Communication method and device, network function, network equipment and medium

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and device, a network function, network equipment and a medium, and relates to the technical field of communication. The method comprises: a first network function subscribes to or requests terminal-related information from a second network function, or the first network function subscribes to or requests terminal-related information from the second network function via at least one network function; the terminal related information comprises at least one of the following items: inventory related information, registration or access related information, position related information and sensor information. By adopting the method, the first network function can subscribe to or request the terminal related information from the second network function, or subscribe to or request the terminal related information from the second network function through at least one network function to obtain the related demand information of the Ambient IoT equipment so as to adapt to the scene of the Ambient IoT equipment and realize subscription and request of the related demand information of the Ambient IoT equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, apparatus, network function, network equipment and medium. Background Art

[0002] As 5G industry applications increase, the types of connected objects will increase, and there will be higher requirements for the price and power consumption of communication terminals. Battery-free, low-cost passive IoT will become a key link in the cellular Internet of Everything, and will be widely used in smart warehousing, logistics, asset management and other fields.

[0003] The passive IoT in existing standards is named the Ambient Internet of Things (Ambient IoT). Due to the low cost, low energy consumption, and low capacity of large-scale Ambient IoT devices, core networks are likely to adopt lightweight deployments, making existing application function (AF) request processes inapplicable. Furthermore, the new Ambient IoT scenarios require the AF to interact with the core network for new event subscriptions and requests, such as registration status and data correlation. Therefore, AF requests and event notifications need to be enhanced to suit the Ambient IoT device scenario. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention aims to provide a communication method, apparatus, network function, network equipment and medium for adapting to the Ambient IoT device scenario and realizing subscription and request of related demand information of Ambient IoT devices in the core network.

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention provides a communication method, wherein the method is applied to a first network function, and the method includes:

[0006] The first network function subscribes to or requests terminal-related information from the second network function, or the first network function subscribes to or requests terminal-related information from the second network function via at least one network function;

[0007] The terminal-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

[0008] Optionally, the communication method further comprises:

[0009] The first network function sends first information to the second network function, where the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0010] At least one terminal identifier, group identifier, indication information, immediate report information, third information, fourth information, and fifth information.

[0011] Optionally, in the communication method, the indication information includes subscription indication information and / or request indication information; and / or,

[0012] The third information is information for indicating a subscription or a request.

[0013] Optionally, the communication method further comprises:

[0014] The first network function receives second information sent by the second network function, where the second information includes one or more of the following:

[0015] At least one terminal identifier, group identifier, subscription result, reason value, subscription identifier, deregistration related information, third information, fourth information, and sixth information.

[0016] Optionally, in the communication method, the terminal identifier includes one or more of the following:

[0017] Part or all of the fields of the Electronic Product Code (EPC);

[0018] General Manager Number;

[0019] Item category;

[0020] Public Land Mobile Network PLMN identity;

[0021] Group ID;

[0022] Subscription Permanent Identifier SUPI;

[0023] Subscribe to hide logo SUCI;

[0024] General Public Subscription Identifier GPSI;

[0025] Globally Unique Temporary Identifier GUTI;

[0026] Temporary Mobile Subscription Identity TMSI;

[0027] Permanent equipment identification PEI;

[0028] IoT device indication information;

[0029] Instructions for any IoT device.

[0030] Optionally, in the communication method, the fourth information includes one or more of the following information: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

[0031] Optionally, in the communication method, the inventory-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory status, inventory changes; and / or,

[0032] The registration or access related information includes at least one of the following: registration status, registration change, access status, access change; and / or

[0033] The location-related information includes at least one of the following: positioning-related information and ranging-related information.

[0034] Optionally, in the communication method, the third information includes one or more of the following:

[0035] Inventory cycle;

[0036] Registration period;

[0037] Data reporting cycle;

[0038] Position format;

[0039] Positioning accuracy;

[0040] ranging format;

[0041] Ranging accuracy;

[0042] Best efforts information;

[0043] Get relevant information in real time;

[0044] Non-real-time acquisition of relevant information;

[0045] First position;

[0046] First Area;

[0047] Position detection cycle.

[0048] Optionally, in the communication method, the location format includes a geographical location and / or a topological location; and / or

[0049] The ranging format includes a geographical location and / or a topological location.

[0050] Optionally, in the communication method, the geographical location includes one or more of the following: longitude and latitude, geographical address, political jurisdiction; and / or

[0051] The topological location includes one or more of the following: a cell identifier, a tracking area identifier, a registration area identifier, a data network access identifier DNAI, and a public land mobile network identifier PLMN ID.

[0052] Optionally, in the communication method, the fifth information indicates one or more of the following:

[0053] Release air interface resources, release sessions, delete contexts, deregister, delete subscription data, deactivate tags, deactivate devices, rewrite tags, and rewrite devices.

[0054] Optionally, in the communication method, the cause value includes one or more of the following:

[0055] The terminal does not exist;

[0056] The terminal has been deregistered;

[0057] The fourth information subscription fails;

[0058] The fourth information request fails.

[0059] Optionally, in the communication method, the sixth information includes one or more of the following:

[0060] Inventory changes, inventory status, registration status, registration changes, device data, sensor information, and location information.

[0061] Optionally, in the communication method, the location-related information includes the current location of the terminal and / or the location or area that the terminal enters or moves out of.

[0062] Optionally, in the communication method, the terminal includes a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0063] Optionally, in the communication method, the first network function includes one or more of the following: application function AF, network exposure function NEF, policy control function PCF, unified data storage UDR, unified data management UDM, session management function SMF, tag management function TMF; and / or,

[0064] The second network function includes one or more of the following: access and mobility management function AMF, UDR, NEF, SMF, TMF, UDM, policy control function PCF, and radio access network RAN.

[0065] One embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication method, wherein the method is applied to the second network function, and the method includes:

[0066] The second network function obtains the terminal related information subscribed or requested by the first network function from the second network function, or obtains the terminal related information subscribed or requested by the first network function from the second network function via at least one network function;

[0067] The terminal-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

[0068] Optionally, the communication method further comprises:

[0069] The second network function obtains first information sent by the first network function, where the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0070] The identifier of at least one terminal UE, the group identifier, the indication information, the immediate reporting information, the third information, the fourth information, and the fifth information.

[0071] Optionally, in the communication method, the indication information includes subscription indication information and / or request indication information; and / or,

[0072] The third information is information for indicating a subscription or a request.

[0073] Optionally, the communication method further comprises:

[0074] The second network function sends second information to the first network function, where the second information includes one or more of the following:

[0075] At least one terminal identifier, group identifier, subscription result, reason value, subscription identifier, deregistration related information, third information, fourth information, sixth information 。

[0076] Optionally, the communication method further comprises:

[0077] The second network function requests all or part of the second information from a third network function.

[0078] Optionally, the communication method further comprises:

[0079] The second network function sends a first request to a third network function, where the first request includes all or part of the first information.

[0080] Optionally, the communication method further comprises:

[0081] The second network function receives all or part of the second information sent by the third network function.

[0082] Optionally, in the communication method, the terminal identifier includes one or more of the following:

[0083] Part or all of the fields of the Electronic Product Code (EPC);

[0084] General Manager Number;

[0085] Item category;

[0086] Public Land Mobile Network PLMN identity;

[0087] Group ID;

[0088] Subscription Permanent Identifier SUPI;

[0089] Subscribe to hide logo SUCI;

[0090] General Public Subscription Identifier GPSI;

[0091] Globally Unique Temporary Identifier GUTI;

[0092] Temporary Mobile Subscription Identity TMSI;

[0093] Permanent equipment identification PEI;

[0094] IoT device indication information;

[0095] Instructions for any IoT device.

[0096] Optionally, in the communication method, the fourth information includes one or more of the following information: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

[0097] Optionally, in the communication method, the inventory-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory status, inventory changes; and / or,

[0098] The registration or access related information includes at least one of the following: registration status, registration change, access status, access change; and / or

[0099] The location-related information includes at least one of the following: positioning-related information and ranging-related information.

[0100] Optionally, in the communication method, the third information includes one or more of the following:

[0101] Inventory cycle;

[0102] Registration period;

[0103] Data reporting cycle;

[0104] Position format;

[0105] Positioning accuracy;

[0106] ranging format;

[0107] Ranging accuracy;

[0108] Best efforts information;

[0109] Get relevant information in real time;

[0110] Non-real-time acquisition of relevant information;

[0111] First position;

[0112] First Area;

[0113] Position detection cycle.

[0114] Optionally, in the communication method, the location format includes a geographical location and / or a topological location; and / or

[0115] The ranging format includes a geographical location and / or a topological location.

[0116] Optionally, in the communication method, the geographical location includes one or more of the following: longitude and latitude, geographical address, political jurisdiction; and / or

[0117] The topological location includes one or more of the following: a cell identifier, a tracking area identifier, a registration area identifier, a data network access identifier DNAI, and a public land mobile network identifier PLMN ID.

[0118] Optionally, in the communication method, the fifth information is used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0119] Release air interface resources, release sessions, delete contexts, deregister, delete subscription data, deactivate tags, deactivate devices, rewrite tags, and rewrite devices.

[0120] Optionally, in the communication method, the cause value includes one or more of the following:

[0121] The terminal does not exist;

[0122] The terminal has been deregistered;

[0123] The fourth information subscription fails;

[0124] The fourth information request fails.

[0125] Optionally, in the communication method, the sixth information includes one or more of the following:

[0126] Inventory changes, inventory status, registration status, registration changes, device data, sensor information, and location information.

[0127] Optionally, in the communication method, the location-related information includes the current location of the terminal and / or the location or area that the terminal enters or moves out of.

[0128] Optionally, in the communication method, the terminal includes a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0129] Optionally, in the communication method, the first network function includes one or more of the following: application function AF, network exposure function NEF, policy control function PCF, unified data storage UDR, unified data management UDM, session management function SMF, tag management function TMF; and / or,

[0130] The second network function includes one or more of the following: access and mobility management function AMF, UDR, NEF, SMF, TMF, UDM, PCF, radio access network RAN; and / or,

[0131] The third network function includes one or more of the following: AMF, TMF, UDM, UDR, location management function LMF, network data analysis function NWDAF, and RAN.

[0132] One embodiment of the present invention further provides a network function, wherein the network function is a first network function, which includes a processor configured to:

[0133] subscribing to or requesting terminal-related information from a second network function, or subscribing to or requesting terminal-related information from a second network function via at least one network function;

[0134] The terminal-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

[0135] One embodiment of the present invention further provides a network function, wherein the network function is a second network function, which includes a processor configured to:

[0136] Obtaining terminal-related information subscribed or requested by the first network function from the second network function, or obtaining terminal-related information subscribed or requested by the first network function from the second network function via at least one network function;

[0137] The terminal-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

[0138] One embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication device, wherein the device is applied to a first network function, and includes:

[0139] a first processing module, configured to subscribe to or request terminal-related information from the second network function, or to subscribe to or request terminal-related information from the second network function via at least one network function;

[0140] The terminal-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

[0141] One embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication device, wherein the device is applied to a second network function, and includes:

[0142] A second processing module is configured to obtain terminal related information subscribed or requested by the first network function from the second network function, or obtain terminal related information subscribed or requested by the first network function from the second network function via at least one network function;

[0143] The terminal-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

[0144] One embodiment of the present invention further provides a network device, which includes a processor, a memory, and a program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the program implements any of the above communication methods when executed by the processor.

[0145] One embodiment of the present invention further provides a readable storage medium, wherein the readable storage medium stores a program, and when the program is executed by a processor, the steps in any of the above communication methods are implemented.

[0146] At least one of the above technical solutions of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0147] Using the communication method described in the embodiment of the present invention, the first network function can subscribe to or request terminal-related information from the second network function, or subscribe to or request terminal-related information from the second network function via at least one network function to obtain relevant demand information of the Ambient IoT device, so as to adapt to the Ambient IoT device scenario and realize the subscription and request of relevant demand information of the Ambient IoT device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0148] Figure 1 This is a flow chart of the communication method according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0149] Figure 2 This is a flow chart of implementation mode 1 of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0150] Figure 3This is a flow chart of a second embodiment of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0151] Figure 4 This is a flow chart of the communication method according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0152] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the network function according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0153] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the network function described in Example 2 of the present invention;

[0154] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the network device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0155] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the network function described in Example 2 of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0156] To further clarify the technical problems, technical solutions, and advantages to be solved by the present invention, a detailed description is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. To adapt to Ambient IoT device scenarios and enable subscription and request of demand information related to Ambient IoT devices, an embodiment of the present invention provides a communication method in which a first network function can subscribe to or request terminal-related information from a second network function, or alternatively, at least one network function can subscribe to or request terminal-related information from a second network function to obtain demand information related to Ambient IoT devices.

[0157] One embodiment of the present invention provides a communication method, which is applied to a first network function, such as Figure 1 As shown, the method includes:

[0158] S110, the first network function subscribes to or requests terminal-related information from the second network function, or the first network function subscribes to or requests terminal-related information from the second network function via at least one network function;

[0159] The terminal-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

[0160] Optionally, in this embodiment of the present invention, the first network function includes one or more of the following:

[0161] Application Function (AF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Unified Data Repository (UDR), Unified Data Management (UDM), Session Management Function (SMF), Tag Management Function (TMF); and / or,

[0162] The second network function includes one or more of the following:

[0163] Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), UDR, NEF, SMF, TMF, Unified Data Management (UDM), Policy Control Function (PCF), Radio Access Network RAN.

[0164] It should be noted that the second network function has functions such as contract information management, registration management, and subscription information management for Ambient IoT devices. This second network function may be a standalone network function or it may be integrated with network functions (such as AMF, UDR, NEF, SMF, TMF, UDM, PCF, and RAN).

[0165] Optionally, the communication method described in the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to any of the direct connection, relay, downlink / uplink relay, and independent connection modes of the Ambient IoT device. The terminal-related information mentioned in the present invention is information related to the Ambient IoT device, wherein the Ambient IoT device can also be referred to as a "tag" or "terminal". The terminal is not limited to a tag or an Ambient IoT device, but can also be any function or entity that provides an Ambient IoT identifier (for example, an entity that collects and stores tag identifiers and / or other information).

[0166] In an embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the terminal includes a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0167] In addition, in some embodiments, tags, terminals, and Ambient IoT devices are equivalent and can be replaced with each other.

[0168] Using the communication method described in this embodiment, the first network function can subscribe to or request terminal-related information from the second network function, or subscribe to or request terminal-related information from the second network function via at least one network function to obtain relevant demand information of the Ambient IoT device to adapt to the Ambient IoT device scenario and realize the subscription and request of relevant demand information of the Ambient IoT device.

[0169] Optionally, in the terminal-related information, the location-related information includes the current location of the terminal and / or the location or area that the terminal enters or moves out of.

[0170] Optionally, in the terminal-related information, the inventory-related information includes at least one of the following:

[0171] Inventory status, inventory changes; and / or,

[0172] The registration or access-related information includes at least one of the following:

[0173] Registrations, changes to registrations, access, changes to access; and / or

[0174] The location-related information includes at least one of the following:

[0175] Positioning-related information, ranging-related information; and / or

[0176] The sensor information includes: tag data.

[0177] In one embodiment, optionally, the method further comprises:

[0178] The first network function sends first information to the second network function, where the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0179] At least one terminal identifier, group identifier, indication information, immediate report information, third information, fourth information, and fifth information. In one aspect, optionally, the indication information in the first information includes subscription indication information and / or request indication information; and / or,

[0180] The third information is information for indicating a subscription or a request.

[0181] Among them, the indication information in the first information includes subscription indication information, which is used to instruct the first network function to subscribe to terminal-related information from the second network function; the indication information in the first information includes request indication information, which is used to instruct the first network function to request terminal-related information from the second network function.

[0182] In one implementation manner, optionally, the first information includes the subscription indication information in one or more of the following ways:

[0183] 1) The first field in the first information is a first preset value, and the first preset value is used to indicate that the first information is used to subscribe to terminal-related information; that is, the subscription to terminal-related information is performed by displaying an indication;

[0184] 2) Subscribing to the terminal-related information by instructing the first information itself, such as instructing the terminal to subscribe to the terminal-related information by calling a subscription message or service; that is, subscribing to the terminal-related information by implicit instruction;

[0185] 3) Determine, through the internal logic of the second network function, that the first information is for subscription to terminal-related information, that is, subscription to terminal-related information is performed through implicit indication.

[0186] Optionally, the first information includes the request indication information in one or more of the following ways:

[0187] 1) The first field in the first information is a second preset value, and the second preset value is used to indicate that the first information is used to request terminal-related information; that is, the request for terminal-related information is made by displaying an indication;

[0188] 2) Indicating a request for terminal-related information through the first information itself, such as the first information may indicate a request for terminal-related information by calling a request message or service; that is, implicitly indicating a request for terminal-related information;

[0189] 3) Determine, through the internal logic of the second network function, that the first information is a request for terminal-related information, that is, a request for terminal-related information is made through an implicit indication.

[0190] Optionally, the fourth information in the first information includes one or more of the following information:

[0191] Inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

[0192] With this implementation, the first information may indicate the subscribed or requested event information through the fourth information.

[0193] Optionally, the fourth information may include, but is not limited to, only an event ID, indicating the subscribed or requested event information through the event ID. If the indication information includes subscription indication information, the fourth information indicates the subscribed event ID; if the indication information includes request indication information, the fourth information indicates the requested event ID.

[0194] In an embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the third information in the first information is used to indicate the event parameters requested or subscribed by the first network function to the second network function; specifically, when the indication information includes subscription indication information, the third information is used to indicate the subscribed event parameters; when the indication information includes request indication information, the third information is used to indicate the requested event parameters.

[0195] In one embodiment, optionally, the third information includes one or more of the following:

[0196] Inventory cycle;

[0197] Registration period;

[0198] Data reporting cycle;

[0199] Position format;

[0200] Positioning accuracy;

[0201] ranging format;

[0202] Ranging accuracy;

[0203] Best efforts information;

[0204] Get relevant information in real time;

[0205] Non-real-time acquisition of relevant information;

[0206] First position;

[0207] First Area;

[0208] Position detection cycle.

[0209] In one embodiment, optionally, when the subscribed and / or requested event includes inventory-related information, the event parameters in the third information may include an inventory cycle and / or a data reporting cycle, etc.

[0210] Optionally, in the case where the subscribed and / or requested event includes registration or access related information, the event parameters in the third information may include a registration period and / or a data reporting period, etc.

[0211] In the case where the subscribed and / or requested event includes one or more of inventory-related information, registration or access-related information and transmitter information, the event parameter in the third information may include "real-time acquisition of relevant information" or "non-real-time acquisition of relevant information" to indicate whether it is necessary to obtain relevant information of the corresponding event in real time; for example, in the case where the event parameter in the third information includes "real-time acquisition of relevant information", it is used to indicate that the network side needs to obtain relevant information of the subscribed or requested corresponding event in real time, or needs to return the information obtained in the previous cycle. Specifically, for example, tag 1 updates the inventory / registration status once every 24 hours by default. When the first network function requests the inventory / registration status of tag 1, if the event parameter in the third information includes "real-time acquisition of relevant information", it indicates that real-time acquisition is required, that is, the network side is instructed to immediately obtain the inventory / registration status once, otherwise the network side can return the information of the last default inventory update (that is, it may be any time within 24 hours); tag 2 updates the tag data once every 1 minute by default. When the first network device requests the tag data of tag 2, if the event parameter in the third information includes "real-time acquisition of relevant information", indicating that real-time acquisition is required, the network side is instructed to immediately obtain the tag data once, otherwise the network side can return the tag data of the last default update (that is, it may be any time within 1 minute).

[0212] It should be noted that there are two possible implementation methods for whether it is necessary to obtain information in real time: 1) The need for real-time acquisition of relevant information is reflected as indication information, that is, when the third information includes the parameter "real-time acquisition of relevant information", it means that the first network device requests the network side to return the real-time acquired information; when the parameter "real-time acquisition of relevant information" is not included, it means that the network side does not need to return the real-time acquired information; 2) The real-time acquisition of relevant information in the third information is indicated by a preset flag, such as the real-time acquisition of relevant information is indicated by the True value, which is used to indicate the first network device to request the network side to return the real-time acquired relevant information, otherwise the network side does not need to return the real-time acquired relevant information.

[0213] According to the above, the third information may include only one of "real-time acquisition of relevant information" and "non-real-time acquisition of relevant information", and is not limited to including both parameters at the same time.

[0214] In another embodiment, optionally, when the subscribed and / or requested event includes sensor information, such as tag data (such as tag location), the event parameters in the third information may include one or more of "location format", "positioning accuracy", etc. Optionally, the location format includes geographic location and / or topological location, and the geographic location includes one or more of the following: longitude and latitude, geographic address, and political jurisdiction; the topological location includes one or more of the following: cell ID, tracking area ID TAI, registration area ID, data network access identifier (Data Network Access Identifier, DNAI), public land mobile network (Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN) ID. Positioning accuracy is used to specify the granularity of position accuracy, for example, for geographic location, it can be accurate to 1m, 5m or accurate to street address, etc., and for topological location, it can be accurate to RA, TA or cell granularity, etc.

[0215] In one embodiment, the parameter indicated by the third information includes best effort information, which can be described as best effort or best effort indication. The parameter is used to instruct the network to provide parameters based on the current network capability status and try to provide services with higher accuracy and shorter cycle.

[0216] In one embodiment, the third information optionally includes a first location for indicating the location of the requested or subscribed event, and the third information optionally includes a first area for indicating the area of the requested or subscribed event. Optionally, when the terminal-related information subscribed to or requested by the first network function from the second network includes sensor information, such as a tag location, the parameter indicated by the third information may include the first location for indicating the requested tag location, and / or the parameter indicated by the third information may include the first area for indicating the area of the requested tag location.

[0217] It should be noted that, in an embodiment of the present invention, whether the first information sent by the first network function to the second network function includes the third information (event parameters) is not determined by whether the first information includes the fourth information (event ID). In one implementation, the first information may include the fourth information (event ID), but include the requested or subscribed third information (event parameters); in another implementation, the first information may also include only the fourth information (event ID), but not the requested or subscribed third information (event parameters).

[0218] In one embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the fifth information sent by the first network function to the second network function indicates one or more of the following:

[0219] Release air interface resources, release sessions, delete contexts, deregister, delete subscription data, deactivate tags, deactivate devices, rewrite tags, and rewrite devices.

[0220] The fifth information is used to indicate the execution action subscribed and / or requested by the first network function to the second network function, and the execution action may include one or more of the above.

[0221] Optionally, when the first information includes a terminal identifier and fifth information, the terminal identifier and fifth information indicate that the first network device subscribes to or requests the second network device, and the second network device executes the execution action indicated by the fifth information on the terminal corresponding to the terminal identifier.

[0222] For example, the identifier of the terminal indicated in the first information is the identifier of tag 1, the indication information includes request indication information, the request event ID of the fourth information is the tag location, the event parameter requested in the third information includes the location format, and the location format is the topological location, such as the accuracy is the cell granularity, and the execution action indicated by the fifth information is deregistration. Based on the first information, the first network device is used to make the following request: request the location information of tag 1 with the cell ID as the accuracy, and perform deregistration on tag 1 after returning the location.

[0223] In the embodiment of the present invention, optionally, in the first information, the identifier of the terminal includes one or more of the following:

[0224] Part or all of the fields of the Electronic Product Code (EPC);

[0225] General Manager Number;

[0226] Item category;

[0227] Public Land Mobile Network PLMN identity;

[0228] Group ID;

[0229] Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI);

[0230] Subscription Concealed Identifier (SUCI);

[0231] Generic Public Subscription Identifier (GPSI);

[0232] Globally Unique Temporary UE Identity (GUTI);

[0233] Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI);

[0234] Permanent Equipment Identifier (PEI);

[0235] IoT device indication information;

[0236] Instructions for any IoT device.

[0237] Optionally, the IoT device indication information is used to indicate that the terminal indicated by part or all of the fields of the electronic product code EPC, the universal administrator number and / or the item category is an IoT device, such as an Ambient IoT device; the indication applicable to any IoT device is used to indicate that the request and / or subscription for the first information is applicable to all IoT devices, such as all Ambient IoT devices.

[0238] Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the identification of the terminal may only include an indication applicable to any Internet of Things device, used to indicate that the first information sent by the first network function to the second network function is applicable to any Internet of Things device; in another embodiment, optionally, the identification of the terminal may include part or all of the fields of the electronic product code EPC, the universal administrator number and / or one or more of the item categories, and may also include Internet of Things device indication information, indicating that the corresponding terminal is an Internet of Things device, and the first information is applicable to the terminal indicated by the first information.

[0239] Optionally, according to existing standards, an Electronic Product Code (EPC) may include an 8-bit EPC header, a 28-bit General Manager Number, a 24-bit Object Class number, and a 36-bit serial number. In this embodiment, the terminal identifier in the first message may include some or all of the EPC fields, the General Manager Number, and the Object Class number to indicate the terminal identifier.

[0240] In another embodiment, the first information may include a set / list of identifiers of multiple terminals, used to indicate multiple terminals; or, the first information may include a partial field of the EPC identifier, indicating a set of all terminals including the partial field; or, the first information indicates a set of multiple terminals by including a group identifier ID.

[0241] In one possible implementation, when the first information includes a partial field of an EPC or universal administrator, it is used to indicate all terminal identifiers that match the field. For example, if a universal administrator number of 0x000001F is sent, it is equivalent to sending all terminals or tags that meet the 28-bit value of the universal administrator number of 0x000001F (which can be understood as a principle similar to a mask). It can be understood that when the first information sends the terminal identifier in the form of an identifier set / list, each terminal can correspond to the same or different contract information; if the first information sends the terminal identifier in the form of a partial field or group ID, then at least one tag identifier represented by the same partial field or group ID corresponds to the same contract information. For example, if the first network device needs to subscribe to certain information (such as inventory status) for a company's inventory, or for goods of the type cola, or for goods purchased in June 2023, the first network device can send a first message to the second network device, where the universal administrator number carried by the first message is the company number of Walmart Supermarket, or the item category carried by the first message is the item category of cola, or the first message carries an EPC list of all tags purchased in June 2023.

[0242] In the embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the first information may further include immediate report information. For example, the immediate report information may be an immediate report flag.

[0243] The immediate reporting information is used to instruct the second network device to immediately send a feedback notification to the first network device after obtaining the subscription or request of the first network device for the terminal related information, regardless of whether the subscribed or requested terminal related information is satisfied.

[0244] Optionally, the implementation of the immediate reporting information includes one or more of the following:

[0245] 1) Immediate reporting information is an indication information, that is, when the first information includes the parameter "immediate reporting information", it is used to indicate that the first network device requests the second network device to immediately return the subscription and / or request information; when the first information does not include the parameter "immediate reporting information", it is used to indicate that the second network device does not need to immediately return the corresponding information for the subscription and / or request to the first network device;

[0246] 2) Immediately report information through a flag indication, that is, when the parameter value of "immediately report information" is True, it is used to indicate that the first network device requests the second network device to immediately return the subscription and / or request information; otherwise, it indicates the subscription and / or request to the first network device, and the second network device does not need to immediately return the corresponding information.

[0247] In an embodiment of the present invention, in one implementation manner, optionally, the first network function may directly subscribe to or request terminal-related information from the second network function. In another implementation manner, optionally, the first network function may subscribe to or request terminal-related information from the second network function via at least one network function.

[0248] On the other hand, optionally, the first network function may directly send the first information to the second network function; optionally, the first network function may subscribe to or request terminal-related information from the second network function via at least one network function.

[0249] For example, in one embodiment, the first network function is AF, the second network function may be AMF, and AF may send the above-mentioned terminal-related information and / or first information to AMF via NEF.

[0250] Therefore, the communication method described in the embodiment of the present invention does not limit the path and method of sending the above-mentioned information terminal related information and / or the first information from the first network function (such as AF) to the second network function (such as AMF), such as whether it is forwarded via NEF, whether it is forwarded via NFx / UDM, etc.; nor does it limit whether there is an encapsulation change during the forwarding process, and only focuses on the information being sent from the first network function (such as AF) to the second network function (such as AMF).

[0251] In one embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the method further includes:

[0252] The first network function receives second information sent by the second network function, where the second information includes one or more of the following:

[0253] At least one terminal identifier, group identifier, subscription result, reason value, subscription identifier, deregistration related information, third information, fourth information, and sixth information.

[0254] On the one hand, optionally, the second network function requests all or part of the second information from the third network function; optionally, the second network function sends a first request to the third network function, where the first request includes all or part of the first information, for requesting the second information.

[0255] In one embodiment, optionally, the first request includes all or part of the first information, and requests the second information from the third network device by including all or part of the first information.

[0256] In one embodiment, the third network function includes one or more of the following: AMF, TMF, UDM, UDR, location management function LMF, network data analysis function NWDAF, and RAN.

[0257] For example, when the first network function subscribes to or requests location-related information, the second network function needs to request the LMF to obtain the terminal location information.

[0258] In this way, after the second network function obtains the second information, it sends the second information to the first network function, which is used to indicate a response to the terminal-related information subscribed or requested by the first network function.

[0259] Optionally, the second information includes an identifier of at least one terminal, which is used to indicate that the second information is a response to the terminal or label corresponding to the identifier of the terminal; wherein, the indication method of the terminal identifier in the second information can be the same as the indication method of the terminal identifier in the first information, and will not be repeated here.

[0260] Similarly, the second information may include a group identifier, which is used to indicate that the second information is a response corresponding to the terminal or tag corresponding to the group identifier.

[0261] Optionally, the second information may include a subscription result, which indicates whether the subscription result of the terminal-related information corresponding to the corresponding identifier requested by the first network device or the requested subscription result is successful or failed. Optionally, if the subscription result is a failure, the second information may also include a reason value for the failure.

[0262] In one embodiment, in the second information, the cause value includes one or more of the following:

[0263] The terminal does not exist;

[0264] The terminal has been deregistered;

[0265] The fourth information subscription fails;

[0266] The fourth information request fails.

[0267] For example, the reason value includes that the subscribed tag identifier (corresponding tag) does not exist or has been deregistered, the subscribed event is not supported, etc.

[0268] Optionally, the second information may include a subscription identifier. Optionally, in the case of a successful subscription, the subscription identifier may be included to indicate identification information of this subscription.

[0269] Optionally, the second information includes fourth information for indicating the event ID to which the second information responds. The content of the fourth information is the same as that of the first information and will not be described again here.

[0270] Optionally, the second information includes third information for indicating event parameters to which the second information responds. Wherein, if the terminal-related information requested or subscribed by the first network function includes event parameters, the second information may return event parameters for accepting the subscription or request.

[0271] The third information sent in the second information may be one or more of the following:

[0272] Inventory cycle;

[0273] Registration period;

[0274] Data reporting cycle;

[0275] Position format;

[0276] Positioning accuracy;

[0277] ranging format;

[0278] Ranging accuracy;

[0279] Best efforts information;

[0280] Get relevant information in real time;

[0281] Non-real-time acquisition of relevant information;

[0282] First position;

[0283] First Area;

[0284] Position detection cycle.

[0285] Optionally, the third information in the second information may be determined using at least one of the following situations:

[0286] 1) If the event parameters requested or subscribed by the first network function cannot be met, the second network device may return event parameters other than the requested or subscribed event parameters and acceptable to the second network device in the second information;

[0287] 2) If the event parameters requested or subscribed by the first network function include best-effort information, the second network device may return specific event parameters to the first network device in the second information;

[0288] 3) If the event parameters requested or subscribed by the first network function can be satisfied, the second network function may not send the accepted event parameters to indicate that the requested event parameters have been accepted, or may return the requested or subscribed event parameters as the accepted event parameters.

[0289] For example, if the subscription event includes "inventory-related information / registration or access-related information" and the requested event parameter includes "inventory period," the second network function can return the same or a different inventory period as the requested event parameter. As a specific example, if the first network function requests an inventory period of 1 hour, but the network side determines that the subscription should be executed according to an inventory period of 12 hours for some reason (e.g., one or more factors such as network capabilities, resource allocation, and tag characteristics), the second network function can return an "inventory period" parameter value of 12 hours to the first network function.

[0290] For another example, if the subscription event includes tag data, and the requested event parameters include "data reporting period", the network side can return a data reporting period that is the same as or different from the requested event parameters. As a specific example, the data reporting period requested by the first network function is 30s, but the network side determines to notify the first network function of the tag data in a period of 60s for some reason (such as one or more of network capabilities, resource allocation, data characteristics, etc.). The second network function can return a "data reporting period" parameter value of 60s to the first network function.

[0291] For another example, if the subscription event includes the tag location, and the requested event parameters include "location format" and "positioning accuracy", the network side can return the same or different location format and / or positioning accuracy as the requested event parameters. As a specific example, the location format requested by the first network function is geographic location, and the positioning accuracy is 1m, but the network side determines to perform geographic location positioning with an accuracy of 5m on the tag for some reason (such as one or more of network capabilities, resource allocation, tag characteristics, etc.). In this case, the second network device can return a "positioning accuracy" parameter value of 5m to the first network device, and may or may not return the "positioning format" as geographic location to the first network function (if not returned, the first network function assumes that geographic location is accepted as the location format).

[0292] For another example, if the subscription event includes the tag location, and the requested event parameters include "detection area" and "detection period", the network side can return the same or different detection period as the requested event parameters. As a specific example, the first network function requests a location detection period of 1 minute, but the network side determines to detect whether the tag moves out of area A in a 2-minute period for some reason (such as one or more of network capabilities, resource allocation, and tag characteristics). In this case, the second network function can return a "detection period" parameter value of 2 minutes to the AF.

[0293] For another example, if the requested event parameter includes best effort information, the network side can return specific parameters. As a specific example, if the first network function requests a best effort event parameter, and the network side determines that the subscription should be executed according to an inventory period of 6 hours based on one or more factors such as network capabilities, resource allocation, and tag characteristics, the second network function can return the received event parameter value of 6 hours to the first network function.

[0294] It should be noted that the content and method of the third information returned by the above-mentioned second information are only for illustration and are not limited thereto. Each possible implementation method will not be described with examples here.

[0295] Optionally, in one embodiment, when the first information sent by the first network function to the second network function includes immediate reporting information, that is, includes an immediate reporting flag or the immediate reporting flag value is True, the second network function may also return specific information of the subscription or request in the subscription or request response (second information) sent to the first network function, regardless of whether the subscribed or requested event is satisfied. For example, if the first network function subscribes to inventory-related information and / or registration or access-related information, the second network function may send the registration status of the tag to the first network function in the registration response; if the first network function subscribes to tag data, the second network function may send the tag data to the first network function in the registration response; if the first network function subscribes to the tag location, the second network function may send the tag location information to the first network function in the registration response.

[0296] Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the second information may further include sixth information, and the sixth information includes one or more of the following: inventory changes, inventory status, registration status, registration changes, device data, sensor information, and location information.

[0297] In an embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the second information sent by the second network function to the first network function may be sent to the second network function via other network functions, or may be sent to the second network function without passing through other network functions, that is, directly sent to the first network function.

[0298] The following combination Figure 2 As shown, the first network function is AF, the second network function is AMF, and the fourth network function is TMF. AF subscribes to terminal related information from AMF, such as the process of subscribing to A-IoT related events. The subscription process includes the following steps:

[0299] S201: The AF sends an AF request to the TMF (fourth network function) to request subscription of terminal related information; the AF request may include the first information and is sent to the AMF via the TMF; it should be noted that, of course, the AF may also send the AF request directly to the AMF;

[0300] In the embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the first information includes one or more of the following information:

[0301] 1) At least one tag identifier, used to indicate the tag associated with this subscription; the tag identifier may include part or all of the Electronic Product Code (EPC), one or more of the universal manager number and / or item category; the tag identifier may also include a PLMN identifier and a group identifier; and may also include IoT device indication information, indicating that the corresponding terminal is an IoT device;

[0302] In addition, the first information may include a set / list of identifiers of multiple terminals, used to indicate multiple terminals; or, the first information may include a partial field of the EPC identifier, indicating a set of all terminals including the partial field; or, the first information indicates a set of multiple terminals by including a group identifier ID.

[0303] 2) Indication information. In this implementation, the indication information is subscription indication information, which is used to instruct the AF to subscribe to terminal-related information from the AMF.

[0304] The subscription instruction information may be implemented in one or more of the following ways:

[0305] The first field in the first information is a first preset value, and the first preset value is used to indicate that the first information is used to subscribe to terminal-related information; that is, the subscription to terminal-related information is performed by displaying an indication;

[0306] Subscription to the terminal-related information is indicated by the first information itself, such as the first information can indicate subscription to the terminal-related information by calling a subscription message or service; that is, subscription to the terminal-related information is performed by implicit indication;

[0307] The internal logic of the second network function determines that the first information is for subscription to terminal related information, that is, subscription to terminal related information is performed through implicit indication.

[0308] 3) The fourth information is used to indicate the subscribed event ID;

[0309] Optionally, the terminal-related information events subscribed to by the AF include one or more of the following:

[0310] Inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

[0311] Optionally, if the subscribed tag only involves one subscribable event, the first information may not include the event identification ID, that is, may not include the fourth information.

[0312] 4) The third information is used to indicate the relevant parameters of the events subscribed by AF to AMF.

[0313] The subscribed event parameters are a supplement to the event identification ID, that is, more specific requirements for the subscribed event subscription.

[0314] Optionally, the third information includes one or more of the following:

[0315] Inventory cycle;

[0316] Registration period;

[0317] Data reporting cycle;

[0318] Position format;

[0319] Positioning accuracy;

[0320] ranging format;

[0321] Ranging accuracy;

[0322] Best efforts information;

[0323] Get relevant information in real time;

[0324] Non-real-time acquisition of relevant information;

[0325] First position;

[0326] First Area;

[0327] Position detection cycle.

[0328] Specifically, the method for determining the event parameters in the third information can refer to the detailed description of the third information above, and will not be repeated here.

[0329] 5) Immediate reporting information is used to instruct the network side to immediately send a feedback notification to the AF after obtaining the AF's subscription to the terminal related information, regardless of whether the subscribed terminal related information is met.

[0330] Optionally, the implementation of the immediate reporting information includes one or more of the following:

[0331] The immediate report information is an indication information, that is, when the parameter "immediate report information" is included in the first information, it is used to indicate that the AF requests the network side to immediately return the subscription information; when the parameter "immediate report information" is not included in the first information, it is used to indicate that the AMF does not need to return the corresponding information immediately for the AF subscription;

[0332] The immediate reporting information is indicated by a flag, that is, when the parameter value of "Immediate Report Information" is True, it is used to indicate that the AF requests the network side to immediately return the subscribed information. Otherwise, it indicates the subscription to the AF, and the AMF does not need to return the corresponding information immediately.

[0333] 6) The fifth information is used to indicate the execution action subscribed by the AF to the AMF. The execution action may indicate one or more of the following:

[0334] Release air interface resources, release sessions, delete contexts, deregister, delete subscription data, deactivate tags, deactivate devices, rewrite tags, and rewrite devices.

[0335] As a specific example, the first information sent by AF includes: the identification of tags 1 to 10, subscription indication information, the subscription event ID is the tag location, the requested event parameter is moving out of area A, the detection period is 10s, and the execution action is deregistration.

[0336] Optionally, the subscription request is used to: request the network side to detect once every 10 seconds; when at least one of tags 1 to 10 moves out of area A, AF requests the network side to send a notification and deregister all tags 1 to 10 that move out of area A.

[0337] S202: The TMF sends a first message including the subscription information to the AMF.

[0338] S203, the AMF requests one or more of the third network functions NF (such as AMF, TMF, UDM, UDR, location management function LMF, network data analysis function NWDAF, RAN) to obtain the above subscription information; for example, if the AF subscribes to the label location, the AMF subscribes to the label location information from the LMF;

[0339] S204: The AMF sends a second message to the AF via the TMF, i.e., returns a subscription response to the subscription information to the AF via the TMF.

[0340] S205, TMF forwards the subscription response to AF;

[0341] Optionally, the second information includes one or more of the following information:

[0342] 1) At least one tag identifier to indicate the tag associated with this response;

[0343] 2) The fourth information is used to indicate the event ID to which the second information responds. The content of the fourth information is the same as that of the first information and will not be described again here.

[0344] 3) third information, used to indicate the event parameters received in response to the second information;

[0345] Optionally, the third information in the second information may be determined using at least one of the following situations:

[0346] If the event parameters subscribed by the AF cannot be satisfied, the AMF may return event parameters other than the subscribed event parameters that are acceptable to the AMF in the second message;

[0347] In the case that the event parameters subscribed by the AF include best effort information, the AMF may return the specific event parameters to the AF in the second message;

[0348] If the event parameters subscribed by AF can be satisfied, AMF may not send the accepted event parameters to indicate that the requested event parameters have been accepted, or may return the subscribed event parameters as the accepted event parameters.

[0349] 4) Sixth information, used to indicate specific information of subscription;

[0350] Optionally, the sixth information includes one or more of the following: inventory changes, inventory status, registration status, registration change status, device data, sensor information, and location information.

[0351] In one embodiment, when the first information sent by the AF to the AMF includes immediate reporting information, that is, includes an immediate reporting flag or the immediate reporting flag value is True, regardless of whether the subscribed event is satisfied, the AMF may also return the specific information of the subscription in the subscription (second information) sent to the AF. For example: if the AF subscribes to inventory-related information and / or registration or access-related information, the AMF may send the registration status of the tag to the AF in the registration response; if the AF subscribes to tag data, the AMF may send the tag data to the AF in the registration response; if the AF subscribes to the tag location, the AMF may send the tag location information to the AF in the registration response.

[0352] It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned subscription process for A-IoT related events is only for illustration and is not limited thereto.

[0353] In addition, the specific implementation of the request process for A-IoT related events can refer to the detailed description of the specific implementation of the subscription process, which will not be repeated here.

[0354] In an embodiment of the present invention, when it is determined that an A-IoT event subscribed by the AF occurs, the network side can actively send a notification to the AF to notify the AF of the relevant information of the A-IoT event subscribed by the AF, that is, send terminal related information to the AF.

[0355] Combine Figure 3 As shown, taking the AMF sending terminal related information to the AF as an example, the specific implementation process includes the following steps:

[0356] S301, the AMF receives the relevant information subscribed by the AF from other NFs (such as a third network device);

[0357] If the AMF needs to subscribe to other NFs for events subscribed by the AF, the event is also received from the NF and the AMF determines the occurrence. For example, the LMF notifies the AMF of the tag location event, and the NFx (such as TMF) notifies the AMF of the tag data information.

[0358] Optionally, the relevant information sent by other NFs obtained by the AMF includes a full or partial identifier of at least one label, used to indicate that the relevant information is the relevant information corresponding to the label corresponding to the identifier;

[0359] S302: The AMF determines that an event subscribed by the AF occurs.

[0360] Optionally, the AMF may determine this based on relevant information sent by other NFs, or the AMF may determine this locally.

[0361] In one embodiment, the execution of the immediate reporting information is not to send the subscription information through the AF, but to immediately execute an event notification process. Therefore, the trigger condition for the AMF to determine the occurrence of the event subscribed by the AF may also be based on the immediate reporting information, or the occurrence of the subscribed event may also include the immediate reporting information;

[0362] S303: AMF sends a notification message to NFx (e.g., NEF). The notification message includes one or more of the following information:

[0363] 1) At least one tag identifier to indicate the tag to which this notification is related;

[0364] 2) Event ID, which indicates the subscription event related to this notification;

[0365] 3) Subscription ID: If the subscription of AF is successful, the notification message includes the subscription ID to inform AF of the identification of this subscription.

[0366] 4) Notified event content, which may be fourth information, used to indicate the event notified by the notification message.

[0367] For example, if AF subscribes to inventory / registration changes, AMF can send the registration status of the tag to AF in the notification message; if AF subscribes to tag data, AMF can send the tag data to AF in the notification message; if AF subscribes to tag location, AMF can send the tag location information to AF in the notification message.

[0368] 5) Execution event parameter, which may be third information, used to indicate the event parameter notified by the notification message.

[0369] It should be noted that, corresponding to the subscription message sent by AF, when AMF returns the accepted event parameters to AF, if the event parameters cannot be met during execution due to some reasons, or the event parameters requested in the request message sent by AF, when AMF returns the response message of the request message, it does not return the accepted event parameters, or the above subscription message and request message do not include the requested event parameters, and AMF expects to open the preset event parameters to AF, then AMF may include the event parameters notified to AF in the notification message sent to AF. The notified event parameters include the following situations:

[0370] 1) If the requested event parameters / accepted event parameters are not met during actual execution, the network side can return the actual event parameters;

[0371] 2) If the requested event parameters are best effort information, the network side can inform the AF of the event parameters actually executed;

[0372] 3) If the requested event parameters / accepted event parameters are actually executed, the network side may not send the executed event parameters to indicate that the requested event parameters / accepted event parameters have been executed, or may return the requested event parameters / accepted event parameters as the executed event parameters.

[0373] For example, if the subscription event is "Inventory / Registration Change" and the requested event parameter is "Inventory Period", the network side may notify an inventory period that is the same as or different from the requested event parameter and / or the accepted event parameter. As a specific example, the AF requested an inventory period of 1 hour and accepted an inventory period of 12 hours, but the network side, for some reason (such as one or more of network capabilities, resource allocation, tag characteristics, etc.), actually executes this subscription according to an inventory period of 24 hours. In this case, the AMF may notify the AF that the "Inventory Period" parameter value is 24 hours.

[0374] For another example, if the subscription event is "tag data" and the requested event parameter is "data reporting period", the network side can notify the data reporting period that is the same as or different from the requested event parameter and / or the accepted event parameter. As a specific example, the data reporting period requested by the AF is 30s and the accepted data reporting period is 60s, but the network side still notifies the AF of the tag data in a period of 30s for some reason (such as one or more of network capabilities, resource allocation, tag characteristics, etc.). In this case, the AMF can notify the AF that the "data reporting period" parameter value is 30s.

[0375] For another example, if the subscribed event is "tag location" and the requested event parameters are "location format" and "positioning accuracy", the network side can notify the location format and / or positioning accuracy that are the same as or different from the requested event parameters and / or accepted event parameters. As a specific example, the location format requested by the AF is geographic location, the positioning accuracy is 1m, the accepted location format is topological location, and the positioning accuracy is cell granularity. However, for some reasons (such as one or more of network capabilities, resource allocation, tag characteristics, etc.), the network side actually performs positioning on the tag according to the topological location with DNAI granularity as the accuracy. In this case, the AMF can notify the AF that the "positioning accuracy" parameter value is DNAI, and may or may not notify the AF that the "positioning format" is topological location (if not notified, the AF defaults to the topological location as the location format).

[0376] For another example, if the subscribed event is "tag location" and the requested event parameters are "detection area" and "detection period", the network side can notify the detection period that is the same as or different from the requested event parameters and / or accepted event parameters. As a specific example, the location detection period requested by the AF is 1 minute, and the accepted location detection period is 2 minutes. However, for some reasons (such as network capabilities, resource allocation, tag characteristics, etc.), the network side actually performs a detection on whether the tag moves out of area A with a period of 5 minutes. In this case, the AMF can notify the AF that the "detection period" parameter value is 5 minutes.

[0377] S304, NFx forwards the notification message to AF;

[0378] Of course, in another implementation, the above steps S303 and S304 may not be performed, and the AMF directly sends the notification message to the AF;

[0379] S305: The AMF determines to register at least one tag subscribed by the AF.

[0380] S306: The AMF sends a notification message to the AF, including at least one of the following: at least one tag identifier, a subscription ID, and deregistration indication information.

[0381] It should be noted that even if AF has not subscribed to inventory / registration related events, AMF can still send the notification.

[0382] It should be noted that the above-mentioned specific implementation process of determining by the network side that an A-IoT event subscribed by the AF occurs and sending a notification to the AF is only for illustration and is not limited to this.

[0383] By adopting the communication method described in the embodiment of the present invention, the AF interacts with the core network under the simplified Ambient IoT architecture, so that the core network opens Ambient IoT related information to the AF to adapt to the Ambient IoT device scenario and realize the subscription and request of Ambient IoT device-related demand information in the core network.

[0384] One embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication method, which is applied to a second network function, such as Figure 4 As shown, the method includes:

[0385] S410: The second network function obtains terminal-related information subscribed or requested by the first network function from the second network function, or obtains terminal-related information subscribed or requested by the first network function from the second network function via at least one network function;

[0386] The terminal-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

[0387] Using the communication method described in the embodiment of the present invention, the first network function can subscribe to or request terminal-related information from the second network function, or subscribe to or request terminal-related information from the second network function via at least one network function to obtain relevant demand information of the Ambient IoT device.

[0388] Optionally, the communication method further comprises:

[0389] The second network function obtains first information sent by the first network function, where the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0390] The identifier of at least one terminal UE, the group identifier, the indication information, the immediate reporting information, the third information, the fourth information, and the fifth information.

[0391] Optionally, in the communication method, the indication information includes subscription indication information and / or request indication information; and / or,

[0392] The third information is information for indicating a subscription or a request.

[0393] Optionally, the communication method further comprises:

[0394] The second network function sends second information to the first network function, where the second information includes one or more of the following:

[0395] At least one terminal identifier, group identifier, subscription result, reason value, subscription identifier, deregistration related information, third information, fourth information, and sixth information.

[0396] Optionally, the communication method further comprises:

[0397] The second network function requests all or part of the second information from a third network function.

[0398] Optionally, the communication method further comprises:

[0399] The second network function sends a first request to a third network function, where the first request includes all or part of the first information.

[0400] Optionally, the communication method further comprises:

[0401] The second network function receives all or part of the second information sent by the third network function.

[0402] Optionally, in the communication method, the terminal identifier includes one or more of the following:

[0403] Part or all of the fields of the Electronic Product Code (EPC);

[0404] General Manager Number;

[0405] Item category;

[0406] Public Land Mobile Network PLMN identity;

[0407] Group ID;

[0408] Subscription Permanent Identifier SUPI;

[0409] Subscribe to hide logo SUCI;

[0410] General Public Subscription Identifier GPSI;

[0411] Globally Unique Temporary Identifier GUTI;

[0412] Temporary Mobile Subscription Identity TMSI;

[0413] Permanent equipment identification PEI;

[0414] IoT device indication information;

[0415] Instructions for any IoT device.

[0416] Optionally, in the communication method, the fourth information includes one or more of the following information: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

[0417] Optionally, in the communication method, the inventory-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory status, inventory changes; and / or,

[0418] The registration or access related information includes at least one of the following: registration status, registration change, access status, access change; and / or

[0419] The location-related information includes at least one of the following: positioning-related information and ranging-related information.

[0420] Optionally, in the communication method, the third information includes one or more of the following:

[0421] Inventory cycle;

[0422] Registration period;

[0423] Data reporting cycle;

[0424] Position format;

[0425] Positioning accuracy;

[0426] ranging format;

[0427] Ranging accuracy;

[0428] Best efforts information;

[0429] Get relevant information in real time;

[0430] Non-real-time acquisition of relevant information;

[0431] First position;

[0432] First Area;

[0433] Position detection cycle.

[0434] Optionally, in the communication method, the location format includes a geographical location and / or a topological location; and / or

[0435] The ranging format includes a geographical location and / or a topological location.

[0436] Optionally, in the communication method, the geographical location includes one or more of the following: longitude and latitude, geographical address, political jurisdiction; and / or

[0437] The topological location includes one or more of the following: a cell identifier, a tracking area identifier, a registration area identifier, a data network access identifier DNAI, and a public land mobile network identifier PLMN ID.

[0438] Optionally, in the communication method, the fifth information is used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0439] Release air interface resources, release sessions, delete contexts, deregister, delete subscription data, deactivate tags, deactivate devices, rewrite tags, and rewrite devices.

[0440] Optionally, in the communication method, the cause value includes one or more of the following:

[0441] The terminal does not exist;

[0442] The terminal has been deregistered;

[0443] The fourth information subscription fails;

[0444] The fourth information request fails.

[0445] Optionally, in the communication method, the sixth information includes one or more of the following:

[0446] Inventory changes, inventory status, registration status, registration changes, device data, sensor information, and location information.

[0447] Optionally, in the communication method, the location-related information includes the current location of the terminal and / or the location or area that the terminal enters or moves out of.

[0448] Optionally, in the communication method, the terminal includes a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0449] Optionally, in the communication method, the first network function includes one or more of the following: application function AF, network exposure function NEF, policy control function PCF, unified data storage UDR, unified data management UDM, session management function SMF, tag management function TMF; and / or,

[0450] The second network function includes one or more of the following: access and mobility management function AMF, UDR, NEF, SMF, TMF, UDM, PCF, radio access network RAN; and / or,

[0451] The third network function includes one or more of the following: AMF, TMF, UDM, UDR, location management function LMF, network data analysis function NWDAF, and RAN.

[0452] One embodiment of the present invention provides a network function, wherein the network function is a first network function, such as Figure 5 As shown, the first network function 500 includes a processor 510 and a transceiver 520, configured to:

[0453] subscribing to or requesting terminal-related information from a second network function, or subscribing to or requesting terminal-related information from a second network function via at least one network function;

[0454] The terminal-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

[0455] Optionally, the network function, wherein the transceiver 520 is configured to:

[0456] Sending first information to the second network function, where the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0457] At least one terminal identifier, group identifier, indication information, immediate report information, third information, fourth information, and fifth information.

[0458] Optionally, the network function, wherein the indication information includes subscription indication information and / or request indication information; and / or,

[0459] The third information is information for indicating a subscription or a request.

[0460] Optionally, in the network function, the transceiver 520 is further configured to:

[0461] Receive second information sent by the second network function, where the second information includes one or more of the following:

[0462] At least one terminal identifier, group identifier, subscription result, reason value, subscription identifier, deregistration related information, third information, fourth information, and sixth information.

[0463] Optionally, in the network function, the terminal identifier includes one or more of the following:

[0464] Part or all of the fields of the Electronic Product Code (EPC);

[0465] General Manager Number;

[0466] Item category;

[0467] Public Land Mobile Network PLMN identity;

[0468] Group ID;

[0469] Subscription Permanent Identifier SUPI;

[0470] Subscribe to hide logo SUCI;

[0471] General Public Subscription Identifier GPSI;

[0472] Globally Unique Temporary Identifier GUTI;

[0473] Temporary Mobile Subscription Identity TMSI;

[0474] Permanent equipment identification PEI;

[0475] IoT device indication information;

[0476] Instructions for any IoT device.

[0477] Optionally, the network function, wherein the fourth information includes one or more of the following information: inventory related information, registration or access related information, location related information, sensor information.

[0478] Optionally, in the network function, the inventory-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory status, inventory changes; and / or,

[0479] The registration or access related information includes at least one of the following: registration status, registration change, access status, access change; and / or

[0480] The location-related information includes at least one of the following: positioning-related information and ranging-related information.

[0481] Optionally, in the network function, the third information includes one or more of the following:

[0482] Inventory cycle;

[0483] Registration period;

[0484] Data reporting cycle;

[0485] Position format;

[0486] Positioning accuracy;

[0487] ranging format;

[0488] Ranging accuracy;

[0489] Best efforts information;

[0490] Get relevant information in real time;

[0491] Non-real-time acquisition of relevant information;

[0492] First position;

[0493] First Area;

[0494] Position detection cycle.

[0495] Optionally, the network function, wherein the location format includes a geographical location and / or a topological location; and / or

[0496] The ranging format includes a geographical location and / or a topological location.

[0497] Optionally, the network function, wherein the geographical location includes one or more of the following: latitude and longitude, geographical address, political jurisdiction; and / or

[0498] The topological location includes one or more of the following: a cell identifier, a tracking area identifier, a registration area identifier, a data network access identifier DNAI, and a public land mobile network identifier PLMN ID.

[0499] Optionally, in the network function, the fifth information indicates one or more of the following:

[0500] Release air interface resources, release sessions, delete contexts, deregister, delete subscription data, deactivate tags, deactivate devices, rewrite tags, and rewrite devices.

[0501] Optionally, in the network function, the cause value includes one or more of the following:

[0502] The terminal does not exist;

[0503] The terminal has been deregistered;

[0504] The fourth information subscription fails;

[0505] The fourth information request fails.

[0506] Optionally, in the network function, the sixth information includes one or more of the following:

[0507] Inventory changes, inventory status, registration status, registration changes, device data, sensor information, and location information.

[0508] Optionally, the network function, wherein the location-related information includes the current location of the terminal and / or the location or area that the terminal enters or moves out of.

[0509] Optionally, the network function, wherein the terminal includes a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0510] Optionally, the network function, wherein the first network function includes one or more of the following: application function AF, network exposure function NEF, policy control function PCF, unified data storage UDR, unified data management UDM, session management function SMF, tag management function TMF; and / or,

[0511] The second network function includes one or more of the following: access and mobility management function AMF, UDR, NEF, SMF, TMF, universal data management UDM, policy control function PCF, and radio access network RAN.

[0512] One embodiment of the present invention further provides a network function, wherein the network function is a second network function, such as Figure 6 As shown, the second network function 600 includes a processor 610 and a transceiver 620, configured to:

[0513] Obtaining terminal-related information subscribed or requested by the first network function from the second network function, or obtaining terminal-related information subscribed or requested by the first network function from the second network function via at least one network function;

[0514] The terminal-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information. Optionally, the network function, wherein the transceiver 620 is used to:

[0515] Obtain first information sent by the first network function, where the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0516] The identifier of at least one terminal UE, the group identifier, the indication information, the immediate reporting information, the third information, the fourth information, and the fifth information.

[0517] Optionally, the network function, wherein the indication information includes subscription indication information and / or request indication information; and / or,

[0518] The third information is information for indicating a subscription or a request.

[0519] Optionally, the network function, wherein the transceiver 620 is configured to:

[0520] Sending second information to the first network function, where the second information includes one or more of the following:

[0521] At least one terminal identifier, group identifier, subscription result, reason value, subscription identifier, deregistration related information, third information, fourth information, and sixth information.

[0522] Optionally, the network function, wherein the transceiver 620 is configured to:

[0523] Requesting all or part of the second information from a third network function.

[0524] Optionally, in the network function, the transceiver 620 is further configured to:

[0525] A first request is sent to a third network function, where the first request includes all or part of the first information.

[0526] Optionally, in the network function, the transceiver 620 is further configured to:

[0527] receiving all or part of the second information sent by the third network function.

[0528] Optionally, in the network function, the terminal identifier includes one or more of the following:

[0529] Part or all of the fields of the Electronic Product Code (EPC);

[0530] General Manager Number;

[0531] Item category;

[0532] Public Land Mobile Network PLMN identity;

[0533] Group ID;

[0534] Subscription Permanent Identifier SUPI;

[0535] Subscribe to hide logo SUCI;

[0536] General Public Subscription Identifier GPSI;

[0537] Globally Unique Temporary Identifier GUTI;

[0538] Temporary Mobile Subscription Identity TMSI;

[0539] Permanent equipment identification PEI;

[0540] IoT device indication information;

[0541] Instructions for any IoT device.

[0542] Optionally, the network function, wherein the fourth information includes one or more of the following information: inventory related information, registration or access related information, location related information, sensor information.

[0543] Optionally, in the network function, the inventory-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory status, inventory changes; and / or,

[0544] The registration or access related information includes at least one of the following: registration status, registration change, access status, access change; and / or

[0545] The location-related information includes at least one of the following: positioning-related information and ranging-related information.

[0546] Optionally, in the network function, the third information includes one or more of the following:

[0547] Inventory cycle;

[0548] Registration period;

[0549] Data reporting cycle;

[0550] Position format;

[0551] Positioning accuracy;

[0552] ranging format;

[0553] Ranging accuracy;

[0554] Best efforts information;

[0555] Get relevant information in real time;

[0556] Non-real-time acquisition of relevant information;

[0557] First position;

[0558] First Area;

[0559] Position detection cycle.

[0560] Optionally, the network function, wherein the location format includes a geographical location and / or a topological location; and / or

[0561] The ranging format includes a geographical location and / or a topological location.

[0562] Optionally, the network function, wherein the geographical location includes one or more of the following: latitude and longitude, geographical address, political jurisdiction; and / or

[0563] The topological location includes one or more of the following: a cell identifier, a tracking area identifier, a registration area identifier, a data network access identifier DNAI, and a public land mobile network identifier PLMN ID.

[0564] Optionally, in the network function, the fifth information is used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0565] Release air interface resources, release sessions, delete contexts, deregister, delete subscription data, deactivate tags, deactivate devices, rewrite tags, and rewrite devices.

[0566] Optionally, in the network function, the cause value includes one or more of the following:

[0567] The terminal does not exist;

[0568] The terminal has been deregistered;

[0569] The fourth information subscription fails;

[0570] The fourth information request fails.

[0571] Optionally, in the network function, the sixth information includes one or more of the following:

[0572] Inventory changes, inventory status, registration status, registration changes, device data, sensor information, and location information.

[0573] Optionally, the network function, wherein the location-related information includes the current location of the terminal and / or the location or area that the terminal enters or moves out of.

[0574] Optionally, the network function, wherein the terminal includes a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0575] Optionally, the network function, wherein the first network function includes one or more of the following: application function AF, network exposure function NEF, policy control function PCF, unified data storage UDR, unified data management UDM, session management function SMF, tag management function TMF; and / or,

[0576] The second network function includes one or more of the following: access and mobility management function AMF, UDR, NEF, SMF, TMF, UDM, PCF, radio access network RAN; and / or,

[0577] The third network function includes one or more of the following: AMF, TMF, UDM, UDR, location management function LMF, network data analysis function NWDAF, and RAN.

[0578] One embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication device, which is applied to a first network function, such as Figure 7 As shown, the device includes:

[0579] A first processing module 710 is configured to subscribe to or request terminal-related information from a second network function, or the first network function subscribes to or requests terminal-related information from a second network function via at least one network function;

[0580] The terminal-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

[0581] Optionally, the communication device further comprises:

[0582] The first sending module 720 is configured to send first information to the second network function, where the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0583] At least one terminal identifier, group identifier, indication information, immediate report information, third information, fourth information, and fifth information.

[0584] Optionally, in the communication device, the indication information includes subscription indication information and / or request indication information; and / or,

[0585] The third information is information for indicating a subscription or a request.

[0586] Optionally, the communication device further comprises:

[0587] The first receiving module 730 is configured to receive second information sent by the second network function, where the second information includes one or more of the following:

[0588] At least one terminal identifier, group identifier, subscription result, reason value, subscription identifier, deregistration related information, third information, fourth information, and sixth information.

[0589] Optionally, in the communication device, the terminal identifier includes one or more of the following:

[0590] Part or all of the fields of the Electronic Product Code (EPC);

[0591] General Manager Number;

[0592] Item category;

[0593] IoT device indication information;

[0594] Instructions for any IoT device.

[0595] Optionally, in the communication device, the fourth information includes one or more of the following information: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

[0596] Optionally, in the communication device, the inventory-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory status, inventory changes; and / or,

[0597] The registration or access related information includes at least one of the following: registration status, registration change, access status, access change; and / or

[0598] The location-related information includes at least one of the following: positioning-related information and ranging-related information.

[0599] Optionally, in the communication device, the third information includes one or more of the following:

[0600] Inventory cycle;

[0601] Registration period;

[0602] Data reporting cycle;

[0603] Position format;

[0604] Positioning accuracy;

[0605] ranging format;

[0606] Ranging accuracy;

[0607] Best efforts information;

[0608] Get relevant information in real time;

[0609] Non-real-time acquisition of relevant information;

[0610] First position;

[0611] First Area;

[0612] Position detection cycle.

[0613] Optionally, the communication device, wherein the location format includes a geographical location and / or a topological location; and / or

[0614] The ranging format includes a geographical location and / or a topological location.

[0615] Optionally, the communication device, wherein the geographical location includes one or more of the following: longitude and latitude, geographical address, political jurisdiction; and / or

[0616] The topological location includes one or more of the following: a cell identifier, a tracking area identifier, a registration area identifier, a data network access identifier DNAI, and a public land mobile network identifier PLMN ID.

[0617] Optionally, in the communication device, the fifth information indicates one or more of the following:

[0618] Release air interface resources, release sessions, delete contexts, deregister, delete subscription data, deactivate tags, deactivate devices, rewrite tags, and rewrite devices.

[0619] Optionally, in the communication device, the cause value includes one or more of the following:

[0620] The terminal does not exist;

[0621] The terminal has been deregistered;

[0622] The fourth information subscription fails;

[0623] The fourth information request fails.

[0624] Optionally, in the communication device, the sixth information includes one or more of the following:

[0625] Inventory changes, inventory status, registration status, registration changes, device data, sensor information, and location information.

[0626] Optionally, in the communication device, the location-related information includes the current location of the terminal and / or the location or area that the terminal enters or moves out of.

[0627] Optionally, in the communication device, the terminal includes a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0628] Optionally, in the communication device, the first network function includes one or more of the following: application function AF, network exposure function NEF, policy control function PCF, unified data storage UDR, unified data management UDM, session management function SMF, tag management function TMF; and / or,

[0629] The second network function includes one or more of the following: access and mobility management function AMF, UDR, NEF, SMF, TMF, universal data management UDM, policy control function PCF, and radio access network RAN.

[0630] One embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication device, wherein the second network function is applied, such as Figure 8 As shown, the device includes:

[0631] The second processing module 810 is configured to obtain terminal-related information subscribed or requested by the first network function from the second network function, or obtain terminal-related information subscribed or requested by the first network function from the second network function via at least one network function;

[0632] The terminal-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

[0633] Optionally, in the communication device, the second processing module 810 is further configured to:

[0634] Obtain first information sent by the first network function, where the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0635] The identifier of at least one terminal UE, the group identifier, the indication information, the immediate reporting information, the third information, the fourth information, and the fifth information.

[0636] Optionally, in the communication device, the indication information includes subscription indication information and / or request indication information; and / or,

[0637] The third information is information for indicating a subscription or a request.

[0638] Optionally, the communication device further comprises:

[0639] The second sending module 820 is configured to send second information to the first network function, where the second information includes one or more of the following:

[0640] At least one terminal identifier, group identifier, subscription result, reason value, subscription identifier, deregistration related information, third information, fourth information, and sixth information.

[0641] Optionally, the communication device further comprises:

[0642] The request module 830 is configured to request all or part of the second information from the third network function.

[0643] Optionally, in the communication device, the request module 830 is configured to:

[0644] A first request is sent to a third network function, where the first request includes all or part of the first information.

[0645] Optionally, the communication device further comprises:

[0646] The second receiving module 840 is configured to receive all or part of the second information sent by the third network function.

[0647] Optionally, in the communication device, the terminal identifier includes one or more of the following:

[0648] Part or all of the fields of the Electronic Product Code (EPC);

[0649] General Manager Number;

[0650] Item category;

[0651] Public Land Mobile Network PLMN identity;

[0652] Group ID;

[0653] Subscription Permanent Identifier SUPI;

[0654] Subscribe to hide logo SUCI;

[0655] General Public Subscription Identifier GPSI;

[0656] Globally Unique Temporary Identifier GUTI;

[0657] Temporary Mobile Subscription Identity TMSI;

[0658] Permanent equipment identification PEI;

[0659] IoT device indication information;

[0660] Instructions for any IoT device.

[0661] Optionally, in the communication device, the fourth information includes one or more of the following information: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

[0662] Optionally, in the communication device, the inventory-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory status, inventory changes; and / or,

[0663] The registration or access related information includes at least one of the following: registration status, registration change, access status, access change; and / or

[0664] The location-related information includes at least one of the following: positioning-related information and ranging-related information.

[0665] Optionally, in the communication device, the third information includes one or more of the following:

[0666] Inventory cycle;

[0667] Registration period;

[0668] Data reporting cycle;

[0669] Position format;

[0670] Positioning accuracy;

[0671] ranging format;

[0672] Ranging accuracy;

[0673] Best efforts information;

[0674] Get relevant information in real time;

[0675] Non-real-time acquisition of relevant information;

[0676] First position;

[0677] First Area;

[0678] Position detection cycle.

[0679] Optionally, the communication device, wherein the location format includes a geographical location and / or a topological location; and / or

[0680] The ranging format includes a geographical location and / or a topological location.

[0681] Optionally, the communication device, wherein the geographical location includes one or more of the following: longitude and latitude, geographical address, political jurisdiction; and / or

[0682] The topological location includes one or more of the following: a cell identifier, a tracking area identifier, a registration area identifier, a data network access identifier DNAI, and a public land mobile network identifier PLMN ID.

[0683] Optionally, in the communication device, the fifth information is used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0684] Release air interface resources, release sessions, delete contexts, deregister, delete subscription data, deactivate tags, deactivate devices, rewrite tags, and rewrite devices.

[0685] Optionally, in the communication device, the cause value includes one or more of the following:

[0686] The terminal does not exist;

[0687] The terminal has been deregistered;

[0688] The fourth information subscription fails;

[0689] The fourth information request fails.

[0690] Optionally, in the communication device, the sixth information includes one or more of the following:

[0691] Inventory changes, inventory status, registration status, registration changes, device data, sensor information, and location information.

[0692] Optionally, in the communication device, the location-related information includes the current location of the terminal and / or the location or area that the terminal enters or moves out of.

[0693] Optionally, in the communication device, the terminal includes a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0694] Optionally, in the communication device, the first network function includes one or more of the following: application function AF, network exposure function NEF, policy control function PCF, unified data storage UDR, unified data management UDM, session management function SMF, tag management function TMF; and / or,

[0695] The second network function includes one or more of the following: access and mobility management function AMF, UDR, NEF, SMF, TMF, UDM, PCF, radio access network RAN; and / or,

[0696] The third network function includes one or more of the following: AMF, TMF, UDM, UDR, location management function LMF, network data analysis function NWDAF, and RAN.

[0697] One embodiment of the present invention further provides a network device, which includes a processor, a memory, and a program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the program implements any of the above communication methods when executed by the processor.

[0698] The specific implementation of the communication method executed by the program running on the processor of the network device can refer to the detailed description of the communication method when it is applied to the network device, and will not be repeated here.

[0699] In addition, a specific embodiment of the present invention further provides a readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein the program, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of any of the communication methods described above.

[0700] Specifically, the readable storage medium is applied to the above-mentioned network device. When applied to the network device, the execution steps in the corresponding communication method are as described in detail above and will not be repeated here.

[0701] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed methods and devices can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be an indirect coupling or communication connection of some interfaces, devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0702] In addition, the functional units in various embodiments of the present invention may be integrated into a single processing unit, each unit may be physically included separately, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or hardware plus software functional units.

[0703] The above-mentioned integrated unit implemented in the form of a software functional unit can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The above-mentioned software functional unit is stored in a storage medium and includes a number of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to perform some of the steps of the sending and receiving methods described in various embodiments of the present invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes: a USB flash drive, a mobile hard drive, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and other media that can store program code.

[0704] The above is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary personnel in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present invention. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a first network function, the method includes: The first network function subscribes to or requests terminal-related information from the second network function, or the first network function subscribes to or requests terminal-related information from the second network function via at least one network function; The terminal-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein: The method further comprises: The first network function sends first information to the second network function, where the first information includes one or more of the following: At least one terminal identifier, group identifier, indication information, immediate report information, third information, fourth information, and fifth information.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, wherein: The indication information includes subscription indication information and / or request indication information; and / or, The third information is information for indicating a subscription or a request.

4. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein: The method further comprises: The first network function receives second information sent by the second network function, where the second information includes one or more of the following: At least one terminal identifier, group identifier, subscription result, reason value, subscription identifier, deregistration related information, third information, fourth information, and sixth information.

5. The communication method according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that: The terminal identifier includes one or more of the following: Part or all of the fields of the Electronic Product Code (EPC); General Manager Number; Item category; Public Land Mobile Network PLMN identity; Group ID; Subscription Permanent Identifier SUPI; Subscribe to hide logo SUCI; General Public Subscription Identifier GPSI; Globally Unique Temporary Identifier GUTI; Temporary Mobile Subscription Identity TMSI; Permanent equipment identification PEI; IoT device indication information; Instructions for any IoT device.

6. The communication method according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that: The fourth information includes one or more of the following information: inventory related information, registration or access related information, location related information, and sensor information.

7. The communication method according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that: The inventory-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory status, inventory changes; and / or, The registration or access related information includes at least one of the following: registration status, registration change, access status, access change; and / or The location-related information includes at least one of the following: positioning-related information and ranging-related information.

8. The communication method according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that: The third information includes one or more of the following: Inventory cycle; Registration period; Data reporting cycle; Position format; Positioning accuracy; ranging format; Ranging accuracy; Best efforts information; Get relevant information in real time; Non-real-time acquisition of relevant information; First position; First Area; Position detection cycle.

9. The communication method according to claim 8, wherein: The location format includes a geographical location and / or a topological location; and / or The ranging format includes a geographical location and / or a topological location.

10. The communication method according to claim 9, wherein: The geographical location includes one or more of the following: latitude and longitude, geographical address, political jurisdiction; and / or The topological location includes one or more of the following: a cell identifier, a tracking area identifier, a registration area identifier, a data network access identifier DNAI, and a public land mobile network identifier PLMN ID.

11. The communication method according to claim 2, wherein: The fifth information indicates one or more of the following: Release air interface resources, release sessions, delete contexts, deregister, delete subscription data, deactivate tags, deactivate devices, rewrite tags, and rewrite devices.

12. The communication method according to claim 4, wherein: The reason value includes one or more of the following: The terminal does not exist; The terminal has been deregistered; The fourth information subscription fails; The fourth information request fails.

13. The communication method according to claim 4, wherein: The sixth information includes one or more of the following: Inventory changes, inventory status, registration status, registration changes, device data, sensor information, and location information.

14. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein: The location-related information includes the current location of the terminal and / or the location or area that the terminal enters or moves out of.

15. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein: The terminal includes a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

16. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein: The first network function includes one or more of the following: application function AF, network exposure function NEF, policy control function PCF, unified data storage UDR, unified data management UDM, session management function SMF, tag management function TMF; and / or, The second network function includes one or more of the following: access and mobility management function AMF, UDR, NEF, SMF, TMF, UDM, policy control function PCF, and radio access network RAN.

17. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to the second network function, the method includes: The second network function obtains the terminal related information subscribed or requested by the first network function from the second network function, or obtains the terminal related information subscribed or requested by the first network function from the second network function via at least one network function; The terminal-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

18. The communication method according to claim 17, wherein: The method further comprises: The second network function obtains first information sent by the first network function, where the first information includes one or more of the following: The identifier of at least one terminal UE, the group identifier, the indication information, the immediate reporting information, the third information, the fourth information, and the fifth information.

19. The communication method according to claim 18, wherein: The indication information includes subscription indication information and / or request indication information; and / or, The third information is information for indicating a subscription or a request.

20. The communication method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The second network function sends second information to the first network function, where the second information includes one or more of the following: At least one terminal identifier, group identifier, subscription result, reason value, subscription identifier, deregistration related information, third information, fourth information, sixth information 。 21. The communication method according to claim 20, wherein: The method further comprises: The second network function requests all or part of the second information from a third network function.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second network function sends a first request to a third network function, where the first request includes all or part of the first information.

23. The communication method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The second network function receives all or part of the second information sent by the third network function.

24. The communication method according to claim 18 or 20, characterized in that: The terminal identifier includes one or more of the following: Part or all of the fields of the Electronic Product Code (EPC); General Manager Number; Item category; Public Land Mobile Network PLMN identity; Group ID; Subscription Permanent Identifier SUPI; Subscribe to hide logo SUCI; General Public Subscription Identifier GPSI; Globally Unique Temporary Identifier GUTI; Temporary Mobile Subscription Identity TMSI; Permanent equipment identification PEI; IoT device indication information; Instructions for any IoT device.

25. The communication method according to claim 18 or 20, characterized in that: The fourth information includes one or more of the following information: inventory related information, registration or access related information, location related information, and sensor information.

26. The communication method according to claim 17 or 25, characterized in that: The inventory-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory status, inventory changes; and / or, The registration or access related information includes at least one of the following: registration status, registration change, access status, access change; and / or The location-related information includes at least one of the following: positioning-related information and ranging-related information.

27. The communication method according to claim 18 or 20, characterized in that: The third information includes one or more of the following: Inventory cycle; Registration period; Data reporting cycle; Position format; Positioning accuracy; ranging format; Ranging accuracy; Best efforts information; Get relevant information in real time; Non-real-time acquisition of relevant information; First position; First Area; Position detection cycle.

28. The communication method according to claim 27, wherein: The location format includes a geographical location and / or a topological location; and / or The ranging format includes a geographical location and / or a topological location.

29. The communication method according to claim 28, characterized in that The geographical location includes one or more of the following: latitude and longitude, geographical address, political jurisdiction; and / or The topological location includes one or more of the following: a cell identifier, a tracking area identifier, a registration area identifier, a data network access identifier DNAI, and a public land mobile network identifier PLMN ID.

30. The communication method according to claim 18, wherein: The fifth information is used to indicate one or more of the following: Release air interface resources, release sessions, delete contexts, deregister, delete subscription data, deactivate tags, deactivate devices, rewrite tags, and rewrite devices.

31. The communication method according to claim 20, wherein: The reason value includes one or more of the following: The terminal does not exist; The terminal has been deregistered; The fourth information subscription fails; The fourth information request fails.

32. The communication method according to claim 20, wherein: The sixth information includes one or more of the following: Inventory changes, inventory status, registration status, registration changes, device data, sensor information, and location information.

33. The communication method according to claim 17, wherein: The location-related information includes the current location of the terminal and / or the location or area that the terminal enters or moves out of.

34. The communication method according to claim 17, wherein: The terminal includes a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

35. The communication method according to claim 17 or 21, characterized in that: The first network function includes one or more of the following: application function AF, network exposure function NEF, policy control function PCF, unified data storage UDR, unified data management UDM, session management function SMF, tag management function TMF; and / or, The second network function includes one or more of the following: access and mobility management function AMF, UDR, NEF, SMF, TMF, UDM, PCF, radio access network RAN; and / or, The third network function includes one or more of the following: AMF, TMF, UDM, UDR, location management function LMF, network data analysis function NWDAF, and RAN.

36. A network function, wherein The network function is a first network function, characterized by comprising a processor configured to: subscribing to or requesting terminal-related information from a second network function, or subscribing to or requesting terminal-related information from a second network function via at least one network function; The terminal-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

37. A network function, wherein The network function is a second network function, characterized by comprising a processor configured to: Obtaining terminal-related information subscribed or requested by the first network function from the second network function, or obtaining terminal-related information subscribed or requested by the first network function from the second network function via at least one network function; The terminal-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

38. A communication device, characterized in that: Applied to a first network function, the apparatus includes: a first processing module, configured to subscribe to or request terminal-related information from the second network function, or to subscribe to or request terminal-related information from the second network function via at least one network function; The terminal-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

39. A communication device, characterized in that: Applied to the second network function, the apparatus includes: A second processing module is configured to obtain terminal related information subscribed or requested by the first network function from the second network function, or obtain terminal related information subscribed or requested by the first network function from the second network function via at least one network function; The terminal-related information includes at least one of the following: inventory-related information, registration or access-related information, location-related information, and sensor information.

40. A network device, characterized in that: The device comprises a processor, a memory, and a program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the program, when executed by the processor, implements the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 35.

41. A readable storage medium, characterized in that The readable storage medium stores a program, and when the program is executed by the processor, the steps in the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 35 are implemented.

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