Network node, terminal, and communication method

Abstract

This network node includes a receiving unit that receives a first message requesting storage of data relating to an avatar from a terminal or a first network node having an application function, and a transmitting unit that transmits a second message requesting storage of the data to a second network node. The receiving unit receives, from the second network node, the second message including first address information, for use within the network, indicating the storage location of the data. The network node further includes a control unit that generates second address information, for use outside the network, corresponding to the first address information, and stores the first address information and the second address information in association with each other. The transmitting unit transmits a third message including the second address information to the terminal or the first network node.

Description

Network node, terminal, and communication method

[0001] The present invention relates to a network node, a terminal, and a communication method in a communication system.

[0002] 3GPP (registered trademark) (3rd Generation Partnership Project) is currently studying a wireless communication system called 5G or NR (New Radio) (hereinafter, the wireless communication system will be referred to as "5G" or "NR") in order to achieve a larger system capacity, a higher data transmission speed, and a lower latency in wireless sections. Various wireless technologies are being studied for 5G to meet the requirements of achieving a throughput of 10 Gbps or more while keeping latency in wireless sections to 1 ms or less.

[0003] In NR, a network architecture including 5GC (5G Core Network) corresponding to EPC (Evolved Packet Core), which is the core network in the network architecture of LTE (Long Term Evolution), and NG-RAN (Next Generation - Radio Access Network) corresponding to E-UTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network), which is the RAN (Radio Access Network) in the network architecture of LTE, is being considered (for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0004] Furthermore, as an IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) architecture that supports the data channel capabilities of terminals, specifications for an IMS data channel network are being studied (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2). In the IMS data channel network, a Data Channel Signalling Function (DCSF) having a signaling function, a Media Function (MF) having a media-related function, and a Data Channel Application Server (DCAS) that is an application server are arranged on both the calling and called sides.

[0005] Furthermore, 3GPP Rel-19 is considering communication using avatars (avatar calls) (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 3). Avatar calls are usually used in conjunction with voice calls, and the other party's avatar is displayed on the terminal screen during communication. In avatar calls, the terminal or network applies motion data to a basic avatar to draw the avatar. The motion data includes voice data in voice calls, which is used for lip synchronization, etc. Furthermore, the introduction of a Digital Asset Container (DAC) for storing avatar calls and users' digital assets, including avatars, is being considered (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 4).

[0006] 3GPP TS 23.501 V18.4.0 (2023-12) 3GPP TS 23.228 V18.4.0 (2023-12) 3GPP TR 26.813 V0.2.1 (2024-1) 3GPP TS 22.156 V19.0.0 (2023-12) IETF RFC 6749 (2012-10)

[0007] The existing specifications do not provide for the implementation of avatar calls, such as the procedure for the called terminal to draw the calling user's avatar before setting up an application data channel, and the procedure for the calling terminal to draw the called user's avatar.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has an object to execute settings related to communication using an avatar in a communication system.

[0009] According to the disclosed technology, a network node is provided which includes: a receiving unit that receives, from a terminal or a first network node having an application function, a first message requesting storage of data related to an avatar; and a transmitting unit that transmits, to a second network node, a second message requesting storage of the data, wherein the receiving unit receives from the second network node the second message including first address information for inside the network that indicates a storage location of the data, generates second address information for outside the network that corresponds to the first address information, and stores the first address information in association with the second address information; and the transmitting unit transmits a third message including the second address information to the terminal or the first network node.

[0010] According to the disclosed technology, it is possible to execute settings related to communication using an avatar in a communication system.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a communication system. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a communication system in a roaming environment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of an IMS data channel network. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a first sequence diagram in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a second sequence diagram in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a third sequence diagram in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a fourth sequence diagram in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a base station 10 and a network node 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a base station 10, a terminal 20, and a network node 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is an example, and the embodiment to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0013] In the operation of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, existing technology is used as appropriate. However, the existing technology is, for example, the existing LTE, but is not limited to the existing LTE. Furthermore, the term "LTE" used in this specification has a broad meaning including LTE-Advanced, and systems subsequent to LTE-Advanced (e.g., NR), or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), unless otherwise specified.

[0014] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present invention, "configuring" radio parameters and the like may mean that predetermined values ​​are pre-configured, or that radio parameters notified from the network node 30 or the terminal 20 are set.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system. As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system is composed of a UE, which is a terminal 20, and multiple network nodes 30. Hereinafter, it is assumed that one network node 30 corresponds to each function, but multiple functions may be realized by one network node 30, or multiple network nodes 30 may realize one function. Furthermore, the "connection" described below may be a logical connection or a physical connection.

[0016] The RAN (Radio Access Network) is a network node 30 having a radio access function, which may include a base station 10, and is connected to a UE, an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function), and a UPF (User plane function). The AMF is a network node 30 having functions such as terminating the RAN interface, terminating the NAS (Non-Access Stratum), registration management, connection management, reachability management, and mobility management. The UPF is a network node 30 having functions such as a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session point to the outside that interconnects with a DN (Data Network), packet routing and forwarding, and user plane QoS (Quality of Service) handling. The UPF and the DN constitute a network slice. In the wireless communication network according to the embodiment of the present invention, multiple network slices are constructed.

[0017] The AMF is connected to the UE, RAN, SMF (Session Management function), NSSF (Network Slice Selection Function), NEF (Network Exposure Function), NRF (Network Repository Function), UDM (Unified Data Management), AUSF (Authentication Server Function), PCF (Policy Control Function), and AF (Application Function). The AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, AUSF, PCF, and AF are network nodes 30 that are mutually connected via interfaces based on their respective services, Namf, Nsmf, Nnssf, Nnef, Nnrf, Nudm, Nausf, Npcf, and Naf.

[0018] The SMF is a network node 30 having functions such as session management, UE IP (Internet Protocol) address allocation and management, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) function, ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) proxy, and roaming function. The NEF is a network node 30 having a function of notifying other NFs (Network Functions) of capabilities and events. The NSSF is a network node 30 having functions such as selecting a network slice to which a UE connects, determining an allowed NSSAI (Network Slice Selection Assistance Information), determining an NSSAI to be set, and determining an AMF set to which a UE connects. The PCF is a network node 30 having a function of controlling network policies. The AF is a network node 30 having a function of controlling application servers. The NRF is a network node 30 having a function of discovering NF instances that provide services. The UDM is a network node 30 that manages subscriber data and authentication data. The UDM is connected to a UDR (User Data Repository) that stores the data.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system in a roaming environment. As shown in Fig. 2, the network is composed of a UE, which is a terminal 20, and multiple network nodes 30. Hereinafter, it is assumed that one network node 30 corresponds to each function, but multiple functions may be realized by one network node 30, or multiple network nodes 30 may realize one function. Furthermore, the "connection" described below may be a logical connection or a physical connection.

[0020] The RAN is a network node 30 having a radio access function, and is connected to the UE, the AMF, and the UPF. The AMF is a network node 30 having functions such as RAN interface termination, NAS termination, registration management, connection management, reachability management, and mobility management. The UPF is a network node 30 having functions such as a PDU session point to the outside that interconnects with the DN, packet routing and forwarding, and user plane QoS handling. The UPF and the DN constitute a network slice. In the wireless communication network according to the embodiment of the present invention, multiple network slices are constructed.

[0021] The AMF is connected to the UE, RAN, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, AUSF, PCF, AF, and SEPP (Security Edge Protection Proxy). The AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, AUSF, PCF, and AF are network nodes 30 that are interconnected via respective service-based interfaces, Namf, Nsmf, Nnssf, Nnef, Nnrf, Nudm, Nausf, Npcf, and Naf.

[0022] The SMF is a network node 30 having functions such as session management, UE IP address allocation and management, DHCP function, ARP proxy, and roaming function. The NEF is a network node 30 having a function of notifying other NFs of capabilities and events. The NSSF is a network node 30 having functions such as selecting a network slice to which a UE connects, determining an allowed NSSAI, determining a configured NSSAI, and determining an AMF set to which a UE connects. The PCF is a network node 30 having a function of controlling network policies. The AF is a network node 30 having a function of controlling application servers. The NRF is a network node 30 having a function of discovering NF instances that provide services. The SEPP is a non-transparent proxy that filters control plane messages between PLMNs (Public Land Mobile Networks). The vSEPP shown in FIG. 2 is a SEPP in the visited network, and the hSEPP is a SEPP in the home network.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, a UE is in a roaming environment connected to a RAN and an AMF in a Visited PLMN (VPLMN). The VPLMN and a Home PLMN (HPLMN) are connected via a vSEPP and an hSEPP. The UE can communicate with a UDM in the HPLMN via the AMF in the VPLMN, for example.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an IMS data channel network. As shown in Fig. 3, the IMS data channel network is configured with a terminal 20 (UE) and multiple network nodes 30 in each of an originating network and a terminating network. Hereinafter, it is assumed that one network node 30 corresponds to each function, but multiple functions may be realized by one network node 30, or multiple network nodes 30 may realize one function. Furthermore, the "connection" described below may be a logical connection or a physical connection. The network node 30 has, for example, the following functions described in Non-Patent Document 2:

[0025] The IMS-AGW (Access Gateway) is a network node 30 having a gateway function between the UE and the IMS network.

[0026] A P-CSCF (Proxy-Call Session Control Function) is a network node 30 having a proxy function between the UE and the IMS network.

[0027] The S-CSCF (Serving-Call Session Control Function) is a network node 30 having functions related to session control for the UE.

[0028] The I-CSCF (Interrogate-Call Session Control Function) is a connection point on the destination network side between networks (e.g., between the source network side and the destination network side) in the IMS network, and is a network node 30 that has, for example, the function of forwarding a received SIP request to the S-CSCF of its own network.

[0029] An IMS AS (IP Multimedia Subsystem Application Server) is a network node 30 in an IMS network that has functions such as communicating with a DCSF for event notification and receiving data channel control instructions from the DCSF and communicating with a DCMF. The IMS AS also receives a communication termination point registration request from a DCSF (Data Channel Signalling Function), converts the received registration request into a SIP Register, and sends it to a Serving-Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF). The IMS AS also converts a data channel establishment request received from the DCSF into a SIP INVITE and sends it to the S-CSCF.

[0030] The DCSF (Data Channel Signaling Function) is a network node 30 that has functions such as receiving an event report from the IMS-AS and determining whether to allow the provision of a data channel service, managing the bootstrap data channel, and performing HTTP web server functions.

[0031] An MF (Media Function) is a network node 30 in an IMS network that has functions such as media resource management and forwarding of data channel media traffic. The MF processes media between a DCAS (Data Channel Application Server), which is a communication termination point, and a destination termination point based on configuration information received from a DCSF. The MF may also be called a DCMF (Data Channel Media Function). The MF may also be called an MRF (Multimedia Resource Function).

[0032] A DCAS (Data Channel Application Server) is a network node 30 having functions such as a communication termination point for media and signaling in the IMS network.

[0033] Furthermore, 3GPP Rel-19 is studying communications using avatars (avatar calls) (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 3). Avatar calls are usually used in conjunction with voice calls, and the other party's avatar is displayed on the terminal screen during communication. In an avatar call, the terminal or the network applies motion data to a basic avatar to draw the avatar. The motion data includes voice data in a voice call, which is used to achieve lip synchronization, etc.

[0034] Furthermore, the terminal 20 and the network node 30 may be able to access a network node having, for example, a CAPIF (Common API (Application Programming Interface) Framework) authorization function and a CAPIF core function for performing authorization based on OAuth. CAPIF is a 3GPP framework that brings together common functions for providing northbound APIs. The CAPIF authorization function has, for example, a function to accept an authentication request and issue an authorization code. The CAPIF core function has, for example, a function to receive an authorization code and issue an access token.

[0035] (Example 1) A procedure for executing settings related to communication using avatars in a communication system will be described. In this example, a Digital Asset Container (DAC) stores assets for each user that are necessary for the user to enjoy services related to the metaverse (a virtual space where users can be active using avatars). The assets include avatar-related data consisting of a basic avatar and avatar movement data. In addition, general operations including data registration and acquisition are introduced as an API (Application Programming Interface) in the DAC. Access to the DAC is performed via the NEF. The NEF converts the DAC's URL (Uniform Resource Locator) into a URL for an external AF (Application Function) in the NEF. The CAPIF controls authorization for access to the DAC via the NEF.

[0036] For avatar calls, the DAC is used as follows: First, the calling terminal sets avatar-related data in the DAC in advance and obtains a URL (for external use in NEF) for accessing the data. The MMTEL (Multimedia Telephony) in the calling terminal works in conjunction with the browser in the calling terminal to obtain an access token for NEF access to the DAC of the called terminal from CAPIF when making a call. Next, the calling terminal transmits the URL and the access token to the called terminal. The called terminal also performs the same process for the calling terminal.

[0037] The details of the processing in this embodiment will be explained below using a sequence diagram. In this sequence diagram, a network node 30A (hereinafter referred to as DAC30A) that manages a DAC, a CAPIF 30B, and an NEF 30C are provided in a source network where a terminal 20A1 makes a call, and a DAC 30F, a CAPIF 30E, and an NEF 30D are provided in a destination network where a terminal 20B makes a call. Figure 4 shows an example of a first sequence diagram in an embodiment of the present invention. In this sequence diagram, a process of registering data related to an avatar from a terminal to a DAC is executed. The processing of each step in Figure 4 will be explained below.

[0038] S101: An application running on the terminal (hereinafter referred to as terminal application 20A2) sends a request message (Nnef_DigitalAsset_Create request) to NEC30C requesting the registration of data related to an avatar. The request message includes a list containing multiple combinations of avatar basic data (Base Avatar) and default animation data (default animation data), which are data related to the avatar, and is expressed as, for example, Nnef_DigitalAsset_Create request (list of [Base Avatar, default animation data]). The terminal application 20A2 may be a network node having application functions.

[0039] S102: The NEF 30C transmits the request message received in S101 to the DAC 30A.

[0040] S103: DAC30A transmits a response message (Ndac_DigitalAsset_Create response) to NEC30C in response to the request message received in S102. The response message includes address information (e.g., URL) for the network (e.g., inside the core network in 5GS) that indicates the storage location of data related to the registered avatar.

[0041] S104: NEF30C generates external address information (e.g., a URL for accepting access from outside the core network) corresponding to the internal address information received in S103, and stores the internal address information and external address information in association with each other.

[0042] S105: The NEF 30C sends a response message (Nnef_DigitalAsset_Create response) to the request message received in S101 to the terminal application 20A2. The response message has a list of URLs corresponding to the data (combination of basic data and initial motion data) related to the avatar whose registration was requested in S101, and is expressed as, for example, Nnef_DigitalAsset_Create response (list of URLs (in NEF) for accessing [Base Avatar, default Animation Data]).

[0043] S106: Terminal application 20A2 (i.e., terminal 20A1) stores the URL received in S105.

[0044] Furthermore, the same processes as those from S101 to S106 are also executed in the terminal 20B (and the application running on the terminal 20B), the DAC 30F, the CAPIF 30E, and the NEF 30D on the destination network side.

[0045] Fig. 5 shows an example of a second sequence diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this sequence diagram, processing related to making an IMS voice call using an avatar is executed. The processing of each step in Fig. 5 will be explained below. The processing from S201 to S202 and the processing from S203 to S210 are executed in parallel.

[0046] S201: Terminal 20A1, which is a calling terminal, accepts an operation by a user to select an avatar type (for example, a work avatar or a private avatar), and then accepts an operation to make an IMS voice call using the avatar. Furthermore, terminal 20A1 transmits a message (SIP INVITE) to terminal 20B, which is a called terminal, requesting the start of a voice call in SIP (Session Initiation Protocol). The message includes a list of requested terminal avatar capabilities (Offered Requested UE avatar capability List).

[0047] S202: The terminal 20B sends to the terminal 20A1 a response message (SIP 183 Progress) indicating that the settings for starting the voice call requested in the message received in S201 have been started. The response message includes a list of terminal avatar capabilities accepted by the terminal 20B (Accepted Requested UE avatar capability List).

[0048] S203: Terminal 20A1 instructs the browser on the terminal to execute processing related to authentication with CAPIF 30B (authentication processing to confirm whether the user is a resource owner who can grant authorization for access to DAC 30A, and authorization processing to confirm whether the user will grant the authorization). This processing is executed using user plane data between terminal 20A1 and CAPIF 30B based on the Authorization Code Flow processing described in Figure 3 of Non-Patent Document 5.

[0049] S204: The terminal 20A1 transmits a request message to the CAPIF 30B to request activation.

[0050] S205: The CAPIF 30B transmits a request message for making an authentication request to the terminal 20A1.

[0051] S206: The application (referred to as the MMTEL application) that handles the MMTEL in terminal 20A1 executes processing for the request message received in S205. It is assumed that the user of the originating DAC API resource owner has authorized the MMTEL application on the terminal to obtain information from the DAC API by executing "a call with an avatar type selected" in terminal 20A1. Furthermore, it is assumed that the originating DAC API is the MMTEL application, integrating the originating MMTEL application and the terminating MMTEL application.

[0052] S207: The terminal 20A1 transmits to the CAPIF 30B a response message (authentication response) in response to the request message received in S205.

[0053] S208: The CAPIF 30B sends a message including an authorization code to the terminal 20A1.

[0054] S209: The terminal 20A1 sends a request message requesting an access token to the CAPIF 30B. The request message includes the authorization code acquired in S208.

[0055] S210: The CAPIF 30B transmits a response message (access token request response) to the request message received in S209 to the terminal 20A1. The response message includes the access token.

[0056] The process following S210 will be described. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a third sequence diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process of each step in Fig. 6 will be described below.

[0057] S301: The terminal 20A1 transmits to the terminal 20B a response message (PRACK, Provisional response acknowledgement) in response to the message received in S202 of Fig. 5. The response message includes the terminal avatar capability (Selected Requested UE avatar capability) selected by the terminal 20A1 from the list of terminal avatar capabilities accepted by the terminal 20B received in S202 of Fig. 5, the access token received in S210 of Fig. 5, and an external address (URL) for accessing data related to the avatar (a combination of basic data and initial operation data).

[0058] S302: The terminal 20B sends a request message (Nnef_DigitalAsset_Get request) requesting data related to the avatar to the NEF 30C having the external address (URL) received in S301. The request message includes the access token received in S301.

[0059] S303: The NEF 30C, in cooperation with the CAPIF 30B if necessary, verifies that the access token received in S302 is valid. Furthermore, the NEF 30C converts the external address (URL) of the access destination specified in S302 into an internal address (URL) of the network, based on the association information stored in S104 of Fig. 4.

[0060] S304: The NEF 30C transmits a request message (Ndac_DigitalAsset_Get request) requesting data related to the avatar to the DAC 30A having the in-network address (URL) converted in S303.

[0061] S305: The DAC 30A sends a response message (Ndac_DigitalAsset_Get response) to the request message received in S304 to the NEF 30C. The response message includes data (a combination of basic data and initial operation data) related to the avatar identified by the URL included in the request message received in S304.

[0062] S306: The NEF 30C transmits a response message (Nnef_DigitalAsset_Get response) to the request message received in S302 to the terminal 20B. The response message includes data related to the avatar (a combination of basic data and initial action data).

[0063] S307: Terminal 20B transmits to terminal 20A1 a response message (200 OK (PRACK)) in response to the message received in S301.

[0064] S308: The terminal 20A1 sends a SIP message (UPDATE) to the terminal 20B to update the session.

[0065] S309: The terminal 20B generates an avatar based on the data received in S306, displays the generated avatar on the screen of the terminal 20B, and also issues a call notification (alert).

[0066] S310: The terminal 20B sends a response message (200 OK (UPDATE)) to the terminal 20A1 in response to the SIP message received in S308.

[0067] S311: The terminal 20B accepts the user's operation to select an avatar type and an operation to answer the received call, thereby selecting an avatar type and answering the received call.

[0068] The process following S311 will now be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a fourth sequence diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process of each step in Fig. 7 will now be described. The processes from S401 to S403 and the processes from S404 to S409 are executed in parallel.

[0069] S401: The terminal 20B transmits to the terminal 20A1 a response message (SIP 200 OK) in response to the message (SIP INVITE) received in S201 of Fig. 5. The response message includes data related to the avatar to be applied when the terminal 20B responds, which corresponds to the avatar type selected in S311 of Fig. 6.

[0070] S402: A voice call is established between terminal 20A1 and terminal 20B.

[0071] S403: The terminal 20A1 transmits to the terminal 20B a response message (ACK) in response to the response message (SIP 200 OK) received in S401.

[0072] Thereafter, in steps S404 to S409, processing related to authentication regarding access to the DAC 30F by the terminal 20A1 is executed in the same procedure as in steps S204 to S210 of FIG.

[0073] S404: The terminal 20A1 transmits a request message to the CAPIF 30E to request activation.

[0074] S405: The CAPIF 30E transmits a request message for making an authentication request to the terminal 20A1.

[0075] S406: The terminal 20A1 transmits to the CAPIF 30E a response message (authentication response) in response to the request message received in S405.

[0076] S407: The CAPIF 30E sends a message including an authorization code to the terminal 20A1.

[0077] S408: The terminal 20A1 sends a request message requesting an access token to the CAPIF 30E. The request message includes the authorization code acquired in S407.

[0078] S409: The CAPIF 30E transmits to the terminal 20A1 a response message (access token request response) to the request message received in S408. The response message includes the access token.

[0079] S410: Terminal 20B sends a SIP message (SIP re-INVITE) to terminal 20A1. The message contains an external address (URL) indicating the destination from which to obtain data related to the avatar on terminal 20B's side, and an access token for accessing the URL.

[0080] S411: The terminal 20A1 sends a response message (SIP 200 OK) to the terminal 20B in response to the message received in S410.

[0081] S412: The terminal 20A1 sends a request message (Nnef_DigitalAsset_Get request) requesting data related to the avatar to the NEF 30D having the external address (URL) received in S410. The request message includes an access token.

[0082] S413: The NEF 30D, in cooperation with the CAPIF 30E if necessary, verifies that the access token received in S412 is valid. The NEF 30D also converts the external address (URL) of the access destination specified in S412 into an internal address (URL) of the network, based on the correspondence information stored in the NEF 30D.

[0083] S414: The NEF 30D transmits a request message (Ndac_DigitalAsset_Get request) requesting data related to the avatar to the DAC 30F having the in-network address (URL) converted in S413.

[0084] S415: The DAC 30F sends to the NEF 30D a response message (Ndac_DigitalAsset_Get response) in response to the request message received in S414. The response message includes data (a combination of basic data and initial operation data) related to the avatar identified by the URL included in the request message received in S414.

[0085] S416: The NEF 30D sends a response message (Nnef_DigitalAsset_Get response) to the request message received in S412 to the terminal 20A1. The response message includes data related to the avatar (a combination of basic data and initial action data).

[0086] S417: The terminal 20A1 displays the avatar of the terminal 20B at the time of response on the screen of the terminal 20A1 based on the data relating to the avatar included in the message received in S416.

[0087] According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to perform settings related to communication using an avatar in a communication system.

[0088] (Device Configuration) Next, a description will be given of an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10, network node 30, and terminal 20 that perform the processes and operations described above. The base station 10, network node 30, and terminal 20 include functions for performing the above-described embodiments. However, the base station 10, network node 30, and terminal 20 may each include only a part of the functions of the embodiments.

[0089] <Base Station 10 and Network Node 30> Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10 and the network node 30. As shown in Fig. 8, the base station 10 has a transmitting unit 110, a receiving unit 120, a setting unit 130, and a control unit 140. The functional configuration shown in Fig. 8 is merely an example. As long as the operations according to the embodiment of the present invention can be performed, the names of the functional divisions and functional units may be any. Note that the network node 30 may have the same functional configuration as the base station 10. Furthermore, a network node 30 having multiple different functions in the system architecture may be composed of multiple network nodes 30 separated by function.

[0090] The transmitter 110 includes a function of generating a signal to be transmitted to the terminal 20 or another network node 30 and transmitting the signal by wire or wirelessly. The receiver 120 includes a function of receiving various signals transmitted from the terminal 20 or another network node 30 and acquiring, for example, information of a higher layer from the received signal. A communication unit including the transmitter 110 and the receiver 120 may be configured.

[0091] The setting unit 130 stores in a storage device preset setting information and various setting information to be transmitted to the terminal 20, and reads out from the storage device as needed. The content of the setting information is, for example, information related to a communication path in the IMS data channel network.

[0092] As described in the embodiment, the control unit 140 performs processing related to setting up communication using an avatar. The control unit 140 also performs processing related to communication with the terminal 20. The function unit related to signal transmission in the control unit 140 may be included in the transmitting unit 110, and the function unit related to signal reception in the control unit 140 may be included in the receiving unit 120.

[0093] <Terminal 20> Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 20. As shown in Fig. 9, the terminal 20 has a transmitting unit 210, a receiving unit 220, a setting unit 230, and a control unit 240. The functional configuration shown in Fig. 9 is merely an example. As long as the operations related to the embodiment of the present invention can be performed, the names of the functional divisions and functional units may be any. In addition, the communication device that becomes the resource holder 20 may have the same functional configuration as the terminal 20.

[0094] The transmitter 210 creates a transmission signal from transmission data and transmits the transmission signal wirelessly. The receiver 220 receives various signals wirelessly and acquires higher layer signals from the received physical layer signals. The receiver 220 also has a function of receiving control signals, reference signals, etc. transmitted from the network node 30. A communication unit including the transmitter 210 and the receiver 220 may be configured.

[0095] The setting unit 230 stores various pieces of setting information received from the network node 30 by the receiving unit 220 in a storage device and reads them from the storage device as needed. The setting unit 230 also stores setting information that is set in advance. The content of the setting information is, for example, information related to communication paths in the IMS network.

[0096] As described in the embodiment, the control unit 240 performs processing related to setting up communication using an avatar. The function unit related to signal transmission in the control unit 240 may be included in the transmitting unit 210, and the function unit related to signal reception in the control unit 240 may be included in the receiving unit 220.

[0097] (Hardware Configuration) The block diagrams (FIGS. 8 and 9) used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wires, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may be realized by combining software with the single device or the multiple devices.

[0098] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, assessment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these functions are implemented.

[0099] For example, the base station 10, the network node 30, the terminal 20, etc. according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs processing of the wireless communication method of the present disclosure. Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the base station 10 and the terminal 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The network node 30 may have the same hardware configuration as the base station 10. The above-described base station 10 and the terminal 20 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a storage device 1002, an auxiliary storage device 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0100] In the following description, the term "apparatus" can be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the base station 10 and the terminal 20 may be configured to include one or more of the apparatuses shown in the drawings, or may be configured to exclude some of the apparatuses.

[0101] Each function in the base station 10 and the terminal 20 is realized by loading specified software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001, the memory device 1002, etc., so that the processor 1001 performs calculations, controls communication by the communication device 1004, and controls at least one of reading and writing data in the memory device 1002 and the auxiliary memory device 1003.

[0102] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system. The processor 1001 may be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. For example, the above-mentioned control unit 140, control unit 240, etc. may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0103] The processor 1001 also reads programs (program codes), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the auxiliary storage device 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the storage device 1002 and executes various processes in accordance with the programs. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-described embodiments. For example, the control unit 140 of the base station 10 shown in FIG. 8 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and running on the processor 1001. For example, the control unit 240 of the terminal 20 shown in FIG. 9 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and running on the processor 1001. While the above-described various processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may also be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The programs may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0104] The storage device 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be configured, for example, by at least one of a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The storage device 1002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory, etc. The storage device 1002 can store executable programs (program codes), software modules, etc. for implementing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0105] The secondary storage device 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be, for example, at least one of an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other appropriate medium including at least one of the storage device 1002 and the secondary storage device 1003.

[0106] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc. to realize at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, a transmission / reception antenna, an amplifier unit, a transmission / reception unit, a transmission path interface, etc. may be realized by the communication device 1004. The transmission / reception unit may be implemented as a transmission unit and a reception unit that are physically or logically separated.

[0107] The input device 1005 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. Note that the input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (e.g., a touch panel).

[0108] Furthermore, each device such as the processor 1001 and the storage device 1002 is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0109] Furthermore, the base station 10 and the terminal 20 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0110] Fig. 11 shows an example configuration of a vehicle 2001. As shown in Fig. 11, the vehicle 2001 includes a drive unit 2002, a steering unit 2003, an accelerator pedal 2004, a brake pedal 2005, a shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, an axle 2009, an electronic control unit 2010, various sensors 2021 to 2029, an information service unit 2012, and a communication module 2013. Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be applied to a communication device mounted on the vehicle 2001, and may be applied to the communication module 2013, for example.

[0111] The drive unit 2002 is configured, for example, by an engine, a motor, or a hybrid of an engine and a motor. The steering unit 2003 includes at least a steering wheel (also called a handle) and is configured to steer at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels based on the operation of the steering wheel operated by the user.

[0112] The electronic control unit 2010 is composed of a microprocessor 2031, a memory (ROM, RAM) 2032, and a communication port (IO port) 2033. Signals are input to the electronic control unit 2010 from various sensors 2021 to 2029 provided in the vehicle 2001. The electronic control unit 2010 may also be called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0113] The signals from the various sensors 2021 to 2029 include a current signal from a current sensor 2021 that senses the current of the motor, a rotation speed signal of the front and rear wheels obtained by a rotation speed sensor 2022, an air pressure signal of the front and rear wheels obtained by an air pressure sensor 2023, a vehicle speed signal obtained by a vehicle speed sensor 2024, an acceleration signal obtained by an acceleration sensor 2025, an accelerator pedal depression amount signal obtained by an accelerator pedal sensor 2029, a brake pedal depression amount signal obtained by a brake pedal sensor 2026, a shift lever operation signal obtained by a shift lever sensor 2027, and a detection signal for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc. obtained by an object detection sensor 2028.

[0114] The information service unit 2012 is composed of various devices, such as a car navigation system, an audio system, speakers, a television, and a radio, for providing (outputting) various types of information, such as driving information, traffic information, and entertainment information, and one or more ECUs for controlling these devices. The information service unit 2012 uses information acquired from external devices via the communication module 2013 or the like to provide various types of multimedia information and multimedia services to the occupants of the vehicle 2001. The information service unit 2012 may include input devices (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, a touch panel, etc.) that accept input from the outside, and may also include output devices (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, a touch panel, etc.) that output information to the outside.

[0115] The driving assistance system unit 2030 is composed of various devices that provide functions for preventing accidents and reducing the driving burden on the driver, such as millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, positioning locators (e.g., GNSS, etc.), map information (e.g., high-definition (HD) maps, autonomous vehicle (AV) maps, etc.), gyro systems (e.g., IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), INS (Inertial Navigation System), etc.), AI (Artificial Intelligence) chips, and AI processors, as well as one or more ECUs that control these devices. In addition, the driving assistance system unit 2030 transmits and receives various information via the communication module 2013 to realize the driving assistance function or the autonomous driving function.

[0116] The communication module 2013 can communicate with the microprocessor 2031 and components of the vehicle 2001 via the communication port. For example, the communication module 2013 transmits and receives data via the communication port 2033 to and from the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axle 2009, microprocessor 2031 and memory (ROM, RAM) 2032 in the electronic control unit 2010, and sensors 2021 to 29, which are provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0117] The communication module 2013 is a communication device that can be controlled by the microprocessor 2031 of the electronic control unit 2010 and can communicate with an external device. For example, it transmits and receives various information to and from the external device via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 may be located either inside or outside the electronic control unit 2010. The external device may be, for example, a base station, a mobile station, or the like.

[0118] The communication module 2013 may transmit at least one of signals from the above-mentioned various sensors 2021-2028 input to the electronic control unit 2010, information obtained based on the signals, and information based on input from the outside (user) obtained via the information service unit 2012 to an external device via wireless communication. The electronic control unit 2010, the various sensors 2021-2028, the information service unit 2012, etc. may be referred to as input units that accept input. For example, the PUSCH transmitted by the communication module 2013 may include information based on the above-mentioned input.

[0119] The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, traffic signal information, vehicle-to-vehicle information, etc.) transmitted from external devices and displays it on an information service unit 2012 provided in the vehicle 2001. The information service unit 2012 may be called an output unit that outputs information (for example, outputs information to a device such as a display or speaker based on the PDSCH (or data / information decoded from the PDSCH) received by the communication module 2013). The communication module 2013 also stores the various information received from external devices in a memory 2032 that can be used by the microprocessor 2031. Based on the information stored in the memory 2032, the microprocessor 2031 may control the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axles 2009, sensors 2021 to 2029, etc. provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0120] <Additional Notes> (Additional Note 1) A network node comprising: a receiving unit that receives a first message requesting storage of data related to an avatar from a terminal or a first network node having an application function; and a transmitting unit that transmits a second message requesting storage of the data to a second network node, wherein the receiving unit receives from the second network node a second message including first address information for inside the network indicating a storage location of the data; and a control unit that generates second address information for outside the network that corresponds to the first address information and stores the first address information in association with the second address information; and wherein the transmitting unit transmits a third message including the second address information to the terminal or the first network node. (Supplementary Item 2) A network node comprising: a receiving unit that receives a first message, sent from a terminal or a first network node having an application function to an address for outside the network, requesting acquisition of data related to an avatar; a control unit that converts the address for outside the network into an address for inside the network; and a transmitting unit that transmits a second message requesting acquisition of the data to a second network node having the address for inside the network, wherein the receiving unit receives a third message including the data from the second network node, and the transmitting unit transmits a fourth message including the data to the terminal or the first network node. (Supplementary Item 3) A terminal comprising: a transmitter that transmits a first message to a first network node requesting storage of data related to an avatar; and a receiver that receives a second message from the first network node, the second message including address information for outside the network indicating a storage location of the data, wherein the transmitter transmits a third message to a second network node requesting an access token for accessing an address indicated by the address information, the receiver receives the access token from the second network node, and the transmitter transmits the address information and the access token to another terminal.(Supplementary Item 4) A terminal comprising: a transmitter that transmits a first message requesting the start of a voice call to another terminal, a receiver that receives a second message indicating that setup for starting the voice call has started from the other terminal, and a transmitter that transmits a message requesting an access token to a first network node. (Supplementary Item 5) A terminal comprising: a receiver that receives the first message requesting the start of a voice call from another terminal, and a transmitter that transmits a second message indicating that setup for starting the voice call to the other terminal, wherein the receiver receives a third message including address information for outside the network that indicates a storage location of data related to an avatar and an access token for accessing the address indicated by the address information, the transmitter transmits a fourth message including the access token to a network node having an address indicated by the address information, requesting acquisition of the data, and the receiver receives a fifth message including the data from the network node. (Supplementary clause 6) A communication method executed by a network node, comprising: receiving a first message from a terminal or a first network node having an application function, the first message requesting storage of data related to an avatar; transmitting a second message to a second network node requesting storage of the data; receiving a second message from the second network node, the second message including first address information for inside the network indicating a storage location of the data; generating second address information for outside the network that corresponds to the first address information, and storing the first address information and the second address information in association with each other; and transmitting a third message including the second address information to the terminal or the first network node.

[0121] Any of supplementary items 1 to 6 makes it possible to execute settings related to communication using an avatar in a communication system.

[0122] (Supplementary Notes on the Embodiments) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the disclosed invention is not limited to such embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand various modifications, alterations, alternatives, and substitutions. While specific numerical examples have been used to facilitate understanding of the invention, unless otherwise specified, these numerical values ​​are merely examples, and any appropriate values ​​may be used. The division of items in the above description is not essential to the present invention; matters described in two or more items may be used in combination as needed, and matters described in one item may apply to matters described in another item (as long as there is no contradiction). Boundaries between functional units or processing units in functional block diagrams do not necessarily correspond to boundaries between physical components. The operations of multiple functional units may be performed by a single physical component, or the operations of a single functional unit may be performed by multiple physical components. The order of processing steps described in the embodiments may be reversed as long as there is no contradiction. For convenience of processing description, the base station 10 and terminal 20 have been described using functional block diagrams, but such devices may be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The software operated by the processor of the base station 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and the software operated by the processor of the terminal 20 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may each be stored in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, register, hard disk (HDD), removable disk, CD-ROM, database, server, or any other suitable storage medium.

[0123] Furthermore, the notification of information is not limited to the aspects / embodiments described in the present disclosure, and may be performed using other methods. For example, the notification of information may be performed by physical layer signaling (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI), Uplink Control Information (UCI)), higher layer signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling), broadcast information (Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB)), other signals, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC Connection Setup message, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, or the like.

[0124] Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be implemented using any of the following standards: LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), xth generation mobile communication system (xG) (xG (x is, for example, an integer or a decimal number)), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.17 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.19 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.21 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.22 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.23 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.24 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.25 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.26 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.27 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.28 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.29 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.30 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.31 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.32 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.33 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.34 ( The present invention may be applied to at least one of systems using 802.20, UWB (Ultra-Wide Band), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other suitable systems, and next-generation systems that are extended, modified, created, or defined based on these systems. The present invention may also be applied to a combination of multiple systems (e.g., a combination of LTE and / or LTE-A with 5G).

[0125] The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be rearranged unless it is consistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0126] In this specification, a specific operation described as being performed by the base station 10 may be performed by its upper node in some cases. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having the base station 10, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with the terminal 20 may be performed by at least one of the base station 10 and another network node other than the base station 10 (such as, but not limited to, an MME or an S-GW). Although the above example illustrates a case where there is one other network node other than the base station 10, the other network node may be a combination of multiple other network nodes (such as an MME and an S-GW).

[0127] The information or signals described in the present disclosure may be output from a higher layer (or a lower layer) to a lower layer (or a higher layer), or may be input / output via multiple network nodes.

[0128] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to another device.

[0129] In the present disclosure, the determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0130] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0131] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0132] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0133] Note that terms described in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of a channel and a symbol may be a signal (signaling). Furthermore, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, a cell, a frequency carrier, etc.

[0134] As used in this disclosure, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0135] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in the present disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or other corresponding information. For example, a radio resource may be indicated by an index.

[0136] The names used for the above-described parameters are not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, the mathematical expressions using these parameters may differ from those explicitly disclosed in this disclosure. The various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements may be identified by any suitable names, and therefore the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0137] In the present disclosure, terms such as "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "base station device," "fixed station," "NodeB," "eNodeB (eNB)," "gNodeB (gNB)," "access point," "transmission point," "reception point," "transmission / reception point," "cell," "sector," "cell group," "carrier," and "component carrier" may be used interchangeably. A base station may also be referred to by terms such as a macrocell, a small cell, a femtocell, and a picocell.

[0138] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells. When a base station accommodates multiple cells, the overall coverage area of ​​the base station can be partitioned into multiple smaller areas, and each smaller area can also be provided with communication services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a small indoor base station (RRH: Remote Radio Head)). The terms "cell" or "sector" refer to part or all of the coverage area of ​​a base station and / or base station subsystem that provides communication services within that coverage.

[0139] In the present disclosure, the base station transmitting information to a terminal may be interpreted as the base station instructing the terminal to control or operate based on the information.

[0140] In this disclosure, the terms "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," "terminal," and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0141] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable terminology.

[0142] At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be referred to as a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device mounted on a mobile object, the mobile object itself, etc. The mobile object refers to a movable object, and may move at any speed. Naturally, this also includes cases where the mobile object is stationary. Examples of the mobile object include, but are not limited to, vehicles, transport vehicles, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, connected cars, excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, dump trucks, forklifts, trains, buses, handcars, rickshaws, ships and other watercraft, airplanes, rockets, satellites, drones (registered trademark), multicopters, quadcopters, balloons, and objects mounted thereon. The mobile object may also be a mobile object that moves autonomously based on an operational command. It may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane, etc.), an unmanned mobile object (e.g., a drone, an autonomous vehicle, etc.), or a robot (manned or unmanned). At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device that does not necessarily move during communication operations. For example, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may be an IoT (Internet of Things) device such as a sensor.

[0143] Furthermore, a base station in the present disclosure may be read as a user terminal. For example, the aspects / embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which communication between a base station and a user terminal is replaced with communication between multiple terminals 20 (which may be called, for example, Device-to-Device (D2D) or Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X)). In this case, the terminal 20 may be configured to have the functions of the base station 10 described above. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be read as terms corresponding to terminal-to-terminal communication (for example, "side"). For example, terms such as an uplink channel and a downlink channel may be read as a side channel.

[0144] Similarly, the user terminal in the present disclosure may be read as a base station, in which case the base station may be configured to have the functions of the user terminal described above.

[0145] As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0146] The terms "connected," "coupled," or any variation thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using one or more wires, cables, and / or printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0147] The reference signal may be abbreviated as RS (Reference Signal) or may be called a pilot depending on the applicable standard.

[0148] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0149] As used in this disclosure, any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc. does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must in some way precede the second element.

[0150] The "means" in the configuration of each of the above devices may be replaced with "part," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0151] When the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when the term "or" is used in this disclosure, it is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0152] In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0153] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0154] The aspects / embodiments described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be implicit (e.g., not notifying the predetermined information).

[0155] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0156] 10 Base station 110 Transmitter 120 Receiver 130 Setting unit 140 Control unit 20 Terminal 210 Transmitter 220 Receiver 230 Setting unit 240 Control unit 30 Network node 1001 Processor 1002 Storage device 1003 Auxiliary storage device 1004 Communication device 1005 Input device 1006 Output device 2001 Vehicle 2002 Drive unit 2003 Steering unit 2004 Accelerator pedal 2005 Brake pedal 2006 Shift lever 2007 Front wheels 2008 Rear wheels 2009 Axle 2010 Electronic control unit 2012 Information service unit 2013 Communication module 2021 Current sensor 2022 RPM sensor 2023 Tire pressure sensor 2024 Vehicle speed sensor 2025 Acceleration sensor 2026 Brake pedal sensor 2027 Shift lever sensor 2028 Object detection sensor 2029 Accelerator pedal sensor 2030 Driving assistance system unit 2031 Microprocessor 2032 Memory (ROM, RAM) 2033 Communication port (IO port)

Claims

1. A network node comprising: a receiving unit that receives a first message from a terminal or a first network node having an application function, the first message requesting the storage of data related to an avatar; and a transmitting unit that transmits a second message to a second network node, the second message requesting the storage of the data; wherein the receiving unit receives from the second network node a second message including first address information for within the network indicating a storage location of the data; and a control unit that generates second address information for outside the network that corresponds to the first address information, and stores the first address information and the second address information in association with each other; and wherein the transmitting unit transmits a third message including the second address information to the terminal or the first network node.

2. A network node comprising: a receiving unit that receives a first message, sent from a terminal or a first network node having an application function to an address outside the network, requesting the acquisition of data related to an avatar; a control unit that converts the address outside the network into an address inside the network; and a transmitting unit that transmits a second message requesting the acquisition of the data to a second network node having the address inside the network, wherein the receiving unit receives a third message including the data from the second network node, and the transmitting unit transmits a fourth message including the data to the terminal or the first network node.

3. A terminal comprising: a transmitter that transmits a first message to a first network node requesting storage of data related to an avatar; and a receiver that receives a second message from the first network node, the second message including address information for outside the network indicating the storage location of the data; wherein the transmitter transmits a third message to a second network node requesting an access token for accessing an address indicated by the address information; the receiver receives the access token from the second network node; and the transmitter transmits the address information and the access token to another terminal.

4. A terminal having: a transmitter that transmits a first message to another terminal requesting the start of a voice call; a receiver that receives a second message from the other terminal indicating that settings related to the start of the voice call have begun; and a transmitter that transmits a message to a first network node requesting an access token.

5. A terminal comprising: a receiving unit that receives a first message requesting the start of a voice call from another terminal; and a transmitting unit that transmits a second message to the other terminal indicating that settings related to the start of a voice call have begun, wherein the receiving unit receives a third message including address information for outside the network indicating a storage location of data related to an avatar and an access token for accessing the address indicated by the address information; the transmitting unit transmits a fourth message including the access token to a network node having an address indicated by the address information, requesting acquisition of the data; and the receiving unit receives a fifth message including the data from the network node.

6. A communication method executed by a network node, comprising the steps of: receiving a first message from a terminal or a first network node having an application function, the first message requesting storage of data related to an avatar; sending a second message to a second network node requesting storage of the data; receiving a second message from the second network node, the second message including first address information for within the network indicating a storage location of the data; generating second address information for outside the network that corresponds to the first address information, and storing the first address information and the second address information in association with each other; and sending a third message including the second address information to the terminal or the first network node.

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