Communication method, device, equipment, network function, storage medium and computer program product

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication method, the method is applied to a first network function, and the method comprises the following steps: receiving first information; sending a first request; the first information satisfies at least one of the following items: the first information is used for indicating first equipment information of one or more second terminal equipment which is in release, interruption or termination connection with the first terminal equipment; the first information comprises at least one of the following items: operation on a first equipment information request of the second terminal equipment and the first equipment information of the second terminal equipment; the first request satisfies at least one of the following items: the first request is used for requesting to create, modify, update or terminate a policy and charging control (PCC) rule corresponding to the first equipment information of one or more second terminal equipment; the first request comprises at least one of a session management strategy control creation request, a session management strategy control update request and a session management strategy control deletion request. The invention further discloses a communication device, equipment, a network function, a storage medium and a computer program product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of mobile communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, apparatus, device, network function, storage medium, and computer program product. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of communication technology, the communication applications of terminal devices are becoming increasingly widespread. During application, after a terminal device connects to a communication network, it can provide communication network access for other terminal devices that cannot directly access the network; these can be referred to as backend devices. Currently, terminal devices can assign device identifiers (IDs) to connected backend devices. The terminal then sends the assigned device ID to the core network via uplink Non-Access Stratum (NAS) messages. In this way, the core network can generate policy and charging control (PCC) rules for the backend devices based on the received device IDs, matching the data flows of the backend devices to Quality of Service (QoS) flows.

[0003] However, the current implementation only describes the process of the terminal device reporting the identifier assigned to the backend device after the backend device is connected to the terminal device. How to handle the relevant policies of the backend device after the connection between the backend device and the terminal device is broken in order to save resources has become an urgent technical problem to be solved.

[0004] Application content

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application aims to provide a communication method, apparatus, device, network function, storage medium, and computer program product. This solves the problem that currently, when the communication connection between backend devices and terminal devices is broken, the core network side lacks an effective management method for the relevant policies of the backend devices. The application proposes a communication method that enables the core network side to manage the relevant policies of the backend devices after the communication connection between the backend devices and terminal devices is broken, thereby saving resources.

[0006] The technical solution of this application is implemented as follows:

[0007] This application provides a communication method applied to a first network function, the method comprising at least one of the following:

[0008] Receive the first message;

[0009] Send the first request;

[0010] The first information satisfies at least one of the following:

[0011] The first information is used to indicate first device information of one or more second terminal devices that release, interrupt, or terminate the connection with the first terminal device; the first information includes at least one of the following: an operation to request first device information of the second terminal device, and the first device information of the second terminal device;

[0012] The first request satisfies at least one of the following:

[0013] The first request is used to request the creation, modification, update or termination of policy and charging control (PCC) rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices; the first request includes at least one of the following: session management policy control creation request, session management policy control update request, and session management policy control deletion request.

[0014] This application provides a communication method applied to a first terminal device, the method comprising:

[0015] Send the first message;

[0016] The first information satisfies at least one of the following:

[0017] The first information is used to indicate the first device information of one or more second terminal devices that release, interrupt or terminate the connection with the first terminal device; the first information includes at least one of the following: an operation to request the first device information of the second terminal device, and the first device information of the second terminal device.

[0018] This application provides a communication method applied to a third network function, the method comprising at least one of the following:

[0019] Receive the second message;

[0020] Send a second request;

[0021] Receive first device information from one or more second terminal devices;

[0022] The second information is used to indicate the second device information of the first terminal device;

[0023] The second request satisfies at least one of the following:

[0024] The second request is used to request first device information of one or more second terminal devices connected to or associated with the first terminal device;

[0025] The second request includes at least the second information.

[0026] This application provides a communication method applied to a fourth network function, the method comprising:

[0027] Receive the second request;

[0028] Send first device information for one or more second terminal devices;

[0029] The second request satisfies at least one of the following:

[0030] The second request is used to request first device information of one or more second terminal devices that are connected to or associated with the first terminal device;

[0031] The second request includes at least second information for indicating second device information of the first terminal device.

[0032] This application provides a communication method applied to a fifth network function, the method comprising at least one of the following:

[0033] Receive the first request;

[0034] Perform the operation corresponding to the first request on the PCC rule;

[0035] Send a second response;

[0036] The first request satisfies at least one of the following:

[0037] The first request is used to request the creation, modification, update, or termination of PCC rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices; the first request includes at least one of the following: session management policy control creation request, session management policy control update request, and session management policy control deletion request;

[0038] The second response is used to indicate that the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices has been created, modified, updated, or deleted.

[0039] This application provides a first communication device, which is applied to a first network function. The device includes at least one of the following: a first receiving unit and a first transmitting unit; wherein:

[0040] The first receiving unit is used to receive first information;

[0041] The first sending unit is used to send the first request;

[0042] The first information satisfies at least one of the following:

[0043] The first information is used to indicate first device information of one or more second terminal devices that release, interrupt, or terminate the connection with the first terminal device; the first information includes at least one of the following: an operation to request first device information of the second terminal device, and the first device information of the second terminal device;

[0044] The first request satisfies at least one of the following:

[0045] The first request is used to request the creation, modification, update or termination of policy and charging control (PCC) rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices; the first request includes at least one of the following: session management policy control creation request, session management policy control update request, and session management policy control deletion request.

[0046] This application provides a second communication device, which is applied to a first terminal device. The device includes: a second transmitting unit; wherein:

[0047] The second sending unit is used to send the first information;

[0048] The first information satisfies at least one of the following:

[0049] The first information is used to indicate the first device information of one or more second terminal devices that release, interrupt or terminate the connection with the first terminal device; the first information includes at least one of the following: an operation to request the first device information of the second terminal device, and the first device information of the second terminal device.

[0050] This application provides a third communication device, which is applied to a third network function. The device includes, but is not limited to, a second receiving unit and a third transmitting unit; wherein:

[0051] The second receiving unit is used to receive the second information;

[0052] The third sending unit is used to send the second request;

[0053] The second receiving unit is configured to receive first device information from one or more second terminal devices;

[0054] The second information is used to indicate the second device information of the first terminal device;

[0055] The second request satisfies at least one of the following:

[0056] The second request is used to request first device information of one or more second terminal devices connected to or associated with the first terminal device;

[0057] The second request includes at least the second information.

[0058] This application provides a fourth communication device, which is applied to a fourth network function. The device includes: a third receiving unit and a fourth transmitting unit; wherein:

[0059] The third receiving unit is used to receive the second request;

[0060] The fourth sending unit is used to send first device information of one or more second terminal devices;

[0061] The second request satisfies at least one of the following:

[0062] The second request is used to request first device information of one or more second terminal devices that are connected to or associated with the first terminal device;

[0063] The second request includes at least second information for indicating second device information of the first terminal device.

[0064] This application provides a fifth communication device, which is applied to a fifth network function. The device includes: a fourth receiving unit, an execution unit, and a fifth transmitting unit; wherein:

[0065] The fourth receiving unit is used to receive the first request;

[0066] The execution unit is used to perform the operation corresponding to the first request on the PCC rule;

[0067] The fifth sending unit is used to send the second response;

[0068] The first request satisfies at least one of the following:

[0069] The first request is used to request the creation, modification, update, or termination of PCC rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices; the first request includes at least one of the following: session management policy control creation request, session management policy control update request, and session management policy control deletion request;

[0070] The second response is used to indicate that the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices has been created, modified, updated, or deleted.

[0071] This application provides a first network function, including: a first communication interface, a first memory, a first processor, and a first communication bus; wherein:

[0072] The first memory is used to store executable information;

[0073] The first communication bus is used to realize the communication connection between the first communication interface, the first processor and the first memory;

[0074] The first processor is configured to execute a communication program stored in the first memory to implement the steps of the communication method as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0075] This application provides a first terminal device, including: a second communication interface, a second memory, a second processor, and a second communication bus; wherein:

[0076] The second memory is used to store executable information;

[0077] The second communication bus is used to realize the communication connection between the second communication interface, the second processor and the second memory;

[0078] The second processor is configured to execute a communication program stored in the second memory to implement the steps of the communication method as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0079] This application provides a third network function, including: a third communication interface, a third memory, a third processor, and a third communication bus; wherein:

[0080] The third memory is used to store executable information;

[0081] The third communication bus is used to realize the communication connection between the third communication interface, the third processor and the third memory;

[0082] The third processor is used to execute the communication program stored in the third memory to implement the steps in the communication method as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0083] This application provides a fourth network function, including: a fourth communication interface, a fourth memory, a fourth processor, and a fourth communication bus; wherein:

[0084] The fourth memory is used to store executable information;

[0085] The fourth communication bus is used to realize the communication connection between the fourth communication interface, the fourth processor and the fourth memory;

[0086] The fourth processor is used to execute the communication program stored in the fourth memory to implement the steps in the communication method as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0087] This application provides a fifth network function, including: a fifth communication interface, a fifth memory, a fifth processor, and a fifth communication bus; wherein:

[0088] The fifth memory is used to store executable information;

[0089] The fifth communication bus is used to realize the communication connection between the fifth communication interface, the fifth processor and the fifth memory;

[0090] The fifth processor is used to execute the communication program stored in the fifth memory to implement the steps in the communication method as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0091] This application provides a storage medium storing a communication program, which, when executed, implements the steps of the communication method as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0092] This application provides a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the communication method described in any of the preceding claims.

[0093] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, device, network function, storage medium, and computer program product. The method receives first information through a first network function and then sends a first request. The first information satisfies at least one of the following: the first information is used to instruct the release, interruption, or termination of first device information of one or more second terminal devices connected to the first terminal device; the first information includes at least one of the following: an operation requesting first device information of the second terminal device, and the first device information of the second terminal device; the first request satisfies at least one of the following: the first request is used to request the creation, modification, update, or termination of policies and charging control (PCC) rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices; the first request includes at least one of the following: a session management policy control creation request, a session management policy control update request, and a session management policy control deletion request. In this way, after receiving information about one or more second terminals that have disconnected from the first terminal device, the first network function sends a first request to manage the PCC rules corresponding to the first device information. This solves the problem that the core network side lacks an effective management method for the relevant policies of the backend device after the communication connection between the backend device and the terminal device is broken. A communication method is proposed to realize the management of the relevant policies of the backend device by the core network side after the communication connection between the backend device and the terminal device is broken, thus saving resources. Attached Figure Description

[0094] Figure 1a This is a schematic diagram of the system structure of a wireless communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0095] Figure 1b A flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in this application embodiment;

[0096] Figure 2 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 ;

[0097] Figure 3 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 3 ;

[0098] Figure 4 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 4 ;

[0099] Figure 5 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 5 ;

[0100] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0101] Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating the implementation flow of the communication method provided in this application embodiment;

[0102] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the implementation process of the communication method provided in this application embodiment Figure 2 ;

[0103] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the implementation process of the communication method provided in this application embodiment Figure 3 ;

[0104] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the implementation process of the communication method provided in this application embodiment Figure 4 ;

[0105] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0106] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0107] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a third communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0108] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fourth communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0109] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fifth communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0110] Figure 16This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first network function provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0111] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0112] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a third network function provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0113] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fourth network function provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0114] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fifth network function provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0115] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0116] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same class, not limited in number; for example, the first object can be one or more. Furthermore, "and / or" in the specification and claims indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship. "Or" in the specification and claims indicates at least one of the connected objects; for example, "A or B" covers three scenarios: Scenario 1: including A but not B; Scenario 2: including B but not A; Scenario 3: including both A and B.

[0117] It is worth noting that the technologies described in this application are not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-A (LTE-Advanced) systems, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in this application are often used interchangeably, and the described technologies can be used not only in the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, but also in other systems and radio technologies. The following description is for illustrative purposes and describes a New Radio (NR) system, and the term NR is used in most of the following description; however, these technologies can also be applied to applications other than NR systems, such as 6th Generation (6G) communication systems.

[0118] First, to better illustrate the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, the following is given: Figure 1a A block diagram example of a wireless communication system applicable to embodiments of this application.

[0119] like Figure 1aAs shown, the wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. The terminal 11 can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld computer, netbook, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), mobile internet device (MID), augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) device, robot, wearable device, vehicle user equipment (VUE), or pedestrian user equipment (PUE). Terminal-side devices include equipment, smart home devices (home appliances with wireless communication functions, such as refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, or furniture), game consoles, personal computers (PCs), ATMs, or self-service machines, etc. Wearable devices include: smartwatches, smart bracelets, smart headphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart ankle chains, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of terminal 11 is not limited in the embodiments of this application. Network-side device 12 may include access network equipment or core network equipment, wherein access network equipment may also be referred to as radio access network equipment, radio access network (RAN), radio access network function, or radio access network unit.Access network equipment may include base stations, wireless local area network (WLAN) access points, or wireless Fidelity (WiFi) nodes, etc. Base stations may be referred to as Node B, Evolved Node B (eNB), access point, base transceiver station (RTS), radio base station, radio transceiver, basic service set (BSS), extended service set (ESS), home B node, home evolved B node, transmission and reception point (TRP), or any other suitable term in the relevant field, as long as the same technical effect is achieved. Base stations are not limited to specific technical terms. It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, only base stations in NR systems are used as examples for introduction, and the specific type of base station is not limited.

[0120] Core network equipment may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: core network node, core network function, Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Unified Data Repository (UDR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Centralized Network Configuration (CNC), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Local NEF (or L-NEF), and Binding Support Function (BSF). Functions, application functions (AF), etc. It should be noted that this application embodiment only uses the core network equipment in the NR system as an example for description, and does not limit the specific type of core network equipment. In this document, terminal 11, the first communication device, the terminal, and the UE can be used interchangeably or equivalently.

[0121] In this application, the first network function, exemplified by SMF, can also be at least one of a core network device or an access network device. The second network function, exemplified by PCF, can also be at least one of a core network device or an access network device. The third network function, exemplified by NEF or AF, can also be at least one of a core network device or an access network device. The fourth network function, exemplified by UDM, can also be at least one of a core network device or an access network device. The fifth network function, exemplified by PCF, can also be at least one of a core network device or an access network device.

[0122] In this application, the first terminal device can be at least one of the terminals, or a 5G residential gateway (5G-RG). The second terminal device can be a device that satisfies at least one of the following:

[0123] Non-3GPP equipment;

[0124] Devices that do not support the NAS protocol stack;

[0125] The device connected to the first terminal device; the connection can be wireless or wired, and the connection method is not limited;

[0126] Devices assigned a device ID or Non-3GPP Device Identifier;

[0127] It is the device following the first terminal device;

[0128] It is not at least one of the terminals.

[0129] In this application, the device ID, or Non-3GPP Device Identifier, is defined as follows: The Non-3GPP Device Identifier is a generic string that is bound to a non-3GPP device connected behind the UE or 5G-RG, and is used by the 5G core network to distinguish QoS for traffic from or directed to the non-3GPP device.

[0130] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0131] Embodiments of this application provide a communication method, referring to... Figure 1b As shown, the method is applied to a first network function, and the method includes at least one of the following steps:

[0132] Step 101: Receive the first message.

[0133] Step 102: Send the first request.

[0134] The first piece of information satisfies at least one of the following:

[0135] The first information is used to indicate first device information of one or more second terminal devices that release, interrupt or terminate the connection with the first terminal device; the first information includes at least one of the following: an operation to request first device information of the second terminal device, and the first device information of the second terminal device;

[0136] The first request satisfies at least one of the following:

[0137] The first request is used to request the creation, modification, update or termination of policy and charging control (PCC) rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices; the first request includes at least one of the following: session management policy control creation request, session management policy control update request, and session management policy control deletion request.

[0138] In one implementation, the first network function receives first information through at least one of the following:

[0139] PDU session establishment Request;

[0140] PDU session modification Request;

[0141] Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request, a request to create a session management context for a PDU session;

[0142] Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request, a PDU session update session management context request;

[0143] NAS messages; NAS messages include uplink NAS messages or signaling, or downlink NAS messages or signaling.

[0144] In one implementation, the first network function receives first information from a first terminal device, or from an AMF.

[0145] In one implementation, the first network function sends a first request by at least one of the following; or, the first request includes at least one of the following:

[0146] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Create Request, which controls the generation of session management policies;

[0147] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request, session management policy control update;

[0148] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Delete Request is a session management policy that controls deletion.

[0149] In this embodiment, the first terminal device is a terminal device that establishes a session connection with the core network and uses the communication network services provided by the core network. One or more second terminal devices are devices that access the core network through the first terminal device; that is, one or more second terminal devices cannot directly access the core network. When the first request is used to request the creation of Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices, the first request can be implemented through a session management policy control creation request. When the first request is used to request the modification or update of the PCC rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices, the first request can be implemented through a session management policy control update request. When the first request is used to terminate the PCC rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices, it can be implemented through a session management policy control deletion request. This allows for the reuse of old policies.

[0150] In one implementation, when the first request is used to request modification or update of the PCC rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices, the first request can be implemented by controlling the update request through a session management policy, and the update request may carry at least one of the following:

[0151] First information;

[0152] The second instruction is used to instruct the deletion of the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device.

[0153] In one implementation, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device can be understood as:

[0154] The Non-3GPP Device Identifier or device ID of the second terminal device, and the corresponding PCC rules;

[0155] Alternatively, Non-3GPP Device Identifier or device ID, and the corresponding PCC rule.

[0156] The corresponding PCC rule can be understood as at least one of the following:

[0157] Generate PCC rules based on the Non-3GPP Device Identifier or device ID;

[0158] When generating PCC rules, consider the Non-3GPP Device Identifier or device ID;

[0159] Establish a policy association for the second terminal device, or the Non-3GPP Device Identifier or device ID.

[0160] In one implementation, the first network function may perform at least one of the following:

[0161] When the first network function receives the first information, and the operation of the request for the first device information of the second terminal device in the first information is to modify or update, the first network function sends an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request to the SMF. The Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request carries at least one of the first device information of the second terminal device and a second indication; the second indication is used to indicate that the PCC rule (the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device) is updated or modified.

[0162] When the first network function receives the first information, and the operation of the request for the first device information of the second terminal device in the first information is deletion, the first network function sends an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request to the SMF. The Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request carries at least one of the first device information of the second terminal device and a second indication; the second indication is used to indicate that the PCC rule (the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device) is deleted.

[0163] When the first network function receives the first information, and the operation of the request for the first device information of the second terminal device in the first information is deletion, the first network function sends an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Delete Request to the SMF. The Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Delete Request carries at least one of the first device information of the second terminal device and a second indication; the second indication is used to indicate that the PCC rule (the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device) is deleted.

[0164] When the first network function receives the first information, and the operation of the first device information request for the second terminal device in the first information is to add or create, the first network function sends an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Create Request to the SMF. The Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Create Request carries at least one of the first device information of the second terminal device and a second indication; the second indication is used to indicate whether to add or create a PCC rule (the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device).

[0165] When the first network function receives the first information, and the operation of the first device information request for the second terminal device in the first information is to add or create, the first network function sends an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request to the SMF. The Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request carries at least one of the first device information of the second terminal device and a second indication; the second indication is used to indicate whether to add or create a PCC rule (the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device).

[0166] In some application scenarios, the first network function is a network function node in the core network, which can have service management functions. For example, it can be a Session Management Function (SMF). When the first network function receives the first information, the first information can be the first information uploaded by the first terminal device by other network function nodes in the core network. In this way, the first network function generates a first request based on the received first information and sends the first request to the fifth network function. The fifth network function can be, for example, a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0167] In one embodiment, the first network function generates a second instruction based on the operation of requesting first device information for the second terminal device in the first information, including at least one of the following:

[0168] When the operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is to create, the second instruction is used to indicate whether to add or create a PCC rule (the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device);

[0169] When the operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is to modify or update, the second instruction is used to indicate that the PCC rule (the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device) is updated or modified.

[0170] When the operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is to terminate or delete, the second instruction is used to indicate that the PCC rule (the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device) is deleted or terminated.

[0171] In one implementation, the first request is used to request the creation, modification, update, termination, or deletion of policy and charging control (PCC) rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices.

[0172] In this application, terminating a PCC rule can also be understood as deleting a PCC rule.

[0173] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the second terminal device satisfies at least one of the following:

[0174] Non-3GPP equipment;

[0175] The equipment behind the first terminal device;

[0176] The device connected to the first terminal device;

[0177] Devices that do not support the access layer NAS protocol stack.

[0178] In this embodiment, non-3GPP devices can be devices based on network technologies and standards outside the 3GPP scope, such as wireless communication networks (WiFi), Bluetooth, etc., or tablet computers, etc. The devices behind the first terminal device can be devices such as computers, or at least one of the terminals. Devices connected to the first terminal device can be 3GPP devices, but currently cannot access communication networks; for example, they can be smartphones without data traffic services or smartphones without a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).

[0179] This application focuses on the fact that the device connected to the first terminal device is a non-3GPP device, but other limitations are not excluded.

[0180] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the first terminal device satisfies at least one of the following:

[0181] terminal;

[0182] 5G home gateway.

[0183] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal may be, for example, a smartphone.

[0184] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0185] Identification information of the second terminal device;

[0186] The address information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following: Internet Protocol (IP) address, Ethernet address, and port number.

[0187] In one embodiment, the identification information of the second terminal device may be a device ID or a Non-3GPPDevice Identifier.

[0188] In one embodiment, the address information of the second terminal device may be the IPv4 address or the IPv6 address of the second terminal device.

[0189] In this embodiment, the identification information of the second terminal device is used to uniquely identify the second terminal device, especially when connected to the first terminal device. The second terminal device can be uniquely identified at the first terminal device and in the core network. For example, it can be a number, serial number, name, or a string. In some application scenarios, when the identification information of the second terminal device is a number or serial number, various data formats can be used for identification, such as binary data format, decimal data format, and hexadecimal data format.

[0190] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the operation of requesting first device information for the second terminal device includes at least one of creating, modifying, updating, and deleting.

[0191] In this embodiment, when the requested operation is "create," it indicates that the second terminal device has just connected to the first terminal device. At this time, the purpose of the first terminal device sending the first information is to request the creation of a PCC rule corresponding to the second terminal device in the core network. When the requested operation is "modify" or "update," it indicates that there are adjustments to the relevant information for the second terminal device. Here, it is necessary to synchronously modify the PCC rule for the second terminal device in the core network to ensure the accuracy of the services provided to the second terminal device. When the requested operation is "delete," it indicates that the second terminal device is no longer connected to the first terminal device. At this time, since the second terminal device has disconnected its communication connection with the first terminal device, it can request the core network to delete the PCC rule and other policies of the second terminal device, reducing maintenance and storage resources in the core network and improving resource utilization.

[0192] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the operation of requesting first device information for the second terminal device includes at least one of creating, modifying, updating, and deleting, satisfying at least one of the following:

[0193] When requesting the first device information of the second terminal device, the operation is to instruct the addition or creation of the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device during creation.

[0194] When the operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is to modify or update, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device is instructed to be modified or updated.

[0195] When the operation for requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is deletion, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device is to be deleted.

[0196] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, when the operation of requesting first device information for the second terminal device includes at least one of creating, modifying, updating, and deleting, the method further includes:

[0197] Receive the first response; wherein the first response is the second network function responding to the first request;

[0198] The first response is used to indicate that the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices has been created, modified, updated, or deleted.

[0199] In one implementation, the first response includes at least one of the following:

[0200] The Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Create response is generated to control the session management policy.

[0201] The Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update response is the session management policy control update response.

[0202] The Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Delete response is a session management policy-controlled deletion response.

[0203] In one implementation, the second network function may perform at least one of the following:

[0204] When the second network function receives an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateRequest sent by the first network function, the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request carries at least one of the first device information and the second indication of the second terminal device; the second indication is used to indicate that the PCC rule (the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device) is updated or modified; the second network function updates or modifies the PCC rule according to the second indication and at least one of the first device information of the second terminal device, and sends the updated or modified PCC rule to the first network function through a first response Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Response.

[0205] When the second network function receives an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateRequest sent by the first network function, the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request carries at least one of the first device information and the second indication of the second terminal device; the second indication is used to indicate that the PCC rule (the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device) is deleted; the second network function deletes the PCC rule (the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device) according to the second indication and at least one of the first device information of the second terminal device, and sends it to the first network function through a first response Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Response, in which the PCC rule is indicated to be deleted.

[0206] When the second network function receives an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_DeleteRequest sent by the first network function, the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Delete Request carries at least one of the first device information and the second indication of the second terminal device; the second indication is used to indicate that the PCC rule (the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device) is deleted; the second network function deletes the PCC rule (the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device) according to the second indication and at least one of the first device information of the second terminal device, and sends it to the first network function through a first response Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Delete Response, in which the PCC rule is indicated to be deleted.

[0207] When the second network function receives an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_CreateRequest sent by the first network function, the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_CreateRequest carries at least one of the first device information and the second indication of the second terminal device; the second indication is used to indicate the addition or creation of a PCC rule (the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device); the second network function generates, adds, or creates a PCC rule (the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device) according to the second indication and at least one of the first device information of the second terminal device, and sends it to the first network function through a first response Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Create Response, the first response carrying the generated or created PCC rule.

[0208] When the first network function receives an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateRequest sent by the second network function, the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request carries at least one of the first device information and the second indication of the second terminal device; the second indication is used to indicate the addition or creation of a PCC rule (the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device). Based on the second indication and at least one of the first device information of the second terminal device, the second network function generates, adds, or creates a PCC rule (the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device), and sends it to the first network function through a first response Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Response, which carries the generated or created PCC rule.

[0209] In one implementation, creating a PCC rule can also be understood as generating a PCC rule, creating a PCC rule, or creating a new PCC rule.

[0210] In one implementation, this application uses an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request message (which carries at least one of a first device information and a second indication of a second terminal device) to delete PCC rules corresponding to non-3GPP devices.

[0211] In one embodiment, this application uses an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request message (which carries at least one of a first device information and a second indication of a second terminal device) to create PCC rules for non-3GPP devices.

[0212] In one embodiment, the terminal sends the first device information of the second terminal device to the SMF via an uplink NAS message; the SMF sends an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request to the PCF, the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request carrying the first device information of the second terminal device, and the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request signaling is used to create the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device.

[0213] In this embodiment, after receiving the first request, the second network function forwards the first request to other functions. These other functions then perform corresponding operations based on the first request and feed back to the second network function, so that the second network function can send a first response to the first network function; or the second network function performs corresponding operations based on the first request, generates a first response, and sends the first response to the first network function. For example, when the first network function is an SMF (Software-Defined Function), the second network function is a PCF (Physical-Defined Function). Thus, after processing the PCC rules of the second terminal device in the core network and synchronizing them to the core network, feedback can be sent back to the first terminal device so that when the second terminal device reconnects to the first terminal device, the first terminal device and the core network can manage the relevant policies of the second terminal device again.

[0214] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the first request includes at least first information.

[0215] In this embodiment of the application, the first request further includes at least first information, wherein the first information can be sent by controlling the creation request, updating request, or deletion request through the session management policy, so as to realize the reuse of old requests. In this way, the consumption of request resources can be reduced and the utilization rate of requests can be improved.

[0216] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the first information further includes at least one of the following:

[0217] The range of identifier information that the first terminal device can allocate, the identifier information that the first terminal device can allocate, and the identifier feature forms that the first terminal device can allocate.

[0218] In this embodiment, the range of identifier information that the first terminal device supports allocating represents the range of identifier information that the first terminal device can allocate to represent the accessed second terminal device. For example, if the range of identifier information that the first terminal device supports allocating is 0 to 10, including 0 and 10, it indicates that the first terminal device can select identifier information from 0 to 10 as the identifier information of the accessed second terminal device. The identifier information that the first terminal device supports allocating can be, for example, specific identifier information that the first terminal device supports allocating, such as 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, etc. The identifier feature form that the first terminal device supports allocating can be the naming rule of the identifier information allocated by the first terminal device to the second terminal device. For example, when the identifier information of the second terminal device is a number or serial number, the corresponding identifier feature information that the first terminal device supports allocating at least includes: the byte length of the allocated identifier information, the characteristics of the value of each bit, and the segmentation method, etc.

[0219] This application provides a communication method in which a first network function receives first information and then sends a first request. The first information satisfies at least one of the following: the first information is used to instruct one or more second terminal devices to release, interrupt, or terminate their connection with the first terminal device; the first information includes at least one of the following: an operation requesting the first device information of the second terminal device, and the first device information of the second terminal device; the first request satisfies at least one of the following: the first request is used to request the creation, modification, update, or termination of policies and charging control (PCC) rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices; the first request includes at least one of the following: a session management policy control creation request, a session management policy control update request, and a session management policy control deletion request. In this way, after receiving the first device information of one or more second terminal devices disconnected from the first terminal device, the first network function sends a first request to manage the PCC rules corresponding to the first device information. This solves the problem that currently, after the communication connection between the backend device and the terminal device is broken, the core network side lacks an effective management method for the relevant policies of the backend device. This communication method proposes a way to manage the relevant policies of the backend device on the core network side after the communication connection between the backend device and the terminal device is broken, thus saving resources.

[0220] Based on the foregoing embodiments, this application provides a communication method, referring to... Figure 2 As shown, the method is applied to a first terminal device, and the method includes the following steps:

[0221] Step 201: Send the first message.

[0222] The first piece of information satisfies at least one of the following:

[0223] The first information is used to indicate the first device information of one or more second terminal devices that release, interrupt or terminate the connection with the first terminal device; the first information includes at least one of the following: an operation to request the first device information of the second terminal device, and the first device information of the second terminal device.

[0224] In this embodiment, when a first terminal device detects that one or more second terminal devices have accessed the network, or that one or more connected second terminal devices have disconnected, the first terminal device sends first information to the core network based on the detected information. The first terminal device may send the first information to the core network through a currently accessed base station or network node.

[0225] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the second terminal device satisfies at least one of the following:

[0226] Non-3GPP equipment;

[0227] The equipment behind the first terminal device;

[0228] The device connected to the first terminal device;

[0229] Devices that do not support the access layer NAS protocol stack.

[0230] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the first terminal device satisfies at least one of the following:

[0231] terminal;

[0232] 5G home gateway.

[0233] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0234] Identification information of the second terminal device;

[0235] The address information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following: Internet Protocol (IP) address, Ethernet address, and port number.

[0236] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the operation of requesting first device information for the second terminal device includes at least one of creating, modifying, updating, and deleting.

[0237] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the operation of requesting first device information for the second terminal device includes at least one of creating, modifying, updating, and deleting, satisfying at least one of the following:

[0238] When requesting the first device information of the second terminal device, the operation is to instruct the addition or creation of the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device during creation.

[0239] When the operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is to modify or update, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device is instructed to be modified or updated.

[0240] When the operation for requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is deletion, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device is to be deleted.

[0241] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, when the operation of requesting first device information for the second terminal device includes at least one of creating, modifying, updating, and deleting, the method further includes:

[0242] Receive a second response; wherein the second response is used to indicate that the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices has been created, modified, updated or deleted.

[0243] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the first information further includes at least one of the following:

[0244] The range of device identifier information that the first terminal device can be assigned, the device identifier information that the first terminal device can be assigned, and the device identifier feature form that the first terminal device can be assigned.

[0245] It should be noted that the explanation of the same steps or concepts in this embodiment as in other embodiments can be found in the descriptions in other embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0246] This application provides a communication method in which a first terminal device sends first information. The first information satisfies at least one of the following: the first information is used to instruct one or more second terminal devices to release, interrupt, or terminate their connection with the first terminal device, and the first information includes at least one of the following: an operation requesting the first device information of the second terminal device, and the first device information of the second terminal device. In this way, the first terminal device sends the first information to a core network including a first network function, so that the first network function manages the PCC rules of the corresponding second terminal device according to the received first information. This solves the problem that currently, after the communication connection between the backend device and the terminal device is broken, the core network side lacks an effective management method for the relevant policies of the backend device. A communication method is proposed to realize the management of the relevant policies of the backend device by the core network side after the communication connection between the backend device and the terminal device is broken, thus saving resources.

[0247] Based on the foregoing embodiments, this application provides a communication method, referring to... Figure 3 As shown, the method is applied to a third network function, and the method includes at least one of the following steps:

[0248] Step 301: Receive the second information.

[0249] Step 302: Send the second request.

[0250] Step 303: Receive first device information from one or more second terminal devices.

[0251] The second information is used to indicate the second device information of the first terminal device;

[0252] The second request satisfies at least one of the following:

[0253] The second request is used to request first device information of one or more second terminal devices connected to or associated with the first terminal device;

[0254] The second request includes at least the second information.

[0255] In this embodiment, the third network function can be a network function in the core network used to provide services to external applications or services, such as a Network Exposure Function (NEF) or an Application Function (AF). In this case, the third network function receives second device information of the first terminal device sent by the Application Function (AF), and requests to obtain first device information of all second terminal devices connected to or associated with the first terminal device from the communication core network. This allows for rapid service provision to the corresponding second terminal devices in subsequent service provision. One implementation process involves the NEF receiving the second information sent by the AF, then sending a first request to a network function storing first device information of one or more second terminal devices, such as a Unified Data Management (UDM), to request the acquisition of first device information of one or more second terminal devices. After acquiring the first device information of one or more second terminal devices, the NEF sends the first device information of one or more second terminal devices to the AF.

[0256] In some application scenarios, the third network function can also be AF. After receiving the second information sent by the application, AF sends a second request to NEF. In this way, after NEF obtains the first device information of one or more corresponding second terminal devices, it sends the first device information of one or more second terminal devices to the corresponding application.

[0257] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the second device information of the first terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0258] Common Public User Identifier (GPSI), Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI), Internet Protocol IP address, Ethernet address, and port number.

[0259] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0260] Identification information of the second terminal device;

[0261] The address information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following: Internet Protocol (IP) address, Ethernet address, and port number.

[0262] It should be noted that the explanation of the same steps or concepts in this embodiment as in other embodiments can be found in the descriptions in other embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0263] This application provides a communication method in which a third network function, such as NEF or AF, can request first device information of one or more second terminal devices connected to or associated with a first terminal device from at least one of the core network devices. The third network function requests the first device information of one or more second terminal devices connected to or associated with the first terminal device by providing at least one of the identification information and address information of the first terminal device. Thus, the third network function can perceive the identification or address information of all or some of the second terminal devices connected to the first terminal device.

[0264] Based on the foregoing embodiments, this application provides a communication method applied to a fourth network function, referring to... Figure 4 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0265] Step 401: Receive the second request.

[0266] Step 402: Send the first device information of one or more second terminal devices.

[0267] The second request satisfies at least one of the following:

[0268] The second request is used to request first device information of one or more second terminal devices connected to or associated with the first terminal device;

[0269] The second request includes at least second device information, or second information, for instructing the first terminal device.

[0270] In one application scenario, after receiving the second request, the fourth network function obtains the first device information of one or more second devices corresponding to the first terminal device in the second request, and sends the first device information of one or more second devices to the third network function.

[0271] In one application scenario, the second request may also include second device information of the first terminal device, a request to register the first terminal device, or a request to allocate first device information of one or more second terminal devices that the first terminal device can allocate. After receiving the second request, the fourth network function can respond to the second request and allocate first device information of one or more second terminal devices that it can allocate to connected terminal devices to the first terminal device. For example, the fourth network function may be a UDM.

[0272] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the first terminal device satisfies at least one of the following:

[0273] terminal;

[0274] 5G home gateway.

[0275] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0276] Identification information of the second terminal device;

[0277] The address information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following: Internet Protocol (IP) address, Ethernet address, and port number.

[0278] It should be noted that the explanation of the same steps or concepts in this embodiment as in other embodiments can be found in the descriptions in other embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0279] This application provides a communication method in which a fourth network function, such as UDM or UDR, provides a third network function with first device information of one or more second terminal devices connected to or associated with a first terminal device. The third network function requests the first device information of one or more second terminal devices connected to or associated with the first terminal device by providing at least one of the identification information and address information of the first terminal device.

[0280] The fourth network function can locally store the mapping relationship between the second device information of the first terminal device and the first device information of the second terminal device. For example, the mapping relationship between the SUPI or GPSI of the first terminal device and the device ID or Non-3GPP device ID of the second terminal device. When the third network function provides the SUPI or GPSI, the fourth network function provides the corresponding device ID or Non-3GPP device ID to the third network function. By storing such a mapping relationship, the fourth network function can provide identification or address information of all or some of the second terminal devices connected to the first terminal device to other core network devices.

[0281] Based on the foregoing embodiments, this application provides a communication method applied to a fifth network function, referring to... Figure 5 As shown, the method includes:

[0282] Step 501: Receive the first request.

[0283] Step 502: Perform the operation corresponding to the first request on the PCC rule.

[0284] Step 503: Send the second response.

[0285] The first request satisfies at least one of the following:

[0286] The first request is used to request the creation, modification, update, or termination of PCC rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices; the first request includes at least one of the following: session management policy control creation request, session management policy control update request, and session management policy control deletion request;

[0287] The second response is used to indicate that the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices has been created, modified, updated, or deleted.

[0288] In this embodiment of the application, after receiving the first request sent by the first network function, the fifth network function responds to the first request, determines the corresponding PCC rule based on the first request, then executes the operation indicated in the first request, and after completing the corresponding operation, sends a second response to the first network function to indicate that the corresponding operation has been completed. Furthermore, the network function communicating with the first terminal device can also notify the first terminal device that the corresponding PCC rule has been deleted, so that the first terminal device can reassign the corresponding identification information and perform other processing in the future.

[0289] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0290] Identification information of the second terminal device;

[0291] The address information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following: Internet Protocol (IP) address, Ethernet address, and port number.

[0292] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the first request further includes: first information; the first information is used to indicate first device information of one or more second terminal devices that release, interrupt or terminate the connection with the first terminal device.

[0293] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of this application, the operation of requesting first device information for the second terminal device includes: when creating, modifying, updating, and deleting at least one of these operations, performing the operation corresponding to the first request on the PCC rule, including:

[0294] The operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is to add or create the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device during creation.

[0295] When the operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is to modify or update, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device shall be modified or updated.

[0296] When the operation for requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is deletion, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device is deleted.

[0297] It should be noted that the explanation of the same steps or concepts in this embodiment as in other embodiments can be found in the descriptions in other embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0298] This application provides a communication method in which a first request is received through a fifth network function, and after performing the operation corresponding to the first request on the PCC rule, a second response is sent. The first request satisfies at least one of the following: the first request is used to request the creation, modification, update, or termination of PCC rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices; the first request includes at least one of the following: a session management policy control creation request, a session management policy control update request, or a session management policy control deletion request; the second response is used to indicate that the PCC rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices are created, modified, updated, or deleted. In this way, the fifth network function manages the PCC rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices based on the first request, solving the problem that there is currently no effective management method for the relevant policies of the backend devices on the core network side after the communication connection between the backend devices and the terminal devices is broken. This method proposes a communication method to realize the management of the relevant policies of the backend devices on the core network side after the communication connection between the backend devices and the terminal devices is broken, thus saving resources.

[0299] Based on the foregoing embodiments, this application provides an application scenario for an embodiment of a communication method, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the system includes a 5G residential gateway (RG) A and multiple backend devices B connected to the 5G gateway. The 5G gateway accesses the 5G GC D through a network access node C, such as a Wireline Access Gateway Function (W-AGF) / Next-Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN). Taking a UE as the first terminal device and a device as the second terminal device as an example, when the UE releases the connection with the device or the connection is interrupted, the UE carries a connection release identifier (referred to as the device ID) and an indication message in a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message. The indication message indicates that the device ID has been released or reclaimed. The network deletes the PCC rule corresponding to the device ID based on the device ID. The specific implementation process can be described as follows: Figure 7 As shown, the specific steps include:

[0300] Step a11: The UE is disconnected from the device.

[0301] The disconnection between the UE and the device can mean that the connection between the UE and the device is released, or that the device is no longer connected to the UE.

[0302] Step a12: The UE sends a request to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0303] The request can be a session modification request or a session establishment request, and it carries the first piece of information. Specifically, the request corresponds to the aforementioned first request. When the request is a session modification request, it serves two purposes: firstly, to report the identifier of the device that has lost or released its connection; and secondly, to instruct the network side to delete the PCC rule and other rules corresponding to that device ID.

[0304] The first information includes at least one of the following:

[0305] The first information includes at least one of the following: device ID; a first indication indicating the release of the association between the device corresponding to the device ID and the UE; and a device address, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address or port number. Thus, in some application scenarios, when the UE carries an additional first indication, it indicates that the device corresponding to that device ID is releasing its connection with the UE; if the UE does not carry an additional first indication, it indicates that the UE is establishing a connection with that device. The UE can carry multiple device IDs to indicate the termination of multiple PCC rules. In some application scenarios, if the UE only carries the device ID and not the device address in the NAS message, it can be considered that the PCC rule corresponding to that device ID is being released. In this case, the device corresponding to the device ID is associated with the UE, i.e., a communication connection is established. In some application scenarios, the UE carries both the device ID and a first indication to indicate the operation to be performed on the rule corresponding to the device ID. For example, the first indication could be "Request device ID operation," indicating an operation to be performed on the rule corresponding to the device ID, such as adding or deleting a device ID. In other words, at the AMF, a trigger condition is set. When the first piece of information detected meets the above conditions, some rules corresponding to the device ID will be terminated in the communication core network.

[0306] In some application scenarios, the UE can also modify some information of the attached device and report at least one of the following through NAS messages: source device ID, destination device ID, IP and port number corresponding to the source device ID, destination IP and port number corresponding to the new ID of the device, etc.

[0307] It should be noted that after the AMF receives the device ID and the corresponding first instruction, the AMF can remove the device ID from the list. This list is used to record the device IDs connected to the UE. When a device connection is released, the AMF needs to maintain the corresponding list.

[0308] Step a13: AMF sends a request to SMF. The request includes the first piece of information.

[0309] Step a14: Based on the first information carried in the request, SMF determines that the PCC rule corresponding to the device ID needs to be deleted.

[0310] Step a15: The SMF sends a policy association termination or deletion request to the PCF, carrying the device ID, a second instruction, or the first information in the request. Alternatively, the SMF can send a policy association modification or update request to the PCF, carrying the device ID, a second instruction, or the first information in the request.

[0311] Step a16: PCF determines the PCC rule corresponding to the device ID to be removed based on the first information indicated in the received policy association termination or deletion request.

[0312] The PCC rule refers to the set of packet inspection rules, packet forwarding rules, packet mapping quality of service (QoS) rules, etc., that correspond to the device ID in the UPF.

[0313] Step a17: PCF sends a response, requesting SMF to remove the PCC rule corresponding to the device ID.

[0314] Step a18: Remove the PCC rule corresponding to the device ID from the SMF.

[0315] Step a19: SMF sends a delete response to AMF.

[0316] Step a20: The AMF sends an acknowledgment character (ACK) to the UE, indicating that the PCC rule corresponding to the UE device ID has been deleted.

[0317] In this way, when the UE releases the connection with a certain device, it can release the network-side resources corresponding to the allocated device ID, mainly the PCC rule, thus realizing the release of some PCC rules.

[0318] Based on the foregoing embodiments, this application provides an application embodiment of a communication method. Specifically, during the registration phase, the terminal can send the range of device IDs it supports for allocation, such as a string range, to the 5GC. Based on the device ID type or ID range that the terminal can generate, a UE Route Selection Policy (URSP) rule is generated. The 5GC can send the device ID or ID range to the AF through event exposure capabilities for the AF to perform URSP guidance. The specific implementation process can be found in [reference needed]. Figures 8-10 To achieve this. For example... Figure 8 The diagram shows the UE registration process, which can be performed before step a11 to obtain the device ID that can be assigned to it. The specific implementation steps are as follows:

[0319] Step b11: The UE sends a registration request to the AMF through the base station (RAN).

[0320] The registration request carries at least one of the following information: the range of device IDs assigned to the UE; the specific value of the device ID assigned to the UE; and the type of the device ID assigned to the UE. This type mainly includes: the word length of the assigned device ID, the characteristics of each bit value, and the segmentation method. By sending this information to 5GC, 5GC can determine the specific value and type of the device ID assigned to the terminal, which can assist in generating URSP rules, etc.

[0321] Step b12: The AMF can send the relevant information of the device ID assigned to the UE to the UDM. The UDM can generate the following information based on the relevant information of the device ID assigned to the UE: configuration information of the new device ID, that is, the 5GC can adjust the type, fields, length, specific values, etc. of the device ID assigned to the UE.

[0322] For example, if the device ID assigned by the UE is the string: AAA, BBB, the corresponding 5GC can be adjusted to: CCC, DDD, so that the UE will only assign CCC, DDD to the device.

[0323] In some application scenarios, the registration request can also carry only the UE's device information, and then the UDM can assign the relevant information of device ID to the UE.

[0324] Step b13: UDM provides feedback on the device ID assigned to the UE.

[0325] Step b14: The AMF can send the relevant information about the device ID assigned to the UE by the UDM through registration acceptance to the UE.

[0326] Correspondingly, such as Figure 9 The diagram illustrates the UE policy association process, which includes at least the following steps:

[0327] Step c11: The AMF provides the PCF with information about the device ID assigned to the UE.

[0328] This step can be achieved by creating a request using a session policy (Npcf_UEPolicyControl_Createrequest).

[0329] The device ID information includes at least one of the following:

[0330] The range of device IDs assigned to the UE;

[0331] The specific value of the device ID assigned to the UE;

[0332] The type of device ID assigned by the UE mainly includes: the word length of the assigned device ID, the characteristics of the value of each bit, the segmentation method, etc.

[0333] Step c12: PCF generates URSP rules based on the information related to the received and sent device ID.

[0334] For example, when the UE reports the device ID of AAA, the URSP rule can contain a rule that uses AAA as the traffic descriptor.

[0335] It should be noted that PCF can also generate new device ID configuration information here, that is, 5GC can adjust the type, fields, length, and specific values ​​of the device ID assigned to the UE.

[0336] Step c13: The AMF sends the new device ID-related configuration information, or URSP rule, to the UE through the User Context Update process (UCU).

[0337] Correspondingly, such as Figure 10 The diagram illustrates one implementation process for device ID event exposure, which includes the following steps:

[0338] Step d11: AF can send a subscription request to NEF.

[0339] The subscription request is used to obtain the device ID of all or part of the non-3GPP devices connected to the terminal. The subscription request may include the UE's GPSI, UE IP address, or UE port number. The UE IP address or UE port number can be a public network or a private network; if it is a public network, the 5GC is responsible for mapping it to a private network. For example, the 5GC will map a public IP address to a private IP address.

[0340] Step d12: NEF sends a device ID retrieval request to UDM. The request is used to retrieve the device IDs of all or part of the non-3GPP devices connected to the terminal. The request includes the UE's GPSI, UE IP address, or UE port number.

[0341] Step d13: UDM sends the acquired device ID information to NEF. Here, device ID is the identifier of all or part of the non-3GPP devices connected to the terminal (UE SUPI or UE GPSI). There may be at least one device ID, or none at all. If there is no device ID, it means that there are currently no other non-3GPP devices connected to the terminal.

[0342] Step d14: NEF sends the device ID information sent by UDM to AF.

[0343] In this process, UDM can also be replaced by UDR, or at least one of other core network devices.

[0344] During this process, NEF can map internal network device IDs to external device IDs. For security reasons, device IDs usable within the 5GC are called internal device IDs; those usable outside the 5GC are called external device IDs.

[0345] Correspondingly, in one implementation, it can be done through the SA6 application layer:

[0346] In one approach, the UE or UE client sends the device ID and the corresponding assigned internal IP and port number to the server.

[0347] In another approach, the server sends a request to the UE or UE client, asking the UE or UE client to send the device ID and the corresponding assigned internal IP and port number to the server.

[0348] In this way, after the device and UE release the connection, all network resources allocated to the device are released, which effectively saves network resources. Furthermore, the network side can know the device ID that the UE can be assigned at the registration node, so as to manage the rules corresponding to the device ID that the UE can be assigned. In addition, it also enables the AF to know the device ID that the UE can be assigned in advance, thereby enabling the generation of URSP rules.

[0349] Based on the foregoing embodiments, embodiments of this application provide a first communication device, which can be applied to... Figure 1b In the communication method provided in the corresponding embodiment, refer to Figure 11 As shown, the first communication device 6 may include: a first receiving unit 61 and a first transmitting unit 62; wherein:

[0350] The first receiving unit 61 is used to receive the first information;

[0351] The first sending unit 62 is used to send the first request;

[0352] The first piece of information satisfies at least one of the following:

[0353] The first information is used to indicate first device information of one or more second terminal devices that release, interrupt or terminate the connection with the first terminal device; the first information includes at least one of the following: an operation to request first device information of the second terminal device, and the first device information of the second terminal device;

[0354] The first request satisfies at least one of the following:

[0355] The first request is used to request the creation, modification, update or termination of policy and charging control (PCC) rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices; the first request includes at least one of the following: session management policy control creation request, session management policy control update request, and session management policy control deletion request.

[0356] In other embodiments of this application, the second terminal device satisfies at least one of the following:

[0357] Non-3GPP equipment;

[0358] The equipment behind the first terminal device;

[0359] The device connected to the first terminal device;

[0360] Devices that do not support the access layer NAS protocol stack.

[0361] In other embodiments of this application, the first terminal device satisfies at least one of the following:

[0362] terminal;

[0363] 5G home gateway.

[0364] In other embodiments of this application, the first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0365] Identification information of the second terminal device;

[0366] The address information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following: Internet Protocol (IP) address, Ethernet address, and port number.

[0367] In other embodiments of this application, the operation of requesting first device information for the second terminal device includes at least one of creating, modifying, updating, and deleting.

[0368] In other embodiments of this application, the operation of requesting first device information for the second terminal device includes at least one of creating, modifying, updating, and deleting, satisfying at least one of the following:

[0369] When requesting the first device information of the second terminal device, the operation is to instruct the addition or creation of the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device during creation.

[0370] When the operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is to modify or update, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device is instructed to be modified or updated.

[0371] When the operation for requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is deletion, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device is to be deleted.

[0372] In other embodiments of this application, the operation of requesting first device information for the second terminal device includes: creating, modifying, updating, and deleting at least one of these operations.

[0373] The first receiving unit is also configured to receive a first response; wherein the first response is a second network function response to a first request;

[0374] The first response is used to indicate that the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices has been created, modified, updated, or deleted.

[0375] In other embodiments of this application, the first request includes at least first information.

[0376] In other embodiments of this application, the first information further includes at least one of the following:

[0377] The range of identifier information that the first terminal device can allocate, the identifier information that the first terminal device can allocate, and the identifier feature forms that the first terminal device can allocate.

[0378] It should be noted that the process of information interaction between units and modules in this embodiment can be referred to the description in other embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0379] The first communication device provided in this application embodiment receives first information through a first network function and then sends a first request. The first information satisfies at least one of the following: the first information is used to instruct one or more second terminal devices to release, interrupt, or terminate their connection with the first terminal device; the first information includes at least one of the following: an operation requesting the first device information of the second terminal device, and the first device information of the second terminal device; the first request satisfies at least one of the following: the first request is used to request the creation, modification, update, or termination of policies and charging control (PCC) rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices; the first request includes at least one of the following: a session management policy control creation request, a session management policy control update request, and a session management policy control deletion request. Thus, after receiving the first device information of one or more second terminal devices disconnected from the first terminal device, the first network function sends a first request to manage the PCC rules corresponding to the first device information. This solves the problem that currently, after the communication connection between the backend device and the terminal device is broken, the core network side lacks an effective management method for the relevant policies of the backend device. A communication method is proposed to realize the management of the relevant policies of the backend device by the core network side after the communication connection between the backend device and the terminal device is broken, saving resources.

[0380] Based on the foregoing embodiments, embodiments of this application provide a second communication device, which can be applied to... Figure 2 In the communication method provided in the corresponding embodiment, the device is applied to a first terminal device, as shown in the following example. Figure 12 As shown, the second communication device 7 includes: a second transmitting unit 71; wherein:

[0381] The second transmitting unit is used to transmit the first information;

[0382] The first piece of information satisfies at least one of the following:

[0383] The first information is used to indicate the first device information of one or more second terminal devices that release, interrupt or terminate the connection with the first terminal device; the first information includes at least one of the following: an operation to request the first device information of the second terminal device, and the first device information of the second terminal device.

[0384] In other embodiments of this application, the second terminal device satisfies at least one of the following:

[0385] Non-3GPP equipment;

[0386] The equipment behind the first terminal device;

[0387] The device connected to the first terminal device;

[0388] Devices that do not support the access layer NAS protocol stack.

[0389] In other embodiments of this application, the first terminal device satisfies at least one of the following:

[0390] terminal;

[0391] 5G home gateway.

[0392] In other embodiments of this application, the first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0393] Identification information of the second terminal device;

[0394] The address information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following: Internet Protocol (IP) address, Ethernet address, and port number.

[0395] In other embodiments of this application, the operation of requesting first device information for the second terminal device includes at least one of creating, modifying, updating, and deleting.

[0396] In other embodiments of this application, the operation of requesting first device information for the second terminal device includes at least one of creating, modifying, updating, and deleting, satisfying at least one of the following:

[0397] When requesting the first device information of the second terminal device, the operation is to instruct the addition or creation of the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device during creation.

[0398] When the operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is to modify or update, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device is instructed to be modified or updated.

[0399] When the operation for requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is deletion, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device is to be deleted.

[0400] In other embodiments of this application, when the operation of requesting first device information for the second terminal device includes at least one of creating, modifying, updating, and deleting, the apparatus further includes a fifth receiving unit; wherein:

[0401] The fifth receiving unit is used to receive a second response; wherein the second response is used to indicate that the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices has been created, modified, updated or deleted.

[0402] In other embodiments of this application, the first information further includes at least one of the following:

[0403] The range of device identifier information that the first terminal device can be assigned, the device identifier information that the first terminal device can be assigned, and the device identifier feature form that the first terminal device can be assigned.

[0404] It should be noted that the process of information interaction between units and modules in this embodiment can be referred to the description in other embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0405] The second communication device provided in this application embodiment sends first information through a first terminal device. The first information satisfies at least one of the following: the first information is used to instruct one or more second terminal devices to release, interrupt, or terminate their connection with the first terminal device to provide first device information; the first information includes at least one of the following: an operation requesting first device information from the second terminal device, and the first device information of the second terminal device. In this way, the first terminal device sends the first information to the core network including the first network function, so that the first network function manages the PCC rules of the corresponding second terminal device according to the received first information. This solves the problem that currently, after the communication connection between the backend device and the terminal device is broken, the core network side lacks an effective management method for the relevant policies of the backend device. A communication method is proposed to realize the management of the relevant policies of the backend device by the core network side after the communication connection between the backend device and the terminal device is broken, thus saving resources.

[0406] Based on the foregoing embodiments, embodiments of this application provide a third communication device, which can be applied to... Figure 3 In the communication method provided in the corresponding embodiment, the device is applied to a third network function, as shown in the reference. Figure 13 As shown, the third communication device 8 includes at least one of the following: a second receiving unit 81 and a third transmitting unit 82; wherein:

[0407] The second receiving unit is used to receive the second information;

[0408] The third sending unit is used to send the second request;

[0409] The second receiving unit is used to receive first device information from one or more second terminal devices;

[0410] The second information is used to indicate the second device information of the first terminal device;

[0411] The second request satisfies at least one of the following:

[0412] The second request is used to request first device information of one or more second terminal devices connected to or associated with the first terminal device;

[0413] The second request includes at least the second information.

[0414] Receive the second message;

[0415] Send a second request;

[0416] Receive first device information from one or more second terminal devices;

[0417] The second information is used to indicate the second device information of the first terminal device;

[0418] The second request satisfies at least one of the following:

[0419] The second request is used to request first device information of one or more second terminal devices connected to or associated with the first terminal device;

[0420] The second request includes at least the second information.

[0421] In other embodiments of this application, the second device information of the first terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0422] General Public User Identifier (GPSI), Internet Protocol (IP) address, Ethernet address, and port number.

[0423] In other embodiments of this application, the first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0424] Identification information of the second terminal device;

[0425] The address information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following: Internet Protocol (IP) address, Ethernet address, and port number.

[0426] It should be noted that the process of information interaction between units and modules in this embodiment can be referred to the description in other embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0427] This application provides a third communication device that sends first information through a third network function. The first information satisfies at least one of the following: the first information is used to instruct one or more second terminal devices to release, interrupt, or terminate their connection with the first terminal device, and includes at least one of the following: an operation requesting the first device information of the second terminal device, and the first device information of the second terminal device. In this way, the first terminal device sends the first information to the core network including the first network function, so that the first network function manages the PCC rules of the corresponding second terminal device according to the received first information. This solves the problem that currently, after the communication connection between the backend device and the terminal device is broken, the core network side lacks an effective management method for the relevant policies of the backend device. A communication method is proposed to realize the management of the relevant policies of the backend device by the core network side after the communication connection between the backend device and the terminal device is broken, thus saving resources.

[0428] Based on the foregoing embodiments, embodiments of this application provide a fourth communication device, which can be applied to... Figure 4 In the communication method provided in the corresponding embodiment, the device is applied to the fourth network function, as shown in the reference. Figure 14 As shown, the fourth communication device 9 includes at least one of the following: a third receiving unit 91 and a fourth transmitting unit 92; wherein:

[0429] The third receiving unit 91 is used to receive the second request;

[0430] The fourth sending unit 92 is used to send first device information of one or more second terminal devices;

[0431] The second request satisfies at least one of the following:

[0432] The second request is used to request first device information of one or more second terminal devices connected to or associated with the first terminal device;

[0433] The second request includes at least second information for indicating second device information of the first terminal device.

[0434] In other embodiments of this application, the first terminal device satisfies at least one of the following:

[0435] terminal;

[0436] 5G home gateway.

[0437] In other embodiments of this application, the first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0438] Identification information of the second terminal device;

[0439] The address information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following: Internet Protocol (IP) address, Ethernet address, and port number.

[0440] It should be noted that the process of information interaction between units and modules in this embodiment can be referred to the description in other embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0441] The fourth communication device provided in this application embodiment receives a second request through a fourth network function and sends first device information of one or more second terminal devices. The second request satisfies at least one of the following: the second request is used to request the first device information of one or more second terminal devices connected or associated with the first terminal device; the second request includes at least second information for indicating the second device information of the first terminal device. Thus, after receiving the first device information of one or more second terminal devices connected or associated with the first terminal device, the fourth network function allocates first device information to one or more second terminal devices so that subsequent management of corresponding PCC rules can be performed based on the first device information of one or more second terminal devices. This solves the problem that currently, when the communication connection between the backend device and the terminal device is broken, the core network side lacks an effective management method for the relevant policies of the backend device. A communication method is proposed to realize the management of the relevant policies of the backend device by the core network side after the communication connection between the backend device and the terminal device is broken, saving resources.

[0442] Based on the foregoing embodiments, embodiments of this application provide a fifth communication device, which can be applied to... Figure 5 In the communication method provided in the corresponding embodiment, the device is applied to the fifth network function, as shown in the reference. Figure 15 As shown, the fifth communication device 10 includes at least one of the following: a fourth receiving unit 1001, an execution unit 1002, and a fifth transmitting unit 1003; wherein:

[0443] The fourth receiving unit 1001 is used to receive the first request;

[0444] Execution unit 1002 is used to perform the operation corresponding to the first request on the PCC rule;

[0445] The fifth sending unit 1003 is used to send the second response;

[0446] The first request satisfies at least one of the following:

[0447] The first request is used to request the creation, modification, update, or termination of PCC rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices; the first request includes at least one of the following: session management policy control creation request, session management policy control update request, and session management policy control deletion request;

[0448] The second response is used to indicate that the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices has been created, modified, updated, or deleted.

[0449] In other embodiments of this application, the first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0450] Identification information of the second terminal device;

[0451] The address information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following: Internet Protocol (IP) address, Ethernet address, and port number.

[0452] In other embodiments of this application, the first request further includes: first information; the first information is used to indicate first device information of one or more second terminal devices that release, interrupt or terminate the connection with the first terminal device.

[0453] In other embodiments of this application, when the operation of requesting first device information for the second terminal device includes at least one of creating, modifying, updating, and deleting, the execution unit is specifically used to implement the following steps:

[0454] The operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is to add or create the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device during creation.

[0455] When the operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is to modify or update, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device shall be modified or updated.

[0456] When the operation for requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is deletion, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device is deleted.

[0457] It should be noted that the process of information interaction between units and modules in this embodiment can be referred to the description in other embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0458] The fifth communication device provided in this application embodiment receives a first request through a fifth network function, executes the operation corresponding to the first request on the PCC rule, and then sends a second response. The first request satisfies at least one of the following: the first request is used to request the creation, modification, update, or termination of PCC rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices; the first request includes at least one of the following: a session management policy control creation request, a session management policy control update request, or a session management policy control deletion request; the second response is used to indicate that the PCC rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices are created, modified, updated, or deleted. In this way, the fifth network function manages the PCC rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices based on the first request, solving the problem that there is currently no effective management method for the relevant policies of the backend devices on the core network side after the communication connection between the backend devices and the terminal devices is broken. This invention proposes a communication method to realize the management of the relevant policies of the backend devices on the core network side after the communication connection between the backend devices and the terminal devices is broken, thus saving resources.

[0459] Based on the foregoing embodiments, embodiments of this application provide a first network function, which can be applied to... Figure 1b In the communication method provided in the corresponding embodiment, refer to Figure 16 As shown, the first network function 110 may include: a first communication interface 1101, a first memory 1102, a first processor 1103, and a first communication bus 1104; wherein:

[0460] The first memory 1102 is used to store executable information;

[0461] The first communication bus 1104 is used to realize the communication connection between the first communication interface 1101, the first processor 1103 and the first memory 1102;

[0462] The first processor 1103 is used to execute the communication program stored in the first memory 1102, and to implement, for example... Figure 1b The implementation process of the communication method provided in the corresponding embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0463] Based on the foregoing embodiments, embodiments of this application provide a first terminal device, which can be applied to... Figure 2 In the communication method provided in the corresponding embodiment, refer to Figure 17 As shown, the first terminal device 120 may include: a second communication interface 1201, a second memory 1202, a second processor 1203, and a second communication bus 1204; wherein:

[0464] The second memory 1202 is used to store executable information;

[0465] The second communication bus 1204 is used to realize the communication connection between the second communication interface 1201, the second processor 1203 and the second memory 1202.

[0466] The second processor 1203 is used to execute the communication program stored in the second memory 1202, and to implement, for example... Figure 2 The implementation process of the communication method provided in the corresponding embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0467] Based on the foregoing embodiments, embodiments of this application provide a third network function that can be applied to... Figure 3 In the communication method provided in the corresponding embodiment, refer to Figure 18 As shown, the third network function 130 may include: a third communication interface 1301, a third memory 1302, a third processor 1303, and a third communication bus 1304; wherein:

[0468] The third memory 1301 is used to store executable information;

[0469] The third communication bus 1304 is used to realize the communication connection between the third communication interface 1301, the third processor 1303 and the third memory 1302;

[0470] The third processor 1303 is used to execute the communication program stored in the third memory 1302, and to implement, for example... Figure 3 The implementation process of the communication method provided in the corresponding embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0471] Based on the foregoing embodiments, embodiments of this application provide a fourth network function, which can be applied to... Figure 4 In the communication method provided in the corresponding embodiment, refer to Figure 19 As shown, the fourth network function 140 may include: a fourth communication interface 1401, a fourth memory 1402, a fourth processor 1403, and a fourth communication bus 1404; wherein:

[0472] The fourth memory 1401 is used to store executable information;

[0473] The fourth communication bus 1404 is used to realize the communication connection between the fourth communication interface 1401, the fourth processor 1403 and the fourth memory 1402.

[0474] The fourth processor 1403 is used to execute the communication program stored in the fourth memory 1402, and to implement, for example... Figure 4 The implementation process of the communication method provided in the corresponding embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0475] Based on the foregoing embodiments, embodiments of this application provide a fifth network function, which can be applied to... Figure 5 In the communication method provided in the corresponding embodiment, refer to Figure 20 As shown, the fifth network function 150 may include: a fifth communication interface 1501, a fifth memory 1502, a fifth processor 1503, and a fifth communication bus 1504; wherein:

[0476] The fifth memory, 1501, is used to store executable information;

[0477] The fifth communication bus 1504 is used to realize the communication connection between the fifth communication interface 1501, the fifth processor 1503 and the fifth memory 1502;

[0478] The fifth processor 1503 is used to execute the communication program stored in the fifth memory 1502, and to implement, for example... Figure 5 The implementation process of the communication method provided in the corresponding embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0479] Based on the foregoing embodiments, the embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium, hereinafter referred to as a storage medium, which stores one or more programs that can be executed by one or more processors to implement the communication method provided in the embodiments corresponding to FIG1 to FIG4, which will not be described again here.

[0480] Based on the foregoing embodiments, this application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program that can be executed by a processor of a first network function, a processor of a first terminal device, a processor of a third network function, a processor of a fourth network function, or a processor of a fifth network function to complete any of the foregoing method steps.

[0481] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of hardware embodiments, software embodiments, or embodiments combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage and optical storage) containing computer-usable program code.

[0482] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this application. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowchart illustrations and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0483] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0484] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0485] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first network function, and the method includes at least one of the following: Receive the first message; Send the first request; The first information satisfies at least one of the following: The first information is used to indicate first device information of one or more second terminal devices that release, interrupt, or terminate the connection with the first terminal device; the first information includes at least one of the following: an operation to request first device information of the second terminal device, and the first device information of the second terminal device; The first request satisfies at least one of the following: The first request is used to request the creation, modification, update or termination of policy and charging control (PCC) rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices; the first request includes at least one of the following: session management policy control creation request, session management policy control update request, and session management policy control deletion request.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second terminal device satisfies at least one of the following: Non-3GPP equipment; The equipment behind the first terminal device; The device connected to the first terminal device; Devices that do not support the access layer NAS protocol stack.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first terminal device satisfies at least one of the following: terminal; 5G home gateway.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following: The identification information of the second terminal device; The address information of the second terminal device; wherein the address information includes at least one of the following: Internet Protocol (IP) address, Ethernet address, and port number.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of creating, modifying, updating, and deleting.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of creating, modifying, updating, and deleting, satisfying at least one of the following: When the operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is to create, it instructs to add or create the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device. When the operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is to modify or update, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device is instructed to be modified or updated. When the operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is deletion, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device is instructed to be deleted.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device includes: when creating, modifying, updating, and deleting at least one of these operations, the method further includes: Receive a first response; wherein the first response is a second network function response to the first request; The first response is used to indicate that the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices is created, modified, updated or deleted.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first request includes at least the first information.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information also includes at least one of the following: The first terminal device supports the allocation of the range of identification information, the first terminal device supports the allocation of identification information, and the first terminal device supports the allocation of identification feature forms.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first terminal device, and the method includes: Send the first message; The first information satisfies at least one of the following: The first information is used to indicate the first device information of one or more second terminal devices that release, interrupt or terminate the connection with the first terminal device; the first information includes at least one of the following: an operation to request the first device information of the second terminal device, and the first device information of the second terminal device.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second terminal device satisfies at least one of the following: Non-3GPP equipment; The equipment behind the first terminal device; The device connected to the first terminal device; Devices that do not support the access layer NAS protocol stack.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first terminal device satisfies at least one of the following: terminal; 5G home gateway.

13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following: The identification information of the second terminal device; The address information of the second terminal device; wherein the address information includes at least one of the following: Internet Protocol (IP) address, Ethernet address, and port number.

14. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of creating, modifying, updating and deleting.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of creating, modifying, updating, and deleting, satisfying at least one of the following: When the operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is to create, it instructs to add or create the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device. When the operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is to modify or update, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device is instructed to be modified or updated. When the operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is deletion, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device is instructed to be deleted.

16. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device includes: when creating, modifying, updating, and deleting at least one of these operations, the method further includes: Receive a second response; wherein the second response is used to indicate that the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of one or more of the second terminal devices has been created, modified, updated or deleted.

17. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first information also includes at least one of the following: The first terminal device supports the allocation of device identifier information range, the first terminal device supports the allocation of device identifier information, and the first terminal device supports the allocation of device identifier feature form.

18. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a third network function, and the method includes at least one of the following: Receive the second message; Send a second request; Receive first device information from one or more second terminal devices; The second information is used to indicate the second device information of the first terminal device; The second request satisfies at least one of the following: The second request is used to request first device information of one or more second terminal devices connected to or associated with the first terminal device; The second request includes at least the second information.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The second device information of the first terminal device includes at least one of the following: General Public User Identifier (GPSI), Internet Protocol (IP) address, Ethernet address, and port number.

20. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following: The identification information of the second terminal device; The address information of the second terminal device; wherein the address information includes at least one of the following: Internet Protocol (IP) address, Ethernet address, and port number.

21. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a fourth network function, and the method includes: Receive the second request; Send first device information for one or more second terminal devices; The second request satisfies at least one of the following: The second request is used to request first device information of one or more second terminal devices that are connected to or associated with the first terminal device; The second request includes at least second information for indicating second device information of the first terminal device.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The first terminal device satisfies at least one of the following: terminal; 5G home gateway.

23. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following: The identification information of the second terminal device; The address information of the second terminal device; wherein the address information includes at least one of the following: Internet Protocol (IP) address, Ethernet address, and port number.

24. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a fifth network function, and the method includes at least one of the following: Receive the first request; Perform the operation corresponding to the first request on the PCC rule; Send a second response; The first request satisfies at least one of the following: The first request is used to request the creation, modification, update, or termination of PCC rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices; the first request includes at least one of the following: session management policy control creation request, session management policy control update request, and session management policy control deletion request; The second response is used to indicate that the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices has been created, modified, updated, or deleted.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The first device information of the second terminal device includes at least one of the following: The identification information of the second terminal device; The address information of the second terminal device; wherein the address information includes at least one of the following: Internet Protocol (IP) address, Ethernet address, and port number.

26. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The first request further includes: first information; the first information is used to indicate first device information of one or more second terminal devices that release, interrupt or terminate the connection with the first terminal device.

27. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device includes: when creating, modifying, updating, and deleting at least one of these actions, the operation of executing the PCC rule corresponding to the first request includes: The operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is to add or create the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device during creation. When the operation of requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is to modify or update, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device is modified or updated. When the operation for requesting the first device information of the second terminal device is deletion, the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of the second terminal device is deleted.

28. A first communication device, characterized in that, The apparatus is used for a first network function, and the apparatus includes at least one of the following: a first receiving unit and a first transmitting unit; wherein: The first receiving unit is used to receive first information; The first sending unit is used to send the first request; The first information satisfies at least one of the following: The first information is used to indicate first device information of one or more second terminal devices that release, interrupt, or terminate the connection with the first terminal device; the first information includes at least one of the following: an operation to request first device information of the second terminal device, and the first device information of the second terminal device; The first request satisfies at least one of the following: The first request is used to request the creation, modification, update or termination of policy and charging control (PCC) rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices; the first request includes at least one of the following: session management policy control creation request, session management policy control update request, and session management policy control deletion request.

29. A second communication device, characterized in that, The device is applied to a first terminal device, and the device includes: a second transmitting unit; wherein: The second sending unit is used to send the first information; The first information satisfies at least one of the following: The first information is used to indicate the first device information of one or more second terminal devices that release, interrupt or terminate the connection with the first terminal device; the first information includes at least one of the following: an operation to request the first device information of the second terminal device, and the first device information of the second terminal device.

30. A third communication device, characterized in that, The device is used for a third network function, and the device includes, or is further described, a second receiving unit and a third transmitting unit; wherein: The second receiving unit is used to receive the second information; The third sending unit is used to send the second request; The second receiving unit is configured to receive first device information from one or more second terminal devices; The second information is used to indicate the second device information of the first terminal device; The second request satisfies at least one of the following: The second request is used to request first device information of one or more second terminal devices connected to or associated with the first terminal device; The second request includes at least the second information.

31. A fourth communication device, characterized in that, The device is used for a fourth network function, and the device includes: a third receiving unit and a fourth transmitting unit; wherein: The third receiving unit is used to receive the second request; The fourth sending unit is used to send first device information of one or more second terminal devices; The second request satisfies at least one of the following: The second request is used to request first device information of one or more second terminal devices that are connected to or associated with the first terminal device; The second request includes at least second information for indicating second device information of the first terminal device.

32. A fifth communication device, characterized in that, The device is used for a fifth network function, and the device includes: a fourth receiving unit, an execution unit, and a fifth transmitting unit; wherein: The fourth receiving unit is used to receive the first request; The execution unit is used to perform the operation corresponding to the first request on the PCC rule; The fifth sending unit is used to send the second response; The first request satisfies at least one of the following: The first request is used to request the creation, modification, update, or termination of PCC rules corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices; the first request includes at least one of the following: session management policy control creation request, session management policy control update request, and session management policy control deletion request; The second response is used to indicate that the PCC rule corresponding to the first device information of one or more second terminal devices has been created, modified, updated, or deleted.

33. A first network function, characterized in that, include: A first communication interface, a first memory, a first processor, and a first communication bus; wherein: The first memory is used to store executable information; The first communication bus is used to realize the communication connection between the first communication interface, the first processor and the first memory; The first processor is configured to execute the communication program stored in the first memory to implement the steps of the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

34. A first terminal device, characterized in that, include: A second communication interface, a second memory, a second processor, and a second communication bus; wherein: The second memory is used to store executable information; The second communication bus is used to realize the communication connection between the second communication interface, the second processor and the second memory; The second processor is configured to execute a communication program stored in the second memory to implement the steps of the communication method as described in any one of claims 10 to 17.

35. A third network function, characterized in that, include: A third communication interface, a third memory, a third processor, and a third communication bus; wherein: The third memory is used to store executable information; The third communication bus is used to realize the communication connection between the third communication interface, the third processor and the third memory; The third processor is used to execute the communication program stored in the third memory to implement the steps in the communication method as described in any one of claims 18 to 20.

36. A fourth network function, characterized in that, include: The system includes a fourth communication interface, a fourth memory, a fourth processor, and a fourth communication bus; wherein: The fourth memory is used to store executable information; The fourth communication bus is used to realize the communication connection between the fourth communication interface, the fourth processor and the fourth memory; The fourth processor is used to execute the communication program stored in the fourth memory to implement the steps in the communication method as described in any one of claims 21 to 23.

37. A fifth network function, characterized in that, include: The system includes a fifth communication interface, a fifth memory, a fifth processor, and a fifth communication bus; among which: The fifth memory is used to store executable information; The fifth communication bus is used to realize the communication connection between the fifth communication interface, the fifth processor and the fifth memory; The fifth processor is used to execute the communication program stored in the fifth memory to implement the steps in the communication method as described in any one of claims 24 to 27.

38. A storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a communication program, which, when executed, is used to implement the steps of the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, 10 to 17, 18 to 20, 21 to 23, or 24 to 27.

39. A computer program product, comprising a computer program, characterized in that, When executed by a processor, the computer program implements the steps of the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, 10 to 17, 18 to 20, 21 to 23, or 24 to 27.

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