Communication system and communication control method

Abstract

To provide a communication system and a communication control method capable of preventing call losses caused by a mismatch in the versions of communication interfaces used by respective network functions included in the communication system.SOLUTION: A second version information management unit 22 acquires, from a first version information management unit 12, version information on a communication interface that can be used by a first network function unit 11 of a connection destination to which a second network function unit 21 of a connection source establishes a communication connection, and transmits the acquired version information to the second network function unit 21. The second network function unit 21 of the connection source identifies version information on a communication interface that can be used by both second network function unit 21, and first network function unit 11 of the connection destination, and transmits a communication connection request together with the identified version information on the communication interface to the first network function unit of the connection destination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication system and a communication control method for controlling communication connections of a plurality of network functions. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various techniques have been proposed for controlling communication connections of multiple network functions. As an example of such a technique, a communication restriction control method disclosed in Patent Document 1 calculates the usage rate of the traffic volume of a communication channel, and when the calculated usage rate exceeds a threshold a', restriction control such as outgoing call restriction is performed only on roaming subscribers, while when it exceeds a threshold b', restriction control is performed on all subscribers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-9340 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the communication restriction control method disclosed in Patent Document 1 aims to prevent roaming subscribers from monopolizing communication channels and ensure the provision of communication services to original subscribers. Therefore, the communication restriction control method disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it cannot prevent call losses due to a mismatch in the versions of communication interfaces used by each network function included in the communication system.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, one of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide a communication system and a communication control method capable of preventing call losses due to a mismatch in the versions of communication interfaces used by each network function included in the communication system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The communication system according to the present disclosure includes: a first communication network including one or more first network function units and a first version information management unit that manages version information of a communication interface that each of the one or more first network function units can use; a second communication network including one or more second network function units and a second version information management unit that manages identification information of the one or more second network function units and version information of a communication interface that each of the one or more second network function units can use; The second version information management unit is a version information acquisition unit that acquires, from a first version information management unit, version information of a communication interface that is usable by a first network function unit that is a connection destination to which a second network function unit that is a connection source establishes a communication connection; a version information transmission unit that transmits, to a second network function unit, the acquired version information of a communication interface that can be used by the first network function unit of the connection destination; The second network function unit, which is the connection source, a version information identification unit that identifies version information of a communication interface that can be used by both the second network function unit and the first network function unit of the connection destination, based on version information of a communication interface that can be used by the first network function unit of the connection destination received from the second version information management unit and version information of the communication interface that can be used by the second network function unit; a transmission unit that transmits a communication connection request together with version information of the identified communication interface to a first network function unit that is a connection destination; The first network function unit as the connection destination and the second network function unit as the connection source communicate with each other using a communication interface of the version indicated by the identified version information.

[0007] A communication control method executed in a communication system according to the present disclosure includes: A communication control method executed in a communication system, comprising: The communication system is a first communication network including one or more first network function units and a first version information management unit that manages version information of a communication interface that each of the one or more first network function units can use; a second communication network including one or more second network function units and a second version information management unit that manages identification information of the one or more second network function units and version information of a communication interface that each of the one or more second network function units can use; The second version information management unit acquiring, from the first version information management unit, version information of a communication interface that can be used by a first network function unit that is a connection destination to which a second network function unit that is a connection source establishes a communication connection; transmitting version information of a communication interface available to the first network function unit of the connection destination to the second network function unit; The second network function unit of the connection source is identifying version information of a communication interface usable by both the second network function unit and the first network function unit of the connection destination based on version information of a communication interface usable by the first network function unit of the connection destination received from the second version information management unit and version information of a communication interface usable by the second network function unit; Transmitting a communication connection request together with version information of the identified communication interface to the first network function unit as a connection destination; The first network function unit as the connection destination and the second network function unit as the connection source communicate with each other using a communication interface of the version indicated by the identified version information.

[0008] The communication system according to the present disclosure includes: one or more network functions; a version information management unit that manages communication interface information, which is version information of a communication interface that can be used by each of the one or more network function units; The version information management section a version information receiving unit that receives version information of a communication interface that is transmitted from each of the one or more network function units and that is available to each of the one or more network function units; a version information transmission unit that transmits, to the source network function unit, version information of a communication interface that can be used by a destination network function unit to which the source network function unit establishes a communication connection; The network function unit of the connection source is a version information identification unit that identifies version information of a communication interface that can be used by both the source network function unit and the destination network function unit, based on version information of a communication interface that can be used by the destination network function unit and version information of a communication interface that can be used by the source network function unit, the version information being received from the version information management unit; a transmission unit that transmits a communication connection request together with version information of the identified communication interface to a destination network function unit; The destination network function unit and the source network function unit communicate with each other using a communication interface of the version indicated by the identified version information.

[0009] A communication control method executed in a communication system according to the present disclosure includes: The communication system a first communication network including one or more first network function units and a version information management unit that manages version information of a communication interface that can be used by each of the one or more network function units; The version information management section receiving version information of a communication interface available to each of the one or more network function units, the version information being transmitted from each of the one or more network function units; a source network function unit that has transmitted a communication connection request transmits, to the source network function unit, version information of a communication interface that can be used by a destination network function unit that establishes a communication connection; The network function unit of the connection source is identifying version information of a communication interface usable by both the source network function unit and the destination network function unit based on version information of a communication interface usable by the destination network function unit received from the version information management unit and version information of a communication interface usable by the source network function unit; Sending a communication connection request to a destination network function unit together with version information of the identified communication interface; The destination network function unit and the source network function unit that has transmitted the communication connection request communicate with each other using a communication interface of the version indicated by the identified version information. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide a communication system and a communication control method capable of preventing call losses caused by a mismatch in the versions of communication interfaces used by each network function included in the communication system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a communication system according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a communication device. [Diagram 3] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a first profile information table in which profile information of a first network function unit included in a first network is registered. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a first network function unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a first version information management unit. [Figure 6]11 is a diagram showing an example of a second profile information table in which profile information of a second network function unit included in a second network is registered. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a second version information management unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a second network function unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process executed in a communication system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the main components of a communication system. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a communication system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main components of another communication system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process executed in another communication system according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] <First embodiment> An exemplary embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a communication system 1 according to the present disclosure. The first embodiment is an embodiment targeted at communication between two different carriers. The communication system 1 includes a first communication network 10 and a second communication network 20. The first communication network 10 and the second communication network 20 are communication networks provided by different carriers.

[0013] The first communication network 10 includes one or more first network function units 11, a first version information management unit 12, and a base station 13. The first network function unit 11, the first version information management unit 12, and the base station 13 can communicate data with each other via a network 14. The network 14 includes various networks such as a telephone network and the Internet.

[0014] The first network function unit 11 is a network function implemented in a communication device included in the first communication network 10. Specific examples of the first network function unit 11 include, for example, a Unified Data Management (UDM), a Session Management Function (SMF), an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), a Short Message Service Function (SMSF), a Binding Support Function (BSF), a Charging Function (CHF), and a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0015] The integrated data management is a network function that holds and manages identifier information of subscribers who use the first communication network 10. Specific examples of identifier information include a Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI) and a 5G Globally Unique Temporary Identifier (5G-GUTI). The SUPI is a globally unique identifier assigned to each subscriber of the 5G system. The 5G-GUI is a temporary identifier assigned to user equipment to which ANF (Azure NetApp Files) provides services. This makes it possible to identify the user equipment and the Access Mobility Management Function (AMF) that provides services to the user equipment.

[0016] The session management function is a function for managing sessions in the first communications network 10.

[0017] The access mobility management function is a network function that performs authentication of user equipment, management of security, management of location information of user equipment, etc. The access mobility management function has functions of registration management, connection management, and movement management of user equipment.

[0018] The network slice selection function is a network function that selects the session management function for each slice. A slice is a dedicated network that is customized according to specific requirements based on dedicated functionality (mobility management function, policy control function, security function, etc.), performance characteristics (transmission speed, mobility, etc.), network cost, etc.

[0019] The short message service function is a network function that controls communication of short messages.

[0020] The binding information management function is a network function that manages binding information. Binding information is information that associates functional requirements requested by application functions with specific policy control functions. This binding information is used to set up a dedicated QoS (Quality of Service) flow.

[0021] The charging function is a network function that executes charging processing. Charging refers to charging for communication services that use the communication system 1. There are two methods of charging: offline charging and online charging. Online charging is a method of charging in which a monthly usage fee is charged based on records of the start and end of connection services, usage data, etc. Online charging applies to prepaid services, and instructs line control according to the charging status, affecting communications in real time.

[0022] The policy control function is a network function that holds various policy rules and provides the policy rules to related network functions. The various policy rules include policy rules used in communication system 1 such as a 5G communication system. The policy control includes policy control related to access and mobility management, and policy (including QoS) control related to sessions. The policy control related to access and mobility management limits the service area according to the subscriber contract information of the user device. The policy control related to sessions performs policy control of PDU (Protocol Data Unit) sessions based on QoS rules.

[0023] 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the communication device 30. The communication device 30 includes a calculation device 31, a storage device 32, and a communication interface (I / F) 33.

[0024] The arithmetic device 31 is a device that performs overall control of the communication device 30. Specific examples of the arithmetic device 31 include processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The arithmetic device 31 realizes the first network function unit 11 by executing a program. Note that, in other embodiments, the functions executed by the arithmetic device 31 may also be executed by an integrated circuit such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). These devices correspond to computers.

[0025] The storage device 32 stores various data such as programs executed by the arithmetic device 31 and data processed by the arithmetic device 31. The communication interface 33 is an interface for performing data communication between the communication device 30 and other devices.

[0026] The first network function unit 11 establishes communication with other network functions and performs data communication by using a communication interface such as an API (Application Programming Interface). A specific example of an API is a Service Based Interface (SBI). The first network function unit 11 may use a plurality of communication interfaces of different versions. For example, the first network function unit 11 may use an API of a version corresponding to each release version of 3GPP (Generation Partnership Project) (registered trademark). The first network function unit 11 provides the first version information management unit 12 with version information of the communication interface used by the first network function unit 11.

[0027] The first version information management unit 12 is a network function that manages version information of a communication interface available to each of one or more first network function units 11 included in the first communication network 10. A specific example of the first version information management unit 12 is a network repository function (NRF). The first version information management unit 12 is implemented in a communication device included in the first communication network 10. The communication device has the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the calculation device 31 realizes the first version information management unit 12 by executing a program.

[0028] The first version information management unit 12 stores in a storage device version information of communication interfaces used by one or more first network function units 11 included in the first communication network 10 in association with identification information of each first network function unit 11. This storage device is a storage device accessible by the first version information management unit 12. The storage device stores profile information such as the identification information of each first network function unit 11 and version information of communication interfaces used by each first network function unit 11.

[0029] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a first profile information table in which profile information of one or more first network function units 11 included in the first communication network 10 is registered. As shown in Fig. 3, in the first profile information table, identification information of the first network function unit 11 and version information of a communication interface used by the first network function unit 11 are registered in association with each other.

[0030] The base station 13 is a base station that performs wireless data communication between the carrier that provides the first communication network 10 and the communication terminal devices of users who have contracts with each other.

[0031] 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the first network function unit 11. The first network function unit 11 includes a profile information transmitting unit 110 and a communication control unit 111.

[0032] The profile information transmission unit 110 is a program that transmits profile information of the first network function unit 11 to the first version information management unit 12. The profile information transmission unit 110 transmits version information of a communication interface used by a communication control unit 111 (described later) and identification information of the first network function unit 11 to the first version information management unit 12.

[0033] The communication control unit 111 is a program that controls communication between the first network function unit 11 and the first version information management unit 12 and second network function unit 21. The communication control unit 111 uses a communication interface of the version identified by the version information identification unit 112 in data communication with the second network function unit 21.

[0034] 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the first version information management unit 12. The first version information management unit 12 includes a profile information registration unit 120, a version information acquisition unit 121, and a version information transmission unit 122.

[0035] The profile information registration unit 120 is a program that registers the profile information of the first network function unit 11 in a first profile information table. Specifically, the profile information registration unit 120 registers the identification information of the first network function unit 11 and the version information of the first communication interface provided from the first network function unit 11 in the first profile information table.

[0036] The version information acquisition unit 121 is a program that acquires version information of the communication interface used by the specified first network function unit 11 from the first profile information table based on a request from the second version information management unit 22.

[0037] The version information transmission unit 122 is a program that transmits the version information of the communication interface acquired by the version information acquisition unit 121 to the second version information management unit 22.

[0038] The second communication network 20 includes one or more second network function units 21, a second version information management unit 22, and a base station 23. The second network function units 21, the second version information management unit 22, and the base station 23 can communicate data with each other via a network 24. The network 24 includes various networks such as a telephone network and the Internet.

[0039] The second network function unit 21 is a network function implemented in a communication device included in the second communication network 20. Specific examples of the second network function unit 21 include, for example, a session management function, an access mobility management function, a network slice selection function, a short message service function, a binding information management function, a charging function, a policy control function, and integrated data management.

[0040] The second network function unit 21 is implemented in a communication device included in the second communication network 20. The communication device has the hardware configuration shown in Fig. 2. In this case, the calculation device 31 realizes the second network function unit 21 by executing a program.

[0041] The second network function unit 21 performs data communication with other network functions using a communication interface such as an API, similar to the first network function unit 11. The second network function unit 21 can use a plurality of communication interfaces of different versions. The second network function unit 21 provides the second version information management unit 22 with version information of the communication interfaces used by the second network function unit 21.

[0042] The second version information management unit 22 is a network function that manages version information of communication interfaces available to each of the second network function units 21. A specific example of the second version information management unit 22 is a network repository function. The second version information management unit 22 is implemented in a communication device included in the second communication network 20. The communication device has the hardware configuration shown in Fig. 2. In this case, the calculation device 31 realizes the second version information management unit 22 by executing a program.

[0043] The second version information management unit 22 stores in a storage device version information of communication interfaces used by one or more second network function units 21 included in the second communication network 20 in association with identification information of each second network function unit 21. This storage device is a storage device accessible by the second version information management unit 22. The storage device stores profile information such as the identification information of each second network function unit 21 and version information of communication interfaces used by each second network function unit 21.

[0044] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a second profile information table in which profile information of one or more second network function units 21 included in the second communication network 20 is registered. As shown in Fig. 6, in the second profile information table, identification information of the second network function unit 21 and version information of a communication interface used by the second network function unit 21 are registered in association with each other.

[0045] The base station 23 is a base station that performs wireless data communication between the carrier that provides the second communication network 20 and the communication terminal devices of users who have contracts with the carrier.

[0046] 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of second version information management section 22. Second version information management section 22 includes a profile information registration section 220, a version information acquisition section 221, and a version information transmission section 222.

[0047] The profile information registration unit 220 is a program that registers, in a second profile information table, the profile information of the second network function unit 21. Specifically, the profile information registration unit 220 registers, in the second profile information table, the identification information of the second network function unit 21 and the version information of the communication interface provided by the second network function unit 21.

[0048] The version information acquisition unit 221 is a program that acquires version information of a communication interface used by the first network function unit 11 of the communication destination from the first version information management unit 12. The version information acquisition unit 221 acquires version information of a communication interface used by the first network function unit 11 of the communication destination from the first version information management unit 12, based on a request from the second network function unit 21 that initiates a communication connection.

[0049] The version information transmission unit 222 is a program that transmits the version information of the communication interface used by the first network function unit 11 of the communication connection destination, acquired by the version information acquisition unit 221, to the second network function unit 21 that initiates the communication connection.

[0050] 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the second network function unit 21. The second network function unit 21 includes a profile information transmission unit 210, a version information acquisition unit 211, a version information identification unit 212, and a communication control unit 213.

[0051] The profile information transmission unit 210 is a program that transmits profile information of the second network function unit 21 to the second version information management unit 22. The profile information transmission unit 210 transmits version information of a communication interface used by a communication control unit 213 (described later) and identification information of the second network function unit 21 to the second version information management unit 22.

[0052] The version information acquisition unit 211 is a program that acquires version information of a communication interface used by a first network function unit 11 that is a connection destination to which the second network function unit 21 is attempting to establish a communication connection. The version information acquisition unit 211 requests the second version information management unit 22 to acquire version information of the communication interface used by the first network function unit 11 that is a connection destination, and acquires the version information of the communication interface from the second version information management unit 22.

[0053] The version information identification unit 212 is a program that determines version information of a communication interface that the second network function unit 21 uses in communicating with the connected first network function unit 11, based on version information of a communication interface available to the connected first network function unit 11 acquired by the version information acquisition unit 211 and version information of a communication interface available to the second network function unit 21.

[0054] Specifically, the version information identifying unit 212 identifies, from among the version information of the communication interfaces available to the first network function unit 11 of the connection destination acquired by the version information acquiring unit 211, the version information that matches the version information of the communication interface available to the second network function unit 21. For example, when the version information of the communication interfaces available to the first network function unit 11 of the connection destination is the version information identified by "v_008" and the version information identified by "v_009" in Fig. 3 and the version information of the communication interfaces available to the second network function unit 21 is the version information identified by "v_009" and the version information identified by "v_010" in Fig. 4, the version information identifying unit 212 identifies the version information identified by "v_009".

[0055] The communication control unit 213 is a program that controls communication between the second network function unit 21 and the second version information management unit 22 and the first network function unit 11. The communication control unit 213 is a program that controls communication with the destination first network function unit 11. The communication control unit 213 transmits a communication connection request to the destination first network function unit 11 together with version information of the communication interface identified by the version information identification unit 212, and starts a communication connection. The communication control unit 213 uses the communication interface of the version identified by the version information identification unit 212 in data communication with the destination first network function unit 11.

[0056] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process executed when a communication terminal device of a user who has a contract with a carrier that provides a first communication network 10 uses a second communication network 20 by roaming. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the first communication network 10 corresponds to a home network that the communication terminal device mainly uses. The second communication network 20 corresponds to a network that the communication terminal device uses by roaming. Furthermore, the integrated data management 11 and the network repository function 12 of the first communication network 10 correspond to the first network function unit 11 and the first version information management unit 12, respectively. Furthermore, the session management function 21 and the network repository function 22 of the second communication network 20 correspond to the second network function unit 21 and the second version information management unit 22, respectively.

[0057] In the first communications network 10, in step S1, the integrated data management 11 transmits a version information registration request to the first network repository function 12 together with version information indicating the version of the communications interface available to the integrated data management 11. Upon receiving the version information registration request, the first network repository function 12 registers the version information received together with the version information registration request in the first profile information table in association with the identification information of the integrated data management 11 in step S2. In step S3, the first network repository function 12 transmits a version information registration completion response to the integrated data management 11.

[0058] In the second communication network 20, in step S4, the session management function 21 transmits a version information registration request to the second network repository function 22 together with version information indicating the version of the communication interface available to the session management function 21. Upon receiving the version information registration request, the second network repository function 22 registers the version information received together with the version information registration request in the second profile information table in step S5, in association with the identification information of the second network repository function 22. In step S6, the second network repository function 22 transmits a version registration response to the session management function 21.

[0059] In step S7, the session management function 21 of the second communications network 20 transmits a request to obtain version information to the second network repository function 22 together with identification information of the destination network function with which the session management function 21 is attempting to establish a communications connection. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the integrated data management 11 corresponds to the destination network function. The request to obtain version information is a request for obtaining version information of the communications interface used by the destination network function with which the session management function 21 is attempting to establish a communications connection.

[0060] When the second network repository function 22 receives the request to obtain version information, in step S8 it transmits a request for version information of the communication interface together with the identification information of the connected network function to the first network repository function 12. When the first network repository function 12 receives the request for version information of the communication interface, in step S9 it obtains version information of the communication interface associated with the identification information of the connected network function from the first profile information table and transmits the version information to the second network repository function 22. Specifically, the first network repository function 12 obtains version information indicating the version of the communication interface used by the integrated data management 11 from the first profile information table and transmits the version information to the second network repository function 22.

[0061] When the second network repository function 22 receives the version information of the communication interface from the first network repository function 12, in step S10, it transmits the received version information to the session management function 21. Note that the second network repository function 22 may store the version information of the communication interface received from the first network repository function 12 in a storage device accessible by the second network repository function 22, in association with the first network repository function 12.

[0062] When the session management function 21 receives the version information of the integrated data management 11 of the first communication network 10, it determines the version of the communication interface that can be used by both the session management function 21 and the integrated data management 11 in step S11.

[0063] In step S12, the session management function 21 transmits a communication start request to the integrated data management 11 together with version information indicating the version determined in step S11. Upon receiving the communication start request, the integrated data management 11 transmits a communication start response to the session management function 21 and establishes communication with the session management function 21 using a communication interface of the version indicated by the version information received together with the communication start request. Thereafter, the session management function 21 and the integrated data management 11 communicate using the communication interface of the version determined in step S11.

[0064] 9 is an example in which the integrated data management 11 and the session management function 21 establish a communication connection, other network functions can also select and use a communication interface of the same version by the above-mentioned method to establish a communication connection. Specifically, when two different types of network functions, among the access mobility management function, network slice selection function, short message service function, session management function, binding information management function, charging function, policy control function, and integrated data management, establish a communication connection, the same version of the communication interface is selected and used based on the above-mentioned method.

[0065] For example, in the initial registration procedure for a user device to connect to the first communication network 10, the same version of the communication interface is selected and used based on the above-mentioned method for communication between the access mobility management function and the authentication server function (AUSF: Authentication Server Function), communication between the access mobility management function and the integrated data management, communication between the access mobility management function and the network slice function, communication between the access mobility management function and the policy control function, etc.

[0066] In a session establishment process (UE Requested PDU Session Establishment) for establishing a PDU session based on a request from a user device, the same version of the communication interface is selected and used based on the above-mentioned method for communication between the access mobility management function and the session management function, communication between the session management function and the integrated data management, communication between the session management function and the policy control function, etc.

[0067] In the registration procedures for user equipment to use the SMS service (Registration Procedures for SMS over NAS (Non-Access Stratum)), the same version of the communication interface is selected and used based on the above-mentioned method for communication between the access mobility management function and the short message service function, communication between the short message service function and the integrated data management, etc.

[0068] 9, the second network function unit 21 of the second communication network 20 determines the version information of the communication interface, but in other embodiments, the first network function unit 11 of the first communication network 10 may determine the version information of the communication interface. In this case, the first version information management unit 12 acquires, from the second version information management unit 22, the version information of the communication interface available to the connected second network function unit 21.

[0069] Furthermore, in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 9, the first network function unit 11 and the second network function unit 21 voluntarily provide version information of the communication interface, but in other embodiments, each of the first network function units 11 and each of the second network function units 21 may provide version information of the communication interface in response to a request from the first version information management unit 12 and the second version information management unit 22, respectively.

[0070] 10 is a diagram showing main components of the communication system 1. The communication system 1 includes a first network function unit 11, a first version information management unit 12, a second network function unit 21, and a second version information management unit 22. The second version information management unit 22 has a version information acquisition unit 221 and a version information transmission unit 222. The second network function unit 21 has a version information identification unit 212 and a communication control unit 213. The communication control unit 213 corresponds to a transmission unit.

[0071] The version information acquisition unit 221 acquires, from the first version information management unit 12, version information of a communication interface available to the first network function unit 11 of the connection destination to which the second network function unit 21 of the connection source establishes a communication connection. The version information transmission unit 222 transmits the acquired version information of a communication interface available to the first network function unit 11 of the connection destination to the second network function unit 21. The version information identification unit 212 identifies version information of a communication interface available to both the second network function unit 21 and the first network function unit 11 of the connection destination based on the version information of the communication interface available to the first network function unit of the connection destination received from the second version information management unit 22 and the version information of the communication interface available to the second network function unit. The communication control unit 213 transmits a communication connection request to the first network function unit of the connection destination together with the version information of the identified communication interface. The first network function unit 11 of the connection destination and the second network function unit 21 of the connection source communicate with each other using a communication interface of a version indicated by the identified version information.

[0072] This allows the first network function unit 11 and the second network function unit 21 to establish a communication connection using the same version of the communication interface, thereby preventing call losses due to a mismatch in the communication interface versions in communication between two different carriers.

[0073] <Second embodiment> The second embodiment is an embodiment targeted at communications within the same carrier. The second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0074] 11 is a diagram showing a communication system 2 according to the second embodiment. The communication system 2 includes one or more network function units 11, a version information management unit 12, and a base station 13. The network function units 11, the version information management unit 12, and the base station 13 can communicate data with each other via a network 14. The network 14 includes various networks such as a telephone network and the Internet.

[0075] The network function unit 11 is a network function implemented in a communication device included in the communication system 2. Specific examples of the network function unit 11 include, for example, integrated data management, an access mobility management function, a network slice selection function, a short message service function, a binding information management function, a charging function, a policy control function, and the like.

[0076] 12 is a diagram showing main components of a communication system 2 according to the second embodiment. The communication system 2 includes one or more network function units 11a and 11b, and a version information management unit 12 that manages communication interface information that is version information of a communication interface that can be used by each of the one or more network function units 11a and 11b. In the following description, the network function unit 11a is the source network function unit that has transmitted a communication connection request, and the network function unit 11b is the destination network function unit.

[0077] The version information management unit 12 includes a version information acquisition unit 121 and a version information transmission unit 122. The version information reception unit 123 receives version information of the communication interface usable by each of the one or more network function units 11a, 11b, transmitted from each of the one or more network function units 11a, 11b. The version information of the communication interface received by the version information reception unit 123 can be registered by the profile information registration unit 120 in a data table such as that shown in FIG. 3 as profile information of the one or more network function units 11a, 11b.

[0078] The version information transmission unit 122 transmits, to the source network function unit 11a, version information of a communication interface that can be used by the destination network function unit 11b with which the source network function unit 11a establishes a communication connection.

[0079] The source network function unit 11a includes a version information identifying unit 112 and a communication control unit 113. The version information identifying unit 112 identifies version information of a communication interface that can be used by both the source network function unit 11a and the destination network function unit 11b, based on version information of a communication interface that can be used by the destination network function unit 11b received from the version information management unit 12 and version information of a communication interface that can be used by the source network function unit 11a.

[0080] The communication control unit 113 corresponds to a transmission unit. The communication control unit 113 transmits a communication connection request together with the version information of the identified communication interface to the connection destination network function unit 11b.

[0081] The destination network function unit 11b and the source network function unit 11a that has transmitted the communication connection request communicate with each other using a communication interface of the version indicated by the version information identified by the version information identification unit 112.

[0082] Fig. 13 is a sequence diagram showing a process executed in the communication system 2 according to the second embodiment. In the example of Fig. 12, the session management function 11a and the integrated data management 11b correspond to the network function unit 11. In addition, the network repository function corresponds to the version information management unit 12.

[0083] In step S21, the integrated data management 11b transmits a version information registration request to the network repository function 12 together with version information indicating the version of the communication interface available to the integrated data management 11b. Upon receiving the version information registration request, the network repository function 12 registers the version information received together with the version information registration request in the profile information table in step S22, in association with the identification information of the integrated data management 11. In step S23, the network repository function 12 transmits a version information registration completion response to the integrated data management 11.

[0084] In step S24, the session management function 11a transmits a version information registration request to the network repository function 12 together with version information indicating the version of the communication interface available to the session management function 11a. Upon receiving the version information registration request, the network repository function 12 registers the version information received together with the version information registration request in the profile information table in association with the identification information of the session management function 11a in step S25. In step S26, the network repository function 12 transmits a version information registration completion response to the session management function 11a.

[0085] In step S27, the session management function 11a sends a request for version information to the network repository function 12 together with identification information of the destination network function to which the session management function 11a is attempting to establish a communication connection. In the example shown in Fig. 12, the integrated data management 11b corresponds to the destination network function. The request to obtain version information is a request for obtaining version information of the communication interface used by the destination network function to which the session management function 11a is attempting to establish a communication connection.

[0086] When the network repository function 12 receives the request to obtain version information of the communication interface, it obtains, from the profile information table, version information of the communication interface associated with the identification information of the connected network function in step S29, and transmits the version information to the session management function 11a. Specifically, the network repository function 12 obtains, from the profile information table, version information indicating the version of the communication interface used by the integrated data management 11b, and transmits the version information to the session management function 11a.

[0087] When the session management function 11a receives the version information from the integrated data management 11b, in step S29, it determines the version of the communication interface that can be used by both the session management function 11a and the integrated data management 11b.

[0088] In step S30, the session management function 11a of the connection source transmits a communication start request to the integrated data management 11b of the connection destination together with version information indicating the version determined in step S29. When the integrated data management 11b receives the communication start request, it transmits a communication start response to the session management function 11a and establishes communication with the session management function 11a using the communication interface of the version indicated by the version information received together with the communication start request. Thereafter, the session management function 11a and the integrated data management 11b communicate using the communication interface of the version determined in step S29.

[0089] In the second embodiment, by adopting the above configuration, the source network function unit 11a and the destination network function unit 11b can establish a communication connection using the same version of the communication interface. Therefore, in communication within the same carrier, it is possible to prevent call losses due to a mismatch in the version of the communication interface used by each network function included in the communication system.

[0090] In the above examples, the program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, causes the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, the computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray® disk or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, the transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other form of propagated signal.

[0091] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1. Communication Systems 2. Communication Systems 10 First Communication Network 11 First network function unit, integrated data management 11a Network function unit, session management function 11b Network Functions Division, Integrated Data Management 12 First version information management unit, version information management unit, first network repository function 13 Base station 14 Network 20 Second Communication Network 21 Second network function unit, session management function, 22 Second version information control unit, second network repository function 23 Base station 24 Network 30 Communication Equipment 31 Arithmetic unit 32 Storage device 33 Communication Interface 110 Profile information transmission unit 111 Communication control section 112 Version information specific part 113 Communication control section 120 Profile Information Registration Section 121 Version information acquisition unit 122 Version information transmission unit 123 Version information receiver 210 Profile information transmission unit 211 Version information acquisition unit 212 Version information identification part 213 Communication Control Unit 220 Profile Information Registration Department 221 Version information acquisition unit 222 Version information transmission unit

Claims

1. A first communication network including one or more first network function units and a first version information management unit that manages version information of a communication interface that each of the one or more first network function units can use; a second communication network including one or more second network function units and a second version information management unit that manages identification information of the one or more second network function units and version information of a communication interface that each of the one or more second network function units can use; The second version information management unit a version information acquisition unit that acquires, from the first version information management unit, version information of a communication interface that is available to the first network function unit that is a connection destination to which the second network function unit that is a connection source establishes a communication connection; a version information transmission unit that transmits, to the second network function unit, the acquired version information of a communication interface that can be used by the first network function unit of the connection destination; The second network function unit of the connection source, a version information identification unit that identifies version information of a communication interface that can be used by both the second network function unit and the first network function unit of the connection destination, based on version information of a communication interface that can be used by the first network function unit of the connection destination received from the second version information management unit and version information of a communication interface that can be used by the second network function unit; a transmission unit that transmits a communication connection request together with version information of the identified communication interface to the first network function unit that is the connection destination; the first network function unit as the connection destination and the second network function unit as the connection source communicate with each other using a communication interface of a version indicated by the specified version information. Communication systems.

2. The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the first network function unit of the connection destination and the second network function unit of the connection source are different types of network function units.

3. The communication system of claim 2, wherein the first network function unit includes an access mobility management function, a network slice selection function, a short message service function, a session management function, a binding information management function, a charging function, a policy control function, and integrated data management.

4. The communication system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second network function unit includes an access mobility management function, a network slice selection function, a short message service function, a session management function, a binding information management function, a charging function, a policy control function, and integrated data management.

5. A communication control method executed in a communication system, comprising: The communication system includes: A first communication network including one or more first network function units and a first version information management unit that manages version information of a communication interface that each of the one or more first network function units can use; a second communication network including one or more second network function units and a second version information management unit that manages identification information of the one or more second network function units and version information of a communication interface that each of the one or more second network function units can use; The second version information management unit acquiring, from the first version information management unit, version information of a communication interface that is usable by the first network function unit of a connection destination to which the second network function unit of a connection source establishes a communication connection; transmitting, to the second network function unit, the acquired version information of a communication interface that can be used by the first network function unit of the connection destination; The second network function unit of the connection source, identifying version information of a communication interface that can be used by both the second network function unit and the first network function unit of the connection destination based on version information of a communication interface that can be used by the first network function unit of the connection destination received from the second version information management unit and version information of a communication interface that can be used by the second network function unit; Sending a communication connection request to the first network function unit of the connection destination together with version information of the identified communication interface; the first network function unit as the connection destination and the second network function unit as the connection source communicate with each other using a communication interface of a version indicated by the specified version information. Communications control method.

6. One or more network functions; a version information management unit that manages communication interface information, which is version information of a communication interface that can be used by each of the one or more network function units; The version information management unit a version information receiving unit that receives version information of a communication interface that is transmitted from each of the one or more network function units and that is available to each of the one or more network function units; a version information transmission unit that transmits, to the source network function unit, version information of a communication interface that can be used by a destination network function unit to which a communication connection is established by the source network function unit; The network function unit of the connection source is a version information identification unit that identifies version information of a communication interface that can be used by both the network function unit of the connection source and the network function unit of the connection destination, based on version information of a communication interface that can be used by the network function unit of the connection destination received from the version information management unit and version information of a communication interface that can be used by the network function unit of the connection source; a transmission unit that transmits a communication connection request together with version information of the identified communication interface to the network function unit of the connection destination; the destination network function unit and the source network function unit communicate with each other using a communication interface of a version indicated by the specified version information. Communication systems.

7. The communication system according to claim 6 , wherein the destination network function unit and the source network function unit are different types of network function units.

8. The communication system described in claim 7, wherein the network function unit of the connection destination includes an access mobility management function, a network slice selection function, a short message service function, a session management function, a binding information management function, a charging function, a policy control function, and integrated data management.

9. The communication system described in claim 7 or 8, wherein the network function unit of the connection destination includes an access mobility management function, a network slice selection function, a short message service function, a session management function, a binding information management function, a charging function, a policy control function, and integrated data management.

10. A communication control method executed in a communication system, comprising: The communication system includes: a first communication network including one or more first network function units and a version information management unit that manages version information of a communication interface that can be used by each of the one or more network function units; The version information management unit receiving version information of a communication interface available to each of the one or more network function units, the version information being transmitted from each of the one or more network function units; a source network function unit that has transmitted a communication connection request transmits, to the source network function unit, version information of a communication interface that can be used by a destination network function unit that establishes a communication connection; The network function unit of the connection source, identifying version information of a communication interface usable by both the network function unit of the connection source and the network function unit of the connection destination based on version information of a communication interface usable by the network function unit of the connection destination received from the version information management unit and version information of a communication interface usable by the network function unit of the connection source; Sending a communication connection request to the network function unit of the connection destination together with version information of the identified communication interface; the network function unit of the connection destination and the network function unit of the connection source that has transmitted the communication connection request communicate with each other using a communication interface of a version indicated by the specified version information. Communications control method.

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