Communication method, apparatus, and system

Abstract

Disclosed are a communication method, apparatus, and system, relating to the technical field of communications, by means of which billing for data transmitted by a terminal device by means of an operator network can be more finely performed. The method comprises: acquiring first energy consumption information; and, on the basis of the first energy consumption information and fee information of a first energy source, determining a fee corresponding to transmission of first data. The first energy consumption information is used for indicating the first energy source consumed by a network device for the transmission of the first data, and the first data is data of a terminal device.

Description

Communication method, device and system

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on February 5, 2024, with application number 202410171467.6 and application name “Communication Methods, Devices and Systems”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, device, and system. Background Art

[0003] Currently, terminal devices can access and transmit data through carrier networks. Carriers can bill these devices based on various metrics. For example, some solutions charge based on the amount of data transmitted through the carrier network. For example, if a user terminal uses 10GB of data, a corresponding fee will be charged. However, this billing method lacks granularity. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method, apparatus, and system that can more finely bill data transmission of terminal devices.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] In a first aspect, the technical solution of the present application provides a communication method that can be applied to a communication device or a component supporting the functions of the communication device (such as a chip system), the method comprising: obtaining first energy consumption information, and determining a fee corresponding to the transmission of first data based on the first energy consumption information and cost information of the first energy. The first energy consumption information is used to indicate the first energy consumed by a network device for the transmission of first data, and the first data is data of a terminal device.

[0007] In this way, the cost of transmitting the first data of the terminal device can be determined based on the different energy consumption conditions of the network device, so that the calculated cost can better reflect the actual energy consumed by the network device to transmit the first data of the terminal device, and the billing result is more detailed and accurate.

[0008] Optionally, the first energy is green energy.

[0009] For example, the first energy consumption information includes the consumption of the first energy. In another example, the first energy consumption information includes a ratio between the consumption of the first energy and the total amount of one or more energy sources consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data, the one or more energy sources including the first energy.

[0010] The one or more energy sources consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data may be all types of energy used by the network device for transmitting the first data. For example, the network device consumes 10J of wind energy (an example of the first energy source) and 20J of traditional energy to transmit 10GB of data to the terminal device. The communication device (such as a billing network element) can obtain the first energy consumption information of wind energy, such as the consumption of the first energy of 10J or the consumption ratio of the first energy of 0.33, and determine the cost corresponding to the transmission of the first data based on the first energy consumption information and the cost information of the first energy.

[0011] Optionally, the method further includes: obtaining at least one of the following information: total consumption of one or more energy sources, and first energy consumption information of each of the one or more energy sources. Optionally, the method further includes: determining a fee corresponding to the transmission of the first data based on the at least one of the above information and fee information of each energy source.

[0012] In one possible design, the cost information indicates a first cost per unit of the first energy consumed for data transmission, where the cost for transmitting the first data is equal to the product of the first energy consumption and the first cost. The cost for transmitting the first data can be calculated based on the calculation between the first energy consumption and the first cost, thereby reducing processing complexity.

[0013] In one possible design, before obtaining the first energy consumption information, the method further includes:

[0014] When the contract information of the terminal device indicates that the network device is allowed to use the first energy to transmit data of the terminal device, a first message is sent, where the first message is used to request, subscribe to, or query energy consumption information indicating the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting data of the terminal device. In this way, a communication device (such as a billing network element) can perform differentiated billing on the terminal device based on the contract information of the terminal device.

[0015] Optionally, the sending of the first message includes: sending the first message to a data analysis network element or a session management network element.

[0016] Optionally, before sending the first message, the method further includes: receiving contract information of the terminal device.

[0017] In one possible design, the first message includes indication information for indicating the first energy, which helps the recipient of the first message accurately know which energy the first message requests for energy consumption information.

[0018] In one possible design, the first message includes indication information for indicating that the network device includes an access network device, which is beneficial for the recipient of the first message to accurately know the first energy indicated by the energy consumption information requested by the first message, which needs to include the first energy consumed by the access network device for data transmission of the terminal device.

[0019] Optionally, the first message includes second indication information for indicating that the network device includes an access network device. The second indication information is used to instruct the first network element to return energy consumption information of the first energy source of the access network device and energy consumption information of the first energy source of the user plane network element.

[0020] In this implementation, the first energy consumption information can be used to indicate the first energy consumed by the access network device and the user-side network element for the transmission of the first data. In this way, the first energy consumption information can more comprehensively reflect the first energy consumed by the network for the transmission of the first data, so that the communication device can more accurately determine the corresponding cost of the transmission of the first data.

[0021] Optionally, in some other designs, the network device does not include an access network device. In this case, the communication device performs billing of the terminal device based on the first energy consumption information corresponding to the user plane network element.

[0022] In one possible design, the first energy consumption information is used to indicate the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data in a first time period, where the first time period includes one or more second time periods;

[0023] Acquiring the first energy consumption information includes: receiving second energy consumption information, the second energy consumption information indicating the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data in each of the one or more second time periods; and determining the first energy consumption information based on the second energy consumption information. Locally determining the first energy consumption information by the communication device can reduce signaling overhead and conserve transmission resources.

[0024] For example, the billing network element obtains the data volume of the first data from the SMF, obtains the data volume of the second data and the third energy consumption information from the OAM, and calculates the first energy consumption information based on the information. For another example, the billing network element receives the following information from the base station: the first energy consumed by the base station for transmitting the first data of the first terminal device in at least one second time period, and receives the following information from the UPF: the first energy consumed by the UPF for transmitting the first data of the first terminal device in at least one second time period, and calculates the first energy consumption information based on the information.

[0025] In one possible design, obtaining the first energy consumption information includes: receiving the first energy consumption information from a data analysis network element.

[0026] Optionally, the method further includes receiving at least one of the following information: total consumption of one or more energy sources, first energy consumption information of each of the one or more energy sources, and the type of each energy source, without limitation. Accordingly, a fee corresponding to transmission of the first data is determined based on the at least one piece of information and the fee information of each energy source.

[0027] Alternatively, the obtaining of the first energy consumption information includes: receiving billing information from a session management network element, where the billing information includes the first energy consumption information.

[0028] Optionally, the data analysis network element or the session management network element can obtain the first energy consumption information. Taking the billing network element receiving the first energy consumption information from the data analysis network element as an example, the data analysis network element can obtain the data volume of the first data, the data volume of the second data and the third energy consumption information, and determine the first energy consumption information based on the data volume of the first data, the data volume of the second data and the third energy consumption information. Among them, the data volume of the first data, the data volume of the second data and the third energy consumption information will be introduced in detail in the second aspect below. For example, the data analysis network element obtains the data volume of the first data from the SMF, and obtains the data volume of the second data and the third energy consumption information from the OAM. The data analysis network element can also obtain corresponding information from other network elements and calculate the first energy consumption information without restriction.

[0029] Alternatively, the data analysis network element may obtain the second energy consumption information and determine the first energy consumption information based on the second energy consumption information. For example, the data analysis network element may receive the following information from the base station: the first energy consumed by the base station for transmitting the first data of the first terminal device in at least one second time period, and receive the following information from the UPF: the first energy consumed for transmitting the first data of the first terminal device in at least one second time period, and calculate the first energy consumption information based on the information.

[0030] Similarly, when the billing network element receives the first energy consumption information from the session management network element, the session management network element may also determine the first energy consumption information based on the data volume of the first data, the data volume of the second data, and the third energy consumption information. Alternatively, the session management network element may determine the first energy consumption information based on the second energy consumption information.

[0031] Based on the above method, the communication device receives the first energy consumption information from the data analysis network element or the session management network element, which can reduce the calculation complexity of the communication device.

[0032] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a communication device or a component (such as a chip system) supporting the functions of a communication device, the method comprising:

[0033] Obtaining a data volume of first data, a data volume of second data, and third energy consumption information, where the first data is data of a first terminal device transmitted by a network device, the second data is data of one or more terminal devices transmitted by the network device, the one or more terminal devices including the first terminal device, and the third energy consumption information is used to indicate a first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the second data;

[0034] determining first energy consumption information according to the data volume of the first data, the data volume of the second data, and the third energy consumption information, where the first energy consumption information is used to indicate the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data;

[0035] Sending the first energy consumption information.

[0036] In this way, when the communication device determines the first energy consumption information, it comprehensively considers the data volume of the first data, the data volume of the second data and the third energy consumption information, and can obtain more accurate first energy consumption information, thereby improving the accuracy of billing.

[0037] In one possible design, the third energy consumption information includes the amount of the first energy consumed by the network device for the transmission of the second data, or the third energy consumption information includes the ratio between the amount of the first energy consumed by the network device for the transmission of the second data and the total amount of one or more energy consumed by the network device for the transmission of the second data, and the one or more energy sources include the first energy.

[0038] In one possible design, the first energy consumption information includes the amount of the first energy consumed by the network device for the transmission of the first data, or the first energy consumption information includes the ratio between the amount of the first energy consumed by the network device for the transmission of the first data and the total amount of one or more energies consumed by the network device for the transmission of the first data, and the one or more energies include the first energy.

[0039] In one possible design, the first energy consumption information is used to indicate the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data, including: the first energy consumption information is used to indicate the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data in a first time period, where the first time period includes one or more second time periods;

[0040] The third energy consumption information is used to indicate the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the second data, including: the third energy consumption information is used to indicate the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the second data in each second time period of the one or more second time periods;

[0041] The first data is data of the first terminal device transmitted by the network device, including: the first data is data of the first terminal device transmitted by the network device in each second time period;

[0042] The second data is data of one or more terminal devices transmitted by the network device, including: the second data is data of one or more terminal devices transmitted by the network device in each second time period.

[0043] In one possible design, it also includes:

[0044] A first message is received, where the first message is used to: request or subscribe to energy consumption information indicating the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting data for the first terminal device.

[0045] In one possible design, the first message includes first indication information for indicating the first energy.

[0046] In one possible design, the first message includes second indication information for indicating that the network device includes an access network device.

[0047] In one possible design, the network device includes a user plane network element, and when the contract information of the first terminal device indicates that the network device is allowed to use the first energy to transmit data of the first terminal device, further includes:

[0048] Determining the user plane network element, the user plane network element supports using the first energy to transmit data of the first terminal device;

[0049] Alternatively, sending a second message, where the second message is used to request or subscribe to identifiers of one or more user-plane network elements that support transmission of data of the first terminal device using the first energy source;

[0050] receiving identifications of the one or more user plane network elements;

[0051] The user plane network element is determined according to the identifiers of the one or more user plane network elements.

[0052] In this implementation, a suitable user plane network element for transmitting data can be selected for the terminal device based on the energy type. In some examples, if the first energy source is green energy, selecting a user plane network element that supports the use of green energy to transmit data for the terminal device helps achieve network energy conservation.

[0053] According to a third aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising:

[0054] The first network element sends first energy consumption information to the billing network element, where the first energy consumption information is used to indicate first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting first data, where the first data is data of the first terminal device;

[0055] The billing network element receives the first energy consumption information; and determines a fee corresponding to the transmission of the first data according to the first energy consumption information and the cost information of the first energy.

[0056] In one possible design, the first energy consumption information includes the consumption of the first energy.

[0057] In one possible design, the first energy consumption information includes the ratio between the consumption of the first energy and the total amount of one or more energy consumed by the network device for the transmission of the first data, and the one or more energy sources include the first energy.

[0058] In one possible design, the cost information is used to indicate: a first cost corresponding to each unit of the first energy consumed for data transmission, and the cost corresponding to the transmission of the first data is equal to the product of the consumption of the first energy and the first cost.

[0059] In one possible design, it also includes:

[0060] When the contract information of the first terminal device indicates that the network device is allowed to use the first energy to transmit data of the first terminal device, the billing network element sends a first message, where the first message is used to: request or subscribe to energy consumption information indicating the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting data of the first terminal device;

[0061] The first network element receives the first message.

[0062] In one possible design, the first message includes first indication information for indicating the first energy.

[0063] In one possible design, the first message includes second indication information for indicating that the network device includes an access network device.

[0064] In one possible design, the first energy consumption information is used to indicate the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data within a first time period, where the first time period includes one or more second time periods; and further includes:

[0065] The first network element obtains second energy consumption information; the second energy consumption information is used to indicate the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data in each second time period of the one or more second time periods;

[0066] The first energy consumption information is determined according to the second energy consumption information.

[0067] In one possible design, the first network element obtains the second energy consumption information, including:

[0068] Obtaining a data volume of first data, a data volume of second data, and third energy consumption information, where the first data is data of a first terminal device transmitted by the network device, the second data is data of one or more terminal devices transmitted by the network device, the one or more terminal devices including the first terminal device, and the third energy consumption information is used to indicate a first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the second data;

[0069] The second energy consumption information is determined according to the data volume of the first data, the data volume of the second data, and the third energy consumption information.

[0070] In one possible design, the first network element obtains the second energy consumption information, including:

[0071] The second energy consumption information is received from the network device.

[0072] In one possible design, it also includes:

[0073] The first network element receives the first energy consumption information.

[0074] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device for implementing the method in any possible design of any of the above aspects, which may include a functional module for executing the method in any possible design of any of the above aspects, and the module may be implemented by software or hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. For example, it includes a processing unit and a communication unit.

[0075] Taking a communication device for executing the method of the first aspect as an example, the communication device may include:

[0076] a processing unit, configured to obtain first energy consumption information, where the first energy consumption information is used to indicate first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting first data, where the first data is data of the terminal device;

[0077] The processing unit is further configured to determine a fee corresponding to the transmission of the first data based on the first energy consumption information and the fee information of the first energy.

[0078] Optionally, the device further includes a communication unit; a processing unit, configured to obtain the first energy consumption information, comprising: receiving the first energy consumption information through the communication unit.

[0079] Taking a communication device for executing the method of the second aspect as an example, the communication device may include:

[0080] a processing unit, configured to obtain a data volume of first data, a data volume of second data, and third energy consumption information, wherein the first data is data of a first terminal device transmitted by a network device, the second data is data of one or more terminal devices transmitted by the network device, the one or more terminal devices including the first terminal device, and the third energy consumption information is used to indicate a first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the second data;

[0081] The processing unit is further configured to determine first energy consumption information based on the data volume of the first data, the data volume of the second data, and the third energy consumption information, where the first energy consumption information is used to indicate the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data;

[0082] A communication unit, configured to send the first energy consumption information.

[0083] In a fifth aspect, the technical solution of the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a processor, configured to execute any method of any design in any of the above aspects.

[0084] Optionally, the device further includes the memory and / or communication interface.

[0085] The communication interface is coupled to the processor, and is used to input and / or output information.

[0086] The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is configured to perform any of the above-mentioned methods. It can be implemented as follows: it is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory to perform any of the above-mentioned methods. Alternatively, the processor can also be a hardware-implemented circuit, such as an artificial intelligence (AI) processor, to increase the operating speed. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor.

[0087] In a sixth aspect, the technical solution of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, comprising computer instructions, which, when executed on a device, enables the device to execute any possible design method in any of the above aspects.

[0088] In a seventh aspect, the technical solution of the present application provides a computer program product, which, when running on a device, enables the device to execute any possible design method in any of the above aspects.

[0089] In an eighth aspect, the technical solution of the present application provides a communication system, which includes a billing network element and a first network element in any possible design of any of the above aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0090] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0092] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication device / apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0093] Figures 4 to 13 are flowcharts of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0094] FIG14 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0095] FIG15 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip system provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0096] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) introduced the energy conservation topic, which proposed that the network can manage terminal devices based on the energy used to provide services to the terminal devices. In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method that can determine the cost corresponding to the transmission of the first data based on the first energy consumption information of the first energy consumed by the network device to transmit the first data of the terminal device, and the cost information of the first energy. In this way, the terminal device can be billed based on the different energy consumption conditions of the network device, making the billing more refined.

[0097] The method can be applied to the fifth generation mobile networks (5G), or the sixth generation mobile networks (6G), or other mobile communication systems. For example, an example of the network architecture involved in the embodiment of the present application is shown in Figure 1. The system includes an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a session management function (SMF) network element, a user plane function network element (UPF) network element, a unified data management (UDM) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, a network exposure function (NEF) network element, a network repository function (NRF) network element, a network data analysis function (NWDAF) network element, and some network elements not shown, such as a charging function (CHF) network element and an operations, administration and management (OAM) network element, which are not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0098] In the embodiment of the present application, the method executed by the CHF may be replaced by a charging enhancement function (CEF) network element. The method executed by the OAM may be replaced by a management data analytics function (MDAF) network element.

[0099] For example, as shown in Figure 1, the terminal device can access the network through the access network device of the access network (AN). The access network includes but is not limited to the radio access network (RAN). The access network device communicates with the AMF network element through the N2 interface, the access network device communicates with the UPF network element through the N3 interface, the SMF network element communicates with the UPF network element through the N4 interface, and the UPF network element accesses the data network through the N6 interface.

[0100] Figure 1 only shows the connection method between some network elements, and these network elements can also communicate with each other through other methods. In addition, the connection method between other network elements can refer to the relevant technology, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit this. For example, the AMF network element communicates with the SMF network element through the N11 interface, the AMF network element communicates with the UDM network element through the N8 interface, the AMF network element communicates with the PCF network element through the N15 interface, the SMF network element communicates with the PCF network element through the N7 interface, and the NEF network element communicates with the SMF network element through the N29 interface. For another example, network elements communicate with each other through non-service interfaces.

[0101] Optionally, the terminal devices involved in the embodiments of the present application may include various handheld devices with wireless communication functions, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem; and may also include a subscriber unit, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wireless data card, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a wireless modem, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, or a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal device, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), or a relay user device. Among them, the relay user device may be, for example, a 5G residential gateway (RG). For the convenience of description, in the embodiments of the present application, the above-mentioned devices are collectively referred to as terminal devices.

[0102] Optionally, the access network device involved in the embodiments of the present application refers to the medium for the terminal device to access the core network. The access network device may be, for example, a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) access network device, such as the next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) device in the 5G network, the evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) device in the 4G network, a base station, etc. The base station may include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small stations), relay stations, access points, etc. The terminal device accesses the core network through the 3GPP access network device, which can be called a 3GPP access method. In this way, the terminal device can communicate with the core network device.

[0103] The access network device may also be a non-3GPP access network device, such as a non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF) entity, a non-3GPP access point (AP), etc. Access points include but are not limited to routers, optical modems, etc.

[0104] The terminal device accessing the core network through a non-3GPP device is called a non-3GPP access mode. The embodiment of the present application is not limited to the form of the access network device, such as a broadband network gateway (BNG) or a convergence switch.

[0105] It should be noted that Figure 1 is only a schematic diagram of the communication system architecture of an embodiment of the present application. Of course, the system architecture can also be other, such as the future 6G network architecture, for example, including more or fewer devices, and this embodiment does not make specific limitations on this.

[0106] It should be noted that the names of the network elements and the interfaces between the network elements in Figure 1 are only an example. In the specific implementation, the names of the network elements and the interfaces between the network elements may be other, such as the names of the network elements in the 6G network and the interface names between the network elements in the 6G network. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0107] The following describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " represents the meaning of "or." For example, A / B can represent A or B. "And / or" in this document is merely a description of an association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. Furthermore, in the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more than two. Furthermore, to facilitate the clear description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the words "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of the present application to distinguish between identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art will understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or order of execution, and that words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily define differences.

[0108] In addition, the network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0109] In the embodiment of the present application, when it is mentioned that A sends a message to B, A may send it directly to B, or A may forward it to B through other devices. The other device forwards the message to B, which may be forwarded directly or after processing.

[0110] It should be noted that the message names between the various network elements and the names of the parameters in the messages in the following embodiments of this application are only examples. Other names may be used in specific implementations, and this embodiment of the application does not specifically limit this. For example, the analytics ID in the first message may also have other names.

[0111] In addition, the names of the network elements are only examples and may be replaced by network elements with other names that have similar functions.

[0112] As shown in FIG2 , a communication system 20 is provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication system 20 includes a charging network element 201 and a first network element 202 .

[0113] The first network element 202 is configured to send first energy consumption information to the charging network element 201. The first energy consumption information is used to indicate first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting first data, where the first data is data of the terminal device.

[0114] The billing network element 201 is configured to receive first energy consumption information and determine a fee corresponding to the transmission of the first data based on the first energy consumption information and the fee information of the first energy.

[0115] In some embodiments, the first network element 202 may be a session management network element. In other embodiments, the first network element 202 may be a data analysis network element.

[0116] In some embodiments, the charging network element 201 may be a CHF.

[0117] Optionally, the communication system provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to the network architecture shown in Figure 1, and the embodiment of the present application does not make any specific limitations on this.

[0118] For example, if the communication system provided in the embodiment of the present application is applied to the network architecture shown in Figure 1, the network element or entity corresponding to the session management network element may be the above-mentioned SMF or other network elements with similar functions. The data analysis network element may be an NWDAF or other network elements with similar functions.

[0119] For example, the terminal device, access network device, first network element, or billing network element in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by the communication device in Figure 3. Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application. The communication device 400 includes at least one processor 401, a memory 403, and at least one communication interface 404.

[0120] The processor 401 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the present application.

[0121] Optionally, the communication device may include a communication line, which may include a path for transmitting information between corresponding components of the device.

[0122] The communication interface 404 uses any transceiver or other device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, RAN, wireless local area networks (WLAN), etc.

[0123] The memory 403 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program codes in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently and be connected to the processor via a communication line. The memory may also be integrated with the processor.

[0124] The memory 403 is used to store computer-executable instructions for executing the solution of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 401. The processor 401 is used to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 403, thereby implementing the method provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0125] Optionally, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as application code, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0126] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 401 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG. 3 .

[0127] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 400 may include multiple processors, such as the processor 401 and the processor 408 in FIG3 . Each of these processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. The processor herein may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0128] The structure shown in Figure 3 is merely an example. The communication device may include more or fewer components, or other component layouts, and is not limited thereto. For example, the communication device may include a processor, which may be implemented in hardware or by calling a program. Alternatively, the communication device may include a processor and memory. Alternatively, the communication device may include a processor and a communication interface.

[0129] The communication device 400 may be a general-purpose device or a dedicated device. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of the communication device 400.

[0130] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below.

[0131] First, the communication system shown in FIG2 is applied to the network architecture shown in FIG1 , as shown in FIG4 , and the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application includes the following steps:

[0132] S101. A billing network element obtains first energy consumption information.

[0133] The first energy consumption information is used to indicate the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting first data, where the first data is data of the first terminal device, including data sent to the first terminal device and / or data received from the first terminal device.

[0134] Optionally, the first energy consumption information indicates a first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data within a first period (e.g., one month). The one or more energy sources used by the network device for transmitting the first data include the first energy. For example, the energy sources used by the network device for data transmission include wind energy and oil-generated electricity, where the first energy source is wind energy.

[0135] Optionally, different types of energy may correspond to different fee information. For example, the fee for data transmission using wind energy per joule (J) is x1 yuan, and the fee for data transmission using solar energy per joule is x2 yuan.

[0136] Energy type can refer to green energy or traditional energy, or it can refer to a specific energy type, such as wind, nuclear, solar, coal, or oil. Network devices can use one or more energy sources to transmit data, with each energy type assigned a specific percentage (energy ratio per type). This percentage or ratio can refer to the proportion of each energy type used to power the network device. For example, if 20% of the electricity used by a UPF comes from nuclear power generation and 80% comes from oil-based power generation, the nuclear energy percentage is 20% and the oil percentage is 80%.

[0137] Optionally, the energy types and energy ratios used by the UPFs / RANs that transmit data within the network can vary. Different UPFs / RANs can use different energy mixes. For example, UPF1 / RAN1 uses traditional energy, UPF2 / RAN2 uses green energy, and UPF3 / RAN3 uses a combination of traditional and green energy. For another example, the ratio of green energy to traditional energy used by UPF3 / RAN3 is 2:8.

[0138] Optionally, the ratio of energy used by the same UPF / RAN in different time periods is different, such as time period 1 (06:00-10:00): 2:8 (10:00-16:00) 4:6, (16:00-18:00) 2:8 18:00 -06:00 (1:9).

[0139] Optionally, the first energy source may be, but is not limited to, green energy. Green energy may also be referred to as renewable energy. Green energy includes, but is not limited to, nuclear energy, wind energy, solar energy, and other energy sources. Energy sources other than green energy may be referred to as traditional energy (also known as non-green energy).

[0140] For example, assuming monthly billing, the amount of data (also known as traffic) used by the terminal device in one month is 10GB, and the first energy source is solar energy, the first energy consumption information of solar energy corresponding to the network device transmitting 10GB of data of the terminal device in one month is: using 20 joules (J) of solar energy.

[0141] Optionally, the first energy consumption information of the first energy includes consumption of the first energy. Exemplarily, the energy consumption is in joules.

[0142] Alternatively, optionally, the first energy consumption information of the first energy includes a ratio between the consumption of the first energy and the total amount of one or more energy sources consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data, where the one or more energy sources include the first energy. Exemplarily, the total amount of energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the data of the terminal device is X1 joules, where the ratio of the consumption of the first energy to the total amount is γ1. In some examples, the billing network element may calculate the consumption of the first energy based on X1 and γ1 as: X1*γ1.

[0143] S102: The billing network element determines a fee corresponding to the transmission of the first data according to the first energy consumption information and the cost information of the first energy.

[0144] The cost information indicates a first cost per unit of first energy consumed for data transmission, where the cost for transmitting the first data is equal to the product of the first energy consumption and the first cost. For example, the first cost per joule of solar energy consumed by the network device for data transmission is RMB x2.

[0145] The cost information may also be the ratio of the rate of the first energy to the rates of other energy sources, without limitation.

[0146] In an embodiment of the present application, if the first terminal device has signed a green communication service, this means that the network device is allowed to use the first energy source for data transmission related to the first terminal device. In this case, the network selects a network device that uses the first energy source to provide services to the first terminal device as much as possible. Furthermore, the billing network element may include information (such as a ratio) about the first energy source used by the network device for data transmission in the charges (its billing information) of the first terminal device.

[0147] As a possible implementation, a billing function of the CHF stores an energy-based billing policy, and the CHF determines the fee for data transmission according to the billing policy.

[0148] Continuing with the above example, the billing network element obtains the first energy source, solar energy consumption, and the first fee for the network device using solar energy for data transmission with the first terminal device. For example, if the first fee for each joule of solar energy used by the network device for data transmission is x2 yuan, and a total of 20 joules of solar energy are used, the corresponding fee for data transmission with the first terminal device over a month is: x2 * 20.

[0149] In some other embodiments, in addition to obtaining the first energy consumption information of the network device using the first energy source, the billing network element may also obtain the first energy consumption information of the network device using other types of energy sources, and calculate the data transmission fee of the first terminal device based on the first energy consumption information of the network device using all types of energy sources. For example, if the network device uses solar energy, wind energy, and traditional energy to transmit data of the first terminal device within one month, where the solar energy consumption is 20J (rate x2), the wind energy consumption is 10J (rate x3), and the traditional energy consumption is 20J (rate x4), then the corresponding fee for the data transmission of the first terminal device within one month is: x2*20+x3*10+x4*20.

[0150] The fee information of the first terminal device generated by CHF can be expressed in the following format:

[0151] Volume: 10G

[0152] Energy type:rating value.

[0153] Among them, Volume: 10G indicates that the total data volume of the first terminal device transmitted by the network device is 10GB; Energy type: rating value indicates the cost corresponding to the first energy.

[0154] Optionally, the network device may use multiple energy sources for data transmission of the first terminal device, and the fee information may further include fees corresponding to the multiple energy sources, such as:

[0155] energy type1:20%:fee1

[0156] Energy type2:40%:fee2

[0157] Energy type 3: 40%: fee 3…

[0158] For another example, the cost information generated by the CHF may also include: first energy consumption information of the first energy source used by the network device for data transmission of the first terminal device, such as 50 joules of traditional energy and 20 joules of green energy, or 20% of the total energy used of 100 joules. The above cost information is for example only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0159] The method provided in the embodiment of the present application can calculate the cost of a terminal device transmitting a certain amount of data based on the consumption information of the first energy (such as green energy) used by the network device to transmit data of the terminal device. The calculated cost can better reflect the actual network energy consumption corresponding to the terminal, and the billing result is more precise and accurate.

[0160] Optionally, as shown in FIG5 , the method may further include the following step S201:

[0161] S201. UDM sends the contract information of the terminal device to the billing network element.

[0162] Correspondingly, the billing network element receives the subscription information belonging to the terminal device from the UDM.

[0163] The contract information is used to indicate that the network device is allowed to use the first energy for data transmission. For example, when providing communication services (such as data transmission services) for UE1, the network device (such as UPF, access network device) is allowed to use green energy for data transmission.

[0164] In a possible implementation manner, the billing network element sends a subscription request to the UDM to subscribe to or request the contract information of the terminal device.

[0165] Optionally, the subscription request includes a first identifier. Exemplarily, the first identifier is green communication, which indicates the identifier of the terminal device that subscribes to the UDM to allow the network device to use the first energy for data transmission. In other words, the billing network element subscribes to the UDM the identifier of the terminal device that has signed the green communication service by carrying the first identifier in the subscription request.

[0166] For example, UE1-UE10 have signed a contract for green communication service, and UE11-UE20 have not signed a contract to use the first energy in the communication service. Then, the contract information of UE1-UE10 sent by UDM to the billing network element includes the first identifier, and the contract information of UE11-UE20 sent to the billing network element does not include the first identifier. Alternatively, the contract information can indicate in other ways whether the terminal device allows the network device to use the first energy for terminal device-related data transmission. For example, the contract information includes a second identifier, and the value of the second identifier is 1, indicating that the network device is allowed to use the first energy for terminal device-related data transmission; the value of the second identifier is 0 or default, indicating that the network device continues to use relevant technologies for terminal device-related data transmission, such as using traditional energy for data transmission.

[0167] In the embodiment of the present application, S101 can be implemented in multiple ways. That is, the billing network element can obtain the first energy consumption information of the first energy source in multiple ways. The different ways are introduced below:

[0168] Method 1: The billing network element may obtain the first energy consumption information of the first energy source from the first network element. FIG5 shows an example of a process of Method 1. As shown in FIG5 , the process may include:

[0169] S202. The charging network element sends a first message to the first network element.

[0170] Accordingly, the first network element receives a first message from the billing network element. The first message is used to request or subscribe to first consumption information of a first energy source used for data transmission by the network device. For example, the message requests first energy consumption information of a first energy source used for data transmission by the network device within a month.

[0171] As a possible implementation, the billing network element sends a first message to the first network element based on the contract information of the first terminal device. When the contract information indicates that the network device is permitted to use the first energy source to transmit data of the first terminal device, the billing network element is used to request or subscribe to energy consumption information indicating the first energy source consumed by the network device for transmitting data of the first terminal device, so as to determine the data transmission fee of the first terminal device based on the energy consumption information. Accordingly, after receiving the first message, the first network element sends the first energy consumption information of the first energy source to the billing network element.

[0172] Optionally, the first message includes an identifier of the terminal device, which is used to instruct the first network element to return the first energy consumption information of the first energy corresponding to the terminal device. For example, the first message includes an analysis report target (target of analytics reporting) field, target of analytics reporting = UE list, which is used to instruct the first network element to return the first energy consumption information of the first energy corresponding to the UE in the UE list. The UE in the UE list is a UE that has signed a contract for green communication service.

[0173] Optionally, the first message includes first indication information indicating the first energy source. It can also be understood that the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first network element needs to return the first energy consumption information of the first energy source. Exemplarily, the first indication information may be a renewable energy usage indication. For example, when the first message carries the first indication information, it instructs the first network element to analyze first energy consumption information of the first energy source (e.g., green energy) used by the network device when analyzing energy consumption used by the network device for data transmission of the terminal device, such as the type or proportion of green energy used by the network device. When the first message does not carry the first indication information, it indicates that the first network element does not need to analyze the first energy consumption information of the first energy source used by the network device for data transmission of the terminal device. For another example, if the value of the first indication information carried by the first message is true or 1, the first network element returns the first energy consumption information of the first energy source. Conversely, if the first indication information carried by the first message is false or 0, the first network element does not need to return the first energy consumption information of the first energy source.

[0174] Optionally, the first message includes second indication information for indicating that the network device includes an access network device. It can also be understood that the second indication information is used to indicate whether the first network element analyzes the energy consumption information of the access network device when analyzing the energy consumption of the network for data transmission of the terminal device. Exemplarily, the second indication information may be a radio access network energy consumption indication (RAN EC indication). When the first message carries the second indication information, or when the value of the second indication information is true or 1, it indicates the first network element to analyze the energy consumption information of the access network device for data transmission of the terminal device, and the energy consumption information of the core network device for data transmission of the terminal device. When the first message does not carry the second indication information, or when the value of the second indication information is false or 0, it indicates the first network element to analyze the energy consumption information of the core network device for data transmission of the terminal device. In this way, the first network element does not need to analyze the energy consumption information of the access network device for data transmission of the terminal device.

[0175] The above takes the second indication information carried by a message as an example. In other embodiments, the second indication information may also be configured by the device itself according to the operator's policy.

[0176] S203. The first network element obtains second energy consumption information, where the second energy consumption information is used to indicate first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data in each second time period of one or more second time periods.

[0177] The first time period mentioned above includes the one or more second time periods.

[0178] Taking the second period as one day as an example, the first network element obtains second energy consumption information of the first energy used by the network device for data transmission of the first terminal device on each of the multiple days. For example, on day x1, the second energy consumption of the first energy used for data transmission of the first terminal device is x1 joules. On day x2, the second energy consumption of the first energy used for data transmission of the first terminal device is x2 joules, and so on.

[0179] In some examples, if the second indication information of the first message indicates that the network device includes an access network device, the first network element obtains the second energy consumption information of the first energy used by the access network device for transmitting the second data of the first terminal device in each second time period in one or more second time periods, and obtains the second energy consumption information of the first energy used by the UPF for transmitting the second data of the first terminal device in each second time period in one or more second time periods.

[0180] In other examples, if the second indication information of the first message indicates that the network device does not include an access network device, the first network element obtains second energy consumption information of the first energy used by the UPF for transmitting the first data of the first terminal device in each second time period of one or more second time periods.

[0181] S204: The first network element determines the first energy consumption information of the first energy according to the second energy consumption information of the first energy.

[0182] Taking the first period as one month as an example, still using the above example, the first network element calculates the first energy consumption information of the first energy used by the network device for transmitting the first data of the first terminal device within one month based on the second energy consumption information of the first energy used by the network device for transmitting the first data of the first terminal device every day for multiple days.

[0183] As a possible implementation method, the first network element time-aligns the data related to the first terminal device according to the time period / time stamp to obtain the amount of data transmitted by the first terminal device in multiple second time periods.

[0184] Assume that the first terminal device is recorded as UE1, the second time period is recorded as time period1; the UPF providing data transmission service for the terminal during time period1 is recorded as UPF1; the access network device providing data transmission service for the terminal during time period1 is recorded as gnodeB1; the amount of data transmitted by the first terminal device by UPF1 during time period1 is recorded as data volume1 (which can be abbreviated as V UPF1_UE1 ); The amount of data transmitted by gnodeB1 to the first terminal device during the time period 1 is recorded as data volume 2 (which can be simply recorded as V gnodeB1_UE1 An example of the second energy consumption information is as follows:

[0185] UPF1: time period1, data volume1, gnodeB1: time period1, data volume2.

[0186] Furthermore, the first network element can obtain from OAM the total data volume total_volume_upf1 (which can be abbreviated as V) of UPF1 used for data transmission of the first terminal device within time period 1. UPF1_t ), UPF1 total energy consumption information total_energy_upf1 (can be abbreviated as E UPF1 ), UPF1's first energy consumption ratio UPF1_ratioenergy_type (abbreviated as R UPF1 ), the total data volume of gnodeB1 total_volume_gnodeB1 (can be simply referred to as V gnodeB1_t ), the total energy consumption information of gnodeB1 total_energy_gnodeB1 (can be simply referred to as E gnodeB1 ), and the consumption ratio of the first energy of gnodeB1 gNodeB1_ratioenergy_type (which can be abbreviated as R gnodeB1 ).

[0187] In some examples, if the network device does not include an access network device, the first network element only calculates the first energy consumption information Energy_usage_UE_energy type of the first energy used by the core network for data transmission of the first terminal device, for example, the first energy consumption information satisfies the following formula:

[0188] In other examples, if the network device includes an access network device, the first network element calculates first energy consumption information Energy_usage_UE_energy type of a first energy used by the core network and the access network for data transmission of the first terminal device, for example, the first energy consumption information satisfies the following formula:

[0189] Taking the usage of the first energy source subscribed by the first terminal device on a monthly basis as an example, the first network element may output the usage of the first energy source by the first terminal device within one month, as shown in the following Table 1:

[0190] Table 1

[0191] Table 1 may include more or less content, or replace some content, without limitation.

[0192] As shown in FIG5 , the above S101 can be implemented as follows: S101a: The first network element sends first energy consumption information of the first energy used by the network device for data transmission to the billing network element. Correspondingly, the billing network element receives the first energy consumption information of the first energy used by the network device for data transmission from the first network element.

[0193] As follows, the interaction between the first network element and the billing network element involved in mode 1 is introduced by taking the first network element as SMF, NWDAF and the billing network element as CHF as examples:

[0194] Taking the first network element being NWDAF as an example, a process example is shown in FIG6 . NWDAF can obtain the data volume of the first data, the data volume of the second data, and the third energy consumption information, and determine the first energy consumption information based on the data volume of the first data, the data volume of the second data, and the third energy consumption information. CHF can receive the first energy consumption information of the first energy source from NWDAF. As shown in FIG6 , the process includes S201, S202, S203a1-S203e1, S204, S101c, and S102, wherein the implementation of S201, S202, and S102 can refer to the relevant descriptions in other parts of this document. S203a1-S203e1 and S101c are introduced as follows. Among them, S203a1-S203e1 is an exemplary implementation process of S203, and S101c is an implementation method of S101:

[0195] S203a1: NWDAF sends request A to SMF. Correspondingly, SMF receives request A from NWDAF.

[0196] The request A is used to request, query, or subscribe to second information corresponding to a network device. Optionally, the request A includes: a UE list and the target data of the request. The target data of the request includes: the identifiers of the network devices in the network that transmit data to the UEs in the UE list (including information about the UPF and / or access network devices) and the amount of data transmitted by each network device (the volume of data transmitted by the UPF and / or the volume of data transmitted by the access network device).

[0197] For example, the UE list may include one or more UE user permanent identifiers (SUPIs). In this way, through the request A, the UPF information used for data transmission of the corresponding UE and the corresponding data volume information can be subscribed. In some examples, if the network device includes an access network device, the NWDAF also needs to subscribe to the access network device information used for data transmission of the corresponding UE and the corresponding data volume information.

[0198] Optionally, the second information includes: the amount of first data belonging to the first terminal device transmitted by the network device in each second time period of one or more second time periods (such as every day) and the corresponding time of transmission of the first data. The first data is the data of the first terminal device transmitted by the network device. For example, based on the granularity of days, NWDAF requests the network device to transmit the amount of data of the first terminal device and the specific time period every day. For example, the network device transmits 500MB of data of the first terminal device on the xth day, and the specific time period is [time1, time2]. On the x+1th day, the network device transmits 400MB of data of the first terminal device, and the specific time period is [time3, time4].

[0199] Optionally, before S203a1, the CHF sends a first message to the NWDAF to request, subscribe to, or query the energy consumption information of the first energy source. As a possible implementation, the first message may be: Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe.

[0200] Optionally, the first message may further include an analytics ID field, which is used to indicate the name of the analysis to be analyzed. In some examples, analytics ID = energy consumption analytics, indicating that the name of the analysis to be analyzed by NWDAF is energy consumption analysis.

[0201] In some examples, the second indication information carried by the above-mentioned first message indicates that the network device includes an access network device, and the NWDAF requests the second information corresponding to the access network device and the UPF.

[0202] In other examples, the second indication information carried in the first message indicates that the network device does not include an access network device, and the NWDAF requests the second information corresponding to the UPF.

[0203] Optionally, request A may be a subscription notification (Nsmf_EventExposure_subscribe) request.

[0204] S203b1. NWDAF sends request B to OAM. Correspondingly, OAM receives request B from NWDAF.

[0205] The request B is used to request, query or subscribe to first information corresponding to the network device.

[0206] Optionally, the first information includes: a data volume (total volume) of total data (second data) transmitted by the network device in each second time period, and third consumption information (total energy) of a first energy used by the network device to transmit the total data (second data) in each second time period. The second data is data transmitted by the network device for one or more terminal devices, where the one or more terminal devices include the first terminal device.

[0207] Optionally, the third energy consumption information includes the amount of the first energy consumed by the network device for the transmission of the second data, or the third energy consumption information includes the ratio between the amount of the first energy consumed by the network device for the transmission of the second data and the total amount of one or more energies consumed by the network device for the transmission of the second data, the one or more energies including the first energy.

[0208] For example, the first information is as follows: During the time period corresponding to day x [time1, time2], the network device transmitted 100 GB of data to 100 terminal devices, and the total consumption of the first energy source was X1 joules. During the time period corresponding to day x+1 [time3, time4], the network device transmitted 200 GB of data to 100 terminal devices, and the total consumption of the first energy source was X2 joules. The 100 terminal devices include the first terminal device.

[0209] For another example, the first information is: the network device transmits a total of 100GB of data in the time period corresponding to the xth day [time1, time2], and the total consumption of one or more energy sources for transmitting the 100GB of data is X3 joules, the specific types of the one or more energy sources, and the proportion of the consumption of each energy type in the total consumption (energy ratio per type), and the consumption ratio of the first energy in the X3 joules is γ1; the time period corresponding to the x+1th day [time3, time4] transmits a total of 200GB of data, and the total energy consumed for transmitting the 200GB of data is X4 joules, and the consumption ratio of the first energy in the X4 joules is γ2.

[0210] It should be noted that in the process of Figure 6, S203a1 and S203b1 are optional steps, or S203a1 and S203b1 can be replaced by other steps. For example, if the network determines that the first terminal device has subscribed to the green communication service, other network elements can instruct the SMF / OAM to report the second information / first information to the NWDAF. Similarly, other messages used for request / subscription / query can also be optional steps.

[0211] In some examples, the second indication information carried by the above-mentioned first message indicates that the network device includes an access network device, and the NWDAF requests the first information corresponding to the access network device and the UPF.

[0212] In other examples, the second indication information carried in the above-mentioned first message indicates that the network device does not include an access network device, and the NWDAF requests the first information corresponding to the UPF.

[0213] Optionally, the first information may further include: an identifier of a network device used for data transmission of the first terminal device. Taking the example of the second indication information carried by the first message indicating that the network device includes an access network device, the first information may include: a gNodeB ID and a UPF ID used for data transmission of the first terminal device. Taking the example of the second indication information carried by the first message indicating that the network device does not include an access network device, the first information may include a UPF ID used for data transmission of the first terminal device.

[0214] S203c1: The SMF sends the second information to the NWDAF. Correspondingly, the NWDAF receives the second information from the SMF.

[0215] Exemplarily, the SMF reports the second information every day.

[0216] As a possible implementation manner, the SMF sends a subscription notification message (such as Nsmf_EventExposure_subscribe) to the NWDAF, where the subscription notification message includes the second information.

[0217] The execution order between S203c1 and S203b1 is not limited.

[0218] S203d1. OAM sends first information to NWDAF. Correspondingly, NWDAF receives the first information from OAM.

[0219] Exemplarily, the OAM reports the first information every day.

[0220] The execution order between S203d1 and S203a1 is not limited.

[0221] S203e1. The NWDAF determines second energy consumption information of the first energy source based on the first information and the second information.

[0222] Still using the above example, for example, the second information is: the network device transmits 500MB of data to the first terminal device in the time period corresponding to [time1, time2] on the xth day, and transmits 400MB of data to the first terminal device in the time period corresponding to [time3, time4] on the x+1th day... The first information is: the network device transmits a total of 100GB of data in the time period corresponding to [time1, time2] on the xth day, and the total consumption of the first energy source is X1 joules in transmitting the 100GB of data; the network device transmits a total of 200GB of data in the time period corresponding to [time3, time4] on the x+1th day, and the total consumption of the first energy source is X2 joules in transmitting the 200GB of data... After calculation, the first energy consumed by the network device in transmitting 500MB of data to the first terminal device on the xth day is: Similarly, the NWDAF determines second energy consumption information of the first energy used by the network device for data transmission to the first terminal device in each second time period.

[0223] For another example, the second information is: the network device transmitted 500MB of data from the first terminal device during the time period corresponding to [time1, time2] on day x, and 400MB of data from the first terminal device during the time period corresponding to [time3, time4] on day x+1, etc. The first information is: the network device transmitted a total of 100GB of data during the time period corresponding to [time1, time2] on day x, and the total energy consumption for transmitting these 100GB of data was X3 joules, with the proportion of the first energy consumed within these X3 joules being γ1; the network device transmitted a total of 200GB of data during the time period corresponding to [time3, time4] on day x+1, and the total energy consumption for transmitting these 200GB of data was X4 joules, with the proportion of the first energy consumed within these X4 joules being γ2, etc. NWDAF can calculate the first energy consumption based on the ratio between the total energy consumption and the first energy consumption. For example, the first energy consumption used by the network device to transmit 100GB of data on day x is X3*γ1. After calculation, the first energy consumed by the network device to transmit 500MB of data to the first terminal device during the time period corresponding to [time1, time2] on day x is: Similarly, the NWDAF determines second energy consumption information of the first energy used by the network device for data transmission to the first terminal device in each second time period.

[0224] Afterwards, as shown in FIG6 , the NWDAF may execute S204 , determining first energy consumption information of the first energy according to second energy consumption information of the first energy used by the network device for data transmission of the first terminal device in each second time period.

[0225] For example, NWDAF may accumulate and sum the second energy consumption information of the first energy used by the network device for data transmission of the first terminal device in each second time period to obtain the first energy consumption information of the first energy used by the network device for data transmission of the first terminal device in one month:

[0226] Afterwards, as shown in FIG. 6 , the NWDAF may execute S101 c , where the NWDAF sends first energy consumption information of a first energy source used by the network device for data transmission to the CHF.

[0227] As a possible implementation manner, the NWDAF sends a Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Notification message to the CHF, where the message includes the first energy consumption information.

[0228] Here, NWDAF receives some information from OAM and SMF respectively for calculating the first energy consumption information as an example. In other embodiments, SMF can calculate the energy consumption information of the UE, including total volume, total energy, etc. NWDAF can receive the energy consumption information of the UE from SMF and determine the above-mentioned first energy consumption information based on the energy consumption information.

[0229] Here, the example of SMF / OAM reporting the second information / first information daily, i.e., the second period is one day, is used. In one or more embodiments, the time granularity of SMF / OAM reporting the second information / first information can be other, without limitation. Similarly, the above example of NWDAF calculating the monthly consumption of the first energy source, i.e., the first period is one month, is used. In other embodiments, the first period can be other, also without limitation.

[0230] In the above example, NWDAF determines the first energy consumption information (e.g., monthly consumption) of the first energy source based on the first information and the second information. However, NWDAF can also determine the first energy consumption information of the first energy source through other means, such as receiving the second energy consumption information of the first energy source from a network device and determining the first energy consumption information of the first energy source based on the second energy consumption information of the first energy source. The second energy consumption information of the first energy source is the consumption information of the first energy source used for data transmission by the network device in each of one or more second time periods. The first energy consumption information of the first energy source.

[0231] In this method, the NWDAF collects information about the network devices used by the first terminal device during data transmission, such as the total amount of data transmitted by the network device and energy information of the network device (total energy consumption, energy types used, and the energy ratio corresponding to each energy type). Based on this information, the CHF obtains first energy consumption information of the first energy at the UE granularity. By subscribing to the first energy consumption information from the NWDAF, the CHF can implement energy-based differentiated billing for the first terminal device based on this first energy consumption information, thereby helping to achieve network energy conservation.

[0232] Taking the first network element being SMF as an example, Figure 7 shows a process example. SMF can receive the first energy consumption information of the first energy from NWDAF, and CHF can receive the first energy consumption information from SMF. The process includes S201, S202, S203a2, S203b2, S101b and S102. The following mainly introduces S203a2, S203b2 (an implementation method of S203) and S101b (an implementation method of S101). For the implementation of other steps, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other parts of this article.

[0233] S203a2: SMF sends request C to NWDAF. Correspondingly, NWDAF receives request C from SMF.

[0234] The request C is used to request, subscribe to, or query the first energy consumption information of the first energy, for example, query the first energy consumption information of the first energy used by the network device for data transmission of the first terminal device within one month.

[0235] Exemplarily, request C may be: Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe.

[0236] Optionally, request C may include: the first message includes an identifier of the terminal device, which is used to instruct the first network element to return first energy consumption information of the first energy corresponding to the terminal device.

[0237] Optionally, the request C includes first indication information for indicating the first energy source. It can also be understood that the first indication information is used to instruct the NWDAF whether to return the first energy consumption information of the first energy source.

[0238] Optionally, the request C includes second indication information for indicating that the network device includes an access network device. It can also be understood that the second indication information is used to instruct the NWDAF whether to analyze energy consumption information of the access network device when analyzing energy consumption of the network device for data transmission of the terminal device.

[0239] S203a2 is an optional step.

[0240] S203b2. NWDAF sends the first energy consumption information of the first energy source to SMF.

[0241] The manner in which NWDAF obtains or calculates the first energy consumption information of the first energy (such as the monthly consumption of the first energy) can refer to the relevant descriptions in other paragraphs of this document, such as the process shown in FIG6 .

[0242] Exemplarily, the NWDAF sends a Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Notification message to the SMF, where the message includes the first energy consumption information.

[0243] S101b. The SMF sends first energy consumption information of a first energy used by the network device for data transmission to the CHF.

[0244] As a possible implementation, the SMF sends charging information, where the charging information includes first energy consumption information of the first energy source. Optionally, the charging information may also include first energy consumption information of other types of energy sources.

[0245] An example of the format of billing information is as follows:

[0246] charging information(

[0247] time_period:data volume;

[0248] data volume:energy type:energy usage).

[0249] An example of billing information is:

[0250] charging information(

[0251] time_period:data volume;

[0252] Data volume: renewable energy: 20% (or 20 joules);

[0253] Traditional energy: 80% (or 80 joules)

[0254] Another example of billing information is:

[0255] charging information(

[0256] time_period:data volume;

[0257] Solar energy: 20% or 20 joules;

[0258] Wind energy: 10% or 10 joules;

[0259] Petroleum: 70% or 70 joules)

[0260] In this method, SMF subscribes to the energy analysis of NWDAF (the first energy consumption information of the first energy), and includes the first energy consumption information in the billing information and sends it to the billing network element, thereby realizing differentiated billing for the first terminal device based on the energy information.

[0261] The above takes the example of SMF directly subscribing to the consumption information of the first energy from NWDAF. In other embodiments, SMF can subscribe to relevant energy analysis information from NWDAF and calculate the first energy consumption information of the first energy based on the energy analysis information.

[0262] Taking the first network element being SMF as an example, Figure 8 shows another process example. SMF can calculate the second energy consumption information of the first energy based on the first information and the second information, and calculate the first energy consumption information of the first energy based on the second energy consumption information. CHF can receive the first energy consumption information from SMF. The process includes S201, S202, S203a3, S203b3, S204, S101b and S102. The following mainly introduces S203a3 and S203b3 (an implementation method of S203). For the implementation of other steps, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other parts of this article.

[0263] S203a3. OAM sends the first information to SMF.

[0264] As a possible implementation, the SMF requests the OAM for the first information corresponding to the network device. The OAM returns the first information to the SMF. For a detailed introduction to the first information, please refer to the relevant description in other paragraphs of this document.

[0265] In some other embodiments, the OAM in S203a3 may also be replaced by an MDAF network element or other network elements with similar functions, without limitation.

[0266] S203b3. SMF determines first energy consumption information of the first energy source based on the first information and the second information.

[0267] The SMF can obtain the second information by itself. The specific implementation of the SMF calculating the energy consumption information of the first energy source can refer to the relevant descriptions in other parts of this document, such as the implementation of the NWDAF determining the energy consumption information based on the first information and the second information in FIG6 .

[0268] Taking the first network element as SMF and the network equipment including UPF and access network equipment as an example, Figure 9 shows another process example. SMF can calculate the first energy consumption information of the first energy based on the second energy consumption information of the first energy, and CHF can receive the first energy consumption information from SMF. The process includes S201, S202, S401-S403, S203a4, S203b4, S204a, S101b and S102. The following mainly introduces S401-S403, S203a4, S203b4 (an implementation method of S203) and S204a (an implementation method of S204). For the implementation of other steps, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other parts of this article.

[0269] S401. PCF sends policy control and charging (PCC) rules to SMF.

[0270] When the contract information of the first terminal device indicates that the network device is allowed to use the first energy for data transmission, the SMF may select a predefined PCC rule that includes energy information collection (energy collecting per type) or request a PCC rule from the PCF. Optionally, the request may carry energy collecting per type, which is used to request the PCF to support PCC rules for collecting energy information by energy type. Exemplarily, the request may be a policy subscription / notification.

[0271] After receiving the request, the PCF returns one or more PCC rules supporting the collection of energy information according to energy type to the SMF. Exemplarily, the return message may be a policy notification.

[0272] Exemplarily, the format example of the PCC rule is: charging method (usage reporting (energy reporting per energy type)), measurement method (data volume (energy usage per energy type). Among them, energy reporting per energy type: is used to instruct the network device to report the second energy consumption information of one or more energy sources (first energy) according to the energy type, and energy usage per energy type is used to instruct the network device to report the second energy consumption information of one or more energy sources corresponding to a certain amount of data transmitted to the first terminal device.

[0273] S402. The SMF sends a request D to the access network device to request the access network device for second energy consumption information of the first energy used for data transmission of the first terminal device.

[0274] As a possible implementation method, SMF determines whether to collect energy information of access network devices based on a preset strategy. If it is necessary to collect energy information of access network devices, SMF can include PCC rules in the N2 SM information of the PDU session establishment success message (an example of request D) to instruct the access network device to report the second energy consumption information of the first energy.

[0275] S403. SMF sends a request E to UPF to request UPF to use second energy consumption information of the first energy used by UPF for data transmission of the first terminal device.

[0276] As a possible implementation, the request E is a PDU session establishment request. Optionally, the request E carries the above-mentioned PCC rule, and the UPF can configure the PCC rule.

[0277] S203a4. UPF sends second energy consumption information of the first energy used by UPF for data transmission of the first terminal device to SMF.

[0278] The second energy consumption information of the first energy is: the consumption information of the first energy used for data transmission by the network device in each of one or more second time periods. The first time period (such as a month) includes the one or more second time periods (such as a day).

[0279] As a possible implementation method, the UPF sends the second energy consumption information of the first energy used by the UPF for data transmission of the first terminal device to the SMF based on the PCC rule.

[0280] Exemplarily, the format of the second energy consumption information reported by the UPF is Time_period / stamp:energy type:energy usage, where Time_period represents one or more second time periods, and can be reported at a daily granularity, for example. Energy type represents the energy type. Energy usage represents the amount of one or more energy sources (including the first energy source) consumed by the UPF for data transmission on the first terminal device within one or more Time_periods.

[0281] Optionally, the UPF may also report to the SMF the data volume of the data transmitted by the first terminal device within one or more Time_periods. For example, the data volume corresponding to the session for data transmission of the first terminal device. Exemplarily, the reporting format of the UPF is Time_period: volume. Volume represents the data volume of the data belonging to the first terminal device transmitted by the UPF within one or more Time_periods.

[0282] As another example, the UPF reporting format is Time_period: volume; total energy [energy type: energy usage ratio per energy type]. Total energy represents the total consumption of one or more energy sources used by the UPF for data transmission on the first terminal device within one or more Time_periods, energy type represents the energy type, and energy usage ratio per energy type represents the ratio of each of the one or more energy sources to the total consumption. The one or more energy sources include the first energy.

[0283] S203b4. The access network device sends second energy consumption information of the first energy used by the access network device for data transmission of the first terminal device to the SMF.

[0284] As a possible implementation method, the access network device reports the second energy consumption information of the first energy to SMF through AMF.

[0285] Exemplarily, the access network device may report the consumption of one or more energy sources (including the first energy source) used for data transmission of the first terminal device within one or more Time_periods, as well as the amount of data belonging to the first terminal device transmitted by the access network device within one or more Time_periods.

[0286] As another example, the access network device can report the total consumption of one or more energy sources (including the first energy) used for data transmission of the first terminal device within one or more Time_periods, the ratio between the consumption of the first energy and the total consumption, and the amount of data belonging to the first terminal device transmitted by the access network device within one or more Time_periods.

[0287] S204a. The SMF determines the first energy consumption information of the first energy based on the second energy consumption information of the first energy used by the access network device for data transmission of the first terminal device and the second energy consumption information of the first energy used by the UPF for data transmission of the first terminal device.

[0288] Exemplarily, the SMF calculates the first energy consumption information of the first energy used by the access network device for data transmission of the first terminal device within a month based on the second energy consumption information of the first energy used by the access network device for data transmission of the first terminal device over multiple days. Furthermore, the SMF calculates the first energy consumption information of the first energy used by the UPF for data transmission of the first terminal device over the multiple days.

[0289] Method 2: The billing network element may calculate the first energy consumption information of the first energy. The billing network element may obtain the second energy consumption information of the first energy used for data transmission by the network device in each of one or more second time periods, and determine the first energy consumption information of the first energy used for data transmission by the network device based on the second energy consumption information.

[0290] FIG10 shows an example of a process of method 2, which may include S201, S202, S101d1-S101d4 and S102. The following mainly introduces S101d1-S101d4 (an implementation method of S101). For the implementation of other steps, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other parts of this article.

[0291] S101d1. The SMF sends second information to the CHF.

[0292] As a possible implementation manner, the SMF reports the billing information of the first terminal device to the CHF, where the billing information includes the second information.

[0293] Exemplarily, the billing information may also include an identifier of the network device used for data transmission of the first terminal device, such as a UPF ID. The SMF may determine whether the billing information includes a gnodeb ID based on a preset policy or instructions from other network elements. An example format for billing information is given below:

[0294] charging information(

[0295] time_period:

[0296] data volume:gNodeB ID, UPF ID)

[0297] S101d2. OAM sends the first information to CHF.

[0298] For the introduction of the first information and the second information, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other parts of this article.

[0299] S101d3. CHF determines second energy consumption information of the first energy source based on the first information and the second information.

[0300] S101d4. CHF determines the first energy consumption information of the first energy according to the second energy consumption information of the first energy.

[0301] Figure 11 shows another process example of method 2. Taking the network equipment including access network equipment and UPF as an example, the process may include S201, S202, S101e1-S101e3 and S102. The following mainly introduces S101e1-S101e3 (an implementation method of S101). For the implementation of other steps, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other parts of this article.

[0302] S101e1. The access network device sends, to the CHF, second energy consumption information of a first energy source used by the access network device for data transmission of the first terminal device in each second time period.

[0303] S101e2. The UPF sends to the CHF second energy consumption information of the first energy used by the UPF for data transmission of the first terminal device in each second time period.

[0304] S101e3. CHF determines the first energy consumption information of the first energy based on the second energy consumption information of the first energy used for data transmission of the first terminal device by the access network device in each second time period, and the second energy consumption information of the first energy used for data transmission of the first terminal device by the UPF in each second time period.

[0305] The embodiment of the present application also provides a communication method, which can select a user plane network element that supports the use of a first energy source for data transmission to provide communication services for a first terminal device. Figure 12 shows an example of a process of this method, assuming that the user plane network element is a UPF. The process may include:

[0306] S301. UDM sends the contract information of the first terminal device to SMF.

[0307] The contract signing information is used to indicate that the network device is allowed to use the first energy source for data transmission.

[0308] As a possible implementation, the UE initiates a session establishment request (e.g., a PDU session establishment request) to the SMF. After receiving the UE's session establishment request, the SMF sends the UE's subscription information request (e.g., subscription retrieval / notification) to the UDM. The UDM returns the UE's subscription information. If the subscription information carries the flag = green communication identifier, it indicates that the UE has subscribed to the green communication service. The SMF determines that a UPF using the first energy source needs to be selected for the UE.

[0309] S302: The SMF sends a second message to the NRF. Correspondingly, the NRF receives the second message.

[0310] When the contract information indicates that the network device is allowed to use the first energy for data transmission, the SMF sends a second message to the NRF, and the second message is used to request the identification of the UPF that supports the use of the first energy for data transmission. As a possible implementation method, the second message can be a network element selection message (such as Nnrf_Ndiscovery_request / response), and the second message contains the following fields: NF Type = UPF, indication = renewable energy. Among them, NF type = UPF means that the NRF is requested to select one or more UPFs, and indication = renewable energy means that the UPF selected by the NRF is a UPF that uses the first energy.

[0311] S303: The NRF returns one or more UPF identifiers to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives one or more UPF identifiers.

[0312] As a possible implementation method, the NRF sends a network element selection response message to the SMF, where the network element selection response message includes the identifiers of one or more UPFs that use the first energy.

[0313] As a possible implementation, the NRF stores attribute information of a set of UPFs, which includes energy information used by the UPFs, such as the type of energy used and the energy ratio. The NRF searches the locally stored attribute information of the set of UPFs to select one or more UPFs that use the first energy source for the UE. Optionally, the energy information used by the UPFs can be pre-configured or subscribed / queried / requested by the NRF from a network element such as the OAM or NWDAF.

[0314] S304. The SMF determines the UPF used for data transmission of the first terminal device according to the identifiers of one or more UPFs.

[0315] In other embodiments, when the contract information indicates that the network device is allowed to use the first energy for data transmission, the SMF can independently determine the UPF used for data transmission of the above-mentioned first terminal device. For example, the SMF stores attribute information of a group of UPFs, and the attribute information includes energy information used by the UPFs. The SMF searches the locally stored attribute information of the group of UPFs to select the UPF that uses the first energy for the UE. Optionally, the energy information used by the UPF can be pre-configured, or it can be subscribed / queried / requested by the SMF to network elements such as OAM or NWDAF.

[0316] The above example uses the SMF or CHF subscribing to the first energy consumption information of the first energy source from the NWDAF. In other embodiments, other devices can also subscribe to energy consumption information from the NWDAF. Devices that can subscribe to relevant energy consumption information from the NWDAF are collectively referred to as consumers. Figure 13 shows an example process for consumers to subscribe to energy consumption information from the NWDAF. The process may include:

[0317] S501: The consumer obtains the contract information of the terminal device from the UDM.

[0318] Consumers include but are not limited to the aforementioned SMF, CHF, terminal equipment, PCF, and application function (AF).

[0319] Consumers may also be referred to as consumer devices, or have other names without restriction.

[0320] S502: The consumer subscribes to the NWDAF for energy consumption information related to the terminal device.

[0321] Illustratively, the subscription request carries a UE list, a Renewable energy usage indication, and a RAN EC indication. For an introduction to the Renewable energy usage indication and the RAN EC indication, reference may be made to the relevant descriptions in other paragraphs of this document.

[0322] When the consumer is a terminal device, the UE list is the ID of the UE itself. When the consumer is not a UE, the UE list is a list of UEs that have signed up for the green communication service.

[0323] S503. NWDAF returns energy consumption information related to the terminal device to the consumer.

[0324] Optionally, the energy consumption related to the terminal device may be the first energy consumption information mentioned above, or may be other energy-related information.

[0325] Taking the terminal device as an example, after receiving energy consumption information from NWDAF, the terminal device can adjust the time it uses to transmit data over the network or adjust the level of network service it requests, such as quality of service (QoS) degradation, according to the energy budget.

[0326] Taking the PCF as an example, after receiving the energy consumption information from the NWDAF, the PCF can adjust the QoS of the terminal according to the energy budget or determine the energy saving level of the network device according to the energy usage request of the network device.

[0327] For example, if the consumer is an AF, after receiving energy consumption information from the NWDAF, the AF can decide whether to request network services based on its own energy budget. For example, if energy is insufficient, the AF will not send an analysis subscription request to the NWDAF. Alternatively, the AF can adjust the communication QoS and communication time of the terminal device to be communicated with.

[0328] The features, structures, or characteristics of the embodiments of the present application may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the various embodiments of the present application, the order of the sequence numbers of the processes does not necessarily indicate the order of execution. The order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0329] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referenced to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified and there is no logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships. The implementation methods of this application do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0330] Furthermore, some steps in the method embodiments may be equivalently replaced with other possible steps. Alternatively, some steps in the method embodiments may be optional and may be deleted in certain usage scenarios. Alternatively, other possible steps may be added to the method embodiments.

[0331] It is understandable that the device in the embodiment of the present application includes a hardware structure and / or software module for performing each function in order to realize the above functions. In combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiment disclosed in this application, the embodiment of the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to realize the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application.

[0332] The embodiment of the present application can divide the communication equipment / device into functional units according to the above method example. For example, each functional unit can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units. It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0333] Another embodiment of the present application provides a device, which may be the aforementioned first network element or billing network element, or other device or corresponding component. The device may include: a memory and one or more processors. The memory and processor are coupled. The memory is configured to store computer program code, which includes computer instructions. When the processor executes the computer instructions, the device may perform the various functions or steps performed by the corresponding device in the aforementioned method embodiment. The structure of the device may refer to the structure of the device shown in Figure 3.

[0334] The core structure of the device can be represented as the structure shown in FIG14 , and the device includes: a processing module 1301 and a storage module 1303 .

[0335] The processing module 1301 (also referred to as a processing unit) may include at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), a communication processor (CP), or an AI processor, and may be implemented as the processor shown in FIG3 . The processing module 1301 may perform operations or data processing related to the control and / or communication of at least one of the other components of the user communication device.

[0336] The storage module 1303 may include a volatile memory and / or a non-volatile memory. The storage module is used to store at least one related instruction or data in other modules of the device. For example, it can be implemented as the memory shown in Figure 3.

[0337] Optionally, a communication module 1305 (also referred to as a communication unit) is further included to support the device communicating with other devices (via a communication network). For example, the communication module can be connected to a network via wireless communication or wired communication to communicate with other devices. Wireless communication can adopt at least one of cellular communication protocols, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Wireless Broadband (WiBro) or Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). Wireless communication may include, for example, short-range communication. Short-range communication may include at least one of Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), Magnetic Stripe Transmission (MST) or GNSS. For example, it can be implemented as the communication interface shown in Figure 3.

[0338] An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, as shown in Figure 15, which includes at least one processor 1401 and at least one interface circuit 1402. The processor 1401 and the interface circuit 1402 can be interconnected via lines. For example, the interface circuit 1402 can be used to receive signals from other devices (such as the memory of a communication device). For another example, the interface circuit 1402 can be used to send signals to other devices (such as the processor 1401). Exemplarily, the interface circuit 1402 can read instructions stored in the memory and send the instructions to the processor 1401. When the instruction is executed by the processor 1401, the communication device can perform the various steps in the above embodiments. Of course, the chip system can also include other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0339] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer storage medium, which includes computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed on the above-mentioned communication device, the communication device executes each function or step executed by the mobile phone in the above-mentioned method embodiment.

[0340] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the functions or steps executed by the mobile phone in the above method embodiment.

[0341] Through the description of the above implementation methods, technical personnel in the relevant field can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, only the division of the above-mentioned functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above-mentioned functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0342] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of modules or units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another device, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0343] Units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and components shown as units may be one physical unit or multiple physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed in multiple places. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the present embodiment.

[0344] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0345] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a device (which can be a single-chip microcomputer, chip, etc.) or a processor (processor) to execute all or part of the steps of the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0346] The above content is only a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited to this. Any changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Acquire first energy consumption information, where the first energy consumption information is used to indicate first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting first data, where the first data is data of the terminal device; A fee corresponding to the transmission of the first data is determined according to the first energy consumption information and the fee information of the first energy.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first energy consumption information includes the consumption of the first energy.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first energy consumption information includes a ratio between the consumption of the first energy and a total amount of one or more energy sources consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data, where the one or more energy sources include the first energy.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The fee information is used to indicate: a first fee corresponding to each unit of the first energy consumed for data transmission, and the fee corresponding to the transmission of the first data is equal to the product of the consumption of the first energy and the first fee.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that Before obtaining the first energy consumption information, the method further includes: When the contract information of the terminal device indicates that the network device is allowed to use the first energy to transmit data of the terminal device, a first message is sent, and the first message is used to: request or subscribe to energy consumption information indicating the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting data of the terminal device.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The first message includes indication information for indicating the first energy.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that The first message includes indication information for indicating that the network device includes an access network device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The first energy consumption information is used to indicate the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data within a first time period, where the first time period includes one or more second time periods; The obtaining of the first energy consumption information includes: receiving second energy consumption information, where the second energy consumption information is used to indicate the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data in each second time period of the one or more second time periods; The first energy consumption information is determined according to the second energy consumption information.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The obtaining of the first energy consumption information includes: receiving the first energy consumption information from a data analysis network element; Or, receiving billing information from a session management network element, where the billing information includes the first energy consumption information.

10. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Obtaining a data volume of first data, a data volume of second data, and third energy consumption information, where the first data is data of a first terminal device transmitted by a network device, the second data is data of one or more terminal devices transmitted by the network device, the one or more terminal devices including the first terminal device, and the third energy consumption information is used to indicate a first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the second data; determining first energy consumption information according to the data volume of the first data, the data volume of the second data, and the third energy consumption information, where the first energy consumption information is used to indicate the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data; Sending the first energy consumption information.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The third energy consumption information includes the amount of the first energy consumed by the network device for the transmission of the second data, or the third energy consumption information includes the ratio between the amount of the first energy consumed by the network device for the transmission of the second data and the total amount of one or more energy consumed by the network device for the transmission of the second data, and the one or more energy sources include the first energy.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that The first energy consumption information includes the amount of the first energy consumed by the network device for the transmission of the first data, or the first energy consumption information includes the ratio between the amount of the first energy consumed by the network device for the transmission of the first data and the total amount of one or more energy sources consumed by the network device for the transmission of the first data, and the one or more energy sources include the first energy.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that: The first energy consumption information is used to indicate the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data, including: the first energy consumption information is used to indicate the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the first data in a first time period, where the first time period includes one or more second time periods; The third energy consumption information is used to indicate the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the second data, including: the third energy consumption information is used to indicate the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting the second data in each second time period of the one or more second time periods; The first data is data of the first terminal device transmitted by the network device, including: the first data is data of the first terminal device transmitted by the network device in each second time period; The second data is data of one or more terminal devices transmitted by the network device, including: the second data is data of one or more terminal devices transmitted by the network device in each second time period.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that: Also includes: A first message is received, where the first message is used to: request or subscribe to energy consumption information indicating the first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting data for the first terminal device.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The first message includes first indication information for indicating the first energy.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The first message includes second indication information for indicating that the network device includes an access network device.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that: The network device includes a user plane network element, and when the contract information of the first terminal device indicates that the network device is allowed to use the first energy to transmit data of the first terminal device, further includes: Determining the user plane network element, the user plane network element supports using the first energy to transmit data of the first terminal device; Alternatively, sending a second message, where the second message is used to request or subscribe to identifiers of one or more user-plane network elements that support transmission of data of the first terminal device using the first energy source; receiving identifications of the one or more user plane network elements; The user plane network element is determined according to the identifiers of the one or more user plane network elements.

18. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first network element sends first energy consumption information to the billing network element, where the first energy consumption information is used to indicate first energy consumed by the network device for transmitting first data, where the first data is data of the first terminal device; The billing network element receives the first energy consumption information; and determines a fee corresponding to the transmission of the first data according to the first energy consumption information and the cost information of the first energy.

19. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The method comprises a program or an instruction. When the program or the instruction is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 10 to 17 is implemented.

20. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises a program or an instruction. When the computer program product is run on a communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or the method according to any one of claims 10 to 17.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: Used to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or to perform the method according to any one of claims 10 to 17.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processor, configured to execute a computer program stored in a memory, so that the apparatus performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or performs the method according to any one of claims 10 to 17.

23. A communication system, characterized in that: The system includes a communication device for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a communication device for implementing the method according to any one of claims 10 to 17.

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