Communication method, network side equipment and terminal

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method, network side equipment and a terminal. The method comprises: a first network function receiving first information, the first information being used for requesting to initiate and / or update a first service of a first terminal group, the first information at least comprising a constraint condition for creating and / or updating the first terminal group, the constraint condition comprises an effective area of a first service, and at least one of a terminal type and a terminal capability which need to be satisfied by a terminal joining the first terminal group, and the first service comprises at least one of the following items: a terminal mutual access service, a multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and a multicast / broadcast service between a first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals; creating and / or updating a first terminal group based on the first information and determining second information; and sending third information to the first platform, wherein the third information comprises at least part of information in the second information. According to the method, the terminal group is dynamically established based on the multi-dimensional condition, the flexibility is better, and the application scene is wider.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, network-side equipment, and terminal. Background Technology

[0002] In mobile communication networks, terminal interoperability refers to the direct establishment of a service transmission channel between two terminals connected to the mobile communication network to achieve service data exchange without having to go through interfaces such as N6 / SGi to bypass external routing equipment and / or servers.

[0003] One existing method for enabling terminal communication relies on the network side. For example, in a local area network (LAN) scenario, two terminals belonging to the same Session Management Function Pool (SMF POOL) or Packet Data Network Gateway Control Plane Pool (PGW-C POOL) can communicate with each other through the same User Plane Function (UPF) or different UPFs they access. Conversely, in a wide area network (WAN) scenario, two terminals belonging to different SMF POOLs or PGW-C POOLs can communicate with each other through different UPFs they access.

[0004] However, this method requires pre-configuration of terminal groups and data configurations, which is inflexible and limits its application scenarios. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method, a network-side device, and a terminal to address the problems of poor flexibility and limited application scenarios in existing terminal inter-access schemes that rely on network-side implementation.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this application is implemented as follows: In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, applied to a first network function, the method comprising: Receive first information, wherein the first information is used to request the initiation and / or updating of a first service of a first terminal group, the first information includes at least one of the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group, the constraints include at least one of the following: the effective area of ​​the first service, the terminal type and terminal capabilities that the terminals joining the first terminal group need to meet, and the first service includes at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals; Based on the first information, the first terminal group is created and / or updated, and second information is determined, wherein the first terminal group includes multiple terminals that meet the constraints and / or the first platform, and the second information includes information required to implement the first service of the first terminal group; Send third information to the first platform, wherein the third information includes at least a portion of the second information, the first platform is used to implement the first service according to the third information, and / or, the first platform is used to provide information required to implement the first service to terminals in the first terminal group according to the third information.

[0007] Secondly, a communication method is provided for use by a business consumer, the method comprising: Send the first message to the first network function; The first information is used to initiate and / or update the first service of the first terminal group. The first information includes at least the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group. The constraints include at least one of the following: the effective area of ​​the first service, the terminal type and terminal capabilities that the terminals joining the first terminal group need to meet. The first service includes at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals.

[0008] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, applied to a first platform, the method comprising: The system receives third information sent by a first network function, wherein the third information includes at least a portion of the information in the second information, the second information including information required to implement a first service of a first terminal group, the first terminal group including multiple terminals and / or a first platform that meet constraints, the constraints including at least one of the effective area of ​​the first service, terminal type and terminal capabilities that terminals joining the first terminal group need to meet, and the first service including at least one of the following: terminal inter-access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals; The first service of the first terminal group is implemented based on the third information, and / or, information required to implement the first service is provided to the terminals in the first terminal group based on the third information.

[0009] Fourthly, a communication method is provided, applied to a first terminal, the method comprising: During the process of the first terminal registering to the network, the twelfth message is sent to the fifth network function; And / or, During the process of the first terminal registering to the network, if a fourth request from the fifth network function is received, then the twelfth information is sent to the fifth network function. The twelfth information includes the type information and / or capability information of the first terminal, and the fifth network function includes a network function for storing the terminal type and / or terminal capabilities.

[0010] Fifthly, a communication device is provided for use in a first network function, the device comprising: A first receiving module is configured to receive first information, wherein the first information is used to request the initiation and / or updating of a first service of a first terminal group. The first information includes at least one of the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group, and the constraints include at least one of the following: the effective area of ​​the first service, the terminal type and terminal capabilities that the terminals joining the first terminal group need to meet. The first service includes at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals. A first processing module is configured to create and / or update the first terminal group based on the first information and determine second information, wherein the first terminal group includes multiple terminals that meet the constraints and / or the first platform, and the second information includes information required to implement the first service of the first terminal group. A first sending module is configured to send third information to the first platform, wherein the third information includes at least a portion of the second information, the first platform is configured to implement the first service based on the third information, and / or the first platform is configured to provide information required to implement the first service to terminals within the first terminal group based on the third information.

[0011] Sixthly, a communication device is provided for use by a service consumer, the device comprising: The first sending module is used to send the first information to the first network function; The first information is used to initiate and / or update the first service of the first terminal group. The first information includes at least the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group. The constraints include at least one of the following: the effective area of ​​the first service, the terminal type and terminal capabilities that the terminals joining the first terminal group need to meet. The first service includes at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals.

[0012] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, applied to a first platform, the device comprising: A first receiving module is configured to receive third information sent by a first network function, wherein the third information includes at least a portion of the information in the second information, the second information including information required to implement a first service of a first terminal group, the first terminal group including multiple terminals and / or a first platform that meet constraints, the constraints including at least one of the effective area of ​​the first service, terminal types and terminal capabilities that terminals joining the first terminal group need to meet, and the first service including at least one of the following: terminal inter-access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals; The first processing module is configured to implement the first service of the first terminal group based on the third information, and / or to provide the terminals in the first terminal group with the information required to implement the first service based on the third information.

[0013] Eighthly, a communication device is provided for use in a first terminal, the device comprising: The first sending module is used to send the twelfth information to the fifth network function during the process of the first terminal registering to the network; and / or, the second sending module is used to send the twelfth information to the fifth network function if a fourth request is received from the fifth network function during the process of the first terminal registering to the network. The twelfth information includes the type information and / or capability information of the first terminal, and the fifth network function includes a network function for storing the terminal type and / or terminal capabilities.

[0014] A ninth aspect provides a communication device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the communication method as described in any one of the first, second, and third aspects.

[0015] In a tenth aspect, a terminal is provided, characterized in that it includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the communication method as described in the fourth aspect.

[0016] Eleventh aspect, a non-transient computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instructions are stored, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the communication method as described in any one of the first, second, and third aspects, or implement the steps of the communication method as described in the fourth aspect.

[0017] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product being stored in a storage medium, the computer program product being executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the communication method as described in any one of the first, second, and third aspects, or to implement the steps of the communication method as described in the fourth aspect.

[0018] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a first network function, a service consumer, a first platform, and a first terminal, wherein the first network function is configured to perform the communication method as described in the first aspect, the service consumer is configured to perform the communication method as described in the second aspect, the first platform is configured to perform the communication method as described in the third aspect, and the first terminal is configured to perform the communication method as described in the fourth aspect.

[0019] In this embodiment, a first service for a first terminal group can be initiated and / or updated to a first network function through first information. After receiving the first information, the first network function can create and / or update the first terminal group according to the multi-dimensional constraints (at least one of effective area, terminal type, and terminal capability requirements) carried in the first information, thereby realizing the dynamic establishment of the first terminal group. Compared with the terminal mutual access scheme of pre-setting static terminal groups containing specific terminals in the prior art, this embodiment does not require pre-configuration of data, is more flexible, supports dynamic group services based on the needs of service consumers, and can meet the user mobility needs, with a wider range of application scenarios. Furthermore, since the first network function can further determine the information required by the terminals in the first terminal group to implement the first service after creating or updating the first terminal group, and synchronize some or all of this information to the first platform, and the first platform can be used to implement the first service according to the third information, and / or the first platform can be used to provide the terminals in the first terminal group with the information required to implement the first service according to the third information. Therefore, it solves the problems of routing detours, large configuration workload, inability to meet user mobility characteristics, and inflexible service implementation caused by existing solutions such as terminal inter-access based on static terminal groups requiring forwarding through external routing devices or static configuration of routing information. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of mutual access between terminals under the same UPF in a local area scenario in related technologies.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of inter-terminal communication under different UPFs in a local area scenario in related technologies.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of mutual communication between terminals accessing different UPFs and whose UPFs belong to different SMF POOLs in a wide-area scenario in related technologies.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the terminal communication principle in a local area scenario where participating terminals access the same UPF, and the UPF adopts a primary / backup disaster recovery approach.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of terminal interoperability in a wide-area scenario where participating terminals access different UPFs, and the UPFs employ a primary / backup disaster recovery approach.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of terminal interoperability in a wide-area scenario where participating terminals access different UPFs, and the UPFs employ a primary / backup disaster recovery approach.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a scenario in which a communication method proposed in this application is applicable.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a service-oriented network architecture for non-roaming scenarios where the communication method proposed in this application embodiment is applicable.

[0029] Figure 9 This is a 5G network architecture applicable to non-roaming scenarios for a communication method proposed in this application embodiment.

[0030] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0031] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0032] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0033] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0034] Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0035] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0036] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0037] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0038] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in some embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0039] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in this application, the technical solutions in this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of one or more embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0040] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in this application and the claims are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such use of data can be interchanged where appropriate so that this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, in this application and the claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0041] Currently, there are two main ways to achieve inter-terminal communication: Method 1: Application-based terminal communication, where a terminal accesses a specific application (such as WeChat APP), and information exchange between terminals is achieved on the application side. This method requires an external server and involves some routing detours.

[0042] Method 2: Implementation relies on the network side, including solutions for local area scenarios and wide area scenarios. Local area scenarios refer to communication between terminals belonging to the same Session Management Function Pool (SMF POOL) or the same Packet Data Network Gateway - Control plane Pool (PGW-CPOOL) serving the same region. Wide area scenarios refer to communication between terminals belonging to different SMF POOLs or different PGW-C POOLs serving different regions.

[0043] This application primarily provides a terminal interoperability solution based on Method 2. The following description uses terminal interoperability in a 5G network as an example; the solution in a 4G scenario is similar.

[0044] In related technologies, the application scenarios for terminal interoperability solutions based on method 2 (relying on network-side implementation) may include at least one of the following: I. Terminal Interoperability Solution in Local Area Network Scenario (1) Scenario 1: Inter-terminal communication under the same UPF For scenarios involving inter-device communication within the same UPF, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 1 .like Figure 1 As shown, UE1 and UE2 are registered to the network and both access UPF1; UE3 and UE4 are registered to the network and both access UPF2. When UE1 and UE2 need to communicate with each other, or when UE3 and UE4 need to communicate with each other, both terminals participating in the communication need to obtain the IP address of the other party in advance. Therefore, static IP addresses need to be pre-assigned to UE1 and UE2, or static IP addresses need to be pre-assigned to UE3 and UE4.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, taking the terminal communication between UE1 and UE2 as an example, UPF1 can perform service forwarding in the following two ways: Internal forwarding mode: When UPF1 confirms that the IP address of the destination terminal is the IP address of a terminal within the local area of ​​the UPF, it directly completes the routing and forwarding between UEs within UPF1. The forwarding path is indicated by the reference numeral 11 in the attached figure.

[0046] External forwarding mode: In this mode, UPF1 does not need to confirm whether the IP address of the destination terminal is the IP address of the local terminal. Instead, it forwards the packet to the external data network (DATA NET, DN) through the N6 interface. The packet is then forwarded back by the routing device in the external data network. The forwarding path is shown in the attached figure, indicated by label 12.

[0047] (2) Scenario 2: Terminal interoperability across different UPFs For scenarios involving terminal access between different UPFs, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 2 .like Figure 2 As shown, UE1 and UE2 access UPF1, and UE3 and UE4 access UPF2. When UE1 / UE2 and UE3 / UE4 need to communicate with each other, both terminals participating in the communication need to obtain the IP address of the other party in advance. Therefore, static IP addresses need to be assigned to UE1 / UE2 and UE3 / UE4 in advance.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, taking the terminal communication between UE1 and UE3 as an example, UPF1 and UPF2 can forward services in the following two ways: Forwarding via external DN: UPF1 forwards packets from UE1 to the external data network via the N6 interface. The routing device in the external data network then forwards the packets to UPF2, and UPF2 then forwards them to UE3. The forwarding path is shown in the attached diagram, indicated by label 23. This method depends on the routing configuration of the external DN.

[0049] Forwarding via GRE tunnel: A GRE tunnel 21 is pre-configured between UPF1 and UPF2. UPF1 and UPF2 forward mutual access messages between UE1 and UE3 through GRE tunnel 21. The forwarding path is indicated by the attached figure 22.

[0050] II. Terminal Interoperability Solution in Wide Area Scenarios In wide-area scenarios, terminals communicating with each other access different UPFs, and these UPFs belong to different SMFPOOLs. For example, ... Figure 3 As shown, UE1 and UE3 have signed up for static IP addresses. UE1 and UE3 are connected to UPF1 and UPF2 respectively. UPF1 belongs to SMF POOL1, and UPF2 belongs to SMF POOL2. When UE1 and UE3 need to communicate with each other, both need to obtain the other's IP address in advance. Therefore, static IP addresses need to be pre-assigned to UE1 and UE2. A GRE tunnel 31 is pre-configured between UPF1 and UPF2. UPF1 and UPF2 forward communication packets between UE1 and UE3 through GRE tunnel 31. The forwarding path is shown in the attached figure, indicated by label 32.

[0051] III. Disaster Recovery Methods of Existing Terminal Interoperability Solutions As noted in the background section of this application, currently only UPF-based disaster recovery in a primary / backup manner is supported for terminal interoperability in both local and wide-area scenarios; "1+1 mutual backup disaster recovery" of UPF is not supported. The following sections will explain the different scenarios.

[0052] Scenario 1: When terminals that need to access each other are connected to the same UPF, the UPF adopts a primary and backup disaster recovery mode, and a backup GRE tunnel is configured between the primary UPF and the backup UPF to enable terminal access.

[0053] For example, such as Figure 4 As shown, in a local area scenario, UE1 and UE2 access UPF1, and UE3 and UE4 access UPF2. UPF1 and UPF2 belong to the same SMF POOL. UPF1 is the primary UPF for UE1 and UE2, and UPF2 is the backup UPF for UE1 and UE2.

[0054] When the primary UPF1 is in normal operation, both UE1 and UE2 access the primary UPF1. Internally, UPF1 handles the forwarding of communication messages between UE1 and UE2, with the forwarding path as follows: Figure 4 The figure below is indicated by reference numeral 41.

[0055] When the primary UPF1 fails, both UE1 and UE2 reconnect to the backup UPF2. Within UPF2, message forwarding between UE1 and UE2 is implemented, with similar forwarding paths. Figure 4 The forwarding path of mutual access messages between UE2 and UE4 is indicated by reference numeral 44 in the attached figure.

[0056] When the primary UPF1 recovers from a fault state to a normal state, some UEs that need to communicate may access from the backup UPF2, while others may access from the primary UPF1. In this case, it is necessary to forward terminal communication messages through the backup GRE tunnel between the primary UPF1 and the backup UPF2. For example, Figure 4 As shown, if UE2 is connected to the primary UPF1 and UE3 is connected to the backup UPF2, then the communication packets between UE1 and UE3 can be forwarded through the backup GRE tunnel 42 between the primary UPF1 and the backup UPF2. The forwarding path is as follows: Figure 4 The figure below is indicated by reference numeral 43.

[0057] Scenario 2: UEs requiring interoperability access are connected to different UPFs, and the UPFs employ a primary / backup disaster recovery approach. Taking wide-area terminal interoperability as an example, on the one hand, a backup GRE tunnel needs to be configured between the primary and backup UPFs for packet forwarding during disaster recovery failover; on the other hand, GRE tunnels need to be configured between UPFs in different regions for packet forwarding between UPFs for terminal interoperability. In other words, GRE tunnels need to be configured between every pair of UPFs that have disaster recovery relationships and require interoperability, resulting in a huge workload.

[0058] For example, such as Figure 5As shown, when the primary UPF1 fails and the primary UPF3 is in normal operation, in area 1, UE1 accesses the backup UPF2, and in area 2, UE3 accesses the primary UPF3. UE1 accesses UE3 through the pre-configured GRE tunnel 54 between UPF2 and UPF3 to achieve terminal communication message forwarding, and the forwarding path is indicated by reference numeral 57 in the attached figure.

[0059] For example, such as Figure 6 As shown, when both primary UPF1 and primary UPF3 fail, UE1 accesses backup UPF2 in area 1, and UE3 accesses backup UPF4 in area 2. UE1 accesses UE3 through the pre-configured GRE tunnel 53 between UPF2 and UPF4 to achieve terminal communication message forwarding, and the forwarding path is indicated by the attached figure label 58.

[0060] In addition, Figure 5 or Figure 6 In this configuration, when primary UPF1 is in normal operation and primary UPF3 fails, UE1 accesses primary UPF1 in area 1 and UE3 accesses backup UPF4 in area 2. UE1 accesses UE3 via a pre-configured GRE tunnel 55 between UPF1 and UPF4, enabling terminal communication message forwarding. When both primary UPF1 and primary UPF3 are in normal operation, UE1 accesses primary UPF1 in area 1 and UE3 accesses primary UPF3 in area 2. UE1 accesses UE3 via a pre-configured GRE tunnel 51 between UPF1 and UPF3, enabling terminal communication message forwarding. Furthermore, primary UPF1 and backup UPF2 can synchronize information via a pre-configured GRE tunnel 52, and primary UPF3 and backup UPF4 can synchronize information via a pre-configured GRE tunnel 56.

[0061] However, the terminal communication solution based on method 2 in the related technologies has at least one of the following problems: 1) It cannot meet the temporary terminal access needs based on specified requirements (such as specific areas, specified terminals, etc.), resulting in poor flexibility and insufficient support for terminal mobility: The existing method requires that the terminal information to be accessed and which UPF the terminal is connected to be specified in advance, and that data configuration be performed in advance. It does not support the dynamic establishment of terminal access relationships, nor does it support the dynamic selection of UPF to complete the access. The application scenarios are limited and the flexibility is poor.

[0062] 2) IP address restriction: Existing solutions all use static IP addresses signed by the UE when deploying applications, and do not currently support terminal communication in scenarios with dynamic IP address allocation.

[0063] 3) Huge workload in data configuration: Existing solutions, when considering disaster recovery scenarios, require configuring GRE tunnels between UPFs with disaster recovery relationships and between UPFs that need to communicate with each other, resulting in a huge workload. Especially when deploying terminal inter-access services at scale, the number of GRE tunnels required increases exponentially, putting enormous pressure on the equipment load.

[0064] To address at least one of the aforementioned problems, this application proposes a communication method that enables terminal interoperability. This method, based on received task requests for the creation and / or updating of multi-dimensional dynamic groups, identifies terminals that meet the requirements and completes the creation and / or updating of dynamic terminal groups. This enables at least one of the following: inter-terminal interoperability services, inter-terminal multicast / broadcast services, and multicast / broadcast services between the first platform to which the terminal group belongs and the terminals. This satisfies the need for flexible and dynamic interoperability of mobile communication terminals based on task identification in both local and wide-area scenarios. It eliminates the need for static configuration of user plane tunnels and / or forwarding to external devices via the N6 interface, making service implementation flexible and convenient. It can be applied to various types of terminals such as connected drones and connected vehicles / ships, enabling direct interoperability between terminals, and has a wide range of application scenarios.

[0065] For example, such as Figure 7 As shown, this application proposes a communication method where, based on received task requirements, the network side identifies UE1, UE2, UE3, and UE4 as meeting the creation requirements of terminal group 1 (hereinafter referred to as constraints). UE1, UE2, UE3, and UE4, having accessed the Internet and private network services, can directly communicate with other users within the group without needing to use the N6 interface via external devices and / or pre-configured static routes. UE5, UE6, and UE7 meet the creation requirements of terminal group 2. UE5, UE6, and UE7, having accessed the Internet and private network services, can directly communicate with other users within the group without needing to use the N6 interface via external devices and / or pre-configured static routes. UE8 does not meet the group task requirements and is therefore not included in the interoperable terminal group, and cannot directly communicate with terminals within the relevant group. The above scenario enables flexible communication between mobile terminals that meet the requirements based on task requests, reducing complex network configuration and routing detours.

[0066] The communication method proposed in this application is applicable to 5G networks, 4G networks, 4G / 5G converged networks, etc., and can also be used or referenced in subsequent 6G mobile communication networks and future generations of mobile communication networks.

[0067] In some embodiments, the implementation of a communication method proposed in this application relies on a newly added first network function, such as the newly added Application and Network Data Providing Function (ANDPF), i.e., the data plane function. The ANDPF can be deployed independently or co-located with other network functions.

[0068] In some embodiments, the communication method proposed in this application may be applied to, but is not limited to, methods such as... Figure 8 or Figure 9 In the network architecture shown.

[0069] Figure 8 This illustrates a service-oriented network architecture in a non-roaming scenario. For example... Figure 8As shown, the network architecture includes: User Equipment (UE), Radio Access Network (RAN), core network elements, and external data network (DN). The core network elements include, in addition to the following: Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Network Function Repository Function (NRF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Application Function (AF), Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF), Network Slice-Specific Authentication and Authorization Function (NSSAAF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Service Communication Proxy (SCP), Network Slice Admission Control Function (NSACF), User Plane Function (UPF), Location Management Function (LMF), and Gateway Mobile Location Center. The system includes the Centre (GMLC), the Location Retrieval Function (LRF), the Location Services Client (LCSClient), and also includes first network functions (such as ANDPF mentioned above).

[0070] Figure 9 The 5G network architecture is shown. (Example) Figure 9As shown, this network architecture includes: User Equipment (UE), Radio Access Network (RAN), core network elements, and external data network (DN). Similar to... Figure 8 The network architecture shown is in Figure 9 The 5G network architecture shown introduces a first network function (such as ANDPF mentioned above) and a terminal information storage function in addition to the existing core network elements. The first network function can interact with other core network elements to identify task requirements, dynamically establish terminal groups, and enable inter-terminal communication services. The terminal information storage function stores information such as terminal type and capabilities; this function can be set up independently or integrated with other network functions.

[0071] In some embodiments, the network architecture to which the communication method proposed in this application is applicable also introduces a first platform. The first platform may be a terminal mutual access application platform and / or a service platform. The first platform may directly or through a network capability open function (such as NEF) interact with the first network function to obtain relevant information required to implement the first service. The terminal may interact with the first platform to obtain relevant information required to implement the first service.

[0072] In some embodiments, the first service may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals.

[0073] The above description uses a 5G network as an example to illustrate the network architecture to which the communication method provided in this application is applicable. It should be noted that the communication method provided in this application is also applicable to 4G networks, 4 / 5G converged networks, and next-generation networks. For example, access and mobility management function network elements can be 5G AMF and / or 4G MME, session control and / or management functions can be 5G SMF and / or SGW-C / PGW-C / SAEGW-C, and user plane functions can be 5G UPF and / or 4G PGW-U / SAEGW-U.

[0074] In this embodiment, the service transmission channel refers to a logical channel used to realize information transmission and interaction between the terminal and the data network and / or between terminals, such as a PDU (Packet Data Unit) session in a 5G network, or a PDP (Packet Data Protocol Bearer) in a 4G network, etc., without limitation. The service identifier corresponding to the service transmission channel may include at least one of a data network identifier and a slice identifier, without limitation. The data network identifier may be a 5G data network name (DNN) and / or a 4G access point name (APN), etc., which will not be described again below.

[0075] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal's identification information (user identifier) ​​may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following, which will not be described again below: Generic Public Subscription Identifier (GPSI); Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN); User Permanent Identifier (SUPI); International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

[0076] The following describes a communication method proposed in this application.

[0077] like Figure 10 As shown in the embodiments of this application, a communication method can be applied to a first network function, and the method may include: Step 1001: Receive first information, wherein the first information is used to request the initiation and / or updating of a first service of a first terminal group, and the first information includes at least the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group.

[0078] The first terminal group can be any terminal group to be created and / or updated. The first information can be used to initiate and / or update the first service for the first terminal group. For example, if the first terminal group has not been created, the first information can be used to initiate a request to create the first terminal group and / or the first service. Alternatively, if the first terminal group has already been created, the first information can be used to update the first terminal group and / or the first service, such as updating the terminal members within the first terminal group.

[0079] The first information can be sent directly by the service consumer to the first network function or through a corresponding network function (such as an operating platform, NEF, etc.). The service consumer can be at least one of the following: an independent network function node, a first platform to which the first terminal group belongs (such as a terminal inter-access application platform and / or a service platform), or other users who have subscribed to the first service. Optionally, the first information can be carried in a first request sent by the service consumer, which is used to request the initiation and / or updating of the first service for the first terminal group.

[0080] The first service may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals.

[0081] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group.

[0082] In some embodiments, the first information may include, in addition to constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group, other information that may assist the first network function in creating and / or updating the first service of the first terminal group.

[0083] As an example, the first information may include at least one of the following 1) to 7): 1) The name and / or identifier of the first terminal group.

[0084] If the first information carries the name of the first terminal group, the first network function can further generate an identifier for the first terminal group and include the identifier information of the first terminal group in the request response message about the first information sent to the service consumer as needed. The name and / or identifier of the first terminal group should be unique across the entire network.

[0085] 2) Does the first terminal group provide multicast / broadcast services?

[0086] For example, whether the first terminal group provides multicast / broadcast services between terminals, and / or whether the first terminal group provides multicast / broadcast services between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals.

[0087] 3) The scope of services provided by the first terminal group for multicast / broadcast services.

[0088] The scope of services may include at least one of the following: the geographical area for providing multicast / broadcast services, the type of terminal providing multicast / broadcast services, and the terminal capability requirements.

[0089] 4) The identifier of the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs.

[0090] The first platform to which the first terminal group belongs refers to the first platform accessible to the terminals within the first terminal group. The first platform to which the first terminal group belongs can be one or more.

[0091] 5) First instruction information, used to instruct the first network function to report the location information of the terminal entering the effective area of ​​the first service and / or the reporting request of the terminal's location information to the relevant network function node.

[0092] The relevant network function nodes may include service consumers. The reporting requirements for terminal location information may include reporting the terminal's latitude and longitude information or its administrative region information, without limitation.

[0093] If the first information includes the first indication information, after the first network function determines that a terminal has entered the effective area of ​​the first service, it needs to report the location information of the terminal to the relevant network function node. If the first indication information also indicates a requirement to report location information, the first network function must report according to that requirement. For the relevant network function node, after receiving the terminal location information reported by the first network function, it can determine whether the terminal can be included as a member of the first terminal group based on the location information and feed back the result to the first network function.

[0094] If the first information does not contain the first indication information, when the first network function determines that the terminal has entered the effective area of ​​the first service, it may not report the location information of the terminal.

[0095] 6) Second instruction information, used to indicate that relevant network function nodes need to confirm the members in the first terminal group.

[0096] Similarly, relevant network function nodes may include business consumers.

[0097] When the first information includes the second indication information, after the first network function determines a terminal that meets the constraints, it can report the terminal's information (such as identification information) to the relevant network function nodes. For the relevant network function nodes, upon receiving the terminal information reported by the first network function, they can determine whether the terminal can be included as a member of the first terminal group based on this information and return the result to the first network function. When the first information does not include the second indication information, after the first network function determines a terminal that meets the conditions, it may not report the terminal's information (such as identification information) to the relevant network function nodes.

[0098] 7) Create and / or update the constraints of the first terminal group.

[0099] In some implementations, the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: the effective area of ​​the first service, the terminal type and terminal capabilities that terminals joining the first terminal group must meet. The effective area may include geographic location information and / or network location information. Geographic location information may be latitude and longitude, administrative region, etc. Network location information may be Tracking Area Identity (TAI), cell, base station, etc. No limitation is imposed.

[0100] In other implementations, the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group may also include at least one of the following: a. Specify the identifier of the terminal. The number of specified terminals can be one or more, and the identifier of the specified terminal can be the number of the specified terminal.

[0101] b. Specify whether the terminal supports multicast / broadcast services.

[0102] c. The conditions under which a specified terminal uses the first service may include whether the specified terminal is required to use the first service within the effective area of ​​the first service, or to use the first service within a specified time period.

[0103] d. The range of terminals included in the first terminal group can characterize the range of terminals that are allowed to use the first service. This range may include a list of terminal information that is allowed to use the first service, etc.

[0104] e. The service identifier corresponding to the first service; The service identifier corresponding to the first service can be understood as the service identifier to which the first service belongs. The service identifier corresponding to the first service can also be understood as the service identifier corresponding to the service transmission channel of the first service. Optionally, the service identifier corresponding to the first service may include at least one of the following: a service identifier specifying the corresponding service transmission channel, a service identifier corresponding to a service transmission channel bound to a terminal type, etc. For example, the service identifier corresponding to the first service may include at least one of the data network identifier and the slice identifier corresponding to the first service.

[0105] f. The effective time of the first terminal group (or the effective time of the first terminal group, or the effective time and / or effective time of the first service of the first terminal group), which may be a relative time or an absolute time, etc. During the effective time, the terminals in the first terminal group and / or the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs are allowed to use the first service for the first terminal group. Outside the effective time or if the effective time expires, the terminals in the first terminal group and / or the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs are not allowed to use the first service for the first terminal group.

[0106] Optionally, for terminals with a first service requirement, a second service can be pre-activated based on operator policies on the network function to which the terminal belongs for storing terminal subscription data and / or the first network function. The second service includes at least one of the following: terminal inter-access service, and multicast / broadcast service between terminals. It is understood that terminals with the second service activated can use corresponding group services.

[0107] The service activation information of the second service of a terminal may include at least one of the following: 1) Whether the terminal inter-access service is allowed.

[0108] 2) A service identifier that allows the use of terminal inter-access services. This service identifier may include at least one of a data network identifier and a slice identifier, without limitation.

[0109] 3) Area information that allows the use of terminal inter-access services, which may include geographical location information and / or network location information that allows the use of terminal inter-access services.

[0110] 4) Terminal types that are allowed to use the terminal inter-access service.

[0111] 5) The permitted time for using terminal inter-access services. This time includes the time during which terminals are allowed to use each other's inter-access services. Each inter-access service corresponds to its own data network identifier, slice identifier, and / or effective area, etc. The permitted time for different inter-access services may be different. For example, the DNN corresponding to the group subscribed to by the terminal includes DNN1 and DNN2. The time during which the terminal is allowed to use group 1 established based on DNN1 is during the day, and the time during which the terminal is allowed to use group 2 established based on DNN2 is at night.

[0112] It should be noted that when a terminal uses the terminal inter-access service of the first terminal group, the effective time of the first terminal group and the time requirement for the terminal to use the terminal inter-access service need to be considered together. The terminal inter-access service of the first terminal group can be used within the time range in which both are satisfied.

[0113] 6) Whether multicast / broadcast services are permitted.

[0114] 7) Service identifiers for multicast / broadcast services are permitted. These service identifiers may include at least one of data network identifiers and slice identifiers, without limitation.

[0115] 8) Area information that allows the use of multicast / broadcast services, which may include geographical location information and / or network location information that allows the use of multicast / broadcast services.

[0116] 9) The permitted time for using multicast / broadcast services, which may include the time during which the terminal is allowed to use each multicast / broadcast service. Each multicast / broadcast service corresponds to its own data network identifier, slice identifier, and / or effective area, etc. The permitted time for different multicast / broadcast services may be different. For example, if the DNN corresponding to the group subscribed by the terminal includes DNN1 and DNN2, the time during which the terminal is allowed to use the multicast / broadcast service of group 1 established based on DNN1 is during the day, and the time during which the terminal is allowed to use the multicast / broadcast service of group 2 established based on DNN2 is at night.

[0117] It should be noted that when a terminal uses the multicast / broadcast service of the first terminal group, the effective time of the first terminal group and the time requirement for the terminal to use the multicast / broadcast service need to be considered together. Within the time range where both are satisfied, the multicast / broadcast service of the first terminal group can be used.

[0118] Optionally, the multicast / broadcast service of the first platform has been enabled in the second network function. The second network function may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the first network function, the access gateway function accessed by the first platform, and the operation platform. It is understood that after the network-side related system (such as the enabling system, specifically the Business & Operation Support System (BOSS)) enables the multicast / broadcast service for the first platform, it can support scenarios where the first platform initiates multicast / broadcast services with terminals within the terminal group. The first platform can initiate multicast / broadcast services to terminals belonging to and / or registered to the terminal group of the first platform.

[0119] For example, the methods for enabling multicast / broadcast services for the first platform may include at least one of the following: Method 1: The relevant network-side system (such as the activation system) activates the multicast / broadcast service permissions of the first platform, thereby obtaining the service activation information for the multicast / broadcast service of the first platform. Optionally, the relevant network-side system (such as the activation system) synchronizes the service activation information for the multicast / broadcast service of the first platform to the first platform and / or the second network function. The second network function may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the first network function, the access gateway function accessed by the first platform, and the operation platform.

[0120] Method 2: The relevant network-side system (such as the activation system) directly activates the multicast / broadcast service permissions of the first platform through the access gateway function and / or the operation platform, thereby obtaining the multicast / broadcast service activation information of the first platform.

[0121] Method 3: The relevant network-side system (such as the activation system) activates the multicast / broadcast service permissions of the first platform to the corresponding network function (such as the first network function to which the terminal group belongs, or the first network function responsible for the group service of the first platform, etc.), and obtains the service activation information of the multicast / broadcast service of the first platform.

[0122] The service activation information for the multicast / broadcast service on the first platform may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: 1) Allow the first platform to use the service identifier of multicast / broadcast services, which may include at least one of data network identifier and slice identifier; 3) Allow the first platform to use multicast / broadcast service area information, which may include geographic location information and / or network location information; 4) The terminal type of the target terminal that allows the first platform to use multicast / broadcast services; 5) Allow the first platform to use the terminal capabilities of the target terminal for multicast / broadcast services; 6) The identifier of the target terminal that allows the first platform to use multicast / broadcast services; 7) Allow the first platform to use the identifier and / or name of the terminal group for multicast / broadcast services; 8) The time during which the first platform is allowed to use multicast / broadcast services. This time may include the time during which the first platform is allowed to use each multicast / broadcast service. Each multicast / broadcast service corresponds to its own data network identifier, slice identifier, and / or effective area, etc. The allowed usage time for different multicast / broadcast services may be different. For example, the group DNN opened by the first platform includes DNN1 and DNN2. The time during which the first platform is allowed to use the multicast / broadcast service of group 1 established based on DNN1 is during the daytime, and the time during which the first platform is allowed to use the multicast / broadcast service of group 2 established based on DNN2 is at night.

[0123] Optionally, after step 1001, Figure 10 The communication method shown may further include: The first information is authenticated, and the authentication result is sent to the business consumer of the first service.

[0124] The content used to authenticate the first information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: 1) Whether business consumers are allowed to set and / or update primary information.

[0125] 2) Where business consumers are allowed to set and / or update the first information, the scope of information that can be set and / or updated; for example, which information of the first business can be set and / or updated, such as the name and / or identifier of the first terminal group, the validity period, etc.

[0126] 3) Where business consumers are allowed to set and / or update the first information, the content requirements of the information that is allowed to be set and / or updated, such as the format (e.g., field writing) and content of the name and / or identifier of the first terminal group, should meet the corresponding requirements.

[0127] 4) When business consumers are allowed to set and / or update the first information, the parameters of the information that can be set and / or updated shall be required. For example, when it is allowed to set and / or update the slice corresponding to the first terminal group, the slice information shall be within the allowed range; or, when it is allowed to set and / or update the validity period of the first terminal group, the validity period shall be within a certain range.

[0128] 5) Whether the relevant service information of the first platform using multicast / broadcast services is consistent with the service activation information of the first platform. For example, whether the data network identifier corresponding to the first terminal group is within the range of data network identifiers that allow the first platform to use multicast / broadcast services, as included in the service activation information of the first platform.

[0129] In practical implementation, the network side can provide service consumers with an entry point for setting and / or updating the first service through application mini-programs and / or terminal inter-access service application platforms. Consumers of the first service can use this entry point to set and / or update the first service of the first terminal group, and then send the first information to the first network function. After receiving the first information, the first network function can authenticate the first information.

[0130] Optionally, depending on the different ways in which the business consumer sends the first information to the first network function (the first information can be sent directly by the business consumer or through the corresponding network function (such as the operating platform, NEF, etc.) to the first network function), in addition to the first network function, the corresponding network function (such as the operating platform, NEF, etc.) that forwards the first information can also authorize and authenticate the relevant information after receiving the first information from the business consumer, and feed back the authentication result to the business consumer. The business consumer can update the first information as needed.

[0131] In some embodiments, after receiving the first information, the corresponding network function can authenticate the first information. If the authentication is successful, the first information is sent to the first network function, which can then synchronize some or all of the information in the first information to the first platform.

[0132] Optionally, after authenticating the first information, the corresponding network function can also send the authentication result to the service consumer. This authentication result may be successful, unsuccessful, or a notification requiring supplementation and / or modification of the first information content. If authentication fails, the service consumer confirms the failure to initiate and / or update the first service of the first terminal group. If the authentication result is a notification requiring supplementation and / or modification of the first information content, the service consumer can update or adjust the first information and then send the updated or adjusted first information directly or through other network function nodes (such as NEF) to the first network function. The first network function or other network function nodes (such as NEF) can continue to authenticate the information sent by the service consumer. If the authentication result is successful, the service consumer can synchronize some or all of the information in the first information to the first platform, for example, by sending some or all of the information in the first information directly to the first platform, or by sending some or all of the information in the first information to the first platform through other network functions (such as NEF). In specific implementations, the authentication of the first information by the first network function or by other network functions can be selected according to actual needs; no specific limitation is made here. If the first information is successfully authenticated, S104 can be executed.

[0133] Optionally, after authenticating the first information, the first network function can send the authentication result to the service consumer. This authentication result may be successful, unsuccessful, or a notification requiring supplementation and / or modification of the first information content. If authentication fails, the service consumer confirms the failure to initiate and / or update the first service of the first terminal group. If the authentication result is a notification requiring supplementation and / or modification of the first information content, the service consumer can update or adjust the first information and then send the updated or adjusted first information directly or through other network function nodes (such as NEF) to the first network function. The first network function or other network function nodes (such as NEF) can continue to authenticate the information sent by the service consumer. If the authentication result is successful, the service consumer can synchronize some or all of the information in the first information to the first platform, for example, by sending some or all of the information in the first information directly to the first platform, or by sending some or all of the information in the first information to the first platform through other network functions (such as NEF).

[0134] As can be seen from the above description, if the first information is successfully authenticated, the business consumer and / or the first network function can also send at least a portion of the information in the first information to the first platform.

[0135] Optionally, if the first information is successfully authenticated and the fourth information of the first platform is not allocated and / or not obtained, the first network function and / or the corresponding network function (such as NEF) may allocate the fourth information to the first platform according to preset rules and / or the first information, wherein the fourth information is used by the first platform to implement the first service of the first terminal group.

[0136] For example, after the first information authorization authentication is passed, if it is necessary to allocate fourth information to the first platform, the first network function and / or the corresponding network function (such as NEF, etc.) shall determine whether to provide multicast / broadcast services to the first platform in the group based on the relevant information contained in the first information. If multicast / broadcast services are provided to the first platform in the group, it shall further determine whether the fourth information has been allocated to the first platform. If it has not been allocated, the fourth information shall be allocated to the first platform according to preset rules. The relevant information contained in the first information may include at least one of the following: whether the first terminal group provides multicast / broadcast services; and the scope of multicast / broadcast services provided by the first terminal group includes the communication between terminals within the group and the first platform to which the group belongs.

[0137] In some embodiments, a preset rule refers to a rule for assigning fourth information to the first platform. The preset rule may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: The allocation principles for user plane tunnel information when allocating multicast / broadcast services to the first user platform; The selection principles for user plane functions accessed when choosing to use multicast / broadcast services for the primary user platform; Selection principles for session control and / or management functions when choosing to use multicast / broadcast services for the first user platform.

[0138] In some embodiments, the fourth information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: User plane tunnel information when the first platform uses the first service; The identifier of the user plane function accessed by the first platform when using the first service may include the name of the user plane function, network function ID, IP address, etc., without limitation. The identifier of the session control and / or management function accessed by the first platform when using the first service may include the name of the session control and / or management function, network function ID, IP address, etc., without limitation.

[0139] In some embodiments, the methods for obtaining preset rules and / or assigning fourth information may include: Preset rules and / or fourth information for the first platform can be set or dynamically generated as needed in the corresponding network functions (such as the first network function to which the first terminal group belongs, or the first network function responsible for the first service of the corresponding first platform, NEF, etc.). The fourth information can be allocated on a platform-by-platform basis; the fourth information allocated to a specific first platform can be used simultaneously for multicast / broadcast services of all terminal groups belonging to that first platform. Alternatively, the fourth information can be allocated on a terminal group-by-terminal basis. Optionally, for the same terminal group, the user plane function allocates user plane tunnel information for multicast / broadcast services only once.

[0140] Optionally, after allocating the fourth information to the first platform, the first network function and / or network corresponding function (such as NEF) may also send the fourth information to the first platform.

[0141] In addition to the above allocation methods, the fourth information for the first platform can also be pre-configured. For example, after enabling the multicast / broadcast service permissions and / or related specific service information of the first platform, the fourth information can be sent to the first platform directly or through relevant network-side functions (such as NEF). This fourth information can be used simultaneously for multicast / broadcast services of all terminal groups on the first platform.

[0142] In some embodiments, the way in which a business consumer and / or a first network function sends the fourth information and / or at least a portion of the first information to a first platform may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following two methods: Method 1: The business consumer sends at least part of the information in the first message to the first platform directly or through the corresponding network function (such as NEF).

[0143] Method 2: The first network function directly or through a corresponding network function (such as NEF) sends the fourth information and / or at least part of the first information to the first platform.

[0144] In some embodiments, if the first platform has obtained the fourth information before sending the first information, the fourth information may also be carried in the first information.

[0145] Optionally, after receiving relevant information (such as at least some of the first information and / or fourth information) synchronized by the first network function and / or service consumer, the first platform can further subscribe to information required to implement the first service from the first network function based on this information, such as the third information in step 1003 below. In this way, when a terminal in the first terminal group performs the first service, it can obtain the information required to implement the first service from the first platform, such as the IP address of the target terminal that the source terminal wants to access, and the session online status information of the target terminal.

[0146] Step 1002: Create and / or update a first terminal group based on the first information and determine the second information, wherein the first terminal group includes multiple terminals that meet the constraints and / or the first platform, and the second information includes information required to implement the first service of the first terminal group.

[0147] In some embodiments, step 1002 may specifically include: if the first network function successfully authenticates the first information, it creates and / or updates the first terminal group and determines the second information based on the first information.

[0148] As previously stated, the first information is used to initiate and / or update the first service of the first terminal group. When the first information is used to initiate the creation of the first terminal group and / or the request for the first service, the first network function can create the first terminal group and determine the second information based on the first information. For example, the first network function can first create the first terminal group based on the first information. At this time, the first terminal group may have members (e.g., if the first information includes the identification information of a specified terminal, then the members in the terminal inter-access group may include the specified terminal), or it may have no members. Then, terminals that meet the conditions can be determined based on the first information, and these terminals can be included as members of the first terminal group. In this process, at least part of the second information can be obtained based on the first information and / or the terminals in the first terminal group. When the first information is used to update the first service of the first terminal group, the first network function can update the created first terminal group and determine the second information based on the first information. For example, the first network function can update the members in the first terminal group based on the first information. During or after updating the group members, the information required for the terminals in the first terminal group to implement the first service can be updated based on the first information and / or the updated group members, thereby updating the second information.

[0149] In some embodiments, creating and / or updating the first terminal group based on the first information may include: Identify the target terminal that meets the constraints and obtain the sixth information.

[0150] Based on the sixth piece of information, determine whether to include the target terminal as a member of the first terminal group.

[0151] If it is determined that the target terminal is a member of the first terminal group, the target terminal is added to the first terminal group.

[0152] In some embodiments, the first network function determines the target terminal that satisfies the constraints. This can be understood as the first network function discovering multiple target terminals that satisfy the constraints based on the constraints carried in the first information (which can be understood as group creation rules).

[0153] For example, the first network function determines the target terminal that satisfies the constraints, which may include at least one of the following implementations: In Implementation Method 1, if the constraint includes the identifier of a specified terminal, the first network function can determine the specified terminal as the target terminal that satisfies the constraint.

[0154] In the second implementation method, when the constraints include the effective area of ​​the first service and the terminal type and / or terminal capabilities that a terminal joining the first terminal group needs to meet, the first network function may first determine multiple first terminals located in and / or entering the effective area of ​​the first service; then, it may select at least one target terminal from the multiple first terminals that meets the terminal type and / or terminal capabilities in the constraints. For ease of understanding, the effective area of ​​the first service can be regarded as group creation rule 1, and the terminal type and / or terminal capabilities that a terminal joining the first terminal group needs to meet can be regarded as group creation rule 2. The process of determining the first terminal that meets these two group creation rules is described below.

[0155] In the second embodiment described above, the first network function can first identify multiple first terminals that conform to group creation rule 1. Considering that the effective area can be represented by geographic location information and / or network location information, the following two situations may exist when identifying multiple first terminals located in and / or entering the effective area of ​​the first service: The first scenario: The effective area is represented by network location information. In this scenario, the first network function can discover network functions that provide terminal information and / or event notifications for terminals located within and / or entering / exiting the effective area based on the network location information, such as access and mobility management functions (e.g., AMF). Then, it queries and / or subscribes to the network function for terminal information (e.g., terminal identification information) and / or event notifications located within and / or entering / exiting the effective area, and thereby determines multiple first terminals located within and / or entering the effective area of ​​the first service.

[0156] The second scenario: The effective area is represented by geographic location information. In this case, the first network function can convert geographic location information to network location information based on pre-configured rules. The first network function can then discover the access and mobility management function (such as AMF) responsible for the effective area based on the converted network location information. It then queries and / or subscribes to terminal information (such as terminal identification information) and / or event notifications located within and / or entering / exiting the effective area from the access and mobility management function, thereby determining multiple first terminals located within and / or entering the effective area of ​​the first service. The conversion method between geographic location information and network location information may include: Method 1: If the first information is sent by the business consumer to the first network function via a relevant network function (such as NEF and / or geolocation information conversion function, etc.), the relevant network function (such as NEF and / or geolocation information conversion function, etc.) can complete the conversion between geolocation information and network location information and then feed back the network location information to the first network function.

[0157] Method 2: After receiving the first information, the first network function initiates a query and / or subscription request to the corresponding geographic location information conversion function responsible for converting geographic location information to network location information. The geographic location information conversion function then completes the conversion. The geographic location information conversion function can be set up independently or jointly with other network functions.

[0158] Secondly, in the above-described second implementation method, based on group creation rule 2, at least one target terminal that meets the terminal type and / or terminal capability constraints is selected from the plurality of first terminals, specifically including: The seventh information is obtained from the fifth network function, wherein the seventh information includes terminal type information and / or terminal capability information of the plurality of first terminals, and the fifth network function includes network functions for storing terminal types and / or terminal capabilities, such as terminal capability repository function, UDM / UDR, etc. Based on the seventh information, at least one target terminal that meets the terminal type and / or terminal capability requirements in the constraints is selected from the plurality of first terminals.

[0159] At this point, the first network function will select at least one target terminal that simultaneously meets both group creation rules 1 and 2 as a terminal to be included in the first terminal group through preliminary screening.

[0160] It is understandable that after the first network function has identified at least one target terminal, whether to include the target terminal in the first terminal group—that is, whether the target terminal can be a member of the first terminal group—may be affected by other factors, such as whether the service consumer agrees to include the target terminal in the first terminal group, whether the target terminal has activated the second service, and so on. Therefore, it is necessary to further determine whether the target terminal can be added to the first terminal group. To this end, optionally, after identifying at least one target terminal that simultaneously satisfies group creation rules 1 and 2, sixth information can be further obtained, and based on the sixth information, it can be determined whether to include the target terminal as a member of the first terminal group; if it is determined that the target terminal should be included as a member of the first terminal group, the target terminal is added to the first terminal group.

[0161] The sixth piece of information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following 1) to 5): 1) Service activation information for the second service of the target terminal.

[0162] The second service includes at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service and multicast / broadcast service between terminals.

[0163] After the first network function filters out at least one target terminal that simultaneously meets group creation rules 1 and 2, it can query and / or subscribe to the service activation information of the target terminal's activated / subscribed second service from the network function (such as the user subscription data repository function: UDM / UDR, etc.) to which the target terminal belongs, based on the operator's pre-configured rules. The first network function compares and evaluates this service activation information with the relevant information in the first information to determine whether the target terminal can be allowed to use the first service of the first terminal group, that is, whether the target terminal can be added to the first terminal group. The specific content of the service activation information of the target terminal's activated / subscribed second service can be referred to the above, and will not be repeated here.

[0164] 2) Registration status information of the target terminal for the first terminal group.

[0165] Based on a pre-defined policy, the first network function can subscribe to the registration status information of terminals within the first terminal group from the first platform. The subscription request carries at least one of the following parameters for querying and / or matching: the identifier and / or name of the first terminal group, the identifier of the terminals within the first terminal group, etc. It can be understood that a target terminal whose registration status information indicates it has registered to the first terminal group can join the first terminal group, while the reverse is not true.

[0166] 3) Online status information of the target terminal's service transmission channel for the first terminal group.

[0167] Based on a pre-defined policy, the first network function can query and / or subscribe to the identifiers of the session control and / or management functions selected by the target terminal when establishing the service transmission channel of the first terminal group, based on the target terminal's identifier (e.g., GPSI / SUPI / SUCI). Upon receiving a subscription request / subscription message, the relevant network function (e.g., UDM / UDR, PCF / UDR) returns a data subscription notification to the first network function. This subscription event notification may include the identifiers of the session control and / or management functions selected by the target terminal when establishing the service transmission channel of the first terminal group. Based on this data subscription notification, the first network function can confirm that the target terminal has established the service transmission channel of the first terminal group, meaning that the target terminal's online status information for the service transmission channel of the first terminal group is online. The service transmission channel of the first terminal group refers to the service transmission channel established based on the service identifier corresponding to the first service.

[0168] 4) First confirmation information regarding whether the target terminal from the fourth network function can be a member of the first terminal group, wherein the fourth network function includes the service consumer and / or the first platform.

[0169] If the first information includes the second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate whether the relevant network function node needs to confirm the members in the first terminal group, the first network function may send a first confirmation request (a confirmation request regarding whether the target terminal can join the first terminal group) to the relevant network function node as needed. The first confirmation request may carry the identifier of the target terminal, and the relevant network function node may confirm whether the target terminal can be a member of the first terminal group.

[0170] 5) Second confirmation information obtained by the fourth network function based on the location information of the target terminal, indicating whether to include the target terminal in the first terminal group.

[0171] When a service consumer requests the location information of a terminal in the first information, for example, if the first information includes first indication information that instructs the first network function to report the location information (such as latitude and longitude) of a terminal entering the effective area to the relevant network function node, the first network function can further obtain the location information of the target terminal based on the network-side positioning service process. Specific procedures can be found in the relevant positioning service processes of 3GPP 23.273 and / or 24.572. The first network function can send the latitude and longitude information and / or identification information of the target terminal to the relevant network function node (such as the service consumer), which will then confirm whether to include the target terminal in the first terminal group and send back second confirmation information containing the confirmation result to the first network function.

[0172] The above explains and illustrates how the first network function creates and / or updates the first terminal group based on the first information in step 1002. The following explains the content of the second information and how the first network function determines the second information.

[0173] In some embodiments, the second information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: The identifier and / or name of the first terminal group; The effective time of the first terminal group; The service identifier corresponding to the first business; The effective area of ​​the first business; The time during which terminals within the first terminal group can use the first service of the first terminal group; The identifier of the terminal within the first terminal group; Terminal type and / or terminal type requirements for terminals within the first terminal group; Terminal capabilities and / or terminal capability requirements of terminals within the first terminal group; Whether the first terminal group provides multicast / broadcast services to the terminals within the group; Whether the terminals in the first terminal group support multicast / broadcast services; When a terminal in the first terminal group establishes a service transmission channel for the first terminal group, the session control and / or management functions and / or user plane functions selected by the terminal are the IP addresses assigned to the terminal. The service transmission channel of the first terminal group refers to the service transmission channel established based on the service identifier corresponding to the first service. When a terminal in the first terminal group establishes a service transmission channel for the first terminal group, it is assigned user plane tunnel information corresponding to the first service. The identifier of the session control and / or management function selected by the terminal in the first terminal group when establishing the service transmission channel of the first terminal group; The identifier of the user plane function selected by the terminal in the first terminal group when establishing the service transmission channel of the first terminal group. The logo of the first platform; Does the first platform provide multicast / broadcast services? The first platform can use multicast / broadcast services for a certain period of time; User plane tunnel information when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services; The identifier for user plane functions accessed when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services; The identifier for session control and / or management functions accessed when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services.

[0174] It should be noted that when a terminal uses the first service of a first terminal group, the effective time of the first terminal group and the time during which the terminal is allowed to use the second service (i.e., the time during which the terminal has subscribed to use the second service) need to be considered together. Within the time range where both are satisfied, the terminal can use the first service of the first terminal group. In other words, the time during which a terminal within the first terminal group can use the first service of the first terminal group is usually the intersection of the effective time of the first terminal group and the time during which the terminal is allowed to use the second service. As mentioned above, the second service can be a service related to mutual access that the terminal has subscribed to or activated. The second service can include at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals.

[0175] For example, the time during which terminals within a first terminal group can use the terminal inter-service within the first service of the first terminal group, and / or the time during which terminals within a first terminal group can use the multicast / broadcast service between terminals within the first service of the first terminal group, both need to take into account the effective time of the first terminal group and the time during which the terminal is allowed to use the second service. Within the time range where both are satisfied, the terminal can use the terminal inter-service and / or multicast / broadcast service of the first terminal group. Specifically, if the time during which the first terminal in the first terminal group is allowed to use the second service is from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and the effective time of the first terminal group is from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, then the intersection of the two is from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. During this time period, the first terminal can use the terminal inter-service and / or multicast / broadcast service of the first terminal group.

[0176] It should also be noted that when the first platform uses the multicast / broadcast service of the first terminal group, it needs to consider both the effective time of the first terminal group and the time during which the first platform is allowed to use the multicast / broadcast service. Within the time frame where both conditions are met, the first platform can use the multicast / broadcast service between itself and the terminals within the first terminal group. The time during which the first platform is allowed to use the multicast / broadcast service can include the time during which the first platform is authorized to use the multicast / broadcast service. In other words, the time during which the first platform can use the multicast / broadcast service for terminals within the first terminal group is typically the intersection of the effective time of the first terminal group and the time during which the first platform is authorized to use the multicast / broadcast service. For example, if the time during which the first platform is authorized to use the multicast / broadcast service is from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and the effective time of the first terminal group is from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, then the intersection is from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. During this time period, the first platform can use the multicast / broadcast service for terminals within the first terminal group.

[0177] In specific implementation, the first network function can generate a first list locally to store the second information. The first list can be shown in Table 2 below. The second network function can continuously improve and / or update the relevant information in the first list in subsequent processes. The updated first list can be shown in Table 3 below.

[0178] Optionally, Figure 2 The communication method shown may further include: a first network function updating the second information when the second information changes.

[0179] As can be seen from the content contained in the second information, in some embodiments, determining the second information may include: obtaining at least a portion of the information in the second information from the first information. For example, at least one of the following information may be obtained from the first information: the identifier and / or name of the first terminal group, the data network identifier corresponding to the first service, the slice identifier corresponding to the first service, the effective area of ​​the first service, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0180] In other embodiments, if the fourth information of the first platform is allocated by a third network function, the fourth information of the first platform can be carried in the first information forwarded by the third network function to the first network function, wherein the third network function includes a Network Open Function (NEF). Correspondingly, the second information may include the fourth information of the first platform, wherein the fourth information is used by the first platform to implement the first service of the first terminal group. In this case, determining the second information in step 1002 may include: If the fourth information is carried in the first information, the fourth information is obtained from the first information.

[0181] The fourth piece of information includes at least one of the following: User plane tunnel information when the first platform uses the first service; The identifier of the user plane function accessed by the first platform when using the first service; The identifier of the session control and / or management functions accessed by the first platform when using the first service.

[0182] In other embodiments, where the constraints further include the identifier of a specified terminal and require the specified terminal to use the first service within a specified area, step 1002, determining the second information, may include at least one of steps 1 and 2 below: Step 1: Obtain the eighth information from the sixth network function. If the specified terminal is located in and / or enters the specified area based on the eighth information, send a second request to the seventh network function. The eighth information includes the location information of the specified terminal and / or event notifications of the specified terminal entering or leaving the specified area. The seventh network function is the session control and / or management function selected by the specified terminal when establishing the service transmission channel of the first terminal group. The service transmission channel of the first terminal group refers to the service transmission channel established based on the service identifier corresponding to the first service. The second request is used to obtain the routing information required by the specified terminal to implement the first service.

[0183] The first network function can be determined from the corresponding network function (such as UDM / UDR) to which the specified terminal belongs, and the sixth network function can be access and mobility management functions, such as AMF.

[0184] The first network function subscribes to terminal location information and / or entry / exit event notifications from relevant network functions that can provide terminal location information (such as the AMF node currently accessed by the specified terminal). When the specified terminal enters the specified area and / or is located in the specified area, the first network function requests and / or subscribes to the routing information required by the specified terminal to implement the first service in the second request issued by the session control and / or management functions selected when establishing a service transmission channel for the first terminal group. When the specified terminal leaves the specified area, the first network function cancels the subscription to the routing information.

[0185] Step 2: Send a third request to the seventh network function, wherein the third request instructs the seventh network function to send routing information required for the designated terminal to implement the first service, when it determines that the designated terminal is located in and / or has entered the designated area. When the designated terminal leaves the designated area, the seventh network function initiates a request to the first network function to delete the routing information.

[0186] The first network function will directly send the identification information of the designated terminal to the session control and / or management function selected when the designated terminal establishes the service transmission channel of the first terminal group. The session control and / or management function will subscribe to the location information and / or entry and exit event notifications of the designated terminal from the relevant network function that can provide the location information of the designated terminal (such as the AMF node currently accessed by the designated terminal). When the designated terminal enters the designated area and / or the location of the designated terminal is in the designated area, the session control and / or management function can feed back the routing information of the designated terminal to the first network function for implementing the first service.

[0187] In other embodiments, the second information includes routing information required for terminals within the first terminal group to implement the first service. In step 1002, determining the second information may include at least one of the following: Obtain the ninth information from the eighth network function.

[0188] Optionally, the first network function can also send tenth information to the eighth network function, that is, the eighth network function can also be used to obtain tenth information from the first network function.

[0189] Optionally, the eighth network function can also be used to send an eleventh message to the ninth network function.

[0190] The eighth network function includes the session control and / or management functions selected by terminals in the first terminal group when establishing a service transmission channel for the first terminal group, and / or the session control and / or management functions accessed by the first platform when using the first service. The ninth information includes the routing information required by terminals in the first terminal group that access the eighth network function and / or the first platform to implement the first service. The tenth information includes the routing information required by terminals in the first terminal group that select other session control and / or management functions and / or the first platform to implement the first service. The ninth network function includes the user plane function selected by terminals in the first terminal group under the jurisdiction of the eighth network function when establishing a service transmission channel for the first terminal group, and / or the user plane function accessed by the first platform when using the first service. The eleventh information includes the routing information required by terminals in the first terminal group that access the ninth network function and / or the first platform to implement the first service.

[0191] The service transmission channel of the first terminal group refers to the service transmission channel established based on the service identifier corresponding to the first service. The routing information required for a terminal to implement the first service includes part or all of the information in the second information corresponding to the first terminal group to which the terminal belongs. As an example, the first network function may send a subscription request for ninth information to the eighth network function. The subscription request may carry at least one of the following information: the terminal identifier, the identifier and / or name of the first terminal group, the service identifier corresponding to the first service of the first terminal group, the effective area of ​​the first service, and the identifier of the eighth network function. The ninth information to be subscribed to in the subscription request may include at least one of the following: ① When a terminal establishes a service transmission channel for the first terminal group, the session control and / or management functions and / or user plane functions selected are the IP addresses assigned to that terminal; ② When a terminal establishes a service transmission channel for the first terminal group, the user plane tunnel information corresponding to the first service is assigned to it; ③ The identifier of the user plane function selected by the terminal when establishing the service transmission channel of the first terminal group.

[0192] Optionally, before the first network function obtains the ninth information from the eighth network function, Figure 10 The communication method shown may further include: Obtain the identification information of the eighth and / or ninth network functions from the tenth network function.

[0193] The tenth network function may include the relevant network functions (such as UDM / UDR, PCF / UDR, etc.) to which the terminals belong within the first terminal group.

[0194] In specific implementation, if the first network function fails to obtain the identifier of the session control and / or management network function and / or user plane function to which the terminal in the first terminal group belongs during the aforementioned steps, the first network function may, based on the terminal's identifier information (such as GPSI / SUPI / SUCI, etc.), query and / or subscribe to the identifier information of the session control and / or management network function and / or user plane function selected by the terminal when establishing the service transmission channel of the first terminal group. After receiving the subscription request / subscription message, the relevant network function (such as UDM / UDR, PCF / UDR, etc.) may return a data subscription notification to the first network function. This subscription notification may include the identifier of the session control and / or management network function and / or user plane function selected by the terminal when establishing the service transmission channel of the first terminal group. After the first network function obtains the identifiers of the session control and / or management network functions and / or user plane functions selected when the terminal establishes the service transmission channel of the first terminal group, it can update the first list storing the second information. Specifically, it can fill in the relevant data under the "identifier of session control and / or management network functions" and "identifier of user plane functions" columns in the first list. The parameters used for matching when filling in the data can include at least one of the following: the terminal identifier, the data network identifier, the slice identifier, etc.

[0195] Similarly, if the first message received carries the designated terminal but does not carry the identification information of the session control and / or management network functions and / or user plane functions selected when the designated terminal established the service transmission channel of the first terminal group, the first network function may obtain the identification information of the session control and / or management network functions and / or user plane functions selected when the designated terminal established the service transmission channel of the first terminal group from the corresponding network function (such as UDM / UDR, PCF / UDR, etc.) to which the designated terminal belongs.

[0196] Optionally, the first network function may also send thirteenth information to the first platform and / or the session control and / or management functions accessed by the first platform. The thirteenth information may include routing information required for at least some terminals within the first terminal group to implement the first service.

[0197] In practical implementation, based on operator policies, the first network function can send the acquired routing information required for terminals within the first terminal group to implement the first service to the eighth network function, the first platform, and the session control and / or management functions accessed by the first platform. When this method is adopted, the first network function can subsequently monitor updates to the routing information required for terminals within the first terminal group to implement the first service, and proactively send the routing update information of the terminals within the group to all session control and / or management functions responsible for the first service of the first terminal group.

[0198] Optionally, when the first service corresponds to multiple different service identifiers, the ninth network function can support the first service between service transmission channels established based on the multiple different service identifiers corresponding to the first service. That is, the ninth network function supports cross-DNN interoperability, which can improve the utilization efficiency of network resources across different data networks and allow for more flexible service deployment; better ensure service continuity for users moving between different networks, improving the user experience; simplify the operation and maintenance management of operators in multi-DNN environments, reducing complexity and cost. At the same time, this capability also provides a foundation for future networks to support more complex cross-domain services.

[0199] Step 1003: Send third information to the first platform. The third information includes at least a portion of the information in the second information.

[0200] In some embodiments, the first platform is configured to implement the first service based on the third information, and / or the first platform is configured to provide information required to implement the first service to terminals within the first terminal group based on the third information.

[0201] In some embodiments, the first network function sending third information to the first platform may include: The first network function receives a subscription request from the first platform. The subscription request is used to request subscription to third information. The subscription request may include at least one of the following information: the name and / or identifier of the first terminal group, and the identifier information of at least one terminal in the first terminal group. The first network function sends a subscription response to the first platform, and the subscription response includes third information.

[0202] In other words, the first platform can actively subscribe to third information from the first network function. For example, in step 1002 above, after the first network function authenticates the first information, it synchronizes some or all of the information in the first information to the first platform. Upon receiving this information, the first platform can subscribe to the third information from the first network function. After receiving the subscription request, the first network function can send the third information to the first platform in the subscription response. Optionally, after the second information changes, the first network function can synchronously update the third information and send the updated third information to the first platform, thereby achieving dynamic updates of relevant information on the first platform.

[0203] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, after receiving the subscription message / subscription request, the recipient must send the relevant results to the subscription message requester according to the subscription requirements whenever there are changes in the subscribed content, until it receives the end-subscription / cancel-subscription / unsubscribe request message from the subscription message / subscription request initiator, until it receives the end-subscription / cancel-subscription / unsubscribe request message from the subscription message / subscription request initiator. This will not be elaborated further below.

[0204] Optionally, in some implementations, the business consumer may cancel the first information, and / or the validity period of the first terminal group may expire. In this case, the first network function needs to cancel the creation and / or update process of the first terminal group, and / or delete the relevant information of the first terminal group. Figure 10 The communication method shown may further include at least one of the following: The system receives a fifth request from a business consumer, which requests the cancellation of the first information; the first network function performs a first operation based on the second request. If the first information carries the validity period of the first terminal group and the validity period has expired, the first network function performs the first operation.

[0205] The first operation may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: 1) Delete the second piece of information; 2) Cancel the eighth request. The eighth request is used to subscribe to or obtain the identification information of the eighth network function (such as SMF) corresponding to the first service of the terminal in the first terminal group from the fifth network function (such as UDM and / or UDR) to which the terminal in the first terminal group belongs. In other words, it is to subscribe to the identification information of the eighth network function. 3) Cancel the ninth request. The ninth request is used to obtain the ninth information from the eighth network function subscription, that is, to subscribe to the ninth information; the ninth information includes the routing information required by the terminals in the first terminal group that access the eighth network function and / or the first platform to implement the first service.

[0206] 4) Send a twelfth request or a fifteenth message to the eighth network function corresponding to the first service to which the terminal in the first terminal group belongs. The twelfth request or the fifteenth message is used to notify the eighth network function to cancel access to the first service to which the terminal in the first terminal group belongs and / or request the deletion of the routing information of the terminal in the first terminal group corresponding to the first service. When the eighth network function corresponding to the first service to which the terminal in the first terminal group belongs receives the twelfth request or the fifteenth message, it deletes the relevant information of the terminal corresponding to the first service stored locally, and notifies the user plane function to which the terminal belongs to delete the mutual access routing information of the terminal corresponding to the first service, etc.

[0207] 5) Cancel the tenth request. The tenth request is used to obtain the registration status information of the terminal corresponding to the first terminal group in the first terminal group from the first platform, that is, to subscribe to the registration status of the terminal corresponding to the first terminal group. 6) Cancel sending third-party information to the first platform; 7) Send a sixth request to the first platform. The sixth request is used to request the cancellation of the first service.

[0208] 8) Send an eleventh request to the first platform. The eleventh request is used to request an update on the online or registered status of terminals in the first terminal group, etc.

[0209] After the first network function performs the first operation described above, optionally, if the service consumer has a new first service or wants to continue the previous first service, it can send the first information to the first network function again. The first network function can re-execute the above steps 1001, 1002 and 1003 to realize the first service, which will not be described in detail here.

[0210] Optionally, in some embodiments, when the time during which some terminals within the first terminal group can use the first service of the first terminal group expires—for example, if the time during which terminals can use the first service of the first terminal group is from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and if the current time exceeds 2:00 PM—it indicates that the time during which terminals can use the first service of the first terminal group has expired. In this case, at least one of the following operations can be performed: The eighth network function to which the terminal belongs identifies that the time for the terminal to use the first service of the first terminal group has expired, and initiates a request to the first network function to cancel the terminal's use of the first service of the first terminal group. The first network function then executes the process of canceling the terminal's use of the first service of the first terminal group. The first network function identifies that the time available for the terminal to use the first service of the first terminal group has expired, and executes the process of canceling the first service of the first terminal group for the terminal.

[0211] The process of canceling the first service of the first terminal group of the first network function may include at least one of the following: Delete the second information of this terminal; Cancel the eighth request. The eighth request is used to request the identification information of the eighth network function (such as SMF) of the first service corresponding to the first terminal group to which the terminal belongs from the fifth network function (such as UDM or UDR). In other words, it is to subscribe to the identification information of the eighth network function. Cancel the ninth request. The ninth request is used to request the acquisition of the ninth information from the eighth network function of the first service corresponding to the first terminal group to which the terminal belongs. The ninth information includes the routing information required by the terminal in the first terminal group to access the eighth network function and / or the first platform to implement the first service of the first terminal group, that is, to subscribe to the ninth information. Send a twelfth request or a fifteenth message to the eighth network function. The twelfth request or the fifteenth message is used to notify the eighth network function to cancel the first service of the first terminal group to which the terminal belongs and / or request the deletion of the routing information of the first service of the first terminal group to which the terminal belongs. Cancel the tenth request. The tenth request was used to request the registration status of the first terminal group corresponding to the terminal from the first platform, that is, to subscribe to the registration status of the first terminal group corresponding to the terminal. Cancel sending third-party information to the first platform; A sixth request is sent to the first platform. The sixth request is used to request the cancellation of the first service of the first terminal group, that is, to cancel the relevant services of the first terminal group.

[0212] Send an eleventh request to the first platform. The eleventh request is used to request an update on the online or registered status of the terminal, and so on.

[0213] When the eighth network function of the first service of the first terminal group to which the terminal belongs discovers that the time for the terminal to use the first service of the first terminal group has expired, and / or receives the twelfth request or the fifteenth message, it deletes the relevant information of the first service of the first terminal group to which the terminal belongs stored locally, and notifies the user plane function of the first service of the first terminal group to which the terminal belongs to delete the routing information of the first service of the first terminal group to which the terminal belongs, etc.

[0214] Figure 10The embodiment shown proposes a communication method that can initiate and / or update a first service for a first terminal group through first information to a first network function. After receiving the first information, the first network function can create and / or update the first terminal group according to the multi-dimensional constraints (at least one of effective area, terminal type, and terminal capability requirements) carried in the first information, thereby realizing the dynamic establishment of the first terminal group. Compared with the terminal mutual access scheme of pre-setting static terminal groups containing specific terminals in the prior art, the embodiment of this application does not require pre-configuration of data, has better flexibility, supports dynamic group services based on the needs of service consumers, and has a wider range of application scenarios. Furthermore, since the first network function can further determine the information required by the terminals in the first terminal group to implement the first service after creating or updating the first terminal group, and synchronize some or all of this information to the first platform, and the first platform can be used to implement the first service according to the third information, and / or the first platform can be used to provide the terminals in the first terminal group with the information required to implement the first service according to the third information. Therefore, it solves the problems of routing detours, large configuration workload, inability to meet user mobility characteristics, and inflexible service implementation caused by existing solutions such as terminal inter-access based on static terminal groups requiring forwarding through external routing devices or static configuration of routing information.

[0215] This application also proposes a communication method that can be applied to business consumers, such as... Figure 11 As shown, the method may include: Step 1101: Send first information to the first network function, the first information being used to initiate and / or update the first service of the first terminal group.

[0216] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group. The constraints include at least one of the following: the effective area of ​​the first service, the terminal type and terminal capabilities that the terminals joining the first terminal group need to meet. The first service includes at least one of the following: terminal inter-access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals.

[0217] The first terminal group can be any terminal group to be created and / or updated. The first information can be used to initiate and / or update the first service for the first terminal group. For example, if the first terminal group has not been created, the first information can be used to initiate the creation of the first terminal group and / or the request for the first service. As another example, if the first terminal group has already been created, the first information can be used to update the first terminal group and / or the first service, such as updating the terminal members within the first terminal group.

[0218] The first information can be sent directly by the service consumer to the first network function or through a corresponding network function (such as an operating platform, NEF, etc.). The service consumer can be at least one of the following: an independent network function node, a first platform to which the first terminal group belongs (such as a terminal inter-access application platform and / or a service platform), or other users who have subscribed to the first service. Optionally, the first information can be carried in a first request sent by the service consumer, which is used to request the initiation and / or updating of the first service for the first terminal group.

[0219] In practical implementation, the network side can provide service consumers with an entry point for setting and / or updating the first service through application mini-programs and / or terminal inter-access service application platforms. Consumers of the first service can use this entry point to set and / or update the first service of the first terminal group, and then send the first information to the first network function. After receiving the first information, the first network function can authenticate the first information.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first information may include, in addition to constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group, other information that may assist the first network function in creating and / or updating the first service of the first terminal group.

[0222] As an example, the first information may include at least one of the following 1) to 7): 1) The name and / or identifier of the first terminal group.

[0223] 2) Does the first terminal group provide multicast / broadcast services?

[0224] 3) The scope of services provided by the first terminal group for multicast / broadcast services.

[0225] 4) The identifier of the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs.

[0226] 5) First instruction information, used to instruct the first network function to report the location information of the terminal entering the effective area of ​​the first service and / or the reporting request of the terminal's location information to the relevant network function node. The relevant network function node may include the service consumer.

[0227] 6) Second indication information, used to indicate that relevant network function nodes need to confirm members within the first terminal group. Relevant network function nodes may include service consumers.

[0228] 7) Create and / or update the constraints of the first terminal group.

[0229] In some implementations, the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: the effective area of ​​the first service, the terminal type and terminal capabilities that terminals joining the first terminal group must meet. The effective area may include geographic location information and / or network location information. Geographic location information may be latitude and longitude, administrative region, etc. Network location information may be Tracking Area Identity (TAI), cell, base station, etc.

[0230] In other implementations, the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group may also include at least one of the following: a. Specify the identifier of the terminal. The number of specified terminals can be one or more, and the identifier of the specified terminal can be the number of the specified terminal.

[0231] b. Specify whether the terminal supports multicast / broadcast services.

[0232] c. The conditions under which a specified terminal uses the first service may include whether the specified terminal is required to use the first service within the effective area of ​​the first service, or to use the first service within a specified time period.

[0233] d. The range of terminals included in the first terminal group can characterize the range of terminals that are allowed to use the first service. This range may include a list of terminal information that is allowed to use the first service, etc.

[0234] e. The service identifier corresponding to the first service; The service identifier corresponding to the first service can be understood as the service identifier to which the first service belongs. The service identifier corresponding to the first service can also be understood as the service identifier corresponding to the service transmission channel of the first service. Optionally, the service identifier corresponding to the first service may include at least one of the following: a service identifier specifying the corresponding service transmission channel, a service identifier corresponding to a service transmission channel bound to a terminal type, etc. For example, the service identifier corresponding to the first service may include at least one of the data network identifier and the slice identifier corresponding to the first service.

[0235] f. The effective time of the first terminal group (or the effective time of the first terminal group, or the effective time and / or effective time of the first service of the first terminal group), which may be a relative time or an absolute time, etc. During the effective time, the terminals in the first terminal group and / or the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs are allowed to use the first service for the first terminal group. Outside the effective time or if the effective time expires, the terminals in the first terminal group and / or the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs are not allowed to use the first service for the first terminal group.

[0236] Optionally, before sending the first information to the first network function, the service consumer may discover the first network function and then send the first information to it. The service consumer may discover the first network function through at least one of the following methods: Method 1: Discover the first network function by querying relevant network functions (such as NRF).

[0237] Specifically, the first network function can register with a network storage function (such as an NRF). The registration includes standard-defined information such as NF profile, NF service, and NF info. Since the first network function is a new feature, it can be named as a new NF type. The parameters used to discover the first network function, in addition to the standard-defined basic parameters such as network function type, can also include one or more of the following: number range, service area, device identifier, group identifier, data network identifier, slice identifier, AF ID, and data type.

[0238] Method 2: Interoperate with the first network function by statically configuring the first network function.

[0239] After a business consumer discovers the first network function through at least one of the methods 1 and 2 described above, it can send the first information to the first network function.

[0240] After a business consumer sends the first piece of information to the first network function, the first network function can authenticate the first piece of information and send the authentication result to the business consumer. In this case, the business consumer may take the following actions: The service consumer receives the authentication result of the first information sent by the first network function, and the authentication result includes authentication successful or authentication unsuccessful; If the authentication result includes failure, the business consumer updates or adjusts the first information and sends the updated first information to the first network function. If the authentication result is successful, the service consumer sends some or all of the information in the first information to the first platform. This can be done by sending some or all of the information directly to the first platform, or by sending it through other network functions (such as NEF). Upon receiving this information, the first platform can subscribe to information for inter-terminal access within the first terminal group from the first network function, such as the third information mentioned in step 1003 above. Thus, when a terminal in the first terminal group initiates a first service, it can obtain the information required to implement the first service from the first platform, such as the IP address of the target terminal to be accessed and the target terminal's session online status information.

[0241] In some implementations, if a service consumer sends the first information to a first network function through a relevant network function node (such as NEF), the first information can also be authenticated by other relevant network function nodes (such as the operating platform and / or network open functions). In this case, the service consumer can receive the authentication result (including authentication success or failure) from the relevant network function node and perform corresponding operations based on the authentication result.

[0242] After a service consumer sends the first information to the first network function, the first network function can create and / or update the first terminal group and determine the second information based on the first information. For details, please refer to [link to implementation details]. Figure 10 The corresponding content in the illustrated embodiments will not be repeated here.

[0243] Optionally, in some implementations, the business consumer may cancel the first message, and / or the validity period of the first terminal group expires. In this case, the business consumer may perform the following operations: Send a fifth request to the first network function. The fifth request is used to request the cancellation of the first information.

[0244] Upon receiving the fifth request, the first network function can perform a first operation to cancel the creation and / or update process of the terminal access group and / or delete the relevant information of the terminal access group. See details in [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 10 The relevant content in the illustrated embodiments will not be described again here.

[0245] Figure 11 The embodiment shown proposes a communication method in which a service consumer can initiate and / or update a first service for a first terminal group through first information. This enables a first network function to dynamically establish a first terminal group based on the first information. Compared with the terminal inter-access scheme of pre-setting a static terminal group containing specific terminals in the prior art, the embodiment of this application does not require pre-configuration of data, is more flexible, supports dynamic group services based on the needs of service consumers, and has a wider range of application scenarios.

[0246] This application also proposes a communication method applicable to a first platform to which a first terminal group belongs, such as... Figure 12 As shown, the method may include: Step 1201: Receive the third information sent by the first network function.

[0247] The third information includes at least a portion of the information in the second information. The second information includes information required to implement the first service of the first terminal group. The first terminal group includes multiple terminals and / or a first platform that meet the constraints. The constraints include at least one of the following: the effective area of ​​the first service, the terminal type and terminal capabilities that the terminals joining the first terminal group need to meet. The first service includes at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals.

[0248] After creating and / or updating the first terminal group and determining the second information, the first network function can synchronize some or all of the information in the second information, i.e., the third information, to the first platform. The first platform can receive the third information sent by the first network function. The second information includes information required by the terminals in the first terminal group to implement the first service; for details, please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 10 The explanation of the second information in the illustrated embodiment will not be described in detail here. For a detailed explanation of the specific implementation of the first network function creating and / or updating the first terminal group and determining the second information, please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 10 The specific implementation of the corresponding content in the illustrated embodiments will not be repeated here.

[0249] In some implementations, receiving third information sent by the first network function may include: Send a subscription request to the first network function. The subscription request is used to request subscription to third information. The subscription request includes at least one of the following: the name and / or identifier of the terminal mutual access group, and the identification information of at least one terminal in the terminal mutual access group. Receive the subscription response sent by the first network function, which includes third information.

[0250] In other words, the first platform can actively subscribe to third information from the first network function. For example, if a business consumer sends first information to the first network function and the first information is authenticated, the first network function and / or the business consumer can synchronize some or all of the information in the first information to the first platform. After receiving this information, the first platform can subscribe to the third information from the first network function. After receiving the subscription request, the first network function can send the third information to the first platform in the subscription response. Optionally, after the second information changes, the first network function synchronously updates the third information and sends the updated third information to the first platform, thereby achieving dynamic updates of relevant information on the first platform.

[0251] Step 1202: Implement the first service of the first terminal group based on the third information, and / or provide the terminals in the first terminal group with the information required to implement the first service based on the third information.

[0252] In some embodiments, the third information includes fourth information required by the first platform to implement the first service.

[0253] In some embodiments, the first platform may directly obtain the fourth information from the first network function and / or other network functions (such as NEF). For example, the first platform may receive the fourth information sent by the first network function. The fourth piece of information includes at least one of the following: User plane tunnel information when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services; The identifier for user plane functions accessed when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services; The identifier for session control and / or management functions accessed when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services.

[0254] Regarding the fourth piece of information on the first platform, in addition to the methods mentioned above, it can also be pre-configured. For specific configuration methods, please refer to the section above. Figure 10 The description of the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0255] Based on this, the first service of the first terminal group, implemented using third information, may include: The first service of the first terminal group is realized based on the fourth information.

[0256] In some embodiments, implementing the first service of the first terminal group based on the fourth information may include: Based on the fourth information, determine the user plane functions accessed by the first platform when using the first service; When using the first service on the first platform, the user plane function accessed initiates the first service. The user plane function supports implementing the first service based on eleventh information, which includes target terminal information for the first service and / or routing information required by the first platform to implement the first service. In this case, the target terminal information may include the target terminal's IP address, the target terminal's session online status information, etc., and the first service may include multicast / broadcast services for multiple terminals in the first terminal group.

[0257] Optionally, when the first service corresponds to multiple different service identifiers, the user plane function supports the first service between service transmission channels established based on the multiple different service identifiers corresponding to the first service.

[0258] In some embodiments, when a terminal in a first terminal group wants to access other terminals in the first terminal group, or when a terminal in the first terminal group wants to initiate multicast / broadcast services to multiple target terminals in the first terminal group, it can request information from the first platform to implement these services. Upon receiving the request from the terminal, the first platform can provide the terminal with the information required to implement these services. This information may include, for example, the IP address of the target terminal to be accessed, the target terminal's session online status information, etc.

[0259] Optionally, in some implementations, the business consumer may cancel the first message, and / or the validity period of the first terminal group may time out. In this case, the first platform may behave as follows: Receive the sixth request sent by the first network function, the sixth request being used to request the cancellation of the first service; Perform a second operation according to the fifth request. The second operation includes at least one of the following: deleting third information, deleting part or all of the information in the first information sent by the first network function and / or service consumer, canceling the acquisition of third information from the first network function (i.e., unsubscribing to third information), and canceling the provision of target information for terminal inter-access to multiple terminals in the first terminal group.

[0260] After the first platform performs the second operation described above, optionally, if the service consumer has a new first service or wants to continue the previous first service, it can send the first information to the first network function again. The first platform can obtain the third information based on the above step 1201, and provide the information required to realize the first service to multiple terminals in the first terminal group through the above step 1202. This will not be described in detail here.

[0261] Figure 12 The communication method proposed in the illustrated embodiment solves the problems of routing detours, large configuration workload, inability to meet user mobility characteristics, and inflexible service implementation caused by existing solutions such as the need for the first platform to obtain third information from the first network function and implement the first service of the first terminal group based on the third information, and / or to provide the terminals in the first terminal group with the information required to implement the first service based on the third information.

[0262] This application also proposes a communication method applicable to a first terminal, which can be any terminal on a network, such as... Figure 13 As shown, the method may include at least one of steps 1301 and 1302.

[0263] Step 1301: During the process of the first terminal registering to the network, the twelfth message is sent to the fifth network function.

[0264] Step 1302: During the process of the first terminal registering to the network, if a fourth request is received from the fifth network function, then the twelfth information is sent to the fifth network function.

[0265] The twelfth piece of information includes the type information and / or capability information of the first terminal. The fifth network function includes network functions for storing terminal type and / or terminal capabilities, such as user subscription data repository functions (e.g., UDM / UDR) and / or terminal capability repository functions. The terminal capability repository function can be set independently or integrated with other network functions (e.g., UDM / UDR).

[0266] For example, in the process of registering the first terminal to the network, the user subscription data repository function (such as UDM / UDR) to which the first terminal belongs issues a seventh request based on pre-configured rules (such as identifying that the first terminal has subscribed to the first service). The seventh request is used to request the first terminal to report the twelfth information to the user subscription data repository function (such as UDM / UDR) and / or a designated node (such as the terminal capability repository function).

[0267] The first service may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals.

[0268] The twelfth piece of information may include at least one of the following: the terminal type of the first terminal (such as mobile terminal, drone, vehicle, etc.), terminal device capability information (such as supported service types, computing power, computing power requirements, etc.).

[0269] In some embodiments, the first terminal belongs to a first terminal group established by the first network function. Figure 13 The method shown may also include: Send a query request for information about the fourteenth item to the first platform.

[0270] Receive the fourteenth message returned by the first platform.

[0271] Based on the fourteenth piece of information, the first service is initiated for the first terminal group.

[0272] The fourteenth piece of information includes at least one of the following: group information of the first terminal group (such as group identifier and terminal identifier within the group), routing information for terminals within the first terminal group to implement the first service, and online status information of terminals within the first terminal group, etc.

[0273] In some embodiments, sending a query request for the fourteenth information to the first platform may include: when a service transmission channel is established with the first platform through a preset function, or when a service transmission channel is established with the first platform through a preset function and the user registers with the first platform, sending a query request for the fourteenth information to the first platform through the service transmission channel.

[0274] In some embodiments, before sending a query request for the fourteenth information to the first platform, the method may further include: The system sends a service request to the first platform through a preset function to establish a service transmission channel with the first platform; or, The system sends a service request to the first platform through a preset function to establish a service transmission channel with the first platform; and sends a registration request to the first platform through the service transmission channel to register with the first platform.

[0275] The preset functions may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: functions related to built-in applications (such as SDKs), mini-programs, and terminal modules.

[0276] The registration request must include at least one of the following information: The identifier of the first terminal; The service identifier corresponding to the first business; When a first terminal establishes a service transmission channel for the first terminal group, the selected service transmission channel control and / or management functions and / or user plane functions are used to assign an IP address to that terminal.

[0277] In some embodiments, the first terminal belongs to a first terminal group established by the first network function. Figure 13 The method shown may also include at least one of the following: Based on the fourteenth piece of information, determine the user plane function accessed by the first terminal; The system selects a user plane function to initiate a terminal inter-terminal access request for the target terminals in the first terminal group. When the first terminal group provides multicast / broadcast services and the first terminal supports multicast / broadcast services, multiple target terminals within the first terminal group are selected through a preset function body, and multicast / broadcast service requests are initiated for the multiple target terminals to the user plane function responsible for the service transmission channel of the first terminal group accessed by the first terminal.

[0278] Optionally, when the first service corresponds to multiple different service identifiers, the user plane function accessed by the first terminal can support the first service across service transmission channels established based on the multiple different service identifiers corresponding to the first service. That is, the user plane function accessed by the first terminal supports cross-DNN interoperability, which can improve the utilization efficiency of network resources across different data networks and allow for more flexible service deployment; better ensure service continuity for users moving between different networks, improving the user experience; simplify the operator's operation and maintenance management in a multi-DNN environment, reducing complexity and cost. At the same time, this capability also provides a foundation for future networks to support more complex cross-domain services.

[0279] For example, the first terminal can interact with the first platform to obtain the IP address of the target terminal within the first terminal group, and initiate terminal inter-terminal access services based on the IP address. The user plane function (such as UPF) accessed by the first terminal can realize inter-terminal access between the first terminal and the target terminal based on the relevant information stored locally, such as the user plane tunnel information and IP address required for the first terminal to realize inter-terminal access.

[0280] For example, if the first terminal group supports multicast / broadcast services, for the first terminal that supports multicast / broadcast services, multiple target terminals within the first terminal group can be selected based on built-in applications (such as SDKs) and / or mini-programs and / or related functions of the terminal module, and a multicast / broadcast service request can be initiated to the user plane function (such as UPF) accessed by the first terminal. The user plane function (such as UPF) accessed by the first terminal can establish and interconnect the multicast / broadcast service transmission channel between the terminals in the group based on the saved or received routing information.

[0281] For example, for a first platform that supports targeted multicast / broadcast services, it can initiate multicast / broadcast services within a group based on the obtained fourth information (such as user plane tunnel information when the first platform uses the first service). The corresponding user plane functions can establish and communicate multicast / broadcast service transmission channels between the first platform and each UE in the group based on the saved or received routing information.

[0282] Furthermore, if, based on operator policies, terminals within the first terminal group are allowed to communicate across different service identifiers, then the communicating terminals, the first platform, and / or the user plane functions accessed by the first platform must support the ability for terminals to communicate across different service identifiers. When a user plane connection request for communication across different service identifiers is received, and / or the routing information table is queried and it is found that the user plane communication request is a user plane communication connection request for communication across different service identifiers, service interaction between different user plane nodes and / or terminals across different service identifiers should be supported based on routing information.

[0283] Figure 13The illustrated communication method allows a first terminal within a first terminal group to obtain the fourteenth information required for mutual access from a first platform, thereby enabling the first service of the first terminal group. This method does not require static configuration of the information needed to implement the first service, offering greater flexibility and better support for terminal mobility.

[0284] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, the following will use... Figure 14 A more specific implementation method is illustrated below. Figure 14 In the illustrated embodiment, terminal 141 can be any terminal in the network, the first terminal group can be any group, the associated network function to which terminal 141 belongs is the user subscription data storage function, and the service transmission channel of the first terminal group can be a session of the first terminal group. For example... Figure 14 As shown, the communication method provided in this application may include: Step 1: Terminal 141 initiates the registration process and reports at least one of the following information: terminal type and terminal capabilities.

[0285] During the registration process, terminal 141 initiates a registration request to the network, completing authentication, location updates, and other mobility management between the network and terminal 141, which can follow existing 5G standards. The network functions involved in this process may include at least one of the following: radio access network 142, access and mobility management functions 143, session control and / or management functions 144, user plane functions 145, policy control functions 146, user subscription data repository functions 147, and terminal capability repository functions 148.

[0286] During the registration process with the network, terminal 141 may report at least one of its terminal type and capabilities to the network. This includes the following two methods: Method 1: During the registration process, terminal 141 actively reports terminal type and / or terminal device capability information to the user subscription data repository function (such as UDM / UDR) 147 and / or the designated node (such as terminal capability repository function 148).

[0287] Method 2: During the registration process, the user subscription data repository function (such as UDM / UDR) 147 to which terminal 141 belongs sends a request to terminal 141 based on pre-configured rules (such as identifying that the UE has subscribed to the dynamic terminal inter-access service), requiring terminal 141 to report terminal type and / or terminal device capability information to the user subscription data repository function (such as UDM / UDR) 147 and / or a designated node (such as terminal capability repository function 148). Terminal 141 reports the corresponding information.

[0288] The information reported by terminal 141 may include at least one of the following: terminal type (e.g., mobile terminal, drone, vehicle, etc.) and terminal device capability information (e.g., supported service types, computing power, computing power requirements, etc.). The terminal capability repository function 148 can be set independently or integrated with other network functions (e.g., UDM / UDR, etc.).

[0289] Step 2: Terminal 141 initiates a session establishment request, and the specific process follows the existing 5G standards.

[0290] For terminal 141 that has signed up for the first service, the establishment of a session between terminal 141 and the first terminal group belonging to the first platform can be completed based on the built-in application (such as SDK) and / or the relevant functions of the mini-program and / or the terminal module, and / or the registration of terminal 141 to the first platform can be completed. In some embodiments, the first platform can act as a service consumer.

[0291] The first service may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals.

[0292] Here, a session for the first terminal group refers to a session established based on the service identifier corresponding to the first service of the first terminal group. That is, the establishment of a session for the first terminal group meets the relevant requirements of the first terminal group, such as the data network identifier (e.g., DNN) corresponding to the first service of the first terminal group, and / or the slice identifier corresponding to the first service of the first terminal group, etc.

[0293] When terminal 141 establishes a session for the first terminal group, the session control and / or management function (such as SMF) 144 selected by terminal 141 will allocate user plane tunnel information corresponding to the second service (the second service includes at least one of the following: terminal inter-service communication, multicast / broadcast service) to terminal 141. Optionally, the session control and / or management function 144 selected by terminal 141 can allocate user plane tunnel information to terminal 141 through the following methods one and / or two: Method 1: When terminal 141 initiates a session establishment request for the first terminal group, the session control and / or management function 144 responsible for the session obtains relevant information (including at least one of the following: terminal 141 has subscribed to the second service, the service identifier corresponding to the second service subscribed to by terminal 141, the area range within which terminal 141 is allowed to use the second service, etc.) from relevant network functions (such as UDM / UDR, ANDPF, etc.), and then determines whether terminal 141 currently meets at least one of the following conditions: ① The service identifier of the session currently established by terminal 141 is the service identifier corresponding to the second service subscribed to by terminal 141; ② Terminal 141 is within the area range within which the second service is allowed to be used, etc. If terminal 141 meets the above conditions ① and / or ②, then when selecting the user plane function 145 responsible for the session of the first terminal group for terminal 141, if the user plane function 145 has not yet allocated user plane tunnel information corresponding to the first service of the first terminal group for terminal 141, then instructing the user plane function 145 to allocate user plane tunnel information corresponding to the first service of the first terminal group for terminal 141.

[0294] Method 2: The session control and / or management function 144 responsible for the sessions of the first terminal group can, based on relevant information received from the first network function 150 (including at least one of the following: service activation information of the second service subscribed by terminal 141, service identifier corresponding to the second service subscribed by terminal 141, and the area range within which terminal 141 is allowed to use the second service, etc.), perform the following judgments: ① The service identifier of the session currently established by terminal 141 is the service identifier corresponding to the second service subscribed by terminal 141; ② Terminal 141 is within the area range within which the second service is allowed to be used; ③ The user plane function responsible for the second service session of terminal 141 has not yet allocated user plane tunnel information for the first service corresponding to the first terminal group to terminal 141; ④ The sessions of other terminals belonging to the first terminal group corresponding to the first service of the first terminal group are anchored on different user plane functions. When conditions ①, ③, and ④ are met, or when conditions ①, ②, ③, and ④ are met, the session control and / or management function 144 responsible for the sessions of the first terminal group controls or instructs the user plane function 145 to allocate the user plane tunnel information corresponding to the first service of the first terminal group to terminal 141. For example, SMF controls UPF to allocate user plane tunnel resources such as N3 and N9 to terminal 141 through N4 session messages.

[0295] Optionally, when terminal 141 can use multicast / broadcast services within the first terminal group, the user plane tunnel information allocated to terminal 141 corresponding to the first service can also be used for multicast / broadcast services.

[0296] Optionally, in the process of allocating the first service user plane tunnel information to the terminal 141 as described above, after the session control and / or management function 144 responsible for the session of the first terminal group interacts with the relevant network function (such as UDM / UDR, PCF / UDR, etc.) and completes the corresponding process, the relevant network function (such as UDM / UDR, PCF / UDR, etc.) can save the information of the session control and / or management function, such as the identification information of the session control and / or management function.

[0297] Optionally, the session control and / or management function 144, responsible for the sessions of the first terminal group, can, during its interaction with relevant network functions (such as UDM / UDR), if it obtains that terminal 141 has subscribed to the first service, locally save the information required for terminals within the first terminal group accessing this node to implement the first service. The information required for terminals within the first terminal group accessing this node to implement the first service may include at least one item from the information shown in Table 1. It should be noted that the table examples provided in this application embodiment are mainly for the purpose of explaining relevant parameters. In actual applications, other forms or expressions can be adopted based on actual needs. This description applies to other tables provided in this application embodiment, and will not be repeated below.

[0298] Table 1

[0299] Step 3: Service consumer 152 initiates a first request for the first service of the first terminal group to the first network function 150 directly or through a corresponding network function (such as network opening function 151). The first request is used to request the initiation and / or updating of the first service of the first terminal group, and the first request carries first information (i.e. Figures 10 to 13 (First information in the illustrated embodiment). Service consumer 152 may be an independent network function node and / or application platform and / or a user subscribed to the terminal inter-access service.

[0300] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least the constraints (or creation rules) for creating and / or updating the first terminal group.

[0301] In some embodiments, the first information may include, in addition to constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group, other information that may assist the first network function in creating and / or updating the first service of the first terminal group.

[0302] As an example, the first information may include at least one of the following 1) to 7): 1) The name and / or identifier of the first terminal group.

[0303] The name and / or identifier of the first terminal group should be unique across the entire network, and its format (such as field writing) and content should meet relevant requirements. If the first information carries the name of the first terminal group, the first network function can further generate the identifier of the first terminal group and carry the identifier information of the first terminal group in the request response message about the first information fed back to the service consumer as needed.

[0304] 2) Does the first terminal group provide multicast / broadcast services?

[0305] 3) The scope of services provided by the first terminal group for multicast / broadcast services.

[0306] 4) The identifier of the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs.

[0307] 5) First instruction information, used to instruct the first network function to report the location information of the terminal entering the effective area of ​​the first service and / or the reporting request of the terminal's location information to the relevant network function node.

[0308] Among these, relevant network function nodes may include service consumers. The reporting requirements for terminal location information may include reporting the terminal's latitude and longitude information or its administrative region information, etc.

[0309] 6) Second instruction information, used to indicate that relevant network function nodes need to confirm the members in the first terminal group.

[0310] Similarly, relevant network function nodes may include business consumers.

[0311] 7) Create and / or update the constraints of the first terminal group.

[0312] In some implementations, the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: the effective area of ​​the first service, the terminal type and terminal capabilities that terminals joining the first terminal group must meet. The effective area may include geographic location information and / or network location information. Geographic location information may be latitude and longitude, administrative region, etc. Network location information may be Tracking Area Identity (TAI), cell, base station, etc.

[0313] In other implementations, the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group may also include at least one of the following: a. Specify the identifier of the terminal. The number of specified terminals can be one or more, and the identifier of the specified terminal can be the number of the specified terminal.

[0314] b. Specify whether the terminal supports multicast / broadcast services.

[0315] c. Specify the conditions under which the terminal uses the first service.

[0316] d. The range of terminals included in the first terminal group.

[0317] e. The service identifier corresponding to the first service; The service identifier corresponding to the first service can be understood as the service identifier to which the first service belongs. The service identifier corresponding to the first service can also be understood as the service identifier corresponding to the service transmission channel of the first service. Optionally, the service identifier corresponding to the first service may include at least one of the following: a service identifier specifying the corresponding service transmission channel, a service identifier corresponding to a service transmission channel bound to a terminal type, etc. For example, the service identifier corresponding to the first service may include at least one of the data network identifier and the slice identifier corresponding to the first service.

[0318] f. The effective time of the first terminal group (or the effective time of the first terminal group, or the effective time and / or effective time of the first service of the first terminal group), which may be a relative time or an absolute time, etc. During the effective time, the terminals in the first terminal group and / or the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs are allowed to use the first service for the first terminal group. Outside the effective time or if the effective time expires, the terminals in the first terminal group and / or the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs are not allowed to use the first service for the first terminal group.

[0319] Optionally, if business consumer 152 is the first platform 153, the first information may also include previously received fourth information, which may include at least one of the following: User plane tunnel information when the first platform 153 uses the first service; The identifier for the user plane function accessed when the first platform 153 uses the first service; The identifier of the session control and / or management functions accessed when the first platform 153 uses the first service.

[0320] Optionally, when the validity period of the first terminal group expires, and / or when a service consumer makes a first request, the first network function 150 may cancel and / or unsubscribe from the relevant interaction process of the network function related to the core network, and delete the relevant information of the first terminal group, etc.

[0321] Step 4, [Optional Execution] Based on whether the business consumer 152 initiates the first request to the first network function 150 directly or through the corresponding network function (such as network opening function 151) in step 3, the first network function 150 and / or the corresponding network function (such as network opening function 151) can authorize and authenticate the first information carried in the first request after receiving the first request, and send the authentication result to the business consumer 152.

[0322] The authentication result may be successful, unsuccessful, or a notification requiring supplementation and / or modification of the first information content. If authentication fails, the service consumer 152 confirms the failure to initiate and / or update the first service of the first terminal group. If the authentication result is a notification requiring supplementation and / or modification of the first information content, the service consumer 152 can update or adjust the first information, and then send the updated or adjusted first information directly or through other network function nodes (such as NEF) to the first network function 150. The first network function 150 or other network function nodes (such as NEF) can continue to authenticate the information sent by the service consumer 152. If the authentication result is successful, step 5 is executed.

[0323] The content of the authorization and authentication may include at least one of the following: 1) Whether business consumers are allowed to set and / or update primary information.

[0324] 2) Where business consumers are allowed to set and / or update the first information, the scope of information that can be set and / or updated; for example, which information of the first business can be set and / or updated, such as the name and / or identifier of the first terminal group, the validity period, etc.

[0325] 3) Where business consumers are allowed to set and / or update the first information, the content requirements of the information that is allowed to be set and / or updated, such as the format (e.g., field writing) and content of the name and / or identifier of the first terminal group, should meet the corresponding requirements.

[0326] 4) When business consumers are allowed to set and / or update the first information, the parameters of the information that can be set and / or updated shall be required. For example, when it is allowed to set and / or update the slice corresponding to the first terminal group, the slice information shall be within the allowed range; or, when it is allowed to set and / or update the validity period of the first terminal group, the validity period shall be within a certain range.

[0327] 5) Whether the relevant service information of the first platform using multicast / broadcast services is consistent with the service activation information of the first platform. For example, whether the data network identifier corresponding to the first terminal group is within the range of data network identifiers that allow the first platform to use multicast / broadcast services, as included in the service activation information of the first platform.

[0328] Optionally, after the authorization and authentication of the first information is successful, if it is necessary to dynamically allocate fourth information to the first platform 153 to which the first terminal group belongs, the first network function 150 and / or the corresponding network function (such as network opening function 151, etc.) shall determine whether the fourth information has been allocated to the first platform 153 to which the first terminal group belongs based on the first information (such as: the first terminal group provides multicast / broadcast service capabilities, the range of terminals in the first terminal group that provide multicast / broadcast services, etc.). If it has not been allocated, the fourth information shall be allocated to the first platform. The content of the fourth information is described above and will not be repeated here.

[0329] Optionally, if the fourth information is allocated by a network function (such as network open function 151), the fourth information is carried in the first request forwarded to the first network function 150.

[0330] Step 5: After receiving the first request and authenticating the first information in the first request, the first network function 150 can generate / update the basic information for terminal inter-access locally based on the first information (such as the group information and group creation / update rules of the first terminal group). Figures 10 to 13 (Second information in the illustrated embodiment). The basic information for terminal mutual access may include at least one of the information shown in Table 2.

[0331] Table 2

[0332] In Table 2, the terminal group identifier and / or name can be the first terminal group identifier and / or name carried in the first request, or the first terminal group identifier and / or name that can be recognized by the network side generated by the first network function 150, without specific limitations. The data network identifier corresponding to the first service, the slice identifier corresponding to the first service, and the effective area of ​​the first service all come from the first request.

[0333] In Table 2, the field indicating whether multicast / broadcast services are provided can also be filled in based on the information carried in the first request. This field identifies whether multicast / broadcast services are available within the group. The "Whether Multicast / Broadcast Services are Supported" field is used to identify whether terminals within the group support multicast / broadcast services. After subsequent terminal discovery within the group, the specific support for multicast / broadcast services will be further confirmed based on the terminal's subscription / activation information. If not, interaction will be achieved based on a point-to-point interoperability mechanism.

[0334] In Table 2, the identifiers of the first platform, whether the first platform provides multicast / broadcast services, the user plane tunnel information when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services, the identifiers of the user plane functions accessed when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services, and the identifiers of the session control and / or management functions accessed when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services are filled in directly if they are already included in the first request; otherwise, they are obtained and filled in in subsequent steps. Here, the first platform refers to the dynamic terminal inter-access service application platform and / or service platform to which the terminal group belongs, and the user plane tunnel information when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services refers to the user plane tunnel information used by the platform for multicast / broadcast services within the corresponding group.

[0335] The remaining information in Table 2 will be gradually populated in subsequent processes based on the data interaction mechanism. The data to be populated may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: (1) Terminal Identifier: The terminal user identifier (such as GPSI / SUPI / SUCI, etc.) that meets the creation rules of the first terminal group. If the first request carries information about some designated terminals within the first terminal group, such as the identifier of the designated terminal, the identifier of the designated terminal shall be filled in Table 2, and it shall be determined whether the designated terminal is required to use the first service within the effective area of ​​the first service based on the relevant content in the first request. In this scenario, an example of the basic information for terminal mutual access (i.e., the second information) is shown in Table 3.

[0336] Table 3

[0337] (2) Identification information of the session control and / or management function: When the terminal initiates the session establishment for the first service of the first terminal group (such as the 5G PDU session corresponding to the DNN and / or slice identifier of the first service), the identification information of the session control and / or management function selected (such as SMF identification information, etc.) is selected.

[0338] (3) The time during which a terminal in the first terminal group can use the first service of the first terminal group is usually the intersection of the effective time of the first terminal group and the time during which the terminal is allowed to use the second service (i.e. the time during which the terminal is contracted to use the second service).

[0339] For example, the time during which terminals within a first terminal group can use the terminal inter-service within the first service of the first terminal group, and / or the time during which terminals within a first terminal group can use the multicast / broadcast service between terminals within the first service of the first terminal group, both need to take into account the effective time of the first terminal group and the time during which the terminal is allowed to use the second service. Within the time range where both are satisfied, the terminal can use the terminal inter-service and / or multicast / broadcast service of the first terminal group. Specifically, if the time during which the first terminal in the first terminal group is allowed to use the second service is from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and the effective time of the first terminal group is from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, then the intersection of the two is from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. During this time period, the first terminal can use the terminal inter-service and / or multicast / broadcast service of the first terminal group.

[0340] (4) The time during which the first platform can use multicast / broadcast services needs to take into account both the effective time of the first terminal group and the time during which the first platform is allowed to use multicast / broadcast services. Within the time range where both conditions are met, the first platform can use multicast / broadcast services between the first platform and the terminals within the first terminal group. The time during which the first platform is allowed to use multicast / broadcast services may include the time during which the first platform is authorized to use multicast / broadcast services. In other words, the time during which the first platform can use multicast / broadcast services for terminals within the first terminal group is usually the intersection of the effective time of the first terminal group and the time during which the first platform is authorized to use multicast / broadcast services. For example, if the time during which the first platform is authorized to use multicast / broadcast services is from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and the effective time of the first terminal group is from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, then the intersection of the two is from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. During this time period, the first platform can use multicast / broadcast services for terminals within the first terminal group.

[0341] (5) Terminal IP address: When the terminal initiates the establishment of a session for the first service (such as a 5G PDU session corresponding to the DNN and / or slice identifier of the first service), the terminal IP address is allocated by the network side, such as by the session control and / or management function (such as SMF) where the session of the first service is located or by the user plane function (such as UPF) where the session of the first service is located.

[0342] (6) User plane tunnel information: The user plane function (such as UPF) responsible for the session of the first service is controlled by the session control and / or management function (such as SMF) responsible for the session of the first service. User plane tunnel information is allocated in groups, and the same user plane function 145 allocates user plane tunnel information only once for the same terminal group. When all the sessions established by all users in the first terminal group who access the session of the first service on different user plane functions 145 are released, the user plane tunnel information of the first terminal group is also deleted. The allocation method of user plane tunnel information can be referred to the two allocation methods in step 2.

[0343] (7) Identification information of the user plane function to which it belongs: When the terminal initiates the establishment of a session for the first service (such as a 5G PDU session corresponding to the DNN and / or slice identifier of the first service), the identification information of the selected user plane function (such as UPF, etc.) is provided.

[0344] (8) User registration status: The registration status of the terminal corresponding to the first terminal group can be obtained from the first platform.

[0345] (9) Session online status: The session online status of the terminal to which the terminal belongs can be obtained from the session control and / or management function to which the terminal belongs or the session control and / or management function of the session responsible for the first service.

[0346] Step 6: [Optional Execution] After the first information is authenticated, the fourth information and / or some or all of the information in the first information can be synchronized to the first platform 153. There are two possible methods: Method 1: Business consumer 152 directly or through network functions (such as network open function 151, etc.) synchronizes the fourth information and / or part or all of the information in the first information to the first platform 153.

[0347] Method 2: The fourth information and / or part or all of the information in the first information are synchronized to the first platform 153 directly by the first network function 150 or through the corresponding network function (such as network opening function 151).

[0348] Optionally, when the validity period of the first terminal group in the first request expires and / or the service consumer 152 initiates the cancellation of the first request, the service consumer 152 and / or the first network function 150 may directly and / or through the corresponding network function (such as the network opening function 151) send a message to the first platform 153 to cancel the above-mentioned dynamic group information, and the first platform 153 deletes the relevant information and the interaction process with the relevant network function.

[0349] Step 7: [Optional Execution] Based on a preset policy, after receiving the first request and / or the request for a terminal to register with the first platform 153, the first platform 153 may subscribe to third information from the first network function 150 based on at least one of the following information. The first platform 153 may directly or through a corresponding network function (such as network opening function 151) initiate the subscription of third information to the first network function 150.

[0350] The third piece of information may include at least one of the following: First terminal group identifier and / or name; Terminal information in the first terminal group and / or the session online status of the first terminal group to which the terminal belongs; Routing information of terminals in the first terminal group, such as the IP address assigned to the terminal for using the first service and / or the identification information of the user plane function 145 to which the terminal belongs and / or the user plane tunnel information used for the first service, etc.

[0351] Optionally, if, based on pre-configured rules, the first network function 150 did not allocate fourth information to the first platform in the preceding steps, the first platform 153 may simultaneously carry the previously received / configured fourth information in the subscription message. The fourth information may include at least one of the following: User plane tunnel information when the first platform 153 uses the first service; The identifier for the user plane function accessed when the first platform 153 uses the first service; The identifier of the session control and / or management functions accessed when the first platform 153 uses the first service.

[0352] It is understood that after the first platform 153 obtains the third information from the first network function 150, the terminal can obtain at least one of the following information from its first platform 153 to realize the first service of the first terminal group: terminal information within the first terminal group and / or the session online status of the terminal's first terminal group, the identifier and / or name of the first terminal group, routing information (such as the IP address information of other terminals within the first terminal group, etc.).

[0353] Step 8: After receiving the first information, the first network function 150 discovers the terminals that meet the requirements for creating the first terminal group based on the group creation / update rules (constraints) in the first information.

[0354] In some embodiments, the group creation / update rules may include the effective area of ​​the first service, the terminal type and terminal capabilities that terminals joining the first terminal group must meet.

[0355] First, the first network function 150 can identify multiple first terminals that conform to group creation rule 1 (the effective area of ​​the first service). Considering that the effective area can be represented by geographic location information and / or network location information, the following two scenarios are possible when identifying multiple first terminals located in and / or entering the effective area of ​​the first service: The first scenario: The effective area is represented by network location information. In this scenario, the first network function can discover network functions that provide terminal information and / or event notifications for terminals located within and / or entering / exiting the effective area based on the network location information, such as access and mobility management functions (e.g., AMF). Then, it queries and / or subscribes to the access and mobility management function for terminal information (e.g., terminal identification information) and / or event notifications located within and / or entering / exiting the effective area, and thereby determines multiple first terminals located within and / or entering the effective area of ​​the first service.

[0356] The second scenario: The effective area is represented by geographic location information. In this case, the first network function can convert geographic location information to network location information based on pre-configured rules. The first network function can then discover the access and mobility management function (such as AMF) responsible for the effective area based on the converted network location information. It then queries and / or subscribes to terminal information (such as terminal identification information) and / or event notifications located within and / or entering / exiting the effective area from the access and mobility management function, thereby determining multiple first terminals located within and / or entering the effective area of ​​the first service. The conversion method between geographic location information and network location information may include: Method 1 (see step 8-1): If the first information is sent by the business consumer 152 to the first network function 150 via a relevant network function (such as NEF and / or geographic location information conversion function, etc.), the relevant network function (such as NEF and / or geographic location information conversion function, etc.) can complete the conversion between geographic location information and network location information and then feed back the network location information to the first network function.

[0357] Method 2 (see step 8-2): After receiving the first information, the first network function initiates a query and / or subscription request to the corresponding geographic location information conversion function responsible for converting geographic location information to network location information. The geographic location information conversion function then completes the conversion. The geographic location information conversion function can be set up independently or jointly with other network functions.

[0358] Secondly, based on group creation rule 2, the first network function 150 filters at least one target terminal from the plurality of first terminals that meets the terminal type and / or terminal capability requirements in the constraints (see steps 8-3). For example, the first network function 150 can obtain seventh information from the fifth network function, wherein the seventh information includes terminal type information and / or terminal capability information of the plurality of first terminals, and the fifth network function includes network functions for storing terminal types and / or terminal capabilities, such as terminal capability repository function, UDM / UDR, etc.; based on the seventh information, at least one target terminal that meets the terminal type and / or terminal capability requirements in the constraints is filtered from the plurality of first terminals.

[0359] At this point, the first network function 150 selects at least one target terminal that simultaneously meets both creation rule 1 and creation rule 2 as a preliminary screening of potential terminals that can be added to the first terminal group.

[0360] Step 9: After obtaining the terminal information within the effective area of ​​the first service, the first network function 150 can query and / or subscribe to the service activation information of the second service of the target terminal from the relevant network function to which the target terminal belongs (such as user subscription data storage function 147: UDM / UDR, etc.) based on the operator's pre-configured rules; the first network function 150 compares the service activation information of the second service of the target terminal with the first information to confirm whether the target terminal can be allowed to use the first service of the first terminal group.

[0361] The service activation information for the second service of the target terminal may include at least one of the following: Should the terminal be allowed to use a second service? The service identifier corresponding to the permitted second service; Allowed time for second business; The permitted area for using a second business; Permitted terminal types for using the second service; The data network identifier (such as DNN) corresponding to the second service that is allowed to be used. The slice identifier corresponding to the second permitted service; Whether the use of multicast / broadcast services within the group and / or the corresponding data network identifier (such as DNN) and / or slice identifier is permitted.

[0362] Step 10, [Optional Execution] After the first network function 150 performs the above authentication on the target terminal and the authentication is successful, it may execute one or more of the following operations in conjunction with the preset policy and / or the received first information to achieve further authentication of the target terminal: Operation 1 (see step 10a): Based on a preset policy, the first network function 150 can subscribe to the first platform 153 for registration status information of the target terminal for the first terminal group, etc. The subscription request may include one or more of the following parameters: the identifier and / or name of the first terminal group, terminal information within the first terminal group, etc. If the registration status is "registered," the terminal authentication is successful; otherwise, authentication fails.

[0363] Operation 2 (see step 10b): Based on a preset policy, if it is necessary to confirm on the network side whether the terminal has established a session for the first service, the first network function 150 can query and / or subscribe to the identifier of the session control and / or management function selected by the target terminal when establishing the session for the first terminal group, based on the identifier of the target terminal (such as GPSI / SUPI / SUCI, etc.). After receiving the subscription request / subscription message, the relevant network function (such as UDM / UDR, PCF / UDR, etc.) returns a data subscription notification to the first network function. This subscription event notification may include the identifier of the session control and / or management function selected by the target terminal when establishing the session for the first terminal group. Based on this data subscription notification, the first network function can confirm that the target terminal has established a session for the first terminal group, that is, the online status information of the service transmission channel of the target terminal for the first terminal group is online. Here, the session for the first terminal group refers to the session established based on the service identifier corresponding to the first service.

[0364] Operation 3 (see step 10c): When the first message requests confirmation of user information in the first terminal group to the service consumer 152 and / or the designated node (such as the first platform 153), the first network function 150 sends a terminal confirmation request to the service consumer 152 and / or the designated node (such as the first platform 153) as needed. The request may carry the identification information of the target terminal. Then, the service consumer 152 and / or the first platform 153 confirm whether the target terminal can be used as a user in the dynamic first terminal group.

[0365] Operation 4 (see step 10d): If service consumer 152 requests further geographic location information (such as latitude and longitude information) of the terminal in the first information, then the geographic location information of the target terminal needs to be obtained. In one implementation, the geographic location information of the target terminal can be obtained based on the network-side positioning service process. Specific procedures can be found in the relevant positioning service processes of 3GPP 23.273 and / or 24.572, and will not be described in detail here. In another implementation, the network location information of the target terminal can be obtained first, and then the geographic location information corresponding to the network location information of the target terminal can be queried from the relevant network function responsible for converting geographic location information and network location information (such as the geographic location information conversion function). The first network function 150 sends the geographic location information and / or terminal information of the target terminal to a designated reporting node (such as service consumer 152, the first platform 153 to which the target terminal belongs). Service consumer 152 and / or the designated node confirm whether to include the target terminal in the dynamic first terminal group and feed back the result to the first network function 150.

[0366] Step 11, Supplement / Update Second Information: After the first network function 150 successfully authenticates the target terminal, it fills in the target terminal's identification information (such as GPSI / SUPI / SUCI, etc.) into the "Terminal Identifier" information corresponding to "Identifier of the First Terminal Group" in Table 2. When filling in the table, the location of the terminal identifier in Table 2 can be determined based on at least one of the following parameters: the identifier and / or name of the first terminal group, the service identifier corresponding to the first service, etc.

[0367] Step 12 [Optional Step]: Obtain identification information for session control and / or management functions; and / or, supplement / update the second information.

[0368] If the first network function 150 does not obtain the identification information of the session control and / or management function responsible for the session of the first service in step 10, the first network function 150 may query and / or subscribe to the identification information of the session control and / or management function 144 selected by the user when establishing the session of the first service based on terminal identification information (such as GPSI / SUPI / SUCI, etc.) to the relevant network function (such as UDM / UDR, PCF / UDR, etc.) to which the terminal belongs. After receiving the subscription request message, the relevant network function (such as UDM / UDR, PCF / UDR, etc.) returns a data subscription event notification to the first network function 150, which includes the identification information of the session control and / or management function responsible for the session of the first service. After obtaining the identification information of the session control and / or management function responsible for the session of the first service, the first network function 150 can fill it into Table 2. When filling the table, the position in Table 2 can be determined according to at least one of the following: terminal identification, service identification, etc.

[0369] Optionally, if the received first information contains a specified terminal but does not carry the identification information of the session control and / or management function and / or user plane function to which the specified terminal belongs to establish the session of the first terminal group, the first network function may obtain the identification information of the session control and / or management function and / or user plane function to which the specified terminal belongs to establish the session of the first terminal group from the corresponding network function (such as UDM / UDR, PCF / UDR, etc.) to which the specified terminal belongs.

[0370] Step 13, Subscribe to routing information: The first network function 150 requests and / or subscribes to routing information from the acquired session control and / or management function 144. The basic parameters provided by the first network function 150 include at least one or more of the following information: the terminal identifier, the name and / or identifier of the first terminal group to which the terminal belongs, the service identifier corresponding to the first service of the first terminal group, the effective area of ​​the first service, the identification information of the session control and / or management function 144, etc. The requested and / or subscribed routing information includes at least one or more of the following information: ① the IP address assigned by the network side when the terminal establishes a session for the first service; ② the user plane tunnel information assigned by the network side when the terminal establishes a session for the first service; ③ the identification information of the user plane function 145 selected by the terminal when establishing a session for the first service.

[0371] Optionally, when the first request carries specified terminal information and requests that the specified terminal use the first service within the effective area of ​​the first service, the following determination method applies: Method 1: The first network function 150 subscribes to the location information of the specified terminal and / or event notifications of entering and leaving the effective area from the relevant network function (such as the AMF node currently accessed by the specified terminal) that can provide the location information of the specified terminal. When the specified terminal enters the effective area and / or the specified terminal is located in the effective area, the first network function requests and / or subscribes to the routing information required to implement the first service in the information sent to the session control and / or management function of the first terminal group to which the specified terminal belongs. The first network function 150 can obtain the identifier of the relevant network function (such as the AMF node currently accessed by the specified terminal) that can provide the location information of the specified terminal from the corresponding network function (such as UDM / UDR, etc.) to which the specified terminal belongs, and realize the subscription and / or request of the specified terminal's location information.

[0372] Method 2: The first network function 150 directly sends the specified terminal information to the session control and / or management function of the first terminal group to which the specified terminal is located. The session control and / or management function subscribes to the location information of the specified terminal and / or event notifications of entering and leaving the effective area from the relevant network function that can provide the location information of the specified terminal (such as the AMF node currently accessed by the specified terminal). When the specified terminal enters the effective area and / or the location of the specified terminal is in the effective area, the routing information for the specified terminal to implement the first service is fed back to the first network function 150.

[0373] Optionally, based on operator policies, the first network function 150 may send the routing information obtained in this step to other session control and / or management functions during this step. When this approach is adopted, the first network function 150 can subsequently monitor updates to the routing information in the group and proactively send routing update information to all session control and / or management functions responsible for the first service.

[0374] Step 14: After receiving the routing information request and / or subscription initiated by the first network function 150, the session control and / or management function 144 (such as SMF) to which the terminal belongs generates and / or updates the basic routing information locally. This information includes at least one or more items in Table 4, and fills in the relevant information of the terminal connected to this node.

[0375] Optionally, if routing information has been received from the first network function 150 in step 13, it can be added to the corresponding information in Table 4.

[0376] Optionally, when using the second method in step 2 to allocate user plane tunnel information, if the session control and / or management function 144 to which the terminal belongs anchors the session to a different user plane based on the same service identifier of other terminals in the same first terminal group obtained from the first network function 150, then based on the judgment rule in the second method, user plane tunnel information corresponding to the group is allocated to the terminal when the condition is met.

[0377] Table 4

[0378] Step 15 [Optional Execution]: Based on the request and / or subscription information received from the first network function 150 in step 13, the session control and / or management function 144 returns a subscription event notification to the first network function 150, which carries the routing information of the terminals accessing this node. When the session control and / or management function 144 actively subscribes to routing information from the first network function 150, the session control and / or management function 144 initiates a subscription to the routing information of the group to which the terminals accessing this node belong to the first network function 150.

[0379] The subscription request for session control and / or management function 144 includes at least one of the following: the identifier and / or name of the first terminal group, and the service identifier corresponding to the first service of the first terminal group.

[0380] The subscription request routing information includes at least one or more of the following: ① IP addresses assigned by the network side to other terminals in the first terminal group when establishing a session for the first service of the group; ② user plane tunnel information assigned to other terminals in the first terminal group when establishing a session for the first service of the group; ③ identification information of the session control and / or management functions and / or user plane functions selected by other terminals in the first terminal group when establishing a session for the first service of the group. After receiving the subscription request message, the first network function 150 returns a subscription event notification to the session control and / or management function 144, which includes the subscription routing information requested by the session control and / or management function 144.

[0381] Step 16: After receiving the subscription event notification sent by the session control and / or management function 144, the first network function 150 fills the information carried in the notification into the second information listed in Table 2 or Table 3. The information to be filled includes at least one or more of the following: the terminal's IP address, user plane tunnel information, and the identification information of the user plane function to which it belongs. When filling in the information, the specific location in Table 2 or Table 3 to which the information is filled can be determined based on one or more of the following: the terminal's identifier, the identifier and / or name of the first terminal group to which the terminal belongs, the service identifier corresponding to the first service of the first terminal group, and the identification information of the session control and / or management function selected by the terminal when establishing the session for the first service, etc.

[0382] Step 17: The first network function 150 sends third information (such as routing information required by terminals in the first terminal group to implement the first service) to the first platform 153 based on the subscription request received in step 7 above.

[0383] Step 18: After receiving subscription data from the first network function 150, the session control and / or management function 144 supplements and updates the information in Table 4. The parameters used for matching include at least one of the following: the identifier and / or name of the first terminal group to which the terminal belongs, and the service identifier corresponding to the first service of the first terminal group.

[0384] Optionally, when using the second method in step 2 to allocate user plane tunnel information, if the session control and / or management function 144 determines that the same session of other users in the same first terminal group is anchored to different user plane functions, then based on the judgment rules in the second method, it allocates the corresponding group's user plane tunnel information to the terminal when the conditions are met.

[0385] Step 19: After obtaining the routing information of the first terminal group to which the terminal accessing this node belongs, the session control and / or management function 144 synchronizes at least one piece of information in Table 4 to the user plane function 145 (such as UPF) responsible for the first service of the first terminal group.

[0386] In step 20, terminal 141 obtains information about the first terminal group and the IP addresses of target terminals within the group based on its interaction with the first platform 153, and initiates the first service based on this information. The user plane function 145 (such as UPF) that the terminal is connected to, which is responsible for the first service, enables inter-terminal communication based on the received information, such as the terminal's user plane tunnel information and IP address.

[0387] If the first terminal group supports multicast / broadcast services, for the first terminal that supports multicast / broadcast services, multiple target terminals within the first terminal group can be selected based on built-in applications (such as SDKs) and / or mini-programs and / or related functions of the terminal module, and a multicast / broadcast service request can be initiated to the user plane function (such as UPF) accessed by the first terminal. The user plane function (such as UPF) accessed by the first terminal can establish and communicate multicast / broadcast sessions between terminals within the group based on the saved or received routing information.

[0388] For a first platform that supports targeted multicast / broadcast services, it can initiate multicast / broadcast services within a group based on the obtained fourth information (such as user plane tunnel information when the first platform uses the first service). The corresponding user plane functions can establish and communicate with the first platform and each UE in the group based on the saved or received routing information.

[0389] Furthermore, if, based on operator policies, terminals within the first terminal group are allowed to communicate across different service identifiers, then the communicating terminals, the first platform, and / or the user plane functions accessed by the first platform must support the ability for terminals to communicate across different service identifiers. When a user plane connection request for communication across different service identifiers is received, and / or the routing information table is queried and it is found that the user plane communication request is a user plane communication connection request for communication across different service identifiers, service interaction between different user plane nodes and / or terminals across different service identifiers should be supported based on routing information.

[0390] The technical solution provided in this application can dynamically establish terminal groups based on multi-dimensional conditions without the need for pre-configuration of terminal groups, thus offering greater flexibility and a wider range of application scenarios. It also solves the problems of routing detours, large configuration workload, inability to meet user mobility characteristics, and inflexible service implementation caused by existing static group terminal solutions that require forwarding through external routing devices or static configuration of routing information.

[0391] Figure 15This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1500 provided in some embodiments of this application. The communication device 1500 can be applied to a first network function; please refer to [the relevant documentation]. Figure 15 In one software implementation, the communication device 1500 may include: a first receiving module 1501, a first processing module 1502, and a first sending module 1503.

[0392] The first receiving module 1501 is used to receive first information, wherein the first information is used to request the initiation and / or updating of a first service of a first terminal group. The first information includes at least one of the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group, and the constraints include at least one of the following: the effective area of ​​the first service, the terminal type and terminal capabilities that the terminals joining the first terminal group need to meet. The first service includes at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals.

[0393] The first terminal group can be any terminal group to be created and / or updated. The first information can be used to initiate and / or update the first service for the first terminal group.

[0394] The first message can be sent directly by the consumer or through the corresponding network function (such as the operating platform, NEF, etc.) to the first network function.

[0395] The first service may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals.

[0396] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group.

[0397] In some embodiments, the first information may include, in addition to constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group, other information that may assist the first network function in creating and / or updating the first service of the first terminal group.

[0398] As an example, the first information may include at least one of the following 1) to 7): 1) The name and / or identifier of the first terminal group.

[0399] 2) Does the first terminal group provide multicast / broadcast services?

[0400] 3) The scope of services provided by the first terminal group for multicast / broadcast services.

[0401] 4) The identifier of the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs.

[0402] 5) First instruction information, used to instruct the first network function to report the location information of the terminal entering the effective area of ​​the first service and / or the reporting request of the terminal's location information to the relevant network function node. The relevant network function node may include a service consumer. 6) Second indication information, used to indicate that relevant network function nodes need to confirm members within the first terminal group. The relevant network function nodes may include service consumers.

[0403] 7) Create and / or update the constraints of the first terminal group.

[0404] In some implementations, the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: the effective area of ​​the first service, the terminal type and terminal capabilities that the terminals joining the first terminal group need to meet.

[0405] In other implementations, the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group may also include at least one of the following: a. Specify the identifier of the terminal. The number of specified terminals can be one or more, and the identifier of the specified terminal can be the number of the specified terminal.

[0406] b. Specify whether the terminal supports multicast / broadcast services.

[0407] c. The conditions under which a specified terminal uses the first service may include whether the specified terminal is required to use the first service within the effective area of ​​the first service, or to use the first service within a specified time period.

[0408] d. The range of terminals included in the first terminal group can characterize the range of terminals that are allowed to use the first service. This range may include a list of terminal information that is allowed to use the first service, etc.

[0409] e. The service identifier corresponding to the first service; The service identifier corresponding to the first service can be understood as the service identifier to which the first service belongs. The service identifier corresponding to the first service can also be understood as the service identifier corresponding to the service transmission channel of the first service. Optionally, the service identifier corresponding to the first service may include at least one of the following: a service identifier specifying the corresponding service transmission channel, a service identifier corresponding to a service transmission channel bound to a terminal type, etc. For example, the service identifier corresponding to the first service may include at least one of the data network identifier and the slice identifier corresponding to the first service.

[0410] f. The effective time of the first terminal group (or the effective time of the first terminal group, or the effective time and / or effective time of the first service of the first terminal group), which may be a relative time or an absolute time, etc. During the effective time, the terminals in the first terminal group and / or the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs are allowed to use the first service for the first terminal group. Outside the effective time or if the effective time expires, the terminals in the first terminal group and / or the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs are not allowed to use the first service for the first terminal group.

[0411] Optionally, after receiving the first message, Figure 15 The communication device 1500 shown may further include: The authentication module is used to authenticate the first information and send the authentication result to the service consumer of the first service. The content of authenticating the first information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: 1) Whether business consumers are allowed to set and / or update primary information.

[0412] 2) Where business consumers are allowed to set and / or update the first information, the scope of information that can be set and / or updated; for example, which information of the first business can be set and / or updated, such as the name and / or identifier of the first terminal group, the validity period, etc.

[0413] 3) Where business consumers are allowed to set and / or update the first information, the content requirements of the information that is allowed to be set and / or updated, such as the format (e.g., field writing) and content of the name and / or identifier of the first terminal group, should meet the corresponding requirements.

[0414] 4) When business consumers are allowed to set and / or update the first information, the parameters of the information that can be set and / or updated shall be required. For example, when it is allowed to set and / or update the slice corresponding to the first terminal group, the slice information shall be within the allowed range; or, when it is allowed to set and / or update the validity period of the first terminal group, the validity period shall be within a certain range.

[0415] 5) Whether the relevant service information of the first platform using multicast / broadcast services is consistent with the service activation information of the first platform. For example, whether the data network identifier corresponding to the first terminal group is within the range of data network identifiers that allow the first platform to use multicast / broadcast services, as included in the service activation information of the first platform.

[0416] Optionally, if the first information is successfully authenticated, the business consumer and / or the first network function may send at least a portion of the information in the first information to the first platform.

[0417] Optionally, if the first information is successfully authenticated and the fourth information of the first platform is not allocated and / or not obtained, the first network function and / or the corresponding network function (such as NEF) may allocate the fourth information to the first platform according to preset rules and / or the first information, wherein the fourth information is used by the first platform to implement the first service of the first terminal group.

[0418] In some embodiments, a preset rule refers to a rule for assigning fourth information to the first platform. The preset rule may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: The allocation principles for user plane tunnel information when allocating multicast / broadcast services to the first user platform; The selection principles for user plane functions accessed when choosing to use multicast / broadcast services for the primary user platform; Selection principles for session control and / or management functions when choosing to use multicast / broadcast services for the first user platform.

[0419] In some embodiments, the fourth information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: User plane tunnel information when the first platform uses the first service; The identifier of the user plane function accessed by the first platform when using the first service may include the name of the user plane function, network function ID, IP address, etc., without limitation. The identifier of the session control and / or management function accessed by the first platform when using the first service may include the name of the session control and / or management function, network function ID, IP address, etc., without limitation.

[0420] Regarding the fourth piece of information for the first platform, in addition to the allocation methods mentioned above, other allocation methods and / or pre-configuration are also possible. Please refer to the above text for the pre-configuration process. Figure 10 The description of one communication method shown will not be repeated here.

[0421] The first processing module 1502 is configured to create and / or update the first terminal group based on the first information and determine second information, wherein the first terminal group includes multiple terminals and / or the first platform that meet the constraints, and the second information includes information required to implement the first service of the first terminal group.

[0422] In some embodiments, the first processing module 1502 may be used to: upon successful authentication of the first information, the first network function creates and / or updates the first terminal group and determines the second information based on the first information.

[0423] In some embodiments, the first processing module 1502 can be used to: Identify the target terminal that meets the constraints and obtain the sixth information.

[0424] Based on the sixth piece of information, determine whether to include the target terminal as a member of the first terminal group.

[0425] If it is determined that the target terminal is a member of the first terminal group, the target terminal is added to the first terminal group.

[0426] For example, the first network function determines the target terminal that satisfies the constraints, which may include at least one of the following implementations: In Implementation Method 1, if the constraint includes the identifier of a specified terminal, the first network function can determine the specified terminal as the target terminal that satisfies the constraint.

[0427] In the second implementation method, when the constraints include the effective area of ​​the first service and the terminal type and / or terminal capabilities that a terminal joining the first terminal group needs to meet, the first network function may first determine multiple first terminals located in and / or entering the effective area of ​​the first service; then, it may select at least one target terminal from the multiple first terminals that meets the terminal type and / or terminal capabilities in the constraints. For ease of understanding, the effective area of ​​the first service can be regarded as group creation rule 1, and the terminal type and / or terminal capabilities that a terminal joining the first terminal group needs to meet can be regarded as group creation rule 2. The process of determining the first terminal that meets these two group creation rules is described below.

[0428] In the above-described second embodiment, the first processing module 1502 can first determine a plurality of first terminals that conform to group creation rule 1; then, based on group creation rule 2, it filters out at least one target terminal from the plurality of first terminals that meets the terminal type and / or terminal capability in the constraints.

[0429] Based on group creation rule 2, at least one target terminal that meets the terminal type and / or terminal capability constraints is selected from the plurality of first terminals, specifically including: The seventh information is obtained from the fifth network function, wherein the seventh information includes terminal type information and / or terminal capability information of the plurality of first terminals, and the fifth network function includes network functions for storing terminal types and / or terminal capabilities, such as terminal capability repository function, UDM / UDR, etc. Based on the seventh information, at least one target terminal that meets the terminal type and / or terminal capability requirements in the constraints is selected from the plurality of first terminals.

[0430] At this point, the first network function will select at least one target terminal that simultaneously meets both group creation rules 1 and 2 as a terminal to be included in the first terminal group through preliminary screening.

[0431] It is understandable that after the first network function has screened out at least one target terminal, whether to include the target terminal in the first terminal group, i.e., whether the target terminal can be a member of the first terminal group, may be affected by other factors. Therefore, optionally, after determining at least one target terminal that simultaneously satisfies group creation rules 1 and 2, a sixth piece of information can be further obtained, and based on the sixth piece of information, it can be determined whether to include the target terminal as a member of the first terminal group; if it is determined that the target terminal should be a member of the first terminal group, the target terminal is added to the first terminal group. The sixth piece of information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following 1) to 5): 1) Service activation information of the second service of the target terminal, wherein the second service includes at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals.

[0432] 2) Registration status information of the target terminal for the first terminal group.

[0433] 3) Online status information of the target terminal's service transmission channel for the first terminal group.

[0434] 4) First confirmation information regarding whether the target terminal from the fourth network function can be a member of the first terminal group, wherein the fourth network function includes the service consumer and / or the first platform.

[0435] 5) Second confirmation information obtained by the fourth network function based on the location information of the target terminal, indicating whether to include the target terminal in the first terminal group.

[0436] In some embodiments, the second information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: The identifier and / or name of the first terminal group; The effective time of the first terminal group; The service identifier corresponding to the first business; The effective area of ​​the first business; The time during which terminals within the first terminal group can use the first service of the first terminal group; The identifier of the terminal within the first terminal group; Terminal type and / or terminal type requirements for terminals within the first terminal group; Terminal capabilities and / or terminal capability requirements of terminals within the first terminal group; Whether the first terminal group provides multicast / broadcast services to the terminals within the group; Whether the terminals in the first terminal group support multicast / broadcast services; When a terminal in the first terminal group establishes a service transmission channel for the first terminal group, the session control and / or management functions and / or user plane functions selected by the terminal are the IP addresses assigned to the terminal. The service transmission channel of the first terminal group refers to the service transmission channel established based on the service identifier corresponding to the first service. When a terminal in the first terminal group establishes a service transmission channel for the first terminal group, it is assigned user plane tunnel information corresponding to the first service. The identifier of the session control and / or management function selected by the terminal in the first terminal group when establishing the service transmission channel of the first terminal group; The identifier of the user plane function selected by the terminal in the first terminal group when establishing the service transmission channel of the first terminal group. The logo of the first platform; Does the first platform provide multicast / broadcast services? The first platform can use multicast / broadcast services for a certain period of time; User plane tunnel information when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services; The identifier for user plane functions accessed when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services; The identifier for session control and / or management functions accessed when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services.

[0437] In specific implementation, the first network function can generate a first list locally to store the second information. The first list can be as shown in Table 2 above. The second network function can continuously improve and / or update the relevant information in the first list in subsequent processes. The updated first list can be as shown in Table 3 above.

[0438] Optionally, Figure 15 The communication device shown may further include: an information update module, used to update the second information when the second information changes.

[0439] As can be seen from the content contained in the second information, in some embodiments, determining the second information may include: obtaining at least a portion of the information in the second information from the first information. For example, at least one of the following information may be obtained from the first information: the identifier and / or name of the first terminal group, the data network identifier corresponding to the first service, the slice identifier corresponding to the first service, the effective area of ​​the first service, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0440] In other embodiments, if the fourth information of the first platform is allocated by a third network function, the fourth information of the first platform can be carried in the first information forwarded by the third network function to the first network function, wherein the third network function includes a Network Open Function (NEF). Correspondingly, the second information may include the fourth information of the first platform, wherein the fourth information is used by the first platform to implement the first service of the first terminal group. In this case, the first processing module 1502 determines the second information, which may include: If the fourth information is carried in the first information, the fourth information is obtained from the first information.

[0441] The fourth piece of information includes at least one of the following: User plane tunnel information when the first platform uses the first service; The identifier of the user plane function accessed by the first platform when using the first service; The identifier of the session control and / or management functions accessed by the first platform when using the first service.

[0442] In other embodiments, where the constraints further include the identifier of a specified terminal and require the specified terminal to use the first service within a specified area, the first processing module 1502 determines the second information, which may include at least one of the following steps 1 and 2: Step 1: Obtain the eighth information from the sixth network function. If the specified terminal is located in and / or enters the specified area based on the eighth information, send a second request to the seventh network function. The eighth information includes the location information of the specified terminal and / or event notifications of the specified terminal entering or leaving the specified area. The seventh network function is the session control and / or management function selected by the specified terminal when establishing the service transmission channel of the first terminal group. The service transmission channel of the first terminal group refers to the service transmission channel established based on the service identifier corresponding to the first service. The second request is used to obtain the routing information required by the specified terminal to implement the first service.

[0443] The first network function can be determined from the corresponding network function (such as UDM / UDR) to which the specified terminal belongs, and the sixth network function can be access and mobility management functions, such as AMF.

[0444] The first network function subscribes to terminal location information and / or event notifications of entering and leaving a specified area from relevant network functions that can provide terminal location information (such as the AMF node currently accessed by the specified terminal). When the specified terminal enters the specified area and / or the specified terminal is located in the specified area, the first network function requests and / or subscribes to the routing information required by the specified terminal to implement the first service in the second request issued by the session control and / or management function selected when establishing a service transmission channel for the first terminal group for the specified terminal.

[0445] Step 2: Send a third request to the seventh network function, wherein the third request is used to instruct the seventh network function to send the routing information required by the designated terminal to implement the first service when it determines that the designated terminal is located in and / or enters the designated area.

[0446] The first network function will directly send the identification information of the designated terminal to the session control and / or management function selected when the designated terminal establishes the service transmission channel of the first terminal group. The session control and / or management function will subscribe to the location information and / or entry and exit event notifications of the designated terminal from the relevant network function that can provide the location information of the designated terminal (such as the AMF node currently accessed by the designated terminal). When the designated terminal enters the designated area and / or the location of the designated terminal is in the designated area, the session control and / or management function can feed back the routing information of the designated terminal to the first network function for implementing the first service.

[0447] In other embodiments, the second information includes routing information required for terminals within the first terminal group to implement the first service, and the first processing module 1502 may include at least one of the following: Obtain the ninth information from the eighth network function.

[0448] Optionally, the first network function can also send tenth information to the eighth network function, that is, the eighth network function can also be used to obtain tenth information from the first network function.

[0449] Optionally, the eighth network function can also be used to send an eleventh message to the ninth network function.

[0450] The eighth network function includes the session control and / or management functions selected by terminals in the first terminal group when establishing a service transmission channel for the first terminal group, and / or the session control and / or management functions accessed by the first platform when using the first service. The ninth information includes the routing information required by terminals in the first terminal group that access the eighth network function and / or the first platform to implement the first service. The tenth information includes the routing information required by terminals in the first terminal group that select other session control and / or management functions and / or the first platform to implement the first service. The ninth network function includes the user plane function selected by terminals in the first terminal group under the jurisdiction of the eighth network function when establishing a service transmission channel for the first terminal group, and / or the user plane function accessed by the first platform when using the first service. The eleventh information includes the routing information required by terminals in the first terminal group that access the ninth network function and / or the first platform to implement the first service.

[0451] The service transmission channel of the first terminal group refers to the service transmission channel established based on the service identifier corresponding to the first service. The routing information required for a terminal to implement the first service includes part or all of the information in the second information corresponding to the first terminal group to which the terminal belongs.

[0452] The first sending module 1503 is used to send third information to the first platform, wherein the third information includes at least a portion of the second information, the first platform is used to implement the first service according to the third information, and / or the first platform is used to provide information required to implement the first service to terminals in the first terminal group according to the third information.

[0453] Optionally, in some implementations, the business consumer may cancel the first information, and / or the validity period of the first terminal group may expire. In this case, the first network function needs to cancel the creation and / or update process of the first terminal group, and / or delete the relevant information of the first terminal group. Figure 15 The communication device 1500 shown may further include at least one of the following: The second receiving module is used to receive a fifth request from a business consumer, the fifth request being used to request the cancellation of the first information; the first network function performs a first operation based on the second request; The second processing module is used to perform a first operation when the first information carries the validity period of the first terminal group and the validity period has expired.

[0454] The first operation may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: 1) Delete the second piece of information; 2) Cancel the eighth request. The eighth request is used to subscribe to or obtain the identification information of the eighth network function (such as SMF) corresponding to the first service of the terminal in the first terminal group from the fifth network function (such as UDM and / or UDR) to which the terminal in the first terminal group belongs. In other words, it is to subscribe to the identification information of the eighth network function. 3) Cancel the ninth request. The ninth request is used to obtain the ninth information from the eighth network function subscription, that is, to subscribe to the ninth information; the ninth information includes the routing information required by the terminals in the first terminal group that access the eighth network function and / or the first platform to implement the first service.

[0455] 4) Send a twelfth request or a fifteenth message to the eighth network function corresponding to the first service to which the terminal in the first terminal group belongs. The twelfth request or the fifteenth message is used to notify the eighth network function to cancel access to the first service to which the terminal in the first terminal group belongs and / or request the deletion of the routing information of the terminal in the first terminal group corresponding to the first service. When the eighth network function corresponding to the first service to which the terminal in the first terminal group belongs receives the twelfth request or the fifteenth message, it deletes the relevant information of the terminal corresponding to the first service stored locally, and notifies the user plane function to which the terminal belongs to delete the mutual access routing information of the terminal corresponding to the first service, etc.

[0456] 5) Cancel the tenth request. The tenth request is used to obtain the registration status information of the terminal corresponding to the first terminal group in the first terminal group from the first platform, that is, to subscribe to the registration status of the terminal corresponding to the first terminal group. 6) Cancel sending third-party information to the first platform; 7) Send a sixth request to the first platform. The sixth request is used to request the cancellation of the first service.

[0457] 8) Send an eleventh request to the first platform. The eleventh request is used to request an update on the online or registered status of terminals in the first terminal group, etc.

[0458] Figure 15 The communication device 1500 provided in the illustrated embodiment can achieve... Figure 10 The present invention represents a communication method that achieves the same technical effect. Relevant aspects can be referenced from each other and will not be elaborated further.

[0459] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1600 provided in some embodiments of this application. The communication device 1600 can be applied to service consumers; please refer to [the relevant documentation]. Figure 16 In one software implementation, the communication device 1600 may include: a first sending module 1601, used to send first information to a first network function.

[0460] The first information is used to initiate and / or update the first service of the first terminal group. The first information includes at least the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group. The constraints include at least one of the following: the effective area of ​​the first service, the terminal type and terminal capabilities that the terminals joining the first terminal group need to meet. The first service includes at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals.

[0461] The first terminal group can be any terminal group to be created and / or updated. The first information can be used to initiate and / or update the first service for the first terminal group.

[0462] The first information can be sent directly by the first sending module 1601 or through a corresponding network function (such as an operating platform, NEF, etc.) to the first network function.

[0463] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group.

[0464] In some embodiments, the first information may include, in addition to constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group, other information that may assist the first network function in creating and / or updating the first service of the first terminal group.

[0465] As an example, the first information may include at least one of the following 1) to 7): 1) The name and / or identifier of the first terminal group.

[0466] 2) Does the first terminal group provide multicast / broadcast services?

[0467] 3) The scope of services provided by the first terminal group for multicast / broadcast services.

[0468] 4) The identifier of the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs.

[0469] 5) First instruction information, used to instruct the first network function to report the location information of the terminal entering the effective area of ​​the first service and / or the reporting request of the terminal's location information to the relevant network function node. The relevant network function node may include the service consumer.

[0470] 6) Second indication information, used to indicate that relevant network function nodes need to confirm members within the first terminal group. Relevant network function nodes may include service consumers.

[0471] 7) Create and / or update the constraints of the first terminal group.

[0472] In some implementations, the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: the effective area of ​​the first service, the terminal type and terminal capabilities that the terminals joining the first terminal group need to meet.

[0473] In other implementations, the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group may also include at least one of the following: a. Specify the identifier of the terminal. The number of specified terminals can be one or more, and the identifier of the specified terminal can be the number of the specified terminal.

[0474] b. Specify whether the terminal supports multicast / broadcast services.

[0475] c. The conditions under which a specified terminal uses the first service may include whether the specified terminal is required to use the first service within the effective area of ​​the first service, or to use the first service within a specified time period.

[0476] d. The range of terminals included in the first terminal group can characterize the range of terminals that are allowed to use the first service. This range may include a list of terminal information that is allowed to use the first service, etc.

[0477] e. The service identifier corresponding to the first service; The service identifier corresponding to the first service can be understood as the service identifier to which the first service belongs. The service identifier corresponding to the first service can also be understood as the service identifier corresponding to the service transmission channel of the first service. Optionally, the service identifier corresponding to the first service may include at least one of the following: a service identifier specifying the corresponding service transmission channel, a service identifier corresponding to a service transmission channel bound to a terminal type, etc. For example, the service identifier corresponding to the first service may include at least one of the data network identifier and the slice identifier corresponding to the first service.

[0478] f. The effective time of the first terminal group (or the effective time of the first terminal group, or the effective time and / or effective time of the first service of the first terminal group), which may be a relative time or an absolute time, etc. During the effective time, the terminals in the first terminal group and / or the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs are allowed to use the first service for the first terminal group. Outside the effective time or if the effective time expires, the terminals in the first terminal group and / or the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs are not allowed to use the first service for the first terminal group.

[0479] Optionally, Figure 16 The communication device 1600 provided in the illustrated embodiment may further include: a function discovery module, used to discover the first network function before the first sending module 1601 sends the first information to the first network function.

[0480] Optionally, in some implementations, the business consumer may cancel the first message, and / or the validity period of the first terminal group may expire. In this case, Figure 16 The communication device 1600 provided in the illustrated embodiment may further include: a second sending module, configured to send a fifth request to a first network function, the fifth request being used to request cancellation of the first information.

[0481] Figure 16 The communication device 1600 provided in the illustrated embodiment can achieve... Figure 11 The present invention represents a communication method that achieves the same technical effect. Relevant aspects can be referenced from each other and will not be elaborated further.

[0482] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1700 provided in some embodiments of this application. The communication device 1700 can be applied to a first platform; please refer to [the relevant documentation]. Figure 17 In one software implementation, the communication device 1700 may include a first receiving module 1701 and a first processing module 1702.

[0483] The first receiving module 1701 is used to receive third information sent by the first network function, wherein the third information includes at least a portion of the information in the second information, the second information includes information required to implement the first service of the first terminal group, the first terminal group includes multiple terminals and / or a first platform that meet the constraints, the constraints include at least one of the following: the effective area of ​​the first service, the terminal type and terminal capabilities that the terminals joining the first terminal group need to meet, and the first service includes at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals.

[0484] The first processing module 1702 is used to implement the first service of the first terminal group based on the third information, and / or to provide the terminals in the first terminal group with the information required to implement the first service based on the third information.

[0485] In some embodiments, the third information includes fourth information required by the first platform to implement the first service.

[0486] In some embodiments, the first platform may directly obtain the fourth information from the first network function and / or other network functions (such as NEF). For example, the first platform may receive the fourth information sent by the first network function. The fourth piece of information includes at least one of the following: User plane tunnel information when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services; The identifier for user plane functions accessed when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services; The identifier for session control and / or management functions accessed when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services.

[0487] Regarding the fourth piece of information on the first platform, in addition to the methods mentioned above, it can also be pre-configured. For specific configuration methods, please refer to the section above. Figure 10 The description of the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0488] Based on this, the first processing module 1702 can be used to: implement the first service of the first terminal group based on the fourth information.

[0489] In some embodiments, the first processing module 1702 can be used to: Based on the fourth information, determine the user plane functions accessed by the first platform when using the first service; When using the first service on the first platform, the user plane function accessed initiates the first service. The user plane function supports implementing the first service based on eleventh information, which includes target terminal information for the first service and / or routing information required by the first platform to implement the first service. In this case, the target terminal information may include the target terminal's IP address, the target terminal's session online status information, etc., and the first service may include multicast / broadcast services for multiple terminals in the first terminal group.

[0490] Optionally, when the first service corresponds to multiple different service identifiers, the user plane function supports the first service between service transmission channels established based on the multiple different service identifiers corresponding to the first service.

[0491] In some embodiments, when a terminal in a first terminal group wants to access other terminals in the first terminal group, or when a terminal in the first terminal group wants to initiate multicast / broadcast services to multiple target terminals in the first terminal group, it can request information from the first platform to implement these services. Upon receiving the request from the terminal, the first platform can provide the terminal with the information required to implement these services. This information may include, for example, the IP address of the target terminal to be accessed, the target terminal's session online status information, etc.

[0492] Optionally, in some implementations, the business consumer may cancel the first message, and / or the validity period of the first terminal group may time out. In this case, the first platform may behave as follows: Receive the sixth request sent by the first network function, the sixth request being used to request the cancellation of the first service; Perform a second operation according to the fifth request. The second operation includes at least one of the following: deleting third information, deleting part or all of the information in the first information sent by the first network function and / or service consumer, canceling the acquisition of third information from the first network function (i.e., unsubscribing to third information), and canceling the provision of target information for terminal inter-access to multiple terminals in the first terminal group.

[0493] After performing the second operation described above on the first platform, optionally, if the service consumer has a new first service or wants to continue the previous first service, it can send the first information to the first network function again, which will not be described in detail here.

[0494] Figure 17 The communication device 1700 provided in the illustrated embodiment can achieve... Figure 12 The present invention represents a communication method that achieves the same technical effect. Relevant aspects can be referenced from each other and will not be elaborated further.

[0495] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1800 provided in some embodiments of this application. The communication device 1800 can be applied to a first terminal; please refer to [the provided text]. Figure 18 In one software implementation, the communication device 1800 may include: a first transmitting module 1801 and / or a second transmitting module 1802.

[0496] The first sending module 1801 is used to send the twelfth information to the fifth network function during the process of the first terminal registering to the network.

[0497] The second sending module 1802 is used to send the twelfth information to the fifth network function if a fourth request from the fifth network function is received during the process of the first terminal registering to the network. The twelfth information includes the type information and / or capability information of the first terminal, and the fifth network function includes a network function for storing the terminal type and / or terminal capabilities.

[0498] The first service may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals.

[0499] The twelfth piece of information may include at least one of the following: the terminal type of the first terminal (such as mobile terminal, drone, vehicle, etc.), terminal device capability information (such as supported service types, computing power, computing power requirements, etc.).

[0500] In some embodiments, the first terminal belongs to a first terminal group established by the first network function. Figure 13 The method shown may also include: The third sending module is used to send a query request for the fourteenth information to the first platform.

[0501] The first receiving module is used to receive the fourteenth message returned by the first platform.

[0502] The first processing module is used to initiate the first service for the first terminal group based on the fourteenth information.

[0503] The fourteenth piece of information includes at least one of the following: group information of the first terminal group (such as group identifier and terminal identifier within the group), routing information for terminals within the first terminal group to implement the first service, and online status information of terminals within the first terminal group, etc.

[0504] In some embodiments, the third sending module may be specifically used to: send a query request for the fourteenth information to the first platform through the service transmission channel when a service transmission channel is established with the first platform through a preset functional body, or when a service transmission channel is established with the first platform through a preset functional body and the module is registered with the first platform.

[0505] In some embodiments, the communication device 1800 may further include: The fourth sending module is used to send a service request to the first platform through a preset functional body before the third sending module sends a query request for the fourteenth information to the first platform, in order to establish a service transmission channel with the first platform; or, to send a service request to the first platform through a preset functional body, in order to establish a service transmission channel with the first platform; and to send a registration request to the first platform through the service transmission channel, in order to register with the first platform. The preset functional body may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: functions related to built-in applications (such as SDKs), mini-programs, and terminal modules.

[0506] In some embodiments, the first terminal belongs to a first terminal group established by the first network function. Figure 18 The communication device 1800 shown may also perform at least one of the following: Based on the fourteenth piece of information, determine the user plane function accessed by the first terminal; The system selects a user plane function to initiate a terminal inter-terminal access request for the target terminals in the first terminal group. When the first terminal group provides multicast / broadcast services and the first terminal supports multicast / broadcast services, multiple target terminals within the first terminal group are selected through a preset function body, and multicast / broadcast service requests are initiated for the multiple target terminals to the user plane function responsible for the service transmission channel of the first terminal group accessed by the first terminal.

[0507] Optionally, when the first service corresponds to multiple different service identifiers, the user plane function accessed by the first terminal can support the first service across service transmission channels established based on the multiple different service identifiers corresponding to the first service. That is, the user plane function accessed by the first terminal supports cross-DNN interoperability, which can improve the utilization efficiency of network resources across different data networks and allow for more flexible service deployment; better ensure service continuity for users moving between different networks, improving the user experience; simplify the operator's operation and maintenance management in a multi-DNN environment, reducing complexity and cost. At the same time, this capability also provides a foundation for future networks to support more complex cross-domain services.

[0508] Figure 18 The communication device 1800 provided in the illustrated embodiment can achieve... Figure 13 The present invention represents a communication method that achieves the same technical effect. Relevant aspects can be referenced from each other and will not be elaborated further.

[0509] This application also provides a communication device, including a processor and a memory. The memory stores programs or instructions that can run on the processor, and when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, they implement... Figure 10 , Figure 11 and Figure 12 The steps of any of the communication methods shown in the examples.

[0510] This application embodiment also provides a terminal, characterized in that it includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing programs or instructions that can run on the processor, and the programs or instructions, when executed by the processor, implement... Figure 13 The steps of the communication method shown.

[0511] This application embodiment also provides a non-transient computer-readable storage medium, on which a program or instruction is stored, and when the program or instruction is executed by a processor, it implements... Figure 10 , Figure 11 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 The steps of any of the communication methods shown in the examples.

[0512] This application also provides a computer program product, which is stored in a storage medium and executed by at least one processor to perform the following: Figure 10 , Figure 11 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 The steps of any of the communication methods shown in the examples.

[0513] This application also provides a communication system, including a first network function, a service consumer, a first platform, and a first terminal, wherein the first network function is used to perform, for example, Figure 10The communication method shown is used by the service consumer to perform, for example... Figure 11 The communication method shown above, the first platform is used to perform, as follows: Figure 12 The communication method shown above, in which the first terminal is used to perform, as follows: Figure 13 The communication method shown.

[0514] In summary, the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

[0515] The systems, devices, modules, or units described in the above embodiments can be implemented by computer chips or entities, or by products with certain functions. A typical implementation device is a computer. Specifically, a computer can be, for example, a personal computer, laptop computer, cellular phone, camera phone, smartphone, personal digital assistant, media player, navigation device, email device, game console, tablet computer, wearable device, or any combination of these devices.

[0516] Computer-readable media includes both permanent and non-permanent, removable and non-removable media that can store information using any method or technology. Information can be computer-readable instructions, data structures, modules of programs, or other data. Examples of computer storage media include, but are not limited to, phase-change memory (PRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), other types of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile optical disc (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic tape, magnetic magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transferable medium that can be used to store information accessible by a computing device. As defined herein, computer-readable media does not include transient computer-readable media, such as modulated data signals and carrier waves.

[0517] It should also be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0518] The various embodiments in this application are described in a progressive manner. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to mutually. Each embodiment focuses on describing the differences from other embodiments. In particular, the system embodiments are basically similar to the method embodiments, so the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the descriptions of the method embodiments.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first network function, the method includes: Receive first information, wherein the first information is used to request the initiation and / or updating of a first service of a first terminal group, the first information includes at least one of the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group, the constraints include at least one of the following: the effective area of ​​the first service, the terminal type and terminal capabilities that the terminals joining the first terminal group need to meet, and the first service includes at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals; Based on the first information, the first terminal group is created and / or updated, and second information is determined, wherein the first terminal group includes multiple terminals that meet the constraints and / or the first platform, and the second information includes information required to implement the first service of the first terminal group; Send third information to the first platform, wherein the third information includes at least a portion of the second information, the first platform is used to implement the first service according to the third information, and / or, the first platform is used to provide information required to implement the first service to terminals in the first terminal group according to the third information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information also includes at least one of the following: The name and / or identifier of the first terminal group; Does the first terminal group provide multicast / broadcast services? The first terminal group provides the scope of multicast / broadcast services; The identifier of the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs; The first instruction information is used to instruct the first network function to report the location information of the terminal entering the effective area and / or the reporting requirement of the terminal's location information to the relevant network function node. The second instruction information is used to indicate that the relevant network function node needs to confirm the members in the first terminal group; The constraints also include at least one of the following: Specifies the identifier of the terminal; Whether the specified terminal supports multicast / broadcast services; The conditions under which the designated terminal uses the first service; The range of terminals included in the first terminal group; The service identifier corresponding to the first service; The effective time of the first terminal group.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The terminals in the first terminal group have activated the second service on the network function to which the terminal belongs for storing terminal subscription data and / or the first network function, and the second service includes at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals; And / or, The multicast / broadcast service of the first platform has been enabled in the second network function, which includes at least one of the first network function, the access gateway function accessed by the first platform, and the operation platform. The service activation information of the second service of a terminal includes at least one of the following: Whether to allow the use of terminal inter-access services; Service identifiers that allow the use of terminal inter-access services; Area information that allows inter-terminal access services; The types of terminals that are allowed to use the terminal inter-access service; Time requirements for allowing inter-terminal access services; Is multicast / broadcast service permitted? Service identifiers for multicast / broadcast services are permitted. Area information that allows the use of multicast / broadcast services; Time requirements for allowing the use of multicast / broadcast services; The service activation information for the multicast / broadcast service of the first platform includes at least one of the following: The first platform is allowed to use the service identifier for multicast / broadcast services; The first platform is allowed to use the area information for multicast / broadcast services; The terminal types of target terminals that are allowed to use multicast / broadcast services on the first platform; Allow the first platform to use the terminal capabilities of the target terminal for multicast / broadcast services; The first platform is permitted to use the identifier of the target terminal for multicast / broadcast services; The first platform is permitted to use multicast / broadcast services for a specified period of time; The first platform is permitted to use the identifier and / or name of the terminal group for multicast / broadcast services.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before creating and / or updating the first terminal group based on the first information, the method further includes: The first information is authenticated, and the authentication result is sent to the service consumer of the first service; The content of authenticating the first information includes at least one of the following: Whether to allow the business consumer to set and / or update the first information; The scope of information that can be set and / or updated, provided that the business consumer is allowed to set and / or update the first information; Content requirements for the information that is allowed to be set and / or updated; Parameter requirements for the information that allows setting and / or updating; Whether the relevant service information of the first platform using multicast / broadcast services is consistent with the service activation information of the first platform.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The step of creating and / or updating the first terminal group based on the first information and determining the second information includes: If the first information is successfully authenticated, the first terminal group is created and / or updated based on the first information, and the second information is determined.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The creation and / or updating of the first terminal group based on the first information includes: Identify the target terminal that meets the constraints and obtain the sixth piece of information; Based on the sixth information, determine whether to include the target terminal as a member of the first terminal group; If it is determined that the target terminal is a member of the first terminal group, the target terminal is added to the first terminal group; The sixth piece of information includes at least one of the following: The service activation information of the second service of the target terminal, wherein the second service includes at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals; The target terminal's registration status information for the first terminal group; The target terminal provides online status information for the service transmission channel of the first terminal group; The first confirmation information from the fourth network function is whether the target terminal can be a member of the first terminal group, the fourth network function including the service consumer and / or the first platform; The fourth network function obtains a second confirmation message based on the location information of the target terminal, indicating whether to include the target terminal in the first terminal group.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Determining the target terminal that satisfies the constraints includes at least one of the following: Identify multiple first terminals located in and / or entering the effective area of ​​the first service; At least one target terminal is selected from the plurality of first terminals that meets the terminal type and / or terminal capability constraints.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The step of selecting at least one target terminal from the plurality of first terminals that meets the terminal type and / or terminal capability requirements in the constraints includes: The seventh information is obtained from the fifth network function, wherein the seventh information includes terminal type information and / or terminal capability information of the plurality of first terminals, and the fifth network function includes a network function for storing terminal type and / or terminal capability; Based on the seventh information, at least one target terminal that meets the terminal type and / or terminal capability requirements in the constraints is selected from the plurality of first terminals.

9. The method according to any one of claims 5-8, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the second information changes, the second information shall be updated. The second information includes at least one of the following: The identifier and / or name of the first terminal group; The service identifier corresponding to the first service; The effective area of ​​the first service; The identifiers of the terminals within the first terminal group; Terminal type and / or terminal type requirements for terminals within the first terminal group; The terminal capabilities and / or terminal capability requirements of the terminals within the first terminal group; Whether the first terminal group provides multicast / broadcast services to the terminals within the group; Whether the terminals in the first terminal group support multicast / broadcast services; When a terminal in the first terminal group establishes a service transmission channel for the first terminal group, the session control and / or management functions and / or user plane functions selected are assigned to the IP address of the terminal. The service transmission channel of the first terminal group refers to a service transmission channel established based on the service identifier corresponding to the first service. When a terminal in the first terminal group establishes a service transmission channel for the first terminal group, it is assigned user plane tunnel information corresponding to the first service. The identifier of the session control and / or management function selected by the terminal in the first terminal group when establishing the service transmission channel of the first terminal group; The identifier of the user plane function selected by the terminal in the first terminal group when establishing the service transmission channel of the first terminal group; The identifier of the first platform; Does the first platform provide multicast / broadcast services? User plane tunnel information when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services; The identifier of the user plane function accessed when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services; The identifier of the session control and / or management functions accessed when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services.

10. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes at least one of the following: If the first information is successfully authenticated and no fourth information is allocated and / or obtained, the fourth information is allocated to the first platform according to preset rules and / or the first information, wherein the fourth information is used by the first platform to implement the first service; Send the fourth information and / or at least a portion of the first information to the first platform.

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second information includes fourth information, which is used by the first platform to implement the first service, wherein determining the second information includes: If the fourth information is carried in the first information, the fourth information is obtained from the first information.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The fourth piece of information includes at least one of the following: User plane tunnel information when the first platform uses the first service; The identifier of the user plane function accessed by the first platform when using the first service; The identifier of the session control and / or management functions accessed by the first platform when using the first service.

13. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, If the constraints also include the identifier of a specified terminal and require the specified terminal to use the first service within a specified area, then determining the second information includes at least one of the following: Obtain eighth information from the sixth network function. If, based on the eighth information, it is determined that the designated terminal is located in and / or has entered the designated area, send a second request to the seventh network function. The eighth information includes the location information of the designated terminal and / or event notifications of the designated terminal entering or leaving the designated area. The seventh network function is a session control and / or management function selected by the designated terminal when establishing a service transmission channel for the first terminal group. The service transmission channel for the first terminal group refers to a service transmission channel established based on the service identifier corresponding to the first service. The second request is used to obtain the routing information required by the designated terminal to implement the first service. A third request is sent to the seventh network function, wherein the third request is used to instruct the seventh network function to send the routing information required by the designated terminal to implement the first service when it determines that the designated terminal is located in and / or enters the designated area.

14. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second information includes routing information required for terminals within the first terminal group to implement the first service, wherein determining the second information includes: Obtain the ninth information from the eighth network function, wherein the eighth network function is also used to obtain the tenth information from the first network function and / or send the eleventh information to the ninth network function; The eighth network function includes the session control and / or management functions selected by terminals in the first terminal group when establishing a service transmission channel for the first terminal group, and / or the session control and / or management functions accessed by the first platform when using the first service; the ninth information includes the routing information required by terminals in the first terminal group that access the eighth network function and / or the first platform to implement the first service; the tenth information includes the routing information required by terminals in the first terminal group that select other session control and / or management functions and / or the first platform to implement the first service; the ninth network function is the user plane function selected by terminals in the first terminal group under the jurisdiction of the eighth network function when establishing a service transmission channel for the first terminal group, and / or the user plane function accessed by the first platform when using the first service; the eleventh information includes the routing information required by terminals in the first terminal group that access the ninth network function and / or the first platform to implement the first service; the service transmission channel of the first terminal group refers to a service transmission channel established based on the service identifier corresponding to the first service, and the routing information required by a terminal to implement the first service includes part or all of the information in the second information corresponding to the first terminal group to which the terminal belongs. Wherein, when the first service corresponds to multiple different service identifiers, the ninth network function supports the first service between service transmission channels established based on the multiple different service identifiers corresponding to the first service.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to business consumers, the method includes: Send the first message to the first network function; The first information is used to initiate and / or update the first service of the first terminal group. The first information includes at least the constraints for creating and / or updating the first terminal group. The constraints include at least one of the following: the effective area of ​​the first service, the terminal type and terminal capabilities that the terminals joining the first terminal group need to meet. The first service includes at least one of the following: terminal mutual access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals.

16. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first platform, the method includes: The system receives third information sent by a first network function, wherein the third information includes at least a portion of the information in the second information, the second information including information required to implement a first service of a first terminal group, the first terminal group including multiple terminals and / or a first platform that meet constraints, the constraints including at least one of the effective area of ​​the first service, terminal type and terminal capabilities that terminals joining the first terminal group need to meet, and the first service including at least one of the following: terminal inter-access service, multicast / broadcast service between terminals, and multicast / broadcast service between the first platform to which the first terminal group belongs and the terminals; The first service of the first terminal group is implemented based on the third information, and / or, information required to implement the first service is provided to the terminals in the first terminal group based on the third information.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Obtain fourth information, wherein the fourth information is used by the first platform to implement the first service; The fourth piece of information includes at least one of the following: User plane tunnel information when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services; The identifier of the user plane function accessed when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services; The identifier of the session control and / or management functions accessed when the first platform uses multicast / broadcast services.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: The user plane function accessed when the first service is used by the first platform initiates the first service, wherein the user plane function supports the implementation of the first service based on eleventh information, the eleventh information including the target terminal information of the first service and / or the routing information required by the first platform to implement the first service.

19. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first terminal, the method includes: During the process of the first terminal registering to the network, the twelfth message is sent to the fifth network function; And / or, During the process of the first terminal registering to the network, if a fourth request from the fifth network function is received, then the twelfth information is sent to the fifth network function. The twelfth information includes the type information and / or capability information of the first terminal, and the fifth network function includes a network function for storing the terminal type and / or terminal capabilities.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The first terminal belongs to a first terminal group, and the method further includes: When the first terminal group provides multicast / broadcast services and the first terminal supports multicast / broadcast services, multiple target terminals within the first terminal group are selected through a preset function body, and multicast / broadcast service requests are initiated for the multiple target terminals to the user plane function responsible for the service transmission channel of the first terminal group accessed by the first terminal.

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

22. A terminal, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions that can run on the processor, the program or instructions being executed by the processor to implement the steps of the communication method as described in claim 19 or 20.

23. A non-transient computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The readable storage medium stores a program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-18, or the steps of the communication method as described in claim 19 or 20.

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