Method for transmitting information, device, and storage medium

Abstract

The present application provides a method for transmitting information, a device, and a storage medium. The method comprises: receiving a network function (NF) discovery request message which carries a query parameter and is sent by a second mobile network, the NF discovery request message being used for requesting discovery of a target NF (S310); on the basis of the query parameter, determining that the target NF is located in a third mobile network (S320); and returning a first NF discovery response message to the second mobile network, thereby enabling the second mobile network to discover the target NF on the basis of the first NF discovery response message (S330).

Description

Information transmission method, device and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, for example, to an information transmission method, device and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In 5G networks, network functions (NFs) are discovered through the Network Repository Function (NRF). The NRF registers the NF profiles for each specific NF. This registration process can be performed through OAM, or each specific NF can register with the NRF on its own.

[0003] When a user equipment (UE), also known as a user terminal or terminal, roams to a visited public land mobile network (VPLMN), it is necessary to discover a series of NFs serving the UE based on the current roaming situation of the UE. Some NFs are usually in the home public land mobile network (HPLMN), while some NFs must be in the VPLMN.

[0004] In a roaming scenario, the Access and Mobility Function (AMF) needs to be in the visited network; while the Authentication Service Function (AUSF) and the Unified Data Management function (UDM) must be in the home network.

[0005] However, in some special service scenarios, some special NFs (such as AUSF and UDM) are neither in the HPLMN nor in the VPLMN, but in another partner network (Partner PLMN). At this time, how to select network functions in roaming scenarios is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of this, embodiments of the present application provide an information transmission method, device, and storage medium, which enable selection of network functions in a roaming scenario.

[0008] An embodiment of the present application provides an information transmission method, applied to a first mobile network, comprising:

[0009] receiving a network function NF discovery request message carrying a query parameter sent by the second mobile network, where the NF discovery request message is used to request discovery of a target NF;

[0010] determining, according to the query parameter, that the target NF is located in a third mobile network;

[0011] The first NF discovery response message is returned to the second mobile network, so that the second mobile network discovers the target NF based on the first NF discovery response message.

[0012] An embodiment of the present application provides an information transmission method, applied to a second mobile network, comprising:

[0013] Sending a network function NF discovery request message carrying a query parameter to the first mobile network, so that the first mobile network determines that the target NF is located in the third mobile network according to the query parameter; wherein the NF discovery request message is used to request discovery of the target NF;

[0014] receiving an NF discovery response message returned by the first mobile network;

[0015] The target NF is discovered based on the NF discovery response message.

[0016] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a memory, and one or more processors;

[0017] The memory is configured to store one or more programs;

[0018] When the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the method described in any one of the above embodiments.

[0019] An embodiment of the present application provides a storage medium storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the method described in any one of the above embodiments is implemented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG1 is a system architecture diagram of a 5G network provided by related art;

[0021] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a target NF discovery process in a roaming scenario provided by a related art;

[0022] FIG3 is a flow chart of an information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] FIG4 is a flowchart of another information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a target NF discovery process in a roaming scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of another target NF discovery process in a roaming scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] FIG7 is a structural block diagram of an information transmission device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] FIG8 is a structural block diagram of another information transmission device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following describes the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following describes the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The examples are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the scope of the present application.

[0030] In some special business scenarios, for example, an operator releases a large number of targeted roaming data cards. When these cards access a specific roaming network, the AUSF / UDM serving these cards is deployed within the Partner PLMN. Another business scenario is that an operator releases a large number of Internet of Things (IoT) terminal cards for use on IoT terminals by IoT service providers, and the AUSF and UDM of these IoT terminal cards are provided by the IoT service provider's network. These business scenarios place special demands on the selection of network functions in roaming scenarios, which cannot be achieved with related technologies.

[0031] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application proposes a solution for selecting an NF in a UE roaming scenario, which can select an NF in a specific cooperative network for the UE.

[0032] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, taking the visited network as VPLMN, the home network as HPLMN, and the partner network as Partner PLMN as an example, the process of the visited network NF executing the home network NF to discover the target NF in the roaming scenario is described.

[0033] Figure 1 is a system architecture diagram of a 5G network provided by the related art. As shown in Figure 1, the 5G network system in the related art includes the following network functions: UE, Radio Access Network (RAN), NRF, AMF, Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), AUSF, UDM, Policy Control Function (PCF), and Network Exposure Function (NEF).

[0034] RAN: In a 5G network, RAN can be an NR base station.

[0035] NRF: NRF allows any NF in the network to register its NF profile in NRF and provides discovery services to any NF to find other NFs in the network.

[0036] The AMF includes the following functions: registration management, connection management, reachability management, and mobility management. This function also performs access authentication and access authorization. The AMF is a NAS (Network Attached Storage) security terminal and relays SM NAS (Session Management Network Attached Storage) between the UE and SMF.

[0037] SMF: Includes the following functions: session establishment, modification and release, UE IP address allocation and management (including optional authorization function), UP function selection and control, downlink data notification, etc. SMF controls UPF through N4 association.

[0038] UPF: Includes the following functions: acts as the anchor point for intra- / inter-Radio Access Technology (RAT) mobility, packet routing and forwarding, traffic usage reporting, user plane Quality of Service (QoS) processing, downlink packet buffering, and downlink data notification triggering.

[0039] AUSF: AUSF provides authentication functions for UE.

[0040] UDM: UDM provides various subscription data of the UE, such as to the AMF for access and mobility management, or to the SMF for PDU session management, etc. UDM also handles the AMF registration from the AMF to record the serving AMF of the UE, or handles the SMF registration from the SMF to record the PDU session information, etc.

[0041] PCF: The PCF provides QoS policy rules to the control plane functions for implementation. The PCF converts AF requests into policies that apply to PDU sessions. The PCF provides guidance and implementation control for services affected by AF to the SMF in Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rules, allowing the SMF to establish a data path to offload services to the local data network.

[0042] NEF: NEF collects network events or network statistics related to UE and provides this information to AF / AS (Application Function / Application Server), that is, it discloses network information to the outside world.

[0043] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the target NF discovery process in a roaming scenario provided by related art. As shown in Figure 2, the process of the visited network NF performing home network NF discovery through the home network NRF in the roaming scenario includes the following steps:

[0044] S210. NF#1 sends an NF discovery request message.

[0045] NF#1 in the VPLMN (e.g., AMF) sends an NF Discovery Request message to the NRF in the HPLMN (e.g., H-NRF), where the NF Discovery Request message carries query parameters for the NRF to discover candidate NFs.

[0046] For example, the query parameter may be used to indicate the NF type of the target NF (eg, AUSF / / UDM), the NF status of the target NF, etc.

[0047] In a roaming scenario, NF#1 also needs to indicate the requesting network identifier (e.g., VPLMN ID) and the target network identifier (e.g., HPLMN ID) of the target NF to be discovered. If the requesting NF (i.e., NF#1) is in a VPLMN, the requesting network identifier is set to the VPLMN ID. If the request is for discovering an NF in an HPLMN (e.g., AUSF / UDM), the target network identifier is set to the HPLMN ID.

[0048] S220 : The H-NRF performs NF profile filtering operations.

[0049] The H-NRF in the home network executes internal logic and uses the input query parameters to filter candidate NFs. In this process, the H-NRF uses the target network identifier to filter the target NF (such as AUSF / UDM).

[0050] S230. The H-NRF sends an NF discovery response to NF#1.

[0051] The H-NRF sends an NF Discovery Response message to NF#1, which includes the NF profile list of the candidate NFs. For example, if NF#2 and NF#x are discovered, the returned NF profile list includes the NF configurations of NF#2 and NF#x.

[0052] S240. Select NF profile.

[0053] Upon receiving the candidate NF profile list, NF#1 may select one NF from the returned NF profile table for future use and may cache the result in its local memory.

[0054] However, in specific service scenarios in related technologies, the AUSF and UDM are located neither in the home network (HPLMN) nor in the visited network (VPLMN), but rather in a partner PLMN that has a partnership with the home network operator. In this roaming scenario, the implementation process shown in Figure 2 cannot achieve NF discovery. In view of this, embodiments of the present application provide an information transmission method that can select an NF within a specific partner network for a UE in a roaming scenario.

[0055] In one embodiment, Figure 3 is a flowchart of an information transmission method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to the selection of a network function in a terminal roaming scenario. This embodiment can be executed by a first mobile network. For example, the first mobile network can be a home network corresponding to the UE, i.e., a network function in an HPLMN; the second mobile network can be a visited network corresponding to the UE, i.e., a network function in a VPLMN; and the third mobile network can be a network function in a partner PLMN corresponding to the UE. The third mobile network and the second mobile network have a cooperative relationship.

[0056] As shown in FIG3 , this embodiment includes: S310 - S330 .

[0057] S310: Receive an NF discovery request message carrying query parameters sent by the second mobile network, where the NF discovery request message is used to request discovery of a target NF.

[0058] S320: Determine, according to the query parameters, that the target NF is located in a third mobile network.

[0059] S330: Return an NF discovery response message to the second mobile network, so that the second mobile network discovers the target NF based on the NF discovery response message.

[0060] In an embodiment, a first mobile network receives an NF discovery request message sent by a second mobile network, and carries a query parameter for requesting discovery of a target NF in the NF discovery request message. Then, the first mobile network determines whether the target NF is located in a third mobile network based on the query parameter. If the target NF is located in the third mobile network, the first mobile network returns an NF discovery response message to the second mobile network, so that the second mobile network discovers the target NF based on the NF discovery response message. In this way, in a roaming scenario, even if the target NF is not in the home network or the visited network, the target NF in the cooperative network can be queried through the home network and the visited network.

[0061] In one embodiment, the NF discovery response message includes one of the following: forwarding information of a third mobile network; and target NF information of the third mobile network. In one example, the forwarding information of the third mobile network can be understood as forwarding information of a network that has a cooperative relationship with the second mobile network. The forwarding information of the third mobile network indicates relevant information about the third mobile network. The target NF information of the third mobile network indicates a target NF in the third mobile network.

[0062] In one embodiment, the query parameters include at least one of the following: NF type; requesting end network identifier; target end network identifier; routing identifier. The NF type is used to indicate the NF type corresponding to the target NF. For example, the NF type may include but is not limited to one of the following: AUSF and UDM. The requesting end network identifier is used to indicate the identifier corresponding to the network where the UE is currently roaming, and can also be understood as the identifier corresponding to the network that initiates the NF discovery request. The target end network identifier refers to the identifier corresponding to the network where the target NF to be discovered is located. The routing identifier is used to indicate the discovery path of the target NF. Exemplarily, assuming that the target NF can be AUSF or UDM, the routing identifier is used to indicate the discovery path of the AUSF or UDM.

[0063] In one embodiment, determining, according to the query parameters, that the target NF is located in the third mobile network includes one of the following:

[0064] Determine, based on the requesting end network identifier and the target end network identifier, that the target NF is located in a third mobile network;

[0065] Determine that the target NF is located in the third mobile network based on the requesting network identifier, the target network identifier and the routing identifier. In one example, the first mobile network can find a discovery request of a certain NF type in the home network (corresponding to the target network identifier) ​​based on the network identifier (corresponding to the requesting network identifier) ​​that the UE is currently roaming, and forward the discovery request to the NRF of the third mobile network. In one example, the first mobile network can find a discovery request of a certain NF type in the home network (corresponding to the target network identifier) ​​based on the network identifier (corresponding to the requesting network identifier) ​​that the UE is currently roaming, and the routing identifier, and forward the discovery request to the NRF of the third mobile network, that is, if the UE is currently roaming in a visited network and has a specific routing identifier, then a NF of a specific NF type is allocated to the UE in the third mobile network.

[0066] In one embodiment, the forwarding information of the third mobile network includes at least one of the following: a network identifier of the third mobile network; a fully qualified domain name of a network warehouse function corresponding to the third mobile network; an identifier of a network warehouse function corresponding to the third mobile network; an application programming interface (API) root resource identifier of a network warehouse function corresponding to the third mobile network.

[0067] In one embodiment, when the NF discovery response message includes target NF information of the third mobile network, it further includes:

[0068] Sending an NF discovery request message to the third mobile network;

[0069] Receive an NF discovery response message sent by a third mobile network; wherein the NF discovery response message includes: target NF information of the third mobile network. In one example, when the first mobile network obtains the target NF to be queried from the NRF (P-NRF) of the third mobile network, the first mobile network needs to forward the NF discovery request message sent by the second mobile network to the third mobile network, and the query parameters carried in the NF discovery request message remain unchanged. After receiving the NF discovery request message forwarded by the first mobile network, the P-NRF in the third mobile network queries for target NFs that meet the conditions, and returns an NF discovery response message to the first mobile network, and carries a list of candidate NFs in the third mobile network in the NF discovery response message, and includes an NF profile of a target NF in each NF list.

[0070] In one embodiment, FIG4 is a flowchart of another information transmission method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to the case of selecting a network function in a terminal roaming scenario. This embodiment can be executed by a second mobile network. As shown in FIG4 , this embodiment includes: S410-S430.

[0071] S410. Send a network function NF discovery request message carrying a query parameter to the first mobile network, so that the first mobile network determines that a target NF is located in a third mobile network according to the query parameter; wherein the NF discovery request message is used to request discovery of the target NF.

[0072] S420: Receive an NF discovery response message returned by the first mobile network.

[0073] S430: Discover the target NF based on the NF discovery response message.

[0074] In an embodiment, the second mobile network sends an NF discovery request message carrying a query parameter to the first mobile network, so that the first mobile network determines whether the target NF is located in the third mobile network according to the query parameter. If the target NF is located in the third mobile network, the first mobile network returns an NF discovery response message to the second mobile network, so that the second mobile network can discover the target NF in the third mobile network based on the NF discovery response message. In this way, in a roaming scenario, even if the target NF is not in the home network or the visited network, the target NF in the cooperative network can be queried through the home network and the visited network.

[0075] In one embodiment, the NF discovery response message includes one of the following: forwarding information of the third mobile network; and target NF information of the third mobile network.

[0076] In one embodiment, the query parameter includes at least one of the following: NF type; requesting end network identifier; target end network identifier; routing identifier.

[0077] In one embodiment, the forwarding information of the third mobile network includes at least one of the following: a network identifier of the third mobile network; a fully qualified domain name of a network warehouse function corresponding to the third mobile network; an identifier of a network warehouse function corresponding to the third mobile network; or an API root resource identifier of a network warehouse function corresponding to the third mobile network.

[0078] In one embodiment, when the NF discovery response message includes forwarding information of the third mobile network, the method further includes:

[0079] Send an NF discovery request message to the third mobile network.

[0080] In one embodiment, sending the NF discovery request message to the third mobile network includes:

[0081] Constructing an API service address of the third mobile network according to the forwarding information of the third mobile network;

[0082] Using the API service address, a discovery request for the target NF is initiated to the third mobile network. Exemplarily, the third mobile network may be a partner PLMN, and accordingly, the forwarding information of the third mobile network may be Partner PLM Redirection. In one example, when the forwarding information of the third mobile network includes the network identifier of the third mobile network, the second mobile network may obtain the third mobile network NRF information (i.e., P-NRF information) from the third mobile network, and construct the API service address of the third mobile network based on the P-NRF information, and initiate a discovery request for the target NF to the third mobile network. In one example, when the forwarding information of the third mobile network includes the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the third mobile network NRF, the second mobile network needs to obtain the address of the third mobile network NRF (i.e., P-NRF) from the DNS server of the third mobile network, and construct the API service address of the third mobile network NRF accordingly, and initiate a discovery request for the target NF to the third mobile network NRF. In one example, the forwarding information on the third mobile network includes an identifier of the third mobile network NRF, such as an NF instance ID. The second mobile network needs to obtain information about the third mobile network NRF (i.e., P-NRF) from a local indication or query of the local network NRF, and construct the API service address of the third mobile network NRF accordingly, thereby initiating a discovery request for the target NF to the third mobile network NRF. In one example, the forwarding information on the third mobile network includes an API root resource identifier (API Root URI (Uniform Resource Identifier)) of the third mobile network NRF. The second mobile network needs to construct the API service address of the third mobile network NRF accordingly, thereby initiating a discovery request for the target NF to the third mobile network NRF.

[0083] It should be noted that, for explanations of parameters such as forwarding information, target NF information, and query parameters of the third mobile network applied to the second mobile network, reference may be made to the description of corresponding parameters applied to the first mobile network, and will not be repeated here.

[0084] In the following embodiment, the first mobile network is the NRF (i.e., H-NRF) in the home network HPLMN, the second mobile network is the requesting end NF (e.g., AMF) in the visited network VPLMN, and the third mobile network is the P-NRF in the cooperative network Partner PLMN as an example to illustrate the discovery process of the target NF.

[0085] In one embodiment, FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a target NF discovery process in a roaming scenario, as provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment describes a roaming scenario in which a visited network NF is forwarded by a home network NRF (H-NRF) to a partner PLMN NRF (i.e., P-NRF) to perform NF discovery. As shown in FIG5 , the process includes the following steps:

[0086] S510: The requesting NF sends an NF discovery request message.

[0087] The requester NF in the visited network sends an NF Discovery Request message to the home network NRF (H-NRF), and carries several query parameters in the NF Discovery Request message.

[0088] In this step, the requester NF can be the AMF of the VPLMN or the NRF of the VPLMN (V-NRF). The AMF in the VPLMN can initiate the NF discovery request to the home network H-NRF via the V-NRF, or can directly initiate the NF discovery request to the home network H-NRF.

[0089] In this step, the query parameters can include the following combinations:

[0090] a) NF type (denoted as NF type). If the requester NF wishes to discover a certain type of NF, the query parameter must carry the NF type to indicate the NF type of the target NF to be discovered. For example, the NF type may include but is not limited to at least one of the following: ASUF, UDM, SMF, and UPF;

[0091] b) Requester PLMN ID. If the UE is roaming, the query parameter usually needs to carry the requester PLMN ID. In this case, the requester PLMN ID can be set to the VPLMN ID to indicate that the UE is currently in the roaming network VPLMN.

[0092] c) Target PLMN ID. When the UE is roaming, the query parameter usually needs to carry the target PLMN ID. In this case, the target PLMN ID can be set to the HPLMN ID to indicate that the target NF to be discovered is located in the home network HPLMN.

[0093] d) Carry routing indication (denoted as routing indicator). If the requester NF is AMF, the target NF to be discovered can be AUSF or UDM. In the query parameters, routing indication can usually also be carried. The routing indicator carried in this step can be obtained by AMF from the Subscription Concealed Identifier (SUCI) provided by the UE during registration. In the case where multiple AUSFs and UDMs are deployed in the network, this routing indicator can point to one of several AUSFs and UDMs according to the operator's plan.

[0094] S520: The H-NRF determines that the target NF is located in the Partner PLMN.

[0095] After receiving the NF Discovery Request from the requester NF, the H-NRF determines that it needs to discover the target NF of the partner PLMN.

[0096] In this embodiment, the H-NRF determines whether to discover the target NF in the partner PLMN based on the operator policy on the H-NRF and the combination of the following information in the NF Discovery Request: NF type, requester PLMN ID, target PLMN ID, and routing indicator.

[0097] In a specific implementation, the operator can configure a local policy in the H-NRF and, based on the VPLMN ID (corresponding to the requester PLMN ID) of the network currently roaming by the UE, forward requests for a certain type of NF (corresponding to the NF type) found in the home network HPLMN (corresponding to the target PLMN ID) to the NRF of the partner network (Partner PLMN). In other words, if the UE is currently roaming in a visited network VPLMN, a specific type of NF (such as AUSF, UDM) will be assigned to the UE in the partner network (Partner PLMN).

[0098] Another specific implementation is that the operator can configure a local policy in the H-NRF and, based on the VPLMN ID (corresponding to the requester PLMN ID) of the network currently roaming by the UE and the routing indicator, forward the request for a certain type of NF (corresponding to the NF type) found in the home network HPLMN (corresponding to the target PLMN ID) to the NRF of the partner network (Partner PLMN). That is, if the UE is currently roaming in a visited network VPLMN with a specific routing indicator, a specific type of NF (such as AUSF, UDM) will be allocated to the UE in the partner network Partner PLMN.

[0099] S530: The H-NRF sends an NF discovery response message.

[0100] The H-NRF returns an NF Discovery Response message to the requester NF, and carries RedirectResponse information in the NF Discovery Response message. The RedirectResponse information is used to carry Partner PLMN Redirection information.

[0101] Among them, the partner network forwarding information (Partner PLMN Redirection) may include a combination of the following: a partner network identifier (also referred to as a partner network PLMN ID); the FQDN of the partner network NRF (recorded as Partner NRF FQDN); the ID of the partner network NRF (recorded as Partner NRFID); and the API root resource identifier of the partner network NRF (recorded as Partner NRF API Root URI).

[0102] If only the partner network PLMN ID is provided, the requester NF needs to obtain the NRF (i.e., P-NRF) information from the partner network Partner PLMN, and construct the API service address of the P-NRF accordingly, thereby initiating an NF discovery request to this P-NRF.

[0103] If only the FQDN of the cooperative network NRF is provided, the requester NF needs to obtain the address of the cooperative network NRF (i.e., P-NRF) from the DNS server of the cooperative network, and construct the API service address of the P-NRF accordingly, thereby initiating a NF discovery request to this P-NRF.

[0104] If only the ID of the cooperative network NRF is provided, such as the NF Instance ID, the requester NF needs to obtain the information of the cooperative network NRF (i.e., P-NRF) from local knowledge or the local network NRF query, and construct the API service address of the P-NRF accordingly, thereby initiating an NF discovery request to the P-NRF.

[0105] If the API Root URI of the cooperative network NRF is provided, the requester NF constructs the API service address of the P-NRF based on it, and then initiates an NF discovery request to the P-NRF.

[0106] S540: The requesting NF sends an NF discovery request message to the P-NRF.

[0107] In an embodiment, the requester NF sends an NF Discovery Request message to the partner network NRF (P-NRF).

[0108] In this step, the query parameters carried by the request NF in the NF Discovery Request message can refer to the query parameters in S510.

[0109] S550 : The P-NRF queries the target NF that meets the conditions.

[0110] After the P-NRF receives the NF Discovery Request message from the requester NF, it queries the target NF (such as AUSF / UDM) that meets the conditions.

[0111] S560: The P-NRF sends an NF discovery response message to the requesting NF.

[0112] The P-NRF returns an NF Discovery Response message to the requester NF, carrying a candidate NF list. Each list item includes an NF profile of a target NF.

[0113] In one embodiment, FIG6 is a schematic diagram of another target NF discovery process in a roaming scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment describes a roaming scenario in which the home network NRF (H-NRF) obtains the NF to be queried from the partner PLMN's P-NRF and returns it to the visited network NF. As shown in FIG6 , the process includes the following steps:

[0114] S610: The requesting NF sends an NF discovery request message.

[0115] The requester NF in the visited network sends an NF Discovery Request message to the home network NRF (H-NRF).

[0116] In this step, the query parameters carried by the requester NF can be found in S510 in the above embodiment and will not be described again here.

[0117] S620: The H-NRF determines that the target NF is located in the Partner PLMN.

[0118] After receiving the NF Discovery Request from the requester NF, the H-NRF determines that it needs to discover the target NF of the partner PLMN.

[0119] In this step, the H-NRF determines the target NF of the cooperative network that needs to be discovered. The determination process is referred to S520 in the above embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0120] S630: The H-NRF forwards the NF discovery request message to the P-NRF.

[0121] The H-NRF forwards the NF Discovery Request message sent by the requester NF to the NRF (P-NRF) of the cooperative network, and the query parameters carried in the message remain unchanged.

[0122] S640: The P-NRF queries the target NF that meets the conditions.

[0123] After the P-NRF receives the NF Discovery Request message forwarded by the N-NRF, it queries the target NF (such as AUSF / UDM) that meets the conditions.

[0124] S650: The P-NRF returns an NF discovery response message to the H-NRF.

[0125] The P-NRF returns an NF Discovery Response message to the H-NRF, carrying a list of candidate NFs for the cooperative network (i.e., partner NF list). Each list item includes an NF profile of a target NF.

[0126] S660: The H-NRF returns an NF discovery response message to the requesting NF.

[0127] The H-NRF returns an NF Discovery Response message to the requester NF, carrying the candidate NF list (i.e., partner NF list) returned by the P-NRF, and optionally the PLMN ID of the partner network (Partner PLMN ID).

[0128] In one embodiment, Figures 5 and 6 describe a process for discovering a specific NF of a cooperative network in a roaming scenario, which is mainly applied in the MO (Mobile Original) service process. However, the processes described in Figures 5 and 6 are also applicable to the MT (Mobile Terminated) service process.

[0129] In a typical example, if a third-party application server (AS) wishes to obtain UE status information from the network, such as roaming status, the AS may subscribe to UE status information from the NEF, which in turn needs to subscribe to UE status information from the UDM. The NEF can then use the process shown in Figure 5 or Figure 6 to obtain the UDM in the cooperative network currently serving the UE. Specifically, in the processes shown in Figures 5 and 6, the NEF is the requester NF and is located in the home network, while the UDM in the cooperative network is the P-NF.

[0130] In one embodiment, FIG7 is a block diagram of an information transmission device provided in an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to a first mobile network. As shown in FIG7 , the information transmission device in this embodiment includes: a receiver 710, a determination module 720, and a discovery module 730.

[0131] The receiver 710 is configured to receive a network function NF discovery request message carrying query parameters sent by the second mobile network, where the NF discovery request message is used to request discovery of a target NF.

[0132] The determining module 720 is configured to determine, according to the query parameters, that the target NF is located in the third mobile network.

[0133] The discovery module 730 is configured to return an NF discovery response message to the second mobile network, so that the second mobile network discovers the target NF based on the NF discovery response message.

[0134] In one embodiment, the NF discovery response message includes one of the following: forwarding information of the third mobile network; and target NF information of the third mobile network.

[0135] In one embodiment, the query parameter includes at least one of the following: NF type; requesting end network identifier; target end network identifier; routing identifier.

[0136] In one embodiment, the determination module 720 is configured as one of the following:

[0137] Determine, based on the requesting end network identifier and the target end network identifier, that the target NF is located in a third mobile network;

[0138] Determine, according to the requesting end network identifier, the target end network identifier, and the routing identifier, that the target NF is located in the third mobile network.

[0139] In one embodiment, the forwarding information of the third mobile network includes at least one of the following: a network identifier of the third mobile network; a fully qualified domain name of a network warehouse function corresponding to the third mobile network; an identifier of a network warehouse function corresponding to the third mobile network; or an API root resource identifier of a network warehouse function corresponding to the third mobile network.

[0140] In one embodiment, when the NF discovery response message includes target NF information of the third mobile network, the information transmission apparatus applied to the first mobile network further includes:

[0141] a transmitter configured to send an NF discovery request message to a third mobile network;

[0142] The receiver is further configured to receive an NF discovery response message sent by the third mobile network; wherein the NF discovery response message includes: target NF information of the third mobile network.

[0143] The information transmission device provided in this embodiment is configured to implement the information transmission method applied to the first mobile network of the embodiment shown in FIG3 . The implementation principle and technical effects of the information transmission device provided in this embodiment are similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0144] In one embodiment, FIG8 is a block diagram of another information transmission device provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to a second mobile network. As shown in FIG8 , the information transmission device in this embodiment includes: a transmitter 810, a receiver 820, and a discovery module 830.

[0145] The transmitter 810 is configured to send a network function NF discovery request message carrying a query parameter to the first mobile network, so that the first mobile network determines that the target NF is located in the third mobile network according to the query parameter; wherein the NF discovery request message is used to request discovery of the target NF.

[0146] The receiver 820 is configured to receive the NF discovery response message returned by the first mobile network.

[0147] The discovery module 830 is configured to discover a target NF based on the NF discovery response message.

[0148] In one embodiment, the NF discovery response message includes one of the following: forwarding information of the third mobile network; and target NF information of the third mobile network.

[0149] In one embodiment, the query parameter includes at least one of the following: NF type; requesting end network identifier; target end network identifier; routing identifier.

[0150] In one embodiment, the forwarding information of the third mobile network includes at least one of the following: a network identifier of the third mobile network; a fully qualified domain name of a network warehouse function corresponding to the third mobile network; an identifier of a network warehouse function corresponding to the third mobile network; or an API root resource identifier of a network warehouse function corresponding to the third mobile network.

[0151] In one embodiment, when the NF discovery response message includes forwarding information of the third mobile network, the information transmission apparatus applied to the second mobile network further includes:

[0152] The transmitter is further configured to send an NF discovery request message to the third mobile network.

[0153] In one embodiment, sending the NF discovery request message to the third mobile network includes:

[0154] Constructing an API service address of the third mobile network according to the forwarding information of the third mobile network;

[0155] Using the API service address, a discovery request for the target NF is initiated to the third mobile network.

[0156] The information transmission device provided in this embodiment is configured to implement the information transmission method applied to the second mobile network of the embodiment shown in FIG4 . The implementation principle and technical effects of the information transmission device provided in this embodiment are similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0157] In one embodiment, Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 9, the device provided in the present application includes: a processor 910, a memory 920, and a communication module 930. The number of processors 910 in the device can be one or more, and Figure 9 takes one processor 910 as an example. The number of memories 920 in the device can be one or more, and Figure 9 takes one memory 920 as an example. The processor 910, memory 920, and communication module 930 of the device can be connected via a bus or other means, and Figure 9 takes the bus connection as an example. In this embodiment, the device can be a first mobile network or a second mobile network.

[0158] The memory 920, as a computer-readable storage medium, can be configured to store software programs, computer-executable programs, and modules, such as program instructions / modules corresponding to the device of any embodiment of the present application (for example, the receiver 710, the determination module 720, and the discovery module 730 in the information transmission device). The memory 920 may include a program storage area and a data storage area, wherein the program storage area may store an operating system and at least one application required for a function; the data storage area may store data created based on the use of the device, etc. In addition, the memory 920 may include high-speed random access memory and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, flash memory device, or other non-volatile solid-state memory device. In some examples, the memory 920 may further include a memory remotely located relative to the processor 910, and these remote memories may be connected to the device via a network. Examples of the above-mentioned networks include, but are not limited to, the Internet, an intranet, a local area network, a mobile communication network, and combinations thereof. The communication module 930 is used to implement the communication interaction process between the first mobile network, the second mobile network, and the third mobile network.

[0159] In the case where the communication device is the first mobile network, the above-provided device can be configured to execute the information transmission method applied to the first mobile network provided in any of the above-mentioned embodiments, and have corresponding functions and effects.

[0160] In the case where the communication device is a second mobile network, the above-provided device can be configured to execute the information transmission method applied to the second mobile network provided in any of the above-mentioned embodiments, and have corresponding functions and effects.

[0161] An embodiment of the present application also provides a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a computer processor, they are used to perform an information transmission method applied to a first mobile network. The method includes: receiving a network function NF discovery request message carrying query parameters sent by a second mobile network, the NF discovery request message being used to request discovery of a target NF; determining, based on the query parameters, that the target NF is located in a third mobile network; and returning an NF discovery response message to the second mobile network, so that the second mobile network discovers the target NF based on the NF discovery response message.

[0162] An embodiment of the present application also provides a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions. When executed by a computer processor, the computer-executable instructions are used to perform an information transmission method applied to a second mobile network. The method includes: sending a network function NF discovery request message carrying query parameters to a first mobile network, so that the first mobile network determines that a target NF is located in a third mobile network based on the query parameters; wherein the NF discovery request message is used to request discovery of a target NF; receiving an NF discovery response message returned by the first mobile network; and discovering the target NF based on the NF discovery response message.

[0163] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the term user equipment encompasses any suitable type of wireless user equipment, such as a mobile phone, a portable data processing device, a portable web browser or a car-mounted mobile station.

[0164] In general, various embodiments of the present application may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, although the present application is not limited thereto.

[0165] Embodiments of the present application may be implemented by executing computer program instructions by a data processor of a mobile device, for example, in a processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The computer program instructions may be assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages.

[0166] The block diagram of any logical flow in the drawings of the present application may represent program steps, or may represent interconnected logical circuits, modules and functions, or may represent a combination of program steps and logical circuits, modules and functions. A computer program may be stored on a memory. The memory may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as, but not limited to, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an optical storage device and system (a digital versatile disc (DVD) or a compact disk (CD)). Computer-readable media may include non-transient storage media. A data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment, such as, but not limited to, a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

Claims

1. An information transmission method, applied to a first mobile network, comprising: receiving a network function NF discovery request message carrying a query parameter sent by the second mobile network, where the NF discovery request message is used to request discovery of a target NF; determining, according to the query parameter, that the target NF is located in a third mobile network; The first NF discovery response message is returned to the second mobile network, so that the second mobile network discovers the target NF based on the first NF discovery response message.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first NF discovery response message includes one of the following: forwarding information of the third mobile network; and target NF information of the third mobile network.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The query parameter includes at least one of the following: NF type; requesting end network identifier; target end network identifier; routing identifier.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The determining, according to the query parameter, that the target NF is located in the third mobile network includes one of the following: Determining, according to the requesting end network identifier and the target end network identifier, that the target NF is located in a third mobile network; Determine, according to the requesting end network identifier, the target end network identifier, and the routing identifier, that the target NF is located in a third mobile network.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The forwarding information of the third mobile network includes at least one of the following: the network identifier of the third mobile network; the fully qualified domain name of the network warehouse function corresponding to the third mobile network; the identifier of the network warehouse function corresponding to the third mobile network; and the application program interface API root resource identifier of the network warehouse function corresponding to the third mobile network.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein, when the first NF discovery response message includes target NF information of the third mobile network, the method further comprises: Sending the NF discovery request message to the third mobile network; Receive a second NF discovery response message sent by the third mobile network; wherein the second NF discovery response message includes: target NF information of the third mobile network.

7. An information transmission method, applied to a second mobile network, comprising: Sending a network function NF discovery request message carrying a query parameter to the first mobile network, so that the first mobile network determines that the target NF is located in the third mobile network according to the query parameter; wherein the NF discovery request message is used to request discovery of the target NF; receiving an NF discovery response message returned by the first mobile network; The target NF is discovered based on the NF discovery response message.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The NF discovery response message includes one of the following: forwarding information of the third mobile network; and target NF information of the third mobile network.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The query parameter includes at least one of the following: NF type; requesting end network identifier; target end network identifier; routing identifier.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The forwarding information of the third mobile network includes at least one of the following: the network identifier of the third mobile network; the fully qualified domain name of the network warehouse function corresponding to the third mobile network; the identifier of the network warehouse function corresponding to the third mobile network; and the application program interface API root resource identifier of the network warehouse function corresponding to the third mobile network.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein, when the NF discovery response message includes forwarding information of the third mobile network, the method further comprises: Sending the NF discovery request message to the third mobile network.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The sending the NF discovery request message to the third mobile network includes: constructing an API service address of the third mobile network according to the forwarding information of the third mobile network; A discovery request for a target NF is initiated to the third mobile network using the API service address.

13. A communication device comprising: memory, and one or more processors; The memory is configured to store one or more programs; When the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or 7 to 12.

14. A storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or 7 to 12.

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