processing executed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0386] FIG7B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7B , the first network element 7200 includes: a second transceiver module 7201. In some embodiments, the second transceiver module 7201 is configured to receive a first message sent by the terminal. Optionally, the second transceiver module 7201 is used to perform at least one of the steps of receiving and / or sending (such as steps S2102, S2104 and / or S2105, but not limited thereto) performed by the first network element in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here. Optionally, the first network element 7200 also includes a second processing module, which is used to perform at least one of the steps of processing (such as steps S2103 and / or S2106, but not limited thereto) performed by the first network element in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0387] 8A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 8100 provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 8100 may be a terminal or a network device (e.g., a first network element, a second network element, a third network element, an access network device), etc., or may be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the terminal to implement any of the above methods, or may be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the terminal to implement any of the above methods. The communication device 8100 may be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment, and the details may refer to the description in the above method embodiment. Optionally, the communication device may be the communication device in the previous embodiment.

[0388] As shown in 8A, the communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute a program, and process program data. The processor 8101 is used to call instructions so that the communication device 8100 executes any of the above methods.

[0389] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 8102 may also be outside the communication device 8100.

[0390] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8103. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8103, the transceiver 8103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, at least one of the steps such as step S2102, step S2104 and / or step S2105, but not limited thereto), and the processor 8101 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, at least one of the steps S2103 and / or step S2106, but not limited thereto, but not limited thereto).

[0391] In some embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, and the receiver and the transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms such as transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc. may be replaced with each other, the terms such as transmitter, transmission unit, transmitter, transmission circuit, etc. may be replaced with each other, and the terms such as receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. may be replaced with each other.

[0392] Optionally, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more interface circuits 8104, which are connected to the memory 8102. The interface circuit 8104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 8102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8104 can read instructions stored in the memory 8102 and send the instructions to the processor 8101.

[0393] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiments may be a terminal or a first network element, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 may not be limited by FIG. 8A. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data, computer programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, a vehicle-mounted device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0394] 8B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 8200 provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the case where the communication device 8100 may be a chip or a chip system, reference may be made to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 shown in FIG8B , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0395] The chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201, and the chip 8200 is used to execute any of the above methods.

[0396] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202, which are connected to the memory 8203. The interface circuit 8202 can be used to receive signals from the memory 8203 or other devices, and the interface circuit 8202 can be used to send signals to the memory 8203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8202 can read instructions stored in the memory 8203 and send the instructions to the processor 8201.

[0397] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 8202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method, and the processor 8201 performs at least one of the other steps.

[0398] In some embodiments, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver may be used interchangeably.

[0399] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 8203 may be outside the chip 8200.

[0400] The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium, on which instructions are stored, and when the instructions are executed on the communication device 8100, the communication device 8100 executes any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited to this, and it can also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited to this, and it can also be a temporary storage medium.

[0401] The present disclosure also proposes a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 8100, enables the communication device 8100 to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0402] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute any one of the above methods.

Claims

An information processing method, characterized in that: The method comprises: a terminal sends a first request to a first network element; wherein the first request comprises path switching indication information, and the path switching indication information is used to request a multi-access protocol data unit (MA PDU) session to switch from using a first 3GPP access to using a second 3GPP access. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first request further includes: an MA PDU session identifier, where the MA PDU session identifier is used to identify the MA PDU session established by the terminal through multiple access networks. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The path switching indication information is also used to indicate at least one of the following: before the path switching of the MA PDU session is completed, the connection established by the terminal through the first 3GPP access will not be released; before the path switching of the MA PDU session is completed, the terminal can continue to use the MA PDU session established based on the first 3GPP access. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first request includes one of: a registration request for mobility registration update; a registration request for initial registration. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The method also includes: receiving a first response, wherein the first response includes one of the following: first indication information, used to indicate acceptance of path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal; second indication information, used to indicate rejection of path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal. An information processing method, characterized in that: The method comprises: a first network element receives a first request sent by a terminal; wherein the first request comprises path switching indication information, and the path switching indication information is used to request a multi-access protocol data unit (MA PDU) session to switch from using a first 3GPP access to using a second 3GPP access. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The first request further includes: an MA PDU session identifier, where the MA PDU session identifier is used to identify an MA PDU session established by the terminal through multiple access networks. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The path switching indication information is also used to indicate one of the following indications: before the path switching of the MA PDU session is completed, the connection established by the terminal through the first 3GPP access will not be released; before the path switching of the MA PDU session is completed, the terminal can continue to use the MA PDU session established based on the first 3GPP access. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that The first request includes one of: a registration request for mobility registration update; a registration request for initial registration. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that The method further includes determining whether to accept a path switch of the MA PDU session of the terminal based on the first request. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The determining, based on the first request, whether to accept the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal comprises one of the following: determining to accept the switching of the MA PDU session from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access based on receiving the first request and the first network element supporting 3GPP access path switching; Based on receiving the first request and the first network element not supporting 3GPP access path switching, determining to reject switching of the MA PDU session from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method also includes: based on accepting the switching of the MA PDU session from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access, sending a first response to the terminal, wherein the first response includes: first indication information; the first indication information is used to indicate the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The determining whether to accept the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal based on the first request includes: determining to reject the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal based on the fact that the first network element selected by the terminal through the first 3GPP access is different from the first network element selected by the terminal through the second 3GPP access. The method according to claim 11 or 13, characterized in that The method also includes: based on rejecting the MA PDU session of the terminal from switching from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access, sending a first response to the terminal, wherein the first response includes: second indication information; the second indication information is used to indicate the rejection of the path switching of the MA PDU session of the terminal. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The method further includes: based on accepting that the MA PDU session of the terminal is switched from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access, sending a second request corresponding to the first request to a second network element. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The first request corresponding to the second request is a registration request for mobility registration update, and the method also includes at least one of the following: establishing an N2 connection with the second 3GPP access based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal; releasing the N2 connection with the first 3GPP access after the N2 connection with the second 3GPP is established based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal; establishing a user plane data connection with the terminal through the second 3GPP access based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal; releasing the user plane data connection between the terminal and the first 3GPP access after the user plane data connection is established through the second 3GPP access based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The first request corresponding to the second request is a registration request for initial registration, and the method also includes at least one of the following: based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, establishing an N2 connection with the second 3GPP access and / or establishing an N1 connection with the terminal through the second 3GPP access; based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, after the N2 connection with the second 3GPP access is established, releasing the N2 connection with the first 3GPP access and / or releasing the N1 connection established between the terminal and the first 3GPP access; based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, establishing a user plane data connection with the terminal through the second 3GPP access; based on the path switching of the MA PDU session of the receiving terminal, after the user plane data connection is established through the second 3GPP access, releasing the user plane data connection between the terminal and the first 3GPP access. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 17, characterized in that The first network element is an access and mobility management function; And / or, the second network element includes: a session management function SMF, or a user plane network element UPF. An information processing method, characterized in that: The method comprises: a core network device receives a first request sent by a terminal, wherein the first request comprises path switching indication information, and the path switching indication information is used to request a multi-access protocol data unit (MA PDU) session to switch from using a first 3GPP access to using a second 3GPP access. A terminal, characterized in that: include: The first transceiver module is configured to send a first request to the first network element; wherein the first request includes path switching indication information, and the path switching indication information is used to request that a multi-access protocol data unit MA PDU session be switched from using a first 3GPP access to using a second 3GPP access. A first network element, characterized in that: include: The second transceiver module is configured to receive a first request sent by the terminal; wherein the first request includes path switching indication information, and the path switching indication information is used to request that a multi-access data unit MA PDU session be switched from using the first 3GPP access to using the second 3GPP access. A terminal, characterized in that: include: One or more processors; wherein the terminal is used to execute the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A first network element, characterized in that: include: One or more processors; wherein the first network element is used to execute the information processing method according to any one of claims 6 to 18. A communication system, characterized in that: include: A terminal and a first network element; wherein the terminal is configured to implement the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and the first network element is configured to implement the information processing method according to any one of claims 6 to 18. A storage medium stores instructions, characterized in that: When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device executes the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, claims 6 to 18, or claim 19.

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