Communication methods, terminals, network devices and communication system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to communication methods, terminals, network devices and a communication system. A method comprises: sending first information to a first network device, wherein the first information is used for requesting the registration of a voice over wireless fidelity (VoWiFi) call, the VoWiFi call is a VoWiFi call performed on the basis of a first broadband network, the first network device is used for sending to a second network device the first information sent by a terminal, and the second network device is a network device, which creates the VoWiFi call for the terminal, in the first broadband network. By means of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a VoWiFi call can be performed in various types of broadband network environments.

Description

Communication method, terminal, network device and communication system Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to a communication method, a terminal, a network device, and a communication system. Background Art

[0002] VoWiFi refers to a service that enables voice calls over wireless networks (Wireless Fidelity, WiFi), also known as wireless network voice calls. VoWiFi addresses issues such as the inability to send text messages or make calls when there's no base station signal or a weak cell signal. Related technologies support VoWiFi calls over designated broadband networks.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] If the broadband network currently used by the terminal is different from the specified broadband network, VoWiFi calls will not work properly.

[0005] To overcome the problems existing in the related art, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a terminal, a network device, and a communication system.

[0006] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is proposed, including: sending first information to a first network device, where the first information is used to request registration for a wireless network voice (VoWiFi) call, where the VoWiFi call is a wireless network voice call conducted based on a first broadband network; the first network device is used to send the first information sent by a terminal to a second network device, where the second network device is a network device in the first broadband network that creates the VoWiFi call for the terminal.

[0007] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is proposed, including: receiving first information sent by a terminal, the first information being used to request registration for a wireless network voice (VoWiFi) call, where the VoWiFi call is a wireless network voice call conducted over a first broadband network; and routing the first information to a second network device, where the second network device is a network device in the first broadband network that creates the VoWiFi call for the terminal.

[0008] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is proposed, including: receiving first information sent by a first network device, where the first information is sent by a terminal to the first network device and is used to request registration for a wireless network voice (VoWiFi) call, where the VoWiFi call is a wireless network voice call conducted based on a first broadband network; and establishing the VoWiFi call based on the first broadband network and the first information.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is proposed, including: a terminal sends first information to a first network device, where the first information is used to request registration for a wireless network voice VoWiFi call; the first network device receives the first information sent by the terminal and routes the first information to a second network device; the second network device receives the first information sent by the first network device, and establishes the VoWiFi call based on a first broadband network and the first information.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is proposed, including: a transceiver module, configured to send first information to a first network device, wherein the first information is used to request registration for a wireless network voice (VoWiFi) call, wherein the VoWiFi call is a wireless network voice call conducted based on a first broadband network, and the first network device is configured to send the first information sent by the terminal to a second network device, wherein the second network device is a network device in the first broadband network that creates the VoWiFi call for the terminal.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network device is proposed, including: a transceiver module, configured to receive first information sent by a terminal, the first information being used to request registration for a wireless network voice (VoWiFi) call, where the VoWiFi call is a wireless network voice call conducted over a first broadband network; and routing the first information to a second network device, where the second network device is a network device in the first broadband network that creates the VoWiFi call for the terminal.

[0012] According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second network device is proposed, including: a transceiver module, receiving first information sent by a first network device, the first information being sent by a terminal to the first network device and being used to request registration for a wireless network voice (VoWiFi) call, where the VoWiFi call is a wireless network voice call conducted based on a first broadband network; and a processing module, configured to establish the VoWiFi call based on the first broadband network and the first information.

[0013] According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the terminal is used to execute the method described in the above-mentioned first aspect or any one of the implementations of the first aspect.

[0014] According to a ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network device is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the first network device is used to execute the method described in the second aspect or any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0015] According to the tenth aspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure, a second network device is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the second network device is used to execute the method described in the above third aspect or any one of the embodiments of the third aspect.

[0016] According to the eleventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is proposed, including a terminal, a first network device, and a second network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the method described in the above-mentioned first aspect or any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, the first network device is configured to implement the method described in the above-mentioned second aspect or any one of the embodiments of the second aspect, and the second network device is configured to implement the method described in the above-mentioned third aspect or any one of the embodiments of the third aspect.

[0017] According to the twelfth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is proposed, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes a method as described in any one of the above-mentioned first aspect or any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, the above-mentioned second aspect or any one of the embodiments of the second aspect, and the above-mentioned third aspect or any one of the embodiments of the third aspect.

[0018] The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure may include the following beneficial effects: forwarding information from the first network device to the second network device in the first broadband network to establish a VoWiFi call, reducing the requirement for specifying a broadband network for the VoWiFi call, and improving the broadband network compatibility of the VoWiFi call.

[0019] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following drawings required for describing the embodiments are introduced. The following drawings are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG2 is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG3 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG4 is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG5 is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG6 is an interactive diagram illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of registering a VoWiFi call according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of registering a VoWiFi call according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG9A is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG9B is a schematic structural diagram of the first network device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG9C is a schematic structural diagram of a second network device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG10A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG10B is a schematic structural diagram of a chip proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a terminal, a first network device, and a second network device.

[0035] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication method, including: sending first information to a first network device, the first information being used to request registration for a wireless network voice VoWiFi call, where the VoWiFi call is a wireless network voice call based on a first broadband network, the first network device being used to send the first information sent by the terminal to a second network device, where the second network device is a network device in the first broadband network that creates a VoWiFi call for the terminal.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the first network device sends the first information for requesting registration of wireless network voice VoWiFi call to the second network device, so that the second network device creates a VoWiFi call for the terminal in the first broadband network, thereby improving the compatibility of VoWiFi call.

[0037] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, sending the first information to the first network device includes: establishing a tunnel link with the first network device; and sending the first information to the first network device based on the tunnel link.

[0038] In the above embodiment, establishing a tunnel connection can encrypt the first information to be sent, thereby preventing information leakage.

[0039] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, a tunnel link is established with the first network device based on at least one of the following broadband networks: a first broadband network; a second broadband network different from the first broadband network.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the terminal establishes a tunnel link with the first network device based on at least one of a first broadband network and a second broadband network different from the first broadband network. The terminal uses different broadband networks to establish tunnel links with the first network device, providing the option of different broadband networks, and corresponding tunnel links can be established for different broadband networks.

[0041] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, a VoWiFi call instruction sent by a first network device is received; and a VoWiFi call is established based on the VoWiFi call instruction.

[0042] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, the first network device is a virtual private dial-up network (VPDN) server.

[0043] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication method, including: receiving first information sent by a terminal, the first information being used to request registration for a wireless network voice VoWiFi call, where the VoWiFi call is a wireless network voice call based on a first broadband network; routing the first information to a second network device, where the second network device is a network device in the first broadband network that creates a VoWiFi call for the terminal.

[0044] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, receiving the first information sent by the terminal includes: establishing a tunnel link with the terminal; and receiving the first information sent by the terminal based on the tunnel link.

[0045] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, a tunnel link is established with the terminal based on at least one of the following broadband networks: a first broadband network; a second broadband network different from the first broadband network.

[0046] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, routing the first information to the second network device includes: establishing a communication connection with the second network device based on a virtual IP address, and sending the first information to the second network device based on the communication connection, the virtual IP address is used to identify the terminal and the first information.

[0047] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, a VoWiFi call instruction sent by a second network device is received; and the VoWiFi call instruction is sent to the terminal.

[0048] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication method, including: receiving first information sent by a first network device, the first information is sent by a terminal to the first network device, and is used to request registration for a wireless network voice VoWiFi call, which is a wireless network voice call based on a first broadband network; establishing a VoWiFi call based on the first broadband network and the first information.

[0049] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, receiving first information sent by a first network device includes: establishing a communication connection with the first network device based on a virtual IP address, and receiving the first information sent by the first network device based on the communication connection; the virtual IP address is used to identify the terminal and the first information. In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, a VoWiFi call instruction is sent to the first network device.

[0050] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, a VoWiFi call instruction is sent to the first network device.

[0051] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first network device is a VPDN server.

[0052] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication method, including: a terminal sends a first message to a first network device, where the first message is used to request registration for a wireless network voice VoWiFi call; the first network device receives the first message sent by the terminal and routes the first message to a second network device; the second network device receives the first message sent by the first network device and establishes a VoWiFi call based on the first broadband network and the first information.

[0053] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a terminal, including: a transceiver module, used to send first information to a first network device, the first information is used to request registration for a wireless network voice VoWiFi call, the VoWiFi call is a wireless network voice call based on a first broadband network, the first network device is used to send the first information sent by the terminal to a second network device, the second network device is a network device in the first broadband network that creates a VoWiFi call for the terminal.

[0054] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module sends the first information to the first network device in the following manner: establishing a tunnel link with the first network device; and sending the first information to the first network device based on the tunnel link.

[0055] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to establish a tunnel link with the first network device based on at least one of the following broadband networks: a first broadband network; a second broadband network different from the first broadband network.

[0056] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module is further used to receive a VoWiFi call instruction sent by the first network device; and establish a VoWiFi call based on the VoWiFi call instruction.

[0057] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the first network device is a virtual private dial-up network (VPDN) server.

[0058] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first network device, including: a transceiver module, used to receive first information sent by a terminal, the first information being used to request registration for a wireless network voice VoWiFi call, which is a wireless network voice call based on a first broadband network; routing the first information to a second network device, which is a network device in the first broadband network that creates a VoWiFi call for the terminal.

[0059] In combination with some embodiments of the sixth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module receives the first information sent by the terminal in the following manner: establishing a tunnel link with the terminal; and receiving the first information sent by the terminal based on the tunnel link.

[0060] In combination with some embodiments of the sixth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to establish a tunnel link with the terminal based on at least one of the following broadband networks: a first broadband network; a second broadband network different from the first broadband network.

[0061] In combination with some embodiments of the sixth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module routes the first information to the second network device in the following manner: establishes a communication connection with the second network device based on a virtual IP address, and sends the first information to the second network device based on the communication connection, where the virtual IP address is used to identify the terminal and the first information.

[0062] In combination with some embodiments of the sixth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module is further used to receive a VoWiFi call instruction sent by the second network device; and send the VoWiFi call instruction to the terminal.

[0063] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a second network device, including: a transceiver module, receiving first information sent by the first network device, the first information is sent by the terminal to the first network device, and is used to request registration for a wireless network voice VoWiFi call, which is a wireless network voice call based on the first broadband network; a processing module, used to establish a VoWiFi call based on the first broadband network and the first information.

[0064] In combination with some embodiments of the seventh aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module receives the first information sent by the first network device in the following manner, including: establishing a communication connection with the first network device based on a virtual IP address, and receiving the first information sent by the first network device based on the communication connection; the virtual IP address is used to identify the terminal and the first information.

[0065] In combination with some embodiments of the seventh aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module is further used to send a VoWiFi call instruction to the first network device.

[0066] In combination with some embodiments of the seventh aspect, in some embodiments, the first network device is a virtual private dial-up network (VPDN) server.

[0067] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a terminal, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the terminal is used to execute the method in the above-mentioned first aspect or any one of the implementations of the first aspect.

[0068] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first network device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the first network device is used to execute the method in the above-mentioned second aspect or any one of the implementations of the second aspect.

[0069] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a second network device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the second network device is used to execute the method in the above-mentioned third aspect or any one of the implementations of the third aspect.

[0070] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, including a terminal, a first network device, and a second network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the method in the above-mentioned first aspect or any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, the first network device is configured to implement the method in the above-mentioned second aspect or any one of the embodiments of the second aspect, and the second network device is configured to implement the method in the above-mentioned third aspect or any one of the embodiments of the third aspect.

[0071] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes a method such as the above-mentioned first aspect or any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, the above-mentioned second aspect or any one of the embodiments of the second aspect, or the above-mentioned third aspect or any one of the embodiments of the third aspect.

[0072] It is understandable that the above-mentioned terminal, the first network device, the second network device, the communication system, and the storage medium are all used to execute the method proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding method and will not be repeated here.

[0073] The present disclosure provides a communication method, a terminal, a network device, and a communication system. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" and "information processing method" and "communication processing method" are interchangeable; the terms "communication device" and "information processing device" and "communication processing device" are interchangeable; and the terms "information processing system" and "communication processing system" are interchangeable.

[0074] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0075] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0076] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0077] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English are used in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0078] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0079] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0080] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0081] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0082] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. For another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0083] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0084] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time / frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or the frequency domain.

[0085] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0086] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0087] In some embodiments, devices, etc. can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", and "subject" can be used interchangeably.

[0088] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network (eg, access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.).

[0089] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station" "fixed station", "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)" "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0090] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0091] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the various embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which the communication between the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the terminal is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, it is also possible to set the structure in which the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced by terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channels, downlink channels, etc. can be replaced by side channels, and uplinks, downlinks, etc. can be replaced by side links.

[0092] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device may have a structure that has all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0093] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0094] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0095] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0096] FIG1 is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0097] As shown in FIG1 , a communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 , a first network device 102 , and a second network device 103 .

[0098] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0099] In some embodiments, the first network device 102 is, for example, a node or device that accesses the terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, an access node in a Wi-Fi system, and at least one of a virtual private dial-up network server (VPDN), but is not limited thereto.

[0100] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0101] In some embodiments, the first network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0102] In some embodiments, the second network device 103 may be a device including one or more network elements, or may be multiple devices or device groups, each including all or part of the one or more network elements. The network element may be virtual or physical. The second network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0103] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0104] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1 , or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1 are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in FIG1 , or may include other entities outside of FIG1 . The number and form of the entities are arbitrary, and the entities may be physical or virtual. The connection relationships between the entities are illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0105] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G New Radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New Radio Access (NX), Future Generation Radio Access (FX), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.17 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.18 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.19 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.21 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.22 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.23 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.24 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.25 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.26 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.27 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.28 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.29 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.30 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.31 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.32 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.33 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0106] The disclosed embodiments provide VoWiFi calling, which refers to a technology for conducting voice calls over wireless networks (Wireless Fidelity, WiFi). VoWiFi-based calling can solve the problem of a terminal being unable to make text messages, phone calls, or other services when there is no base station signal or a weak cell signal. In some embodiments, a terminal can register with an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) through a WiFi hotspot to conduct communication services, such as calls and text messages.

[0107] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, when a terminal registers a VoWiFi network through an IMS core network and establishes a VoWiFi call, the terminal supports using a designated broadband network, such as a designated operator network. The subsequently designated broadband network is referred to as a first broadband network.

[0108] When making a VoWiFi call over the primary broadband network, the corresponding core network device will perform a network source check through the source tracing gateway. This network source checks whether the current terminal device is using the primary broadband network of the corresponding network source. If it is not the primary broadband network, the terminal will be restricted from accessing the IMS core network to register the VoWiFi network.

[0109] Based on this, an embodiment of the present disclosure optionally provides a communication method, in which the first broadband network is accessed by building a first network device capable of accessing the first broadband network, such as a VPDN server, and the terminal is enabled to access the first broadband network based on the first broadband network or other networks different from the first broadband network to make VoWiFi calls.

[0110] FIG2 is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method includes:

[0111] Step S2101: A terminal establishes a tunnel link with a first network device.

[0112] In some embodiments, the first network device establishes a tunnel link with the terminal.

[0113] In some embodiments, the terminal may establish a tunnel link with the first network device based on the first broadband network. The terminal may also establish a tunnel link with the first network device based on at least one other network different from the first broadband network, hereinafter referred to as the second broadband network.

[0114] The first broadband network is determined by the second network device.

[0115] In some embodiments, the first network device is a network device capable of accessing a first broadband network.

[0116] Optionally, the first network device may be a VPDN server. By building the VPDN server and accessing the first broadband network, non-first broadband network users can use VoWiFi calls based on the first broadband network.

[0117] The terminal sets the address, port number, connection protocol and other related parameters of the VPDN server, enters the account and password provided by the VPDN server to dial up and connect to the VPDN server.

[0118] In some embodiments, when a terminal establishes a tunnel link with a first network device, the first network device performs identity authentication on the terminal and establishes a tunnel link after the authentication is passed.

[0119] Optionally, the first network device is a VPDN server. After receiving a connection request from a user, the VPDN server authenticates and authorizes the user. The VPDN server verifies the dial-up username and password provided by the user and performs a permission check according to a policy set by the server.

[0120] In some embodiments, the tunnel link is used for data transmission between the terminal and the first network device.

[0121] In some embodiments, the tunnel link can use protocols such as Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP), and Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) for encrypted transmission.

[0122] Optionally, the tunnel link can be used for data transmission in a broadband network, for example, for transmission in a first broadband network or a second broadband network, for example, for data transmission in any of one or more different operator networks.

[0123] In some embodiments, the terminal sends information for requesting registration of Voice over Wireless Network (VoWiFi) calling to the VPDN server through an encrypted tunnel link.

[0124] Step S2102: The terminal sends first information to the first network device.

[0125] In some embodiments, the first information is used to request registration of a VoWiFi call, wherein the VoWiFi call requested to be registered by the first information is a wireless network voice call conducted over the first broadband network.

[0126] In some embodiments, the terminal sends the first information to the first network device based on the tunnel link.

[0127] Step S2103: The first network device allocates a virtual IP address.

[0128] In some embodiments, after receiving the first information, the first network device allocates a virtual IP address to the terminal in the first network. The virtual IP address is used to identify the terminal and the first information sent by the terminal, so that the first network device can subsequently access the second network device in the first broadband network, and the second network device establishes a VoWiFi call corresponding to the first information.

[0129] The virtual IP address allocated by the first network device is used to identify the terminal and the first information.

[0130] In some embodiments, the first network device predefines an address pool containing a certain range of virtual IP addresses. When the user establishes a VPN connection and is successfully authenticated, the first network device selects an available virtual IP address from the address pool and assigns it to the terminal.

[0131] Step S2104: The first network device establishes a communication connection with the second network device based on the virtual IP address.

[0132] The second network device establishes a communication connection with the first network device based on the virtual IP address.

[0133] In some embodiments, the second network device verifies the virtual IP address and establishes a communication connection with the first network device after the verification is successful.

[0134] In some embodiments, the virtual IP address can be verified by the traceability gateway in the second network device, and a communication connection can be established with the first network device after the verification is passed.

[0135] Step S2105: The first network device sends first information to the second network device.

[0136] The first network device accesses the first broadband network through a virtual address, enabling the first message to be sent using the first broadband network. The virtual IP address is used to identify the terminal and the first message sent by the terminal. Therefore, when the second network device in the first broadband network registers for a VoWiFi call in the first broadband network, it can trace the gateway of the first broadband network and, through authentication, implement the VoWiFi call registration requested by the first message over the first broadband network.

[0137] In some embodiments, the second network device receives the first information and establishes a VoWiFi call with the first network device.

[0138] In some embodiments, establishing a VoWiFi call is generating a VoWiFi call instruction, and the VoWiFi call instruction is used to create a VoWiFi call.

[0139] Step S2106: The second network device sends a VoWiFi call instruction to the first network device.

[0140] In some embodiments, after receiving the VoWiFi call instruction, the first network device sends the VoWiFi call instruction to the terminal.

[0141] Step S2107: The first network device sends a VoWiFi call instruction to the terminal.

[0142] In some embodiments, after receiving the VoWiFi call instruction, the first network device sends the VoWiFi call instruction to the terminal.

[0143] Step S2108: A VoWiFi call is established among the terminal, the first network device, the second network device, and the third network device.

[0144] In some embodiments, after receiving the VoWiFi call instruction, the terminal establishes a VoWiFi call through the first network device and the second network device.

[0145] Among them, the third network device can be understood as a network device for conducting VoWiFi calls on the core network side.

[0146] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codeword", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0147] In some embodiments, the terms "codebook," "codeword," and "precoding matrix" may be used interchangeably. For example, a codebook may be a collection of one or more codewords / precoding matrices.

[0148] In some embodiments, terms such as "uplink", "uplink", "physical uplink" can be interchangeable with each other, and terms such as "downlink", "downlink", "physical downlink" can be interchangeable with each other, and terms such as "side", "sidelink", "side communication", "sidelink communication", "direct connection", "direct link", "direct communication", "direct link communication" can be interchangeable with each other.

[0149] In some embodiments, the terms "downlink control information (DCI)", "downlink (DL) assignment", "DL DCI", "uplink (UL) grant", "UL DCI" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0150] In some embodiments, terms such as "physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)" and "DL data" can be used interchangeably, and terms such as "physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)" and "UL data" can be used interchangeably.

[0151] In some embodiments, the terms "radio", "wireless", "radio access network (RAN)", "access network (AN)", "RAN-based" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0152] In some embodiments, the terms "search space", "search space set", "search space configuration", "search space set configuration", "control resource set (CORESET)", "CORESET configuration" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0153] In some embodiments, terms such as "synchronization signal (SS)", "synchronization signal block (SSB)", "reference signal (RS)", "pilot", and "pilot signal" can be used interchangeably.

[0154] In some embodiments, terms such as "moment", "time point", "time", and "time position" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "duration", "period", "time window", "window", and "time" can be replaced with each other.

[0155] In some embodiments, the terms "component carrier (CC)", "cell", "frequency carrier", "carrier frequency" and the like can be used interchangeably.

[0156] In some embodiments, terms such as "resource block (RB)", "physical resource block (PRB)", "sub-carrier group (SCG)", "resource element group (REG)", "PRB pair", "RB pair", "resource element (RE)", and "sub-carrier" can be used interchangeably.

[0157] In some embodiments, terms such as wireless access scheme and waveform may be used interchangeably.

[0158] In some embodiments, the terms "precoding", "precoder", "weight", "precoding weight", "quasi-co-location (QCL)", "transmission configuration indication (TCI) state", "spatial relation", "spatial domain filter", "transmission power", "phase rotation", "antenna port", "antenna port group", "layer", "the number of layers", "rank", "resource", "resource set", "resource group", "beam", "beam width", "beam angular degree", "antenna", "antenna element", "panel" and the like can be used interchangeably.

[0159] In some embodiments, terms such as "frame", "radio frame", "subframe", "slot", "sub-slot", "mini-slot", "symbol", "symbol", and "transmission time interval (TTI)" can be used interchangeably.

[0160] In some embodiments, "obtain", "get", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be interchangeable, and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining by self-processing, autonomous implementation, etc.

[0161] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0162] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain", "preset", "preset", "setting", "indicated", "a certain", "any", and "first" can be interchangeable. "Specific A", "preset A", "preset A", "setting A", "indicated A", "a certain A", "any A", and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-specified in a protocol, etc., or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or indication, etc., or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, etc., but not limited to this.

[0163] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be performed by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or by comparison of numerical values ​​(for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0164] In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving on time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data after receiving it; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the recipient to respond to the content sent.

[0165] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2108. For example, step S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2101+S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S2103+S2104+S2105 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0166] In some embodiments, steps S2101 and S2102 may be executed in an exchanged order or simultaneously, and steps S2104 and S2105 may be executed in an exchanged order or simultaneously.

[0167] In some embodiments, step S2101 and steps S2103 to S2108 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0168] In some embodiments, steps S2101 to S2104 and steps S2105 to S2108 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0169] In some embodiments, steps S2101 to S2107 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0170] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2 .

[0171] FIG3 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3A , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0172] Step S3101: Establish a tunnel link with a first network device.

[0173] The optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0174] Step S3102: Send first information to the first network device.

[0175] The optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0176] In some embodiments, the first information is used to request registration for a wireless network voice VoWiFi call, which is a wireless network voice call based on a first broadband network. The first network device is used to send the first information sent by the terminal to the second network device, which is a network device that creates a VoWiFi call for the terminal in the first broadband network.

[0177] Step S3103: Obtain a VoWiFi call instruction.

[0178] The optional implementation of step S3103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0179] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the VoWiFi call instruction from the first network device, but is not limited thereto, and the VoWiFi call instruction may also be obtained from other entities.

[0180] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains a VoWiFi call instruction specified by the protocol.

[0181] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the VoWiFi call instruction from upper layer(s).

[0182] In some embodiments, the terminal performs processing to obtain a VoWiFi call instruction.

[0183] In some embodiments, step S3103 is omitted, and the terminal autonomously implements the function indicated by the first information, or the above function is default or acquiescent.

[0184] Step S3104: Establish a VoWiFi call.

[0185] The optional implementation of step S3104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2108 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0186] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3104. For example, step S3102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3102+S3103 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S3101+S3102+S3103 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0187] In some embodiments, steps S3101 and S3102 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0188] In some embodiments, steps S3101, S3103, and S3104 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0189] FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0190] Step S4101: Establish a tunnel link with the terminal.

[0191] The optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0192] Step S4102, obtaining first information.

[0193] The optional implementation of step S4102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first network device obtains the first information from the terminal, but is not limited thereto and may also obtain the first information from other entities.

[0195] In some embodiments, the first network device receives the first information sent by the terminal, but is not limited thereto and may also receive the first information sent by other entities.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first network device obtains first information specified by a protocol.

[0197] In some embodiments, the first network device obtains the first information from an upper layer(s).

[0198] In some embodiments, the first network device performs processing to obtain the first information.

[0199] In some embodiments, step S4102 is omitted, and the first network device autonomously implements the function indicated by the first information, or the above function is default or by default.

[0200] Optionally, the first information is used to request registration for a wireless network voice VoWiFi call. For optional implementations, see the optional implementations of step S2103 in FIG. 2 and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0201] Step S4103: Allocate a corresponding virtual IP address according to the terminal.

[0202] The optional implementation of step S4103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0203] Step S4104: Establish a communication connection with the second network device based on the virtual IP address.

[0204] The optional implementation of step S4104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0205] Step S4105: Send the first information to the second network device.

[0206] The optional implementation of step S4105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0207] Step S4106: Obtain a VoWiFi call instruction.

[0208] The optional implementation of step S4106 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0209] Step S4107: Send a VoWiFi call instruction.

[0210] The optional implementation of step S4107 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0211] Step S4108: Establish a VoWiFi call with the terminal and the second network device.

[0212] The optional implementation of step S4108 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2108 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0213] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4101 to S4108. For example, step S4102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4101+S4102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S4103+S4104+S4105 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0214] In some embodiments, steps S4101 and S4102 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0215] In some embodiments, steps S4106, S4107, and S4108 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0216] In some embodiments, steps S4101 and S4103 to S4108 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0217] In some embodiments, steps S4101 to S4104 and S4106 to S4108 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0218] FIG5 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method includes:

[0219] Step S5101: Establish a communication connection with a first network device based on a virtual IP address.

[0220] The optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0221] Step S5102, obtaining first information.

[0222] The optional implementation of step S5102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0223] In some embodiments, the first information is used to request registration for a wireless network voice VoWiFi call, which is a wireless network voice call based on a first broadband network. The first network device is used to send the first information sent by the terminal to the second network device, which is a network device that creates a VoWiFi call for the terminal in the first broadband network.

[0224] Step S5103: Send a VoWiFi call instruction.

[0225] The optional implementation of step S5103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0226] In some embodiments, the second network device obtains the first information from the first network device, but is not limited thereto and may also obtain the first information from other entities.

[0227] In some embodiments, the second network device receives the first information sent by the first network device, but is not limited thereto and may also receive the first information sent by other entities.

[0228] In some embodiments, the second network device obtains first information specified by the protocol.

[0229] In some embodiments, the second network device obtains the first information from an upper layer(s).

[0230] In some embodiments, the second network device performs processing to obtain the first information.

[0231] In some embodiments, step S5103 is omitted, and the first network device autonomously implements the function indicated by the first information, or the above function is default or by default.

[0232] Optionally, the first information is used to request registration for a wireless network voice VoWiFi call. For optional implementations, see the optional implementations of step S2103 in FIG. 2 and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0233] Step S5104: Establish a VoWiFi call.

[0234] The optional implementation of step S5104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2108 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0235] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S5101 to S5104. For example, step S5102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S5104 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S5101+S5102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S5103+S5104 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0236] In some embodiments, steps S5101 and S5102 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0237] In some embodiments, step S5101 and steps S5103 to S5104 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0238] In some embodiments, steps S5101 to S5103 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0239] Figure 6 is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0240] Step S6101: The terminal sends first information to the first network device.

[0241] The optional implementation of step S6101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2, step S3102 in Figure 3, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0242] Step S6102: The first network device obtains first information.

[0243] The optional implementation of step S6102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2, step S4102 in Figure 4, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0244] Step S6103: The first network device sends first information to the second network device.

[0245] The optional implementation of step S6103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2, step S4105 in Figure 4, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0246] Step S6104: The second network device obtains the first information.

[0247] Optional implementations of step S6104 may refer to step S2105 in FIG. 2 , optional implementations of step S5102 in FIG. 4 , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0248] Step S6105: Establish a VoWiFi call based on the first information.

[0249] The optional implementation of step S6105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2108 in Figure 2, step S5104 in Figure 5, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 5, which will not be repeated here.

[0250] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above embodiments of the communication system side, terminal side, first network device side, second network device side, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0251] FIG7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for registering a VoWiFi call according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7 , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, the method comprising:

[0252] Step S7101: The terminal establishes a tunnel link with the VPDN server.

[0253] Optionally, the tunnel can use protocols such as PPTP, L2TP, IPsec for encrypted transmission.

[0254] In some embodiments, the VPDN server may establish tunnel links with the terminal on the public network, such as tunnel 1, tunnel 2, and tunnel 3.

[0255] Optionally, the terminal can use the broadband network of any operator, such as operator 1, operator 2, or operator 3.

[0256] Optionally, when the terminal connects to the VPDN server, identity authentication is required, and the terminal connects to the VPDN server after completing the authentication.

[0257] The optional implementation of step S7101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0258] Step S7102: The VPDN server allocates a virtual IP address to the connected terminal in the broadband network of operator 1.

[0259] The optional implementation of step S7102 can refer to the optional implementation of steps S2103 to S2104 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0260] In step S7103, the terminal accesses the broadband network of operator 1 through the VPDN server connection and registers the VoWiFi corresponding to the broadband network of operator 1.

[0261] In some embodiments, the terminal accesses the telecom tracing gateway through the VPDN server, accesses the ePDG server, and finally registers to the VoWiFi corresponding to the broadband network of operator 1.

[0262] The optional implementation of step S7103 can refer to the optional implementation of steps S2105 to S2108 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG2 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0263] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S7101 to S7103. For example, step S7103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S7102 + S7103 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S7101 + S7102 + S7103 can be implemented as independent embodiments (these are examples of permutations and combinations of important steps involved in the invention), but are not limited to these.

[0264] In some embodiments, steps S7101 and S7102 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0265] In some embodiments, steps S7101 and S7102 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0266] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, some or all of the steps and their optional implementations may be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the steps in other embodiments, or may be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementations of other embodiments.

[0267] FIG8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of registering a VoWiFi call according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0268] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG8 , when the terminal uses the first broadband network, the terminal can connect to the second broadband device through the communication base station by carrying voice over New Radio (VoNR) / Voice over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE) over the new air interface, and establish mobile network communication through the first broadband network. The terminal can also establish an IPsec tunnel with the home gateway, connect to the second network device through the home gateway, and establish a VoWiFi call through the first broadband network. The terminal also connects to the VPDN server, connects to the second network device through the VPDN server, and establishes a VoWiFi call based on the VPDN server through the first network.

[0269] Optionally, the second network device may include one or more network elements.

[0270] Optionally, the second network device includes at least one or more of the following network elements: tracing gateway, fixed network authentication, authorization and accounting (Authentication, Authorization, Accounting, AAA) / tracing system, (Evolevd Packet Data Gateway, ePDG), 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) AAA, Home Subscriber Serve (HSS), Session Management Function (SMF) + Packet Data Network Gateway Control Plane (PGW-C), HSS + Unified Data Management (UDM), User Plane Function (UPF) + Packet Data Network Gateway User Plane (PGW-U), Policy Control Function (PCF), Proxy-Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) / Soft Switch Service Edge Access Control (Business Access Control, BAC), etc.

[0271] Optionally, the second network device may register for a VoWiFi call through an IMS core network.

[0272] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., a first network device, a second network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0273] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0274] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and implementing the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0275] Figure 9A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 9A, the terminal 8100 may include: a transceiver module 8101. In some embodiments, the above-mentioned transceiver module is used to send a first message to a first network device, and the first message is used to request registration for a wireless network voice VoWiFi call. The VoWiFi call is a wireless network voice call based on a first broadband network. The first network device is used to send the first message sent by the terminal to a second network device, and the second network device is a network device in the first broadband network that creates a VoWiFi call for the terminal. Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving executed by the terminal in any of the above methods (for example, step S2102, step S2105, steps S2106 to S2107, but not limited thereto), which will not be repeated here.

[0276] Figure 9B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first network device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 9B, the first network device 8200 may include: a transceiver module 8201. In some embodiments, the above-mentioned transceiver module is used to receive a first message sent by the terminal, and the first message is used to request registration for a wireless network voice VoWiFi call, which is a call based on the first broadband network; and route the first message to the second network device, which is a network device in the first broadband network that creates a VoWiFi call for the terminal. Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving executed by the terminal in any of the above methods (for example, step S2102, step S2105, steps S2106 to S2107, but not limited to this), which will not be repeated here.

[0277] Figure 9C is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second network device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 9C, the second network device 8300 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 8301, a processing module 8302, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to receive the first information sent by the first network device; based on the first information, establish a VoWiFi call. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the terminal in any of the above methods (for example, step S2102, step S2105, steps S2106 to S2107, but not limited to this), which are not repeated here. Optionally, the processing module is used to execute at least one of the other steps (for example, step S2101, steps S2103 to S2104, step S2108, but not limited to this) performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which are not repeated here.

[0278] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, and the transmitting module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0279] In some embodiments, the processing module can be a single module or can include multiple submodules. Optionally, the multiple submodules respectively execute all or part of the steps required to be executed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be interchangeable with the processor.

[0280] Figure 10A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 9100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 9100 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., a user equipment, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal to implement any of the above methods. Communication device 9100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0281] As shown in Figure 10A, the communication device 9100 includes one or more processors 9101. The processor 9101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 9100 is used to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 9101 are used to call instructions to enable the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods.

[0282] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more transceivers 9102. When the communication device 9100 includes one or more transceivers 9102, the transceiver 9102 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2102, step S2105, steps S2106-S2107, but not limited thereto), and the processor 9101 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S2101, steps S2103-S2104, step S2108, but not limited thereto). In an optional embodiment, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, and the receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc. may be interchangeable, the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc. may be interchangeable, and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. may be interchangeable.

[0283] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more memories 9103 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 9103 may be located outside the communication device 9100. In alternative embodiments, the communication device 9100 may include one or more interface circuits 9104. Optionally, the interface circuits 9104 are connected to the memory 9102 and may be configured to receive data from the memory 9102 or other devices, or to send data to the memory 9102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 9104 may read data stored in the memory 9102 and send the data to the processor 9101.

[0284] The communication device 9100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 9100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 9100 may not be limited by FIG. 8A. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0285] FIG10B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 9200 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 9100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 9200 shown in FIG10B, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0286] The chip 9200 includes one or more processors 9201. The chip 9200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0287] In some embodiments, chip 9200 further includes one or more interface circuits 9202. Terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pins may be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 9200 further includes one or more memories 9203 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of memory 9203 may be located external to chip 9200. Optionally, interface circuit 9202 is connected to memory 9203 and may be used to receive data from memory 9203 or other devices, or may be used to send data to memory 9203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 9202 may read data stored in memory 9203 and send the data to processor 9201.

[0288] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 9202 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2105, and S2106-S2107) of the aforementioned method. The interface circuit 9202 performing the communication steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2105, and S2106-S2107) of the aforementioned method, for example, means that the interface circuit 9202 performs data exchange between the processor 9201, chip 9200, memory 9203, or a transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 9201 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., steps S2101, S2103-S2104, and S2108, but not limited thereto).

[0289] The modules and / or devices described in various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be arbitrarily combined or separated according to circumstances. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0290] The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 9100, causes the communication device 9100 to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0291] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 9100, enables the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0292] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Sending first information to a first network device, where the first information is used to request registration of a wireless network voice VoWiFi call, where the VoWiFi call is a wireless network voice call based on a first broadband network, and the first network device is used to send the first information sent by the terminal to a second network device, where the second network device is a network device in the first broadband network that creates the VoWiFi call for the terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The sending the first information to the first network device includes: Establishing a tunnel link with the first network device; Based on the tunnel link, the first information is sent to the first network device.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that Establishing a tunnel link with the first network device based on at least one of the following broadband networks: the first broadband network; A second broadband network different from the first broadband network.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receiving a VoWiFi call instruction sent by the first network device; The VoWiFi call is established based on the VoWiFi call instruction.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first network device is a virtual private dial-up network (VPDN) server.

6. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Receiving first information sent by a terminal, where the first information is used to request registration for a wireless network voice VoWiFi call, where the VoWiFi call is a wireless network voice call based on a first broadband network; The first information is routed to a second network device, where the second network device is a network device in the first broadband network that creates the VoWiFi call for the terminal.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The first information sent by the receiving terminal includes: Establishing a tunnel link with the terminal; Based on the tunnel link, the first information sent by the terminal is received.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that Establishing a tunnel link with the terminal based on at least one of the following broadband networks: the first broadband network; A second broadband network different from the first broadband network.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that: The routing the first information to the second network device includes: A communication connection is established with the second network device based on a virtual IP address, and the first information is sent to the second network device based on the communication connection, wherein the virtual IP address is used to identify the terminal and the first information.

10. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receiving a VoWiFi call instruction sent by the second network device; Send the VoWiFi call instruction to the terminal.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Receiving first information sent by a first network device, where the first information is sent by a terminal to the first network device and is used to request registration of a wireless network voice VoWiFi call, where the VoWiFi call is a wireless network voice call based on a first broadband network; The VoWiFi call is established based on the first broadband network and the first information.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The receiving first information sent by the first network device includes: Establishing a communication connection with a first network device based on the virtual IP address, and receiving first information sent by the first network device based on the communication connection; The virtual IP address is used to identify the terminal and the first information.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send a VoWiFi call instruction to the first network device.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that: The first network device is a virtual private dial-up network (VPDN) server.

15. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The terminal sends first information to the first network device, where the first information is used to request registration for a wireless network voice VoWiFi call; The first network device receives the first information sent by the terminal, and routes the first information to the second network device; The second network device receives the first information sent by the first network device, and establishes the VoWiFi call based on the first broadband network and the first information.

16. A terminal, characterized in that: include: The transceiver module is used to send first information to a first network device, where the first information is used to request registration of a wireless network voice VoWiFi call, where the VoWiFi call is a wireless network voice call based on a first broadband network, and the first network device is used to send the first information sent by the terminal to a second network device, where the second network device is a network device in the first broadband network that creates the VoWiFi call for the terminal.

17. A first network device, characterized in that: include: A transceiver module, configured to receive first information sent by a terminal, wherein the first information is used to request registration of a wireless network voice VoWiFi call, wherein the VoWiFi call is a wireless network voice call based on a first broadband network; The first information is routed to a second network device, where the second network device is a network device in the first broadband network that creates the VoWiFi call for the terminal.

18. A second network device, characterized in that: include: A transceiver module receives first information sent by a first network device, wherein the first information is sent by a terminal to the first network device and is used to request registration of a wireless network voice VoWiFi call, wherein the VoWiFi call is a wireless network voice call based on a first broadband network; A processing module is used to establish the VoWiFi call based on the first broadband network and the first information.

19. A terminal, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The terminal is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

20. A first network device, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; Wherein, the first network device is used to execute the method described in any one of claims 6-10.

21. A second network device, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The second network device is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 11 to 14.

22. A communication system, characterized in that: It includes a terminal, a first network device, and a second network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 1 to 5, the first network device is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 6 to 10, and the second network device is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 11 to 14.

23. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that: When the instruction is executed on a communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-5, 6-10, and 11-14.

Images