Method, system, communication device and computer program for publishing network capabilities

Abstract

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network capability disclosure method and related devices related to the field of communication technology, the method being performed by an application function network element, the method including: sending a first network capability disclosure request message to a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network, the first network capability disclosure request message including application function identification information, a disclosure information notification address, first network capability disclosure request parameter information and capability disclosure sharing request information; and receiving a first response message to the first network capability disclosure request message returned from the first network capability disclosure function network element, the first response message including capability disclosure sharing request indication information, the capability disclosure sharing request indication information indicating whether the first network capability disclosure function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to a second public land mobile network.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202210734112.4, entitled "Network capability disclosure method and related device," filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on June 27, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to the field of communications technology, and more particularly, to network capability disclosure. [Background technology]

[0003] In the related technology, when a third-party service provider needs to send a public interaction request to a communication network to obtain a specific network-exposed capability for the same service, it needs to interact with different communication carriers separately, and the interface parameters (interaction parameters) of the capability information of different carriers / different communication networks and the network-exposed capabilities (e.g., type, quality, etc.) may be different, resulting in many problems and issues in the interaction for network capability disclosure of third-party services. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a network capability exposure method, a communication device, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer program product capable of optimizing network capability exposure of a mobile communication network towards third-party services.

[0005] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network capability publishing method performed by an application function network element, the method including: sending a first network capability publishing request message to a first network capability publishing function network element of a first public land mobile network, the first network capability publishing request message including application function identification information, a publishing information notification address, first network capability publishing request parameter information and capability publishing sharing request information; and receiving a first response message to the first network capability publishing request message returned from the first network capability publishing function network element, the first response message including capability publishing sharing request indication information, the capability publishing sharing request indication information indicating whether the first network capability publishing function network element agrees to the capability publishing sharing request to a second public land mobile network.

[0006] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network capability publishing method performed by a first network capability publishing function network element of a first public land mobile network, the method including: receiving a first network capability publishing request message sent from an application function network element, the first network capability publishing request message including application function identification information, a publishing information notification address, first network capability publishing request parameter information and capability publishing sharing request information; validating and authenticating the first network capability publishing request message and generating a first response message, the first response message including capability publishing sharing request indication information, the capability publishing sharing request indication information indicating whether the first network capability publishing function network element agrees to the capability publishing sharing request to a second public land mobile network; and returning the first response message to the application function network element.

[0007] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network capability publishing method performed by a second network capability publishing function network element of a second public land mobile network, the method including: receiving a second network capability publishing request message sent from a first network capability publishing function network element of a first public land mobile network, the second network capability publishing request message including application function identification information, a publishing information notification address and second network capability publishing request parameter information; validating and authenticating the second network capability publishing request message to generate a second response message, the second response message including capability publishing instruction information, the capability publishing instruction information indicating whether the second network capability publishing function network element agrees to publishing network capabilities to an application function network element; and returning the second response message to the application function network element.

[0008] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network capability publishing method performed by an application function network element, the method including: sending a third network capability publishing request message to a first network capability publishing function network element of a first public land mobile network, the third network capability publishing request message including an application function identification information, a publishing information notification address and a first network capability publishing request parameter information; receiving a capability publishing sharing request message returned from the first network capability publishing function network element, the capability publishing sharing request message including a second public land mobile network identification information that allows the capability publishing sharing request; returning a third response message to the capability publishing sharing request message to the first network capability publishing function network element, the third response message including sharing request indication information, the sharing request indication information indicating whether the application function network element agrees to the capability publishing sharing request to the second public land mobile network.

[0009] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network capability publishing method performed by a first network capability publishing function network element of a first public land mobile network, the method including: receiving a third network capability publishing request message sent from an application function network element, the third network capability publishing request message including application function identification information, a publishing information notification address and first network capability publishing request parameter information; if the third network capability publishing request message satisfies network capability publishing sharing agreement information, returning a capability publishing sharing request message to the application function network element, the capability publishing sharing request message including a second public land mobile network identification information that allows the capability publishing sharing request; receiving a third response message to the capability publishing sharing request message returned from the application function network element, the third response message including sharing request indication information, the sharing request indication information indicating whether the application function network element agrees to the capability publishing sharing request to the second public land mobile network.

[0010] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an application function network element, including: a sending unit for sending a first network capability disclosure request message to a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network, where the first network capability disclosure request message includes application function identification information, a disclosure information notification address, first network capability disclosure request parameter information and capability disclosure sharing request information; and a receiving unit for receiving a first response message to the first network capability disclosure request message returned from the first network capability disclosure function network element, where the first response message includes indication information of a capability disclosure sharing request, where the indication information of the capability disclosure sharing request indicates whether the first network capability disclosure function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to a second public land mobile network.

[0011] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network, including: a receiving unit for receiving a first network capability disclosure request message sent from an application function network element, where the first network capability disclosure request message includes application function identification information, a disclosure information notification address, first network capability disclosure request parameter information and capability disclosure sharing request information; and a processing unit for validating and authenticating the first network capability disclosure request message and generating a first response message, where the first response message includes capability disclosure sharing request indication information, where the capability disclosure sharing request indication information indicates whether the first network capability disclosure function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to a second public land mobile network.

[0012] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second network capability disclosure function network element of a second public land mobile network, comprising: a receiving unit for receiving a second network capability disclosure request message sent from a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network, where the second network capability disclosure request message includes application function identification information, a disclosure information notification address and second network capability disclosure request parameter information; a processing unit for validating and authenticating the second network capability disclosure request message and generating a second response message, where the second response message includes capability disclosure instruction information, where the capability disclosure instruction information indicates whether the second network capability disclosure function network element agrees to disclose network capabilities to the application function network element; and a sending unit for returning the second response message to the application function network element.

[0013] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an application function network element, the application function network element including: a sending unit configured to send a third network capability publication request message to a first network capability publication function network element of a first public land mobile network, the third network capability publication request message including an application function identification information, a publication information notification address and a first network capability publication request parameter information; a receiving unit for receiving a capability publication sharing request message returned from the first network capability publication function network element, the capability publication sharing request message including a second public land mobile network identification information that allows the capability publication sharing request; and a sending unit for returning a third response message to the capability publication sharing request message to the first network capability publication function network element, the third response message including sharing request indication information, the sharing request indication information indicating whether the application function network element agrees to the capability publication sharing request to the second public land mobile network.

[0014] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network, the receiving unit including: a receiving unit for receiving a third network capability disclosure request message sent from an application function network element, the third network capability disclosure request message including application function identification information, a disclosure information notification address and first network capability disclosure request parameter information; a transmitting unit for returning a capability disclosure sharing request message to the application function network element if the third network capability disclosure request message satisfies network capability disclosure sharing agreement information, the capability disclosure sharing request message including a second public land mobile network identification information that allows the capability disclosure sharing request; and a receiving unit for receiving a third response message to the capability disclosure sharing request message returned from the application function network element, the third response message including sharing request indication information, the sharing request indication information indicating whether the application function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to the second public land mobile network.

[0015] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network capability disclosure system including an application function network element, a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network, and a second network capability disclosure function network element of a second public land mobile network. The application function network element, the first network capability disclosure function network element, and the second network capability disclosure function network element are used to perform a network capability disclosure method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network capability disclosure system, including an application function network element and a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network. The application function network element and the first network capability disclosure function network element are used to perform a network capability disclosure method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device including one or more processors and a memory arranged to store one or more computer programs that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the communication device to implement a network capability publishing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program being configured to cause a computer to perform a network capability publishing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when executed on the computer.

[0019] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program product including a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, realizes the network capability publishing method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] In the method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the application function network element sends a first network capability disclosure request message to a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network, the application function network element adds a capability disclosure sharing request message to the first network capability disclosure request message, and the capability disclosure sharing request message can be used to indicate whether the application function network element allows the capability disclosure sharing request. In addition, the first public land mobile network and the second public land mobile network can be mobile communication networks provided by two different communication operators, or can be two different mobile communication networks built by the same communication operator, so that the application function network An element (third-party service provider) does not need to interact with different mobile communication networks individually, but only needs to submit an interaction request for capability disclosure to the mobile communication network of one of the telecommunications carriers through the first network capability disclosure request message, so that the mechanism for network capability disclosure is optimized, the interaction procedure of the third-party service provider with different mobile communication networks is simplified, and the interaction efficiency is improved; meanwhile, the third-party service provider does not need to consider the difference between the interaction parameters and network disclosure capabilities of different mobile communication networks, which brings convenience to the interaction for network capability disclosure by the third-party service provider. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a system architecture diagram of a 5G network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 1 is a flow chart that generally illustrates a network capability publishing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the interactions of a network capability publishing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating interactions of a network capability publishing method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart that generally illustrates a network capability publishing method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 4 is a flow chart that generally illustrates a network capability publishing method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 11 is a flow chart that generally illustrates a network capability publishing method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating interactions of a network capability publishing method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 10] 11 is a flow chart that generally illustrates a network capability publishing method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an application function network element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 13] A block diagram illustrating generally a second network capability disclosure function network element of a second public land mobile network according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] In order to make the objectives, technical approaches and advantages of the present disclosure clearer, exemplary embodiments in the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals represent the same components throughout the drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0023] Technical techniques according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to various communication systems, such as a Global System of Mobile communication (GSM) system, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, an LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, an LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication system, a 5G system, or a future evolved mobile communication system.

[0024] Illustratively, a communication system 100 applied to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in Fig. 1. The communication system 100 may include a network device 110, which may be a device that communicates with terminals 120 (or communication terminals, also called terminals). The network device 110 may provide communication coverage in a particular geographical area and may communicate with terminals located within the coverage area. Optionally, the network device 110 may be a base station (Base Transceiver Station, BTS) in a GSM system or a CDMA system, a base station (Node B, NB) in a WCDMA system, an evolved base station (Evolutional Node B, eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, a base station in a 5G communication system, or a radio controller in a Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN), or the network device may be a mobile switching center, a relay station, an access point, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a hub, a switch, a bridge, a router, a network side device in a 5G network, or a network device in a future evolving Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), etc.

[0025] The communication system 100 further includes at least one terminal 120 located within the coverage area of ​​the network device 110. A "terminal" as used herein includes, but is not limited to, a connection via a wired line, such as a connection via a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), a digital cable, a direct cable, and / or another data connection / network and / or a radio interface, such as a cellular network, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), a digital television network such as a DVB-H network, a satellite network, an AM-FM broadcast transmitter, and / or a device configured to receive / transmit communication signals of another terminal and / or an Internet of Things (IoT) device. A terminal configured to communicate via a radio interface may be referred to as a "wireless communication terminal", a "wireless terminal", or a "mobile terminal". Examples of mobile terminals include, but are not limited to, satellite and cellular telephones; Personal Communications System (PCS) terminals that may combine cellular radiotelephone with data processing, facsimile and data communication capabilities; PDAs that may include wireless telephones, pagers, Internet / intranet access, web browsers, notepads, calendars and / or Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers; and traditional laptop and / or handheld receivers or other electronic devices that include radiotelephone transceivers. A terminal may refer to an access terminal, User Equipment (UE), user element, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment.An access terminal may be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal in a 5G network, or a terminal in a future evolving PLMN, etc.

[0026] Optionally, device-to-device (D2D) communication may take place between the terminals 120 .

[0027] 1 illustrates one network device and two terminals. Optionally, the communication system 100 may include multiple network devices, and each network device may include other numbers of terminals within its coverage area, but is not limited to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] Optionally, the communication system 100 may include other network elements such as a policy control function network element, an access and mobility management function network element, but is not limited to these in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] It should be understood that in the embodiment of the present disclosure, a device having a communication function in a network / system can be referred to as a communication device. Taking the communication system 100 shown in Fig. 1 as an example, the communication device may include a network device 110 and a terminal 120 having a communication function. The network device 110 and the terminal 120 may be the specific devices mentioned above, which will not be described further here.

[0030] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" are always used interchangeably herein. The term "and / or" in this specification merely describes the relation between related objects, and means that three relations can exist, for example, the expression A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone.

[0031] Figure 2 is a system architecture diagram of a 5G network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, devices involved in the 5G network system include a terminal (UE), a radio access network (RAN), a user plane function (UPF) network element, a data network (DN), an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a session management function (SMF) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, an application function (AF) network element, an authentication server function (AUDF) network element, and a unified data management (UDM) network element.

[0032] In addition, the "network capability disclosure" and "capability disclosure" referred to in the embodiments of the present disclosure refer to abstracting or disclosing the capabilities of a network (which may be, for example, a 5G network, but is not limited to this disclosure), thereby enabling friendly interconnection and cooperation between a telecommunications operator's network and a third-party service provider, and enabling more extensive and flexible disclosure of mobile network capabilities to third parties.

[0033] The capability disclosure supports exposing network capabilities to the outside, and the exposed service capabilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

[0034] 1) Disclosure of network detection capabilities: This refers to a network providing a third party with the capability to detect congestion in a certain area within the network or to detect the movement range of a certain terminal, and releasing this detection event information to the outside world via a network exposure function (Network Exposure Function, NEF) network element. 2) Disclosure of network basic service capabilities: This refers to a network providing third parties with capabilities such as sending and receiving e-mail, voice input, and billing via the network. 3) Disclosure of network control capabilities: This refers to the network providing third parties with capabilities such as quality of service (QoS) guarantees. 4) Disclosure of network information capabilities: This refers to a network providing internal network information to a third party, including real-time terminal connection attributes, terminal location information, or non-real-time big data analysis information. 5) Disclosure of network slice organization management capabilities: This refers to a network disclosing the life cycle management capabilities of a network slice to a third party. 6) Reverse capability disclosure: A third party can disclose valuable information to a mobile network, allowing the mobile network to perform network optimization and management, such as the terminal's communication mode and mobility information.

[0035] 3 is a flow chart that generally illustrates a network capability publishing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method according to the embodiment of FIG. 3 can be performed by any communication device. The communication device in the embodiment of the present disclosure may be, for example, the AF network element in FIG. 2, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the following steps.

[0037] At S310, a first network capability disclosure request message is sent to a first network capability disclosure function network element (hereinafter, the first network capability disclosure function network element is referred to as NEF-1 network element) of a first public land mobile network (PLMN, hereinafter, the first public land mobile network is referred to as PLMN A).

[0038] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network capability disclosure request message is a message sent from an AF network element to a NEF-1 network element of PLMN A to request PLMN A to disclose network capabilities to the AF network element. The first network capability disclosure request message may include application function identification information (represented as AF ID) of the application function network element, a disclosure information notification address, first network capability disclosure request parameter information and capability disclosure sharing request information.

[0039] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the public information notification address refers to an address that returns the network capability information to be published if the PLMN A and / or the PLMN B permits the publication of the network capability to the AF network element, and may be, for example, an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the AF network element. That is, the NEF-1 network element can return a capability publication notification message of the PLMN A to the AF network element according to this public information notification address, and / or the NEF-2 network element can return a capability publication notification message of the PLMN B to the AF network element directly or indirectly according to this public information notification address.

[0040] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network capability disclosure request parameter information refers to information requested by the AF network element, which indicates what network capabilities the AF network element is willing to disclose. The specific first network capability disclosure request parameter information can be set according to actual needs, and may include, for example, an Event ID (an event identifier, referred to herein as a first event identifier for distinction). Optionally, the first network capability disclosure request parameter information may further include condition information for escalating information (referred to herein as a first escalation condition information for distinction), etc.

[0041] Optionally, the first network capability disclosure request parameter information may include traffic flow template information.

[0042] In an example embodiment, the traffic flow template information may include one or more of the source IP address (source network address), source port number, destination IP address (destination network address), destination port number, fully qualified domain name (FQDN), application identity (APP ID), etc. of the target traffic flow.

[0043] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the target traffic flow refers to a traffic flow formed by transmitting uplink packets sent from a terminal and / or downlink packets sent from a traffic server in a network for a specific target traffic. The target traffic can be set according to actual needs.

[0044] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the capability disclosure sharing request information indicates whether the AF network element allows the first network capability disclosure request message to be shared with other PLMNs other than the requested PLMN A.

[0045] If the capability disclosure sharing request information indicates that the application function network element authorizes the capability disclosure sharing request, optionally, the first network capability disclosure request message may further include a second public land mobile network (hereinafter, the second public land mobile network is represented as PLMN B) identity information that authorizes the capability disclosure sharing request. The second public land mobile network identity information refers to any identity information that can uniquely identify the PLMN B. The second public land mobile network may be any one or more PLMNs except PLMN A.

[0046] However, in other embodiments, when the capability publication sharing request information indicates that the application function network element allows the capability publication sharing request, the first network capability publication request message may not include the second public land mobile network identity information, that is, the NEF-1 network element can determine to which PLMN the network capability publication sharing request of the AF is granted according to the negotiation between PLMN A and other PLMNs according to the capability publication sharing request information added in the first network capability publication request message.

[0047] At S320, a first response message to the first network capability publication request message returned from the first network capability publication function network element is received.

[0048] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the NEF-1 network element of PLMN A receives the first network capability disclosure request message sent from the AF network element, it performs validity verification and authentication on the first network capability disclosure request message, generates a first response message according to a result of the validity verification and authentication, and returns the first response message to the AF network element corresponding to the AF ID.

[0049] Here, the first response message may include instruction information of "whether to agree to this first network capability disclosure request message". If the result of the validity check and authentication is successful, the instruction information of "whether to agree to this first network capability disclosure request message" is "agree to this first network capability disclosure request message", and conversely, if the result of the validity check and authentication is unsuccessful, the instruction information of "whether to agree to this first network capability disclosure request message" is "do not agree to this first network capability disclosure request message". If the NEF-1 network element rejects the first network capability disclosure request message, the first response message may include a rejection reason value.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first response message may include capability disclosure sharing request indication information, where the capability disclosure sharing request indication information indicates whether the first network capability disclosure function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to the second public land mobile network corresponding to the second public land mobile network identity information.

[0051] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the indication information of this capability disclosure sharing request and the indication information of "whether to agree to this first network capability disclosure request message" mentioned above can share the same indication information, for example, using the same field, the indication information can be: a first value to indicate that the NEF-1 network element rejects this first network capability disclosure request message, i.e., neither PLMN A nor PLMN B agrees to the disclosure of network capabilities to this AF network element; a second value to indicate that the NEF-1 network element only agrees to the disclosure of network capabilities from PLMN A to this AF network element, and does not support sharing this first network capability disclosure request message to PLMN B; a third value to indicate that the NEF-1 network element agrees to the disclosure of network capabilities from PLMN A to this AF network element, and supports sharing this first network capability disclosure request message to PLMN B; Alternatively, the NEF-1 network element may have a fourth value to indicate that the NEF-1 network element supports sharing the first network capability disclosure request message with PLMN B, or each of the fields may be different indication information, for example, two fields may be used to indicate each status, one field to indicate whether the validation and authentication of the first network capability disclosure request message by the NEF-1 network element is passed, and another field to indicate whether the PLMN A in which the NEF-1 network element is present supports sharing the first network capability disclosure request message with PLMN B, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include receiving a second response message if the indication information of the capability disclosure sharing request indicates that the first network capability disclosure function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to the second public land mobile network.

[0053] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the NEF-1 network element agrees to share the first network capability disclosure request message with the second public land mobile network, the NEF-1 network element can inform the AF network element of the above-mentioned capability disclosure sharing request indication information. At the same time, the NEF-1 network element can further generate a second network capability disclosure request message according to the first network capability disclosure request message, and send the second network capability disclosure request message to the NEF-2 network element (second network capability disclosure function network element) of the PLMN B. When the NEF-2 network element receives the second network capability disclosure request message, the NEF-2 network element can perform validation and authentication on the second network capability disclosure request message, and generate a second response message according to the validation and authentication result. The second response message includes capability disclosure indication information of "agree or not to the second network capability disclosure request message". If the validity check and authentication result is successful, the capability disclosure instruction information indicates that "the NEF-2 network element of PLMN B agrees to this second network capability disclosure request message", and conversely, the capability disclosure instruction information indicates that "the NEF-2 network element of PLMN B does not agree to this second network capability disclosure request message".

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include a step of receiving a capability publication notification message of the second public land mobile network if the capability publication instruction information indicates that the second network capability publication function network element agrees to publish network capabilities to the application function network element, the capability publication notification message including publication information content.

[0055] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, if the NEF-2 network element agrees to publish the network capabilities of PLMN B to the AF network element, the AF network element can receive a capability publication notification message of PLMN B. The capability publication notification message indicates related information of the network capabilities to be published from the PLMN B to the AF network element, and may include, for example, publication information content to indicate what the network capabilities to be published are.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, receiving a capability publication notification message of the second public land mobile network may include receiving the capability publication notification message from the first network capability publication function network element or the second network capability publication function network element.

[0057] In some embodiments, when the NEF-2 network element knows the publication information notification address, it can directly send the capability publication notification message of PLMN B to the AF element. In other embodiments, when the NEF-2 network element and the NEF-1 network element can directly communicate with each other, the NEF-2 network element can first send the capability publication notification message of PLMN B to the NEF-1 network element, and then send the capability publication notification message of PLMN B to the AF element via the NEF-1 network element.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, receiving a capability publication notification message of the second public land mobile network may include receiving the capability publication notification message from a first interconnection gateway of the first public land mobile network or a second interconnection gateway of the second public land mobile network.

[0059] In some other embodiments, when the NEF-1 network element and the NEF-2 network element can communicate with each other via an interconnection gateway, the NEF-2 network element may first send a capability publication notification message for PLMN B to the interconnection gateway-2 (second interconnection gateway) of PLMN B, then send a capability publication notification message for PLMN B from the interconnection gateway-2 to the interconnection gateway-1 (first interconnection gateway) of PLMN A, and then send the capability publication notification message for PLMN B from the interconnection gateway-1 to the NEF-1 network element, and then send the capability publication notification message for PLMN B to the AF network element via the NEF-1 network element.

[0060] In still other embodiments, the NEF-2 network element may first send a capability publication notification message for PLMN B to an interconnection gateway-2 (a second interconnection gateway) for PLMN B, and then send the capability publication notification message for PLMN B from the interconnection gateway-2 to the AF network element.

[0061] In still other some embodiments, the NEF-2 network element may first send a capability publication notification message for PLMN B to the interconnection gateway-2 (second interconnection gateway) of PLMN B, and then send the capability publication notification message for PLMN B from the interconnection gateway-2 to the interconnection gateway-1 (first interconnection gateway) of PLMN A, and then send the capability publication notification message for PLMN B from the interconnection gateway-1 to the AF network element.

[0062] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the capability disclosure sharing request information in the first network capability disclosure request message indicates that the AF network element does not allow the capability disclosure sharing request, the NEF-1 network element validates and authenticates the first network capability disclosure request message, and generates a first response message. Here, the first response message includes an indication information of "whether to agree to the first network capability disclosure request message". If the indication information of "whether to agree to the first network capability disclosure request message" indicates that the NEF-1 network element rejects the first network capability disclosure request message, the operation is terminated. On the other hand, if the indication information of "whether to agree to the first network capability disclosure request message" indicates that the NEF-1 network element agrees to the first network capability disclosure request message, the NEF-1 network element sends a capability disclosure notification message of PLMN A corresponding to the first event identifier to the AF network element when it detects that the first escalation condition information is satisfied.

[0063] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the indication information of the capability disclosure sharing request in the first response message indicates that the NEF-1 network element does not agree to the capability disclosure sharing request to PLMN B, and the indication information of “whether to agree to this first network capability disclosure request message” in the first response message indicates that the NEF-1 network element rejects the first network capability disclosure request message, the operation is terminated. On the other hand, if the indication information of “whether to agree to this first network capability disclosure request message” indicates that the NEF-1 network element agrees to the first network capability disclosure request message, the NEF-1 network element sends a capability disclosure notification message of PLMN A corresponding to the first event identifier to the AF network element when it detects that the first escalation condition information is satisfied.

[0064] In the network capability disclosure method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the application function network element sends a first network capability disclosure request message to a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network, the application function network element adds a capability disclosure sharing request message to the first network capability disclosure request message, and the application function network element can use the capability disclosure sharing request message to indicate whether the application function network element allows the capability disclosure sharing request. Therefore, the first network capability disclosure function network element of the first public land mobile network includes capability disclosure sharing request indication information in the first response message returned to the application function network element through the capability disclosure sharing request message added to the first network capability disclosure request message, and the first network capability disclosure function network element uses the capability disclosure sharing request indication information to disclose the capability to the second public land mobile network. indicate whether to agree to the disclosure sharing request, that is, the first network capability disclosure function network element of the first public land mobile network can act as an agent of this application function network element, and the first public land mobile network and the second public land mobile network can be mobile communication networks provided by two different telecommunications operators, or can be two different mobile communication networks built by the same telecommunications operator, so that the application function network element does not need to interact with different mobile communication networks separately, but only needs to submit an interaction request for capability disclosure to the mobile communication network of one of the telecommunications operators through the first network capability disclosure request message, thereby optimizing the mechanism of network capability disclosure, simplifying the interaction procedure with different mobile communication networks of third-party service providers, and improving interaction efficiency;The third-party service provider does not need to consider the differences between the interaction parameters and network disclosure capabilities of different mobile communication networks, which can bring convenience to the interaction for the disclosure of network capabilities by the third-party service provider.

[0065] In the embodiment of Figure 4, the AF network element actively requests sharing of the capability publishing request. The system architecture of the scenario shown in Figure 4 includes an application function network element (e.g., an AF network element), a first network capability publishing function network element (e.g., an NEF-1 network element), and a second network capability publishing function network element (e.g., an NEF-2 network element), which are used to perform the network capability publishing method described in the embodiment of the present disclosure. The method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include the following steps.

[0066] At S41, the AF element sends a first network capability publication request message to the NEF-1 network element of PLMN A.

[0067] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the AF network element sends a first network capability disclosure request message to the NEF-1 network element of PLMN A. The first network capability disclosure request message may include the AF ID of the AF network element, a disclosure information notification address, first network capability disclosure request parameter information (e.g., a first Event ID, a first information condition information, and optionally traffic flow template information, etc.), capability disclosure sharing request information (information indicating whether a capability disclosure sharing request to other PLMNs is permitted), and may further include, as an option, PLMN identification information permitting the capability disclosure request. Here, the description will be given by taking PLMN B as an example.

[0068] At S42, the NEF-1 network element returns a first response message to the AF element.

[0069] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the NEF-1 network element receives the first network capability disclosure request message, validates and authenticates the first network capability disclosure request message sent by the AF network element, and returns a first response message to the AF network element, where the first response message may include indication information of "whether to agree with the first network capability disclosure request message" and may include a rejection reason value if rejected.

[0070] If the NEF-1 network element only agrees to disclose network capabilities from this PLMN A to the AF network element and does not support sharing in the first network capability disclosure request message to PLMN B, it can also use the capability disclosure sharing request indication information in the first response message in S42 to indicate that this NEF-1 network element rejects the capability disclosure sharing request to PLMN B, and optionally includes a reason value for rejecting the capability disclosure sharing request (e.g., this PLMN A does not support sharing or PLMN B does not support sharing, etc.). In this case, there is no need to perform the following S43 to S45.

[0071] Optionally, in S43a, the NEF-1 network element of PLMN A sends a second network capability publication request message to the NEF-2 network element of PLMN B via the interconnection gateway-1 of PLMN A and the interconnection gateway-2 of PLMN B, respectively.

[0072] For example, the NEF-1 network element may further generate a second network capability publication request message according to the first network capability publication request message, and send the second network capability publication request message to the interconnection gateway-1 of PLMN A. The second network capability publication request message may include an identifier of the target PLMN B (i.e., the second public land mobile network identity), an identifier of this PLMN A (i.e., the first public land mobile network identity), an AF ID, a publication information notification address, second network capability publication request parameter information, etc. The second network capability publication request parameter information may include a second Event ID, and may optionally further include second escalation condition information, and may optionally further include traffic flow template information, etc.

[0073] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the second network capability disclosure request parameter information and the first network capability disclosure request parameter information may be the same, may be different, or may even be partially the same. The second Event ID and the first Event ID may be the same or different. The first escalation condition information and the second escalation condition information may be the same or different. The second network capability disclosure request parameter information may be determined by the NEF-1 network element according to various factors such as the first network capability disclosure request parameter information and the network capabilities that PLMN B can disclose, the required interface parameters, etc. In other words, the AF network element (e.g., a third-party service provider) does not need to consider the difference between the interaction parameters of the mobile communication networks provided by different communication operators and the network disclosure capabilities, and the PLMN A can negotiate with another PLMN B instead of the AF network element.

[0074] According to the identification information of the target PLMN B contained in the second network capability publication request message, the interconnection gateway-1 sends this second network capability publication request message to the interconnection gateway-2 of PLMN B (there may be multiple interconnection gateways between the two PLMNs, and the specific number is not limited in this disclosure), and the interconnection gateway-2 sends this second network capability publication request message to the NEF-2 network element of PLMN B.

[0075] Optionally, in S43b, the NEF-1 network element of PLMN A sends a second network capability publication request message to the NEF-2 network element of PLMN B.

[0076] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the NEFs of the two PLMNs are capable of interacting directly, there is no need to go through an interconnection gateway, i.e., the NEF-1 network element can send this second network capability publication request message directly to the NEF-2 network element.

[0077] Optionally, in S44a, the NEF-2 network element returns a second response message to the NEF-1 network element via the interconnection gateway-2 of PLMN B and the interconnection gateway-1 of PLMN A, respectively.

[0078] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the NEF-2 network element validates and authenticates the second network capability publication request message, and returns a second response message to the interconnection gateway-2 of PLMN B. The second response message may include an identifier (first public land mobile network identity) of the target PLMN A, an identifier (second public land mobile network identity) of this PLMN B, and a capability publication indication, which is used by this NEF-2 network element to indicate whether it agrees to publish its network capabilities to this AF network element, and may include a rejection reason value if rejected.

[0079] The interconnection gateway-2 forwards the second response message to the interconnection gateway-1 of PLMN A according to the identification information of the target PLMN A, and the interconnection gateway-1 sends the second response message to the NEF-1 network element.

[0080] Optionally, in S44b, the NEF-2 network element returns a second response message to the NEF-1 network element.

[0081] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the NEFs of the two PLMNs are capable of interacting directly, there is no need to go through an interconnection gateway, i.e., the NEF-2 network element can send this second response message directly to the NEF-1 network element.

[0082] Optionally, in S45, the NEF-1 network element returns a second response message to the AF network element.

[0083] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the NEF-1 network element receives the second response message, the NEF-1 network element may forward the second response message to the AF network element.

[0084] Optionally, in S44c, the NEF-2 network element can return a second response message to the AF element directly according to the published information notification address.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 5, the system architecture of the scenario shown in FIG. 5 includes an application function network element (e.g., an AF element), a first network capability disclosure function network element (e.g., an NEF-1 network element), and a second network capability disclosure function network element (e.g., an NEF-2 network element), which are used to perform the network capability disclosure method described in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0086] The method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a step of generating a capability publication notification message of PLMN B when the network information of PLMN B in Fig. 4 satisfies the second escalation condition information. The route of the capability publication notification message of PLMN B has several selectable procedures depending on whether the message can be directly sent from the interconnection gateway to the publication information notification address in Fig. 4.

[0087] At S51a, the NEF-2 network element returns a capability advertisement message of PLMN B to the AF network element via the interconnection Gateway-2 of PLMN B, the interconnection Gateway-1 of PLMN A and the NEF-1 network element, respectively.

[0088] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the network information of PLMN B in Fig. 4 meets the second escalation condition information, the NEF-2 network element can send a capability publication notification message of PLMN B to the interworking gateway-2 of PLMN B. The capability publication notification message of PLMN B may include the identifier of the target PLMN A, the identifier of this PLMN B, the publication information notification address and the publication information content of PLMN B. The interworking gateway-2 sends this capability publication notification message of PLMN B to the interworking gateway-1 of PLMN A, and then the interworking gateway-1 sends this capability publication notification message of PLMN B to the NEF-1 network element, and finally to the above-mentioned publication information notification address.

[0089] Optionally, in S51b, the NEF-2 network element returns a PLMN B capability advertisement message to the AF network element via the PLMN B interconnection Gateway-2 and the PLMN A interconnection Gateway-1, respectively.

[0090] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the network information of PLMN B meets the second escalation condition information, the NEF-2 network element can send a capability publication notification message of PLMN B to the interworking gateway-2 of PLMN B. The capability publication notification message of PLMN B includes the identifier of the target PLMN A, the identifier of this PLMN B, the publication information notification address and the publication information content of PLMN B. The interworking gateway-2 sends this capability publication notification message of PLMN B to the interworking gateway-1 of PLMN A, and the interworking gateway-1 sends this capability publication notification message of PLMN B to the above-mentioned publication information notification address.

[0091] Optionally, in S51c, the NEF-2 network element returns a PLMN B capability advertisement message to the AF network element via PLMN B's interconnection gateway-2.

[0092] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the network information of PLMN B meets the second escalation condition information, the NEF-2 network element can send a capability publication notification message of PLMN B to the interworking gateway-2 of PLMN B. The capability publication notification message of PLMN B includes the identifier of this PLMN B, the publication information notification address and the publication information content of PLMN B. The interworking gateway-2 sends the capability publication notification message of PLMN B to the above-mentioned publication information notification address.

[0093] Optionally, in S51d, the NEF-2 network element sends a PLMN B capability advertisement notification message to the NEF-1 network element, and the NEF-1 network element returns the PLMN B capability advertisement notification message to the AF network element.

[0094] Optionally, in S51e, the NEF-2 network element sends a capability advertisement message for PLMN B to the AF network element.

[0095] That is, if the NEFs of two PLMNs are capable of interacting directly, there is no need to go through an interconnection gateway, i.e., the NEF-2 network element may send the capability advertisement notification message of PLMN B directly to NEF-1, and then from NEF-1 to the AF network element, or the NEF-2 network element may send the capability advertisement notification message of PLMN B directly to the AF network element.

[0096] Optionally, at S52, the NEF-1 network element returns a PLMN A capability advertisement message to the AF network element.

[0097] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the network information of PLMN A meets the first escalation condition information, the NEF-1 network element can send a capability disclosure notification message of PLMN A to the above-mentioned disclosure information notification address. The capability disclosure notification message of PLMN A includes the disclosure information content of PLMN A.

[0098] For other contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure, reference may be made to the other embodiments described above.

[0099] FIG. 6 is a flow chart that illustrates a network capability publishing method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0100] As shown in Figure 6, the method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be performed by a first network capability publishing function network element of a first public land mobile network. The method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include the following steps:

[0101] At S610, a first network capability publishing request message sent from an application function network element is received.

[0102] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network capability disclosure request message may include application function identification information, a disclosure information notification address, first network capability disclosure request parameter information, and capability disclosure sharing request information.

[0103] If the capability publication sharing request information indicates that the application function network element authorizes the capability publication sharing request, optionally, the first network capability publication request message may further include a second public land mobile network identity that authorizes the capability publication sharing request.

[0104] At S620, the first network capability disclosure request message is validated and authenticated, and a first response message is generated.

[0105] The first response message may include capability disclosure sharing request indication information, wherein the capability disclosure sharing request indication information indicates whether the first network capability disclosure function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to the second public land mobile network.

[0106] At S630, the first response message is returned to the application function network element.

[0107] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include the steps of: when the indication information of the capability disclosure sharing request indicates that the first network capability disclosure function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to the second public land mobile network, sending a second network capability disclosure request message to a second network capability disclosure function network element of the second public land mobile network, the second network capability disclosure request message including the application function identification information, the disclosure information notification address and second network capability disclosure request parameter information; receiving a second response message to the second network capability disclosure request message, the second response message including capability disclosure indication information, the capability disclosure indication information indicating whether the second network capability disclosure function network element agrees to the disclosure of network capabilities to the application function network element; and forwarding the second response message to the application function network element.

[0108] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the indication information of "whether to agree to this second network capability disclosure request message" indicates that the NEF-2 network element agrees to this second network capability disclosure request message, the NEF-2 network element sends capability disclosure indication information of PLMN B corresponding to this second event identifier to the AF network element through a second response message.

[0109] In an exemplary embodiment, the second network capability disclosure request parameter information may further include second escalation condition information.

[0110] In an exemplary embodiment, the step of sending a second network capability disclosure request message to a second network capability disclosure function network element of a second public land mobile network may include a step of sending the second network capability disclosure request message to a first interconnection gateway of the first public land mobile network, and the second network capability disclosure request message may further include a second public land mobile network identification information and a first public land mobile network identification information.

[0111] The second network capability disclosure request message indicates that the first interconnection gateway sends the second network capability disclosure request message to a second interconnection gateway of the second public land mobile network according to the second public land mobile network identity information.

[0112] The second network capability disclosure request message further indicates that the second interconnection gateway sends the second network capability disclosure request message to the second network capability disclosure function network element.

[0113] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include, if the indication information of the capability disclosure sharing request indicates that the second network capability disclosure function network element agrees to disclose network capabilities to the application function network element, receiving a capability disclosure notification message of the second public land mobile network, the capability disclosure notification message including disclosure information content, and sending the capability disclosure notification message to the application function network element.

[0114] For other contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure, reference may be made to the other embodiments described above.

[0115] FIG. 7 is a flow chart that generally illustrates a network capability publishing method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0116] As shown in Figure 7, the method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be performed by a second network capability publishing function network element of a second public land mobile network. The method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include the following steps:

[0117] At S710, a second network capability disclosure request message sent from a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network is received.

[0118] The second network capability disclosure request message may include application function identification information, an identifier of PLMN B, a disclosure information notification address, and second network capability disclosure request parameter information.

[0119] At S720, the second network capability disclosure request message is validated and authenticated to generate a second response message, which may include capability disclosure instruction information, which indicates whether the second network capability disclosure function network element agrees to disclose network capabilities to the application function network element.

[0120] At S730, the second response message is returned to the application function network element.

[0121] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include, if the indication information of the capability disclosure sharing request indicates that the second network capability disclosure function network element agrees to disclose network capabilities to the application function network element, generating a second public land mobile network capability disclosure notification message, the capability disclosure notification message including disclosure information content, and sending the second public land mobile network capability disclosure notification message to the application function network element.

[0122] For other contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure, reference may be made to the other embodiments described above.

[0123] In the network capability disclosure method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, an AF network element can actively request sharing of a capability disclosure request to other PLMNs other than the PLMN to which the request is directed.

[0124] FIG. 8 is a flow chart that generally illustrates a network capability publishing method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0125] As shown in Figure 8, the method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be performed by an application function network element. The method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include the following steps.

[0126] At S810, send a first network capability disclosure request message to a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network.

[0127] The third network capability disclosure request message may include application function identification information, a disclosure information notification address, and first network capability disclosure request parameter information.

[0128] At S820, receive a capability publishing sharing request message returned from the first network capability publishing function network element.

[0129] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the NEF-1 network element receives a third network capability disclosure request message sent from the AF network element, the third network capability disclosure request message is not accompanied by the above-mentioned capability disclosure sharing request message, i.e., the AF network element does not actively request sharing of the capability disclosure request. However, the NEF-1 network element can send a capability disclosure sharing request message to the AF network element, and the capability disclosure sharing request message can include a second public land mobile network identity that allows the capability disclosure sharing request. Here again, take the above-mentioned PLMN B as an example, that is, confirm with the AF network element whether it agrees to send a capability disclosure request to PLMN B.

[0130] At S830, a third response message to the capability disclosure sharing request message is returned to the first network capability disclosure function network element.

[0131] When the AF network element receives the capability disclosure sharing request message sent from the NEF-1 network element, the AF network element may generate a third response message, and the third response message may include sharing request indication information, which indicates whether the application function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to the second public land mobile network corresponding to the second public land mobile network identity information.

[0132] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include a step of receiving a second public land mobile network capability publication notification message if the sharing request indication information indicates that the application function network element agrees to the capability publication sharing request to the second public land mobile network, the second public land mobile network capability publication notification message including publication information content.

[0133] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the sharing request indication information indicates that the AF network element does not agree to the capability disclosure sharing request to PLMN B, the AF network element does not receive the capability disclosure notification message sent from PLMN B.

[0134] For other contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure, please refer to the description of the other embodiments above. Hereinafter, an example will be described in combination with the embodiment of FIG.

[0135] The embodiment of FIG. 9 shows that the NEF network element (taken as an example the NEF-1 network element) actively requests sharing of capability disclosure to the AF network element.

[0136] As shown in Figure 9, the system architecture of the scenario shown in Figure 9 includes an application function network element (e.g., an AF network element), a first network capability publishing function network element (e.g., an NEF-1 network element), and a second network capability publishing function network element (e.g., an NEF-2 network element), which are used to perform the network capability publishing method described in the embodiment of the present disclosure. The method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include the following steps.

[0137] At S91, PLMN B and PLMN A negotiate whether to support sharing of network capability disclosures.

[0138] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, PLMN A and PLMN B negotiate whether to support network capability disclosure sharing. The negotiation target content may include whether to support capability disclosure sharing for a certain AF, whether to support capability disclosure sharing for a certain traffic, a supportable network capability disclosure Event ID, a supportable network information disclosure escalation condition, etc., and the negotiation target content can be called network capability disclosure sharing negotiation information. The network elements supporting the negotiation may be NEFs of the two PLMNs, or network management systems of the two PLMNs, but are not limited thereto in the present disclosure.

[0139] In one embodiment, NEF-1 sends a negotiation message to NEF-2 to negotiate whether to support sharing of network capability disclosure, and includes in the negotiation message an AF identifier, traffic flow template information, an event ID, escalation conditions for network information disclosure, etc. NEF-2 returns a response message to inform NEF-1 whether it agrees to the negotiation or not.

[0140] In another embodiment, NEF-2 sends a negotiation message to NEF-1 to negotiate whether to support sharing of network capability disclosure, and includes the AF identifier, traffic flow template information, event ID, escalation conditions of network information disclosure, etc. in the negotiation message. NEF-1 returns a response message to inform NEF-2 whether it agrees to the negotiation or not.

[0141] For example, the NEF-1 network element may send a negotiation message to the NEF-2 network element via the interconnection gateway-1 and the interconnection gateway-2 to negotiate whether to support sharing of network capability disclosure, and may add at least one of the AF ID, traffic flow template information, event ID, escalation condition of network information disclosure, etc. to the negotiation message. The NEF-2 may return a response message via the interconnection gateway-2 and the interconnection gateway-1 to inform the NEF-2 whether it agrees to the negotiation or not.

[0142] Also, for example, the NEF-2 network element may send a negotiation message to the NEF-1 network element via the interconnection gateway-2 and the interconnection gateway-1 to negotiate whether to support sharing of network capability disclosure, and add at least one of the AF ID, traffic flow template information, event ID, escalation condition of network information disclosure, etc. to the negotiation message. The NEF-1 may return a response message via the interconnection gateway-1 and the interconnection gateway-2 to inform the NEF-2 whether or not it agrees to the negotiation.

[0143] At S92, the AF network element sends a third network capability publication request message to the NEF-1 network element of PLMN A.

[0144] When sending the third network capability disclosure request message from the AF network element to the NEF-1 network element, the third network capability disclosure request message may include an AF ID, a disclosure information notification address, first network capability disclosure request parameter information, etc., and the first network capability disclosure request parameter information may include a first Event ID, and may optionally further include first escalation condition information, and may optionally further include traffic flow template information, etc.

[0145] At S93, the NEF-1 network element of PLMN A returns a capability publishing sharing request message to the AF network element.

[0146] If the third network capability disclosure request message sent from the AF network element satisfies the sharable capability disclosure in the network capability disclosure sharing agreement information, send a capability disclosure sharing request message to the AF network element. The capability disclosure sharing request message may include the identity information (second public land mobile network identity information) of the PLMN B to be shared. If sharing to multiple PLMNs is possible, the identity information of multiple PLMNs will be returned.

[0147] At S94, the AF network element returns a third response message to the NEF-1 network element of PLMN A.

[0148] When the AF network element receives the capability disclosure sharing request message, the AF network element may return a third response message to the NEF-1 network element, the third response message may include sharing request indication information, and the sharing request indication information may be used to indicate whether the AF network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to the second public land mobile network corresponding to the second public land mobile network identity information.

[0149] If the sharing request indication information in the third response message received from the NEF-1 network element indicates that the AF network element agrees to the capability publishing sharing request to the second public land mobile network, the NEF-1 network element can generate a fourth network capability publishing request message. The fourth network capability publishing request message may include an AF ID, a second network capability publishing request parameter information, etc., and the second network capability publishing request parameter information may include a second Event ID, optionally further include second escalation condition information, optionally further include traffic flow template information, etc.

[0150] Optionally, in S95a, the NEF-1 network element of PLMN A sequentially sends a fourth network capability publication request message to the NEF-2 network element of PLMN B via the interconnection gateway-1 of PLMN A and the interconnection gateway-2 of PLMN B.

[0151] Optionally, in S95b, the NEF-1 network element of PLMN A sends a fourth network capability publication request message to the NEF-2 network element of PLMN B.

[0152] When the NEF-2 network element receives the fourth network capability disclosure request message, it can verify and authenticate the fourth network capability disclosure request message and generate a fourth response message.

[0153] Optionally, at S96a, the NEF-2 network element of PLMN B sequentially transmits a fourth response message to the NEF-1 network element of PLMN A via the interconnection gateway-2 of PLMN B and the interconnection gateway-1 of PLMN A.

[0154] Optionally, at S96b, the NEF-2 network element of PLMN B sends a fourth response message to the NEF-1 network element of PLMN A.

[0155] Optionally, in S96c, the NEF-2 network element returns a fourth response message to the AF network element.

[0156] Optionally, in S97, the NEF-1 network element returns a fourth response message to the AF network element.

[0157] If the AF network element agrees to share the capability disclosure request, the NEF-1 network element of PLMN A completes the capability disclosure sharing request procedure to the NEF-2 network element of PLMN B. After the request procedure is completed, the disclosure information content (i.e., capability disclosure information) in PLMN B can be notified to the AF network element according to the procedure in Figure 5.

[0158] For other contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure, reference may be made to the other embodiments described above.

[0159] The network capability disclosure method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can realize negotiation regarding sharing of network capability disclosure between different PLMNs.

[0160] FIG. 10 is a flow chart that generally illustrates a network capability publishing method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0161] As shown in Figure 10, the method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be performed by a first network capability publishing function network element of a first public land mobile network. The method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include the following steps:

[0162] At S1010, receive a third network capability disclosure request message sent from an application function network element, wherein the third network capability disclosure request message may include application function identification information, a disclosure information notification address and a first network capability disclosure request parameter information.

[0163] At S1020, if the third network capability disclosure request message satisfies network capability disclosure sharing agreement information, the capability disclosure sharing request message is returned to the application function network element. The capability disclosure sharing request message may include a second public land mobile network identity information that authorizes the capability disclosure sharing request.

[0164] At S1030, receive a third response message to the capability disclosure sharing request message returned from the application function network element, the third response message including sharing request indication information, the sharing request indication information indicating whether the application function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to a second public land mobile network.

[0165] For other contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure, reference may be made to the other embodiments described above.

[0166] FIG. 11 is a block diagram that illustrates a schematic diagram of an application function network element according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 11 , an application function network element 1100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a sending unit 1110 and a receiving unit 1120.

[0168] The sending unit 1110 is configured to send a first network capability disclosure request message to a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network, where the first network capability disclosure request message may include application function identification information, a disclosure information notification address, first network capability disclosure request parameter information and capability disclosure sharing request information.

[0169] In an exemplary embodiment, if the capability publication sharing request information indicates that the application function network element authorizes the capability publication sharing request, the first network capability publication request message may further include a second public land mobile network identity that authorizes the capability publication sharing request.

[0170] The receiving unit 1120 is configured to receive a first response message returned from the first network capability disclosure function network element to the first network capability disclosure request message, the first response message may include capability disclosure sharing request indication information, the capability disclosure sharing request indication information indicating whether the first network capability disclosure function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to the second public land mobile network.

[0171] In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving unit 1120 is further configured to receive a second response message when the indication information of the capability disclosure sharing request indicates that the first network capability disclosure function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to the second public land mobile network. The second response message may include capability disclosure indication information. The capability disclosure indication information indicates whether the second network capability disclosure function network element of the second public land mobile network agrees to disclose network capabilities to the application function network element.

[0172] In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving unit 1120 is further configured to receive a capability publication notification message of the second public land mobile network when the capability publication indication information indicates that the second network capability publication function network element agrees to publish network capabilities to the application function network element. The capability publication notification message may include publication information content.

[0173] In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving unit 1120 is further configured to receive the capability advertisement notification message from the first network capability advertisement function network element or the second network capability advertisement function network element.

[0174] In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving unit 1120 is further configured to receive the capability publication notification message from a first interconnection gateway of the first public land mobile network or a second interconnection gateway of the second public land mobile network.

[0175] In an exemplary embodiment, the first response message includes a first event identifier, the first event identifier indicating that the first network capability disclosure function network element agrees to the first network capability disclosure request message.

[0176] In an example embodiment, the first network capability disclosure request parameter information may further include first escalation condition information.

[0177] In an exemplary embodiment, the first network capability publication request parameter information may further include traffic flow template information.

[0178] For other contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure, reference may be made to the other examples described above.

[0179] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0180] As shown in FIG. 12 , a first network capability publishing function network element 1200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a receiving unit 1210, a processing unit 1220 and a sending unit 1230.

[0181] The receiving unit 1210 is configured to receive a first network capability disclosure request message sent from an application function network element, wherein the first network capability disclosure request message may include application function identification information, a disclosure information notification address, a first network capability disclosure request parameter information and a capability disclosure sharing request information.

[0182] In an exemplary embodiment, if the capability publication sharing request information indicates that the application function network element authorizes the capability publication sharing request, the first network capability publication request message may further include a second public land mobile network identity that authorizes the capability publication sharing request.

[0183] The processing unit 1220 is further configured to validate and authenticate the first network capability disclosure request message, and generate a first response message, which may include capability disclosure sharing request indication information, where the capability disclosure sharing request indication information indicates whether the first network capability disclosure function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to the second public land mobile network.

[0184] The sending unit 1230 is configured to return the first response message to the application function network element.

[0185] In an exemplary embodiment, the sending unit 1230 is further configured to send a second network capability publication request message to a second network capability publication function network element of the second public land mobile network when the indication information of the capability publication sharing request indicates that the first network capability publication function network element agrees to the capability publication sharing request to the second public land mobile network, the second network capability publication request message including the application function identification information, the publication information notification address and second network capability publication request parameter information. The receiving unit 1210 is further configured to receive a second response message to the second network capability publication request message, the second response message including capability publication indication information, the capability publication indication information indicating whether the second network capability publication function network element agrees to publish network capabilities to the application function network element. The sending unit 1230 is further configured to forward the second response message to the application function network element.

[0186] In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving unit 1210 is further configured to receive a capability publication notification message of the second public land mobile network when the capability publication indication information indicates that the second network capability publication function network element agrees to publish network capabilities to the application function network element, and the capability publication notification message includes publication information content. The sending unit 1230 is further configured to send the capability publication notification message to the application function network element.

[0187] In an exemplary embodiment, the second response message includes a second event identifier, the second event identifier indicating that the second network capability disclosure function network element agrees to the second network capability disclosure request message.

[0188] In an exemplary embodiment, the second network capability disclosure request parameter information may further include second escalation condition information.

[0189] In an exemplary embodiment, the sending unit 1230 is further configured to send the second network capability publication request message to a first interconnection gateway of the first public land mobile network. The second network capability publication request message may further include a second public land mobile network identity and a first public land mobile network identity.

[0190] The second network capability disclosure request message indicates that the first interconnection gateway sends the second network capability disclosure request message to a second interconnection gateway of the second public land mobile network according to the second public land mobile network identity information.

[0191] The second network capability disclosure request message further indicates that the second interconnection gateway sends the second network capability disclosure request message to the second network capability disclosure function network element.

[0192] For other contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure, reference may be made to the other examples described above.

[0193] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of a second network capability disclosure function network element of a second public land mobile network according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0194] As shown in FIG. 13 , the second network capability publishing function network element 1300 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a receiving unit 1310, a processing unit 1320 and a sending unit 1330.

[0195] The receiving unit 1310 is configured to receive a second network capability disclosure request message sent from a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network, wherein the second network capability disclosure request message may include application function identification information, a disclosure information notification address and second network capability disclosure request parameter information.

[0196] The processing unit 1320 is configured to validate and authenticate the second network capability disclosure request message, and generate a second response message, which may include capability disclosure instruction information, which indicates whether the second network capability disclosure function network element agrees to disclose network capabilities to the application function network element.

[0197] The sending unit 1330 is configured to return the second response message to the application function network element.

[0198] In an exemplary embodiment, the processing unit 1320 is further configured to generate a second public land mobile network capability publication notification message when the capability publication indication information indicates that the second network capability publication function network element agrees to publish network capabilities to the application function network element. The capability publication notification message may include publication information content. The sending unit 1330 is further configured to send the second public land mobile network capability publication notification message to the application function network element.

[0199] For other contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure, reference may be made to the other examples described above.

[0200] Furthermore, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an application function network element, which further includes a sending unit and a receiving unit.

[0201] The sending unit is configured to send a third network capability disclosure request message to a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network, wherein the third network capability disclosure request message may include application function identification information, a disclosure information notification address and a first network capability disclosure request parameter information.

[0202] The receiving unit is configured to receive a capability publication sharing request message returned from the first network capability publication function network element, wherein the capability publication sharing request message may include a second public land mobile network identity that authorizes the capability publication sharing request.

[0203] The sending unit is further configured to return a third response message to the capability disclosure sharing request message to the first network capability disclosure function network element, where the third response message may include sharing request indication information, where the sharing request indication information indicates whether the application function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to the second public land mobile network.

[0204] In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a second public land mobile network capability publication notification message when the sharing request indication information indicates that the application function network element agrees to a capability publication sharing request to the second public land mobile network. The second public land mobile network capability publication notification message may include publication information content.

[0205] For other contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure, reference may be made to the other examples described above.

[0206] The embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a first network capability publishing function network element of a first public land mobile network, which includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit.

[0207] The receiving unit is configured to receive a third network capability disclosure request message sent from an application function network element, wherein the third network capability disclosure request message may include application function identification information, a disclosure information notification address and a first network capability disclosure request parameter information.

[0208] The sending unit is configured to return a capability publishing request message to the application function network element when the third network capability publishing request message satisfies network capability publishing sharing agreement information. The capability publishing request message may include a second public land mobile network identity that authorizes the capability publishing sharing request.

[0209] The receiving unit is further configured to receive a third response message to the capability disclosure sharing request message returned from the application function network element, the third response message may include sharing request indication information, the sharing request indication information indicating whether the application function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to a second public land mobile network.

[0210] For other contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure, reference may be made to the other examples described above.

[0211] Fig. 14 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a communication device 1400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device may be a terminal such as a UE, a network device such as a base station, and may further be a NEF network element and / or an AF network element and / or an interconnection gateway, etc. The communication device 1400 illustrated in Fig. 14 includes a processor 1410. To realize the method in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 1410 can call and execute a computer program from a memory.

[0212] Optionally, as shown in Fig. 14, the communication device 1400 may further include a memory 1420. Here, in order to realize the method in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 1410 can call and execute a computer program from the memory 1420.

[0213] Here, the memory 1420 may be a separate device independent of the processor 1410 or may be integrated into the processor 1410.

[0214] Optionally, as shown in Figure 14, the communication device 1400 may further include a transceiver 1430. The processor 1410 may control the transceiver 1430 to communicate with other devices, in particular to transmit information or data to other devices and receive information or data transmitted from other devices.

[0215] Here, the transceiver 1430 may include a transmitter and a receiver, and may further include an antenna, and the number of antennas may be one or more.

[0216] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may specifically be various network elements in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the communication device 1400 may implement corresponding procedures implemented by each network element in each method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, which will not be described here for brevity.

[0217] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may specifically be a network device in an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the communication device 1400 may implement corresponding procedures implemented by a network device in each method of an embodiment of the present disclosure, which will not be described here for brevity.

[0218] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may specifically be a mobile terminal / terminal in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the communication device 1400 may implement corresponding procedures implemented by a mobile terminal / terminal in each method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, which will not be described here for brevity.

[0219] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be an integrated circuit chip having a signal processing capability. During implementation, each step of the above-described method embodiments may be performed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor or by instructions in software format.

[0220] The above-mentioned processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components. Each method, step, and logic block diagram disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be realized or executed. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be embodied as the execution completion of a hardware decode processor, or can be embodied as the execution completion of a combination of hardware and software modules in the decode processor. The software module may exist in a storage medium mature in the art, such as a random memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is built into the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and combines the hardware to complete the steps of the above-mentioned method.

[0221] It should be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be volatile or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Here, the non-volatile memory may be a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), an Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), or a Flash memory. The volatile memory may be a Random Access Memory (RAM) used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM can be used, such as static random access memory (Static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (Synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (Double Data Rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (Enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synch link dynamic random access memory (synch link DRAM, SLDRAM), and direct memory bus random access memory (Direct Rambus RAM, DR RAM). However, the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory. It should be understood that the above-mentioned memories are exemplary and not limiting.

[0222] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a computer readable storage medium for storing a computer program.

[0223] Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to a network device in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the computer program can cause a computer to execute corresponding procedures implemented by the network device in each method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, which will not be described here for brevity.

[0224] Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to each network element in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the computer program can cause a computer to execute corresponding procedures implemented by each network element in each method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, which will not be described here for brevity.

[0225] Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to a mobile terminal / terminal in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the computer program can enable a computer to execute corresponding procedures implemented by the mobile terminal / terminal in each method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, which will not be described here for brevity.

[0226] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a computer program product including computer program instructions.

[0227] Optionally, the computer program product may be applied to a network device in an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the computer program instructions may cause a computer to execute corresponding procedures implemented by the network device in each method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, which will not be described here for brevity.

[0228] Optionally, the computer program product may be applied to each network element in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the computer program instructions may cause a computer to execute corresponding procedures implemented by each network element in each method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, which will not be described here for brevity.

[0229] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to a mobile terminal / terminal in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the computer program instructions can enable a computer to execute corresponding procedures implemented by the mobile terminal / terminal in each method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, which are not described here for brevity.

[0230] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a computer program.

[0231] Optionally, this computer program may be applied to a network device in an embodiment of the present disclosure, and when this computer program is run on a computer, it may cause the computer to execute corresponding procedures implemented by the network device in each method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, which will not be described here for the sake of brevity.

[0232] Optionally, this computer program may be applied to each network element in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and when this computer program is run on a computer, it may cause the computer to execute corresponding procedures implemented by each network element in each method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, which will not be described here for the sake of brevity.

[0233] Optionally, this computer program can be applied to a mobile terminal / terminal in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and when this computer program is run on a computer, it can cause the computer to execute corresponding procedures implemented by the mobile terminal / terminal in each method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, which are not described here for brevity.

[0234] Those skilled in the art can recognize that the exemplary model units and algorithm steps described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software is determined by the specific application and design constraints of the technical approach. Experts can use different methods to realize the described functions for each specific application, but such realization should not be understood as being outside the scope of this application.

[0235] For ease and conciseness of explanation, it should be clearly recognized by those skilled in the art that the specific operation processes of the systems, devices and units described above may refer to the corresponding processes in the above-mentioned method embodiments, but will not be further described here.

[0236] In some embodiments provided herein, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus, and method may be realized in other ways. For example, the above-described device embodiments are merely exemplary, and the division of the units is merely a logical division of functions, and other division methods may be used in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, and some features may be ignored or not implemented.

[0237] The units described above as individual components may or may not be physically separated. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units, i.e., they may be located in one place or distributed among multiple network units. According to actual needs, some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the objective of the technical solution of the present embodiment.

[0238] Also, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present disclosure may be integrated into one processing unit, each unit may exist physically alone, and two or more units may be integrated into one unit. When the function is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it may be stored in one computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical proposal of the present disclosure may be essentially embodied in the form of a software product, or a part of the contribution to the related art, or a part of its technical method, and this computer software product is stored in a storage medium containing some instructions for making a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present disclosure. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program code, such as a U disk, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0239] The above is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, and the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto, and within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, those skilled in the art can easily make modifications or substitutions, all of which are within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be in accordance with the scope of protection of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0240] 100 Communication Systems 110 Network Devices 120 terminals 1100 Application Function Network Element 1110 Transmitter unit 1120 Receiver Unit 1200 First network capability disclosure function network element 1210 Receiver Unit 1220 Processing Unit 1230 Transmitter Unit 1300 Second network capability disclosure function network element 1310 Receiver Unit 1320 Processing Unit 1330 Transmitter Unit 1400 Communication Devices 1410 processor 1420 Memory 1430 Transceiver

Claims

1. A network capability publishing method performed by an application function network element, comprising: Sending a first network capability disclosure request message to a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network, the first network capability disclosure request message including application function identification information, a disclosure information notification address, first network capability disclosure request parameter information and capability disclosure sharing request information; receiving a first response message to the first network capability disclosure request message returned from the first network capability disclosure function network element, the first response message including capability disclosure sharing request indication information, the capability disclosure sharing request indication information indicating whether the first network capability disclosure function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to a second public land mobile network;

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein if the capability publication sharing request information indicates that the application function network element authorizes the capability publication sharing request, the first network capability publication request message further includes a second public land mobile network identity that authorizes the capability publication sharing request.

3. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a second response message when the indication information of the capability publication sharing request indicates that the first network capability publication function network element agrees to the capability publication sharing request to the second public land mobile network, the second response message including capability publication indication information, the capability publication indication information indicating whether a second network capability publication function network element of the second public land mobile network agrees to publishing network capabilities to the application function network element.

4. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: if the capability publication instruction information indicates that the second network capability publication function network element agrees to publish network capabilities to the application function network element, receiving a capability publication notification message of the second public land mobile network, the capability publication notification message including publication information content.

5. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first response message includes a first event identifier, and the first event identifier indicates that the first network capability disclosure function network element agrees to the first network capability disclosure request message.

6. 1. A network capability disclosure method performed by a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network, comprising: receiving a first network capability disclosure request message sent from an application function network element, the first network capability disclosure request message including application function identification information, a disclosure information notification address, first network capability disclosure request parameter information and capability disclosure sharing request information; Validating and authenticating the first network capability disclosure request message and generating a first response message, the first response message including capability disclosure sharing request indication information, the capability disclosure sharing request indication information indicating whether the first network capability disclosure function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to a second public land mobile network; returning the first response message to the application function network element.

7. If the indication information of the capability disclosure sharing request indicates that the first network capability disclosure function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to the second public land mobile network, sending a second network capability disclosure request message to a second network capability disclosure function network element of the second public land mobile network, where the second network capability disclosure request message includes the application function identification information, the disclosure information notification address and second network capability disclosure request parameter information; receiving a second response message to the second network capability disclosure request message, the second response message including capability disclosure instruction information, the capability disclosure instruction information indicating whether the second network capability disclosure function network element agrees to disclose network capabilities to the application function network element; 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of: forwarding the second response message to the application function network element.

8. receiving a capability publication notification message of the second public land mobile network when the capability publication indication information indicates that the second network capability publication function network element agrees to publish network capabilities to the application function network element, the capability publication notification message including publication information content; The method of claim 7 , further comprising: sending the capability publication notification message to the application function network element.

9. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second response message includes a second event identifier, the second event identifier indicating that the second network capability disclosure function network element agrees to the second network capability disclosure request message.

10. The step of sending a second network capability disclosure request message to a second network capability disclosure function network element of the second public land mobile network comprises: sending the second network capability disclosure request message to a first interconnection gateway of the first public land mobile network, the second network capability disclosure request message further including a second public land mobile network identity and a first public land mobile network identity; the second network capability disclosure request message indicates that the first interconnection gateway sends the second network capability disclosure request message to a second interconnection gateway of the second public land mobile network according to the second public land mobile network identity information; 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second network capability publication request message further indicates that the second interconnection gateway sends the second network capability publication request message to the second network capability publication function network element.

11. A network capability disclosure method performed by a second network capability disclosure function network element of a second public land mobile network, comprising: receiving a second network capability disclosure request message sent from a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network, the second network capability disclosure request message including application function identification information, a disclosure information notification address and second network capability disclosure request parameter information; performing validation and authentication on the second network capability disclosure request message and generating a second response message, the second response message including capability disclosure instruction information, the capability disclosure instruction information indicating whether the second network capability disclosure function network element agrees to disclose network capabilities to the application function network element; returning the second response message to the application function network element.

12. generating a capability publication notification message of the second public land mobile network when the capability publication indication information indicates that the second network capability publication function network element agrees to publish network capabilities to the application function network element, the capability publication notification message including publication information content; The method of claim 11 , further comprising: sending the capability publication notification message to the application function network element.

13. A network capability publishing method performed by an application function network element, comprising: Sending a third network capability disclosure request message to a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network, the third network capability disclosure request message including application function identification information, a disclosure information notification address and first network capability disclosure request parameter information; receiving a capability publication sharing request message returned from the first network capability publication function network element, the capability publication sharing request message including a second public land mobile network identity that authorizes the capability publication sharing request; and returning a third response message to the capability disclosure sharing request message to the first network capability disclosure function network element, the third response message including sharing request indication information, the sharing request indication information indicating whether the application function network element agrees to the capability disclosure sharing request to a second public land mobile network.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: if the sharing request indication information indicates that the application function network element agrees to the capability publication sharing request to the second public land mobile network, receiving a capability publication notification message of a second public land mobile network, wherein the capability publication notification message of the second public land mobile network includes publication information content.

15. 1. A network capability disclosure method performed by a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network, comprising: receiving a third network capability disclosure request message sent from an application function network element, the third network capability disclosure request message including application function identification information, a disclosure information notification address and a first network capability disclosure request parameter information; returning a capability publication sharing request message to the application function network element when the third network capability publication sharing request message satisfies network capability publication sharing agreement information, wherein the capability publication sharing request message includes a second public land mobile network identity information that authorizes the capability publication sharing request; receiving a third response message to the capability publication sharing request message returned from the application function network element, the third response message including sharing request indication information, the sharing request indication information indicating whether the application function network element agrees to the capability publication sharing request to a second public land mobile network;

16. A network capability disclosure system including: an application function network element; a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network; and a second network capability disclosure function network element of a second public land mobile network, The application function network element is adapted to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The first network capability disclosure function network element is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, A system, wherein the second network capability publishing function network element is adapted to perform the method according to claim 11 or 12.

17. A network capability disclosure system including an application function network element and a first network capability disclosure function network element of a first public land mobile network, The application function network element is adapted to perform the method according to claim 13 or 14, The system, wherein the first network capability publishing function network element is adapted to perform the method of claim 15.

18. 1. A communications device including one or more processors and a memory arranged to store one or more computer programs, The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, or A method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, or 13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, or 15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, or A communication device implementing the method of claim 15.

19. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, The computer program, when executed on a computer, performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, or A method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, or 13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, or 15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, or A computer readable storage medium causing the computer to perform the method of claim 15.

20. A computer program product comprising a computer program, When this computer program is executed on a computer, it performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or A method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, or 13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, or 15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, or A computer program product implementing the method of claim 15.

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