How to interact with media features and devices

Abstract

The present application discloses a media capability interaction method and device, which includes the steps of: a first network element sending a media capability discovery request message to a second network element to inquire about a target media capability; and the first network element receiving a media capability discovery request response message sent by the second network element to feed back information of at least one candidate media capability instance matching the target media capability. The media capability interaction method and device provided by the embodiments of the present application can greatly simplify the information exchange process between media capabilities by using a media capability centralization manner and an SBI-based interaction manner, which improves information exchange efficiency and is favorable for the interoperation of network elements of different manufacturers.

Description

Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application is filed in relation to a Chinese patent application with application number 202111457809.3 and filing date December 2, 2021, and claims the priority of the above Chinese patent application. Here, the entire content of the above Chinese patent application is incorporated into this application by reference.

Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of mobile communication technology. Specifically, it relates to a method for interacting with media functions and a device.

Background Art

[0003] Currently, in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, media-related functions need to be decomposed and realized by multiple media network elements.

[0004] Transition Gateway (TrGW): It is used to realize the media conversion function for an operator to interoperate with other IP networks. IP Multimedia Media Gateway (IM-MGW): It is used to realize the interoperability between the IMS network and the media functions of other non-IP networks. Here, non-IP networks include conventional 3G networks, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), etc. IMS Access Gateway (IMS-AGW): It has Network Address Translation (NAT) capabilities and is used to realize the conversion between signaling and media at different IP types (IPv4, IPv6) addresses. Media Resource Function Controller (MRFP): This processor is responsible for processing media service resources. Specifically, under the control of the Media Resource Function Controller (MRFC), it completes the processing of media service resources sent by the Application Server (AS), such as providing sound playback, answering phone calls, and holding and recording meetings for the user.

[0005] Conventional IMS networks have at least the following problems: 1) Conventional IMS network interfaces use the H.248 protocol, which has poor scalability, making it difficult to separate media control network elements and media bearer network elements between different manufacturers, and thus making deployment by different manufacturers extremely difficult. 2) Conventional IMS technology distributes different media functions across different media network elements, making it inconvenient to control these media and complicating the interconnection and interoperability between different media network elements. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] At least one embodiment of the present invention provides a method and device for media function interaction, thereby solving the problem of the prior art in which it is difficult to associate user identifiers on the service side with those on the network side. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above technical problems, this invention is realized as follows.

[0008] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for interacting with media functions of an IMS network, the method comprising: a media control server sending a media function discovery request message to a second network element inquiring about a target media function; the media control server receiving a media function discovery request response message from the second network element, wherein the media function discovery request response message provides feedback information about at least one candidate media function example that matches the target media function; and the media control server providing the target media function by selecting one target media function example from the at least one candidate media function example.

[0009] In one embodiment, the media function discovery request message carries at least one of the following: the name of the target media function, the type of the target media function, the type of requester that triggers the media function discovery request, and target media capability information, which includes at least one of the following: encoding / decoding capability, sound playback capability, conferencing capability, data channel media capability, and topology concealment capability.

[0010] In one embodiment, the media function discovery request response message carries at least one of the following: the type of the candidate media function instance, the identifier of the candidate media function instance, the address of the candidate media function instance including a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) address and / or an Internet Protocol (IP) address, media service capability information that the candidate media function instance can provide, the matching priority of the candidate media function instance, the load information of the candidate media function instance, and the location information of the candidate media function instance.

[0011] In one embodiment, the step of the media control server selecting one target media function example from the at least one candidate media function example includes the step of the media control server selecting a target media function example from the at least one candidate media function example based on information carried by the media function discovery request response message and a pre-configured media function selection mechanism.

[0012] In one embodiment, the step of selecting a target media function example from the at least one candidate media function example includes one of the following steps: selecting the candidate media function example as the target media function example if the at least one candidate media function example includes only one media function example; or selecting one target media function example based on a pre-configured media function selection mechanism if the at least one candidate media function example includes at least two media function examples.

[0013] In one embodiment, the step of selecting a target media function example based on the pre-configured media function selection mechanism includes, if the media function selection mechanism is a random mechanism, the step of selecting one target media function example from the at least two media function examples based on a random algorithm; if the media function selection mechanism is a priority mechanism, the step of selecting one target media function example from the at least two media function examples according to the priority of the matching priority; and if the media function selection mechanism is a localized mechanism, the step of selecting one target media function example from the at least two media function examples based on the selection mechanism of the media control server.

[0014] In one embodiment, the selection mechanism of the media control server includes at least one of the following: selecting based on the location information of the user terminal and the location information of the media function example; selecting based on the encoding and decoding capabilities of the user terminal and the encoding and decoding capabilities of the media function example; and selecting based on the load information of the media function example.

[0015] In one embodiment, when the media control server receives a request related to a media session sent from the requesting party, it sends the media function discovery request message to the second network element.

[0016] In one embodiment, the requests associated with the media session include at least one of the following: an invocation request requiring the establishment of an IMS session, a sound playback request, a conference request, an encoding / decoding negotiation request, the establishment of a different Session Initialization Protocol (SIP) network session, and a data channel session request.

[0017] In one embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: a media control server sending a subscription request message to a second network element to subscribe to status information of a first media function example, wherein the subscription request message carries the receiving address of the status information of the first media function example; and the media control server receiving a subscription request response message sent from the second network element, wherein the subscription request response message indicates whether or not the subscription to the status information of the first media function example was successful.

[0018] In one embodiment, the subscription request message contains information indicating the media capabilities to be subscribed to.

[0019] In one embodiment, the method further includes the step of the media control server receiving a media status update message transmitted from the second network element, wherein the media status update message carries status update information of the first media function example.

[0020] In one embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: the media control server sending a media session establishment request to a target third network element, wherein the media session establishment request is negotiated between the media control server and the third network element to establish a target media resource, and the target third network element is the third network element where the target media function instance is located; the media control server receiving a media session establishment request response message returned from the target third network element, wherein the media session establishment request response message contains relevant information about the target media resource; and the media control server sending the relevant information about the target media resource to the requesting party that triggered the media function discovery request message.

[0021] In one embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: the media control server sending a media session update request containing update instruction information for the target media resource to a target third network element; and the media control server receiving a media session update request response message returned from the target third network element.

[0022] In one embodiment, the method further includes: the media control server sending a media session deletion request including a session deletion instruction and media resource information for which deletion is requested to a target third network element; and the media control server receiving a media session deletion request response message returned from the target third network element.

[0023] In one embodiment, the media control server communicates with the second network element and media function instance using a service-based interface (SBI).

[0024] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for interacting media functions in an IMS network. The method includes: the second network element receiving a media function discovery request message for querying a target media function sent from a media control server; and the second network element determining at least one candidate media function instance that matches the target media function and sending a media function discovery request response message for feedback information of the at least one candidate media function instance to the media control server.

[0025] In one embodiment, the media function discovery request message carries at least one of the following: the name of the target media function, the type of the target media function, the type of the requesting side that triggers the media function discovery request, encoding / decoding ability, sound playback ability, conferencing ability, data channel media ability, topology hiding ability, and target media ability information.

[0026] In one embodiment, the media function discovery request response message carries at least one of the type of the candidate media function instance, the identifier of the candidate media function instance, the address of the candidate media function instance including the FQDN address and / or the IP address, the media service capability information that the candidate media function instance can provide, the matching priority of the candidate media function instance, the load information of the candidate media function instance, and the location information of the candidate media function instance.

[0027] In one embodiment, the method further includes: the second network element receiving media capability registration request information sent from a third network element, where the media function registration request information is for registering the media capability of a media function instance of the third network element; and the second network element storing the correspondence between the media function instance and the media capability based on the media function registration request information, and sending media function registration request response information to the third network element.

[0028] In one embodiment, the media capability registration request information carries at least one of the type of the media function, the identifier of the media function instance, the address of the media function instance, and the media service capability information that the media function instance can provide.

[0029] In one embodiment, the method further includes: the second network element receiving a subscription request message sent from the media control server for subscribing to the status information of a first media function instance, where the subscription request message carries the receiving address of the status information of the first media function instance; and the second network element sending a subscription request response message indicating whether the subscription to the status information of the first media function instance is successful to the media control server.

[0030] In one embodiment, the method further includes the step that, when the state of the first media function example is updated, the second network element sends a media state subscription message to the media control server, which carries the state update information of the first media function example.

[0031] In one embodiment, the second network element communicates with the media control server and media function examples using a service-based interface (SBI).

[0032] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for interacting with media functions of an IMS network, the method comprising: a third network element receiving a media session establishment request transmitted from a media control server, the media session establishment request negotiating between the media control server and the third network element to establish a target media resource; and the media function instance responding to the media session establishment request by transmitting a media session establishment request response message to the media control server, the media session establishment request response message containing relevant information about the target media resource.

[0033] In one embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: the third network element receiving a media session update request sent from the media control server, wherein the media session update request carries update instruction information for the target media resource; and the media control service updating the target media resource based on the update instruction information, and after the update, sending a media session update request response message to the media control server.

[0034] In one embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: the third network element receiving a media session deletion request sent from the media control server, wherein the media session deletion request includes a session deletion instruction and media resource information for which deletion is requested; and the media control service deleting the corresponding media session, releasing the corresponding media resource, and sending a media session deletion request response message to the media control server based on the media session deletion request.

[0035] In one embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: the third network element transmitting media capability registration request information to the second network element for registering the media capability of a media function example of the third network element; and the third network element receiving media capability registration request response information transmitted from the second network element.

[0036] In one embodiment, multiple media function examples are concentrated in the third network element, and each of the multiple media function examples includes at least one of the following: a data channel media function example, a TrGW function example, an IM-MGW function example, an IMS-AGW function example, and a media resource processing function example.

[0037] In one embodiment, the third network element communicates with the media control server and the second network element using a service-based interface (SBI).

[0038] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a media control server comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is configured to send a media function discovery request message querying a target media function to a second network element, and to receive a media function discovery request response message sent from the second network element, wherein the media function discovery request response message provides feedback information of at least one candidate media function example that matches the target media function, and the processor is configured to provide the target media function by selecting one target media function example from the at least one candidate media function example.

[0039] According to the fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a media control server comprising a processor, memory, and a program stored in the memory and executable by the processor, wherein the program, when executed by the processor, realizes the steps of the method described in any one of the first aspects.

[0040] According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a second network element comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive a media function discovery request message from a media control server inquiring about a target media function, the processor determines at least one candidate media function example that matches the target media function, and sends a media function discovery request response message to the media control server that provides feedback information about the at least one candidate media function example.

[0041] According to the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second network element comprising a processor, a memory, and a program stored in the memory and executable by the processor, wherein the program, when executed by the processor, realizes a step of the method of any one of the second aspects.

[0042] According to the eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a third network element comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive a media session establishment request transmitted from a media control server, the media session establishment request being negotiated between the media control server and the third network element to establish a target media resource, and the processor is configured to respond to the media session establishment request by sending a media session establishment request response message to the media control server, the message containing relevant information about the target media resource.

[0043] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a third network element comprising a processor, a memory, and a program stored in the memory and executable by the processor, wherein the program, when executed by the processor, realizes the steps of the method of any one of the third aspects.

[0044] According to the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium in which a program is stored, and when the program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method described above are realized. [Effects of the Invention]

[0045] Compared to the prior art, the media function interaction method and device provided by the embodiment of the present invention solve the problem in the prior art of difficulty in associating user identifiers on the service side and the network side. The embodiment of the present invention uses a media function centralization method and an SBI-based interaction method to significantly simplify the information exchange process between media functions, improve information exchange efficiency, and is advantageous for interoperability of network elements from different manufacturers. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0046] [Figure 1]This is a simplified structural diagram of the SBI-based centralized media function and related interfaces provided by the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] This is another structural diagram of the SBI-based centralized media function and related interfaces provided by the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart of the method for interacting with media functions provided by the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is another flowchart of the method for interacting with media functions provided by the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart for establishing a media session provided by the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart of media session updates provided by the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart for deleting a media session provided by the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart of media function subscription provided by the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is another flowchart of the method for interacting with media functions provided by the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart for media function registration provided by the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is another flowchart of the method for interacting with media functions provided by the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first network element of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first network element of another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second network element of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second network element of another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16]This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third network element of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third network element of another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first network element of a further embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second network element of a further embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a third network element of a further embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0047] The following describes exemplary embodiments of the present application in more detail with reference to the drawings. While the drawings show exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the application can be realized in various ways and should not be limited by the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to better understand the present application and to fully convey its scope to those skilled in the art.

[0048] The terms “first,” “second,” and so on in the specification and claims of this application are for distinguishing similar subjects and do not represent a specific order or priority. It should be understood that the data used in this manner are interchangeable where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein may be carried out in an order other than that shown or described in the drawings. Furthermore, “includes” and “has” and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or device including a series of steps or units may not be strictly limited to the listed steps or units, but may include other steps or units inherent to those processes, methods, products, or devices that are not explicitly listed. “and / or” in the specification and claims represents at least one of the subjects being connected.

[0049] The technologies described herein are not limited to NR systems and Long Time Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, but may be used in a variety of wireless communication systems such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), and other systems. The terms “system” and “network” are often used interchangeably. CDMA systems can implement wireless communication technologies such as CDMA2000 and Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA). UTRA includes Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA®) and other CDMA variants. The TDMA system can implement wireless communication technologies such as Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM). The OFDMA system can implement wireless communication technologies such as UltraMobile Broadband (UMB), Evolution-UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.21 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, and Flash-OFDM. UTRA and E-UTRA are parts of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS).LTE and more advanced LTE (e.g., LTE-A) are newer UMTS versions that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, and GSM are described in the literature of the organization known as the "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP®). CDMA2000 and UMB are described in the literature of the organization known as the "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP® 2). The technologies described herein may be used with the systems and wireless communication technologies mentioned above, or with other systems and wireless communication technologies. However, the following descriptions use NR systems as an example, and although these technologies may be used in applications other than NR system applications, most of the following descriptions use NR terminology.

[0050] The following descriptions are illustrative but are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or setting described in the claims. The function and arrangement of the described elements may be modified, as long as they do not deviate from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Various examples may be appropriately omitted, substituted, or have various provisions or components added. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Also, features described in some examples may be combined in others.

[0051] As described in the background information, conventional IMS networks have challenges such as difficulty in interoperability between media control network elements and media bearer network elements from different manufacturers, and difficulty in realizing control of media functions. To solve any one of these challenges, this application provides a method for media function interaction in an IMS network that realizes an integrated calling and interaction mechanism for media network elements in an IMS network, thereby eliminating the disadvantages of the conventional method of performing media interaction calls using the H.248 protocol.

[0052] Embodiments of the present invention provide an SBI-based media function module, a network architecture, and a media function discovery and selection mechanism, where SBI refers to a Service Based Interface. Specifically, 1) By introducing the SBI mechanism into the media resource interaction mechanism, the discovery and selection of media module functions by the IMS network will be realized. This mechanism will enable the separation of media control modules and media function modules between different manufacturers, and will allow for greater flexibility in the placement of related function modules. 2) Embodiments of the present application define an SBI-based media function module, which may be called a Centralized Media Function (CMF) or Unified Media Function (UMF). The media function module may include all or some of the IMS network media functions, including, but not limited to, TrGW, IM-MGW, IMS-AGW, MRFP, and data channel media functions. These media functions are discovered and selected by the corresponding media control server via SBI. 3) The embodiments of the present application define an SBI-based media function call network architecture.

[0053] As shown in Figure 1, it is a simplified structural diagram of the SBI-based centralized media function and associated interfaces provided by an embodiment of the present application. Here, the centralized media function in Figure 1 may also be called a centralized media function module, unified media function, or unified media function module, etc.

[0054] The first network element is a server responsible for controlling media resources in the IMS network.

[0055] In one embodiment, the first network element may be one of the following: Media Control Server (MCS), Data Channel Control Function (DCCF), Data Channel Server (DCS), Data Channel Server-Controller (DCS-C), Data Channel Signaling Function (DCSF), Unified Control Function (UCF), Centralized Control Function (CCF), Application Server (AS), Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF), Inter-connect Border Control Function (IBCF), Network Repository Server (NRS), Media Repository Function (MRF), Media Resource Control Function (MRCF), IMS network element, or IMS network function.

[0056] The second network element is responsible for managing and discovering media functions.

[0057] In one embodiment, the second network element may be one of the following: a network repository library function or network repository function (NRF), a media repository server (MRS), a network repository server (NRS), or a media repository function (MRF).

[0058] The third network element may include all or part of the IMS network media functions, including, but not limited to, TrGW, IM-MGW, IMS-AGW, MRFP, and data channel media functions. These media functions may be discovered and selected by the SBI by the corresponding first network element (e.g., a media control server).

[0059] In one embodiment, the third network element includes a Media Function Server (MFS), Unified Media Function (UMF), Centralized Media Function (CMF), Data Channel Media Functionality (DCMF), Data Channel Media (DCM), DC Network Function Example, DC Media Network Function Example, DC Media Service, Data Channel Media Server-Media (DCS-M), Media Resource Function (MRF), Media Resource Function Processor (MRFP), and IMS-AGW. It may be one of the following: IM-MGW, TrGW, other IMS media functions, or other 5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology Core (5GC) media functions.

[0060] Here, other IMS media functions or other 5GC media functions refer to IMS-AGW, MRFP, IM-MGw, TrGW, User Plane Function (UPF), and other IMS media functions or 5GC media functions that are different from the User Plane Function.

[0061] Figure 2 is a more detailed structural diagram of the SBI-based centralized media function module and interface.

[0062] UMF (CMF) refers to a centralized media function module or unified media function module. This function module can unify all or part of the IMS network media functions, not limited to TrGW, IM-MGW, IMS-AGW, MRFP, and data channel media functions. These media functions may be invoked by the SBI and the corresponding media control server. In Figure 2, the media control server includes the AS, MGCF, IBCF, and data channel server. The media storage server is primarily responsible for storing, retrieving, registering, discovering, and subscribing to media functions and capabilities.

[0063] In Figure 2, the interface between each media control server and the central media function module (unified media function module) is called IF1, and the interface between each media control server and the media storage server is called IF2.

[0064] Figure 2 further includes the following network elements.

[0065] The AS (Application Server) directs application servers within the IMS network and is responsible for functions such as Server Centralization and Continuity Application Server (SCC-AS) and Multimedia Telephony (MMTEL).

[0066] MGCF is the control module responsible for controlling IM-MGw and for communication between IMS and the CS network.

[0067] IBCF is responsible for controlling TrGW and completing boundary interoperability between different operator IMS networks or between IMS networks and other networks (e.g., CS networks).

[0068] P-CSCF stands for Proxy-Call Session Control Function, which is responsible for controlling IMS-AGW and performing media resource control and encoding / decoding negotiation.

[0069] The Data Channel Server or Data Channel Control Function is responsible for controlling the server for establishing data channels and negotiating media resources.

[0070] In the following, media control servers, media storage servers, and media function servers may be used as specific implementations of the first, second, and third network elements. Note that these servers are merely one type of implementation corresponding to the network elements, and the embodiments of this application are not limited to them. For example, in the following and in Figures 4-8 and 10, the media control server, media storage server, and media function server can be replaced using the first, second, and third network elements, respectively.

[0071] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the method for interacting with media functions provided by the embodiment of the present invention, when applied to the media control server side, is explained in Figure 4 as an example in which the first network element is the media control server and the second network element is the media storage server, respectively. Of course, the servers in Figure 4 may be replaced with corresponding network elements. As shown in Figure 3, the method includes the following steps 31 to 33.

[0072] Step 31, the first network element sends a media function discovery request message to the second network element to query the target media function.

[0073] Here, the media control server, after receiving a first request related to a media session sent from the requesting party, can determine the target media function corresponding to the first request, and then sends the media function discovery request message in step 31 to the media storage server. That is, either requesting party triggers the media control server to send the media function discovery request message, thereby triggering the subsequent media resource negotiation.

[0074] Here, the requests related to the media session include at least one of the following: 1) a call request requiring the establishment of an IMS session, 2) a sound playback request, 3) a conference request, 5) an encoding / decoding negotiation request, 6) the establishment of a different SIP network session, 7) a data channel session request, etc. Of course, the embodiments of this application may also include requests related to other media sessions, and a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0075] For example, when a requesting party needs the service of a certain media session, it triggers the media control server to initiate the media function discovery request by sending the first request that specifies the media session service desired by the requesting party to the media control server. After receiving the first request sent from the requesting party, the media control server sends the media function discovery request message to the media storage server to inquire about media function examples that can provide the target media function.

[0076] Specifically, the media function discovery request message includes: 1) Name of the target media function, 2) The type of the target media function, 3) At least one of the requesting types that trigger a media function discovery request may be carried.

[0077] In one embodiment, the media function discovery request message may carry target media capability information including at least one of the following: encoding / decoding capability, sound playback capability, conferencing capability, data channel media capability, and topology concealment capability.

[0078] Step 32, the first network element receives a media function discovery request response message transmitted from the second network element to provide feedback on information regarding at least one candidate media function instance that matches the target media function.

[0079] Here, the media function discovery request response message includes: 1) The type of the candidate media function example (the type of the candidate media function example usually matches the type of the target media function), 2) Identifier of the candidate media function example, 3) Address of the candidate media function example, including FQDN address and / or IP address, 4) At least one of the media service capability information that the candidate media function example can provide may be carried.

[0080] In one embodiment, the media function discovery request response message may carry at least one of the following: the matching priority of the candidate media function example, the load information of the candidate media function example, and the location information of the candidate media function example.

[0081] Step 33, the first network element provides the target media function by selecting one target media function example from the at least one candidate media function example.

[0082] Through the steps described above, the embodiment of the present invention can achieve the discovery of media functions and, therefore, provide the corresponding media resources to the requesting party.

[0083] Furthermore, in the embodiment of this application, communication between the media control server and the media storage server is performed using SBI. That is, in the above steps, the media control server sends a media function discovery request message to the media storage server via SBI to inquire about the target media function, and receives the media function discovery request response message sent from the media storage server via SBI. Compared to the prior art method which uses the above-mentioned SBI-based media function discovery and selection mechanism to perform dialogue and negotiation of media capabilities and resources based on the H.248 / Megaco protocol, the embodiment of this application can solve the problems of the prior art, such as the low protocol extensibility due to the IMS network interface using the H.248 protocol and the difficulty in separating and arranging network elements from different manufacturers.

[0084] In step 33 described above, the media control server can select a target media function example from the at least one candidate media function example based on the information carried by the media function discovery request response message and a pre-configured media function selection mechanism.

[0085] Specifically, the method for selecting the target media function example from the at least one candidate media function example includes at least one of the following: 1) If the at least one candidate media function example includes only one media function example, the candidate media function example is selected as the target media function example. 2) If the at least one candidate media function example includes at least two media function examples, one target media function example is selected based on a pre-configured media function selection mechanism. For example, as follows: 2a) If the media function selection mechanism is a random mechanism, one target media function example is selected from the at least two media function examples based on a random algorithm. 2b) If the media function selection mechanism is a priority mechanism, one target media function example is selected from the at least two media function examples according to the priority of the matching priority. 2c) If the media function selection mechanism is a localized mechanism, one target media function example is selected from the at least two media function examples based on the selection mechanism of the media control server. Here, the selection mechanism of the media control server may also include at least one of the following: i) selecting based on the location information of the user terminal and the location information of the media function example; ii) selecting based on the encoding / decoding capability of the user terminal and the encoding / decoding capability of the media function example; or iii) selecting based on the load information of the media function example.

[0086] Following step 32 described above, the embodiment of the present application further provides a media session establishment mechanism, specifically including the following steps 51-52, as shown in Figure 5.

[0087] Step 51, the media control server sends a media session establishment request to the target media function server, the media session establishment request is negotiated between the media control server and the media function server to establish a target media resource, and the target media function server is the media function server where the target media function instance is located.

[0088] Step 52, the media control server receives a media session establishment request response message returned from the target media function server, and the media session establishment request response message contains relevant information about the target media resource.

[0089] Next, the media control server may send the relevant information of the target media resource to the requesting party that triggered the media function discovery request message, thereby establishing a media session. The requesting party here is the same party that sends the first request related to the media session as described above.

[0090] In embodiments of the present invention, it may be necessary to update the target media resource, in which case the following steps 61-62 are further included, as shown in Figure 6.

[0091] Step 61, the media control server sends a media session update request to the target media function server, which carries update instruction information for the target media resource, thereby instructing the media function server on how to perform the media resource update.

[0092] Step 62, the media control server receives a media session update request response message returned from the target media function server.

[0093] Here, after receiving the media session update request in step 61, the media function server updates the target media resource based on the update instruction information, and after updating, sends a media session update request response message to the media control server to indicate the specific update result, such as whether the update was successful or failed.

[0094] As shown in Figure 7, if the requesting party does not require the media session, etc., the following steps 71-72 are further included.

[0095] Step 71, the media control server sends a media session deletion request to the target media function server, the media session deletion request includes a session deletion instruction and media resource information for which deletion is requested.

[0096] Step 72, the media control server receives a media session deletion request response message returned from the target media function server.

[0097] Here, the media control service deletes the corresponding media session based on the media session deletion request, releases the corresponding media resource, and sends the media session deletion request response message to the media control server.

[0098] In the embodiments of the present invention, the media control server may acquire timely status information of media function examples by a subscription mechanism. As shown in Figure 8, the above method further includes the following steps 81 to 82.

[0099] Step 81, the media control server sends a subscription request message to the media storage server to subscribe to the status information of the first media function example, and the subscription request message carries the receiving address of the status information of the first media function example.

[0100] In this case, the subscription request message may also carry information indicating the media capabilities to be subscribed to.

[0101] Step 82, the media control server receives a subscription request response message sent from the media storage server and indicates whether the subscription request response message has succeeded in subscribing to the status information of the first media function example.

[0102] Here, after receiving the subscription request message, the media storage server determines whether or not to permit the subscription. If it permits the subscription, it approves the subscription and establishes and maintains the associated subscription relationship.

[0103] Thus, after successfully subscribing to the status information of the first media function example, the media control server can subsequently receive media status update messages sent from the media storage server, and these media status update messages carry the status update information of the first media function example.

[0104] In the embodiments of this application, the request and response messages related to Figures 4 to 8 can be communicated via SBI.

[0105] Furthermore, in order to facilitate the management of each media function, the embodiment of the present invention centralizes multiple media function examples on the same media function server (e.g., a centralized media function server or a unified media function server), and the multiple media function examples include at least one of the following: a data channel media function example, a conversion gateway (TrGW) function example, an IM-MGW function example, an IMS-AGW function example, and a media resource processing function example (e.g., sound playback, conference media processing).

[0106] By using the above-described centralized method and SBI-based dialogue method, the embodiment of the present invention can significantly simplify the information exchange process between media functions, improve information exchange efficiency, and is advantageous for interoperability of network elements between different manufacturers.

[0107] Referring to Figure 9 and in combination with Figure 4 above, the method for interacting with media functions of an IMS network provided by the embodiment of the present application, when applied to a media storage server, includes the following steps 91-92.

[0108] Step 91, the second network element receives a media function discovery request message from the first network element that queries the target media function.

[0109] Here, the media function discovery request message includes: 1) Name of the target media function, 2) The type of the target media function, 3) The type of requesting party that triggers the media function discovery request may be at least one of the following.

[0110] In one embodiment, the media function discovery request message may carry target media capability information including at least one of the following: encoding / decoding capability, sound playback capability, conferencing capability, data channel media capability, topology concealment capability, and so on.

[0111] Step 92, the second network element determines at least one candidate media function example that matches the target media function and sends a media function discovery request response message to the first network element that provides feedback information about the at least one candidate media function example.

[0112] Specifically, the media function discovery request response message includes: 1) The type of the candidate media function example (the type of the candidate media function example usually matches the type of the target media function), 2) Identifier of the candidate media function example, 3) Address of the candidate media function example including FQDN and / or IP address, 4) At least one of the following media service capability information that the candidate media function example can provide may be carried.

[0113] In one embodiment, the media function discovery request response message carries at least one of the following: the matching priority of the candidate media function example, the load information of the candidate media function example, and the location information of the candidate media function example.

[0114] The above steps enable the discovery of media capabilities, thereby allowing the provision of corresponding media resources for the requesting party.

[0115] Referring to Figure 10, the embodiment of the present application further includes steps 101-102 before step 91 described above.

[0116] Step 101, the media storage server receives media capability registration request information sent from the media function server, and the media capability of the media function example of the media function server is registered in the media function registration request information.

[0117] Here, the media capability registration request information may specifically include at least one of the following: the type of media function, an identifier for a media function example, an address for a media function example, and media service capability information that the media function example can provide. A media function may include one or more media capabilities, that is, one or more media capabilities realize the associated media function.

[0118] Step 102, the media storage server stores the correspondence between the media function example and the media capability based on the media function registration request information, and sends media function registration request response information to the media function server.

[0119] As shown in Figure 8 above, in the method of the embodiment of the present invention, the media storage server can also receive a subscription request message sent from the media control server to subscribe to the status information of the first media function example, and the subscription request message carries the address to receive the status information of the first media function example. Thereafter, the media storage server determines whether or not to permit the subscription, and if it permits the subscription, it approves the subscription and establishes and maintains the associated subscription relationship. Thereafter, the media storage server sends a subscription request response message to the media control server indicating whether or not it succeeded in subscribing to the status information of the first media function example.

[0120] Thus, after successfully subscribing to the status information of the first media function example, if the status of the first media function example is updated thereafter, the media storage server can send a media status subscription message containing the status update information of the first media function example to the media control server.

[0121] Similarly, in the embodiments of the present invention, the relevant request and response messages between the media storage server, media control server, and media function server can all communicate via SBI.

[0122] Referring to Figure 11 and Figure 5 above, the method for interacting with media functions of an IMS network provided by the embodiment of the present application, when applied to a media function server, includes the following steps 111-112.

[0123] Step 111, the third network element receives a media session establishment request transmitted from the first network element, and the media session establishment request is negotiated between the first network element and the third network element to establish a target media resource.

[0124] Step 112, the media function instance sends a media session establishment request response message containing relevant information about the target media resource to the first network element in response to the media session establishment request.

[0125] As shown in Figure 6 above, in the method of the embodiment of the present invention, the media function server may further receive a media session update request sent from the media control server, and the media session update request carries update instruction information for the target media resource. Subsequently, the media control service updates the target media resource based on the update instruction information, and after the update, sends a media session update request response message to the media control server.

[0126] As shown in Figure 7 above, in the method of the embodiment of the present application, the media function server may further receive a media session deletion request sent from the media control server, the media session deletion request including a session deletion instruction and media resource information for which deletion is requested. Thereafter, the media control service deletes the corresponding media session, releases the corresponding media resource, and sends a media session deletion request response message to the media control server based on the media session deletion request.

[0127] As shown in Figure 10 above, in the method of the embodiment of the present application, the media function service may further transmit media capability registration request information to the media storage server. The media capability registration request information registers the media capability of the media function example of the media function server. Thereafter, the media function server receives the media function registration request response information transmitted from the media storage server.

[0128] The above describes various methods of the embodiments of the present application. Below, we further provide a device for implementing the above methods.

[0129] Referring to Figure 12, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a first network element 1200, the first network element 1200 comprising: a first transmit module 1201 configured to transmit a media function discovery request message to a second network element inquiring about a target media function; a first receive module 1202 configured to receive a media function discovery request response message transmitted from the second network element, which provides feedback information on at least one candidate media function instance that matches the target media function; and a first select module 1203 configured to provide the target media function by selecting one target media function instance from the at least one candidate media function instance.

[0130] In one embodiment, the first selection module is further configured to select a target media function example from the at least one candidate media function example based on information carried by the media function discovery request response message and a pre-configured media function selection mechanism.

[0131] Specifically, the first selection module is configured such that selecting the target media function example from the at least one candidate media function example includes at least one of the following: selecting the candidate media function example as the target media function example if the at least one candidate media function example includes only one media function example; and selecting one target media function example based on a pre-configured media function selection mechanism if the at least one candidate media function example includes at least two media function examples.

[0132] In one embodiment, the first selection module is configured to further select a target media function instance based on a pre-configured media function selection mechanism, including: if the media function selection mechanism is a random mechanism, selecting one target media function instance from the at least two media function instances based on a random algorithm; if the media function selection mechanism is a priority mechanism, selecting one target media function instance from the at least two media function instances according to the priority of the matching priority; and if the media function selection mechanism is a localized mechanism, selecting one target media function instance from the at least two media function instances based on the first network element selection mechanism.

[0133] In one embodiment, the first transmitting module is further configured to send the media function discovery request message to the second network element when it receives a request related to a media session sent from the requesting side.

[0134] In one embodiment, the first network element further includes a subscription processing module configured to send a subscription request message to a second network element, which carries the receiving address of the status information of the first media function example, for subscribing to the status information of the first media function example, and to receive a subscription request response message from the second network element indicating whether or not the subscription to the status information of the first media function example was successful.

[0135] In one embodiment, the first network element further includes a second receiving module configured to receive a media status update message transmitted from the second network element, which carries status update information of the first media function example.

[0136] In one embodiment, the first network element further includes a second transmitting module configured to transmit a media session establishment request to a target third network element, which is the third network element where the target media function instance resides, for negotiating between the first network element and the third network element to establish a target media resource; a third receiving module configured to receive a media session establishment request response message returned from the target third network element, which carries relevant information about the target media resource; and a third transmitting module configured to transmit the relevant information about the target media resource to the requesting side that triggered the media function discovery request message.

[0137] In one embodiment, the first network element further includes a fourth transmitting module configured to transmit a media session update request carrying update instruction information for the target media resource to a target third network element, and a fourth receiving module configured to receive a media session update request response message returned from the target third network element.

[0138] In one embodiment, the first network element further includes a fifth transmitting module configured to transmit a media session deletion request to a target third network element, which includes a session deletion instruction and media resource information for which deletion has been requested; and a fifth receiving module configured to receive a media session deletion request response message returned from the target third network element.

[0139] In one embodiment, the first network element communicates with the second network element and the media function example using a service-based interface (SBI). For example, each of the above receiving and transmitting modules communicates with the second network element and the media function example via a service-based interface (SBI).

[0140] The first network element in this embodiment is the first network element corresponding to the method shown in Figures 3 to 8 above, and each implementation in the above embodiment is suitable for the embodiment of the first network element and can achieve similar technical effects. The first network element provided by the embodiment of the present application can implement all the steps of the method implemented by the above method embodiment and can achieve similar technical effects, and here we will omit a detailed explanation of the parts that are the same as the method embodiment in this embodiment and the beneficial effects.

[0141] Referring to Figure 13, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a first network element 1300 comprising a transceiver 1301 and a processor 1302.

[0142] The transceiver 1301 is configured to send a media function discovery request message to a second network element to inquire about a target media function, and to receive a media function discovery request response message sent from the second network element. The media function discovery request response message provides feedback information about at least one candidate media function example that matches the target media function, and the processor 1302 is configured to provide the target media function by selecting one target media function example from the at least one candidate media function example.

[0143] In one embodiment, the transceiver is further configured to select a target media function example from the at least one candidate media function example based on the information carried by the media function discovery request response message and a pre-configured media function selection mechanism.

[0144] In one embodiment, the transceiver is further configured to select the target media function example from the at least one candidate media function example, which includes selecting the candidate media function example as the target media function example if the at least one candidate media function example includes only one media function example, and selecting one target media function example based on a pre-configured media function selection mechanism if the at least one candidate media function example includes at least two media function examples.

[0145] In one embodiment, the transceiver is further configured to include at least one of the following: selecting one target media function example based on a preset media function selection mechanism; selecting one target media function example from the at least two media function examples based on a random algorithm if the media function selection mechanism is a random mechanism; selecting one target media function example from the at least two media function examples according to the priority of the matching priority if the media function selection mechanism is a priority mechanism; and selecting one target media function example from the at least two media function examples based on the first network element selection mechanism if the media function selection mechanism is a localized mechanism.

[0146] In one embodiment, the transceiver is further configured to send the media function discovery request message to a second network element when it receives a request related to a media session transmitted from the requesting side.

[0147] In one embodiment, the transceiver is further configured to send a subscription request message to a second network element, which carries the receiving address of the status information of the first media function example, for subscribing to the status information of the first media function example, and to receive a subscription request response message from the second network element indicating whether or not the subscription to the status information of the first media function example was successful.

[0148] In one embodiment, the transceiver is further configured to receive a media status update message transmitted from the second network element, which carries status update information of the first media function example.

[0149] In one embodiment, the transceiver further transmits a media session establishment request to a target third network element, the media session establishment request is negotiated between the first network element and the third network element to establish a target media resource, the target third network element is the third network element where the target media function example is located, the transceiver receives a media session establishment request response message returned from the target third network element, the media session establishment request response message carries related information of the target media resource, and the transceiver is configured to transmit the related information of the target media resource to the requesting side that triggered the media function discovery request message.

[0150] In one embodiment, the transceiver is further configured to transmit a media session update request carrying update instruction information for the target media resource to a target third network element and to receive a media session update request response message returned from the target third network element.

[0151] In one embodiment, the transceiver is further configured to send a media session deletion request to a target third network element, which includes a session deletion instruction and media resource information for which deletion is requested, and to receive a media session deletion request response message returned from the target third network element.

[0152] In one embodiment, the first network element communicates with the second network element and a media function example using a service-based interface (SBI). That is, the transceiver communicates with the second network element and a media function example using a service-based interface (SBI).

[0153] The first network element in this embodiment is the first network element corresponding to the method shown in Figures 3 to 8 above, and each of the implementations in the above embodiments is suitable for the embodiment of the first network element and can achieve similar technical effects. The first network element provided by the embodiment of the present application can implement all the steps of the method implemented by the above method embodiment and can achieve similar technical effects, and here, a detailed explanation of the parts that are the same as the method embodiment in this embodiment and the beneficial effects is omitted.

[0154] Referring to Figure 14, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a second network element 1400, the second network element 1400 comprising: a first receiving module 1401 configured to receive a media function discovery request message transmitted from a first network element inquiring about a target media function; and a first transmitting module 1402 configured to transmit a media function discovery request response message to the first network element, which determines at least one candidate media function example that matches the target media function and provides feedback information about the at least one candidate media function example.

[0155] In one embodiment, the second network element further includes a second receiving module configured to receive media capability registration request information transmitted from the third network element for registering the media capability of a media function example of the third network element, and a second transmitting module configured to store the correspondence between the media function example and the media capability based on the media function registration request information and to transmit media function registration request response information to the third network element.

[0156] In one embodiment, the second network element further includes a third receiving module configured to receive a subscription request message transmitted from the first network element, which carries a receiving address for the status information of the first media function instance, for subscribing to the status information of the first media function instance; and a third transmitting module configured to send a subscription request response message to the first network element indicating whether or not the subscription to the status information of the first media function instance was successful.

[0157] In one embodiment, the second network element further includes a fourth transmission module configured to transmit to the first network element a media status subscription message carrying status update information of the first media function example when the status of the first media function example is updated.

[0158] In one embodiment, the second network element communicates with the first network element and the media function example using a service-based interface (SBI). That is, each of the above receiving and transmitting modules communicates with the first network element and the media function example using a service-based interface (SBI).

[0159] The second network element in this embodiment is the second network element corresponding to the method shown in Figure 9, and all of the implementation forms in the above embodiments are suitable for the embodiment of the device and can achieve similar technical effects. The second network element provided by the embodiment of the present application can implement all the steps of the method implemented by the above method embodiment and can achieve similar technical effects, and here we will omit a detailed explanation of the parts that are the same as the method embodiment in this embodiment and the beneficial effects.

[0160] Referring to Figure 15, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a second network element 1500 comprising a transceiver 1501 and a processor 1502, wherein the transceiver 1501 is configured to receive a media function discovery request message that queries a target media function transmitted from a first network element, the processor 1502 is configured to determine at least one candidate media function instance that matches the target media function, and the transceiver 1501 is further configured to transmit a media function discovery request response message to the first network element, the media function discovery request response message providing feedback information about the at least one candidate media function instance.

[0161] In one embodiment, the transceiver is further configured to receive media capability registration request information transmitted from a third network element, the media capability of a media function example of the third network element is registered by the media capability registration request information, the processor is further configured to store the correspondence between the media function example and the media capability based on the media capability registration request information, and the transceiver is further configured to transmit media capability registration request response information to the third network element.

[0162] In one embodiment, the transceiver is further configured to receive a subscription request message transmitted from the first network element, which carries the receiving address for the status information of the first media function example, and to send a subscription request response message to the first network element indicating whether or not the subscription to the status information of the first media function example was successful.

[0163] In one embodiment, the transceiver is further configured to transmit a media status subscription message containing status update information of the first media function example to the first network element when the status of the first media function example is updated.

[0164] In one embodiment, the second network element communicates with the first network element and the media function example using a service-based interface (SBI). That is, the transceivers communicate with the first network element and the media function example using a service-based interface (SBI).

[0165] The second network element in this embodiment is the second network element corresponding to the method shown in Figure 9, and all of the implementation forms in the above embodiments are suitable for the embodiment of the device and can achieve similar technical effects. The second network element provided by the embodiment of the present application can implement all the steps of the method implemented by the above method embodiment and can achieve similar technical effects, and here we will omit a detailed explanation of the parts that are the same as the method embodiment in this embodiment and the beneficial effects.

[0166] Referring to Figure 16, an embodiment of the present application further provides a third network element 1600, the third network element 1600 comprising: a first receiving module 1601 configured to receive a media session establishment request transmitted from a first network element for negotiating between the first network element and the third network element to establish a target media resource; and a first transmitting module 1602 configured to transmit to the first network element a media session establishment request response message carrying relevant information about the target media resource in response to the media session establishment request.

[0167] In one embodiment, the third network element further includes a second receiving module configured to receive a media session update request transmitted from the first network element, which carries update instruction information for the target media resource, and a second transmitting module configured to update the target media resource based on the update instruction information, and after the update, transmit a media session update request response message to the first network element.

[0168] In one embodiment, the third network element further includes a third receiving module configured to receive a media session deletion request transmitted from the first network element, which includes a session deletion instruction and media resource information for which deletion is requested; and a third transmitting module configured to delete the corresponding media session, release the corresponding media resource, and send a media session deletion request response message to the first network element based on the media session deletion request.

[0169] In one embodiment, the third network element further includes a fourth transmitting module configured to transmit media capability registration request information to the second network element for registering the media capability of a media function example of the third network element, and a fourth receiving module configured to receive media capability registration request response information transmitted from the second network element.

[0170] In one embodiment, the multiple media function examples are concentrated in the third network element, and the multiple media function examples include at least one of the following: a data channel media function example, a TrGW function example, an IM-MGW function example, an IMS-AGW function example, a media resource processing function example, and so on.

[0171] In one embodiment, the third network element communicates with the first and second network elements using a service-based interface (SBI). That is, each of the above receiving and transmitting modules communicates with the first and second network elements using a service-based interface (SBI).

[0172] The third network element in this embodiment is the third network element corresponding to the method shown in Figure 11, and all of the implementation forms in the above embodiments are suitable for the device embodiment and can achieve similar technical effects. The third network element provided by the embodiment of the present application can implement all the steps of the method implemented by the above method embodiment and can achieve similar technical effects, and here we will omit a detailed explanation of the parts that are the same as the method embodiment in this embodiment and the beneficial effects.

[0173] Referring to Figure 17, an embodiment of the present application further provides a third network element 1700 comprising a transceiver 1701 and a processor 1702, wherein the transceiver 1701 is configured to receive a media session establishment request transmitted from a first network element, the media session establishment request being negotiated between the first network element and the third network element to establish a target media resource, and in response to the media session establishment request, to transmit a media session establishment request response message to the first network element carrying relevant information about the target media resource.

[0174] In one embodiment, the transceiver is further configured to receive a media session update request transmitted from the first network element, the media session update request contains update instruction information for the target media resource, and to update the target media resource based on the update instruction information, and after the update, to send a media session update request response message to the first network element.

[0175] In one embodiment, the transceiver is further configured to receive a media session deletion request transmitted from the first network element, the media session deletion request including a session deletion instruction and media resource information for which deletion is requested, and to delete the corresponding media session, release the corresponding media resource, and send a media session deletion request response message to the first network element based on the media session deletion request.

[0176] In one embodiment, the transceiver is further configured to transmit media capability registration request information to the second network element for registering the media capability of the media function example of the third network element, and to receive media function registration request response information transmitted from the second network element.

[0177] In one embodiment, multiple media function examples are concentrated in the third network element, and the multiple media function examples include at least one of the following: a data channel media function example, a TrGW function example, an IM-MGW function example, an IMS-AGW function example, a media resource processing function example, and so on.

[0178] In one embodiment, the third network element communicates with the first and second network elements using a service-based interface (SBI). That is, the transceivers communicate with the first and second network elements using a service-based interface (SBI).

[0179] The third network element in this embodiment is the third network element corresponding to the method shown in Figure 11, and all of the implementation forms in the above embodiments are suitable for the device embodiment and can achieve similar technical effects. The third network element provided by the embodiment of the present application can implement all the steps of the method implemented by the above method embodiment and can achieve similar technical effects, and here we will omit a detailed explanation of the parts that are the same as the method embodiment in this embodiment and the beneficial effects.

[0180] Referring to Figure 18, the embodiment of the present application further provides a first network element 1800 comprising a processor 1801, a memory 1802, and a computer program stored in the memory 1802 and executable by the processor 1801, wherein the computer program, when executed by the processor 1801, realizes each process of the embodiment of the method for interacting with media functions executed by the first network element, and similar technical effects can be achieved, and a detailed explanation is omitted here to avoid repetition.

[0181] Referring to Figure 19, the embodiment of the present application further provides a second network element 1900 comprising a processor 1901, a memory 1902, and a computer program stored in the memory 1902 and executable by the processor 1901, wherein the computer program, when executed by the processor 1901, realizes each process of the embodiment of the method for interacting with media functions executed by the second network element, and similar technical effects can be achieved, and a detailed explanation is omitted here to avoid repetition.

[0182] Referring to Figure 20, the embodiment of the present application further provides a third network element 2000 comprising a processor 2001, a memory 2002, and a computer program stored in the memory 2002 and executable by the processor 2001, wherein the computer program realizes each process of the embodiment of the media function interaction method executed by the third network element when executed by the processor 2001, and similar technical effects can be achieved, and a detailed explanation is omitted here to avoid repetition.

[0183] Embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium in which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, each process of the above-described media function interaction method embodiment can be realized and similar technical effects can be achieved. To avoid repetition, a detailed explanation is omitted here. Here, the computer-readable storage medium is, for example, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0184] In this specification, “includes,” “contains,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article, or apparatus of a set of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not explicitly mentioned, or further includes elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless further limited, an element limited by the phrase “includes one of…” does not preclude other identical elements in a process, method, article, or apparatus that contains that element.

[0185] As will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art based on the above description of the embodiments, the above embodiment method can be implemented by adding a general-purpose hardware platform necessary for the software, and of course it can also be implemented by hardware, and in most cases the former is a more preferred embodiment. Based on this understanding, the technical proposal of the present application, essentially or in part with respect to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product, the computer software product stored in a storage medium (e.g., ROM / RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk), and containing a number of instructions, thereby enabling a terminal (which may be a mobile phone, computer, server, air conditioner, or network device, etc.) to perform the method of each embodiment of the present application.

[0186] The above describes embodiments of the present application, but the present application is not limited to the above specific embodiments, and the above specific embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art will know that various modifications are possible by the suggestions of the present application, as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the present application and the scope of protection of the claims, and all of these are within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for interacting with media functions of an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) network, The first network element sends a media function discovery request message to the second network element to query the target media function, The first network element receives a media function discovery request response message transmitted from the second network element to provide feedback information on at least one candidate media function example that matches the target media function; The first network element provides the target media function by selecting one target media function example from the at least one candidate media function example. Includes, The step of the first network element selecting one target media function example from the at least one candidate media function example is: The first network element includes the step of selecting a target media function example from the at least one candidate media function example based on the information carried by the media function discovery request response message and a pre-configured media function selection mechanism. The step of selecting a target media function example from the aforementioned at least one candidate media function example is: If the aforementioned at least one candidate media function example includes at least two media function examples, the process includes the step of selecting one target media function example based on a pre-configured media function selection mechanism. The step of selecting one target media function example based on a pre-configured media function selection mechanism is: If the media function selection mechanism is a random mechanism, the steps include selecting one target media function example from the at least two media function examples based on a random algorithm, If the media function selection mechanism is a priority mechanism, the steps include selecting one target media function example from the at least two media function examples according to the priority of the matching priority, A method for interacting with media functions of an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) network, comprising at least one of the following steps: selecting one target media function example from the at least two media function examples based on the selection mechanism of the first network element, if the media function selection mechanism is a localized mechanism.

2. The aforementioned media function discovery request message includes: The name of the aforementioned target media function, The type of the aforementioned target media function, The type of requester that triggers a media function discovery request, Target media capability information including at least one of the following: encoding / decoding capability, sound playback capability, conferencing capability, data channel media capability, topology concealment capability, The dialogue method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the following is carried.

3. The media function discovery request response message includes: The type of the aforementioned candidate media function example, Identifier of the aforementioned candidate media function example, The address of the candidate media function example, including a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) address and / or an Internet Protocol IP address, The aforementioned candidate media function examples provide media service capability information, Matching priority of the aforementioned candidate media function examples, Load information of the aforementioned candidate media function example, Location information of the aforementioned candidate media function example, The dialogue method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the following is carried.

4. The step of selecting a target media function example from the aforementioned at least one candidate media function example is: The interaction method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting the candidate media function example as a target media function example if the at least one candidate media function example includes only one media function example.

5. The selection mechanism for the first network element is: The selection is based on the user's terminal location information and the location information of the media function example. The selection should be based on the encoding and decoding capabilities of the user terminal and the encoding and decoding capabilities of the media function examples. Select based on the loading information of media function examples. The dialogue method according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following.

6. When the first network element receives a request related to a media session sent from the requesting party, it sends the media function discovery request message to the second network element. The requests related to the aforementioned media session are: Invocation requests that require the establishment of an IMS session, Sound playback request, Meeting request, Encoding / decoding negotiation request, Establishing different Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) network sessions, Data channel session request, The dialogue method according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following.

7. The first network element sends a subscription request message to a second network element to subscribe to the status information of a first media function example, wherein the subscription request message carries the receiving address of the status information of the first media function example. The first network element receives a subscription request response message transmitted from the second network element, the first network element receiving a subscription request response message indicating whether or not the subscription request response message has succeeded in subscribing to the status information of the first media function example, The dialogue method according to claim 1, including the following:

8. The aforementioned subscription request message further carries information indicating the media capabilities to be subscribed to. The interaction method according to claim 7, comprising the step of the first network element receiving a media status update message transmitted from the second network element, wherein the media status update message carries status update information of the first media function example.

9. The first network element transmits a media session establishment request to a target third network element, wherein the media session establishment request is negotiated between the first network element and the third network element to establish a target media resource, and the target third network element is the third network element where the target media function example is located. The first network element receives a media session establishment request response message returned from the target third network element, wherein the media session establishment request response message carries relevant information about the target media resource. The first network element transmits the relevant information of the target media resource to the requesting party that triggered the media function discovery request message, The dialogue method according to claim 1, including the following:

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