Communication method, network function, and storage medium

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, a network function, and a storage medium. The method comprises: a first network function deletes or releases all or some of subscription information of at least one terminal device.

Description

Communication method, network function and storage medium

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202410176901.X filed in China on February 8, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the field of mobile communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, a network function, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0004] With the rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) market, issues such as device power supply and battery life are becoming new challenges for IoT development. It can be said that achieving low-power, low-cost, and long-lifecycle networks has become a key breakthrough in the next stage of IoT.

[0005] Against this background, the low-power Internet of Things began to take shape around 2010. After more than a decade of development, a series of mature low-power Internet of Things technologies have been formed, represented by Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Long Range Radio (LoRa), Narrow Band IoT (NB-IoT), and Reduced Capability (RedCap).

[0006] While the aforementioned low-power IoT technologies aim to achieve low power consumption and widespread connectivity for IoT terminals, with the continuous iteration of technology and the increasing industry application of 5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology (5G), the types of connected objects are increasing, and higher requirements will be placed on the price and power consumption of communication terminals. Against this backdrop, the passive IoT has begun to enter the industry arena and has gradually become a hot topic in the past two years. The passive IoT utilizes environmental energy harvesting technology to convert available signals and energy in the surrounding area into electrical energy that can drive its own circuits, using a scattering-based communication mode to transmit information to target nodes. Its most notable feature is that it does not rely on traditional battery power, effectively resolving bottlenecks in the development of the low-power IoT. It is a key technology for the development of the next generation of the IoT and has a wide range of applications in smart warehousing, logistics, asset management, and other fields.

[0007] In the 1940s, the improvement and application of radar gave rise to the most representative passive IoT technology: radio frequency identification (RFID). An RFID system consists of tags, readers, and a control platform. The readers utilize the principles of inductive coupling or backscatter coupling to send electromagnetic signals to the tags. The tags convert the electromagnetic signals into energy, activating the tag chip and returning information, enabling the identification of the target object. Currently, mainstream RFID systems internationally support multiple frequency bands. Ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID systems (850MHz to 910MFz) are based on electromagnetic backscatter technology, with a theoretical transmission range of 1-10 meters. They are widely used in numerous industries, including logistics, manufacturing, and aviation.

[0008] The passive IoT project currently under research within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is called Ambient IoT. To reduce energy consumption, Ambient IoT devices typically have simple structures and require relatively few services. However, the number of Ambient IoT devices in a network can be enormous. Managing the contract information for these devices is a pressing technical challenge. Summary of the Invention

[0009] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, a network function, and a storage medium for managing device contract information.

[0010] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present disclosure is implemented as follows:

[0011] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is applied to a first network function and includes:

[0012] The first network function deletes or releases all or part of the subscription information of at least one terminal device.

[0013] Optionally, the first network function deletes or releases all or part of the subscription information of at least one of the terminal devices according to at least one of the following:

[0014] All or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal device, the number of validity times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the number of validity times of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the number of validity times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device being accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the location information of the terminal device, the group identifier, the first indication information, and the fifth indication information;

[0015] or,

[0016] The first network function deletes or releases all or part of the subscription information of at least one terminal device when obtaining at least one of the following:

[0017] All or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the valid number of times the terminal identification, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid number of times the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the valid number of times, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the valid number of times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used to reach or exceed the valid number of times, all or part of the identification of the terminal device, the location information of the terminal device, the group identification, the first indication information, and the fifth indication information.

[0018] Optionally, the first indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device; and / or,

[0019] The fifth indication information is used to indicate: after accessing / obtaining / calling / updating / using all or part of the contract information once, deleting or releasing all or part of the contract information; or, after accessing / obtaining / calling / updating / using all or part of the contract information the number of times reaches or exceeds a threshold or limit, deleting or releasing all or part of the contract information.

[0020] Optionally, the contract information includes at least one of the following:

[0021] All or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, network opening related information.

[0022] Optionally, the mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or,

[0023] The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or,

[0024] The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or,

[0025] The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or,

[0026] The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or

[0027] The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or,

[0028] The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

[0029] Optionally, also include,

[0030] The first network function locally configures or receives at least one of the following from the second network function: all or part of the terminal identifier of the at least one terminal device, a group identifier, and the first indication information.

[0031] Optionally, when the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period or the valid number of times, or when the terminal identifier reaches or exceeds the validity period or the valid number of times, or when all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, or when all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used for or exceeds the valid number of times, the first network function deletes or releases all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device.

[0032] Optionally, also include,

[0033] The first network function sends to the second network function, or sends to the second network function through the fourth network function at least one of the following: all or part of the identifier of the at least one terminal device, the group identifier, and the second indication information.

[0034] Optionally, the second indication information is used to indicate that all or part of the contract information of the terminal device has been deleted or released.

[0035] Optionally, the identifier of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of the electronic product code, a general administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, a subscription permanent identifier SUPI, a subscription hidden identifier SUCI, a general public subscription identifier GPSI, a global unique temporary identifier GUTI, a temporary mobile subscription identifier TMSI, and a permanent equipment identifier PEI; and / or,

[0036] The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device.

[0037] Optionally, the at least one terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0038] Optionally, the first network function includes at least one of the following: unified data management UDM, access and mobility management function AMF, tag management function TMF, unified data storage UDR, network exposure function NEF; and / or,

[0039] The second network function includes at least one of the following: application function AF, NEF, TMF, AMF, policy control function PCF, network storage function NRF; and / or,

[0040] The fourth network function includes at least one of the following: NEF, PCF, session management function SMF, TMF.

[0041] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is applied to a first network function and includes:

[0042] The first network function receives from the second network function, or receives from the second network function through the fifth network function at least one of the following: all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, the validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the number of valid times of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, and the valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device.

[0043] Optionally, the contract information includes at least one of the following:

[0044] All or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, network opening related information.

[0045] Optionally, the mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or,

[0046] The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or,

[0047] The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or,

[0048] The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or,

[0049] The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or

[0050] The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or,

[0051] The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

[0052] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0053] The first network function stores at least one of the following: all or part of the contract information of the at least one terminal device, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, the validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the number of valid times of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, and the number of valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device.

[0054] Optionally, the identifier of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of an electronic product code, a universal administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, or PEI; and / or,

[0055] The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device.

[0056] Optionally, the at least one terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0057] Optionally, the first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF; and / or,

[0058] The second network function includes at least one of the following: AF, NEF, TMF, AMF, PCF, NRF; and / or,

[0059] The fifth network function includes at least one of the following: NEF, PCF, SMF, TMF.

[0060] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is applied to a second network function, including:

[0061] The second network function sends to the first network function, or sends at least one of the following to the first network function through the sixth network function: all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device, the validity period of the terminal device, the valid number of times the terminal device is valid, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the valid number of times the terminal identifier is valid, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid number of times all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, usage information related to subscription to the terminal device, usage information related to subscription to all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, fifth indication information, and first indication information.

[0062] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0063] The first instruction information refers to deleting or releasing all or part of the contract information of the terminal device; and / or,

[0064] The fifth indication information indicates: after accessing / obtaining / calling / updating / using all or part of the contract information once, deleting or releasing all or part of the contract information; or, after accessing / obtaining / calling / updating / using all or part of the contract information the number of times reaches or exceeds a threshold or limit, deleting or releasing all or part of the contract information; and / or,

[0065] The terminal device-related usage information includes at least one of the following: registration and / or deregistration of the terminal device, the number of registrations and / or deregistrations of the terminal device, and the number of registrations and / or deregistrations of the terminal device reaching or exceeding a threshold or limit; and / or,

[0066] The usage information related to the contract information of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / acquired / called / updated / used, the number of times the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / acquired / called / updated / used, and the number of times the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / acquired / called / updated / used reaches or exceeds a threshold or limit.

[0067] Optionally, the contract information includes at least one of the following:

[0068] All or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, network opening related information.

[0069] Optionally, the mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or,

[0070] The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or,

[0071] The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or,

[0072] The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or,

[0073] The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or

[0074] The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or,

[0075] The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

[0076] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0077] The second network function sends the notification information to the first network function, or sends at least one of the following to the first network function through the sixth network function: the first indication information, the identifier of the terminal device, and the group identifier.

[0078] Optionally, the notification information includes at least one of the following: notification information of usage information related to the terminal device, and notification information of usage information related to contract information of the terminal device.

[0079] Optionally, the identifier of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of an electronic product code, a universal administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, or PEI; and / or,

[0080] The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device.

[0081] Optionally, the at least one terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0082] Optionally, the first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF; and / or,

[0083] The second network function includes at least one of the following: AF, NEF, TMF, AMF, PCF, NRF; and / or,

[0084] The sixth network function includes at least one of the following: NEF, PCF, SMF, TMF.

[0085] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, applied to a third network function, including:

[0086] The third network function sends a deregistration request to at least one terminal device and / or access network according to at least one of the following:

[0087] The validity period of the terminal device, the number of validity times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the number of validity times of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the number of validity times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device being accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the location information of the terminal device, and the group identifier;

[0088] or,

[0089] The third network function sends a deregistration request to at least one terminal device and / or access network when obtaining at least one of the following:

[0090] The validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the number of valid times of the terminal identification, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the valid times, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the valid times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid times, all or part of the identification of the terminal device, the location information of the terminal device, and the group identification.

[0091] Optionally, also include,

[0092] The third network function obtains at least one of the following through local configuration: the validity period of the terminal device, the valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the valid times of the terminal identification, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the valid times, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the valid times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, and all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used to reach or exceed the valid times.

[0093] Optionally, the contract information includes at least one of the following:

[0094] All or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, network opening related information.

[0095] Optionally, the mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or,

[0096] The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or,

[0097] The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or,

[0098] The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or,

[0099] The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or

[0100] The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or,

[0101] The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

[0102] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0103] The third network function sends at least one of the following to the first network function: the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and third indication information.

[0104] Optionally, the third indication information is used to request at least one of the following: the validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the number of valid times of the terminal identification, the validity period of the contract information of the terminal device, and the number of valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device.

[0105] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0106] The third network function receives at least one of the following from the first network function: the validity period of the terminal device, the validity times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the validity times of the terminal identification, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the validity times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the valid times, the terminal identification reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal identification reaching or exceeding the valid times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, and all or part of the contract information of the terminal device being accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid times.

[0107] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0108] The third network function sends at least one of the following to the access network: sixth indication information, the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the first time.

[0109] Optionally, the sixth indication information instructs the access network to delete or release the context of the terminal device, and / or requests the access network to send seventh indication information to the terminal device, where the seventh indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to delete or release the identification information of the terminal device; and / or,

[0110] The first time instructs the access network to delete or release the context of the terminal device within / after the first time, and / or requests the access network to send the seventh indication information to the terminal device within / after the first time.

[0111] Optionally, the identifier of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of an electronic product code, a universal administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, or PEI; and / or,

[0112] The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device.

[0113] Optionally, the at least one terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0114] Optionally, the first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF, PCF; and / or,

[0115] The third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF.

[0116] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, applied to a first network function, including:

[0117] The first network function deletes or releases all or part of the subscription information of at least one terminal device according to at least one of the following:

[0118] All or part of the terminal device's identifier, group identifier, and fourth indication information;

[0119] or,

[0120] The first network function deletes or releases all or part of the subscription information of at least one terminal device when obtaining at least one of the following:

[0121] All or part of the terminal device's identification, group identification, and fourth indication information.

[0122] Optionally, the fourth indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal.

[0123] Optionally, the contract information includes at least one of the following:

[0124] All or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, network opening related information.

[0125] Optionally, the mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or,

[0126] The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or,

[0127] The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or,

[0128] The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or,

[0129] The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or

[0130] The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or,

[0131] The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

[0132] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0133] The first network function receives at least one of the following from the third network function: all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

[0134] Optionally, the identifier of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of an electronic product code, a universal administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, or PEI; and / or,

[0135] The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device.

[0136] Optionally, the at least one terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0137] Optionally, the first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF; and / or,

[0138] The third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF, RAN.

[0139] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, applied to a third network function, including:

[0140] The third network function receives at least one of the following from the terminal device and / or the access network:

[0141] All or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

[0142] Optionally, the fourth indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device.

[0143] Optionally, the contract information includes at least one of the following:

[0144] All or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, network opening related information.

[0145] Optionally, the mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or,

[0146] The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or,

[0147] The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or,

[0148] The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or,

[0149] The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or

[0150] The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or,

[0151] The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

[0152] Optionally, the third network function sends at least one of the following to the first network function:

[0153] All or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

[0154] Optionally, the identifier of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of an electronic product code, a universal administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, or PEI; and / or,

[0155] The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device.

[0156] Optionally, the terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0157] Optionally, the first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF; and / or,

[0158] The third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF, RAN.

[0159] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, applied to the fourth function, including:

[0160] The fourth function sends at least one of the following to the third network function:

[0161] All or part of the terminal device's identification, group identification, and fourth indication information.

[0162] Optionally, the fourth indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device.

[0163] Optionally, the contract information includes at least one of the following:

[0164] All or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, network opening related information.

[0165] Optionally, the mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or,

[0166] The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or,

[0167] The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or,

[0168] The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or,

[0169] The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or

[0170] The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or,

[0171] The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

[0172] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0173] The fourth function sends the at least one of the following to the third network function according to the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period and / or the validity number:

[0174] All or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

[0175] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0176] The fourth function receives at least one of the following from the terminal device:

[0177] All or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

[0178] Optionally, the identifier of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of an electronic product code, a universal administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, or PEI; and / or,

[0179] The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device.

[0180] Optionally, the terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0181] Optionally, the third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF, RAN; and / or

[0182] The fourth function includes at least one of the following: RAN, AMF, UDM, TMF, terminal.

[0183] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is applied to a terminal device and includes:

[0184] The terminal device sends at least one of the following to the third network function and / or access network: all or part of the terminal device's identifier, the group identifier, and fourth indication information.

[0185] Optionally, the fourth indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device.

[0186] Optionally, the contract information includes at least one of the following:

[0187] All or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, network opening related information.

[0188] Optionally, the mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or,

[0189] The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or,

[0190] The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or,

[0191] The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or,

[0192] The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or

[0193] The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or,

[0194] The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

[0195] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0196] The terminal device sends the at least one item to the third network function and / or the access network based on at least one of the following: the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the valid number of times, the terminal identifier reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal identifier reaches or exceeds the valid number of times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, and all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaches or exceeds the valid number of times:

[0197] All or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

[0198] Optionally, the identifier of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of an electronic product code, a universal administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, or PEI; and / or,

[0199] The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device.

[0200] Optionally, the terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0201] Optionally, the first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF; and / or,

[0202] The third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF, RAN.

[0203] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network function, including a transceiver and a processor, wherein:

[0204] The processor is used to delete or release all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device.

[0205] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network function, including: a processor, a memory, and a program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the program, when executed by the processor, implements the steps of the method described in any one of the first aspects.

[0206] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network function, including a transceiver and a processor, wherein:

[0207] The transceiver is used to receive from the second network function, or receive at least one of the following from the second network function through the fifth network function: all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, the validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the valid number of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, and the valid number of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device.

[0208] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network function, including: a processor, a memory, and a program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, wherein when the program is executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in any one of the second aspects are implemented.

[0209] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second network function, including a transceiver and a processor, wherein:

[0210] The transceiver is used to send to the first network function, or send at least one of the following items to the first network function through the sixth network function: all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device, the validity period of the terminal device, the valid number of times the terminal device is valid, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the valid number of times the terminal identifier is valid, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid number of times all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, usage information related to subscription to the terminal device, usage information related to subscription to all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, fifth indication information, and first indication information.

[0211] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second network function, comprising: a processor, a memory, and a program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the program, when executed by the processor, implements the steps of the method described in any one of the third aspects.

[0212] In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a third network function, including a transceiver and a processor, wherein:

[0213] The transceiver is configured to send a deregistration request to at least one terminal device and / or access network according to at least one of the following:

[0214] The validity period of the terminal device, the number of validity times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the number of validity times of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the number of validity times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device being accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the location information of the terminal device, and the group identifier;

[0215] or,

[0216] Sending a deregistration request to at least one terminal device and / or access network upon obtaining at least one of the following:

[0217] The validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the number of valid times of the terminal identification, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the valid times, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the valid times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid times, all or part of the identification of the terminal device, the location information of the terminal device, and the group identification.

[0218] In the sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a third network function, including: a processor, a memory, and a program stored on the memory and runnable on the processor, wherein when the program is executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in any one of the fourth aspects are implemented.

[0219] In a seventeenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network function, including a transceiver and a processor, wherein:

[0220] The processor is configured to:

[0221] Deleting or releasing all or part of the subscription information of at least one terminal device according to at least one of the following:

[0222] All or part of the terminal device's identifier, group identifier, and fourth indication information;

[0223] or,

[0224] Delete or release all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device when at least one of the following is obtained:

[0225] All or part of the terminal device's identification, group identification, and fourth indication information.

[0226] In the eighteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network function, including: a processor, a memory, and a program stored on the memory and runnable on the processor, wherein when the program is executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in any one of the fifth aspects are implemented.

[0227] In a nineteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a third network function, including a transceiver and a processor, wherein:

[0228] The transceiver is used to receive at least one of the following from the terminal device and / or the access network: all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and fourth indication information.

[0229] In the twentieth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a third network function, including: a processor, a memory, and a program stored on the memory and runnable on the processor, wherein when the program is executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in any one of the sixth aspects are implemented.

[0230] In a twenty-first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fourth function, including a transceiver and a processor, wherein:

[0231] The transceiver is configured to send at least one of the following to the third network function: all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and fourth indication information.

[0232] In aspect 22, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fourth function, including: a processor, a memory, and a program stored on the memory and runnable on the processor, wherein when the program is executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in any one of aspect 7 are implemented.

[0233] In a twenty-third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal device, including a transceiver and a processor, wherein:

[0234] The transceiver is used to send at least one of the following to the third network function and / or access network: all or part of the terminal device's identifier, the group identifier, and fourth indication information.

[0235] In the twenty-fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal device comprising: a processor, a memory, and a program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, wherein when the program is executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in any one of the aspects of the eighth aspect are implemented.

[0236] In aspect 25, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a program is stored. When the program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method described above are implemented.

[0237] In aspect 26, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program product, comprising computer instructions, which implement the steps of the method described above when executed by a processor.

[0238] Compared to related technologies, the communication method, network function, and storage medium provided by the disclosed embodiments enable the deletion of tag information from terminal devices, such as Ambient IoT devices, and the timely removal of expired device subscription information, thereby reducing the amount of local storage space occupied by subscription information and improving storage resource utilization. Furthermore, the disclosed embodiments also enable the reception and storage of subscription information for terminal devices, as well as the registration and deregistration of terminal devices.

[0239] Specifically, at least one embodiment of the present disclosure implements the registration of terminal devices (such as Ambient IoT devices), which has the following beneficial effects: When a terminal device (such as an Ambient IoT device) is registered with the network, it is possible to integrate passive devices with the mobile network, introducing the capabilities of the mobile network into the management and related information processing of passive devices. Specifically, it has at least the following beneficial effects: a) facilitating the unified management of Ambient IoT devices, b) facilitating the transmission of massive amounts of data from Ambient IoT devices or large-scale / long-distance data transmission, and c) leveraging the data processing capabilities of the core network. At least one embodiment of the present disclosure uses EPC (or partial fields of EPC) as the identifier of terminal devices (such as Ambient IoT devices), which has the following beneficial effects: reusing the management mechanism of existing passive devices, and realizing unified management of passive devices by utilizing the capabilities of the core network without making major modifications to the existing passive tag management mechanism, which is simple and easy to implement; at the same time, since there is no major change to the existing passive devices, the passive devices can also be compatible with other existing passive Internet of Things (Ambient IoT, AIoT) device usage methods. For example, for the processing of a small number of tags or home scenarios, a simple handheld barcode scanner can also use the passive device without the need to purchase core network services separately, which is more flexible and economical.

[0240] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure implements the deletion or release of contract information, which has the following beneficial effects: the terminal device (such as an Ambient IoT device) is low-cost, so in actual use, the tag may be discarded or no longer used after use (for example, when the goods are sold, the logistics are delivered, the monitoring is completed, etc.). However, the contract information of the Ambient IoT device will always be stored in the network. Due to the large number of Ambient IoT devices, a large amount of contract information that will no longer be used will be stored in the network, wasting network resources. Dynamically deleting or releasing contract information on demand can save network resources. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0241] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment below. The accompanying drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not to be considered as limiting the present disclosure. The same reference symbols are used throughout the drawings to represent the same components. In the drawings:

[0242] Figures 1A to 1E are diagrams illustrating several examples of connection modes for passive IoT devices;

[0243] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a 5G non-roaming network in the related art;

[0244] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a simplified network architecture;

[0245] FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when applied to a first network function;

[0246] FIG5 is another flow chart of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when applied to the first network function;

[0247] FIG6 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when applied to a second network function;

[0248] FIG7 is a flowchart of Example 1 of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0249] FIG8 is a flowchart of Example 2 of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0250] FIG9 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when applied to a third network function;

[0251] FIG10 is a flowchart of Example 3 of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0252] FIG11 is another flow chart of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when applied to the first network function;

[0253] FIG12 is another flow chart of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when applied to a third network function;

[0254] FIG13 is a flow chart of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when applied to the fourth function;

[0255] FIG14 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when applied to a terminal device;

[0256] FIG15 is a flowchart of Example 4 of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0257] FIG16 is a schematic structural diagram of a first network function according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0258] FIG17 is another schematic structural diagram of the first network function according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0259] FIG18 is a schematic structural diagram of a second network function according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0260] FIG19 is a schematic structural diagram of a third network function according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0261] FIG20 is another schematic structural diagram of the first network function according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0262] FIG21 is another schematic diagram of the structure of the third network function according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0263] FIG22 is a schematic structural diagram of the fourth function of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0264] FIG23 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0265] FIG24 is another schematic diagram of the structure of the network function according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0266] FIG25 is another structural diagram of the fourth function of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0267] FIG26 is another structural diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0268] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to enable a more thorough understanding of the present disclosure and to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0269] The terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present disclosure are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein can, for example, be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or that are inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices. "And / or" in the specification and claims represents at least one of the connected objects. In addition, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, " / " represents the meaning of or, for example, A / B / C represents A or B or C.

[0270] The technology described herein is not limited to New Radio (NR) systems and Long Time Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, and can also be used in various wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably. A CDMA system can implement radio technologies such as CDMA2000 and Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA). UTRA includes Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) and other CDMA variants. A TDMA system can implement radio technologies such as Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM). OFDMA systems can implement radio technologies such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Evolution-UTRA (E-UTRA), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.21 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, and Flash-OFDM. UTRA and E-UTRA are parts of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). LTE and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) are new versions of UMTS that use E-UTRA.UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, and GSM are described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2). The techniques described herein may be used for the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as for other systems and radio technologies. However, the following description describes an NR system for example purposes, and NR terminology is used in much of the following description, although the techniques may also be applicable to applications other than NR system applications.

[0271] The following description provides examples and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configuration set forth in the claims. Changes may be made to the function and arrangement of the elements discussed without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. The various examples may appropriately omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components. For example, the described methods may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. In addition, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0272] Currently, 3GPP has defined several application scenarios for Ambient IoT, which generally cover both indoor and outdoor areas. Indoor scenarios (or local-area scenarios) include inventory management, electronic price tags, and small item retrieval. Outdoor scenarios (or wide-area scenarios) include logistics and transportation, public facility monitoring, and smart ranching.

[0273] Radio Access Network (RAN): The TR 38.848 standard defines three types of passive IoT (Ambient IoT) devices, as shown in Table 1 below: Class A, Class B, and Class C. Class A devices lack energy storage and active signaling capabilities, with power consumption in the μW range. Class C devices have energy storage and active signaling capabilities, with power consumption in the mW range. Class B devices have energy storage but no active signaling capabilities, with power consumption somewhere between Class A and Class C. As can be seen, Class A, Class B, and Class C devices increase in complexity.

[0274] Table 1

[0275] In addition, there are four connection modes for passive IoT devices, including:

[0276] Direct connection: The passive IoT device is directly connected to the base station, as shown in Figure 1A;

[0277] Relay type: Passive IoT devices are connected to the base station through an intermediate node, as shown in Figure 1B;

[0278] Uplink or downlink relay type: On the uplink, the passive IoT device is connected to the base station through an assisting node, and on the downlink, the passive IoT device is directly connected to the base station, as shown in Figure 1C; or, on the downlink, the passive IoT device is connected to the base station through an assisting node, and on the uplink, the passive IoT device is directly connected to the base station, as shown in Figure 1D.

[0279] Standalone: ​​The passive IoT device is connected to the terminal device, as shown in Figure 1E.

[0280] An architecture of a 5G non-roaming network of related technology is shown in Figure 2, which mainly includes: Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Application Function (AF), Unified Data Management (UDM), and User Plane Function (UPF). The core network functions are not fully marked in the architecture shown in Figure 2. It should be noted that in the embodiment of this disclosure, only the core network equipment in the NR system is introduced as an example, and the specific type of the core network equipment is not limited.

[0281] Ambient IoT devices are simple, and the services they require are usually relatively simple, but the number is often large, and many scenarios may actually be deployed within the park. Therefore, there is an idea to simplify the network architecture, such as the architecture shown in Figure 3, which includes a network repository function (NRF), AF, AMF, and UDM. It should be noted that the architecture shown in Figure 3 is only an example of a simplified architecture that can be applied to the embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the above architecture, and the Ambient IoT architecture actually adopted may be similar to or even the same as Figure 3, or may be different from Figure 3, or may reuse the architecture shown in Figure 2. However, these do not affect the applicability of the disclosed solution. For example, the architecture shown in Figure 2 includes the network elements and connection methods shown in Figure 3.

[0282] Another point that needs to be explained is that with the development of communication standards and the evolution of network architecture, the names and functions of the network functions in the figure may change. For example, in some architectures, a new network function replaces (or partially replaces) UDM to perform registration and contract management of passive tags (for example, this network function can be called: Tag Management Function, TMF), or the charging function (CHF) is merged with UDM.

[0283] Because Ambient IoT devices (sometimes referred to as Ambient IoT tags or labels in this article) are simple and inexpensive, they may not be used again after their lifecycle (e.g., goods sold, courier delivered, data recorded). Given the widespread use of Ambient IoT devices, they should be promptly registered.

[0284] It should also be noted that, in this article, the tag is the UE. The current 3GPP standard usually uses Ambient IoT devices. In this article, the Ambient IoT devices are sometimes referred to as tags for ease of understanding. In this article, the words "terminal device", "tag", "UE", "Ambient IoT device" and the like can be arbitrarily replaced with each other. In addition, the UE is not necessarily a tag or an Ambient IoT device, but may also be any function or entity that can provide an Ambient IoT identifier, such as an entity that collects and stores tag identifiers and / or other information (not necessarily a 3GPP network function). The following embodiments in this article can be applied to the direct connection mode shown in Figure 1A, or can also be applied to other connection modes, and the present disclosure is not limited.

[0285] Furthermore, given the large number of Ambient IoT devices and their "burn after use" nature, it's necessary to promptly delete the contract information for used Ambient IoT devices. This not only saves storage space for contract data, but also provides a more secure way to destroy unused devices and data.

[0286] Currently, relevant technologies do not support deleting the contract information of Ambient IoT devices through network-side methods or processes.

[0287] Referring to FIG. 4 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which, when applied to a first network function, includes:

[0288] Step 41: The first network function deletes or releases all or part of the subscription information of at least one terminal device.

[0289] Here, the first network function stores the contract information of multiple terminal devices. Through step 41, the first network function deletes all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device, for example, all the contract information of several terminal devices is deleted, or part of the contract information of several terminal devices is deleted, or all the contract information of a first number of terminal devices is deleted, and part of the contract information of a second number of terminal devices is deleted, and so on.

[0290] Through the above steps, the disclosed embodiment can delete the tag information of terminal devices, such as Ambient IoT devices, promptly clear the contract information of expired devices, reduce the occupation of local storage space by contract information, and improve the resource utilization of storage space.

[0291] Due to the low cost of Ambient IoT devices, in actual use, tags may be discarded or no longer used after use (e.g., when goods are sold, logistics are delivered, monitoring ends, etc.). However, the contract information of Ambient IoT devices is usually stored on the network. Due to the large number of Ambient IoT devices, a large amount of unused contract information is stored on the network, wasting network resources. Through the embodiments of the present disclosure, contract information can be dynamically deleted or released on demand, saving network resources.

[0292] Here, as an optional implementation, in step 41, the first network function may delete or release all or part of the subscription information of at least one of the terminal devices according to at least one of the following:

[0293] 1) All or part of the contract information of the terminal device;

[0294] 2) the validity period of the terminal device;

[0295] 3) The number of times the terminal device is valid;

[0296] 4) Validity period of the terminal identification;

[0297] 5) The number of times the terminal identification is valid;

[0298] 6) the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device;

[0299] 7) The number of times all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is valid;

[0300] 8) The terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, that is, the validity period of the terminal device reaches or exceeds;

[0301] 9) The terminal device reaches or exceeds the valid number of times, that is, reaches or exceeds the valid number of times of the terminal device;

[0302] 10) The terminal identification reaches or exceeds the validity period, that is, the validity period of the terminal identification reaches or exceeds;

[0303] 11) The terminal identification reaches or exceeds the valid number of times, that is, the valid number of times of the terminal identification reaches or exceeds;

[0304] 12) All or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, that is, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds;

[0305] 13) The whole or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used at or above the valid number of times, i.e., the whole or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used at or above the valid number of times;

[0306] 14) All or part of the identification of the terminal device;

[0307] 15) Group identification of the terminal device;

[0308] 16) location information of the terminal device;

[0309] 17) first instruction information;

[0310] 18) Fifth indication information.

[0311] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the validity period may refer to a certain time. After the expiration of this time, the terminal device and / or contract information associated with the validity period is no longer valid, and / or will no longer be used, and / or does not need to be stored (i.e., it can be deleted or released). The validity period may be an absolute time (e.g., 23:59:59, December 31, 2024, standard time) or a relative time (e.g., 12 months after the contract information begins to be stored).

[0312] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the valid number of times may refer to a certain value. When the number of times the terminal device associated with the validity period registers / transmits data / establishes a session / provides or receives services reaches or exceeds the value, and / or all or part of the contract information associated with the validity period is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaches or exceeds the value, then the terminal device and / or contract information is no longer valid, and / or will no longer be used, and / or does not need to be stored (i.e., it can be deleted or released).

[0313] For example, the contract information of the terminal device may include information such as the validity period and the number of valid uses of the contract information. In this way, the first network function may determine the validity period or the number of valid uses of the contract information of the terminal device according to the above item 1, that is, according to all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, and decide whether to delete all or part of the contract information of the corresponding terminal device according to whether the validity period / the number of valid uses of the terminal device has been reached.

[0314] For another example, the above-mentioned items 2 to 13 contain relevant information such as the validity period, valid times, etc. The first network function can decide whether to delete all or part of the contract information of the corresponding terminal device based on whether the validity period or valid times has been reached or exceeded. For example, when the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period or the valid times (for example, the number of times the terminal device registers / transmits data / establishes a session / provides or receives services reaches or exceeds the valid times), or, when the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the validity period or the valid times (for example, it is accessed / obtained / used and reaches or exceeds the validity period or the valid times), or, when all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, or, when all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used and reaches or exceeds the valid times, the first network function deletes or releases all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device.

[0315] For another example, the first network function can determine whether all or part of the terminal device's identifier matches the identifier of the terminal device whose contract information is to be deleted based on item 14 above, that is, based on all or part of the terminal device's identifier, and then decide whether to delete all or part of the contract information of the terminal device based on the matching result.

[0316] For another example, the first network function can determine, based on item 15 above, that is, based on the group identifier of the terminal device, whether the group identifier of the terminal device matches the group identifier of the terminal device group whose contract information is to be deleted, and then decide whether to delete all or part of the contract information of the terminal device based on the matching result.

[0317] For another example, the first indication information may instruct the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device. In this way, the first network function may delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device according to the first indication information of item 16 above.

[0318] For another example, the fifth indication information can be used to indicate: after all or part of the contract information is accessed / acquired / called / updated / used once, the whole or part of the contract information is deleted or released; or after the number of times all or part of the contract information is accessed / acquired / called / updated / used reaches or exceeds a threshold or limit, the whole or part of the contract information is deleted or released. In this way, the first network function can, based on the fifth indication information, delete all or part of the contract information after all or part of the contract information is accessed / acquired / called / updated / used once; or delete or release all or part of the contract information after the number of times all or part of the contract information is accessed / acquired / called / updated / used reaches or exceeds a threshold or limit.

[0319] For another example, the first network function may further delete or release all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device according to multiple items of items 1 to 17 above. For example, according to items 8 and 9 above, when the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period of the terminal device, or when the terminal device reaches or exceeds the number of valid uses of the terminal device, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is deleted.

[0320] As another optional implementation, in step 41, the first network function may delete or release all or part of the subscription information of at least one terminal device when obtaining at least one of the following:

[0321] 1) All or part of the contract information of the terminal device;

[0322] 2) the validity period of the terminal device;

[0323] 3) The number of times the terminal device is valid;

[0324] 4) Validity period of the terminal identification;

[0325] 5) The number of times the terminal identification is valid;

[0326] 6) the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device;

[0327] 7) The number of times all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is valid;

[0328] 8) The terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period;

[0329] 9) The terminal device reaches or exceeds the valid times;

[0330] 10) The terminal identification reaches or exceeds the validity period;

[0331] 11) The terminal identification reaches or exceeds the valid times;

[0332] 12) All or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period;

[0333] 13) All or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / acquired / called / updated / used for a maximum or exceeding number of times;

[0334] 14) All or part of the identification of the terminal device;

[0335] 15) Group identification of the terminal device;

[0336] 16) location information of the terminal device;

[0337] 17) first instruction information;

[0338] 18) Fifth indication information.

[0339] For example, the validity period may refer to a time period after which the terminal device and / or contract information associated with the validity period is no longer valid, will no longer be used, and / or does not need to be stored (i.e., can be deleted or released). The validity period may be an absolute time (e.g., 23:59:59, December 31, 2024, standard time) or a relative time (e.g., 12 months after the contract information begins to be stored).

[0340] For example, the number of valid times may refer to a certain value. When the number of times the terminal device associated with the validity period registers / transmits data / establishes a session / provides or receives services reaches or exceeds this value, and / or the number of times all or part of the contract information associated with the validity period is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaches or exceeds this value, then the terminal device and / or contract information is no longer valid, and / or will no longer be used, and / or does not need to be stored (i.e., it can be deleted or released).

[0341] Items 1 to 17 above have been described above. When the first network function obtains one or more of items 1 to 17 above, it deletes or releases all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device. Specifically, the first network function may obtain one or more of items 1 to 17 above from local configuration information, or obtain one or more of items 1 to 17 above from other network functions or network entities.

[0342] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the contract information includes at least one of the following:

[0343] All or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identification (ID), mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, and network opening related information.

[0344] For example, a positioning accuracy of 1m means that positioning can be accurate to a granularity of 1m, or a positioning accuracy of cell means that positioning can be performed on a certain cell but not on a specific location within the cell, and so on.

[0345] The billing method includes, for example, billing by number of times used, billing by usage time, billing by traffic volume, one-time billing, etc.

[0346] Specifically, the mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: whether mobility management is allowed or not allowed, whether mobility management is supported or not supported, and whether mobility management is required or not required.

[0347] The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, and requiring or not requiring session establishment.

[0348] The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission.

[0349] The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging.

[0350] The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration.

[0351] The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration.

[0352] The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

[0353] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first network function may be locally configured or receive at least one of the following from a second network function: all or part of the terminal identifier of the at least one terminal device, a group identifier, and the first indication information. For example, the first network function may be locally configured or receive from a second network function all or part of the terminal identifier of the at least one terminal device, the group identifier of the at least one terminal device, or the first indication information. In this way, the first network function deletes or releases the subscription information of the at least one terminal device, thereby achieving targeted subscription information management.

[0354] In the disclosed embodiment, the first network function may also send, or send to the second network function via a fourth network function, at least one of the following: all or part of the identifier of the at least one terminal device, a group identifier, and second indication information. Here, the second indication information is used to indicate that all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device has been deleted or released. By sending the above information, the second network function is informed that the subscription information of the relevant terminal device has been deleted.

[0355] In addition, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the identifier of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: electronic product code, partial field of the electronic product code, universal administrator number, item category, PLMN identifier, group identifier, subscription permanent identifier (SUPI), subscription concealed identifier (SUCI), generic public subscription identifier (GPSI), globally unique temporary identity (GUTI), temporary mobile subscription identifier (TMSI), and permanent equipment identifier (PEI). The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive Internet of Things device.

[0356] Optionally, the at least one terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0357] In the disclosed embodiments, the Electronic Product Code (EPC) or a portion of the EPC field can be used as a terminal device identifier, for example, as a tag identifier for an Ambient IoT device. The terminal device identifiers inside and outside the contract information can be in different formats. For example, the contract information may include the company number, while the terminal device identifier sent outside the contract information may be the complete EPC.

[0358] Using EPC (or part of the EPC field) as the tag identification of the terminal device has at least the following beneficial effects: 1) Reusing the management mechanism of the current passive device, without the need to make major modifications to the existing passive tag management mechanism, it is simple and easy to implement to achieve unified management of passive devices using the core network capabilities; 2) At the same time, since there is no major change to the current passive device, the passive device can also be compatible with other existing A-IoT device usage methods. For example, for the processing of a small number of tags or home scenarios, a simple handheld barcode scanner can also use the passive device without the need to purchase core network services separately, which is more flexible and economical.

[0359] The first network function includes at least one of the following: a unified data management (UDM) function, an access and mobility management function (AMF), a tag management function (TMF), a unified data repository (UDR), and a network exposure function (NEF). For example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the first network function is UDM), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the first network function has some functions of UDM, some functions of AMF, and all functions of TMF). Here, TMF is a network function that can be used to perform at least one of the following: registration of passive tags, contract management, and contract information storage.

[0360] The second network function includes at least one of the following: application function (AF), NEF, TMF, AMF, policy control function (PCF), network storage function (NRF), for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the second network function is AF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the second network function has some functions of NEF and all functions of AF).

[0361] The fourth network function includes at least one of the following: NEF, PCF, Session Management Function (SMF), TMF, for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the fourth network function is NEF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the fourth network function has some functions of PCF and some functions of SMF).

[0362] In this embodiment, the first network function deletes or releases all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device. The deletion or release of the contract information of at least one terminal device can be the contract information received by the first network function from the second network function, or the contract information received from the second network function via the fifth network function. Specifically, before the above step 41, this embodiment can also include the following steps:

[0363] Step 40: The first network function receives from the second network function, or receives from the second network function through the fifth network function at least one of the following information: all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, the validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the number of valid times of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, and the number of valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device.

[0364] Furthermore, after receiving the at least one item of information, the first network function may store the at least one item of information.

[0365] Referring to FIG. 5 , another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which, when applied to a first network function, includes:

[0366] In step 51, the first network function receives from the second network function, or receives from the second network function through the fifth network function at least one of the following: all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, the validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the number of valid times of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, and the number of valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device.

[0367] Here, the contract information may include at least one of the following:

[0368] All or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, network opening related information.

[0369] Specifically, the mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management;

[0370] The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment;

[0371] The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission;

[0372] The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; for example, a positioning accuracy of 1m means that positioning can be accurate to a granularity of 1m, or a positioning accuracy of cell means that positioning can be performed on a specific cell but not on a specific location within the cell, etc.;

[0373] The billing method includes billing by number of times used, billing by usage time, billing by traffic volume, one-time billing, etc.

[0374] The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration;

[0375] The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration;

[0376] The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

[0377] Through the above steps, the first network function of the embodiment of the present disclosure can obtain all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device, so that the first network function can locally store the contract information of the at least one terminal device. For example, the first network function can store at least one of the following: all or part of the contract information of the at least one terminal device, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, the validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the number of valid times of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, and the number of valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device.

[0378] Here, the terminal device identifier includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of an electronic product code, a universal administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, a SUPI, a SUCI, a GPSI, a GUTI, a TMSI, or a PEI; the device type includes at least one of the following: a Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device. The at least one terminal device is a passive IoT device and / or a tag.

[0379] The first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF, for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the first network function is UDM), or has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the first network function has part of the functions of UDM, part of the functions of AMF and all of the functions of TMF);

[0380] The second network function includes at least one of the following: AF, NEF, TMF, AMF, PCF, NRF, for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the second network function is AF), or has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the second network function has part of the functions of NEF and all the functions of AF);

[0381] The fifth network function includes at least one of the following: NEF, PCF, SMF, TMF, for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the fifth network function is NEF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the fifth network function has some functions of PCF and some functions of NEF).

[0382] Furthermore, the first network function may also manage the locally stored subscription information. For example, through the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 above, the first network function may delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device.

[0383] Through the above steps, the disclosed embodiment can save the contract information of the terminal device, for example, to achieve Ambient IoT device registration. By registering the terminal device, such as the Ambient IoT device, with the network, the passive device can be combined with the mobile network, thereby introducing the capabilities of the mobile network into the management of the passive device and related information processing. Specifically, it has at least the following beneficial effects: a) facilitating the unified management of Ambient IoT devices, b) facilitating the transmission of massive data from Ambient IoT devices or large-scale / long-distance data transmission, and c) utilizing the data processing capabilities of the core network.

[0384] Referring to FIG. 6 , another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which, when applied to a second network function, includes:

[0385] Step 61: The second network function sends to the first network function, or sends at least one of the following to the first network function through the sixth network function: all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device, the validity period of the terminal device, the valid number of times the terminal device is valid, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the valid number of times the terminal identifier is valid, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid number of times all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, usage information related to subscription to the terminal device, usage information related to subscription to all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, fifth indication information, and first indication information.

[0386] Here, the first indication information refers to deleting or releasing all or part of the contract information of the terminal device. The fifth indication information indicates that: after accessing / acquiring / calling / updating / using all or part of the contract information once, all or part of the contract information is deleted or released; or after accessing / acquiring / calling / updating / using all or part of the contract information a number of times reaches or exceeds a threshold or limit, all or part of the contract information is deleted or released.

[0387] The terminal device-related usage information includes at least one of the following: registration and / or deregistration of the terminal device, the number of registrations and / or deregistrations of the terminal device, and the number of registrations and / or deregistrations of the terminal device reaching or exceeding a threshold or limit.

[0388] The usage information related to the contract information of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / acquired / called / updated / used, the number of times the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / acquired / called / updated / used, and the number of times the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / acquired / called / updated / used reaches or exceeds a threshold or limit.

[0389] The contract information includes at least one of the following: all or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, and network openness related information.

[0390] The mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: whether mobility management is allowed or not allowed, whether mobility management is supported or not supported, and whether mobility management is required or not required.

[0391] The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, and requiring or not requiring session establishment.

[0392] The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission.

[0393] The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging.

[0394] For example, a positioning accuracy of 1m means that positioning can be accurate to a granularity of 1m, or a positioning accuracy of cell means that positioning can be performed on a certain cell but not on a specific location within the cell, and so on.

[0395] The billing method includes, for example, billing by number of times used, billing by usage time, billing by traffic volume, one-time billing, etc.

[0396] The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration.

[0397] The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration.

[0398] The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

[0399] Through the above steps, the second network function can send the contract information of the terminal device to the first network function, or, by sending the first indication information or the fifth indication information, request the first network function to delete or release the contract information of the relevant terminal device, thereby realizing the management of the contract information of the terminal device.

[0400] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second network function may send, based on the notification information, at least one of the following to the first network function, or send, via the sixth network function, to the first network function: the first indication information, the identifier of the terminal device, and the group identifier. Here, the notification information includes at least one of the following: notification information of usage information related to the terminal device, and notification information of usage information related to the contract information of the terminal device.

[0401] Here, the terminal device identifier includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of an electronic product code, a universal administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, a SUPI, a SUCI, a GPSI, a GUTI, a TMSI, or a PEI. The device type includes at least one of the following: a Class A, Class B, or Class C passive IoT device. The at least one terminal device is a passive IoT device and / or a tag.

[0402] The first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF. For example, it can be any one of the above network functions (for example, the first network function is UDM), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the first network function has some functions of UDM, some functions of AMF, and all functions of TMF). The second network function includes at least one of the following: AF, NEF, TMF, AMF, PCF, NRF. For example, it can be any one of the above network functions (for example, the second network function is AF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the second network function has some functions of NEF and all functions of AF). The sixth network function includes at least one of the following: NEF, PCF, SMF, TMF. For example, it can be any one of the above network functions (for example, the sixth network function is NEF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the sixth network function has some functions of NEF and some functions of SMF).

[0403] The above describes multiple embodiments of the communication method of the present disclosure from the perspectives of the first network function and the second network function. Below, we use the first network function as a UDM, the second network function as an AF, and the terminal device as a tag as an example. Examples 1 and 2 of the interaction between the network functions will further illustrate the above embodiments.

[0404] Example 1

[0405] In Example 1, the UDM receives the tag identifier and contract information from the AF, and deletes the contract information according to the AF's instructions. The process is shown in Figure 7 and includes:

[0406] Step 701: AF sends one or more tag identifiers and corresponding contract information to UDM.

[0407] Here, the tag identification includes one or more of the following: all or part of the fields of the Electronic Product Code (EPC), the general manager number (a field of the EPC, also called the enterprise number), the object class (another field of the EPC), and the group ID.

[0408] It should be noted that if the contract information corresponding to multiple tags is to be sent, the tag identifier can be a set / list of multiple tag identifiers, or a group ID, or a partial field of the tag identifier. In one possible implementation, if a partial field of the tag identifier is sent, it means all tag identifiers that match the field. For example, if the enterprise identifier is 0x000001F, it is equivalent to sending all tags that meet the 28-bit value of the enterprise identifier of 0x000001F (similar to the principle of mask). It can be understood that if it is sent in the form of an identifier set / list, each tag can correspond to the same or different contract information; if it is sent in the form of a partial field or group ID, at least one tag identifier represented by the same partial field or group ID corresponds to the same contract information.

[0409] The contract information may include one or more of the following: tag identification, enterprise-related information, item category-related information, PLMN identification, whether positioning or ranging is allowed, whether mobility management needs to be performed, whether sessions are supported, and billing method.

[0410] It should also be noted that the tag identifier can be included in the tag's contract information, outside of the contract information, or both. In the third case, the tag identifiers inside and outside the contract information can be different formats. For example, the contract information may include the enterprise number, while the tag identifier sent outside the contract information is the complete EPC.

[0411] In addition, the embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit the path for the AF to send the above information to the UDM, such as whether it is forwarded via the NEF; nor does it limit whether there is any encapsulation change during the forwarding process. It only focuses on the information being sent from the AF to the UDM.

[0412] For the specific implementation of the EPC fields in this step, please refer to the field description of GID-96 (a commonly used EPC) shown in Table 2. GID-96 includes an 8-bit EPC header, a 28-bit general manager number, a 24-bit object class, and a 36-bit serial number, which will not be repeated here.

[0413] Table 2

[0414] Using EPC (or part of the EPC field) as the tag identifier of Ambient IoT devices has at least the following beneficial effects: 1) Reusing the management mechanism of existing passive devices, and realizing unified management of passive devices by utilizing the capabilities of the core network without making major modifications to the existing passive tag management mechanism, which is simple and easy to implement; 2) At the same time, since there is no major change to the existing passive devices, the passive devices can also be compatible with other existing A-IoT device usage methods. For example, for the processing of a small number of tags or home scenarios, a simple handheld barcode scanner can also use the passive device without the need to purchase core network services separately, which is more flexible and economical.

[0415] Step 702: UDM stores the tag's identification and contract information.

[0416] Step 703: The UDM sends a response to the AF. This example does not limit the forwarding path of the message.

[0417] Step 704: AF determines to instruct UDM to delete the corresponding contract information based on the completion of label usage.

[0418] This example does not limit how AF determines that a tag has been used up. This behavior may be determined automatically by AF's program, by the user, or by other means. Use-completed means that the tag is no longer in use. In addition, it is understood that the tag that has been used up may be all or part (at least one) of the tags in step 701.

[0419] Step 705: The AF sends a request message to the UDM to request deletion of subscription information of at least one tag. The request message includes the tag identifier (or any UE) of the tag that has been used.

[0420] Here, the request can be implicitly completed through the message itself, such as calling a new network service, which indicates the deletion of the tag's contract information; or by carrying instruction information 1 in the message, explicitly indicating the deletion of the tag's contract information; or, according to the local logical configuration of the UDM, the tag's contract information is automatically deleted after receiving the message.

[0421] Step 706: The UDM deletes the contract information of the tag according to the request message and / or instruction information 1.

[0422] Here, the UDM deletes the contract information corresponding to the tag identifier received in step 705.

[0423] Step 707: UDM sends a response message to AF.

[0424] Step 708: UDM initiates deregistration of the corresponding tag.

[0425] Here, the deregistration process can be performed according to relevant technologies, or with reference to all or part of the steps (such as steps 1004-1007) of Example 3 below.

[0426] It should be noted that the UDM in this example is only an example and may be other network functions, such as UDR, TMF, PCF, SMF, AMF, etc.; the interaction between AF and UDM (or other network functions) (including AF sending information to UDM and UDM sending information to AF) may be a direct interface or forwarding through other network functions or entities (for example, forwarding through one or more network functions in NEF, UDR, PCF, SMF, AMF), and the information may be encapsulated or the format may be changed during forwarding.

[0427] It should also be noted that the subscription information here may be that of at least one UE, or at least one RAN, or at least one RAN-related UE, or multiple of the above.

[0428] Example 2:

[0429] In this example, the UDM receives contract information from the AF and deletes the contract information based on the validity period of the tag. The process is shown in Figure 8 and includes:

[0430] Steps 801 to 803 are the same as 701 to 703 in Example 1, except that step 801 also carries the validity period and / or validity times corresponding to the tag, and in step 802 the UDM also stores the validity period and / or validity times of the tag accordingly.

[0431] Here, the expiration date is the point in time after which a tag will not, need not, should not, or is not allowed to register with the network or perform any network processes. For example, a product's expiration date means that if it has not been shipped after the expiration date, it should not be sold again. Another example is a tag that transmits data changes monitored by a sensor within a year; after that year, the tag will no longer be used.

[0432] The validity period can be a specific time point or time period, such as 23:59:59 on December 31, 2023; it can also be a period from the moment of receipt, such as 48 hours from a certain time. The validity count can be an upper limit on the number of times a tag can be accessed, obtained, or used. If the validity count is reached or exceeded, the tag will not, need not, should not, or is not allowed to register with the network or perform any network processes.

[0433] In addition, it is understandable that not every tag necessarily has a corresponding validity period and / or number of validity times.

[0434] In addition, the validity period and / or the number of valid times can be included in the contract information or can be a separate information element.

[0435] In step 804 , the UDM determines whether all or part of the tags have reached / exceeded their validity period and / or validity times.

[0436] Step 805: UDM deletes the contract information of the tag that has reached / exceeded the validity period and / or the number of valid times.

[0437] Step 806, optionally, the UDM may send a notification to the AF, indicating that the contract information has been deleted, including an identifier of the tag of the deleted contract information.

[0438] Here, the notification message can be implicitly completed through the message itself, such as calling a new network service, which indicates that the contract information has been deleted; or by carrying indication information 2 in the message to explicitly notify that the contract information has been deleted; or, according to the local logical configuration of AF, the contract information is automatically perceived to have been deleted after receiving the notification message.

[0439] Step 807: UDM initiates deregistration of the corresponding tag.

[0440] Here, the deregistration process can be performed according to relevant technologies, or with reference to all or part of the steps (such as steps 1004-1007) of Example 3 below.

[0441] It should be noted that the UDM in this example is only an example and may be other network functions, such as UDR, TMF, PCF, SMF, AMF, etc.; the interaction between AF and UDM (or other network functions) (including AF sending information to UDM and UDM sending information to AF) may be a direct interface or forwarding through other network functions or entities (for example, forwarding through one or more network functions in NEF, UDR, PCF, SMF, AMF), and the information may be encapsulated or the format may be changed during forwarding.

[0442] It should also be noted that the subscription information here may be that of at least one UE, or at least one RAN, or at least one RAN-related UE, or multiple of the above.

[0443] Referring to FIG. 9 , another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is applied to a third network function, including:

[0444] Step 91: The third network function sends a deregistration request to at least one terminal device and / or access network according to at least one of the following:

[0445] The validity period of the terminal device, the number of validity times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the number of validity times of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the number of validity times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device being accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the location information of the terminal device, and the group identifier;

[0446] or,

[0447] The third network function sends a deregistration request to at least one terminal device and / or access network when obtaining at least one of the following:

[0448] The validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the number of valid times of the terminal identification, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the valid times, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the valid times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid times, all or part of the identification of the terminal device, the location information of the terminal device, and the group identification.

[0449] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third network function may be to send a deregistration request to the at least one terminal device and / or access network when obtaining the above-mentioned at least one item from local configuration information, or the third network function may be to send a deregistration request to the at least one terminal device and / or access network when obtaining the above-mentioned at least one item from other network functions or network entities.

[0450] Here, the contract information includes at least one of the following: all or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, de-registration or de-access related information, and network open related information.

[0451] The mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: whether mobility management is allowed or not allowed, whether mobility management is supported or not supported, and whether mobility management is required or not required.

[0452] The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, and requiring or not requiring session establishment.

[0453] The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission.

[0454] The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging;

[0455] For example, a positioning accuracy of 1m means that positioning can be accurate to a granularity of 1m, or a positioning accuracy of cell means that positioning can be performed on a certain cell but not on a specific location within the cell, and so on.

[0456] The billing method includes, for example, billing by number of times used, billing by usage time, billing by traffic volume, one-time billing, etc.

[0457] The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration.

[0458] The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration.

[0459] The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

[0460] The terminal device identifier includes at least one of the following: electronic product code, partial field of the electronic product code, universal administrator number, item category, PLMN identifier, group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, PEI. The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device.

[0461] The at least one terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0462] Through the above steps, the third network function can trigger the deregistration process of the terminal device, thereby realizing the deregistration of the terminal device and deleting unnecessary terminal information in a timely manner.

[0463] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third network function can also obtain at least one of the following through local configuration: the validity period of the terminal device, the valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the valid times of the terminal identification, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the valid times, the terminal identification reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal identification reaching or exceeding the valid times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, and all or part of the contract information of the terminal device being accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid times.

[0464] Furthermore, after obtaining the above information through local configuration, the third network function may execute the above step 91 to trigger the deregistration process.

[0465] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the third network function may further send at least one of the following to the first network function: an identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and third indication information. Here, the third indication information is used to request at least one of the following: a validity period of the terminal device, a validity count of the terminal device, a validity period of the terminal identifier, a validity count of the terminal identifier, a validity period of the contract information of the terminal device, and a validity count of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device.

[0466] The third network function may also receive at least one of the following from the first network function: the validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the number of valid times of the terminal identification, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the valid times, the terminal identification reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal identification reaching or exceeding the valid times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, and all or part of the contract information of the terminal device being accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid times.

[0467] Furthermore, after receiving the above information from the first network function, the third network function may execute the above step 91 to trigger the deregistration process.

[0468] Here, the third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, and PCF. For example, it can be any one of the above network functions (for example, the third network function is AMF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the third network function has some functions of AMF and all functions of TMF). The first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF, and PCF. For example, it can be any one of the above network functions (for example, the first network function is UDM), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the first network function has some functions of UDM, some functions of AMF, and all functions of TMF).

[0469] In addition, the third network function may also send at least one of the following to the access network: sixth indication information, the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the first time.

[0470] Here, the sixth indication information instructs the access network to delete or release the context of the terminal device, and / or requests the access network to send seventh indication information to the terminal device, and the seventh indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to delete or release the identification information of the terminal device. The first time indicates that the access network deletes or releases the context of the terminal device within / after the first time, and / or requests the access network to send the seventh indication information to the terminal device within / after the first time.

[0471] Through the above steps, the third network function can instruct the access network to delete or release the context of the relevant terminal device, and / or instruct the terminal device to release the context, thereby achieving management of the terminal device context.

[0472] An embodiment of the communication method of the present disclosure is introduced above from the third network function side. The following takes the third network function as AMM as an example and further illustrates the above embodiment through Example 3 of interaction between network functions.

[0473] Example 3

[0474] In Example 3, the AMF triggers the UE deregistration process based on the tag reaching / expiring the validity period and / or the number of valid times. The process is shown in Figure 10 and includes:

[0475] Step 1001: AMF obtains the validity period and / or validity times of the tag.

[0476] Here, the AMF may determine the validity period and / or validity count of the tag locally, for example, by pre-configuration, or obtain it from other NFs, such as the UDM, i.e., steps 1001a to 1001b:

[0477] In step 1001a, the AMF sends a request message to the UDM to request the validity period and / or validity count of at least one tag. The request message includes the tag identifier (or any UE). The request can be implicitly completed in the message itself, for example, by invoking a new network service that indicates the request for the tag validity period and / or validity count; or by explicitly requesting the tag validity period and / or validity count by carrying indication information 3 in the message; or, based on the local logical configuration of the UDM, the tag validity period is automatically returned after receiving the message.

[0478] Step 1001b: UDM sends the validity period and / or validity times of the tag to AMF, and optionally sends the tag identifier.

[0479] Step 1002: At least one tag reaches / exceeds its validity period and / or validity times.

[0480] In step 1003, the AMF determines to initiate deregistration of these tags based on at least one tag reaching / expiring the validity period and / or the number of valid times.

[0481] Here, the AMF may determine locally that the label reaches / exceeds the validity period and / or the number of valid times based on the validity period obtained in step 1001, or other network elements (such as UDM, AF) may notify the AMF that the relevant label reaches / exceeds the validity period and / or the number of valid times.

[0482] The validity period can be a specific time point or time period, such as 23:59:59 on December 31, 2023; it can also be a period from the time of receipt, such as 48 hours from a certain time. The validity count can be the upper limit of the number of times the tag can be accessed, obtained, or used. When the validity count or validity count is reached or exceeded, the tag will not, need not, should not, or is not allowed to register with the network or perform any network processes.

[0483] The following steps 1004 to 1007 are the deregistration process and can be performed according to relevant technologies. In step 1006, the AMF can instruct the RAN to deactivate at least one label. The message contains the identifier of the label to be deactivated. This request can be completed implicitly through the message itself, such as calling a new network service or message protocol, which indicates the request to deactivate the label; or by carrying label deactivation indication information in the message to explicitly request deactivation of the label; or, based on the local logical configuration of the RAN, the corresponding label is automatically deactivated after receiving the message. The deactivation can refer to permanent deactivation or deactivation for a certain period of time.

[0484] Referring to FIG. 11 , another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is applied to a first network function and includes:

[0485] In step 111, the first network function deletes or releases all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device according to at least one of the following: all or part of the terminal device's identifier, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information; or, the first network function deletes or releases all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device when obtaining at least one of the following: all or part of the terminal device's identifier, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

[0486] Here, the fourth indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device.

[0487] The contract information includes at least one of the following: all or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, and network openness related information.

[0488] The mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or,

[0489] The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or,

[0490] The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or,

[0491] The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or,

[0492] The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or

[0493] The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or,

[0494] The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

[0495] Through the above steps, the first network function deletes the tag information of the terminal device, such as the Ambient IoT device, clears the contract information of the expired device in time, reduces the occupation of the local storage space by the contract information, and improves the resource utilization of the storage space.

[0496] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network function may further receive at least one of the following from the third network function: all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

[0497] Here, the first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF. For example, it can be any one of the above network functions (for example, the first network function is UDM), or it can have all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the first network function has part of the functions of UDM, part of the functions of AMF, and all of the functions of TMF). The third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF, RAN. For example, it can be any one of the above network functions (for example, the third network function is AMF), or it can have all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the third network function has part of the functions of AMF and all of the functions of TMF). The terminal device identifier includes at least one of the following: electronic product code, partial field of electronic product code, universal administrator number, item category, PLMN identifier, group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, PEI. The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device.

[0498] Through the above steps, the first network function can delete or release all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device when receiving the above information sent by the third network function.

[0499] Referring to FIG. 12 , another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is applied to a third network function, including:

[0500] Step 121: The third network function receives at least one of the following from the terminal device and / or the access network: all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and fourth indication information.

[0501] Here, the third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF, and RAN. The fourth indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device.

[0502] The contract information includes at least one of the following: all or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, and network openness related information.

[0503] The mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or,

[0504] The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or,

[0505] The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or,

[0506] The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or,

[0507] The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or

[0508] The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or,

[0509] The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

[0510] For example, a positioning accuracy of 1m means that positioning can be accurate to a granularity of 1m, or a positioning accuracy of cell means that positioning can be performed on a certain cell but not on a specific location within the cell, and so on.

[0511] The billing method includes, for example, billing by number of times used, billing by usage time, billing by traffic volume, one-time billing, etc.

[0512] Through the above steps, the third network function can receive all or part of the terminal device identification, group identification, and fourth indication information sent by the terminal device and / or access network, and thus manage the contract information based on the above information, for example, by sending the above information to the first network function.

[0513] Specifically, the third network function in the embodiment of the present disclosure may further send at least one of the following to the first network function: all or part of the terminal device identifier, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information. By sending the above information, the first network function deletes or releases the relevant contract information, thereby implementing contract information management.

[0514] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the identifier of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of the electronic product code, a universal administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, and PEI. The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive Internet of Things devices. The at least one terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag. The first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, and NEF. For example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the first network function is UDM), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the first network function has part of the functions of UDM, part of the functions of AMF, and all of the functions of TMF).

[0515] Referring to FIG13 , another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is applied to the fourth function. Here, the fourth function includes at least one of the following: RAN, AMF, UDM, TMF, and terminal. As shown in FIG13 , the method includes:

[0516] Step 131: The fourth function sends at least one of the following to the third network function: all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and fourth indication information.

[0517] Here, the fourth indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device.

[0518] The contract information includes at least one of the following: all or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, and network openness related information.

[0519] The mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or,

[0520] The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or,

[0521] The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or,

[0522] The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or,

[0523] The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or

[0524] The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or,

[0525] The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

[0526] For example, a positioning accuracy of 1m means that positioning can be accurate to a granularity of 1m, or a positioning accuracy of cell means that positioning can be performed on a certain cell but not on a specific location within the cell, and so on.

[0527] The billing method includes, for example, billing by number of times used, billing by usage time, billing by traffic volume, one-time billing, etc.

[0528] Here, the third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF, RAN, for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the third network function is AMF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the third network function has part of the functions of AMF and all the functions of TMF). The terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag. The identifier of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: electronic product code, partial field of electronic product code, general administrator number, item category, PLMN identifier, group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, PEI. The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive Internet of Things device.

[0529] Through the above steps, the fourth function can send the above information to the third network function, so that the third network function can send the above information to the first network function, and then the first network function can delete or release the contract information of the terminal device based on the above information, thereby realizing the management of the contract information.

[0530] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fourth function may also send at least one of the following items to the third network function based on whether the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period and / or the valid number of times: all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

[0531] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the fourth function may also receive at least one of the following from the terminal device: all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

[0532] Referring to FIG. 14 , another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is applied to a terminal device and includes:

[0533] Step 141: The terminal device sends at least one of the following to the third network function and / or access network: all or part of the terminal device's identifier, the group identifier, and fourth indication information.

[0534] Here, the fourth indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device.

[0535] The contract information includes at least one of the following: all or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, and network openness related information.

[0536] The mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or,

[0537] The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or,

[0538] The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or,

[0539] The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or,

[0540] The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or

[0541] The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or,

[0542] The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

[0543] For example, a positioning accuracy of 1m means that positioning can be accurate to a granularity of 1m, or a positioning accuracy of cell means that positioning can be performed on a certain cell but not on a specific location within the cell, and so on.

[0544] The billing method includes, for example, billing by number of times used, billing by usage time, billing by traffic volume, one-time billing, etc.

[0545] Through the above steps, the terminal device can send the above information to the network so that the relevant network function can perform the management of the contract information of the terminal device.

[0546] Specifically, the terminal device may send the at least one item: all or part of the terminal device's identifier, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information to the third network function and / or the access network based on at least one of the following: the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, and all or part of the contract information of the terminal device being accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid number of times.

[0547] Here, the terminal device identifier includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of the electronic product code, a universal administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, or PEI. The device type includes at least one of the following: a Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device. The terminal device is a passive IoT device and / or a tag. The first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, or NEF. For example, it may be any one of the above network functions (for example, the first network function is UDM), or it may have all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the first network function has part of the functions of UDM, part of the functions of AMF, and all of the functions of TMF). The third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF, or RAN. For example, it may be any one of the above network functions (for example, the third network function is AMF), or it may have all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the third network function has part of the functions of AMF and all of the functions of TMF).

[0548] The above describes multiple embodiments of the communication method of the present disclosure from the first network function, the third network function, the fourth function and the terminal device side. Below, the first network function is UDM, the third network function is AMF, the fourth function is RAN, and the terminal device is UE as an example. The above embodiments are further explained through Example 4 of the interaction between network functions and devices.

[0549] Example 4:

[0550] The solution in this example is that the UE senses its own validity period and / or valid times. When the validity period and / or valid times are reached / exceeded, the UE initiates deregistration and requests the network to delete the subscription information. The process is shown in Figure 15. It should be noted that the execution of this example requires the UE (tag) to have active uplink signaling capabilities, such as the Class C tag described above. This example includes:

[0551] Step 1501: The UE determines to initiate deregistration (and delete the contract information) based on whether the UE has reached / exceeded the validity period and / or the number of valid times.

[0552] Here, before step 1501, the UE may also determine the validity period and / or the number of validity times.

[0553] Step 1502: The UE sends a deregistration request to the AMF, including a tag identifier and, optionally, indication information 4, requesting deletion of the subscription information.

[0554] Here, the UE can send a registration request through a NAS message, or send it to the RAN first and then to the AMF, which is not limited in this example.

[0555] In one embodiment, the message in step 1502 may also carry the identifiers of other tags besides the message sender UE. This means that a tag can initiate deregistration and subscription deletion for other tags. This approach is significant because, to save costs, only one tag in a batch of expired tags may use Class C, while the rest may use Class A or B.

[0556] The following steps 1503-1505 are optional steps and are executed when the UE requests to delete the subscription information, or the AMF decides to execute them on its own.

[0557] Step 1503: AMF sends a contract information deletion request to UDM, including a tag identifier.

[0558] The request can be completed implicitly through the message itself, such as calling a new network service, which indicates the deletion of the contract information of the tag; or by carrying instruction information 4 in the message, displaying the instruction to delete the contract information of the tag; or, according to the local logical configuration of the UDM, the contract information of the tag is automatically deleted after receiving the message.

[0559] Step 1504: The UDM deletes the relevant contract information. For example, according to instruction 4, the relevant contract information is deleted.

[0560] It is understandable that in this example, the UDM and even the entire network side may not be aware of the validity period of the tag and may rely entirely on the UE reporting.

[0561] Step 1505: UDM returns a response.

[0562] Step 1506: UDM initiates deregistration of the corresponding UE.

[0563] Here, the deregistration process can be performed according to relevant technologies, or according to all or part of the steps of the above example 3 (such as steps 1004-1007).

[0564] The above describes various methods of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The following further provides apparatuses for implementing the above methods.

[0565] Referring to FIG16 , an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a first network function 1600 , including: a transceiver 1601 and a processor 1602 ;

[0566] The processor 1602 is configured to delete or release all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device.

[0567] Optionally, the processor 1602 is further configured to:

[0568] Deleting or releasing all or part of the subscription information of at least one terminal device according to at least one of the following:

[0569] All or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal device, the number of validity times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the number of validity times of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the number of validity times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device being accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the location information of the terminal device, the group identifier, the first indication information, and the fifth indication information;

[0570] or,

[0571] Delete or release all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device when at least one of the following is obtained:

[0572] All or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the valid number of times the terminal identification, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid number of times the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the valid number of times, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the valid number of times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used to reach or exceed the valid number of times, all or part of the identification of the terminal device, the location information of the terminal device, the group identification, the first indication information, and the fifth indication information.

[0573] Here, the first indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device; and / or,

[0574] The fifth indication information is used to indicate: after accessing / obtaining / calling / updating / using all or part of the contract information once, deleting or releasing all or part of the contract information; or, after accessing / obtaining / calling / updating / using all or part of the contract information the number of times reaches or exceeds a threshold or limit, deleting or releasing all or part of the contract information.

[0575] Optionally, the processor is further used to locally configure or receive at least one of the following from a second network function: all or part of the terminal identifier of the at least one terminal device, the group identifier, and the first indication information.

[0576] Optionally, the processor is further used to delete or release all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device when the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period or the valid number of times (for example, the number of times the terminal device registers / transmits data / establishes a session / provides or receives services reaches or exceeds the valid number of times), or when the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the validity period or the valid number of times (for example, is accessed / acquired / used reaches or exceeds the validity period or the valid number of times), or when all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, or when all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / acquired / called / updated / used reaches or exceeds the valid number of times.

[0577] Optionally, the transceiver is used to send to the second network function, or send at least one of the following to the second network function through the fourth network function: all or part of the identifier of the at least one terminal device, the group identifier, and the second indication information.

[0578] Optionally, the second indication information is used to indicate that all or part of the contract information of the terminal device has been deleted or released.

[0579] Optionally, the identification of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: electronic product code, partial field of the electronic product code, general administrator number, item category, PLMN identification, group identification, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, PEI; the device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive Internet of Things device.

[0580] Optionally, the at least one terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0581] Optionally, the first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF, for example, it can be any one of the above network functions (for example, the first network function is UDM), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the first network function has some functions of UDM, some functions of AMF, and all functions of TMF). The second network function includes at least one of the following: AF, NEF, TMF, AMF, PCF, NRF, for example, it can be any one of the above network functions (for example, the second network function is AF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the second network function has some functions of NEF and all functions of AF); the fourth network function includes at least one of the following: NEF, PCF, SMF, TMF, for example, it can be any one of the above network functions (for example, the fourth network function is NEF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the fourth network function has some functions of PCF and some functions of SMF).

[0582] It should be noted that the device in this embodiment is a device corresponding to the method applied to the first network function shown in Figure 4 above. The implementation methods in the above embodiments are all applicable to the embodiments of this device and can achieve the same technical effects. The above-mentioned device provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure can implement all the method steps implemented in the above-mentioned method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effects. The parts and beneficial effects of this embodiment that are the same as those in the method embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0583] Referring to FIG17 , an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a first network function 1600 , including: a transceiver 1701 and a processor 1702 ;

[0584] The transceiver 1701 is used to receive from the second network function, or receive at least one of the following from the second network function through the fifth network function: all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, the validity period of the terminal device, the valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the valid times of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, and the valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device.

[0585] Optionally, the processor is used to store at least one of the following: all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, the validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the number of valid times of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, and the number of valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device.

[0586] Optionally, the identification of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: electronic product code, partial field of the electronic product code, general administrator number, item category, PLMN identification, group identification, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, PEI; the device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive Internet of Things device.

[0587] Optionally, the at least one terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0588] Optionally, the first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF. For example, it can be any one of the above network functions (for example, the first network function is UDM), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the first network function has some functions of UDM, some functions of AMF, and all functions of TMF). The second network function includes at least one of the following: AF, NEF, TMF, AMF, PCF, NRF. For example, it can be any one of the above network functions (for example, the second network function is AF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the second network function has some functions of NEF and all functions of AF). The fifth network function includes at least one of the following: NEF, PCF, SMF, TMF. For example, it can be any one of the above network functions (for example, the fifth network function is NEF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the fifth network function has some functions of PCF and some functions of NEF).

[0589] It should be noted that the device in this embodiment is a device corresponding to the method shown in Figure 5 above, and the implementation methods in the above embodiments are all applicable to the embodiments of this device and can achieve the same technical effects. The above-mentioned device provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can implement all the method steps implemented in the above-mentioned method embodiments and can achieve the same technical effects. The parts and beneficial effects of this embodiment that are the same as those in the method embodiments will not be described in detail here.

[0590] Referring to FIG18 , an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a second network function 1800 , including: a transceiver 1801 and a processor 1802 ;

[0591] The transceiver 1801 is used to send to the first network function, or send at least one of the following to the first network function through the sixth network function: all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device, the validity period of the terminal device, the valid number of times the terminal device is valid, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the valid number of times the terminal identifier is valid, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid number of times all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, usage information related to subscription to the terminal device, usage information related to subscription to all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, fifth indication information, and first indication information.

[0592] Optionally, the first indication information refers to deleting or releasing all or part of the contract information of the terminal device;

[0593] The fifth indication information indicates that: after accessing / obtaining / calling / updating / using all or part of the contract information once, all or part of the contract information is deleted or released; or, after accessing / obtaining / calling / updating / using all or part of the contract information a number of times reaches or exceeds a threshold or limit, all or part of the contract information is deleted or released;

[0594] The terminal device-related usage information includes at least one of the following: registration and / or deregistration of the terminal device, the number of registrations and / or deregistrations of the terminal device, and the number of registrations and / or deregistrations of the terminal device reaching or exceeding a threshold or limit;

[0595] The usage information related to the contract information of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / acquired / called / updated / used, the number of times the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / acquired / called / updated / used, and the number of times the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / acquired / called / updated / used reaches or exceeds a threshold or limit.

[0596] Optionally, the processor is used to send at least one of the following to the first network function based on the notification information, or send at least one of the following to the first network function through the sixth network function: the first indication information, the identifier of the terminal device, and the group identifier.

[0597] Optionally, the notification information includes at least one of the following: notification information of usage information related to the terminal device, and notification information of usage information related to contract information of the terminal device.

[0598] Optionally, the identification of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: electronic product code, partial field of the electronic product code, general administrator number, item category, PLMN identification, group identification, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, PEI; the device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive Internet of Things device.

[0599] Optionally, the at least one terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0600] Optionally, the first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF, for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the first network function is UDM), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the first network function has part of the functions of UDM, part of the functions of AMF and all of the functions of TMF); the second network function includes at least one of the following: AF, NEF, TMF, AMF, PCF, NRF, for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the second network function is AF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the second network function has part of the functions of NEF and all of the functions of AF); the sixth network function includes at least one of the following: NEF, PCF, SMF, TMF, for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the sixth network function is NEF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the sixth network function has part of the functions of NEF and part of the functions of SMF).

[0601] It should be noted that the device in this embodiment is a device corresponding to the method shown in Figure 6 above, and the implementation methods in the above embodiments are all applicable to the embodiments of this device and can achieve the same technical effects. The above-mentioned device provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can implement all the method steps implemented in the above-mentioned method embodiments and can achieve the same technical effects. The parts and beneficial effects of this embodiment that are the same as those in the method embodiments will not be described in detail here.

[0602] Referring to FIG19 , an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a third network function 1900 , including: a transceiver 1901 and a processor 1902 ;

[0603] The transceiver 1901 is used to:

[0604] Sending a deregistration request to at least one terminal device and / or access network according to at least one of the following:

[0605] The validity period of the terminal device, the number of validity times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the number of validity times of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the number of validity times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device being accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the location information of the terminal device, and the group identifier;

[0606] or,

[0607] Sending a deregistration request to at least one terminal device and / or access network upon obtaining at least one of the following:

[0608] The validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the number of valid times of the terminal identification, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the valid times, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the valid times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid times, all or part of the identification of the terminal device, the location information of the terminal device, and the group identification.

[0609] Optionally, the processor is used to obtain at least one of the following through local configuration: the validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the number of valid times of the terminal identification, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the valid times, the terminal identification reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal identification reaching or exceeding the valid times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, and all or part of the contract information of the terminal device being accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid times.

[0610] Optionally, the transceiver is further used to send at least one of the following to the first network function: the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and third indication information.

[0611] Optionally, the third indication information is used to request at least one of the following: the validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the number of valid times of the terminal identification, the validity period of the contract information of the terminal device, and the number of valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device.

[0612] Optionally, the transceiver is further used to receive at least one of the following from the first network function: the validity period of the terminal device, the valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the valid times of the terminal identification, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the valid times, the terminal identification reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal identification reaching or exceeding the valid times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, and all or part of the contract information of the terminal device being accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid times.

[0613] Optionally, the transceiver is further used to send at least one of the following to the access network: sixth indication information, the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the first time.

[0614] Optionally, the sixth indication information instructs the access network to delete or release the context of the terminal device, and / or requests the access network to send seventh indication information to the terminal device, where the seventh indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to delete or release the identification information of the terminal device;

[0615] The first time instructs the access network to delete or release the context of the terminal device within / after the first time, and / or requests the access network to send the seventh indication information to the terminal device within / after the first time.

[0616] Optionally, the transceiver is also used for the identification of the terminal device including at least one of the following: electronic product code, partial field of the electronic product code, universal administrator number, item category, PLMN identifier, group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, PEI; the device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive Internet of Things device.

[0617] Optionally, the transceiver is also used when the at least one terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0618] Optionally, the transceiver is also used for the first network function including at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF, PCF, for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the first network function is UDM), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the first network function has part of the functions of UDM, part of the functions of AMF and all of the functions of TMF); the third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF, for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the third network function is AMF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the third network function has part of the functions of AMF and all of the functions of TMF).

[0619] It should be noted that the device in this embodiment corresponds to the method shown in FIG. 9 , and the implementation methods in the above embodiments are all applicable to the embodiments of this device and can achieve the same technical effects. The above-mentioned device provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can implement all the method steps implemented in the above-mentioned method embodiments and can achieve the same technical effects. The parts and beneficial effects of this embodiment that are the same as those in the method embodiments will not be described in detail here.

[0620] Referring to FIG20 , an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a first network function 1800 , including: a transceiver 2001 and a processor 2002 ;

[0621] The processor 2002 is configured to:

[0622] Deleting or releasing all or part of the subscription information of at least one terminal device according to at least one of the following: all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information;

[0623] or,

[0624] When obtaining at least one of the following items, delete or release all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device: all or part of the terminal device's identifier, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

[0625] Optionally, the fourth indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal.

[0626] Optionally, the transceiver is used to receive at least one of the following from the third network function: all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

[0627] Optionally, the identification of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: electronic product code, partial field of the electronic product code, general administrator number, item category, PLMN identification, group identification, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, PEI; the device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive Internet of Things device.

[0628] Optionally, the at least one terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0629] Optionally, the first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF, for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the first network function is UDM), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the first network function has part of the functions of UDM, part of the functions of AMF and all of the functions of TMF); the third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF, RAN, for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the third network function is AMF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the third network function has part of the functions of AMF and all of the functions of TMF).

[0630] It should be noted that the device in this embodiment is a device corresponding to the method shown in Figure 11 above, and the implementation methods in the above embodiments are all applicable to the embodiments of this device and can achieve the same technical effects. The above-mentioned device provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can implement all the method steps implemented in the above-mentioned method embodiments and can achieve the same technical effects. The parts and beneficial effects of this embodiment that are the same as those in the method embodiments will not be described in detail here.

[0631] Referring to FIG. 21 , an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a third network function 1800 , including: a transceiver 2101 and a processor 2102 ;

[0632] The transceiver 2101 is configured to receive at least one of the following from a terminal device and / or an access network:

[0633] All or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

[0634] Optionally, the fourth indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device.

[0635] Optionally, the transceiver is further configured to send at least one of the following to the first network function:

[0636] All or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

[0637] Optionally, the identification of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: electronic product code, partial field of the electronic product code, general administrator number, item category, PLMN identification, group identification, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, PEI; the device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive Internet of Things device.

[0638] Optionally, the terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0639] Optionally, the first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF, for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the first network function is UDM), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the first network function has part of the functions of UDM, part of the functions of AMF and all of the functions of TMF); the third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF, RAN, for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the third network function is AMF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the third network function has part of the functions of AMF and all of the functions of TMF).

[0640] It should be noted that the device in this embodiment is a device corresponding to the method shown in Figure 12 above, and the implementation methods in the above embodiments are all applicable to the embodiments of this device and can achieve the same technical effects. The above-mentioned device provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can implement all the method steps implemented in the above-mentioned method embodiments and can achieve the same technical effects. The parts and beneficial effects of this embodiment that are the same as those in the method embodiments will not be described in detail here.

[0641] Referring to FIG. 22 , an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a fourth function 2200 , including: a transceiver 2201 and a processor 2202 ;

[0642] The transceiver 2201 is configured to send at least one of the following to the third network function: all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and fourth indication information.

[0643] Optionally, the fourth indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device.

[0644] Optionally, the transceiver is further configured to send at least one of the following items to the third network function based on the terminal device reaching or exceeding a validity period and / or a valid number of times:

[0645] All or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

[0646] Optionally, the transceiver is further configured to receive at least one of the following from the terminal device:

[0647] All or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

[0648] Optionally, the identification of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: electronic product code, partial field of the electronic product code, general administrator number, item category, PLMN identification, group identification, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, PEI; the device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive Internet of Things device.

[0649] Optionally, the transceiver is also used when the terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0650] Optionally, the third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF, RAN, for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the third network function is AMF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the third network function has some functions of AMF and all functions of TMF); the fourth function includes at least one of the following: RAN, AMF, UDM, TMF, terminal, for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the fourth network function is NEF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the fourth network function has some functions of PCF and some functions of SMF).

[0651] It should be noted that the device in this embodiment corresponds to the method shown in FIG. 13 , and the implementation methods in the above embodiments are all applicable to the embodiments of this device and can achieve the same technical effects. The above-mentioned device provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can implement all the method steps implemented in the above-mentioned method embodiments and can achieve the same technical effects. The parts and beneficial effects of this embodiment that are the same as those in the method embodiments will not be described in detail here.

[0652] Referring to FIG. 23 , an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a terminal device 2300 , including: a transceiver 2301 and a processor 2302 ;

[0653] The transceiver 2301 is used to send at least one of the following to the third network function and / or access network: all or part of the terminal device identifier, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

[0654] Optionally, the fourth indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device.

[0655] Optionally, the processor is configured to send the at least one item to the third network function and / or the access network based on at least one of the following: the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the valid number of times, the terminal identifier reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal identifier reaches or exceeds the valid number of times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, and all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used for or exceeds the valid number of times:

[0656] All or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

[0657] Optionally, the identification of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: electronic product code, partial field of the electronic product code, general administrator number, item category, PLMN identification, group identification, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, PEI; the device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive Internet of Things device.

[0658] Optionally, the terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

[0659] Optionally, the first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF, for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the first network function is UDM), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the first network function has part of the functions of UDM, part of the functions of AMF and all of the functions of TMF); the third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF, RAN, for example, it can be one of the above network functions (for example, the third network function is AMF), or it has all or part of the functions of one or more of the above network functions (for example, the third network function has part of the functions of AMF and all of the functions of TMF).

[0660] It should be noted that the device in this embodiment is a device corresponding to the method shown in Figure 14 above, and the implementation methods in the above embodiments are all applicable to the embodiments of this device and can achieve the same technical effects. The above-mentioned device provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure can implement all the method steps implemented in the above-mentioned method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effects. The parts and beneficial effects of this embodiment that are the same as those in the method embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0661] Please refer to Figure 24. The embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a network function 2400, which can be the first network function or the third network function mentioned above, including a processor 2401, a memory 2402, and a computer program stored in the memory 2402 and executable on the processor 2401. When the computer program is executed by the processor 2401, the various processes of the communication method embodiment performed by the first network function and the third network function are implemented, and the same technical effects can be achieved. To avoid repetition, they will not be described here.

[0662] Please refer to Figure 25. The embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a fourth function 2500, including a processor 2501, a memory 2502, and a computer program stored in the memory 2502 and executable on the processor 2501. When the computer program is executed by the processor 2501, the various processes of the communication method embodiment executed by the fourth function are implemented, and the same technical effect can be achieved. To avoid repetition, it will not be described here.

[0663] Please refer to Figure 26. The embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a terminal device 2600, including a processor 2601, a memory 2602, and a computer program stored in the memory 2602 and capable of running on the processor 2601. When the computer program is executed by the processor 2601, it implements the various processes of the above-mentioned communication method embodiment executed by the terminal device and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0664] The present disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the computer program implements the various processes of the above-mentioned communication method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, the details are not described here. The computer-readable storage medium is, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0665] The embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a computer program product, including computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed by a processor, the various processes of the above-mentioned communication method embodiment are implemented and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they are not repeated here.

[0666] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprises," "includes," or any other variations thereof are intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus comprising the element.

[0667] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the above embodiment methods can be implemented by means of software plus the necessary general hardware platform, and of course can also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases the former is a better embodiment. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present disclosure, or the part that contributes to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM / RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk), and includes a number of instructions for enabling a terminal (which can be a mobile phone, computer, server, air conditioner, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in each embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0668] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned specific implementation methods. The above-mentioned specific implementation methods are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Under the guidance of the present disclosure, ordinary technicians in this field can also make many forms without departing from the scope of protection of the purpose of the present disclosure and the claims, all of which are protected by the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A communication method, applied to a first network function, comprising: The first network function deletes or releases all or part of the subscription information of at least one terminal device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first network function deletes or releases all or part of the subscription information of at least one of the terminal devices according to at least one of the following: All or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal device, the number of validity times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the number of validity times of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the number of validity times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device being accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the location information of the terminal device, the group identifier, the first indication information, and the fifth indication information; or, The first network function deletes or releases all or part of the subscription information of at least one terminal device when obtaining at least one of the following: All or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the valid number of times the terminal identification, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid number of times the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the valid number of times, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the valid number of times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used to reach or exceed the valid number of times, all or part of the identification of the terminal device, the location information of the terminal device, the group identification, the first indication information, and the fifth indication information.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The first indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device; and / or, The fifth indication information is used to indicate: after accessing / obtaining / calling / updating / using all or part of the contract information once, deleting or releasing all or part of the contract information; or, after accessing / obtaining / calling / updating / using all or part of the contract information the number of times reaches or exceeds a threshold or limit, deleting or releasing all or part of the contract information.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The contract information includes at least one of the following: All or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, public land mobile network identification PLMNID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, network opening related information.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or, The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or, The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or, The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or, The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or, The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

6. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: The first network function locally configures or receives at least one of the following from the second network function: all or part of the terminal identifier of the at least one terminal device, a group identifier, and the first indication information.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein: When the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period or the valid number of times, or when the terminal identifier reaches or exceeds the validity period or the valid number of times, or when all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, or when all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used for or exceeds the valid number of times, the first network function deletes or releases all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The first network function sends to the second network function, or sends to the second network function through the fourth network function at least one of the following: all or part of the identifier of the at least one terminal device, the group identifier, and the second indication information.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The second indication information is used to indicate that all or part of the contract information of the terminal device has been deleted or released.

10. The method according to claim 4, wherein: The terminal device identifier includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of the electronic product code, a general administrator number, an item category, a public land mobile network PLMN identifier, a group identifier, a subscription permanent identifier SUPI, a subscription hidden identifier SUCI, a general public subscription identifier GPSI, a global unique temporary identifier GUTI, a temporary mobile subscription identifier TMSI, and a permanent equipment identifier PEI; and / or, The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The at least one terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein: The first network function includes at least one of the following: unified data management UDM, access and mobility management function AMF, tag management function TMF, unified data storage UDR, network exposure function NEF; and / or, The second network function includes at least one of the following: application function AF, NEF, TMF, AMF, policy control function PCF, network storage function NRF; and / or, The fourth network function includes at least one of the following: NEF, PCF, session management function SMF, TMF.

13. A communication method, applied to a first network function, comprising: The first network function receives from the second network function, or receives from the second network function through the fifth network function at least one of the following: all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, the validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the number of valid times of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, and the valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein The contract information includes at least one of the following: All or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, network opening related information.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or, The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or, The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or, The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or, The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or, The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: The first network function stores at least one of the following: all or part of the contract information of the at least one terminal device, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, the validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the number of valid times of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, and the number of valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein: The terminal device identifier includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of an electronic product code, a universal administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, PEI; and / or, The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein: The at least one terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

19. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein: The first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF; and / or, The second network function includes at least one of the following: AF, NEF, TMF, AMF, PCF, NRF; and / or, The fifth network function includes at least one of the following: NEF, PCF, SMF, TMF.

20. A communication method, applied to a second network function, comprising: The second network function sends to the first network function, or sends at least one of the following to the first network function through the sixth network function: all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device, the validity period of the terminal device, the valid number of times the terminal device is valid, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the valid number of times the terminal identifier is valid, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid number of times all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, usage information related to subscription to the terminal device, usage information related to subscription to all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, fifth indication information, and first indication information.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising: The first instruction information refers to deleting or releasing all or part of the contract information of the terminal device; and / or, The fifth indication information indicates: after accessing / obtaining / calling / updating / using all or part of the contract information once, deleting or releasing all or part of the contract information; or, after accessing / obtaining / calling / updating / using all or part of the contract information the number of times reaches or exceeds a threshold or limit, deleting or releasing all or part of the contract information; and / or, The terminal device-related usage information includes at least one of the following: registration and / or deregistration of the terminal device, the number of registrations and / or deregistrations of the terminal device, and the number of registrations and / or deregistrations of the terminal device reaching or exceeding a threshold or limit; and / or, The usage information related to the contract information of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / acquired / called / updated / used, the number of times the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / acquired / called / updated / used, and the number of times the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / acquired / called / updated / used reaches or exceeds a threshold or limit.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein The contract information includes at least one of the following: All or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, network opening related information.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein The mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or, The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or, The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or, The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or, The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or, The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

24. The method according to claim 20, further comprising, The second network function sends the notification information to the first network function, or sends at least one of the following to the first network function through the sixth network function: the first indication information, the identifier of the terminal device, and the group identifier.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein The notification information includes at least one of the following: notification information of usage information related to the terminal device, and notification information of usage information related to contract information of the terminal device.

26. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein: The terminal device identifier includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of an electronic product code, a universal administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, PEI; and / or, The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device.

27. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein: The at least one terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

28. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein: The first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF; and / or, The second network function includes at least one of the following: AF, NEF, TMF, AMF, PCF, NRF; and / or, The sixth network function includes at least one of the following: NEF, PCF, SMF, TMF.

29. A communication method, applied to a third network function, the method comprising: The third network function sends a deregistration request to at least one terminal device and / or access network according to at least one of the following: The validity period of the terminal device, the number of validity times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the number of validity times of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the number of validity times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device being accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, the location information of the terminal device, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, and the group identifier; or, The third network function sends a deregistration request to at least one terminal device and / or access network when obtaining at least one of the following: The validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the number of valid times of the terminal identification, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the valid times, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the valid times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid times, the location information of the terminal device, all or part of the identification of the terminal device, and the group identification.

30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising, The third network function obtains at least one of the following through local configuration: the validity period of the terminal device, the valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the valid times of the terminal identification, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the valid times, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the valid times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, and all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used to reach or exceed the valid times.

31. The method according to claim 29, wherein The contract information includes at least one of the following: All or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, network opening related information.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein The mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or, The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or, The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or, The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or, The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or, The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

33. The method of claim 29, further comprising, The third network function sends at least one of the following to the first network function: the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and third indication information.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein The third indication information is used to request at least one of the following: the validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the number of valid times of the terminal identification, the validity period of the contract information of the terminal device, and the number of valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device.

35. The method of claim 29, further comprising, The third network function receives at least one of the following from the first network function: the validity period of the terminal device, the validity times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the validity times of the terminal identification, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the validity times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the valid times, the terminal identification reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal identification reaching or exceeding the valid times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, and all or part of the contract information of the terminal device being accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid times.

36. The method of claim 29, further comprising, The third network function sends at least one of the following to the access network: the sixth indication information, the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the first time.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein The sixth indication information instructs the access network to delete or release the context of the terminal device, and / or requests the access network to send seventh indication information to the terminal device, where the seventh indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to delete or release the identification information of the terminal device; and / or, The first time instructs the access network to delete or release the context of the terminal device within / after the first time, and / or requests the access network to send the seventh indication information to the terminal device within / after the first time.

38. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 37, wherein: The terminal device identifier includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of an electronic product code, a universal administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, PEI; and / or, The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device.

39. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 37, wherein: The at least one terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein The first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF, PCF; and / or, The third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF.

41. A communication method, applied to a first network function, the method comprising: The first network function deletes or releases all or part of the subscription information of at least one terminal device according to at least one of the following: All or part of the terminal device's identifier, group identifier, and fourth indication information; or, The first network function deletes or releases all or part of the subscription information of at least one terminal device when obtaining at least one of the following: All or part of the terminal device's identification, group identification, and fourth indication information.

42. The method according to claim 41, wherein The fourth indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal.

43. The method according to claim 41, wherein The contract information includes at least one of the following: All or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, network opening related information.

44. The method according to claim 43, wherein The mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or, The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or, The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or, The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or, The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or, The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

45. The method according to claim 41, further comprising, The first network function receives at least one of the following from the third network function: all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein The terminal device identifier includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of an electronic product code, a universal administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, PEI; and / or, The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device.

47. The method of claim 41, wherein The at least one terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or a tag.

48. The method of claim 45, wherein The first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF; and / or, The third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF, RAN.

49. A communication method, applied to a third network function, comprising: The third network function receives at least one of the following from the terminal device and / or the access network: All or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein The fourth indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein: The contract information includes at least one of the following: All or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, network opening related information.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein The mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or, The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or, The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or, The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or, The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or, The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

53. The method of claim 49, wherein The third network function sends at least one of the following to the first network function: All or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein The terminal device identifier includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of an electronic product code, a universal administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, PEI; and / or, The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device.

55. The method according to any one of claims 49 to 54, wherein: The terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or tag.

56. The method of claim 53, wherein The first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF; and / or, The third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF, RAN.

57. A communication method, applied to the fourth function, the method comprising: The fourth function sends at least one of the following to the third network function: All or part of the terminal device's identification, group identification, and fourth indication information.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein The fourth indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein The contract information includes at least one of the following: All or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, network opening related information.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein The mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or, The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or, The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or, The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or, The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or, The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

61. The method of claim 57, further comprising, The fourth function sends the at least one of the following to the third network function according to the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period and / or the validity number: All or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

62. The method of claim 57, further comprising, The fourth function receives at least one of the following from the terminal device: All or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

63. The method according to any one of claims 57 to 62, wherein: The terminal device identifier includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of an electronic product code, a universal administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, PEI; and / or, The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device.

64. The method according to any one of claims 57 to 62, wherein: The terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or tag.

65. The method according to any one of claims 57 to 62, wherein: The third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF, RAN; and / or The fourth function includes at least one of the following: RAN, AMF, UDM, TMF, terminal.

66. A communication method, applied to a terminal device, comprising: The terminal device sends at least one of the following to the third network function and / or access network: all or part of the terminal device's identifier, the group identifier, and fourth indication information.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein The fourth indication information instructs the first network function to delete or release all or part of the subscription information of the terminal device.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein The contract information includes at least one of the following: All or part of the terminal identification, group identification, passive Internet of Things indication information, device type, PLMN ID, mobility management related information, session management related information, transmission related information, positioning or ranging related information, positioning format, positioning or ranging accuracy, billing method, validity period of the terminal device, number of valid times of the terminal device, validity period of the terminal identification, number of valid times of the terminal identification, validity period of all or part of the contract information, number of valid times of all or part of the contract information, air interface resource related information, deregistration or deaccession related information, network opening related information.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein The mobility management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing mobility management, supporting or not supporting mobility management, requiring or not requiring mobility management; and / or, The session management related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing session establishment, supporting or not supporting session establishment, requiring or not requiring session establishment; and / or, The transmission related information includes one or more of the following: allowing or not allowing control plane transmission, supporting or not supporting control plane transmission, requiring or not requiring control plane transmission, allowing or not allowing user plane transmission, supporting or not supporting user plane transmission, requiring or not requiring user plane transmission; and / or, The positioning or ranging related information includes one or more of the following: whether positioning or ranging is allowed or not, whether positioning or ranging is supported or not, whether positioning or ranging is required or not, the format of positioning or ranging, and the accuracy of positioning or ranging; and / or, The air interface resource related information includes one or more of the following: whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved, whether or not air interface resources need to be released, whether or not air interface resources need to be reserved after registration, and whether or not air interface resources need to be released after registration; and / or The deregistration related information includes one or more of the following: to register or not to register, to register after registration or not to register, to retain or not retain the registration status after registration, to refuse registration or not to refuse registration / accept registration; and / or, The de-access related information includes one or more of the following: de-access or not de-access, de-access after access or not de-access, retaining or not retaining access status after access, refusing access or not refusing access / accepting access.

70. The method of claim 68, further comprising, The terminal device sends the at least one item to the third network function and / or the access network based on at least one of the following: the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the valid number of times, the terminal identifier reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal identifier reaches or exceeds the valid number of times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, and all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaches or exceeds the valid number of times: All or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and the fourth indication information.

71. The method according to any one of claims 66 to 70, wherein: The terminal device identifier includes at least one of the following: an electronic product code, a partial field of an electronic product code, a universal administrator number, an item category, a PLMN identifier, a group identifier, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, GUTI, TMSI, PEI; and / or, The device type includes at least one of the following: Class A / Class B / Class C passive IoT device.

72. The method according to any one of claims 66 to 70, wherein: The terminal device is a passive Internet of Things device and / or tag.

73. The method of claim 67, wherein The first network function includes at least one of the following: UDM, AMF, TMF, UDR, NEF; and / or, The third network function includes at least one of the following: AMF, TMF, PCF, RAN.

74. A first network function comprising a transceiver and a processor, wherein: The processor is used to delete or release all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device.

75. A first network function, comprising: A processor, a memory, and a program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein when the program is executed by the processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 are implemented.

76. A first network function comprising a transceiver and a processor, wherein: The transceiver is used to receive from the second network function, or receive at least one of the following from the second network function through the fifth network function: all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, the validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the valid number of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, and the valid number of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device.

77. A first network function, comprising: A processor, a memory, and a program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein when the program is executed by the processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 13 to 19 are implemented.

78. A second network function comprising a transceiver and a processor, wherein: The transceiver is used to send to the first network function, or send at least one of the following items to the first network function through the sixth network function: all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device, the validity period of the terminal device, the valid number of times the terminal device is valid, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the valid number of times the terminal identifier is valid, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid number of times all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, usage information related to subscription to the terminal device, usage information related to subscription to all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, fifth indication information, and first indication information.

79. A second network function comprising: A processor, a memory, and a program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein when the program is executed by the processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 20 to 28 are implemented.

80. A third network function comprising a transceiver and a processor, wherein: The transceiver is used for: Sending a deregistration request to at least one terminal device and / or access network according to at least one of the following: The validity period of the terminal device, the number of validity times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identifier, the number of validity times of the terminal identifier, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the number of validity times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal device reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the validity period, the terminal identifier reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaching or exceeding the validity period, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device being accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid number of times, all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the location information of the terminal device, and the group identifier; or, Sending a deregistration request to at least one terminal device and / or access network upon obtaining at least one of the following: The validity period of the terminal device, the number of valid times of the terminal device, the validity period of the terminal identification, the number of valid times of the terminal identification, the validity period of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the valid times of all or part of the contract information of the terminal device, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal device reaches or exceeds the valid times, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the validity period, the terminal identification reaches or exceeds the valid times, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the validity period, all or part of the contract information of the terminal device is accessed / obtained / called / updated / used reaching or exceeding the valid times, all or part of the identification of the terminal device, the location information of the terminal device, and the group identification.

81. A third network function comprising: A processor, a memory, and a program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein when the program is executed by the processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 29 to 40 are implemented.

82. A first network function comprising a transceiver and a processor, wherein: The processor is configured to: Deleting or releasing all or part of the subscription information of at least one terminal device according to at least one of the following: All or part of the terminal device's identifier, group identifier, and fourth indication information; or, Delete or release all or part of the contract information of at least one terminal device when at least one of the following is obtained: All or part of the terminal device's identification, group identification, and fourth indication information.

83. A first network function, comprising: A processor, a memory, and a program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein when the program is executed by the processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 41 to 48 are implemented.

84. A third network function comprising a transceiver and a processor, wherein: The transceiver is used to receive at least one of the following from the terminal device and / or the access network: all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and fourth indication information.

85. A third network function comprising: A processor, a memory, and a program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein when the program is executed by the processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 49 to 56 are implemented.

86. A fourth function comprising a transceiver and a processor, wherein: The transceiver is configured to send at least one of the following to the third network function: all or part of the identifier of the terminal device, the group identifier, and fourth indication information.

87. A fourth function, comprising: A processor, a memory, and a program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the program, when executed by the processor, implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 57 to 65.

88. A terminal device comprising a transceiver and a processor, wherein: The transceiver is used to send at least one of the following to the third network function and / or access network: all or part of the terminal device's identifier, the group identifier, and fourth indication information.

89. A terminal device comprising: A processor, a memory, and a program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the program, when executed by the processor, implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 66 to 73.

90. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 73.

91. A computer program product comprising computer instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

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