Method for providing network service, and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a method for providing a network service. A terminal device initiates a request for changing a policy of a network service used by the terminal device itself or a request for changing the network service used by the terminal device itself, and accordingly, a network side changes the policy of the network service or the network service of the terminal device on the basis of the request of the terminal device, such that the terminal device can flexibly change the network service used by the terminal device itself. By means of the technical solution of the present application, a network side can open more network control capabilities for a terminal device, such that the terminal device can flexibly customize or change a network service used by the terminal device itself or a policy of the network service.

Description

Method and communication device for providing network services Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of wireless communication technologies, and more specifically, to a method and a communication device for providing network services. Background Art

[0002] Future mobile networks will not only provide connectivity services, but also new non-connectivity services such as artificial intelligence (AI), computing, data, or perception services. In existing technologies, connectivity services are used by terminals as consumers, using the connectivity services provided by the network. However, with non-connectivity services, the relationship between the terminal and the network may change. Specifically, the terminal can also become a provider of network services, for example, providing the network with terminal capabilities, such as its perception, computing, and data processing capabilities. Therefore, on the one hand, the terminal can provide network services to the network, and on the other hand, the terminal also uses network services such as connectivity services and non-connectivity services provided by the network.

[0003] Currently, mobile network technologies designed for connection services cannot support terminals to flexibly customize or change the network services they use (especially non-connection services provided by future mobile networks).

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a method and a communication device for providing network services, so that a terminal can flexibly change or customize the network services it uses.

[0006] In a first aspect, a method for providing a network service is provided. The method is applied to a first terminal device (an example of a terminal apparatus). The method may also be applied to a chip, a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a combination of a hardware circuit and a software module installed in the first terminal device. The first terminal device is used as an example for illustration. The method includes:

[0007] Sending a first request message to the first network element;

[0008] The first request message is used to request a change to a policy of a network service of the first terminal device, and the first request message carries information for changing the policy of the network service; or the first request message is used to request a change to a network service of the first terminal device, and the first request message carries parameter information of the network service that needs to be changed;

[0009] A first response message is received for the first request message.

[0010] Based on the technical solution provided in the present application, the first terminal sends a request to the first network element to change the policy of the network service used by itself, and the request carries information for changing the policy of the network service, or the first terminal sends a request to the first network element to change the network service used by itself, and the request carries parameter information (or service parameters) that need to be changed for the network service, so that the first terminal can flexibly change or customize its own network service.

[0011] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first network element is a policy control function PCF or a user network control function UNCF, and the first request message is used to request a change to a policy of a network service of the first terminal device.

[0012] Optionally, the first terminal may modify the policy of the network service used by itself in a variety of different ways. In one possible implementation, the first terminal requests a policy control function or a user network control function to modify the policy of its own network service.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first request message carries information about the network service, where the information about the network service includes one or more of the following:

[0014] The network service includes a connection service, and the network service information includes session identification information;

[0015] The network service includes a data service, and the information of the network service includes identification information and / or address information of the storage device;

[0016] Network services include computing services, and network service information includes computing resource information;

[0017] The network service includes a task service, and the information of the network service includes identification information of the task.

[0018] Based on this implementation, the network side will be able to open more network control capabilities to the terminal and support the first terminal to flexibly change the policies of various non-connection services that may be supported by future communication networks.

[0019] Optionally, in some implementations of the first aspect, changing the policy of the network service includes one or more of the following:

[0020] Add and / or delete terminal devices that use network services;

[0021] Add and / or remove network equipment that provides network services;

[0022] Changing the usage permissions of terminal devices that use network services;

[0023] Change the policies of the network services used by terminal devices that use the network services;

[0024] Modify the subscription information of the terminal device using the network service.

[0025] Based on this implementation, a terminal (e.g., terminal A, the network service provider) can share its network services with other terminals (e.g., terminal B, the network service user) and flexibly revoke other terminals' access to network services. Furthermore, terminal A can add and / or delete network devices providing network services, and modify information such as terminal B's network service permissions, policies, and subscription status. This allows network services to be flexibly shared and modified between terminals, enabling communication networks to provide more intelligent network services.

[0026] Optionally, in some implementations of the first aspect, the usage rights include one or more of the following:

[0027] Information about permitted applications and / or websites;

[0028] Information about prohibited applications and / or websites;

[0029] The terminal device using the network service is allowed to use the network device in the first network, and the network service is provided by the first network.

[0030] This implementation method supports flexible control of the use rights of network service users by network service sharers.

[0031] Optionally, in some implementations of the first aspect, the network service policy further includes one or more of the following:

[0032] Length of network service;

[0033] Data usage of network services;

[0034] Quality of Service (QoS) of network services.

[0035] This implementation method supports the terminal to flexibly customize the service parameters, performance and other aspects of its own network services.

[0036] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first response message is used to indicate that the first network element accepts the request to change the policy of the network service of the first terminal device, and the first response message also includes the change result of the policy of the network service of the first terminal device.

[0037] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, changing the policy of the network service of the first terminal device includes one or more of the following situations:

[0038] Add a second terminal device to use the network service;

[0039] A policy of a network service of a second terminal device is changed, where the second terminal device and the first terminal device have accessed a first network, and the network service is provided by the first network.

[0040] In this implementation, changing the network service policy of the first terminal includes adding other terminals to use the network service of the first terminal; or, for a second terminal that has already connected to the first network where the first terminal is located (that is, both the first terminal and the second terminal have connected to the first network), supporting the first terminal to change the network service policy of the second terminal, which helps the first terminal to flexibly control the use of its own exclusive network service.

[0041] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first request message also carries information of the second terminal device, and the first response message also includes token information of the second terminal device and / or a policy of network services provided by the first network for the second terminal device, and the token information is used for identity identification or verification of the second terminal device using the network services provided by the first network, wherein the first network is the network where the first terminal device is located (or, the first network is the network that provides network services for the first terminal device).

[0042] In this implementation, a first terminal modifies its own network service policy to allow a second terminal to use its network service. During the process of modifying the first terminal's network service policy, the network generates token information for the second terminal. This facilitates subsequent identification or authentication of the second terminal when requesting the first terminal's network service. This facilitates the network's identification or verification of the terminal requesting the first terminal's network service. Furthermore, identification or verification based on this token can improve efficiency and security.

[0043] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes:

[0044] Based on the first response message, token information and / or a policy of network services provided by the first network to the second terminal device are sent to the second terminal device.

[0045] Optionally, the first request message further includes information of the first network, such as an identifier of the first network.

[0046] In this implementation, the network adds the first terminal's network service to the second terminal's access based on the first terminal's request, and sends the second terminal a policy for the network service provided by the first network for the second terminal. Subsequently, the second terminal can request the corresponding network service based on the policy provided by the first network, facilitating the sharing or flow of network services between terminals.

[0047] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first network element is a network service function NSF, a user network control function UNCF (for example, an application server AF of a data network), and the first request message is used to request changes to the network service of the first terminal device.

[0048] Optionally, in this implementation, the first terminal requests the network service function or the user network control function to modify its own network service. Based on the first terminal's request, the network service function or the user network control function sends a policy change notification message to the policy control function. Based on the policy change notification message, the policy control function modifies the values ​​of corresponding parameters in the first terminal's network service policy, thereby modifying the terminal device's network service. This provides another feasible solution for the first terminal to modify its own network service.

[0049] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, changing the network service of the first terminal device includes one or more of the following situations:

[0050] Add a second terminal device to use the network service;

[0051] The network service used by the second terminal device is changed. The network service used by the second terminal device is provided by the first network. The second terminal device and the first terminal device have been connected to the first network.

[0052] Based on this implementation method, the first terminal can share its own network service with other terminals (such as the second terminal) by requesting to change its own network service; in addition, for the second terminal that has already connected to the first network where the first terminal is located, the first terminal is supported to change the network service of the second terminal (such as changing some parameter information), which helps the first terminal to flexibly control the use of its own (i.e., the first terminal's) network service by other terminals.

[0053] The technical effects of the methods of any of the following second to fourth aspects or any of their implementation methods can be found in the description of the technical effects of the corresponding technical solutions of the first aspect, and will not be described in detail here.

[0054] In a second aspect, a method for providing a network service is provided, which is applied to a first network element (e.g., a network device, for example, a policy control function), or a chip, a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a combination of a hardware circuit and a software module installed in the first network element. Exemplarily, the first network element is a UE-level PCF (e.g., referred to as UE PCF or PCF for UE), a network slice-level PCF (e.g., referred to as slice PCF or PCF for slice, etc.), a subnet-level PCF (e.g., referred to as sub-network PCF or PCF for sub-network, etc.), a network service-level PCF (e.g., referred to as service PCF or PCF for service), a UNCF, etc. The method includes:

[0055] receiving a first request message from a first terminal device, where the first request message is used to request a change in a policy of a network service used by the first terminal device, and the first request message carries information about changing the policy of the network service;

[0056] A first response message for the first request message is sent to the first terminal device.

[0057] Based on the technical solution provided in this application, the first network element receives a request from the first terminal to change the policy of the network service, the request carries information for changing the policy of the network service, and sends a corresponding response, so that the first terminal can flexibly change its own network service.

[0058] In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes:

[0059] Based on the first request message, sending a second request message to the second network element, where the second request message is used to request a change to a policy of a network service of the first terminal device;

[0060] A second response message for the second request message is received from the second network element.

[0061] Optionally, the second response message indicates acceptance of the request to change the policy of the network service used by the first terminal device, and the second response message carries a result of changing the policy of the network service used by the first terminal device;

[0062] Furthermore, the first response message also carries the change result.

[0063] Thus, the first network element can modify the policy or network service of the first terminal based on the request of the first terminal through interaction with other network elements.

[0064] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0065] A response message a is sent to the first terminal device, where the response message a indicates a rejection of the request to change the policy of the network service of the first terminal device, and the response message a includes a rejection reason value.

[0066] Optionally, before sending the response message a to the first terminal device, the method further includes:

[0067] The request corresponding to the first request message is authenticated, and the authentication fails.

[0068] Optionally, in some implementations of the second aspect, changing the policy of the network service used by the first terminal device includes one or more of the following situations:

[0069] Add a second terminal device to use network services;

[0070] A policy of a network service of a second terminal device is changed, where the second terminal device and the first terminal device have accessed a first network, and the network service is provided by the first network.

[0071] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first request message also carries information of the second terminal device, and the first response message also includes token information of the second terminal device and / or the policy of the network service provided by the first network for the second terminal device. The token information is used for identity identification or verification of the second terminal device using the network service provided by the first network.

[0072] In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes:

[0073] A third response message is sent to the second terminal device, where the third response message includes the token information of the second terminal device and / or a policy of the network service provided by the first network to the second terminal device.

[0074] In a third aspect, a method for providing network services is provided, which is applied to a third network element or a fourth network element, or a chip, chip system, hardware circuit, software module, or a combination of hardware circuit and software module installed in the third network element or the fourth network element. For example, the third network element may be a network service function, such as the NSF in 5G, and the fourth network element may be a user network control function, such as abbreviated as UNCF, as described in the embodiments. The method includes:

[0075] receiving a first request message from a first terminal device, where the first request message is used to request a change to a network service of the first terminal device, and the first request message includes parameter information of the network service that needs to be changed;

[0076] A second request message is sent to the first network element or the second network element, where the second request message is used to request a change to a policy of a network service of the first terminal device.

[0077] In conjunction with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes:

[0078] A second response message for the second request message is received from the first network element or the second network element, where the second response message carries a result of changing the policy of the network service of the first terminal device.

[0079] In conjunction with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes:

[0080] Based on the second response message, a first response message for the first request message is sent to the first terminal device, where the first response message carries the change result.

[0081] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the second request message carries a first service policy, and the second request message is used to request that the policy of the network service of the first terminal device be modified to the first service policy; and the second response message carries a second service policy, and the second service policy is the policy of the network service provided by the first network to the first terminal device.

[0082] In conjunction with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, changing the network service of the first terminal device includes at least one of the following situations:

[0083] Adding a second terminal device to use the network service of the first terminal device;

[0084] The network service of the second terminal device is changed, where the second terminal device and the first terminal device have accessed the first network, and the network service is provided by the first network.

[0085] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the first request message and the second request message carry information of the second terminal device, and the second response message to the second request message carries token information of the second terminal device and / or a policy of the network service provided by the first network to the second terminal device, and the token information is used for identity identification or verification of the second terminal device using the network service provided by the first network.

[0086] In a fourth aspect, a method for providing a network service is provided, which is applied to a second terminal device, such as a terminal device, a chip installed in the terminal device, a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a combination of a hardware circuit and a software module, the method comprising:

[0087] receiving a first message, where the first message includes a policy of a network service provided by the first network to the second terminal device, and the first network also provides network services to the first terminal device;

[0088] Based on the first message, a network service request is sent to the network service function of the first network, where the network service request is used to request the first network to provide the network service for the second terminal device.

[0089] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the first message also includes token information, and the token information is used for identity identification or verification of the second terminal device using the network service provided by the first network, wherein the token information is carried in the network service request.

[0090] Optionally, the methods in any one of the above-mentioned first to fourth aspects and their possible implementation methods can be executed by a network element, or can also be executed by a chip or circuit having the corresponding functions of the network element. This application does not limit this. The article uses the network element executing the corresponding method as an example for illustration.

[0091] Optionally, the network element may also be replaced by a device, an entity, a network entity, a communication device, a functional module, a communication node, etc.

[0092] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising at least one processor coupled to at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is used to execute a computer program or instruction stored in the at least one memory so that the communication device performs a method as described in any aspect of the first to fourth aspects, or any implementation manner of any aspect.

[0093] In the sixth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to receive information and / or data to be processed and send the information and / or data to be processed to the processor, and the processor is used to process the information and / or data to be processed, so that a communication device installed with the chip has a method for executing any aspect of the first to fourth aspects, or any implementation method of any aspect.

[0094] In the seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which computer instructions are stored. When the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the method of any aspect from the first to the fourth aspect, or any implementation of any aspect, is implemented.

[0095] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising computer program code, which, when executed on a computer, enables the method of any one of the first to fourth aspects, or any implementation of any one of the aspects, to be implemented.

[0096] In a ninth aspect, a wireless communication system is provided, comprising a network element that executes the method of any one of the first to fourth aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0097] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

[0098] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a method for opening a terminal to change network policies or service parameters through network slicing.

[0099] FIG3 is a schematic flowchart of a method 300 for providing network services provided in this application.

[0100] FIG4 is a schematic flow chart of a method 400 for providing network services provided in this application.

[0101] FIG5 is a schematic flowchart of a method 500 for providing network services provided in this application.

[0102] FIG6 is a schematic flowchart of a method 600 for providing network services provided in this application.

[0103] FIG7 is a schematic flowchart of a method 700 for providing network services provided in this application.

[0104] FIG8 is a schematic flowchart of a method 800 for providing network services provided in this application.

[0105] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in this application.

[0106] FIG10 is another schematic diagram of the communication device provided in this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0107] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0108] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 applicable to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG1 , the network elements included in the communication system 100 and their respective functions are described as follows:

[0109] The radio access network (RAN) in this application mainly corresponds to the access network equipment, which is responsible for radio resource management, uplink and downlink data classification, quality of service (QoS) application, signaling processing with the control plane network element, and data forwarding with the user plane function network element. Exemplarily, the access network equipment can be a base station, a broadband network service gateway (BNG), an aggregation switch, a non-3GPP access device, etc. The base station can include various forms of base stations, such as macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, access points, etc., which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of this application. For the equipment for terminal access to the core network, they are uniformly referred to as access network equipment in this article. For example, the access network equipment can be the evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) equipment in the fourth generation (4G) network, the next generation RAN (NG-RAN) equipment in the fifth generation (5G) network, etc.

[0110] Access and mobility management function (AMF) is mainly an access management function.

[0111] Unified data management (UDM) is responsible for user contract data management, user identity management, etc.

[0112] User equipment (UE), also known as terminal device, usually needs to be registered with the operator's network to use the operator's network. Examples include mobile phones with subscriber identity module (SIM) cards, IoT devices using embedded SIM (eSIM) cards, and so on.

[0113] The session management function (SMF) is mainly used to establish and manage sessions for users, configure packet forwarding rules and QoS processing rules for username functions, etc.

[0114] The policy control function (PCF) has the function of providing policy information to the control plane function. The policy information can be user policy, access and mobility management policy, session management policy, etc. For example, it sends UE policy information to the UE, sends the UE's access and mobility management policy to the AMF, and sends the session management policy to the SMF.

[0115] A network service function (NSF) generally refers to a service function within a network. For example, when an NSF provides session management services, it can be an SMF. When providing other network services, it can refer to other network functions. Alternatively, an NSF can be called a network function (NF).

[0116] The application function (AF) can be an application server, which can belong to the operator or a third party.

[0117] The user network control function (UNCF) is mainly responsible for managing the life cycle of the user network, configuring or changing the service parameters of the user network, or controlling the user's use of network services, such as controlling the access rights to the user network.

[0118] In addition, the interfaces between the aforementioned network elements are specifically shown in Figure 1. For example, the N1 interface is the communication interface between the UE and the AMF, used to transmit control plane signaling between the core network and the UE; the N2 interface is the communication interface between the RAN and the AMF; the N3 interface is the data transmission interface between the RAN and the UPF; the N4 interface is the communication interface between the SMF and the UPF, used to transmit user plane session configuration information; and the N6 interface is the data transmission interface between the UPF and the data network (DN). The other interfaces shown in Figure 1 are service-based interfaces of the corresponding network elements. NFs can request services from the corresponding NF by calling service-based interfaces. For example, the Npcf interface is the service-based interface of the PCF. Other NFs can request PCF services from the PCF through the Npcf interface. Other service-based interfaces are similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0119] It should be noted that the above-mentioned network architecture applicable to the embodiment of the present application is only an example, and the network architecture applicable to the present application is not limited thereto. Any network architecture that can realize the functions of the above-mentioned network elements is applicable to the present application. In other words, the network architecture described in this application is to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present application and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided in this application. It is known to those skilled in the art that with the evolution of the network architecture or the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided in this application is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0120] In addition, the network element names, names of interfaces between network elements, names of messages / information, etc. involved in this application are only examples. In future communication networks, these network elements, messages / information may also use other names. As long as these network elements, messages / information, etc. have the same or similar functions as the network elements, messages / information, etc. introduced in this application and achieve the same or similar technical purposes, they should all fall within the technical scope covered by this application. For example, in a 6G network, some or all of the names of the above-mentioned network elements may continue to use the names in 4G / 5G, or new names may be used.

[0121] The non-connectivity services involved in this application include but are not limited to: any one of task services, computing services, data services, trusted services and AI services.

[0122] It should be understood that the non-connectivity services listed above are only examples and may also include other new services that may be provided by future communication networks, without limitation.

[0123] As an example, task service can refer to a network service that implements resource coordination and service QoS assurance for multiple types of resources and multiple communication nodes in the form of "tasks". The communication network has evolved from a single dimension of connection service to a new service dimension that encapsulates and provides connection, computing, data, intelligence, and trust in the form of tasks, thereby ensuring the service level agreement (SLA) of various AI, perception, computing, data and other services, and further expanding the application scenarios of communication networks.

[0124] Computing services can refer to the nodes in the network infrastructure that, in addition to providing basic connection services, can also provide additional computing functions to achieve deep integration of communication and computing. For example, real-time perception and calculation of the status of communication resources, and coordinated control of communication resources and computing resources can be achieved to meet end-to-end QoS requirements such as ultra-low latency, data security protection, and sustainable energy saving in dynamic and complex wireless network environments.

[0125] Data services aim to provide data as a service, which may include, for example, the acquisition or collection of raw data, data preprocessing, data storage, data privacy and security protection, data sharing or trading, data traceability, data analysis, and data dictionary.

[0126] Trusted services can provide trusted functions to the outside world in the form of services, which can include blockchain services, remote proof services, and privacy protection services.

[0127] AI services can be AI training or reasoning within the network, providing intelligent capabilities that adapt to different application scenarios.

[0128] Future mobile networks need to open up more network control capabilities to terminals so that terminals can more flexibly customize or change the network services they can use.

[0129] The current 5G mobile network allows a set of logically independent networks to be established on a common physical infrastructure. These logically independent networks (i.e., network slices) can each be designed to meet specific business needs. Network slices can provide UEs with exclusive connection networks, allowing users of network slices to configure the service parameters for network switching and information about users who can use the network slices through the management plane. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a method for enabling UEs to change network policies or service parameters through network slicing. As shown in Figure 2, the employee portal can be a client provided by the operator to users of network slices or a web page for managing network slices. The communication service management function (CSMF) is responsible for converting communication service-related requirements into network slice-related requirements and parameters, and passing information such as APP-ID and S-NSSAI to the PCF, and passing information such as S-NSSAI, IMSI, and DNN to the UDM. Furthermore, the PCF generates a network slice selection policy (NSSP) and sends it to the UE via the AMF as part of the UE route selection policy (URSP) rules. The UE uses the URSP to establish a correspondence between the service and the single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI). Modifying the network policy or network service parameters of a terminal device based on the method shown in Figure 2 has many disadvantages. For example, network slice changes involve the access network, transport network, and core network, which has a wide impact and generally requires a long processing time. In addition, this method uses management plane configuration to make changes, which is actually implemented manually, resulting in low configuration efficiency and inflexibility. Furthermore, changes to network policy or network service parameters affect changes to the terminal device's subscription information, making the process complex. For example, in existing 5G mobile networks, the relationship between terminal devices and network services is essentially one-to-one, and a terminal device generally cannot share its network services with other terminal devices. At the same time, a terminal device can only change the network service parameters related to its own business, but cannot change the network service parameters of other terminal devices. This is not conducive to sharing the non-connection services that future mobile networks can provide among terminal devices.

[0130] Based on the above-mentioned current state of the art, this application provides a method for changing network services, aiming to enable a terminal device to flexibly change the network services it uses. In other words, through the technical solution of this application, more network control capabilities can be opened up for terminal devices, allowing terminal devices to flexibly customize or change the network services they use. In addition, a terminal device can also flexibly share the network services it uses with other terminal devices.

[0131] 3 is a schematic flow chart of a method 300 for providing network services provided by the present application. The method 300 may be an example of changing a policy of a network service of a terminal device.

[0132] 310. The first terminal device sends a first request message to the first network element, and the first network element receives the first request message from the first terminal device. Accordingly, the first network element receives the first request message from the first terminal device.

[0133] Among them, the first request message is used to request a change to the policy of the network service used by the first terminal device, and the first request message carries information used to change the policy of the network service; or, the first request message is used to request a change to the network service used by the first terminal device, and the first request message carries parameter information of the network service that needs to be changed.

[0134] The first terminal device sends a first request message to the first network element to change the network service policy, or sends a first request message to the first network element to change the network service. After receiving the first request message, the first network element implements the change of the network service policy or the change of the network service of the first terminal device through corresponding processing on the network side. The following embodiments will describe these two solutions in detail.

[0135] 320. The first network element sends a first response message to the first terminal device in response to the first request message. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first response message from the first network element.

[0136] Optionally, the first response message is used to indicate the first network element's response to the request corresponding to the first request message. Specifically, the first response message may indicate whether the first network element accepts or rejects the request corresponding to the first request message. As an example, if the first network element accepts the request corresponding to the first request message, the first response message may also carry a changed network service policy or changed network service parameter information. If the first network element rejects the request corresponding to the first request message, the first response message may also carry a rejection reason value.

[0137] As an example, in one implementation, the first network element is a UE-level PCF (for example, called UE PCF or PCF for UE), a network slice-level PCF (for example, called slice PCF or PCF for slice, etc.), a subnet-level PCF (for example, called sub-network PCF or PCF for sub-network, etc.), a network service-level PCF (for example, called service PCF or PCF for service), a UNCF, etc., and the first request message is used to request a change to the policy of the network service of the first terminal device; in another implementation, the first network element may be an NSF, a UNCF, or an AF, and the first request message is used to request a change to the network service of the first terminal device.

[0138] That is, based on the difference of the first network element, the first request message may be used to request to change the policy of the network service, or to request to change the network service. The specific processes may be different, which are respectively described below.

[0139] (1) The first network element is a policy control function or a user network control function of the first terminal device, and the first request message is used to request a change in the policy of the network service used by the first terminal device.

[0140] That is, the UE sends a request to the UE PCF / UNCF to change the policy of the network service used by the UE, so as to change the policy of the network service used by the UE, which is explained below in conjunction with Figure 4. In the method embodiment of Figure 4, the above-mentioned first network element is used as the UE PCF / UNCF as an example for explanation. Optionally, the first network element can also be replaced by the above-mentioned slice PCF / sub-network PCF / service PCF, etc., or the first network element can also be a network element that integrates the functions of one or more of the above-mentioned PCFs. For example, the first network element is a network element that integrates the functions of the UE PCF and the service PCF (or, the UE PCF and the service PCF are jointly set as the first network element), without limitation.

[0141] FIG4 is a schematic flow chart of a method 400 for providing network services provided in this application.

[0142] 401. A first terminal device sends a request message #1 to a first network element, where the request message #1 is used to request a change in a policy of a network service of the first terminal device. Accordingly, the first network element receives the request message #1 from the first terminal device.

[0143] Optionally, changing the policy of the network service includes one or more of the following:

[0144] Add and / or delete terminal devices using the network service;

[0145] Add and / or delete network devices that provide the network service;

[0146] Change the usage permissions of the terminal device using the network service;

[0147] Changing the policy of the network service used by the terminal device using the network service;

[0148] Modify the subscription information of the terminal device using the network service.

[0149] As an example, the aforementioned usage rights may include one or more of the following:

[0150] Information about permitted applications and / or websites;

[0151] Information about prohibited applications and / or websites;

[0152] The terminal device using the network service is allowed to use the network device in the first network, and the network service is provided by the first network.

[0153] The above-mentioned "change" operation may include adding, deleting, updating, etc.

[0154] As an example, the above network service policy may also include one or more of the following:

[0155] The duration of the network service, the data usage of the network service, the quality of service (QoS) of the network service, and the location of the terminal device using the network service within a preset location range.

[0156] Optionally, the information carried in the first request message includes information for changing the policy of the network service, such as one or more of the following:

[0157] 1) Information about the first network corresponding to the network service that UE1 requests to change, such as identification information of the first network;

[0158] 2) Information about the network service being requested to be changed. For example, if a request is to change the connection service policy, request message #1 carries session identification information; if a request is to change a data service, request message #1 carries storage device identification information and / or address information; if a request is to change a computing service, request message #1 carries computing resource information (e.g., cloud terminal identification, cloud computing account number, etc.); if a request is to change a task service, request message #1 carries task identification information, etc.

[0159] 3) Operations that change the policy of the network service, such as adding and / or deleting terminal devices that use the network service of UE1, adding and / or deleting network devices that provide the network service, changing the usage permissions of the terminal devices that use the network service (for example, allowing or prohibiting accessible applications / websites, etc.), changing the devices within the first network that can be used by the terminal devices that use the network service, changing the subscription information of the terminal device's status of using the network service (for example, canceling a subscription or adding a new subscription), etc.

[0160] 402. Optionally, the first network element performs authentication verification on the request corresponding to the request message #1 based on the request message #1.

[0161] Exemplarily, the first network element determines whether the first terminal is allowed to change the policy of the network service based on one or more of the operator's local policy, the contract information of the first terminal device, and the policy of the network service of the first terminal device. The first network element may obtain the contract information of the first terminal and / or the policy of the network service based on local configuration or by interacting with a UDM / unified data repository (UDR), and then authenticate the request corresponding to the first request message.

[0162] It should be understood that the authentication and verification of the request corresponding to the request message #1 may refer to the authentication and verification of the request of the first terminal device to change the policy of the network service, which may include a variety of specific implementations, such as authenticating the identity of the first terminal device to confirm whether the first terminal device is allowed to change the policy of its own network service, or, if the first terminal device is a terminal device that is allowed to change the policy of its own network service, but there are restrictions on the network services that can be changed, it is necessary to confirm whether the policy of the network service requested to be changed by the first terminal device is allowed. For example, the network services used by the first terminal device include AI services, data services, and computing services, but the change authority opened to the first terminal device on the network side is limited to data services. If the first terminal device requests to change the policy of the computing service, the authentication and verification will fail. If the first terminal device requests to change the policy of the data service, the authentication and verification will pass. Therefore, in the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, allowing or prohibiting the first terminal device to change the policy of the network service also refers to the network service requested by the first terminal device, that is, allowing or prohibiting the first terminal device to change the policy of the network service generally refers to allowing or prohibiting the first terminal device to change the policy of the network service requested to be changed in the request message #1.

[0163] If the authentication passes, the first terminal is allowed to change the policy of the network service; if the authentication fails, the first terminal is prohibited from changing the policy of the network service. Optionally, in the event of a authentication failure, the first network element sends a response message a to the first terminal device, where the response message a indicates a refusal to change the policy of the network service of the first terminal device. Optionally, the response message a may include a rejection reason value, such as the first terminal device does not have permission to change the network service, or the first terminal device's current location is not within the set geographical range. Other rejection reason values ​​may also be included, without limitation.

[0164] The following embodiment is mainly for the case where the authentication is passed. In the case where the authentication is passed, the subsequent steps are continued.

[0165] 403. Optionally, the first network element sends a request message #2 to the second network element, where the request message #2 is used to request a change in the policy of the network service used by the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the request message #2 from the first network element.

[0166] The second network element is a PCF related to the network service, and illustratively, in the embodiment of this document, it may be referred to as a service PCF (service PCF or PCF for service).

[0167] That is, when the first network element authenticates and passes the request of the first terminal device, the first network element sends a request to the second network element to change the policy of the network service of the first terminal device.

[0168] There are many specific implementations for the first network element to send a request to the second network element to change the policy of the network service. Three implementations are provided below as examples.

[0169] Method 1

[0170] An association relationship may be pre-established between the first network element and the second network element. Based on the association relationship, the first network element determines the second network element corresponding to the network service that the first terminal device requests to change. In Method 1, the first network element may establish an association relationship with multiple second network elements. These multiple second network elements may be associated with different network services. For example, these multiple second network elements may include second network elements related to session policy control, second network elements related to access and mobility management policies, and so on. For example, if request message #1 is used to request a change to the policy of a connection service, the first network element, based on the pre-established association relationship, sends a request to change the policy of the connection service to the second network element related to session policy control.

[0171] Method 2

[0172] The first network element finds the second network element corresponding to the network service requested to be changed through query, for example, through network service discovery. Taking 5G as an example, the first network element can find the second network element corresponding to the network service through NRF or binding support function (BSF).

[0173] Method 3

[0174] The first network element can forward the request message for changing the policy of the network service through the intermediate node. For example, the policies of the network services used by the first terminal device are stored in the storage function, such as the UDR of 5G. When the second network element related to the network service provides the policy of the network service for the terminal, it can obtain the policy of the corresponding network service from the storage function and change the subscription to the storage function. If the first network element changes the policy of the corresponding network service in the storage function based on the request message #1 from the first terminal device, the storage function notifies the second network element of the change of the policy of the network service of the first terminal device based on the subscription information of the second network element related to the network service, such as sending the changed policy information to the second network element. This can also enable the first network element to send a request to the second network element to change the network service policy of the first terminal device.

[0175] Compared to Methods 1 and 2, Method 3 eliminates the need for the first network element to connect to multiple second network elements corresponding to network services. This reduces the interaction between the second and first network elements when changes occur, reducing signaling overhead. Furthermore, because the terminal's network service policy information is backed up in the storage function, network robustness is improved.

[0176] 404. The second network element sends a policy change notification message #1 to the network service function based on the request message #2. Accordingly, the network service function receives the policy change notification message #1 from the second network element. The policy change notification message #1 is used to notify the first terminal device of a change to the network service policy.

[0177] For ease of description, it is assumed that request message #1 is used to request a change to the policy of a first network service (an example of a network service, such as a computing service, a data service, etc.). The network function service network element changes the rules corresponding to the policy change of the first network service based on the policy change notification message #1, and then returns a feedback message to the second network element.

[0178] Typically, the second network element (i.e., the PCF associated with the network service) provides the network service policy for the network service function. The network service function generates service rules based on the network service policy. When providing network services to the UE, the network service function then provides the corresponding network services based on these service rules. For example, if a terminal device requests a change to the QoS of the connection service, such as reducing the transmission bandwidth / rate of a service flow (e.g., reducing the transmission bandwidth of a video stream within an app), the second network element will modify the QoS parameters in the connection service policy accordingly and send a session policy change notification message to the NSF (which can be the SMF for connection services). Upon receiving the modified session policy, the NSF (specifically, the SMF) will modify the QoS processing rules for the service flow accordingly and configure them with the user plane function (UPF). This ensures that the UPF forwards the specific service flow (e.g., the video stream within the app) according to the new QoS rules (i.e., reducing the transmission rate). This method is also applicable to other services involved in the network. For example, when the terminal device needs to change the upper limit of the compression rate of the data service for stored data (such as changing the video compression from 1080P to 720P for storage, or changing the data compression rate upper limit of 80% to 50%, etc.), the compression rate upper limit can be sent to the second network element, and then the second network element sends a policy change notification message to the NSF (such as the network function or data service control function that handles data compression). The policy change notification message carries the compression rate upper limit. Afterwards, the NSF performs corresponding compression processing on the data based on the new service rules (i.e., the service rules corresponding to the target compression rate) so as not to exceed the compression rate upper limit. If it is a computing service, the terminal device can modify the computing resources used for data calculation, such as the number of CPUs, memory, and processes involved in the calculation. Based on the request of the terminal device, the second network element sends a policy change notification to the NSF (i.e., the computing service control function or execution function), and the NSF modifies the corresponding rules based on the policy change notification.

[0179] 405. The network service function sends feedback message #1 to the second network element. Feedback message #1 is used to indicate that the policy of the network service of the first terminal device has been changed or that the execution rules of the network service have been changed accordingly based on the updated network service policy. In response, the second network element receives feedback message #1 from the network service function.

[0180] 406. Based on feedback message #1, the second network element sends a response message #2 to the first network element in response to request message #2. Response message #2 may carry the modified network service policy. Accordingly, the first network element receives response message #2 from the second network element.

[0181] Taking the first network service in step 404 as an example, the response message #2 may carry the modified policy of the first network service.

[0182] 407. The first network element sends a response message #1 to the first terminal device based on the response message #2 in response to the request message #1. Accordingly, the first terminal device receives the response message #1 from the first network element.

[0183] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the first network element and the second network element can be deployed in the same device or the same logical module, or the functions of the first network element and the second network element are not distinguished (that is, the first network element is deployed in the network, and the first network element has the functions of the second network element in addition to the functions of the first network element, or in other words, the functions of the first network element and the functions of the second network element are integrated in one network element, which is the first network element in the embodiment of the present application), then step 403 and step 406 can be internal implementations of the first network element. In addition, messages between the first terminal device and the first network element (such as the request message #1 of step 401 and the response message #1 of step 407) can be forwarded by other network elements (such as AMF) without limitation.

[0184] Based on the method provided in FIG4 , the terminal device requests to change the policy of its own network service, and the network side changes the policy of its network service based on the request of the terminal device, thereby enabling the terminal device to flexibly change the policy of its own network service.

[0185] As shown above, changing the policy of the network service of the first terminal device may include adding and / or deleting terminal devices that use the network service of the first terminal device, or changing the policy of the network service of other terminal devices that use the network service of the first terminal device. In order to distinguish them from the first terminal device and clearly describe the solution, the other terminal devices involved in changing the policy of the network service of the first terminal device are referred to as second terminal devices below. As an example, changing the policy of the network service of the first terminal device includes adding a second terminal device to use the network service of the first terminal device, or sharing the network service used by the first terminal device with the second terminal device; or deleting the second terminal device from one or more terminal devices that use the network service of the first terminal device, that is, revoking the second terminal device's permission to use the network service of the first terminal device; or, for the second terminal device that uses the network service of the first terminal device, changing the policy of the network service used by the second terminal device, etc. Optionally, the second terminal device using the network service of the first terminal device includes the second terminal device being able to use one or more of the network services of the first terminal device, without limitation. For example, the network services used by the first terminal device include computing services, data services, and AI services. The second terminal device can use all of the above network services, or some of these network services, such as only sharing computing services with the second terminal device.

[0186] As described above, the embodiments of adding and / or deleting a second terminal device, or modifying the policy of a second terminal device's network service, all involve the second terminal device. The following uses adding a second terminal device to use the network service of a first terminal device as an example to illustrate the situation involving the second terminal device. Based on this description, those skilled in the art can also extend the technical solutions of this application to situations such as deleting a second terminal device or modifying the policy of a second terminal device's network service.

[0187] 5 , a method flow of the first terminal device requesting to change a network service policy when a second terminal device is added to use the network service of the first terminal device is given below.

[0188] FIG5 is a schematic flowchart of a method 500 for providing network services provided in this application.

[0189] 501. UE1 obtains identification information of UE2.

[0190] Exemplarily, the identification information of UE2 may include the identity identification, address information, etc. of UE2. In the case that UE2 needs to use the network service of UE1, UE2 may provide its own identification information to UE1 through application layer messages, signaling messages or other means. For example, UE2 sends its own identification information to UE1 through direct communication methods such as proximity-based services communication5 (PC5) connection, Bluetooth, WiFi, etc. Optionally, if the identification information of UE2 is a non-bottom-layer identification, such as a mobile phone number or identity identification, it can also be transmitted in plain text, for example, through oral expression by the user of UE2, to provide the identification information of UE2 to the user of UE1, thereby inputting the identification information of UE2 into UE1. For example, if UE2 is a home visitor of UE1, the user of UE2 can tell the user of UE1 the identity identification code or application account of UE2, so as to input it into UE1.

[0191] 502. UE1 sends Request Message #3 to the UE PCF / UNCF. Request Message #3 is used to request a change to the policy of UE1's network service. Changing the policy of UE1's network service includes adding UE2 to use UE1's network service. Request Message #3 carries UE2's identification information. Accordingly, the UE PCF / UNCF receives Request Message #3 from UE1. It should be understood that the UE PCF in Figure 5 refers to the UE1 PCF.

[0192] Optionally, UE1 may send request message #3 to UE PCF / UNCF in various ways, several examples of which are given below.

[0193] For example, UE1 sends request message #3 to UE PCF / UNCF through a control plane NAS message. Specifically, UE1 sends request message #3 through an access network, such as RAN, N3IWF, etc., through a NAS message.

[0194] For another example, UE1 sends a request message #3 to UE PCF / UNCF through a proxy function, such as the AMF in 5G, the mobility management entity (MME) in 4G, etc.

[0195] For another example, UE1 sends request message #3 to the UE PCF / UNCF via a user plane message. For example, after UE1 obtains the address information of the UE PCF, request message #3 is carried in a user plane data packet and sent with the UE PCF address information as the destination address. Alternatively, UE1 obtains the address information used for interacting with the control plane network function, and then the UPF or other NF forwards the data packet to the UE PCF based on the information carried in the data packet (e.g., information indicating the PCF). UE1 can obtain the address information of the UE PCF or the information used for interacting with the control plane network function by local configuration on UE1, by being issued by an upper-layer application, or by obtaining it from the network side, such as from the UE PCF or other network functions. In this implementation, the UE PCF can be a network function deployed on the control plane (the user plane data packet can be forwarded to the UE PCF by the user plane function), a network function deployed on the user plane (which can be co-deployed with the user plane function), or a network function deployed on the data network (which functions similarly to an application server).

[0196] In addition, the information carried in the request message #3 can refer to the description in the above step 401 and will not be repeated here.

[0197] 503. Optionally, the UE PCF / UNCF performs authentication verification on the request corresponding to the request message #3. If the authentication verification succeeds, the UE PCF continues to perform subsequent steps of method 500.

[0198] For step 503, please refer to the description of step 402 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0199] 504. The UE PCF / UNCF sends a request message #4 to the PCF associated with the network service (also referred to as the service PCF). Correspondingly, the PCF associated with the network service receives the request message #4 from the UE PCF / UNCF.

[0200] Request message #4 also carries the information carried in request message #3, including identification information of UE2. For details, please refer to the description in step 502 and will not be repeated here.

[0201] Here, the network service-related PCF refers to the PCF responsible for the network service requested by UE2. For example, if UE1 adds U2 to use UE1's connection service, the UE PCF will send request message #4 to the PCF responsible for session management (session management, SM) PCF or PCF for session. The SM PCF is the PCF related to the connection service.

[0202] Optionally, in this embodiment, the UE PCF, UNCF, and network service-related PCF may be deployed in the same device or the same logical module. In this implementation, the interaction between the UE PCF / UNCF and the network-related PCF in FIG5 is an internal implementation of the device or logical module.

[0203] 505. The service PCF sends a policy change notification message #2 to the NSF, where the policy change notification message #2 carries the identification information of UE 2. Correspondingly, the NSF receives the policy change notification message #2 from the service NSF.

[0204] Based on the policy change notification message #2, the NSF changes the policy of the network service of UE1, including adding UE2 to use the network service of UE1.

[0205] 506. The NSF sends a feedback message #2 to the service PCF. Correspondingly, the service PCF receives the feedback message #2 from the NSF. The feedback message #2 indicates that the change of the policy of the network service used by UE1 has been completed.

[0206] 507. The service PCF directly or indirectly sends a response message #3 to the UE PCF / UNCF. Response message #3 carries the result of the change to the policy of the network service used by UE1 (i.e., the changed policy). In addition, response message #3 also carries the policy of the network service provided by the first network to UE2. Accordingly, the UE PCF / UNCF receives response message #3 from the service PCF.

[0207] Optionally, response message #3 also includes token information (e.g., token) of the second terminal device, and the token information is used for identity identification or verification of UE2 when it subsequently uses the network service provided by the first network. Alternatively, the token information is used for identity identification or verification of UE2 when using the network service of UE1. It should be understood that the network service used by UE1 is provided by the first network, so the network service used by UE2 is also provided by the first network. In this implementation, the token information is generated by the service PCF. Optionally, the token information of UE2 can also be generated by UE PCF or UE1 and provided to UE2, without limitation. It should be understood that if the token information is generated by UE PCF or UE1, the response message #3 does not carry the token information, but can be provided to UE2 after the UE PCF or UE1 generates the token information. In method 500, the generation of token information by service PCF is used as an example for explanation. After the token information of UE2 is generated, in addition to being provided to UE2, it also needs to be provided to the network function involved in the network service that UE2 can use, to indicate the identity or authority of UE2 to use the network service. For example, after UE PCF generates UE2's token information, it synchronizes it to service PCF or NSF. UE2 then accesses the first network used by UE1 and provides its own token information. Service PCF or NSF can authorize UE2 to use UE1's network services based on the token information.

[0208] Optionally, the token information may be at the following granularities: network granularity, network service granularity, or user granularity, etc. For example, if the token information is at the network granularity, the token information of UE2 may be bound to the information of the first network used by UE1 (e.g., the identifier of the first network); for another example, if the token information is at the network service granularity (or service granularity), the token information of UE2 may be bound to the information of the available network service, for example, if UE2 can use the connection service of UE1, the token information of UE2 may be bound to the identifier of the connection service of UE1, or may be bound to the session identifier of the connection service, etc.; for another example, if the token information is at the user granularity, the token information of UE2 may be bound to the identifier of UE1.

[0209] As an example, the network services of UE1 that UE2 can use can be associated with the granularity of the token information. For example, if the token information is at the UE granularity, UE2 can use all network services that UE1 can use; if the token information is at the network granularity, UE2 can use all network services provided by the first network; if the token information is at the network service granularity, UE2 can use the network services bound to the token information. For example, if the token information is bound to a computing service, UE2 can use the computing service; if the token information is bound to a computing service and an AI service, UE2 can use both the computing service and the AI ​​service.

[0210] 508. The UE PCF / UNCF sends a response message #4 to UE1. Response message #4 includes the result of the change to the policy of the network service used by UE1 and the policy of the network service provided by the first network for UE2. Optionally, response message #4 may also carry UE2's token information. Accordingly, UE1 receives response message #4 from the UE PCF / UNCF.

[0211] Based on the response message #4, UE1 obtains the result of the change of the policy of the network service used by itself. In addition, UE1 also performs step 509.

[0212] 509. UE1 sends the policy of UE2's network service to UE2.

[0213] In steps 507 to 509, the UE PCF sends UE2's network service policy through UE1. Optionally, the UE PCF sends UE2's token information through UE1. This is only one implementation method for returning token information and the network service policy provided by the first network to UE2 after the first network authorizes UE2 to use UE1's network service. Other implementation methods are also possible. For example, the UE PCF sends the result of the change of the policy of the network service used by UE1 to UE1 through response message #4. In addition, the UE PCF directly sends a third response message to UE2. The third response message can carry the policy and token information of UE2's network service, that is, the UE PCF directly provides UE2 with the policy and token information of UE2's network service. For another example, the UE PCF sends UE2's network service policy to UE2 through UE1, and the UE PCF sends token information to UE2. In the above two examples, it is applicable to the case where UE2's token information is generated by the UE PCF. In another example, the UE PCF sends UE2 its network service policy and includes indication information a in response message #4. Indication information a indicates that the first network allows UE2 to use UE1's network services. UE1 generates UE2's token information based on indication information a and provides it to UE2. It should be understood that if the first network authorizes UE2 to use UE1's network functions, UE2's network service policy and token information can be sent to UE2 in a variety of ways. The example shown in Figure 5 is merely an example. Furthermore, the modified UE1 network service policy, UE2 network service policy, and UE2 token information can be sent in a single message or multiple messages, without limitation.

[0214] Based on the method of FIG. 5 , a UE (such as UE1) can flexibly change its own network service policy, including sharing its own network service with other UEs (such as UE2), so that network services can be flexibly shared among UEs.

[0215] (2) The first network element is an NSF, and the first request message is used to request a change to a network service used by the first terminal device.

[0216] Specifically, the UE sends a request to the NSF to change the network service used by the UE, which triggers the NSF to send a request to the PCF to change the policy of the network service used by the UE, so as to ultimately change the policy of the network service used by the UE, which is explained below in conjunction with Figure 6.

[0217] FIG6 is a schematic flowchart of a method 600 for providing network services provided in this application.

[0218] 601. UE1 sends a request message #5 to the NSF. Request message #5 is used to request a change to the network service used by UE1. Request message #5 carries parameter information of the network service that needs to be changed. Alternatively, request message #5 carries parameter information of the network service that UE1 requests to change. For example, request message #5 may carry target values ​​for the parameter information that needs to be changed, such as the maximum transmission delay or target transmission bandwidth of the connection service. Accordingly, the NSF receives request message #5 from UE1.

[0219] 602. Optionally, the NSF performs authentication on the request corresponding to the request message #5. Optionally, the result of the authentication can be either passed or failed.

[0220] Optionally, in one possible scenario, if authentication fails, the NSF may directly or indirectly return a response message (referred to as response message b) to UE1 in response to request message #5. Response message b is used to indicate a decision to change the policy of UE1's network service. Optionally, response message b may also carry a rejection reason value, such as that UE1 does not have permission to change the policy of the network service, or that UE1's location is outside the set range, or that the parameter information of the network service requested by UE1 cannot be met.

[0221] The embodiment of the present application mainly describes the case where the authentication is passed. In the case where the authentication is passed, the NSF executes the subsequent step 603.

[0222] 603. The NSF sends a request message #6 to the PCF, where the request message #6 is used to request a change in the policy of the network service used by the UE 1. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the request message #6 from the NSF.

[0223] Optionally, the PCF in step 603 may be a UE1 PCF or a service PCF, without limitation.

[0224] Optionally, request message #6 may carry a first service policy, and request message #6 is used to request that the policy of the network service of the first terminal device be modified to the first service policy. That is, the first service policy is the policy of the network service that the first network is requested to provide to UE1. The first service policy includes the target values ​​of the parameter information to be modified.

[0225] 604. The PCF sends a response message #5 to the NSF. The response message #5 carries the result of changing the policy of the network service of UE 1. Correspondingly, the NSF receives the response message #5 from the PCF.

[0226] Optionally, the change result may include a changed policy of the network service of the UE 1. The changed policy of the network service of the UE includes a changed value of the parameter information that needs to be changed.

[0227] Optionally, the change result may be the above-mentioned first service policy, in which case it indicates that PCF allows the policy of UE1's network service to be modified to the first service policy; or, the change result may be the second service policy, which is the policy of the network service provided by the first network to UE1. For example, the target value of the parameter information requested to be changed by UE1 does not conform to the value range set by the network side for UE1, and PCF returns a value of the parameter information provided by PCF to UE1. Therefore, the second service policy is different from the first service policy requested by UE1.

[0228] 605. Based on the response message #5, the NSF sends a response message #6 to the UE1 for the request message #5. The response message #6 carries the modification result. Accordingly, the UE1 receives the response message #6 from the NSF.

[0229] Optionally, in method 600 , changing the policy of the network service used by UE1 may include one or more of the following: adding UE2 to use UE1's network service, changing the network service or network service policy of UE2 that has accessed the first network where UE1 is located, etc. In this case, step 606 is also included before step 601 .

[0230] 606. UE1 obtains identification information of UE2.

[0231] For step 606 , reference may be made to the description of step 501 above, and no further details will be given.

[0232] Accordingly, the request message #5 in step 601 also carries the identification information of UE2. In addition, the response message #5 in step 604 also carries the network service policy of UE2 and, optionally, the token information of UE2. In this implementation, the PCF also generates the token information of UE2.

[0233] 607. UE2 obtains the policy and token information of the network service of UE2.

[0234] In step 607, UE2 can obtain the policy and token information for its network service through various implementations. For example, the PCF can send the policy and token information for UE2's network service directly to UE2. Alternatively, the policy and token information for UE2's network service can be carried in response message #5, sent by the PCF to the NSF, then sent by the NSF to UE1 via response message #6, and finally sent by UE1 to UE2. Reference can also be made to other implementations of UE2 obtaining its network service policy and token information in steps 507-509 of Figure 5 , which will not be repeated here.

[0235] Based on the method of FIG6 , the terminal device can flexibly change its own network service by sending a request to change the network service to the NSF.

[0236] (3) The first network element is a UNCF, and the first request message is used to request a change to a network service used by the first terminal device. Exemplarily, the UNCF may be an application function (AF) deployed in a data network (DN), such as an AF in a 5G network.

[0237] Specifically, the UE sends a request to the UNCF to change the network service. Subsequently, the UNCF sends a request to the UE PCF to change the network service policy, ultimately implementing the change to the network service policy used by the UE. This implementation adds interaction between the UNCF and the UE PCF. This is explained below with reference to Figure 7.

[0238] FIG7 is a schematic flowchart of a method 700 for providing network services provided in this application.

[0239] 701. UE1 sends a request message #7 to UNCF. The request message #7 is used to request a change to a network service used by UE1.

[0240] Accordingly, the UNCF receives the request message #7 from UE1.

[0241] For the request message #7 in step 701, please refer to the description of the request message #5 in step 601.

[0242] 702. The UNCF sends a request message #8 to the UE PCF based on the request message #7. The request message #8 is used to request a change in the policy of the network service used by the UE1.

[0243] Accordingly, the UE PCF receives the request message #8 from the UNCF.

[0244] 703. Based on the request message #8, the UE PCF interacts with the PCF (optional) and NSF related to the network service to modify the policy of the network service used by UE1.

[0245] Specifically, the UE PCF can authenticate the request corresponding to request message #8. If UE1 is allowed to change the policy of the network service it uses (i.e., the authentication is successful), the UE PCF sends a request to the PCF related to the network service (i.e., the service PCF) to change the policy of UE1's network service. After that, the service PCF interacts with the NSF. After completing the change of the policy of the network service used by UE1, the service PCF directly or indirectly feeds back the change results to the UE PCF. The change results may include the changed policy of UE1's network service. For a detailed description of step 703, please refer to steps 503-507 in method 500 and will not be described in detail here.

[0246] Optionally, as described above, if the UE PCF and the service PCF are jointly provided, the interaction operation between the UE PCF and the service PCF is an internal operation of the UE PCF.

[0247] Another possible implementation may be that the UNCF sends a request message #8 to the service PCF. After the service PCF completes the service policy change, it sends the policy update result to UE1 through the UE PCF or directly.

[0248] 704. The UE PCF sends a response message #7 to the UNCF. The response message #7 carries the result of the change of the network service used by UE1, such as the changed value of the parameter information of the network service to be changed. It should be understood that the response message #7 may be a response message to the request message #8.

[0249] Accordingly, the UNCF receives a response message #7.

[0250] 705. Based on response message #7, UNCF sends response message #8 to UE1. Response message #8 is feedback to request message #7, indicating that the policy change of UE1's network service has been completed. Accordingly, UE1 receives response message #8 from UNCF.

[0251] Optionally, method 700 may further include step 706 .

[0252] 706. The UE PCF provides UE1 with feedback on the changed network service policy for UE1. That is, after completing the change of UE1's network service policy, the UE PCF may provide UE1 with feedback on the change result. Accordingly, the UE receives the change result from the UE PCF. The change result carries the changed values ​​of the network service parameter information to be changed.

[0253] Optionally, in the above process, changing the policy of UE1's network service may include one or more of the following possible situations: adding UE2 to use UE1's network service, deleting UE2 that is using UE1's network service, changing the network service or network service policy of UE2 that has accessed the first network where UE1 is located, etc. In this case, method 700 may further include step 707.

[0254] 707. UE1 obtains identification information of UE2.

[0255] For step 707 , reference may be made to the description of step 501 in the above method 500 and will not be repeated here.

[0256] In the above case, request message #7 may carry UE2's identification information. UE2's identification information is sent to the UE PCF via the UNCF. Optionally, if UE2 is deleting the network service used by UE1, or if UE2's permission to use UE1's network service is revoked, the UE PCF deletes UE2's network service policy based on UE2's identification information carried in request message #7, notifies the NSF to delete the service rules related to UE2's network service policy, and finally returns a notification message directly or indirectly to UE1, indicating that the network has deleted UE2's network service policy.

[0257] Optionally, if the above-mentioned case involves adding UE2 to use UE1's network service, changing UE2's network service, or changing the network service policy, the UE PCF may generate UE2's token information and directly or indirectly send UE2's token information to UE2, as in step 708. In addition, as described in FIG5 regarding UE2's token information, the token information may also be generated by the network service-related PCF or UE1 and provided directly or indirectly to the UE, which is not limited in this embodiment. In addition, optionally, the result of the change in UE2's network service policy and the token information may be provided to UE2 in a variety of ways, and reference may be made to the specific implementation description in FIG5 . The following step 708 serves as an example of a specific implementation in which UE2 obtains the changed network service policy and token information.

[0258] 708. The UE PCF feeds back the network service policy of UE2 to UE2. Optionally, the feedback also includes the token information of UE2.

[0259] In addition, optionally, method 700 further includes step 709 .

[0260] 709. UNCF sends feedback on the network service of UE2 to UE2, where the feedback is used to indicate that the policy change of the network service of UE2 has been completed. Correspondingly, UE2 receives the feedback from UNCF.

[0261] As another implementation, the feedback of the network service of UE2 may be fed back to UE1 by UNCF, and then sent to UE2 by UE1, without limitation.

[0262] Based on the method shown in FIG7 , the terminal device (UE1) can flexibly modify its own network services by sending a request to modify the network services to the UNCF. Optionally, by including the identifier of another terminal device (such as UE2) in the request to modify the network services, the terminal device can flexibly control the use of the network services provided by the first network (the network accessed by UE1) by other terminal devices, such as adding or removing other terminal devices from using the network services, and modifying the usage permissions of other terminal devices using the network services.

[0263] Optionally, if changing the policy of UE1's network service includes one or more of the following situations: changing the policy of UE2's network service, adding UE2 to use UE1's network service, a specific solution for changing the policy of UE's network service is provided below, which is explained in conjunction with Figure 8.

[0264] Refer to FIG8 , which is a schematic flowchart of a method 800 for providing network services provided in this application.

[0265] 801. UE1 changes the policy of UE1's network service to UE1PCF.

[0266] The specific implementation of step 801 can refer to the above embodiments, such as any method in method 500 to method 700, and will not be repeated here.

[0267] It should be understood that the premise of the following process is that the policy of the network service of UE1 is changed, including changing the policy of the network service of UE2 or adding the network service of UE1 to be used by UE2.

[0268] After step 801, the following steps included in option 1 or option 2 may be executed.

[0269] Option 1

[0270] 802. UE1PCF sends a request to UE2PCF to change the policy of the network service of UE2. Correspondingly, UE2PCF receives the request from UE1PCF.

[0271] Specifically, the UE1 PCF may find the PCF that provides network services for the UE2 based on the identification information of the UE2.

[0272] 803. The UE2PCF updates the changed policy of the UE2 network service to the UDM / UDR.

[0273] Option 2

[0274] 804. UE1PCF sends a request to the UDM / UDR to change the policy of the network service of UE2. Correspondingly, the UDM / UDR receives the request from UE1PCF.

[0275] 805. After completing the change of the network service policy of UE2, UDM / UDR sends a change notification to UE2PCF to notify UE2PCF of the changed network service policy of UE2. Correspondingly, UE2PCF receives the change notification from UDM / UDR.

[0276] 806. The UE2 PCF sends the modified policy of the network service of UE2 to UE2. Correspondingly, UE2 receives the modified policy of the network service of UE2 from the UE2 PCF.

[0277] 807. UE2 sends a network service request to the NSF of UE1 based on the modified network service policy of UE2. Correspondingly, the NSF of UE1 receives the request from UE2.

[0278] For example, the changed network service policy of UE2 includes that UE2 can use the AI ​​service of UE1, and then UE2 can send an AI service request to the NSF of UE1.

[0279] Based on the method shown in Figure 8, a first terminal device requests a change to its own network service policy from its PCF, allowing it to flexibly modify its own network service. If the change to the network service policy involves a change to the policy of a second terminal device, the first terminal device's PCF can interact with the second terminal device's PCF to flexibly modify the second terminal device's network service. This allows the first terminal device to not only modify its own network service but also flexibly modify the network service of a second terminal device that utilizes the first terminal device's network service.

[0280] The above describes in detail the method for providing network services of the present application. The following describes the communication device provided by the present application.

[0281] In order to realize the various functions of the communication devices in the embodiments of the present application (such as terminals, UE PCFs, network service-related PCFs, NSFs, UNCFs or AFs, etc.), each communication device can realize the corresponding functions through hardware structures, software modules, or hardware structures plus software modules.

[0282] Refer to FIG. 9 , which shows a communication device 1000 provided in this application.

[0283] As shown in Figure 9, a communication device 1000 includes a processing module 1001 and a communication module 1002. The communication device 1000 can be a communication device, or a device applied to a communication device and capable of implementing the corresponding functions of the communication device, such as a chip, a chip system, or a circuit. Exemplarily, the communication device can include a terminal device (e.g., a first terminal device, a second terminal device, etc.), a UE PCF, a network service-related PCF (such as the service PCF in the method embodiment), an NSF, a UNCF, or an AF, etc.

[0284] Among them, the communication module can also be called a transceiver module, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a transceiver device, etc. The processing module can also be called a processor, a processing board, a processing unit, or a processing device, etc. Optionally, the communication module is used to perform the sending operation and the receiving operation of the terminal device or the network device in any method embodiment. The device used to implement the receiving function in the communication module can be regarded as a receiving unit, and the device used to implement the sending function in the communication module can be regarded as a sending unit, that is, the communication module includes a receiving unit and a sending unit. The processing module is used to perform operations / processing related to the internal implementation of the terminal device or the network device in any method embodiment. It should be understood that the corresponding specific operations of each module can be found in the description of the method embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0285] Furthermore, it should be noted that the aforementioned communication module and / or processing module may be implemented as a virtual module. For example, the processing module may be implemented as a software functional unit or a virtual device, and the communication module may be implemented as a software function or a virtual device. Alternatively, the processing module or the communication module may be implemented as a physical device. For example, if the device is implemented as a chip / hardware circuit, the communication module may be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface that performs input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operations) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned sending operations); the processing module may be an integrated circuit or a logic circuit, etc.

[0286] The division of modules in this application is illustrative and represents only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the examples of this application may be integrated into a single module, physically exist separately, or two or more modules may be integrated into a single module. The aforementioned integrated modules may be implemented in the form of hardware, software functional modules, or a combination of hardware and software functional modules, without limitation.

[0287] Referring to FIG. 10 , the present application further provides a communication device 1100 .

[0288] Optionally, the communication device 1100 may be a chip or a chip system. Optionally, in the present application, a chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0289] The communication device 1100 can be used to implement the functions of any network element (for example, a terminal, a first network element, a second network element, an NSF, a UNCF, an AF, etc.) in the communication system described in the above examples. The communication device 1100 may include at least one processor 1110. Optionally, the processor 1110 (or processing device) is coupled to a memory, and the memory may be located within the communication device, or the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory may be located outside the communication device. For example, the communication device 1100 may further include at least one memory 1120. The memory 1120 stores the necessary computer programs, instructions and / or data for implementing any of the above embodiments; the processor 1110 may execute the computer programs, instructions and / or data stored in the memory 1120 to complete the corresponding functions of any network element in any of the above embodiments.

[0290] The communication device 1100 may further include a communication interface 1130, through which the communication device 1100 may exchange information with other devices. Exemplarily, the communication interface 1130 may be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, a pin, or another type of communication interface. When the communication device 1100 is a chip-type device or circuit, the communication interface 1130 in the device 1100 may also be an input / output circuit that may input information (or receive information) and / or output information (or send information). The processor may be an integrated circuit or a logic circuit, etc., and the processor may determine output information based on the input information.

[0291] Coupling in this application refers to an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, and is used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. Processor 1110 may operate in conjunction with memory 1120 and communication interface 1130. This application does not limit the specific connection medium between the processor 1110, memory 1120, and communication interface 1130.

[0292] Optionally, the processor 1110, the memory 1120, and the communication interface 1130 are interconnected via a bus 1140. For ease of illustration, FIG10 shows only one line, but does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0293] In this application, a processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, and may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in this application. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in this application may be directly executed by a hardware processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0294] In this application, the memory may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or a volatile memory, such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory is any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in this application may also be a circuit or any other device that can implement a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0295] In addition, the present application provides a communication device comprising at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is coupled to at least one memory, and the at least one processor is used to execute a computer program or instruction stored in the at least one memory so that the communication device has the functions of the corresponding network element (for example, terminal equipment, first network element, second network element, NSF, UNCF, AF) in any of the above embodiments.

[0296] The present application also provides a chip, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to receive information and / or data to be processed and send the information and / or data to be processed to the processor, and the processor is used to process the information and / or data to be processed, so that the communication device installed with the chip has the functions of the corresponding network element (for example, terminal, first network element, second network element, NSF, UNCF, AF) in any of the above embodiments.

[0297] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the functions of the corresponding network elements (e.g., terminal equipment, first network element, second network element, NSF, UNCF, AF) in any of the above embodiments are implemented.

[0298] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer program code. When the computer program code runs on a computer, the functions of the corresponding network elements (for example, terminal equipment, first network element, second network element, NSF, UNCF, AF) in any of the above embodiments are implemented.

[0299] The present application also provides a wireless communication system, including one or more network elements in any of the above embodiments. For example, the communication system includes a terminal, a first network element, and an NSF; or includes a terminal device, a first network element, a second network element, and an NSF; or, in addition to the combination of the above network elements, further includes a UDM / UDR, etc.

[0300] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0301] The memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory and / or a non-volatile memory. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. As an example and not a limitation, RAM includes the following forms: static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM) and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). When the processor is a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) may be integrated into the processor.

[0302] The technical solutions provided in this application can be implemented in whole or in part through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, they can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in this application are generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a terminal device, an access network device, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium.

[0303] In this application, under the premise of no logical contradiction, the examples can reference each other, for example, the methods and / or terms between method embodiments can reference each other, for example, the functions and / or terms between device embodiments can reference each other, for example, the functions and / or terms between device examples and method examples can reference each other.

[0304] In the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" refers to two or more than two. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner to facilitate understanding.

[0305] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in the present application is merely a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural.

[0306] In various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0307] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0308] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0309] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0310] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0311] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0312] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0313] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for providing network services, characterized in that: Applied to a first terminal device, the method includes: Sending a first request message to the first network element; The first request message is used to request a change in a policy of a network service of the first terminal device, and the first request message carries information used to change the policy of the network service; or The first request message is used to request a change to a network service of the first terminal device, and the first request message carries parameter information of the network service that needs to be changed; A first response message is received for the first request message.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first network element is a policy control function PCF or a user network control function UNCF, and the first request message is used to request a change in a policy of a network service of the first terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first request message carries information about the network service, where the information about the network service includes one or more of the following: The network service includes a connection service, and the information of the network service includes identification information of a session; The network service includes a data service, and the information of the network service includes identification information and / or address information of a storage device; The network service includes a computing service, and the information of the network service includes information of computing resources; The network service includes a task service, and the information of the network service includes identification information of the task.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The strategy for changing the network service includes one or more of the following: Add and / or delete terminal devices that use the network service; Add and / or delete network devices that provide the network services; Change the usage permissions of terminal devices that use the network services; Changing the policy of the network service used by the terminal device using the network service; The subscription information of the state of using the network service by a terminal device using the network service is changed.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The usage rights include one or more of the following: Information about permitted applications and / or websites; Information about prohibited applications and / or websites; The terminal device using the network service is allowed to use the network device in the first network, and the network service is provided by the first network.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that The network service policy also includes one or more of the following: The duration of the network service; data usage of the network service; Quality of service QoS of the network service; The location of the terminal device using the network service is within a preset location range.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The first response message is used to indicate that the first network element accepts the request to change the policy of the network service of the first terminal device. The first response message also includes the change result of the policy of the network service of the first terminal device.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The strategy of changing the network service of the first terminal device includes one or more of the following situations: Adding a second terminal device to use the network service; A policy of a network service of a second terminal device is changed, wherein the second terminal device and the first terminal device have accessed a first network, and the network service is provided by the first network.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first request message also carries information of the second terminal device, and the first response message also includes token information of the second terminal device and / or a policy of network services provided by the first network for the second terminal device, wherein the token information is used for identity identification or verification of the second terminal device using the network services provided by the first network, and the first network is the network where the first terminal device is located.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: Based on the first response message, the token information and / or a policy of network services provided by the first network for the second terminal device are sent to the second terminal device.

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first network element is a network service function NSF, a user network control function UNCF or an application server AF, and the first request message is used to request a change to a network service of the first terminal device.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The changing of the network service of the first terminal device includes one or more of the following situations: Adding a second terminal device to use the network service; The network service used by the second terminal device is changed, where the network service used by the second terminal device is provided by a first network, and the first terminal device and the second terminal device have accessed the first network.

13. A method for providing network services, characterized in that: Applied to a first network element, the method includes: Receiving a first request message from a first terminal device, where the first request message is used to request a change in a policy of a network service used by the first terminal device, and the first request message carries information for changing the policy of the network service; Send a first response message to the first request message to the first terminal device.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The method further comprises: Based on the first request message, sending a second request message to a second network element, where the second request message is used to request a change to a policy of a network service of the first terminal device; A second response message for the second request message is received from the second network element.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The second response message indicates acceptance of the request to change the policy of the network service of the first terminal device, and the second response message carries the change result of the policy of the network service of the first terminal device; And, the first response message also carries the change result.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that The strategy of changing the network service of the first terminal device includes at least one of the following situations: Adding a second terminal device to use the network service; A policy of a network service of a second terminal device is changed, wherein the second terminal device and the first terminal device have accessed a first network, and the network service is provided by the first network.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The first request message also carries information of the second terminal device, and the first response message also includes token information of the second terminal device and / or a policy of network services provided by the first network for the second terminal device, wherein the token information is used for identity identification or verification of the second terminal device using the network services provided by the first network.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The method further comprises: A third response message is sent to the second terminal device, where the third response message includes the token information and / or a policy of network services provided by the first network for the second terminal device.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a module or a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processor, the processor is coupled to the memory, and the processor is used to execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

21. A chip, characterized in that: It includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to receive information and / or data to be processed and send the information and / or data to be processed to the processor, and the processor is used to process the information and / or data to be processed, so that the communication device installed with the chip executes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 18.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18 is implemented.

23. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises a computer program code, which enables the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18 to be implemented when the computer program code is run on a computer.

24. A wireless communication system, characterized in that: Comprising a communication device as claimed in claim 19 or 20.

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