Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a related apparatus, which are conducive to realizing the secure opening of operator network information. The method comprises: a first network element sending a first request message to a second network element, wherein the first request message comprises first identification information, the first request message is configured to request energy information, and the energy information is configured to indicate energy consumed by at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information; on the basis of the first identification information, the second network element determining whether the first network element is allowed to acquire the energy information; and when the first network element is allowed to acquire the energy information, the second network element sending the energy information to the first network element.

Description

Communication method and related device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on February 29, 2024, with application number 202410235137.9 and application name “Communication Methods and Related Devices”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a communication method and related devices. Background Art

[0003] Carrier network information refers to the large-scale user data collection and management by carriers. Carrier network information originates from the network infrastructure within the carrier network.

[0004] Currently, carrier network information is publicly available, and third-party application functional network elements can subscribe to this information. However, this exposure can also lead to privacy leaks. Leaking data within a carrier network can threaten the security of the network. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and related devices that can realize the secure opening of operator network information.

[0006] On the first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second network element. The second network element is, for example, a network capability exposure function network element, or a component configured in the network capability exposure function network element (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the second network element. This application does not limit this.

[0007] The method includes: receiving a first request message from a first network element, the first request message including first identification information, the first request message being used to request energy information, the energy information being used to indicate energy consumed by at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information; determining whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on the first identification information; and sending the energy information to the first network element if the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information.

[0008] In this application, the first network element is, for example, an application function network element external to the operator's network. The first network element's request to obtain energy information can be understood as the application function network element requesting information indicating energy consumed by at least one network element, where the at least one network element corresponds to the first identification information. The energy consumed by the at least one network element can also be described as the energy efficiency of the at least one network element.

[0009] Based on the technical solution of this application, the second network element verifies whether the first network element is allowed to access the energy information and, if the verification is successful, sends the energy information to the first network element. This prevents energy information leakage caused by unauthorized application function network elements accessing energy information within the operator network, thereby achieving secure and open access to operator network information.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first identification information includes identification information of the first terminal device, and the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element serving the first terminal device. In the present application, the energy information requested by the first network element is used to indicate energy consumed by the network element serving the first terminal device.

[0011] In the present application, the identification information of the first terminal device is a first identity identifier of the first terminal device, and the first identity identifier is used to uniquely identify the first terminal device within the system to which the at least one network element belongs and outside the system. For example, the first identity identifier of the first terminal device is a globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal device.

[0012] Optionally, the first identification information may also include identification information of the network element type, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of this network element type serving the first terminal device, and the network element type is, for example, an access and mobility management function network element, a session management network element, a user plane function network element, etc.

[0013] Optionally, the first identification information may further include identification information of a network, and the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element in the network that serves the first terminal device. For example, if the identification information of the network is identification information of a fifth-generation mobile communication network (referred to as a 5G network), then the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element in the 5G network that serves the first terminal device.

[0014] Optionally, the first identification information may also include identification information of the slice type, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element serving the first terminal device in the slice.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the identification information of the first terminal device is a globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal device. Determining whether the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information based on the first identification information includes: determining whether the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information based on a user permanent identifier of the first terminal device corresponding to the globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal device.

[0016] In this application, the second network element determines whether the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information based on the second identity information of the first terminal device corresponding to the globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal device. The second identity information of the first terminal device is used to uniquely identify the first terminal device within the system to which the at least one network element belongs. For example, the second identity information of the first terminal device is a permanent user identifier of the first terminal device.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, determining whether the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information based on the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device corresponding to the globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal device includes: determining whether the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information based on whether the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device belongs to a first list. The first list includes the user permanent identifiers of one or more terminals, and the first network element is permitted to obtain information indicating energy consumed by the network element serving the one or more terminals.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first request message includes a first authorization token, the first authorization token includes terminal identification information, the first authorization token is used to indicate authorization for the first network element to obtain energy information, and the energy information authorized for the first network element to obtain is used to indicate energy consumed by the network element serving the terminal corresponding to the terminal identification information. Determining whether the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information based on the first identification information includes: determining whether the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information based on whether the terminal identification information is consistent with identification information of the first terminal device.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first identification information includes identification information of a network element type, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of that network element type. In this application, the energy information requested by the first network element is used to indicate energy consumed by network elements of that network element type.

[0020] Optionally, the first identification information may further include identification information of a network, and the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of this network element type in the network.

[0021] Optionally, the first identification information may also include identification information of the slice, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of the network element type serving the slice.

[0022] Optionally, the first identification information may further include identification information of the second terminal device, and the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of the network element type serving the second terminal device. The identification information of the second terminal device is, for example, a globally unique temporary identifier of the second terminal device.

[0023] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, determining, based on the first identification information, whether the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information includes: determining, based on whether the identification information of the network element type belongs to a second list, whether the first network element is authorized to obtain the energy information. The second list includes identification information of one or more network element types, and the first network element is permitted to obtain information indicating energy consumed by network elements of the one or more network element types.

[0024] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first identification information includes identification information of a network, and the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element in the network. In the present application, the energy information requested by the first network element is used to indicate energy consumed by the network element in the network.

[0025] Optionally, the first identification information may further include identification information of a network element type, and the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of this network element type in the network.

[0026] Optionally, the first identification information may also include identification information of the slice, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element in the network that serves the slice.

[0027] Optionally, the first identification information may further include identification information of the second terminal device, and the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element in the network that serves the second terminal device.

[0028] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, determining whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on the first identification information includes: determining whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on whether the identification information of the network belongs to a third list, the third list including identification information of one or more networks, and the first network element is allowed to obtain information indicating the energy consumed by the network elements in the one or more networks.

[0029] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first identification information includes identification information of the slice, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element serving the slice.

[0030] Optionally, the first identification information may also include identification information of the network element type, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of this network element type that serves the slice.

[0031] Optionally, the first identification information may also include identification information of the network, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element in the network that serves the slice.

[0032] Optionally, the first identification information may also include identification information of the second terminal device, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is the network element serving the second terminal device in the slice.

[0033] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, determining, based on the first identification information, whether the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information includes: determining, based on whether the identification information of the slice belongs to a fourth list, whether the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information. The fourth list includes identification information of one or more slices, and the first network element is permitted to obtain information indicating energy consumed by network elements serving the one or more slices.

[0034] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, determining whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on the first identification information includes: determining whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on whether the identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information belongs to the fifth list, the fifth list including the identification information of one or more network elements, and the first network element is allowed to obtain information indicating the energy consumed by the one or more network elements.

[0035] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: obtaining the energy information from the first communication device, for example, when the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information, obtaining the energy information from the first communication device. For example, when the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information, sending a second request message to the first communication device, the second request message being used to request the energy information, the second request message including the first identification information or identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information; and receiving the energy information from the first communication device.

[0036] In the present application, the first communication device is a network function service producer (NFp) or an OAM functional entity. The NFp is, for example, a network data analysis function network element. The first communication device is configured to collect energy consumed by the at least one network element and generate the energy information.

[0037] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the second request message includes a second authorization token, the second authorization token includes the first identification information or the identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information, the second authorization token is used to indicate that the first communication device authorizes the second network element to obtain energy information, and the energy information authorized to be obtained by the second network element is used to indicate: the energy consumed by at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information.

[0038] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, before sending a second request message to the first communication device, the method also includes: sending a third request message to a third network element, the third request message including the first identification information or identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information, the third request message being used to request authorization to obtain the energy information; and receiving a second authorization token from the third network element.

[0039] In this application, the third network element is, for example, a network storage function network element. The second network element sends a third request message to the third network element. When the third network element determines that the first communication device allows the second network element to obtain the energy information, it sends a second authorization token to the second network element.

[0040] On the second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first communication device, where the first communication device is, for example, an NFp or OAM functional entity, or a component configured in the NFp or OAM functional entity (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the NFp or OAM functional entity. This application does not limit this.

[0041] The method includes: receiving a second request message from a second network element, the second request message being used to request energy information, the second request message including first identification information or identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information; generating the energy information based on energy consumed by at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information; and sending the energy information to the second network element.

[0042] In the present application, the second network element is, for example, a network capability exposure function network element. Upon determining that the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information, the second network element sends a second request message to the first communication device to request the energy information. The first network element is, for example, an application function network element external to the operator's network. The first communication device may obtain, based on the first identification information, energy consumed by at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information and generate energy information.

[0043] Based on the technical solution of this application, the first communication device receives a second request message when the second network element determines that the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information. The first communication device then generates the energy information requested by the first network element and sends the energy information to the first network element via the second network element. This prevents energy information leakage caused by unauthorized application function network elements obtaining energy information within the operator network, thereby achieving secure and open access to operator network information.

[0044] In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first identification information includes identification information of the first terminal device, and the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element serving the first terminal device. In the present application, the energy information requested by the first network element is used to indicate energy consumed by the network element serving the first terminal device.

[0045] Optionally, the first identification information may also include identification information of the network element type, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of this network element type serving the first terminal device, and the network element type is, for example, an access and mobility management function network element, a session management network element, a user plane function network element, etc.

[0046] Optionally, the first identification information may further include network identification information, and the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element in the network that serves the first terminal device. For example, if the network identification information is identification information of a 5G network, then the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element in the 5G network that serves the first terminal device.

[0047] Optionally, the first identification information may also include identification information of the slice type, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element serving the first terminal device in the slice.

[0048] Optionally, the identification information of the first terminal device is a globally unique temporary identification of the first terminal device.

[0049] Optionally, the first request message includes a first authorization token, the first authorization token includes terminal identification information, the first authorization token is used to indicate the energy information authorized to be obtained by the first network element, and the energy information authorized to be obtained by the first network element is used to indicate: the energy consumed by the network element serving the terminal corresponding to the terminal identification information.

[0050] In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first identification information includes identification information of a network element type, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of that network element type. In this application, the energy information requested by the first network element is used to indicate energy consumed by network elements of that network element type.

[0051] Optionally, the first identification information may further include identification information of a network, and the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of this network element type in the network.

[0052] Optionally, the first identification information may also include identification information of the slice, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of the network element type serving the slice.

[0053] Optionally, the first identification information may further include identification information of the second terminal device, and the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of the network element type serving the second terminal device. The identification information of the second terminal device is, for example, a globally unique temporary identifier of the second terminal device.

[0054] In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first identification information includes identification information of a network, and the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element in the network. In the present application, the energy information requested by the first network element is used to indicate energy consumed by the network element in the network.

[0055] Optionally, the first identification information may further include identification information of a network element type, and the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of this network element type in the network.

[0056] Optionally, the first identification information may also include identification information of the slice, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element in the network that serves the slice.

[0057] Optionally, the first identification information may further include identification information of the second terminal device, and the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element in the network that serves the second terminal device.

[0058] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first identification information includes identification information of the slice, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element serving the slice.

[0059] Optionally, the first identification information may also include identification information of the network element type, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of this network element type that serves the slice.

[0060] Optionally, the first identification information may also include identification information of the network, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element in the network that serves the slice.

[0061] Optionally, the first identification information may also include identification information of the second terminal device, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is the network element serving the second terminal device in the slice.

[0062] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the second request message includes a second authorization token, the second authorization token includes the first identification information or the identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information, and the second authorization token is used to indicate that the first communication device authorizes the second network element to obtain energy information, and the energy information authorized to be obtained by the second network element is used to indicate: the energy consumed by at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information.

[0063] It should be understood that the second aspect of this application corresponds to the technical solution of the first aspect of this application, and the beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation methods are similar and will not be repeated here.

[0064] In a third aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a module for executing the method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects. Specifically, the device includes a module for executing the method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0065] In one design, the device may include a module corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in any of the above aspects. The module may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0066] In another design, the device is a communication chip, which may include an input circuit or interface for sending information or data, and an output circuit or interface for receiving information or data.

[0067] In another design, the apparatus includes a transmitter for sending information or data and a receiver for receiving information or data.

[0068] In another design, the device is used to perform the method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects, and the device can be configured in the second network element or the first communication device.

[0069] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor configured to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that the device executes a method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0070] Optionally, the device further comprises a memory, which can be used to store instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, and when the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory, the method described in the above aspects can be implemented.

[0071] Optionally, the device further includes: a transmitter (emitter) and a receiver (receiver), and the transmitter and the receiver can be separately provided or integrated together, and are referred to as a transceiver (transceiver).

[0072] In a fifth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes: a computer program (also referred to as code, or instructions), which, when executed, enables a computer to execute a method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0073] In a sixth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program (also referred to as code, or instructions) which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to execute a method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0074] In the seventh aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor for supporting the implementation of the functions involved in any of the above aspects, such as receiving or processing the data involved in the above method.

[0075] In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory, which is used to store program instructions and data, and the memory is located inside or outside the processor.

[0076] Optionally, the chip system may consist of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] Figures 2 to 6 are schematic flow charts of the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application;

[0079] 7 and 8 are schematic block diagrams of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0081] Before introducing the communication method and related devices provided in the embodiments of the present application, the following points are explained.

[0082] First, in the embodiments described below, various terms and abbreviations, such as AF, NEF, energy information, and network element, are provided for ease of description and should not be construed as limiting this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of defining other terms in existing or future protocols that can achieve the same or similar functions.

[0083] Second, the first, second and various numerical numbers in the embodiments shown below are only used for the convenience of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0084] Third, "at least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b and c can mean: a, or b, or c, or a and b, or a and c, or b and c, or a, b and c, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0085] Fourth, "sending" and "receiving" in this application indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "sending energy information to the first network element" can be understood as the destination end of the energy information is the first network element, which can include direct sending through the air interface, and also include indirect sending through the air interface by other units or modules. "Receiving a first request message from the first network element" can be understood as the source end of the first request message is the first network element, which can include direct receiving from the first network element through the air interface, and also include indirect receiving from the first network element through the air interface from other units or modules. "Sending" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receiving" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

[0086] In other words, sending and receiving can be carried out between devices, for example, between a terminal and an access network device; or it can be carried out within a device, for example, sending or receiving between components, modules, chips, software modules or hardware modules within the device through a bus, wiring or interface.

[0087] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: new radio (NR) system, long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, etc.

[0088] A public land mobile network (PLMN) is a network established and operated by the government or an operator approved by it for the purpose of providing land mobile communication services to the public. It is mainly a public network in which mobile network operators (MNOs) provide mobile broadband access services to users. PLMN can also be referred to as an operator network. The PLMN described in the embodiments of the present application may specifically be a network that complies with the standards of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), referred to as a 3GPP network. 3GPP networks generally include but are not limited to 5G networks, 4th-generation mobile communication networks, referred to as 4G networks, and other future communication systems, such as 6th-generation mobile communication networks, referred to as 6G networks, etc. For the sake of convenience of description, the embodiments of the present application will be described using the 5G network as an example of PLMN.

[0089] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to the present application, taking the 5G network architecture based on the service-based architecture (SBA) in the non-roaming scenario defined in the 3GPP standardization process as an example. As shown in the figure, the network architecture may include three parts, namely the terminal part (such as the user equipment (UE) in Figure 1), the data network (DN) and the operator network (i.e., PLMN) part. The operator network part may include but is not limited to the (radio) access network ((R)AN) and the core network (CN). The functions of the equipment or network elements of each part are briefly described below.

[0090] The CN part may include, but is not limited to, the following network elements (also referred to as network functions (NF)): user plane function (UPF) network element, access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, session management function (SMF) network element, unified data management (UDM) network element, network exposure function (NEF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, network repository function (NRF) network element, network slice selection function (NSSF) network element, and authentication server function (AUSF) network element. Optionally, the network architecture also includes a network data analytics function (NWDAF) network element.

[0091] The AMF network element is a network element, module, or component that provides access management functions. It is primarily responsible for signaling processing, such as access control, mobility management, attach and detach, and gateway selection. When the AMF network element provides services for a session in a terminal, it provides control plane storage resources for the session to store the session identifier and the SMF identifier associated with the session identifier.

[0092] An SMF network element is a network element, module, or component responsible for processing user services, such as user plane function selection, user plane function redirection, allocation of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, bearer establishment, modification, and release, and QoS control.

[0093] The UPF network element is responsible for forwarding and receiving user data from the terminal. The UPF can receive user data from the DN and transmit it to the UE via the RAN node. The UPF network element can also receive user data from the UE via the RAN node and forward it to the DN. The transmission resources and scheduling functions provided by the UPF network element to the UE are managed and controlled by the SMF network element.

[0094] The NEF network element is located between the operator network and the third-party application function network elements (possibly also including some internal application function network elements), and is responsible for managing the network data open to the outside world. The third-party application function network elements need to access the internal data of the operator network through the NEF network element. NEF provides corresponding security guarantees to ensure the security of the third-party application function network elements accessing the operator network. The NRF network element supports the registration and discovery of network functions, including the registration, management, and status detection of network functions, to achieve automated management of all network functions. When each network function is started, it needs to register with the NRF before it can provide services. The registration information includes the type, address, service list and other information of the network function.

[0095] The NWDAF network element supports collecting data from other network functions, supports collecting data from OAM functional entities, and supports providing analysis information to other network functions.

[0096] The network architecture shown in Figure 1 also includes application function (AF) network elements. AF network elements refer to various application layer services. These can be application services within the operator network, such as voice over long-term evolution (VoLTE), or third-party application services, such as video servers and game servers. AF network elements within the operator network are in the same trusted domain as other network elements and can directly interact with them. However, third-party AF network elements are not in the same trusted domain as other network elements and must access other network elements through NEF network elements.

[0097] The RAN node provided in the embodiment of the present application can be a base station, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation Node B (gNB) in 5G or NR, a RAN node in an open radio access network (O-RAN or open RAN), or a next generation base station in the sixth generation mobile communication technology (6G). Alternatively, the RAN node can also be a satellite base station in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication network, or a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system. Alternatively, the RAN node can also be a module or unit that performs part of the functions of a base station, for example, a centralized unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). The functions of the CU can be implemented by one entity or by different entities. For example, the functions of the CU can be further divided, for example, by separating the control plane (CP) and the user plane (UP), i.e., the CU control plane (CU-CP) and the CU user plane (CU-UP). RAN nodes can be macro base stations, micro base stations, indoor stations, relay nodes, or host nodes. This application does not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by RAN nodes. RAN nodes can also be referred to as access network devices or access network elements, which are not limited in this application.

[0098] The terminal provided in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment, mobile station, or mobile terminal. The terminal can be widely used in various scenarios for communication. Such scenarios include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, or smart city. The terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable device, vehicle, helicopter, airplane, drone, ship, robot, robotic arm, or smart home device. This application does not limit the specific technology and device form factor used by the terminal device.

[0099] The above-mentioned network elements can be fixed or movable. The above-mentioned network elements can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; or can be deployed on the water surface; or can be deployed on airplanes, balloons and artificial satellites in the air. This application does not limit the environment / scenario in which the above-mentioned network elements are located. The above-mentioned network elements can be deployed in the same or different environments / scenarios, for example, the UE and RAN nodes are deployed on land at the same time; or, the UE is deployed on land and the RAN node is deployed on the water surface, etc., and examples are not given one by one here. This application does not limit the communication method between the above-mentioned multiple network elements.

[0100] In an embodiment of the present application, the network element shown in Figure 1 can be a hardware device, or it can be a software function running on dedicated hardware, a software function running on general-purpose hardware, such as a virtualization function instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform), or an entity including dedicated or general-purpose hardware devices and software functions. This application does not limit the specific form of each network element.

[0101] Currently, carrier network information is publicly available, and third-party application functional network elements can subscribe to this information. However, this exposure can also lead to privacy leaks. Leaking data within a carrier network can threaten the security of the network.

[0102] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. This method uses operator network information as an example to describe how to securely open operator network energy information. In this method, a third-party application function network element requests energy information, and the network capability exposure function network element verifies whether the application function network element is allowed to obtain the requested energy information. If the verification is successful, the network capability exposure function network element then provides the energy information to the application function network element. This prevents the leakage of energy information related to the operator network caused by unauthorized application function network elements, thereby achieving the secure disclosure of operator network-related energy information.

[0103] FIG2 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method 200 can be applied to the system architecture shown in FIG1 , but the embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0104] Method 200 includes S201 to S203, and the specific steps are as follows:

[0105] S201: A first network element sends a first request message to a second network element. The first request message includes first identification information and is used to request energy information. The energy information indicates energy consumed by at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information. Accordingly, the second network element receives the first request message.

[0106] In the embodiment of the present application, the first network element is, for example, an application function network element outside the operator network, and the second network element is, for example, a network capability exposure function network element.

[0107] As described above, the network capability exposure function element is a network element within the operator's network, responsible for managing and exposing network data to external parties (e.g., application function elements outside the operator's network). Application function elements outside the operator's network need to access the operator's network's internal data through the network capability exposure function element. The energy consumed by the network element is internal to the operator's network. Therefore, when the application function element requests energy information within the operator's network, it must request this energy information from the network capability exposure function element.

[0108] Network elements in a carrier's network consume energy when implementing service functions. These elements can be those in the core network, such as access and mobility management elements and user plane elements. They can also be those in the access network, such as base stations.

[0109] The operator network can provide multiple different types of energy information, such as terminal-type energy information, network-type energy information, network-type energy information, or slice-type energy information. Different types of energy information can also be understood as energy information of different granularities.

[0110] In the embodiment of the present application, the first identification information corresponds to at least one network element, and the at least one network element is related to the type of energy information. The first identification information may indicate the type of energy information.

[0111] Optionally, the first identification information includes a type identifier and a first identifier, wherein the type identifier is used to indicate the type of the energy information, and the first identifier is used to indicate a specific object of the type, and the specific object corresponds to the at least one network element.

[0112] For example, the type identifier takes a first value (such as 001), indicating that the type of energy information is a terminal type, and the first identifier is the identification information of the first terminal device, that is, the specific object under the terminal type indicated by the first identifier is the first terminal device. The identification information of the first terminal device is the first identity identifier of the first terminal device, and the first identity identifier of the first terminal device is used to uniquely identify the first terminal device in the system to which the at least one network element belongs and outside the system. For example, the first identity identifier of the first terminal device is a globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal device. In this example, the at least one network element corresponding to the first terminal device is a network element serving the first terminal device, that is, the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element serving the first terminal device, and the energy information is used to indicate the energy consumed by the network element serving the first terminal device.

[0113] For another example, the type identifier takes the second value (e.g., 002), indicating that the type of energy information is a network element type, and the first identifier is identification information of the first network element type. That is, the specific object under the network element type indicated by the first identifier is the first network element type, and the first network element type is, for example, an access and mobility management function network element. In this example, the at least one network element corresponding to the first network element type is a network element of the first network type, that is, the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of the first network element type, and the energy information is used to indicate the energy consumed by the network element of the first network element type.

[0114] It should be understood that the access and mobility management function network element, the session management function network element, the user plane function network element, etc. can be regarded as different types of network elements.

[0115] For another example, the type identifier takes a third value (e.g., 003), indicating that the type of energy information is a network type, and the first identifier is identification information of the first network. That is, the specific object under the network type indicated by the first identifier is the first network, and the first network is, for example, a network of a certain campus, or a 5G network. In this example, the at least one network element corresponding to the first network is a network element in the first network, that is, the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element in the first network, and the energy information is used to indicate the energy consumed by the network element in the first network.

[0116] For another example, the type identifier takes the fourth value (such as 004), indicating that the type of energy information is a slice type, and the first identifier is the identification information of the first slice, that is, the specific object under the slice type indicated by the first identifier is the first slice. In this example, the at least one network element corresponding to the first slice is a network element serving the first slice, that is, the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element serving the first slice, and the energy information is used to indicate the energy consumed by the network element serving the first slice.

[0117] Optionally, the first identification information further includes a second identifier, and the second identifier further limits the network element range indicated by the first identifier.

[0118] In conjunction with the above-mentioned terminal type example, the first identification information also includes a second identifier, which is identification information of a second network element type, such as identification information of an access network device and / or identification information of a user plane function network element. In this example, the at least one network element corresponding to the first terminal device is a network element of the second network element type that serves the first terminal device, that is, the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information includes a network element of the second network element type that serves the first terminal device, and the energy information is used to indicate the energy consumed by the network element of the second network element type that serves the first terminal device.

[0119] In conjunction with the above example of the network element type, the first identification information also includes a second identifier, which is identification information of the second network. In this example, the at least one network element corresponding to the first network element type is a network element of the first network element type in the second network, that is, the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of the first network element type in the second network, and the energy information is used to indicate the energy consumed by the network element of the first network element type in the second network.

[0120] In conjunction with the above network type example, the first identification information also includes a second identifier, where the second identifier is identification information of a third network element type, for example, identification information of a session management function network element and / or identification information of a user plane function network element. In this example, the at least one network element corresponding to the first network is a network element of the third network element type in the first network, that is, the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of the first network element type in the first network, and the energy information is used to indicate energy consumed by the network element of the first network element type in the first network.

[0121] In conjunction with the above-mentioned slice type example, the first identification information also includes a second identifier, and the second identifier includes identification information of a fourth network element type, such as identification information of an access network device and identification information of a user plane function network element. In this example, the at least one network element corresponding to the first slice is a network element of the fourth network element type that serves the first slice, that is, the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of the fourth network element type that serves the first slice, and the energy information is used to indicate the energy consumed by the network element of the fourth network element type that serves the first slice.

[0122] S202: The second network element determines, based on the first identification information, whether the first network element is allowed to obtain energy information.

[0123] In order to ensure the security of open energy information, the network capability exposure function network element needs to verify the energy information requested by the application function network element, or in other words, the network capability exposure function network element needs to verify whether the application function network element is allowed to obtain the requested energy information.

[0124] Referring to the description of the first identification information in S201, the second network element determines whether the first network element is allowed to obtain energy information based on the first identification information, including the following situations:

[0125] In scenario 1, assuming that the type identifier in the first identification information indicates that the energy information type is a terminal type, and the first identifier is the identification information of the first terminal device, the second network element determines whether the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information based on the identification information of the first terminal device. Alternatively, the second network element determines whether the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information based on the network element serving the first terminal device. The specific implementation method is described below in conjunction with Figure 3 and is not detailed here.

[0126] In scenario 2, where the type of energy information indicated by the type identifier in the first identification information is a network element type, and the first identifier is identification information of the first network element type, the second network element determines whether the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information based on the identification information of the first network element type. Alternatively, the second network element determines whether the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information based on the identification information of the network element of the first network element type. The specific implementation method is described below in conjunction with Figure 4 and is not detailed here.

[0127] In scenario three, assuming that the type of energy information indicated by the type identifier in the first identification information is a network type, and the first identifier is the identification information of the first network, the second network element determines whether the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information based on the identification information of the first network. Alternatively, the second network element determines whether the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information based on the identification information of the network element in the first network. The specific implementation method is described below in conjunction with Figure 5 and is not detailed here.

[0128] In scenario 4, where the type of energy information indicated by the type identifier in the first identification information is a slice type, and the first identifier is the identification information of the first slice, the second network element determines whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on the identification information of the first slice. Alternatively, the second network element determines whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on the identification information of the network element serving the first slice. The specific implementation method can be found in the description below in conjunction with Figure 6 and is not described in detail here.

[0129] S203: If the first network element is allowed to obtain energy information, the second network element sends the energy information to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the energy information.

[0130] For example, when the first network element is allowed to obtain energy information, the second network element obtains the energy information from the first communication device and sends the energy information to the first network element. The first communication device is, for example, an NFp or an OAM functional entity.

[0131] For example, the second network element obtaining the energy information from the first communication device includes: the second network element sending a second request message to the first communication device, where the second request message is used to request the energy information, and the second request message includes the first identification information or identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information. The first communication device sends the energy information to the first communication device based on the second request message.

[0132] For example, if the second network element does not obtain the identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information, the second request message includes the first identification information. The first communication device may subsequently obtain the identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information.

[0133] For example, when the second network element obtains identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information, the second request message includes identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information.

[0134] For example, the first communication device sends the energy information to the second network element based on the second request message, including: the first communication device obtains the energy consumed by the at least one network element according to the identification information of the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information, the first communication device generates the energy information according to the energy consumed by the at least one network element, and sends the energy information to the second network element.

[0135] In this embodiment of the present application, a first network element requests energy information, and a second network element verifies whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the requested energy information. If the verification of the first network element is successful, the second network element obtains the requested energy information for the first network element, which facilitates the secure opening of energy information on the operator network.

[0136] Based on the description of the first identification information in S201, the following describes methods for obtaining different types of energy information in conjunction with Figures 3 to 6. In the following embodiments, the application function network element corresponds to the first network element in method 200, and the network capability exposure function network element corresponds to the second network element in method 200.

[0137] The first communication device in each of the following embodiments is, for example, an NFp or an OAM functional entity, wherein the NFp is, for example, a network data analysis function network element.

[0138] The second communication device in each of the following embodiments is, for example, a network storage function network element or an access network network manager.

[0139] First, in conjunction with FIG3 , the communication method of an embodiment of the present application is described by taking the type of energy information as the terminal type and the first identifier as the identification information of the first terminal device as an example.

[0140] FIG3 is a schematic flow chart of another communication method 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Method 300 is a process for authorizing application function network elements to obtain energy information based on a common application programming interface framework (CAPIF). The main functions of CAPIF include the CAPIF core function (CCF), application programming interface (API) invoker, API exposing function, API publishing function, and API management function.

[0141] The core function of CAPIF is to authenticate and authorize API users.

[0142] API users can be regarded as third-party application services that call 5G network capabilities, such as application function network elements. Application function network elements can be within the public land mobile network (PLMN) trusted domain or outside the domain. The application function network element in this application is an application function network element outside the PLMN trusted domain.

[0143] The API open function is the provider of the service API and the entrance for API users to communicate with the service API.

[0144] The API publishing function is used to monitor and query the calling status of the service API.

[0145] During actual deployment, these four functional entities can be combined or set up as independent devices according to network conditions and actual needs. For example, you can choose to combine these four functional entities and set them up as network capability exposure function network elements, or you can set the CAPIF core function separately and combine the other three functional entities and set them up as network capability exposure function network elements.

[0146] Method 300 includes S301 to S316, and the specific steps are as follows:

[0147] In step S301, an application function network element sends an access request to a CAPIF core function network element. The access request includes an identifier of a first terminal device and a redirection uniform resource locator (URL). The access request is used to request an authorization code for energy information of the first terminal device. The CAPIF core function network element receives the access request.

[0148] S302, the CAPIF core function network element interacts with the first terminal device to verify the identity of the application function network element.

[0149] Verifying the identity of the application function network element includes: verifying whether the first terminal device accepts the access request of the application function network element.

[0150] For example, the CAPIF core function network element sends the identifier of the application function network element to the first terminal device, and the first terminal device verifies whether the identifier of the application function network element is in the allowed access list. If the identifier of the application function network element is in the allowed access list, the first terminal device indicates to the CAPIF core function network element that the identity authentication of the application function network element is successful.

[0151] S303: After verifying that the first terminal device accepts the access request from the application function network element, the CAPIF core function network element sends an authorization code to the application function network element. Correspondingly, the application function network element receives the authorization code.

[0152] In this step, the CAPIF core function network element redirects to the application function network element using the redirect URL and sends an authorization code to the application function network element.

[0153] S304: The application function network element sends an authorization token request message to the CAPIF core function network element. The authorization token request message includes an authorization code, an identifier of the first terminal device, and a redirection URL. The authorization token request message is used to request an authorization token. Correspondingly, the CAPIF core function network element receives the authorization token request message.

[0154] In this step, the authorization token request message includes the authorization code received in S303. The authorization code is used to request authorization for the application function network element to obtain the energy information of the first terminal device. The energy information of the first terminal device includes the energy consumed by the network element serving the first terminal device.

[0155] S305, the CAPIF core function network element verifies the authorization code and redirection URL.

[0156] In this step, the CAPIF core function network element verifies the received authorization code to avoid security issues caused by authorization code leakage. At the same time, the CAPIF core function network element verifies whether the redirection URL received in this step matches the URL used to redirect to the application function network element in S303. If the verification is successful, the CAPIF core function network element generates a first authorization token and executes S306.

[0157] S306: The CAPIF core function network element sends a first authorization token to the application function network element. Correspondingly, the application function network element receives the first authorization token.

[0158] The first authorization token includes terminal identification information. The first authorization token is used to indicate the energy information authorized to be obtained by the application function network element. The energy information authorized to be obtained by the application function network element is used to indicate: the energy consumed by the network element serving the terminal device corresponding to the terminal identification information.

[0159] In an embodiment of the present application, the first authorization token is an authorization token generated by verifying the authorization code. Since the authorization code is used to request authorization for the application function network element to obtain the energy information of the first terminal device, the terminal identification information included in the first authorization token is the identification information of the first terminal device, such as the globally unique temporary identification of the first terminal device.

[0160] S307: The application function network element sends a first request message to the network capability exposure function network element. The first request message includes first identification information and a first authorization token. The first request message is used to request energy information. The energy information is used to indicate energy consumed by at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information. In response, the network capability exposure function network element receives the first request message.

[0161] In this embodiment of the present application, the first identification information includes identification information of the first terminal device. The identification information of the first terminal device is the first identity information of the first terminal device, and the first identity information of the first terminal device is, for example, a globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal device. The at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element serving the first terminal device, and the number of network elements serving the first terminal device is one or more. The first authorization token is the first authorization token obtained in S306, and the first authorization token includes the terminal identification information.

[0162] Optionally, the first identification information also includes a second identifier, where the second identifier is identification information of a network element type, that is, the first identification information also includes identification information of a network element type. The network element type is a core network element type, such as a user plane function network element, or the network element type is an access network element type, such as a base station. In this case, the at least one network element serving the first terminal device includes a network element of the network element type serving the first terminal device, or in other words, the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information includes a network element of the network element type serving the first terminal device.

[0163] After step S307, the network capability exposure function network element interacts with the access and mobility management function network element to execute S308-A and S309-A below, or the network capability exposure function network element interacts with the access and mobility management function network element to execute S308-B and S309-B below.

[0164] S308-A: The network capability exposure function element sends a fourth request message to the access and mobility management function element. The fourth request message includes the globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal device. The fourth request message is used to request the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device corresponding to the globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal device. Accordingly, the access and mobility management function element receives the fourth request message.

[0165] S309-A: The access and mobility management function network element sends the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device to the network capability exposure function network element. Correspondingly, the network capability exposure function network element receives the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device.

[0166] Through S308-A and S309-A, the network capability exposure function network element can obtain the internal identification of the first terminal device, such as the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device. The user permanent identifier of the first terminal device is the unique number of the first terminal device in the network to which it belongs, and identifies the true identity of the first terminal device.

[0167] S308-B: The network capability exposure function network element sends a fifth request message to the access and mobility management function network element. The fifth request message includes the globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal device. The fifth request message is used to request the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device corresponding to the globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal device and the identification information of the network element serving the first terminal device. Accordingly, the access and mobility management function network element receives the fifth request message.

[0168] S309-B, the access and mobility management function network element sends the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device and the identification information of the network element serving the first terminal device to the network capability exposure function network element.

[0169] Through S308-B and S309-B, the network capability exposure function network element can not only obtain the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device, but also obtain the identification information of the network element serving the first terminal device.

[0170] The access and mobility management function network element in S308-A and S309-A, S308-B and S309-B is a network element instance of the access and mobility management function network element serving the first terminal device. The identification information of the network element serving the first terminal device refers to the identification information of the network element instance serving the first terminal device.

[0171] Optionally, when the first identification information also includes identification information of the network element type, the fifth request message in S308-B also includes the identification information of the network element type, and the fifth request message is used to request acquisition of the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device and the identification information of the network element of the network element type serving the first terminal device. Accordingly, S309-B includes: the access and mobility management function network element sending the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device and the identification information of the network element of the network element type serving the first terminal device to the network capability exposure function network element.

[0172] S310: The network capability opening function network element determines whether the application function network element is allowed to obtain energy information according to the identification information of the first terminal device.

[0173] This step can be implemented in the following five ways:

[0174] Implementation method 1: In combination with the description of S308-A and S309-A, the identification information of the first terminal device is the globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal device. The network capability exposure function network element determines whether the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device corresponding to the globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal device.

[0175] For example, the network capability exposure function network element determines whether the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on whether the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device belongs to the first list. If the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device belongs to the first list, the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information, and the network capability exposure function network element then executes S311. If the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device does not belong to the first list, the application function network element is not allowed to obtain the energy information.

[0176] The first list includes user permanent identifiers of one or more terminal devices, and the application function network element is allowed to obtain information indicating energy consumed by the network element serving the one or more terminal devices.

[0177] Implementation method 2: In combination with the description of S308-B and S309-B, the network capability exposure function determines whether the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on the network element serving the first terminal device.

[0178] For example, the network capability exposure function network element determines whether the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on whether the identification information of the network element serving the first terminal device belongs to the fifth list. If the identification information of the network element serving the first terminal device belongs to the fifth list, the network capability exposure function network element determines that the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information, and then the network capability exposure function network element executes S311. If the identification information of the network element serving the first terminal device does not belong to the fifth list, the network capability exposure function network element determines that the application function network element is not allowed to obtain the energy information.

[0179] The fifth list includes identification information of one or more network elements, and the application function network element is allowed to obtain information indicating energy consumed by the one or more network elements.

[0180] Optionally, when the first identification information also includes identification information of the network element type, in implementation method two, the network capability exposure function network element determines whether the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on whether the network element of the network element type serving the first terminal device belongs to the fifth list.

[0181] Implementation method three: The network capability exposure function network element determines whether the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on whether the identification information of the first terminal device is consistent with the terminal identification information in the first authorization token.

[0182] For example, if the identification information of the first terminal device is consistent with the terminal identification information in the first authorization token, the network capability exposure function determines that the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information, and then the network capability exposure function network element executes S311. If the identification information of the first terminal device is inconsistent with the terminal identification information in the first authorization token, the network capability exposure function determines that the application function network element is not allowed to obtain the energy information.

[0183] It should be understood that the identification information of the first terminal device is consistent with the terminal identification information in the first authorization token, which means that the identification information of the first terminal device and the terminal identification information indicate the same terminal device. The format of the identification information of the first terminal device and the terminal identification information can be different, but they both indicate the same terminal device.

[0184] Implementation method four: Combined with implementation method one and implementation method three, for example, the network capability exposure function network element first determines whether the identification information of the first terminal device is consistent with the terminal identification information in the first authorization token, and further determines whether the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device belongs to the first list if they are consistent. If the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device belongs to the first list, the network capability exposure function network element determines that the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information, and then the network capability exposure function network element executes S311.

[0185] Implementation method five: Combined with implementation method two and implementation method three, for example, the network capability exposure function network element first determines whether the identification information of the first terminal device is consistent with the terminal identification information in the first authorization token, and further determines whether the identification information of at least one network element serving the first terminal device belongs to the fifth list if they are consistent. If the identification information of at least one network element serving the first terminal device belongs to the fifth list, the network capability exposure function network element determines that the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information, and then the network capability exposure function network element executes S311.

[0186] Optionally, when the first identification information also includes identification information of the network element type, in implementation method five, the network capability exposure function network element, upon determining that the identification information of the first terminal device is consistent with the terminal identification information in the first authorization token, further determines whether the identification information of the network element of this network element type serving the first terminal device belongs to the fifth list. When the identification information of the network element of this network element type serving the first terminal device belongs to the fifth list, the network capability exposure function network element determines that the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information.

[0187] Optionally, when determining that the application function network element is not allowed to obtain the energy information, the network capability opening function network element may send a rejection message to the application function network element, where the rejection message is used to indicate that the application function network element is not allowed to obtain the energy information.

[0188] S311: The network capability opening function network element sends a second request message to the first communication device, where the second request message is used to request the energy information. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the second request message.

[0189] In an embodiment of the present application, the second request message includes identification information of the first terminal device or identification information of a network element serving the first terminal device. The network element serving the first terminal device refers to a network element instance serving the first terminal device.

[0190] In combination with the above-mentioned implementation method one, implementation method three or implementation method four, the network capability exposure function network element does not obtain the identification information of the network element serving the first terminal device. Therefore, the second request message includes the identification information of the first terminal device but does not include the identification information of the network element serving the first terminal device. Subsequently, the first communication device obtains the identification information of the network element serving the first terminal device based on the identification information of the first terminal device.

[0191] In combination with Implementation Method 2 or Implementation Method 5 above, the network capability exposure function network element obtains the identification information of the network element serving the first terminal device. Therefore, the second request message includes the identification information of the network element serving the first terminal device, that is, the identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information. Optionally, the second request message also includes the identification information of the first terminal device.

[0192] S312: The first communication device generates energy information according to the energy consumed by the network element serving the first terminal device.

[0193] If the second request message does not include the identification information of the network element serving the first terminal device, prior to this step, the first communications device needs to obtain the identification information of the network element serving the first terminal device from the access and mobility management function network element, and obtain the energy consumed by the network element serving the first terminal device based on the identification information of the network element serving the first terminal device. Furthermore, the first communications device generates the energy information based on the energy consumed by the network element serving the first terminal device.

[0194] Optionally, when the first identification information further includes identification information of the network element type, S312 includes: the first communication device generates the energy information according to the energy consumed by the network element of the network element type serving the first terminal device.

[0195] Optionally, the energy information includes a permanent user identifier of the first terminal device.

[0196] S313: The first communication device sends energy information to the network capability opening function network element. Correspondingly, the network capability opening function network element receives the energy information.

[0197] S314: The network capability exposure function network element sends energy information to the application function network element. Correspondingly, the application function network element receives the energy information.

[0198] Optionally, the network capability opening function network element converts the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device in the energy information into an external identifier of the first terminal device, for example, a globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal device.

[0199] Optionally, before the network capability exposure function network element sends the second request message to the first communication device in S311, method 300 further includes S315: the network capability exposure function network element sends a third request message to the network storage function network element, requesting authorization to obtain the energy information. Accordingly, the network storage function network element receives the third request message. In this embodiment of the present application, the third request message includes identification information of the first terminal device or identification information of a network element serving the first terminal device.

[0200] Optionally, after receiving the third request message, the network storage function network element determines whether the first communication device allows the network capability exposure function network element to obtain the energy information. If it is determined that the first communication device allows the network capability exposure function network element to obtain the energy information, method 300 further includes S316: the network storage function network element sends a second authorization token to the network capability exposure function network element, the second authorization token including identification information of the first terminal device or identification information of the network element serving the first terminal device, the second authorization token being used to indicate the energy information that the first communication device authorizes the network capability exposure function network element to obtain, and the energy information that the first communication device authorizes the network capability exposure function network element to obtain is used to indicate energy consumed by the network element serving the first terminal device.

[0201] Optionally, the second request message in S311 includes the second authorization token, which includes identification information of the first terminal device or identification information of a network element serving the first terminal device. After receiving the second request message, the first communication device verifies whether the signature of the second authorization token is valid. If the verification is successful, the first communication device executes S312.

[0202] Optionally, when the first identification information also includes identification information of the network element type, the third request message in S315 includes the identification information of the first terminal device, or includes the identification information of the network element of the network element type serving the first terminal device. Accordingly, the second authorization token in S316 includes the identification information of the first terminal device, or includes the identification information of the network element of the network element type serving the first terminal device. The energy information obtained by the second authorization token authorizing the network capability exposure function network element to indicate the energy consumed by the network element of the network element type serving the first terminal device.

[0203] In this embodiment of the present application, an application function network element requests energy information indicating the energy consumed by the network element serving the first terminal device. Upon determining that the application function network element is permitted to obtain this energy information, the network capability exposure function network element obtains the energy information from the first communication device and sends it to the application function network element. This facilitates the secure disclosure of energy information of terminal types within the operator network.

[0204] 4 , the communication method of an embodiment of the present application will be described below by taking the type identification of the first identification information as the network element type and the first identifier as identification information of the network element type as an example.

[0205] FIG4 is a schematic flow chart of another communication method 400 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method 400 includes S401 to S410, and the specific steps are as follows:

[0206] S401: An application function network element sends a first request message to a network capability exposure function network element. The first request message includes first identification information and is used to request energy information. The energy information indicates energy consumed by at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information. Accordingly, the network capability exposure function network element receives the first request message.

[0207] In an embodiment of the present application, the first identification information includes identification information of a network element type, such as identification information of an access and mobility management function network element. At least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of this network element type, and the number of network elements of this network element type is one or more.

[0208] Optionally, the first identification information also includes a second identifier, and the second identifier is the identification information of the network, that is, the first identification information also includes the identification information of the network, then at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of this network element type in the network.

[0209] After S401 , the network capability exposure function network element executes S402 -A below, or the network capability exposure function network element executes S402 -B, S403 -B, and S404 -B below.

[0210] S402-A: The network capability opening function network element determines whether the application function network element is allowed to obtain energy information according to whether the identification information of the network element type belongs to the second list.

[0211] In an embodiment of the present application, the network capability exposure function network element stores a second list, which includes identification information of one or more network element types, and the application function network element is allowed to obtain information indicating the energy consumed by the network elements of the one or more network element types.

[0212] In a case where the identification information of the network element type belongs to the second list, the network capability opening function network element determines that the application function network element is authorized to obtain energy information, and then executes S405.

[0213] Optionally, when the first identification information also includes the identification information of the network, S402-A includes: the network capability opening function network element determines whether the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on whether the identification information of the network element type belongs to the second list and whether the identification information of the network belongs to the third list.

[0214] In an embodiment of the present application, the network capability exposure function network element also stores a third list, which includes identification information of one or more networks, and the application function network element is allowed to obtain information indicating the energy consumed by network elements in the one or more networks.

[0215] When the identification information of the network element type belongs to the second list and the identification information of the network belongs to the third list, the network capability opening function network element determines that the application function network element is allowed to obtain energy information, and then executes S405.

[0216] S402-B, the network capability opening function network element sends a sixth request message to the second communication device, the sixth request message including the identifier of the network element type, the sixth request message being used to request identifier information of network elements of the network element type. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the sixth request message.

[0217] S403-B: The second communication device sends identification information of the network element of the network element type to the network capability opening function network element. Correspondingly, the network capability opening function network element receives the identification information of the network element of the network element type.

[0218] In S402-B and S403-B, when the network element type includes a core network element type, the second communication device is a network storage function network element, and the network storage function network element sends identification information of a core network element type to the network capability exposure function network element according to the sixth request message. And / or, when the network element type includes an access network element type, the second communication device is an access network network manager, and the access network network manager sends identification information of an access network element type to the network capability exposure function network element according to the sixth request message.

[0219] S404-B: The network capability opening function network element determines whether the application function network element is authorized to obtain energy information according to whether the identification information of the network element of the network element type belongs to the fifth list.

[0220] In an embodiment of the present application, the network capability exposure function network element stores a fifth list, which includes identification information of one or more network elements, and the application function network element is allowed to obtain information indicating the energy consumed by the one or more network elements.

[0221] In a case where the identification information of the network element of the network element type belongs to the fifth list, the network capability opening function network element determines that the application function network element is authorized to obtain energy information, and then executes S405.

[0222] Optionally, if the first identification information also includes identification information of the network, the sixth request message in S402-B also includes identification information of the network. The sixth request message is used to request identification information of network elements of the network element type in the network. Accordingly, in S403-B, the second communication device sends the identification information of network elements of the network element type in the network to the network capability exposure function network element based on the sixth request message. Accordingly, S404-B includes: the network capability exposure function network element determining whether the application function network element is authorized to obtain energy information based on whether the identification information of the network element of the network element type in the network belongs to the fifth list. If the identification information of the network element of the network element type in the network belongs to the fifth list, the network capability exposure function network element determines that the application function network element is authorized to obtain the energy information.

[0223] The manner of handling the situation where the application function network element is not allowed to obtain the energy information can refer to the description in the above method 300 and will not be repeated here.

[0224] S405: The network capability opening function network element sends a second request message to the first communication device, where the second request message is used to request the energy information. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the second request message.

[0225] In an embodiment of the present application, the second request message includes identification information of the network element type or identification information of a network element of the network element type.

[0226] In an embodiment of the present application, the network element type may include one or more network element instances, the network element of the network element type refers to the network element instance of the network element type, and the identification information of the network element of the network element type refers to the identification information of the network element instance of the network element type.

[0227] Taking the session management function network element as an example, the session management function network element includes one or more network element instances, and the one or more network element instances are distinguished by different identification information. For example, SMF 1 and SMF 2 represent two different session management network element instances.

[0228] Combined with the above description of S402-A, the network capability exposure function network element did not obtain the identification information of the network element of this network element type. Therefore, the second request message includes the identification information of the network element type, and the first communication device subsequently obtains the identification information of the network element of this network element type based on the identification information of the network element type.

[0229] In combination with the above description of S402-B and S403-B, the network capability exposure function network element obtains the identification information of the network element of the network element type, so the second request message includes the identification information of the network element of the network element type. Optionally, the second request message also includes the identification information of the network element type.

[0230] Optionally, when the first identification information also includes identification information of the network, in combination with the above description of S402-A, the second request message includes identification information of the network element type and identification information of the network. Alternatively, in combination with the above description of S402-B and S403-B, the second request message includes identification information of network elements of the network element type in the network.

[0231] S406: The first communication device generates energy information according to energy consumed by the network element of the network element type.

[0232] If the second request message does not include the identification information of the network element of the network element type, then before this step, the first communication device needs to obtain the identification information of the network element of the network element type from the network storage function network element, and obtain the energy consumed by the network element of the network element type based on the identification information of the network element of the network element type. Then, the first communication device generates the energy information based on the energy consumed by the network element of the network element type.

[0233] Optionally, when the first identification information further includes identification information of the network, S406 includes: the first communication device generates the energy information according to energy consumed by the network element of the network element type in the network.

[0234] S407: The first communication device sends energy information to the network capability opening function network element. Correspondingly, the network capability opening function network element receives the energy information.

[0235] S408: The network capability exposure function network element sends energy information to the application function network element. Correspondingly, the application function network element receives the energy information.

[0236] Optionally, after receiving the energy information, the network capability opening function network element deletes sensitive data in the energy information, such as the network element instance identifier, where the network element instance identifier is an internal identifier of the network element.

[0237] Optionally, before S405, method 400 further includes S409: the network capability exposure function network element sends a third request message to the network storage function network element, the third request message being used to request authorization to obtain the energy information. Accordingly, the network storage function network element receives the third request message. In this embodiment of the present application, the third request message includes identification information of the network element type or identification information of a network element of the network element type.

[0238] Optionally, after receiving the third request message, the network storage function network element determines whether the first communication device allows the network capability exposure function network element to obtain the energy information. If it is determined that the first communication device allows the network capability exposure function network element to obtain the energy information, method 400 further includes S410: the network storage function network element sends a second authorization token to the network capability exposure function network element, the second authorization token including identification information of the network element type or identification information of a network element of the network element type, the second authorization token being used to indicate the energy information that the first communication device authorizes the network capability exposure function network element to obtain, and the energy information that the first communication device authorizes the network capability exposure function network element to obtain is used to indicate energy consumed by the network element of the network element type.

[0239] Optionally, the second request message in S405 includes the second authorization token, which includes identification information of the network element type or identification information of a network element of the network element type. After receiving the second request message, the first communication device verifies whether the signature of the second authorization token is valid. If the verification is successful, the first communication device executes S406.

[0240] Optionally, if the first identification information also includes identification information of the network, the third request message in S409 includes identification information of the network element type and identification information of the network. Alternatively, the third request message in S409 includes identification information of a network element of the network element type in the network. Correspondingly, the second authorization token in S410 includes identification information of the network element type and identification information of the network. Alternatively, the second authorization token in S408 includes identification information of a network element of the network element type in the network.

[0241] In this embodiment of the present application, an application function network element requests energy information indicating the energy consumed by network elements of that type. Upon determining that the application function network element is permitted to obtain the energy information, the network capability exposure function network element obtains the energy information from the first communication device and sends it to the application function network element. This facilitates the secure disclosure of network type energy information within the operator network.

[0242] 5 , the communication method of an embodiment of the present application will be described below by taking the case where the type of energy information is the network type and the first identifier is the identification information of the network as an example.

[0243] FIG5 is a schematic flow chart of another communication method 500 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method 500 includes S501 to S510, and the specific steps are as follows:

[0244] S501: An application function network element sends a first request message to a network capability exposure function network element. The first request message includes first identification information. The first request message is used to request energy information. The energy information is used to indicate energy consumed by at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information. Accordingly, the network capability exposure function network element receives the first request message.

[0245] In an embodiment of the present application, the first identification information includes identification information of a network, such as identification information of a 5G network, identification information of a network in a certain park, etc. The at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element in the network, and the number of network elements in the network is one or more.

[0246] Optionally, the first identification information also includes a second identifier, and the second identifier is identification information of the network element type, that is, the first identification information also includes identification information of the network element type, then at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of the network element type in the network.

[0247] After S501 , the network capability opening function network element executes S502 -A below, or the network capability opening function network element executes S502 -B, S503 -B, and S504 -B below.

[0248] S502-A: The network capability opening function network element determines whether the application function network element is allowed to obtain energy information according to whether the identification information of the network belongs to the third list.

[0249] In an embodiment of the present application, the network capability exposure function network element stores a third list, which includes identification information of one or more networks, and the application function network element is allowed to obtain information indicating energy consumed by network elements in the one or more networks.

[0250] In a case where the identification information of the network belongs to the third list, the network capability opening function network element determines that the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information, and then executes S505.

[0251] Optionally, when the first identification information also includes identification information of the network element type, S502-A includes: the network capability opening function network element determines whether the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on whether the identification information of the network belongs to the third list and whether the identification of the network element type belongs to the second list.

[0252] In an embodiment of the present application, the network capability exposure function network element also stores a second list, which includes identification information of one or more network element types, and the application function network element is allowed to obtain information indicating the energy consumed by the network elements of the one or more network element types.

[0253] When the identification information of the network belongs to the third list and the identification information of the network element type belongs to the second list, the network capability opening function network element determines that the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information, and then executes S505.

[0254] S502-B, the network capability opening function network element sends a seventh request message to the second communication device network element, the seventh request message including the identification information of the network, the seventh request message being used to request the identification information of the network elements in the network. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the seventh request message.

[0255] S503-B: The second communication device sends identification information of the network element in the network to the network capability opening function network element. Correspondingly, the network capability opening function network element receives the identification information of the network element in the network.

[0256] In S502-B and S503-B, the second communication device is a network storage function network element and / or an access network network manager. The network storage function network element sends identification information of a core network element in the network to the network capability exposure function network element according to the seventh request message; and / or the access network network manager sends identification information of an access network element in the network to the network capability exposure function network element according to the seventh request message.

[0257] S504-B: The network capability exposure function network element determines whether the application function network element is allowed to obtain energy information based on whether the identification information of the network element in the network belongs to the fifth list. The introduction to the fifth list can be referred to the description of S404-B above and will not be repeated here.

[0258] Optionally, if the first identification information also includes identification information of the network element type, the seventh request message in S502-B also includes the identification of the network element type, and the seventh request message is used to request the identification information of network elements of the network element type in the network. Accordingly, in S503-B, the network storage function network element sends the identification information of network elements of the network element type in the network to the network capability exposure function network element based on the seventh request message. Accordingly, S504-B includes: the network capability exposure function network element determining whether the application function network element is authorized to obtain energy information based on whether the identification information of network elements of the network element type in the network belongs to the fifth list. If the identification information of network elements of the network element type in the network belongs to the fifth list, the network capability exposure function network element determines that the application function network element is authorized to obtain the energy information.

[0259] S505: The network capability opening function network element sends a second request message to the first communication device, where the second request message is used to request the energy information. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the second request message.

[0260] In an embodiment of the present application, the second request message includes identification information of the network or identification information of a network element in the network.

[0261] In the embodiment of the present application, the network element in the network refers to the network element instance in the network, and the identification information of the network element in the network refers to the identification information of the network element instance in the network.

[0262] Combined with the above description of S502-A, the network capability opening function network element did not obtain the identification information of the network elements in the network. Therefore, the second request message includes the identification information of the network, and the first communication device subsequently obtains the identification information of the network elements in the network based on the identification information of the network by the network storage function network element.

[0263] In combination with the above description of S502-B and S503-B, the network capability exposure function network element obtains the identification information of the network element in the network, so the second request message includes the identification information of the network element in the network. Optionally, the second request message also includes the identification information of the network.

[0264] Optionally, when the first identification information also includes identification information of the network element type, in combination with the above description of S502-A, the second request message includes identification information of the network and identification information of the network element type. Alternatively, in combination with the above description of S502-B and S503-B, the second request message includes identification information of network elements of the network element type in the network.

[0265] S506: The first communication device generates energy information according to energy consumed by network elements in the network.

[0266] If the second request message does not include the identification information of the network element in the network, then before this step, the first communication device needs to obtain the identification information of the network element in the network from the network storage function network element, and obtain the energy consumed by the network element in the network element based on the identification information of the network element in the network element. Then, the first communication device generates the energy information based on the energy consumed by the network element in the network.

[0267] Optionally, when the first identification information further includes identification information of the network element type, S506 includes: the first communication device generates the energy information according to energy consumed by the network element of the network element type in the network.

[0268] S507: The first communication device sends energy information to the network capability opening function network element. Correspondingly, the network capability opening function network element receives the energy information.

[0269] S508: The network capability exposure function network element sends energy information to the application function network element. Correspondingly, the application function network element receives the energy information.

[0270] Optionally, after receiving the energy information, the network capability opening function network element deletes sensitive data in the energy information, such as the network element instance identifier, where the network element instance identifier is an internal identifier of the network element.

[0271] Optionally, before S505, method 500 further includes S509: the network capability exposure function network element sends a third request message to the network storage function network element, the third request message being used to request authorization to obtain the energy information. Accordingly, the network storage function network element receives the third request message. In this embodiment of the present application, the third request message includes identification information of the network or identification information of a network element in the network.

[0272] Optionally, after receiving the third request message, the network storage function network element determines whether the first communication device allows the network capability exposure function network element to obtain the energy information. If it is determined that the first communication device allows the network capability exposure function network element to obtain the energy information, method 500 further includes S510: the network storage function network element sends a second authorization token to the network capability exposure function network element, the second authorization token including identification information of the network or identification information of a network element in the network, the second authorization token being used to indicate the energy information that the first communication device authorizes the network capability exposure function network element to obtain, and the energy information that the first communication device authorizes the network capability exposure function network element to obtain is used to indicate energy consumed by the network elements in the network.

[0273] Optionally, the second request message in S505 includes the second authorization token, which includes identification information of the network element type or identification information of a network element of the network element type. After receiving the second request message, the first communication device verifies whether the signature of the second authorization token is valid. If the verification is successful, the first communication device executes S506.

[0274] Optionally, if the first identification information also includes identification information of the network element type, the third request message in S509 includes identification information of the network and identification information of the network element type. Alternatively, the third request message in S509 includes identification information of a network element of the network element type in the network. Correspondingly, the second authorization token in S510 includes identification information of the network and identification information of the network element type. Alternatively, the second authorization token in S508 includes identification information of a network element of the network element type in the network.

[0275] In this embodiment of the present application, an application function network element requests energy information indicating the energy consumed by network elements in the network. Upon determining that the application function network element is permitted to obtain this energy information, the network capability exposure function network element obtains the energy information from a first communication device and sends it to the application function network element. This facilitates the secure disclosure of network-type energy information within the operator network.

[0276] 6 , the communication method of an embodiment of the present application will be described below by taking the case where the type of energy information is a slice type and the first identifier is identification information of a slice as an example.

[0277] FIG6 is a schematic flow chart of another communication method 600 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method 600 includes S601 to S610, and the specific steps are as follows:

[0278] S601: An application function network element sends a first request message to a network capability exposure function network element. The first request message includes first identification information. The first request message is used to request energy information. The energy information is used to indicate energy consumed by at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information. Accordingly, the network capability exposure function network element receives the first request message.

[0279] In an embodiment of the present application, the first identification information includes identification information of a slice. At least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element serving the slice, and the number of network elements serving the slice is one or more.

[0280] Optionally, the first identification information also includes a second identifier, and the second identifier is identification information of the network element type, that is, the first identification information also includes identification information of the network element type, then at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of the network element type that serves the slice.

[0281] After S601 , the network capability opening function network element executes S602 -A below, or the network capability opening function network element executes S602 -B, S603 -B, and S604 -B below.

[0282] S602-A, the network capability exposure function network element determines whether the application function network element is allowed to obtain energy information based on whether the identification information of the slice belongs to the fourth list.

[0283] In an embodiment of the present application, the network capability exposure function network element stores a fourth list, which includes identification information of one or more slices, and the application function network element is allowed to obtain information indicating the energy consumed by the network element serving the one or more slices.

[0284] In the case that the identification information of the slice belongs to the fourth list, the network capability exposure function network element determines that the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information, and then executes S605.

[0285] Optionally, when the first identification information also includes identification information of the network element type, S602-A includes: the network capability exposure function network element determining whether the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on whether the identification information of the slice belongs to the fourth list and whether the identification information of the network element type belongs to the second list. For an introduction to the second list, refer to the description of S402-A above and will not be repeated here.

[0286] When the identification information of the network belongs to the fourth list and the identification information of the network element type belongs to the second list, the network capability opening function network element determines that the application function network element is allowed to obtain the energy information, and then executes S605.

[0287] S602-B, the network capability opening function network element sends an eighth request message to the second communication device, the eighth request message including the identification information of the slice, the eighth request message being used to request the identification information of the network element serving the slice. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the eighth request message.

[0288] S603-B, the second communication device sends the identification information of the network element serving the slice to the network capability exposure function network element. Correspondingly, the network capability exposure function network element receives the identification information of the network element serving the slice.

[0289] In S602-B and S603-B, the second communication device is a network storage function network element and / or an access network network manager. The network storage function network element sends identification information of the core network element serving the slice to the network capability exposure function network element according to the eighth request message; and / or the access network network manager sends identification information of the access network element serving the slice to the network capability exposure function network element according to the eighth request message.

[0290] S604-B: The network capability exposure function network element determines whether the application function network element is allowed to obtain energy information based on whether the identification information of the network element serving the slice belongs to the fifth list. The introduction to the fifth list can be referred to the description of S404-B above and will not be repeated here.

[0291] Optionally, when the first identification information also includes identification information of the network element type, the eighth request message in the above S602-B also includes the identification of the network element type, and the eighth request message is used to request the identification information of the network element of the network element type serving the slice. Accordingly, in S603-B, the network storage function network element sends the identification information of the network element of the network element type serving the slice to the network capability exposure function network element according to the eighth request message. Accordingly, S604-B includes: the network capability exposure function network element determines whether the application function network element is authorized to obtain energy information based on whether the identification information of the network element of the network element type serving the slice belongs to the fifth list. When the identification information of the network element of the network element type serving the slice belongs to the fifth list, the network capability exposure function network element determines that the application function network element is authorized to obtain the energy information.

[0292] S605: The network capability opening function network element sends a second request message to the first communication device, where the second request message is used to request the energy information. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the second request message.

[0293] In an embodiment of the present application, the second request message includes identification information of the slice or identification information of the network element serving the slice.

[0294] In an embodiment of the present application, the network element serving the slice refers to the network element instance serving the slice, and the identification information of the network element serving the slice refers to the identification information of the network element instance serving the slice.

[0295] Combined with the above description of S602-A, the network capability exposure function network element did not obtain the identification information of the network element serving the slice. Therefore, the second request message includes the identification information of the slice, and the first communication device subsequently obtains the identification information of the network element serving the slice from the network storage function network element based on the identification information of the slice.

[0296] In combination with the above description of S602-B and S603-B, the network capability exposure function network element obtains the identification information of the network element in the slice, so the second request message includes the identification information of the network element serving the slice. Optionally, the second request message also includes the identification information of the slice.

[0297] Optionally, when the first identification information also includes identification information of the network element type, in combination with the above description for S602-A, the second request message includes identification information of the slice and identification information of the network element type. Alternatively, in combination with the above description for S602-B and S603-B, the second request message includes identification information of the network element of the network element type that serves the slice.

[0298] S606, the first communication device generates energy information based on the energy consumed by the network element serving the slice.

[0299] If the second request message does not include the identification information of the network element serving the slice, then before this step, the first communication device needs to obtain the identification information of the network element serving the slice from the network storage function network element, and obtain the energy consumed by the network element serving the slice based on the identification information of the network element serving the slice. Furthermore, the first communication device generates the energy information based on the energy consumed by the network element serving the slice.

[0300] Optionally, when the first identification information also includes identification information of the network element type, S606 includes: the first communication device generates the energy information based on the energy consumed by the network element of the network element type serving the slice.

[0301] S607: The first communication device sends energy information to the network capability opening function network element. Correspondingly, the network capability opening function network element receives the energy information.

[0302] S608: The network capability exposure function network element sends energy information to the application function network element. Correspondingly, the application function network element receives the energy information.

[0303] Optionally, after receiving the energy information, the network capability opening function network element deletes sensitive data in the energy information, such as the network element instance identifier, where the network element instance identifier is an internal identifier of the network element.

[0304] Optionally, before S605, method 600 further includes S609: the network capability exposure function network element sends a third request message to the network storage function network element, where the third request message is used to request authorization to obtain the energy information. Accordingly, the network storage function network element receives the third request message. In this embodiment of the present application, the third request message includes identification information of the slice or identification information of the network element serving the slice.

[0305] Optionally, after receiving the third request message, the network storage function network element determines whether the first communication device allows the network capability exposure function network element to obtain the energy information. In the case where it is determined that the first communication device allows the network capability exposure function network element to obtain the energy information, method 600 further includes S610: the network storage function network element sends a second authorization token to the network capability exposure function network element, the second authorization token including identification information of the slice or identification information of the network element serving the slice, the second authorization token being used to indicate the energy information that the first communication device authorizes the network capability exposure function network element to obtain, and the energy information that the first communication device authorizes the network capability exposure function network element to obtain is used to indicate the energy consumed by the network element serving the slice.

[0306] Optionally, the second request message in S605 includes the second authorization token, which includes the identification information of the slice or the identification information of the network element serving the slice. After receiving the second request message, the first communication device verifies whether the signature of the second authorization token is legal. If the verification is passed, the first communication device executes S606.

[0307] Optionally, when the first identification information also includes identification information of the network element type, the third request message in S609 includes the identification information of the slice and the identification information of the network element type. Alternatively, the third request message in S609 includes the identification information of the network element of the network element type that serves the slice. Correspondingly, the second authorization token in S610 includes the identification information of the slice and the identification information of the network element type. Alternatively, the second authorization token in S610 includes the identification information of the network element of the network element type that serves the slice.

[0308] In this embodiment of the present application, an application function network element requests energy information indicating the energy consumed by the network element serving the slice. Upon determining that the application function network element is permitted to obtain the energy information, the network capability exposure function network element obtains the energy information from the first communication device and sends it to the application function network element. This facilitates the secure disclosure of energy information for slice types within the operator network.

[0309] It should be understood that the size of the serial numbers of the above processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0310] The communication method according to the embodiment of the present application is described in detail above in conjunction with Figures 2 to 6. The communication device according to the embodiment of the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with Figures 7 and 8.

[0311] FIG7 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 700 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The device 700 includes a transceiver module 710 and a processing module 720 .

[0312] The processing module 720 is used to process data. The transceiver module 710 can implement corresponding communication functions. The transceiver module 710 can also be called a communication interface or a communication module.

[0313] Optionally, the device 700 may further include a storage module, which may be used to store data and / or to store computer programs or instructions. The processing module 720 may read the computer programs / instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the device 700 implements the above-mentioned method embodiment.

[0314] Device 700 can be used to perform the actions performed by the first communication device or the second network element in the above-described method embodiments. Alternatively, device 700 is a component (e.g., a chip) configured in the first communication device or the second network element. Processing module 720 is used to perform operations related to processing by the first communication device or the second network element in the above-described method embodiments. Transceiver module 710 is used to perform operations related to receiving and sending by the first communication device or the second network element in the above-described method embodiments.

[0315] In the embodiment of the present application, the first communication device is, for example, an NFp or OAM functional entity, and the second network element is, for example, a network capability exposure function network element.

[0316] Optionally, the transceiver module 710 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiment. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiment.

[0317] It should be noted that the apparatus 700 may include a sending module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, the apparatus 700 may include a receiving module but not a sending module. This may depend on whether the above solution executed by the apparatus 700 includes both a sending action and a receiving action.

[0318] Optionally, the device 700 is configured to execute the actions executed by the first communication device or the second network element in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 6. For details, please refer to the relevant introductions in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 6, which will not be repeated here.

[0319] In one embodiment, the transceiver module 710 is configured to receive a first request message from a first network element, the first request message including first identification information, and the first request message requesting energy information, the energy information indicating energy consumed by at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information. The processing module 720 is configured to determine, based on the first identification information, whether the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information. The transceiver module 710 is further configured to send the energy information to the first network element if the first network element is permitted to obtain the energy information.

[0320] Optionally, the first identification information includes identification information of the first terminal device, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element serving the first terminal device.

[0321] Optionally, the identification information of the first terminal device is a globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal device. The processing module 720 is configured to determine whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information according to the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device corresponding to the globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal device.

[0322] Optionally, the processing module 720 is configured to determine whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on whether the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device belongs to a first list. The first list includes user permanent identifiers of one or more terminal devices, and the first network element is allowed to obtain information indicating energy consumed by the network element serving the one or more terminal devices.

[0323] Optionally, the first request message includes a first authorization token, the first authorization token includes terminal identification information, the first authorization token is used to indicate authorization for the first network element to obtain energy information, and the energy information authorized for the first network element to obtain is used to indicate energy consumed by the network element serving the terminal corresponding to the terminal identification information. Processing module 720 is used to determine whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on whether the terminal identification information is consistent with the identification information of the first terminal device.

[0324] Optionally, the first identification information includes identification information of a network element type, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of this network element type.

[0325] Optionally, the processing module 720 is configured to determine whether the first network element is authorized to obtain the energy information based on whether the identification information of the network element type belongs to a second list. The second list includes identification information of one or more network element types, and the first network element is allowed to obtain information indicating energy consumed by network elements of the one or more network element types.

[0326] Optionally, the first identification information includes identification information of a network, and the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element in the network.

[0327] Optionally, the processing module 720 is used to determine whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on whether the identification information of the network belongs to a third list, the third list includes identification information of one or more networks, and the first network element is allowed to obtain information indicating the energy consumed by the network elements in the one or more networks.

[0328] Optionally, the first identification information includes identification information of the slice, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element serving the slice.

[0329] Optionally, the processing module 720 is configured to determine whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on whether the identification information of the slice belongs to a fourth list. The fourth list includes identification information of one or more slices, and the first network element is allowed to obtain information indicating energy consumed by the network element serving the one or more slices.

[0330] Optionally, the processing module 720 is used to: determine whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on the first identification information, including: determining whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on whether the identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information belongs to the fifth list, the fifth list includes the identification information of one or more network elements, and the first network element is allowed to obtain information used to indicate the energy consumed by the one or more network elements.

[0331] Optionally, the transceiver module 710 is used to: send a second request message to the first communication device when the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information, the second request message is used to request the energy information, the second request message includes the first identification information or the identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information; and, receive the energy information from the first communication device.

[0332] Optionally, the second request message includes a second authorization token, the second authorization token includes the first identification information or the identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information, the second authorization token is used to indicate that the first communication device authorizes the second network element to obtain energy information, and the energy information authorized to be obtained by the second network element is used to indicate: the energy consumed by at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information.

[0333] Optionally, the transceiver module 710 is configured to: send a third request message to a third network element, the third request message including the first identification information or identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information, the third request message being used to request authorization to obtain the energy information; and receive a second authorization token from the third network element. The third network element may specifically be the network function storage function network element in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0334] In this embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that device 700 may specifically be the second network element in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 6 above, or the functions of the second network element in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 6 above may be integrated into device 700. The above functions may be implemented via hardware, or via hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software may include one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. Device 700 may be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the second network element in the above method embodiments.

[0335] In another possible embodiment, the transceiver module 710 is configured to receive a second request message from a second network element, the second request message requesting energy information, the second request message including the first identification information or identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information. The processing module 720 is configured to generate the energy information based on the energy consumed by the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information. The transceiver module 710 is further configured to send the energy information to the second network element. The second network element may be the aforementioned network capability exposure function network element.

[0336] Optionally, the first identification information includes identification information of the first terminal device, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element serving the first terminal device.

[0337] Optionally, the first identification information includes a network element type, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of this network element type.

[0338] Optionally, the first identification information includes identification information of a network, and the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element in the network.

[0339] Optionally, the first identification information includes identification information of the slice, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element serving the slice.

[0340] Optionally, the second request message includes a second authorization token, the second authorization token includes the first identification information or the identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information, the second authorization token is used to indicate that the first communication device authorizes the second network element to obtain energy information, and the energy information authorized to be obtained by the second network element is used to indicate: the energy consumed by at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information.

[0341] In this embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that device 700 can be specifically the first communication device in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 6 above, or the functions of the first communication device in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 6 above can be integrated into device 700. The above functions can be implemented via hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. Device 700 can be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the first communication device in the above method embodiments.

[0342] It should be understood that the apparatus 700 herein is embodied in the form of functional modules. The term "module" herein may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group processor, etc.) and memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, combined logic circuits, and / or other suitable components that support the described functionality.

[0343] In the embodiment of the present application, the device 700 may also be a chip or a chip system, such as a system on chip (SoC). Correspondingly, the transceiver module may be a transceiver circuit of the chip, which is not limited here.

[0344] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device 800 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 800 includes a processor 810, a transceiver 820, and a memory 830. The processor 810, the transceiver 820, and the memory 830 communicate with each other via an internal connection path. The memory 830 is used to store instructions, and the processor 810 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 830 to control the transceiver 820 to send and / or receive signals.

[0345] Optionally, the communication device 800 further includes an interface circuit 840 for transmitting data and / or signaling. The processor 810 and the interface circuit 840 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 840 may be a transceiver, an input / output circuit, a bus, a module, a pin, or another type of communication interface, wherein the input circuit of the input / output circuit may be used to receive data, and the output interface may be used to send data.

[0346] Optionally, the communication device 800 further includes a power supply circuit 850 , which can be used to supply power to the communication device 800 .

[0347] It should be understood that the device 800 can be specifically the first communication device or the second network element in the above-mentioned embodiment, or the functions of the first communication device or the second network element in the above-mentioned embodiment can be integrated into the device 800, and the device 800 can be used to execute the various steps and / or processes corresponding to the first communication device or the second network element in the above-mentioned method embodiment. Optionally, the memory 830 may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provide instructions and data to the processor. A portion of the memory may also include a non-volatile random access memory. For example, the memory may also store device type information. The processor 810 can be used to execute instructions stored in the memory, and when the processor executes the instructions, the processor 810 can execute the various steps and / or processes corresponding to the first communication device or the second network element in the above-mentioned method embodiment.

[0348] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), ASICs, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0349] During implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in a processor or by instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in a memory, and the processor executes the instructions in the memory, and completes the steps of the above method in conjunction with its hardware. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0350] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the modules and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0351] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and modules described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0352] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the modules is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple modules or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0353] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules may be selected to achieve the purpose of the present embodiment according to actual needs.

[0354] In addition, each functional module in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing module, or each module may exist physically separately, or two or more modules may be integrated into one module.

[0355] If the functions are implemented in the form of software function modules and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0356] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: receiving a first request message from a first network element, the first request message including first identification information, the first request message being used to request energy information, the energy information being used to indicate energy consumed by at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information; determining, according to the first identification information, whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information; In a case where the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information, the energy information is sent to the first network element.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first identification information includes identification information of a first terminal device, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element serving the first terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The identification information of the first terminal device is a globally unique temporary identification of the first terminal device; The determining, according to the first identification information, whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information includes: Determine whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information according to the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device corresponding to the global unique temporary identifier of the first terminal device.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The determining, according to the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device corresponding to the globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal device, whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information includes: Determine whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on whether the user permanent identifier of the first terminal device belongs to a first list, the first list includes one or more user permanent identifiers of terminal devices, and the first network element is allowed to obtain information indicating the energy consumed by the network element serving the one or more terminal devices.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The first request message includes a first authorization token, the first authorization token includes terminal identification information, the first authorization token is used to indicate the energy information authorized to be obtained by the first network element, and the energy information authorized to be obtained by the first network element is used to indicate: energy consumed by the network element serving the terminal device corresponding to the terminal identification information; The determining, according to the first identification information, whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information includes: Whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information is determined according to whether the terminal identification information is consistent with the identification information of the first terminal device.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first identification information includes identification information of a network element type, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of the network element type.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The determining, according to the first identification information, whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information includes: Determine whether the first network element is authorized to obtain the energy information based on whether the identification information of the network element type belongs to the second list, the second list includes identification information of one or more network element types, and the first network element is allowed to obtain information indicating the energy consumed by the network elements of the one or more network element types.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first identification information includes identification information of a network, and the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element in the network.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The determining, according to the first identification information, whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information includes: Determine whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on whether the identification information of the network belongs to a third list, the third list including identification information of one or more networks, and the first network element is allowed to obtain information indicating energy consumed by network elements in the one or more networks.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first identification information includes identification information of the slice, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element serving the slice.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The determining, according to the first identification information, whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information includes: Based on whether the identification information of the slice belongs to the fourth list, determine whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information, the fourth list includes the identification information of one or more slices, and the first network element is allowed to obtain information indicating the energy consumed by the network element serving the one or more slices.

12. The method according to claim 1 or 2 or 6 or 8 or 10, characterized in that: The determining, according to the first identification information, whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information includes: Determine whether the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information based on whether the identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information belongs to the fifth list, the fifth list includes the identification information of one or more network elements, and the first network element is allowed to obtain information indicating the energy consumed by the one or more network elements.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the first network element is allowed to obtain the energy information, sending a second request message to the first communication device, where the second request message is used to request the energy information, and the second request message includes the first identification information or identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information; The energy information is received from the first communication device.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The second request message includes a second authorization token, the second authorization token includes the first identification information or the identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information, the second authorization token is used to indicate that the first communication device authorizes the second network element to obtain energy information, and the energy information authorized to be obtained by the second network element is used to indicate: the energy consumed by at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that Before sending the second request message to the first communication device, the method further includes: Sending a third request message to a third network element, the third request message including the first identification information or identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information, the third request message being used to request authorization to obtain the energy information; Receive the second authorization token from the third network element.

16. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: receiving a second request message from a second network element, where the second request message is used to request energy information, and the second request message includes the first identification information or identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information; generating the energy information according to energy consumed by at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information; The energy information is sent to the second network element.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The first identification information includes identification information of a first terminal device, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element serving the first terminal device.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The first identification information includes a network element type, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element of the network element type.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein The first identification information includes identification information of a network, and the at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element in the network.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein The first identification information includes identification information of the slice, and at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information is a network element serving the slice.

21. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that The second request message includes a second authorization token, the second authorization token includes the first identification information or the identification information of at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information, the second authorization token is used to indicate the energy information authorized by the first communication device to be obtained by the second network element, and the energy information authorized to be obtained by the second network element is used to indicate: the energy consumed by at least one network element corresponding to the first identification information.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a module for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, or a module for implementing the method according to any one of claims 16 to 21.

23. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor coupled to a memory, wherein the memory is used to store programs or instructions. When the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 16 to 21 is executed.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that Used for storing a computer program, which, when running on a computer, causes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15 to be performed, or causes the method according to any one of claims 16 to 21 to be performed.

25. A computer program product, characterized in that include: A computer program or instructions, which, when executed, causes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15 to be performed, or causes the method according to any one of claims 16 to 21 to be performed.

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