Task management method, communication apparatus, and communication system

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a task management method, a communication apparatus, and a communication system. In the method, a first terminal device can execute a first task under a second access network device before handover, and when the first terminal device is handed over to a first access network device, an association between a first tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device is established, so that the first terminal device can continue to execute the first task and exchange data of the first task with another task executor, ensuring the continuity of task data, and thus ensuring the efficiency of task execution.

Description

A method for managing tasks, a communication device, and a communication system Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method for managing tasks, a communication device, and a communication system. Background Art

[0002] With the advancement of communications technology, networks need to support new services such as artificial intelligence (AI). To support these services, networks must efficiently coordinate and schedule various heterogeneous resources (computing power, data, models, etc.). To accomplish this, the process of achieving a specific goal through the coordinated use of multi-dimensional resources is described as a "task."

[0003] To ensure controllable task execution within the network, specific logical functions are required, including task anchors (TAs) and task executors (TEs). TAs are responsible for task lifecycle management, including deployment, startup, deletion, modification, and monitoring. TEs are responsible for the specific execution of tasks and for data exchange related to business logic. TAs receive task requests and deploy them to one or more TEs for execution. Network elements in the core network can serve as task executors, as can terminal devices.

[0004] For the scenario where the terminal device acts as the task executor, after the terminal device is connected to an access network device, the access network device can associate the terminal device with one or more tasks so that the terminal device can execute the task, and the terminal device can exchange task data with other task executors that execute the same task.

[0005] Since the terminal device is mobile, when the terminal device switches the access network device, how the terminal device interacts with other task executors to ensure the efficiency of task execution remains to be solved.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The embodiments of the present application provide a method, a communication device, and a communication system for managing tasks to ensure task execution efficiency.

[0008] In the first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for managing tasks, which can be executed by a task control function network element or a module (such as a chip) applied to the task control function network element. The method includes: receiving a first message, the first message including identification information of a first terminal device and identification information of a first access network device; according to the first message, sending a first indication information to the first access network device and sending a second indication information to the second access network device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the establishment of an association between a first tunnel of a first task and the first terminal device, the first tunnel being a tunnel between a task forwarding function network element and the first access network device; the second indication information is used to indicate the deletion of the association between the second tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, or to indicate the deletion of the second tunnel of the first task, the second tunnel being a tunnel between the task forwarding function network element and the second access network device; the first access network device is a target access network device, and the second access network device is a source access network device.

[0009] In the above scheme, the first terminal device can execute the first task under the second access network device before switching. After switching to the first access network device, an association is established between the first tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, so that the first terminal device can continue to execute the first task and exchange the data of the first task with other task executors, thereby ensuring the continuity of the task data and thus ensuring the efficiency of task execution.

[0010] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: sending the first indication information and the second indication information to the task forwarding function network element.

[0011] The above scheme sends the first indication information and the second indication information to the task forwarding function network element, so that the task forwarding function network element establishes an association between the first tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device according to the first indication information, and deletes the association between the second tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device according to the second indication information, or deletes the second tunnel of the first task, thereby ensuring that the first terminal device can correctly execute the first task.

[0012] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: determining whether the first tunnel has been established between the task forwarding function network element and the first access network device; and establishing the first tunnel if the first tunnel has not been established.

[0013] In one possible implementation method, the method further includes: sending first policy information to the first access network device, where the first policy information is used to indicate at least one of the following policies:

[0014] Strategy 1: forwarding the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the task processing function network element via the task forwarding function network element;

[0015] Strategy 2: forwarding the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the second terminal device via the task forwarding function network element or the second access network device, and the second terminal device is served by the second access network device;

[0016] Strategy 3: sending the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the third terminal device through the air interface, and the third terminal device is provided with services by the first access network device;

[0017] Strategy 4: Send the data of the first task that needs to be sent to the first terminal device through the air interface.

[0018] The above solution sends the first policy information to the first access network device, which can ensure that the first terminal device and other task execution entities correctly interact with the data of the first task, and helps to ensure the execution efficiency of the first task.

[0019] In one possible implementation method, the method also includes: sending second policy information to the second access network device, the second policy information being used to indicate that the data of the first task that the second terminal device needs to send to the first terminal device is forwarded via the task forwarding function network element or the first access network device, and the second terminal device is provided with services by the second access network device.

[0020] The above solution sends the second policy information to the second access network device, which can ensure that the first terminal device and other task execution bodies correctly interact with the data of the first task, and helps to ensure the execution efficiency of the first task.

[0021] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: sending third policy information to the task forwarding function network element, where the third policy information is used to indicate that the data of the first task that needs to be sent to the first terminal device is forwarded via the first access network device.

[0022] The above solution sends the third policy information to the task forwarding function network element, which can ensure that the first terminal device and other task execution bodies correctly interact with the data of the first task, and helps to ensure the execution efficiency of the first task.

[0023] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for managing tasks, which can be performed by a first access network device or a module (such as a chip) applied to the first access network device. The method includes: receiving first indication information from a task control function network element, the first indication information being used to indicate establishing an association between a first tunnel of a first task and a first terminal device, the first tunnel being a tunnel between a task forwarding function network element and the first access network device; and establishing an association between the first tunnel and the first terminal device based on the first indication information.

[0024] In one possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving first policy information from the task control function network element, where the first policy information is used to indicate at least one of the following policies:

[0025] Strategy 1: forwarding the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the task processing function network element via the task forwarding function network element;

[0026] Strategy 2: forwarding the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the second terminal device via the task forwarding function network element or the second access network device, and the second terminal device is served by the second access network device;

[0027] Strategy 3: sending the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the third terminal device through the air interface, and the third terminal device is provided with services by the first access network device;

[0028] Strategy 4: Send the data of the first task that needs to be sent to the first terminal device through the air interface.

[0029] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: sending a first message to the task control function network element, where the first message includes identification information of the first terminal device and identification information of the first access network device.

[0030] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for managing tasks, which can be performed by a second access network device or a module (such as a chip) applied to the second access network device. The method includes: receiving second indication information from a task control function network element, the second indication information being used to indicate deletion of an association between a second tunnel of a first task and a first terminal device, or indicating deletion of the second tunnel of the first task, where the second tunnel is a tunnel between a task forwarding function network element and the second access network device; and according to the second indication information, deleting the association between the second tunnel and the first terminal device, or deleting the second tunnel.

[0031] In one possible implementation method, the method also includes: receiving second policy information from the task control function network element, the second policy information being used to indicate that the data of the first task that the second terminal device needs to send to the first terminal device is forwarded via the task forwarding function network element or the first access network device, and the second terminal device is served by the second access network device; the first access network device is the target access network device, and the second access network device is the source access network device.

[0032] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: sending a first message to the task control function network element, where the first message includes identification information of the first terminal device and identification information of the first access network device.

[0033] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for managing tasks, which can be executed by a task forwarding function network element or a module (such as a chip) applied to the task forwarding function network element. The method includes: receiving first indication information and second indication information from a task control function network element; the first indication information is used to indicate the establishment of an association between a first tunnel of a first task and the first terminal device, the first tunnel being a tunnel between the task forwarding function network element and the first access network device; the second indication information is used to indicate the deletion of the association between the second tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, or the deletion of the second tunnel of the first task, the second tunnel being a tunnel between the task forwarding function network element and the second access network device; the first access network device is a target access network device, and the second access network device is a source access network device; according to the first indication information, establishing an association between the first tunnel and the first terminal device; according to the second indication information, deleting the association between the second tunnel and the first terminal device, or deleting the second tunnel.

[0034] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving third policy information from the task control function network element, wherein the third policy information is used to indicate that the data of the first task that needs to be sent to the first terminal device is forwarded via the first access network device.

[0035] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a task control function network element, or a module (such as a chip) for a task control function network element. The device has the function of implementing any implementation method of the first aspect above. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0036] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a first access network device or a module (such as a chip) for the first access network device. The device has the function of implementing any implementation method of the second aspect described above. The function may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0037] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a second access network device or a module (such as a chip) for the second access network device. The device has the function of implementing any implementation method of the third aspect described above. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0038] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a task forwarding function network element, or a module (such as a chip) for a task forwarding function network element. The device has the function of implementing any implementation method of the fourth aspect above. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0039] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising a unit or means for executing each step of any implementation method in the first to fourth aspects above.

[0040] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit and execute any of the implementation methods described in the first to fourth aspects. The processor comprises one or more.

[0041] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor, the processor being configured to call a program to execute any implementation method in the first to fourth aspects above. The processor may be one or more.

[0042] Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory, which is coupled to the processor and may be located inside or outside the device.

[0043] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor; when the device is running, the processor executes computer instructions to enable the device to execute any implementation method in the above-mentioned first to fourth aspects.

[0044] Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory for storing the computer instructions.

[0045] In the thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are run by a communication device, any implementation method in the above-mentioned first to fourth aspects is executed.

[0046] In the fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, which, when run on a communication device, enables any implementation method in the above-mentioned first to fourth aspects to be executed.

[0047] In the fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, including: a processor, used to execute any implementation method in the above-mentioned first to fourth aspects.

[0048] In the sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, comprising a task control function network element for executing any implementation method of the above-mentioned first aspect, a first access network device for executing any implementation method of the above-mentioned second aspect, and a second access network device for executing any implementation method of the above-mentioned third aspect.

[0049] In one implementation method, the communication system also includes a task forwarding function network element for executing any implementation method of the fourth aspect above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-oriented architecture;

[0051] FIG2 is a flow chart of a method for managing tasks provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG3 is an example diagram of a scenario in which a terminal device switches according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] To meet the challenges of wireless broadband technology and maintain the leading edge of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network, the 3GPP standards group has developed a next-generation mobile communications network system architecture, known as the 5G network architecture. This architecture not only supports access to the 5G core network (CN) using radio access technologies defined by the 3GPP standards group (such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 5G Radio Access Network (RAN)), but also supports access to the core network using non-3GPP access technologies via the non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF) or the next-generation packet data gateway (ngPDG).

[0056] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-oriented architecture. The 5G network architecture shown in Figure 1 may include access network equipment and core network equipment. Terminal equipment accesses the data network (DN) through the access network equipment and the core network equipment. The core network equipment includes but is not limited to some or all of the following network elements: authentication server function (AUSF) network element (not shown in the figure), unified data management (UDM) network element, unified data repository (UDR) network element, network repository function (NRF) network element (not shown in the figure), network exposure function (NEF) network element (not shown in the figure), application function (AF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, session management function (SMF) network element, and user plane function (UPF) network element.

[0057] Terminal devices can be user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminal devices, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver functions, wearable devices, vehicles, urban air vehicles (such as drones and helicopters), ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc.

[0058] Access network equipment can be a radio access network (RAN) device or a wireline access network (WAN) device. Among them, wireless access network equipment includes 3GPP access network equipment, untrusted non-3GPP access network equipment and trusted non-3GPP access network equipment. 3GPP access network equipment includes but is not limited to: evolved NodeB (eNodeB) in long term evolution (LTE), next generation NodeB (gNB) in 5G mobile communication system, and base stations in future mobile communication systems. Untrusted non-3GPP access network equipment includes but is not limited to: untrusted non-3GPP access gateway or N3IWF equipment, untrusted wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP), switch, router. Trusted non-3GPP access network equipment includes but is not limited to: trusted non-3GPP access gateway, trusted WLAN AP, switch, router. Wired access network equipment includes but is not limited to: wireline access gateway, fixed-line network equipment, switch, router.

[0059] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the RAN node can be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU can be set separately, or they can be included in the same network element, for example, a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, for example, a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0060] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an open RAN (open RAN, ORAN) system, CU may also be called O-CU (open CU), DU may also be called O-DU, CU-CP may also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be called O-CU-UP, and RU may also be called O-RU. For the convenience of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU as examples for description. Any unit of CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0061] Access network equipment and terminal devices can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water; or in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of access network equipment and terminal devices.

[0062] The AMF network element performs functions such as mobility management and access authentication / authorization. In addition, it is responsible for transmitting user policies between terminal devices and PCF network elements.

[0063] The SMF network element includes functions such as performing session management, executing control policies issued by the PCF, selecting the UPF, and allocating Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to terminal devices.

[0064] The UPF network element includes functions such as user plane data forwarding, session / flow-level billing statistics, and bandwidth limitation.

[0065] UDM network element includes functions such as executing and managing contract data and user access authorization.

[0066] The UDR network element includes the access functions for executing contract data, policy data, application data and other types of data.

[0067] NEF network element is used to support the opening of capabilities and events.

[0068] The AF network element communicates application-side requirements to the network, such as Quality of Service (QoS) requirements or user status event subscriptions. The AF can be a third-party functional entity or an application service deployed by an operator, such as the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) voice call service. AF network elements include those within the core network (i.e., the operator's AF network element) and third-party AF network elements (such as an enterprise's application server).

[0069] The PCF network element includes policy control functions such as billing for sessions and service flows, QoS bandwidth assurance, mobility management, and terminal device policy decisions. PCF network elements include the access and mobility management policy control function (AM PCF) network element and the session management policy control function (SM PCF) network element. The AM PCF network element is used to formulate AM policies for terminal devices. The AM PCF network element can also be called a policy control network element that provides services for terminal devices (PCF for a UE). The SM PCF network element is used to formulate session management policies (SM policies) for sessions. The SM PCF network element can also be called a policy control network element that provides services for sessions (PCF for a PDU session).

[0070] NRF network elements can be used to provide network element discovery capabilities, providing network element information corresponding to the network element type based on requests from other network elements. NRF also provides network element management services such as network element registration, update, and deregistration, as well as network element status subscription and push.

[0071] The AUSF network element is responsible for authenticating users to determine whether users or devices are allowed to access the network.

[0072] A DN is a network located outside of a carrier network. A carrier network can connect to multiple DNs, and a variety of services can be deployed on the DN, providing data and / or voice services to terminal devices. For example, a DN is the private network of a smart factory. Sensors installed in the workshop can be terminal devices. The DN houses a sensor control server, which provides services to the sensors. Sensors can communicate with the control server, receive instructions from the control server, and transmit collected sensor data to the control server based on the instructions. Another example is a DN that is a company's internal office network. An employee's mobile phone or computer can be a terminal device, allowing them to access information and data resources on the company's internal office network.

[0073] In Figure 1, Npcf, Nufr, Nudm, Naf, Namf, and Nsmf are service-oriented interfaces provided by the PCF, UDR, UDM, AF, AMF, and SMF, respectively, for invoking corresponding service-oriented operations. N1, N2, N3, N4, and N6 are interface serial numbers, and their meanings are as follows:

[0074] 1) N1: The interface between AMF and terminal devices, which can be used to deliver non-access stratum (NAS) signaling (such as QoS rules from AMF) to terminal devices.

[0075] 2) N2: The interface between AMF and access network equipment, which can be used to transmit radio bearer control information from the core network side to the access network equipment.

[0076] 3) N3: The interface between the access network equipment and UPF, mainly used to transmit uplink and downlink user plane data between the access network equipment and UPF.

[0077] 4) N4: The interface between SMF and UPF can be used to transmit information between the control plane and the user plane, including controlling the issuance of forwarding rules, QoS rules, traffic statistics rules, etc. for the user plane and reporting information on the user plane.

[0078] 5) N6: Interface between UPF and DN, used to transmit uplink and downlink user data flows between UPF and DN.

[0079] It is understood that the above-mentioned network element or function can be a network element in a hardware device, a software function running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualized function instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). Optionally, the above-mentioned network element or function can be implemented by a single device, or by multiple devices, or can be a functional module within a single device, and this is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0080] In order to support the functions of TA and TE, the present application adds a task control function (TCF) network element, a task processing function (TPF) network element and a task forwarding function (TFF) network element in the 5G network or future communication network (such as a 6G network) shown in Figure 1.

[0081] The TCF network element can provide TA functions on the core network side, including task deployment, startup, deletion, modification, and monitoring.

[0082] The TPF network element can provide TE functions on the core network side and exchange task data with other task executors (such as other TPF network elements or terminal devices).

[0083] The TFF network element can provide the task data forwarding function between the TPF on the core network side and other network elements, such as forwarding the task data sent by the TPF network element to the terminal device or other TPF network elements, and forwarding the task data sent by the terminal device to the corresponding TPF network element.

[0084] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may also have TE functions, so the terminal device is also a task executor.

[0085] It should be noted that the names of the above-mentioned task control function network element, task processing function network element and task forwarding function network element may also change in future communications, and may have other names, which is not limited in this application.

[0086] Since the terminal device is mobile, when the terminal device switches the access network device, how the terminal device interacts with other task executors to ensure the continuity of the task data is a problem to be solved.

[0087] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method for managing tasks provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by a TCF network element or a module (such as a chip, etc.) in the TCF network element, a first access network device or a module (such as a chip, etc.) in the first access network device, a second access network device or a module (such as a chip, etc.) in the second access network device, and a TFF network element or a module (such as a chip, etc.) in the TFF network element. For ease of explanation, the following description takes the execution of the method by the TCF network element, the first access network device, the second access network device, and the TFF network element as an example.

[0088] Before the handover is complete, the first terminal device accesses the second access network device (referred to as the source access network device) and is provided with services by the second access network device. After the handover is complete, the first terminal device accesses the first access network device (referred to as the target access network device) and is provided with services by the first access network device.

[0089] The method comprises the following steps:

[0090] Step 201: The TCF network element receives a first message.

[0091] The first message includes identification information of the first terminal device and identification information of the first access network device.

[0092] The identification information of the first terminal device may be a user permanent identifier (SUPI), a user concealed identifier (SUCI), an address, or other information used to uniquely identify the first terminal device.

[0093] The identification information of the first access network device may be an identification (ID) or address of the first access network device.

[0094] The first message may be a location update message, a handover message, a handover completion message, etc. The first message is used to notify the TCF network element of: identification information of the first terminal device and identification information of the target access network device of the first terminal device.

[0095] The first message can be sent to the TCF network element by the first access network device, the second access network device, the AMF network element or other network element.

[0096] Step 202: The TCF network element sends first indication information to the first access network device according to the first message.

[0097] The first indication information is used to indicate the establishment of an association between a first tunnel of a first task and a first terminal device, where the first tunnel is a tunnel between a TFF network element and a first access network device.

[0098] The first task here may include a task that the first terminal device has already added to the second access network device before the handover. For example, before the handover, the first terminal device has added Task 1, Task 2, and Task 3 to the second access network device. The first indication information is used to indicate the establishment of an association between the first tunnel of Task 1 and the first terminal device, the establishment of an association between the first tunnel of Task 2 and the first terminal device, and the establishment of an association between the first tunnel of Task 3 and the first terminal device.

[0099] Optionally, before step 202, the TCF network element further determines whether a first tunnel for the first task has been established between the TFF network element and the first access network device. If the first tunnel has not been established, the TCF network element needs to first establish the first tunnel for the first task.

[0100] Step 203: The first access network device establishes an association between the first tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device.

[0101] Specifically, the first access network device may record a mapping relationship between the identification information of the first terminal device and the identification information of the tunnel of the first task.

[0102] Step 204: The TCF network element sends second indication information to the second access network device according to the first message.

[0103] The second indication information is used to indicate deletion of the association between the second tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, or to indicate deletion of the second tunnel of the first task, where the second tunnel is a tunnel between the TFF network element and the second access network device.

[0104] Step 205: The second access network device deletes the association between the second tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, or deletes the second tunnel of the first task.

[0105] In one implementation method, before the switching is completed, if the first terminal device is the only terminal device that has joined the first task, then after the first terminal device switches to the first access network device, the second access network device may delete the association between the second tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, but retain the context information of the first tunnel so that when other terminal devices need to join the first task later, the association between the first tunnel and the other terminal devices can be quickly established. The second access network device deletes the association between the second tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, specifically by deleting the mapping relationship between the identification information of the second tunnel of the first task and the identification information of the first terminal device.

[0106] In another implementation method, before the switching is completed, if the first terminal device is the only terminal device that joins the first task, then after the first terminal device switches to the first access network device, the second access network device can delete the second tunnel of the first task, that is, delete the context information of the first tunnel, thereby saving the storage overhead of the second access network device.

[0107] In another implementation method, before the switching is completed, if there are multiple terminal devices under the second access network device that join the first task, and the multiple terminal devices include the first terminal device, then after the first terminal device switches to the first access network device, the second access network device deletes the association between the second tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, and needs to retain the context information of the first tunnel so that other terminal devices can continue to execute the first task.

[0108] Optionally, the above solution may further include the following steps:

[0109] Step 206: The TCF network element sends first indication information and second indication information to the TFF network element according to the first message.

[0110] Step 207 : The TFF network element establishes an association between the first tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, and deletes the association between the second tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, or deletes the second tunnel of the first task.

[0111] Among them, the operations of the TFF network element and the second access network device are consistent, that is, the TFF network element and the second access network device both delete the association between the second tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, or both delete the second tunnel of the first task.

[0112] In the above steps 202 to 207, step 203 needs to be executed after step 202, step 205 needs to be executed after step 204, and step 207 needs to be executed after step 206. There is no limitation on the order of any other steps.

[0113] In the above scheme, the first terminal device can execute the first task under the second access network device before switching. After switching to the first access network device, an association is established between the first tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, so that the first terminal device can continue to execute the first task and exchange the data of the first task with other task executors, thereby ensuring the continuity of the task data and thus ensuring the efficiency of task execution.

[0114] In one implementation method, after the first terminal switches to the first access network device, the TCF network element may further configure or update a forwarding strategy for the first access network device, the second access network device, and the TFF network element. This will be described below in conjunction with FIG3 . FIG3 is an example diagram of a scenario in which a terminal device switches. In this example, before the switching is completed, the first terminal device accesses the second access network device (referred to as the source access network device) and is served by the second access network device. A second tunnel for the first task is established between the TFF network element and the second access network device, and data of the first task that needs to be exchanged between the first terminal device and other terminal devices or the TPF network element can be forwarded through the second tunnel. After the switching is completed, the first terminal device accesses the first access network device (referred to as the target access network device) and is served by the first access network device. A first tunnel for the first task is established between the TFF network element and the first access network device, and data of the first task that needs to be exchanged between the first terminal device and other terminal devices or the TPF network element can be forwarded through the first tunnel. In addition, the second terminal device accesses the second access network device, and the third terminal device accesses the first access network device.

[0115] In one implementation method, after step 201, the TCF network element sends first policy information to the first access network device, where the first policy information is used to indicate at least one of the following policies 1 to 4:

[0116] Strategy 1: forward the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the TPF network element via the TFF network element.

[0117] Strategy 2: forward the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the second terminal device via the TFF network element or the second access network device.

[0118] Strategy 3: Send the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the third terminal device through the air interface.

[0119] Strategy 4: Send the data of the first task to be sent to the first terminal device through the air interface.

[0120] Referring to the example of FIG3 , according to strategy 1 , the path of the data of the first task sent by the first terminal device to the TPF network element is: first terminal device -> first access network device -> TFF network element -> TPF network element.

[0121] According to strategy 2, the path of the data of the first task sent by the first terminal device to the second terminal device is: first terminal device -> first access network device -> TFF network element -> second access network device -> second terminal device, or: first terminal device -> first access network device -> second access network device -> second terminal device.

[0122] According to strategy 3, the path of the data of the first task sent from the first terminal device to the third terminal device is: first terminal device->first access network device->third terminal device.

[0123] According to Strategy 4, the path of the data of the first task that needs to be sent to the first terminal device is: first access network device -> first terminal device. Specifically, if the third terminal device needs to send the data of the first task to the first terminal device, the path of the data of the first task is: third terminal device -> first access network device -> first terminal device. If the second terminal device needs to send the data of the first task to the first terminal device, the path of the data of the first task is: second terminal device -> second access network device -> first access network device -> first terminal device, or: second terminal device -> second access network device -> TFF network element -> first access network device -> first terminal device. If the TPF network element needs to send the data of the first task to the first terminal device, the path of the data of the first task is: TPF network element -> TFF network element -> first access network device -> first terminal device.

[0124] In one implementation method, after step 201 above, the TCF network element sends second policy information to the second access network device. The second policy information is used to instruct the second terminal device to forward the data of the first task that needs to be sent to the first terminal device via the TFF network element or the first access network device. Referring to the example of Figure 3, the path of the data of the first task sent from the second terminal device to the first terminal device is: second terminal device -> second access network device -> TFF network element -> first access network device -> first terminal device, or: second terminal device -> second access network device -> first access network device -> first terminal device.

[0125] In one implementation, after step 201, the TCF network element sends third policy information to the TFF network element. The third policy information indicates that data for the first task to be sent to the first terminal device is to be forwarded via the first access network device. Referring to the example in Figure 3 , after the TFF receives the data for the first task to be sent to the first terminal device, the transmission path is: TFF network element -> first access network device -> first terminal device.

[0126] It is understandable that in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the policy control function network element, the policy forwarding function network element, the first access network device, or the second access network device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. It should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that, in combination with the units and method steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or in a manner driven by computer software depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0127] Figures 4 and 5 are schematic diagrams of the structures of possible communication devices provided in the embodiments of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the policy control function network element, the policy forwarding function network element, the first access network device, or the second access network device in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above-mentioned method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be a policy control function network element, a policy forwarding function network element, a first access network device, or a second access network device, and can also be a module (such as a chip) applied to the policy control function network element, the policy forwarding function network element, the first access network device, or the second access network device.

[0128] The communication device 400 shown in Figure 4 includes a processing unit 410 and a transceiver unit 420. The communication device 400 is used to implement the functions of the policy control function network element, the policy forwarding function network element, the first access network device or the second access network device in the above method embodiment.

[0129] In which, when the communication device 400 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned first access network device, the processing unit 410 and the transceiver unit 420 in the communication device are both located in the first access network device, or the processing unit 410 is located in the CU of the first access network device, and the transceiver unit 420 is located in the DU of the first access network device, or, in the ORAN system, the processing unit 410 is located in the O-CU and / or O-DU of the first access network device, and the transceiver unit 420 is located in the O-DU and / or O-RU of the first access network device.

[0130] In which, when the communication device 400 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned second access network device, the processing unit 410 and the transceiver unit 420 in the communication device are both located in the second access network device, or the processing unit 410 is located in the CU of the second access network device, and the transceiver unit 420 is located in the DU of the second access network device, or, in the ORAN system, the processing unit 410 is located in the O-CU and / or O-DU of the second access network device, and the transceiver unit 420 is located in the O-DU and / or O-RU of the second access network device.

[0131] When the communication device 400 is used to implement the function of the policy control function network element in the above-mentioned method embodiment, the processing unit 410 is used to control the transceiver unit 420 to receive a first message, wherein the first message includes the identification information of the first terminal device and the identification information of the first access network device; according to the first message, a first indication information is sent to the first access network device and a second indication information is sent to the second access network device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the establishment of an association between the first tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, and the first tunnel is a tunnel between the task forwarding function network element and the first access network device; the second indication information is used to indicate the deletion of the association between the second tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, or to indicate the deletion of the second tunnel of the first task, and the second tunnel is a tunnel between the task forwarding function network element and the second access network device; the first access network device is the target access network device, and the second access network device is the source access network device.

[0132] In a possible implementation method, the processing unit 410 is further configured to control the transceiver unit 420 to send the first indication information and the second indication information to the task forwarding function network element.

[0133] In a possible implementation method, the processing unit 410 is further configured to determine whether the first tunnel has been established between the task forwarding function network element and the first access network device; and establish the first tunnel if the first tunnel has not been established.

[0134] In one possible implementation method, the processing unit 410 is further configured to control the transceiver unit 420 to send first policy information to the first access network device, where the first policy information is used to indicate at least one of the following policies:

[0135] Strategy 1: forwarding the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the task processing function network element via the task forwarding function network element;

[0136] Strategy 2: forwarding the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the second terminal device via the task forwarding function network element or the second access network device, and the second terminal device is served by the second access network device;

[0137] Strategy 3: sending the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the third terminal device through the air interface, and the third terminal device is provided with services by the first access network device;

[0138] Strategy 4: Send the data of the first task that needs to be sent to the first terminal device through the air interface.

[0139] In one possible implementation method, the processing unit 410 is also used to control the transceiver unit 420 to send second policy information to the second access network device, and the second policy information is used to indicate that the data of the first task that the second terminal device needs to send to the first terminal device is forwarded via the task forwarding function network element or the first access network device, and the second terminal device is provided with services by the second access network device.

[0140] In one possible implementation method, the processing unit 410 is also used to control the transceiver unit 420 to send third policy information to the task forwarding function network element, and the third policy information is used to indicate that the data of the first task that needs to be sent to the first terminal device is forwarded via the first access network device.

[0141] When the communication device 400 is used to implement the function of the first access network device in the above method embodiment, the transceiver unit 420 is used to receive first indication information from the task control function network element, and the first indication information is used to indicate the establishment of an association between the first tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, and the first tunnel is a tunnel between the task forwarding function network element and the first access network device; the processing unit 410 is used to establish an association between the first tunnel and the first terminal device according to the first indication information.

[0142] In one possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 420 is further configured to receive first policy information from the task control function network element, where the first policy information is used to indicate at least one of the following policies:

[0143] Strategy 1: forwarding the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the task processing function network element via the task forwarding function network element;

[0144] Strategy 2: forwarding the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the second terminal device via the task forwarding function network element or the second access network device, and the second terminal device is served by the second access network device;

[0145] Strategy 3: sending the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the third terminal device through the air interface, and the third terminal device is provided with services by the first access network device;

[0146] Strategy 4: Send the data of the first task that needs to be sent to the first terminal device through the air interface.

[0147] In a possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 420 is further used to send a first message to the task control function network element, where the first message includes identification information of the first terminal device and identification information of the first access network device.

[0148] When the communication device 400 is used to implement the function of the second access network device in the above method embodiment, the transceiver unit 420 is used to receive second indication information from the task control function network element, and the second indication information is used to indicate the deletion of the association between the second tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, or to indicate the deletion of the second tunnel of the first task, where the second tunnel is the tunnel between the task forwarding function network element and the second access network device; the processing unit 410 is used to delete the association between the second tunnel and the first terminal device, or to delete the second tunnel according to the second indication information.

[0149] In one possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 420 is also used to receive second policy information from the task control function network element, and the second policy information is used to indicate that the data of the first task that needs to be sent by the second terminal device to the first terminal device is forwarded via the task forwarding function network element or the first access network device, and the second terminal device is provided with services by the second access network device; the first access network device is the target access network device, and the second access network device is the source access network device.

[0150] In a possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 420 is further used to send a first message to the task control function network element, where the first message includes identification information of the first terminal device and identification information of the first access network device.

[0151] When the communication device 400 is used to implement the function of the policy forwarding function network element in the above method embodiment, the transceiver unit 420 is used to receive the first indication information and the second indication information from the task control function network element; the first indication information is used to indicate the establishment of an association between the first tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, and the first tunnel is a tunnel between the task forwarding function network element and the first access network device; the second indication information is used to indicate the deletion of the association between the second tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, or to indicate the deletion of the second tunnel of the first task, and the second tunnel is a tunnel between the task forwarding function network element and the second access network device; the first access network device is the target access network device, and the second access network device is the source access network device; the processing unit 410 is used to establish the association between the first tunnel and the first terminal device according to the first indication information; and delete the association between the second tunnel and the first terminal device according to the second indication information, or delete the second tunnel.

[0152] In one possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 420 is further used to receive third policy information from the task control function network element, and the third policy information is used to indicate that the data of the first task that needs to be sent to the first terminal device is forwarded via the first access network device.

[0153] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 410 and the transceiver unit 420, reference can be made to the relevant description in the above method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0154] The communication device 500 shown in Figure 5 includes a processor 510 and an interface circuit 520. The processor 510 and the interface circuit 520 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 520 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 500 may also include a memory 530 for storing instructions executed by the processor 510, or storing input data required by the processor 510 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 510 executes instructions.

[0155] When the communication device 500 is used to implement the above method embodiment, the processor 510 is used to implement the functions of the above processing unit 410 , and the interface circuit 520 is used to implement the functions of the above transceiver unit 420 .

[0156] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0157] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disk, mobile hard disk, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a policy control function network element, a policy forwarding function network element, a first access network device or a second access network device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in an access network device or a terminal.

[0158] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. A computer program (English: Computer Program) refers to a set of instructions that instruct an electronic computer or other device with message processing capabilities to perform each step of the operation, usually written in a certain programming language and running on a certain target architecture. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are executed in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disk; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and non-volatile types of storage media.

[0159] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0160] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the text description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next related objects are in an "or" relationship; in the formulas of this application, the character " / " indicates that the previous and next related objects are in a "division" relationship.

[0161] It is understood that the various numbers used in the embodiments of this application are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not necessarily imply a specific order of execution; the order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic.

Claims

1. A method for managing tasks, characterized in that: include: Receiving a first message, wherein the first message includes identification information of a first terminal device and identification information of a first access network device; According to the first message, first indication information is sent to the first access network device and second indication information is sent to the second access network device; Among them, the first indication information is used to indicate the establishment of an association between the first tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, and the first tunnel is a tunnel between the task forwarding function network element and the first access network device; the second indication information is used to indicate the deletion of the association between the second tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, or to indicate the deletion of the second tunnel of the first task, and the second tunnel is a tunnel between the task forwarding function network element and the second access network device; the first access network device is the target access network device, and the second access network device is the source access network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: According to the first message, the first indication information and the second indication information are sent to the task forwarding function network element.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determining whether the first tunnel has been established between the task forwarding function network element and the first access network device; If the first tunnel is not established, establishing the first tunnel.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending first policy information to the first access network device, where the first policy information is used to indicate at least one of the following policies: Strategy 1: forwarding the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the task processing function network element via the task forwarding function network element; Strategy 2: forwarding the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the second terminal device via the task forwarding function network element or the second access network device, and the second terminal device is served by the second access network device; Strategy 3: sending the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the third terminal device through the air interface, and the third terminal device is provided with services by the first access network device; Strategy 4: Send the data of the first task that needs to be sent to the first terminal device through the air interface.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send second policy information to the second access network device, where the second policy information is used to indicate that the data of the first task that the second terminal device needs to send to the first terminal device is forwarded via the task forwarding function network element or the first access network device, and the second terminal device is provided with services by the second access network device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send third policy information to the task forwarding function network element, where the third policy information is used to indicate that data of the first task that needs to be sent to the first terminal device is forwarded via the first access network device.

7. A method for managing tasks, characterized in that: include: Receiving first indication information and second indication information from a task control function network element; The first indication information is used to indicate the establishment of an association between a first tunnel of a first task and the first terminal device, where the first tunnel is a tunnel between a task forwarding function network element and the first access network device; The second indication information is used to indicate deletion of the association between the second tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, or to indicate deletion of the second tunnel of the first task, where the second tunnel is a tunnel between the task forwarding function network element and the second access network device; The first access network device is a target access network device, and the second access network device is a source access network device; Establishing an association between the first tunnel and the first terminal device according to the first indication information; According to the second indication information, delete the association between the second tunnel and the first terminal device, or delete the second tunnel.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive third policy information from the task control function network element, where the third policy information is used to indicate that data of the first task that needs to be sent to the first terminal device is forwarded via the first access network device.

9. A communication device, characterized in that: including a processing unit and a transceiver unit; The processing unit is used to control the transceiver unit: Receiving a first message, wherein the first message includes identification information of a first terminal device and identification information of a first access network device; According to the first message, first indication information is sent to the first access network device and second indication information is sent to the second access network device information; Among them, the first indication information is used to indicate the establishment of an association between the first tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, and the first tunnel is a tunnel between the task forwarding function network element and the first access network device; the second indication information is used to indicate the deletion of the association between the second tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, or to indicate the deletion of the second tunnel of the first task, and the second tunnel is a tunnel between the task forwarding function network element and the second access network device; the first access network device is the target access network device, and the second access network device is the source access network device.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that The processing unit is further used to control the transceiver unit to send the first indication information and the second indication information to the task forwarding function network element according to the first message.

11. The device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The processing unit is further configured to determine whether the first tunnel has been established between the task forwarding function network element and the first access network device; if the first tunnel has not been established, establish the first tunnel.

12. The device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that The processing unit is further used to control the transceiver unit to send first policy information to the first access network device, where the first policy information is used to indicate at least one of the following policies: Strategy 1: forwarding the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the task processing function network element via the task forwarding function network element; Strategy 2: forwarding the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the second terminal device via the task forwarding function network element or the second access network device, and the second terminal device is served by the second access network device; Strategy 3: sending the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the third terminal device through the air interface, and the third terminal device is provided with services by the first access network device; Strategy 4: Send the data of the first task that needs to be sent to the first terminal device through the air interface.

13. The device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that The processing unit is also used to control the transceiver unit to send second policy information to the second access network device, and the second policy information is used to indicate that the data of the first task that the second terminal device needs to send to the first terminal device is forwarded via the task forwarding function network element or the first access network device, and the second terminal device is provided with services by the second access network device.

14. The device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that The processing unit is further used to control the transceiver unit to send third policy information to the task forwarding function network element, and the third policy information is used to indicate that the data of the first task that needs to be sent to the first terminal device is forwarded via the first access network device.

15. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A transceiver unit, configured to receive first indication information and second indication information from a task control function network element; The first indication information is used to indicate the establishment of an association between a first tunnel of a first task and the first terminal device, where the first tunnel is a tunnel between a task forwarding function network element and the first access network device; The second indication information is used to indicate deletion of the association between the second tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, or to indicate deletion of the second tunnel of the first task, where the second tunnel is a tunnel between the task forwarding function network element and the second access network device; The first access network device is a target access network device, and the second access network device is a source access network device; Establishing an association between the first tunnel and the first terminal device according to the first indication information; A processing unit is used to delete the association between the second tunnel and the first terminal device, or delete the second tunnel according to the second indication information.

16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that The transceiver unit is further used to receive third policy information from the task control function network element, and the third policy information is used to indicate that the data of the first task that needs to be sent to the first terminal device is forwarded via the first access network device.

17. A communication system, characterized in that: include: A task control function network element, configured to receive a first message, wherein the first message includes identification information of a first terminal device and identification information of a first access network device; According to the first message, first indication information is sent to the first access network device and second indication information is sent to the second access network device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the establishment of an association between a first tunnel of a first task and the first terminal device, and the first tunnel is a tunnel between a task forwarding function network element and the first access network device; the second indication information is used to indicate the deletion of an association between a second tunnel of the first task and the first terminal device, or to indicate the deletion of the second tunnel of the first task, and the second tunnel is a tunnel between the task forwarding function network element and the second access network device; the first access network device is the access network device after switching, and the second access network device is the access network device before switching; The first access network device is configured to receive the first indication information and establish the first tunnel with association between the first terminal devices; The second access network device is used to receive the second indication information, and delete the association between the second tunnel and the first terminal device, or delete the second tunnel according to the second indication information.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein: The system also includes the task forwarding function network element; The task control function network element is further used to send the first indication information and the second indication information to the task forwarding function network element according to the first message; The task forwarding function network element is used to establish an association between the first tunnel and the first terminal device according to the first indication information; And according to the second indication information, delete the association between the second tunnel and the first terminal device, or delete the second tunnel.

19. The system according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that The task control function network element is also used to determine whether the first tunnel has been established between the task forwarding function network element and the first access network device; if the first tunnel has not been established, establish the first tunnel.

20. The system according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that The task control function network element is further used to send first policy information to the first access network device, where the first policy information is used to indicate at least one of the following policies: Strategy 1: forwarding the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the task processing function network element via the task forwarding function network element; Strategy 2: forwarding the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the second terminal device via the task forwarding function network element or the second access network device, and the second terminal device is served by the second access network device; Strategy 3: sending the data of the first task that the first terminal device needs to send to the third terminal device through the air interface, and the third terminal device is provided with services by the first access network device; Strategy 4: Send the data of the first task that needs to be sent to the first terminal device through the air interface.

21. The system according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that The task control function network element is also used to send second policy information to the second access network device, and the second policy information is used to indicate that the data of the first task that the second terminal device needs to send to the first terminal device is forwarded via the task forwarding function network element or the first access network device, and the second terminal device is provided with services by the second access network device.

22. The system according to any one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that The task control function network element is further used to send third policy information to the task forwarding function network element, where the third policy information is used to indicate that the data of the first task that needs to be sent to the first terminal device is forwarded via the first access network device.

23. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed on a processor, the processor is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or the method according to claim 7 or 8.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The storage medium stores a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction is executed by the communication device, the method described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or the method described in claim 7 or 8 is implemented.

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