Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and apparatus. A first UCA is triggered by a third UCA to enable a first communication object to join a network for a first task; a second UCA is triggered by the third UCA to enable a second communication object to join the network for the first task; the first UCA receives a first information packet from the first communication object; the first UVA sends the first information packet to the third UCA; the third UCA sends the first information packet to the second UCA; and the second UCA sends the first information packet to the second communication object. In the method, the third UCA, as a creator of the network for the first task, forwards an information packet transmitted between communication objects that join the network for the first task, so that a plurality of communication objects participating in the first task can interact to perform the first task.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411402777.0, filed on September 30, 2024, and entitled “A communication method and apparatus”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0004] Mobile networks have completed mobile phone networks, packet networks, IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) networks, Internet of Things, and other network systems from the 1th generation (1G) to the 5th generation (5G). The demands carried by each network system have significant differences.

[0005] Facing the era of general artificial intelligence (AGI), intelligent agents will become new communication objects. The communication between intelligent agents has many differences compared to the communication between the communication objects in the above-mentioned network systems. For example, an intelligent agent belongs to only one user, and the intelligent agent accesses a user communication agent (UCA) that provides services for the user.

[0006] If multiple intelligent agents are needed to participate in a task, how to make multiple intelligent agents interact to perform the task needs to be considered. SUMMARY

[0007] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus for making multiple intelligent agents interact to perform a task.

[0008] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a first UCA, or by a device having the function of the first UCA, or by a chip system (or a chip) or other functional module capable of implementing the function of the first UCA, e.g., provided in the first UCA. The method is described by way of example in the case where it is performed by the first UCA. The first UCA adds a first communication object to a network corresponding to a first task at the triggering of a third UCA. The network includes communication objects for executing the first task. The first UCA provides services for communication objects of a first user, including the first communication object. A second UCA provides services for communication objects of a second user, including a second communication object. The first UCA receives a first information message from the first communication object. The first information message includes an identifier of the first task, and the second communication object is a destination communication object of the first information message. When the network includes the second communication object, the first UCA sends the first information message to the third UCA. The third UCA is configured to send the first information message to the second UCA.

[0009] In the method, the third UCA, as the creator of the network of the first task, forwards information messages transmitted between communication objects in the network of the first task. That is, when a source communication object in the network of the first task sends an information message to a destination communication object, the source communication object first sends the information message to a UCA serving the source communication object, the UCA serving the source communication object sends the information message to a UCA creating the network of the first task, the UCA creating the network of the first task sends the information message to a UCA serving the destination communication object, and the UCA serving the destination communication object sends the information message to the destination communication object. Thus, the multiple communication objects participating in the first task can interact to execute the first task.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the adding of the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task includes saving a first association relationship of an identifier of the first task, an identifier of the first communication object, and an identifier of the third UCA.

[0011] In this implementation, the association relationship is recorded, which can facilitate the first UCA to find which UCA creates the first task and which communication objects join the network of the first task.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first association relationship of the first task, the first communication object, and the third UCA includes: saving the first association relationship in a first table; and the first table includes an association relationship of the first task, the communication object for executing the first task, and the UCA for creating the network corresponding to the first task.

[0013] In this implementation, a table is designed to record the UCA for creating the first task and the communication object for executing the first task, which can facilitate the first UCA to quickly find which UCA creates the first task and which communication object joins the network corresponding to the first task.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the first UCA receives a first message from the third UCA, the first message being used to request the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task; and the first UCA adds the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task based on the first message. Optionally, the first UCA sends a first response to the third UCA, the first response being used to indicate that the first communication object is allowed to join the network corresponding to the first task.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the first UCA sends a second message to the third UCA, the second message being used to indicate that the first communication object requests to join the network corresponding to the first task; the first UCA receives a second response from the third UCA; and the first UCA adds the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task when the second response indicates that the first communication object is allowed to join the network corresponding to the first task.

[0016] In a possible implementation, when the network includes the second communication object, the first information packet is sent to the third UCA, including: when the second association relationship is saved, the first information packet is sent to the third UCA; and the second association relationship includes an association relationship of the first task, the second communication object, and the third UCA. Optionally, the second association relationship is saved in the first table.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the first UCA receives a third message, the third message being used to indicate that the second communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task; and the first UCA saves the second association relationship based on the third message.

[0018] In this implementation, the third UCA informs the first UCA which communication objects have joined the network of the first task, so that the first UCA knows which communication objects have joined the network of the first task.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the first UCA sends a message to the first communication object, the message indicating that the first communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task, the message including the identity of the first communication object and the identity of the first task; and / or, the first UCA sends a message to the first communication object, the message indicating that the second communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task, the message including the identity of the second communication object and the identity of the first task.

[0020] In this implementation, the first UCA informs the first communication object that the first communication object has joined the network of the first task, and informs the identities of other communication objects that have joined the network of the first task, so that the first communication object knows which communication objects have joined the network of the first task.

[0021] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a third UCA, or by a device having the function of the third UCA, or by a chip system (or a chip) or other functional module capable of realizing the function of the third UCA, e.g., arranged in the third UCA. The method is introduced by taking the example of being executed by the third UCA: triggering a first UCA to add a first communication object to a network corresponding to a first task, and triggering a second UCA to add a second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task; wherein the network includes communication objects for executing the first task; the first UCA provides services for communication objects of a first user, the communication objects of the first user including the first communication object; the second UCA provides services for communication objects of a second user, the communication objects of the second user including the second communication object; the third UCA receives a first information packet from the first UCA; wherein the first information packet includes the identity of the first task, the source communication object of the first information packet is the first communication object, and the destination communication object of the first information packet is the second communication object; in the case where the network includes the first communication object and the second communication object, the third UCA sends the first information packet to the second UCA.

[0022] In the method, the third UCA, as a creator of the network of the first task, forwards information messages transmitted between communication objects participating in the network of the first task. That is, when a communication object participating in the network of the first task (i.e., a source communication object) sends an information message to another communication object (i.e., a destination communication object), the source communication object first sends the information message to a UCA serving the source communication object, the UCA serving the source communication object sends the information message to the UCA creating the network of the first task, the UCA creating the network of the first task sends the information message to a UCA serving the destination communication object, and the UCA serving the destination communication object sends the information message to the destination communication object. Thus, the multiple communication objects participating in the first task can interactively execute the first task.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the triggering the first UCA to add the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task, and / or the triggering the second UCA to add the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task, comprises: the third UCA receiving a fourth message, the fourth message being used to request to create the network corresponding to the first task; and the third UCA triggering the first UCA to add the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task, and / or triggering the second UCA to add the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task based on the fourth message.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the triggering the first UCA to add the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task comprises: the third UCA sending a first message to the first UCA, the first message being used to request the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task. Optionally, a first response from the first UCA is received, the first response being used to indicate an agreement of the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the triggering the first UCA to add the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task comprises: the third UCA receiving a second message from the first UCA, the second message being used to indicate that the first communication object requests to join the network corresponding to the first task; and the third UCA sending a second response to the first UCA, the second response being used to indicate an agreement of the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the triggering the second UCA to add the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task comprises: the third UCA sending a fifth message to the second UCA, the fifth message being used to request the second communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task. Optionally, the third UCA further receives a fifth response, the fifth response being used to indicate an agreement of the second communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the triggering the second UCA to add the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task comprises: the third UCA receiving a sixth message from the second UCA, the sixth message being used to indicate that the second communication object requests to join the network corresponding to the first task; and the third UCA sending a sixth response to the second UCA, the sixth response being used to indicate that the second communication object is allowed to join the network corresponding to the first task.

[0028] In a possible implementation, after triggering the first UCA to add the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task, the third UCA further comprises: saving a third association relationship of the identity of the first task, the identity of the first communication object and the identity of the first UCA; and after triggering the second UCA to add the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task, the third UCA further comprises: saving a fourth association relationship of the identity of the first task, the identity of the second communication object and the identity of the first UCA.

[0029] In this implementation, the association relationship is recorded, which can facilitate the third UCA to find which communication objects join the network of the first task.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the third UCA saving the third association relationship and saving the fourth association relationship comprises: saving the third association relationship and the fourth association relationship in a second table; and the second table comprises the identity of the first task, the identity of the communication object joining the network corresponding to the first task and the identity of the UCA serving the communication object joining the network corresponding to the first task.

[0031] In this implementation, the table is designed to record the identity of the UCA creating the first task and the identity of the communication object executing the first task, which can facilitate the third UCA to quickly find which communication objects join the network of the first task.

[0032] In a possible implementation, in the case that the network comprises the first communication object and the second communication object, the third UCA sending the first information packet to the second UCA comprises: in the case that the third association relationship and the fourth association relationship have been saved, the third UCA sending the first information packet to the second UCA; the third association relationship comprises the association relationship of the identity of the first task, the identity of the first communication object and the identity of the first UCA; and the fourth association relationship comprises the association relationship of the identity of the first task, the identity of the second communication object and the identity of the second UCA. Optionally, the third UCA having saved the third association relationship and the fourth association relationship comprises: the third UCA having saved the third association relationship and the fourth association relationship in a second table.

[0033] In a possible implementation, before receiving the first information message from the first UCA, the method further includes: sending, by the third UCA, a third message to the first UCA, where the third message is used to indicate that the second communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task; the third message includes the identity of the first task and the identity of the second communication object; and / or sending, by the third UCA, a seventh message to the second UCA, where the seventh message is used to indicate that the first communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task; the seventh message includes the identity of the first task and the identity of the first communication object.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the third UCA triggers the first UCA to add the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task in a case where it is determined that a mutual trust relationship between the first communication object and the third UCA has been established; and the third UCA triggers the second UCA to add the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task in a case where it is determined that a mutual trust relationship between the second communication object and the third UCA has been established. Optionally, determining that the mutual trust relationship between the first communication object and the third UCA has been established and that the mutual trust relationship between the second communication object and the third UCA has been established includes: determining that the first communication object information and the second communication object information are stored in a fifth table; the fifth table includes information of communication objects having a mutual trust relationship with the third UCA.

[0035] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second UCA, or by a device having a function of the second UCA, or by a chip system (or a chip) or other functional module capable of implementing the function of the second UCA, for example, the chip system or the functional module is arranged in the second UCA. Taking the method executed by the second UCA as an example, the method includes: adding, under the triggering of a third UCA, a second communication object to a network corresponding to a first task; the network includes communication objects for executing the first task; a first UCA provides services for communication objects of a first user, and the communication objects of the first user include a first communication object; a second UCA provides services for communication objects of a second user, and the communication objects of the second user include the second communication object; the second UCA receives a first information message from the third UCA; the first information message includes the identity of the first task, the source communication object of the first information message is the first communication object, and the destination communication object of the first information message is the second communication object; and in a case where the network includes the first communication object and the second communication object, the second UCA sends the first information message to the second communication object.

[0036] In the method, the third UCA, as a creator of a network of the first task, forwards information messages transmitted between communication objects participating in the network of the first task. That is, when a communication object (i.e., a source communication object) participating in the network of the first task sends an information message to another communication object (i.e., a destination communication object), the source communication object first sends the information message to a UCA serving the source communication object, the UCA serving the source communication object sends the information message to the UCA creating the network of the first task, the UCA creating the network of the first task sends the information message to a UCA serving the destination communication object, and the UCA serving the destination communication object sends the information message to the destination communication object. Thus, the multiple communication objects participating in the first task can interactively execute the first task.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the joining of the second communication object into the network corresponding to the first task includes saving a fifth association relationship of an identifier of the first task, an identifier of the second communication object, and an identifier of the third UCA.

[0038] In this implementation, recording the association relationship can facilitate the second UCA to find which UCA creates the first task and which communication objects join the network of the first task.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the saving of the fifth association relationship of the identifier of the first task, the identifier of the second communication object, and the identifier of the third UCA includes saving the fifth association relationship in a third table; and the third table includes an association relationship of the identifier of the first task, identifiers of communication objects performing the first task, and an identifier of a UCA creating the network corresponding to the first task.

[0040] In this implementation, designing a table to record the identifier of the UCA creating the first task and the identifiers of the communication objects performing the first task can facilitate the first UCA to quickly find which UCA creates the first task and which communication objects join the network of the first task.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the joining of the second communication object into the network corresponding to the first task under the triggering of the third UCA includes that the second UCA receives a fifth message from the third UCA, the fifth message being used to request the second communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task; and the second UCA joins the second communication object into the network corresponding to the first task based on the fifth message. Optionally, the second UCA further sends a fifth response, the fifth response being used to indicate an agreement of the second communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the joining of the second communication object into the network corresponding to the first task under the trigger of the third UCA comprises: sending, by the second UCA, a sixth message to the third UCA, the sixth message being used to indicate that the second communication object requests to join the network corresponding to the first task; receiving, by the second UCA, a sixth response from the third UCA; and in a case where the sixth response is used to indicate that the second communication object is allowed to join the network corresponding to the first task, joining, by the second UCA, the second communication object into the network corresponding to the first task.

[0043] In a possible implementation, in a case where the network comprises the first communication object and the second communication object, the sending of the first information message to the second communication object comprises: in a case where a fifth association relationship and a sixth association relationship are saved, sending, by the second UCA, the first information message to the second communication object; wherein the fifth association relationship comprises an association relationship among an identifier of the first task, an identifier of the second communication object and an identifier of the third UCA, and the sixth association relationship comprises an association relationship among the identifier of the first task, an identifier of the first communication object and the identifier of the third UCA.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the second UCA receives a seventh message, the seventh message being used to indicate that the first communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task; and the second UCA saves the sixth association relationship based on the seventh message.

[0045] In this implementation, the third UCA informs the second UCA of which communication objects have joined the network of the first task, so that the second UCA knows which communication objects have joined the network of the first task.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the second UCA sends, to the second communication object, a message used to indicate that the first communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task, the message comprising an identifier of the first communication object and an identifier of the first task; and / or the second UCA sends, to the second communication object, a message used to indicate that the second communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task, the message comprising an identifier of the second communication object and an identifier of the first task.

[0047] In this implementation, the second UCA informs the second communication object that the second communication object has joined the network of the first task, and informs an identifier of another communication object that has joined the network of the first task, so that the second communication object knows which communication objects have joined the network of the first task.

[0048] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which can be the first UCA of the first aspect. The communication apparatus has the functions of the first UCA. The communication apparatus can be a functional module in the first UCA, such as a baseband device or a chip system. Alternatively, the communication apparatus can be the third UCA of the second aspect. The communication apparatus has the functions of the third UCA. The communication apparatus can be a functional module in the third UCA, such as a baseband device or a chip system. Alternatively, the communication apparatus can be the second UCA of the third aspect. The communication apparatus has the functions of the second UCA. The communication apparatus can be a functional module in the second UCA, such as a baseband device or a chip system.

[0049] In an optional implementation, the communication apparatus includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication apparatus includes a processing unit (also referred to as a processing module) and a transceiver unit (also referred to as a transceiver module). The transceiver unit can implement the sending function and the receiving function. When the transceiver unit implements the sending function, it can be referred to as a sending unit (also referred to as a sending module). When the transceiver unit implements the receiving function, it can be referred to as a receiving unit (also referred to as a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is referred to as a transceiver unit and can implement the sending function and the receiving function. Alternatively, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit refers to these functional modules in general.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus further includes a storage unit (also referred to as a storage module). The processing unit is coupled to the storage unit and executes programs or instructions in the storage unit, so that the communication apparatus can implement the functions of the first UCA of the first aspect, or implement the functions of the third UCA of the second aspect, or implement the functions of the second UCA of the third aspect.

[0051] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises an interface circuit and a processor, and optionally a memory. The memory is configured to store a computer program, and the processor is coupled to the memory and the interface circuit. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions, the communication apparatus performs the method performed by the first UCA in the first aspect, or performs the method performed by the third UCA in the second aspect, or performs the method performed by the second UCA in the third aspect. The interface circuit is configured to receive a signal from another communication apparatus and transmit the signal to the processor, or transmit a signal from the processor to another communication apparatus. The processor is configured to implement the method performed by the first UCA, or the third UCA, or the second UCA in the respective aspects by means of logic circuit or executing code instructions.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus is a chip or a chip system. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0053] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises a processor, and optionally a memory. The processor and the memory are coupled. The memory is configured to store a computer program or instructions. The processor is configured to execute part or all of the computer program or instructions in the memory, so as to implement the functions of the first UCA in the first aspect, or implement the functions of the third UCA in the second aspect, or implement the functions of the second UCA in the third aspect.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the apparatus can further comprise a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to transmit a signal processed by the processor, or receive a signal input to the processor. The transceiver can perform the transmitting action or the receiving action performed by the first UCA in the first aspect, or the third UCA in the second aspect, or the second UCA in the third aspect.

[0055] In a possible implementation, the processing unit in the sixth aspect can be implemented by the processor, the storage unit in the fourth aspect can be implemented by the memory, and the transceiving unit in the fourth aspect can be implemented by the transceiver.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus is a chip or a chip system. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0057] In a seventh aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which is configured to store computer programs or instructions, which when executed, cause the method in any of the aspects above to be implemented.

[0058] In an eighth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor configured to implement the method in any possible implementation of any of the first aspect to the third aspect when the processor executes computer programs or instructions. Optionally, the chip can further include a memory configured to store the computer programs or instructions. The chip can be constituted by a chip or include a chip and other discrete components.

[0059] In a ninth aspect, a circuit is provided, which is configured to implement the method in any possible implementation of any of the first aspect to the third aspect. The circuit can include a chip circuit. Optionally, the circuit can be coupled with a memory.

[0060] In a tenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes instructions, which when executed on a computer, cause the method in any of the aspects above to be implemented.

[0061] In an eleventh aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the first UCA in the first aspect, the third UCA in the second aspect, and the second UCA in the third aspect. For example, the first UCA, the second UCA, and the third UCA can be implemented by the communication apparatus in the fourth aspect, or the fifth aspect, or the sixth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0062] FIG. 1a is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG. 1b is a schematic diagram of a communication architecture within a sub-network and across sub-networks according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG. 1c is a schematic diagram of a relationship among a user, a UCA, and a CO according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a table according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] FIG. 9 is a structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG. 10 is a structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] The technical solutions of the present application can be applied to various wireless communication systems, which can include but are not limited to the fourth generation (4G) mobile communication technology system (also known as long term evolution (LTE) system), the fifth generation (5G) mobile communication technology system (also known as new radio (NR) system), or can also be applied to future mobile communication systems, etc., and the specific application is not limited.

[0075] In addition, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to device-to-device (D2D) scenarios, such as NR-D2D scenarios, etc., or can be applied to vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication scenarios, such as NR-V2X scenarios, etc. For example, it can be used in the field of intelligent driving, auxiliary driving, or intelligent networked vehicles, etc. For another example, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to factory manufacturing scenarios, etc.

[0076] In addition, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to scenarios including but not limited to: ground cellular communication, non-terrestrial network (NTN), satellite communication, high altitude platform station (HAPS) communication, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) communication, reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) communication, etc.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 1a, a communication system diagram suitable for embodiments of the present application is introduced. The communication system can be referred to as an intelligent agent communication network. Two types of network elements are introduced in the system: one is a control plane network element, which can be referred to as an intelligent communication management function (ICMF) network element or other names; the other is a user plane network element, which can be referred to as an intelligent interaction function (IIF) network element or other names. The "network element" in "**network element" can also be referred to as "function", "functional network element", "network function", etc., for example, the control plane network element can be referred to as a control plane network function, and the user plane network element can be referred to as a user plane network function.

[0078] The control plane network element includes but is not limited to the following functions: 1) selecting a user plane function and instructing the user plane function to create and configure a user communication agent (UCA) for a subscribed user to establish a user intelligent agent subnetwork; 2) establishing a session connection between a communication object (CO) and a UCA for an accessed CO; 3) verifying the digital identity of the CO by interacting with a digital identity management (IDM) network element; 4) interacting with a unified data management network element (UDM) to record and query various information tables for managing interactive sessions between COs.

[0079] The user plane function network element includes but is not limited to the following functions: 1) creating and maintaining a UCA for a subscribed user to realize information interaction between different COs within the UCA or across UCA; 2) providing an application service (AS) running environment, and optionally, a media processing service, a local artificial intelligence (AI) model running environment, etc.

[0080] The communication object (CO) in the agent communication network includes, but is not limited to, a user terminal or an agent. The user can perform certain operations on the user terminal, trigger the user terminal to send a message, or the user terminal receives a message and performs certain prompts to the user based on the message, and the user confirms, etc. The communication between the user terminal and other devices is triggered by the user, for example, the user actively triggers, or the user sets the triggering rule in advance, and the user terminal has no autonomous behavior. The user terminal includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a mobile phone, a satellite mobile terminal, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palm computer, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device (such as a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a pedometer, smart glasses, etc.), a vehicle-mounted device (such as a car, a bicycle, an electric vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a high-speed rail, etc.), a satellite terminal, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device. The agent is further divided into a physical agent and a virtual agent. The physical agent includes, but is not limited to, a physical robot, a robotic dog, a smart car, a smart drone, etc. that accesses through a wireless cellular network or WiFi. Optionally, the user terminal can also be classified into a physical agent, for example, the user terminal is installed with an agent-related application program, and when the communication is based on the application program, the user terminal can be classified into a physical agent. The virtual agent includes, but is not limited to, a digital intelligent assistant, a digital person, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. deployed in the cloud or network. The agent can be further divided into a high-end agent, a middle-end agent, and a low-end agent according to the ability.

[0081] The control plane function network element can communicate with a physical agent, a virtual agent, a user terminal, an access management network element, a RAN, a UPF, a UCA, other ICMF, other network functions of the control plane, etc.

[0082] Optionally, the control plane function network element includes but is not limited to 4 interfaces, namely interface 1, interface 2, interface 3 and interface 8. The user plane function network element includes but is not limited to 4 interfaces, namely interface 4, interface 5, interface 6 and interface 7. The interface 1 of the control plane function network element is used for signaling interaction between the physical intelligent agent and the user terminal and the control plane function network element, the interface 2 of the control plane function network element is used for signaling interaction between the virtual intelligent agent and the control plane function network element, the interface 3 of the control plane function network element is used for signaling interaction with the interface 7 of the user plane function network element, and the interface 8 of the control plane function network element is used for signaling interaction with other network functions in the control plane, including but not limited to: digital identity management function (IDM), user unified data management function (UDM), large model, model warehouse, AS mirror warehouse, etc. The interface 4 of the user plane function network element is used for signaling interaction between the physical intelligent agent and the user terminal via the RAN and the UPF and the user communication agent UCA, the interface 5 of the user plane function network element is used for signaling interaction between the virtual intelligent agent and the UCA, the interface 6 of the user plane function network element is used for signaling interaction between UCAs located in different user plane function network elements, and the interface 7 of the user plane function network element is used for signaling interaction with the interface 3 of the control plane function network element. It can be understood that the numbers / names of these interfaces are only for the convenience of description, and do not limit the functions of the interfaces, and the numbers / names can be replaced by other numbers / names, for example, replaced by interface a, interface b, interface c, etc. Alternatively, the functions of multiple interfaces among the interfaces can be combined and implemented by one interface. For example, a certain interface of the control plane function network element can be used for signaling interaction with the physical intelligent agent and the virtual intelligent agent. For example, a certain interface of the user plane function network element can be used for signaling interaction between the UCA and the control plane function and signaling interaction between UCAs located in different user plane function network elements.

[0083] The intelligent agent communication network connects various communication objects of the subscribed user through the user communication agent UCA, each UCA constructs a subnetwork (or said, the UCA and the communication objects accessing the UCA form a subnetwork), thereby guaranteeing the communication security and controllability of various communication objects. In FIG. 1a, the user communication agent UCA1 serves the subscribed user 1 and connects the physical intelligent agents CO1-1, CO1-2, CO1-3 and the virtual intelligent agent CO1-4 of the subscribed user 1; the user communication agent UCA2 serves the subscribed user 2 and connects the physical intelligent agents CO2-1, CO2-2 and the virtual intelligent agent CO2-3 of the subscribed user 2.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 1b, the communication between intelligent agents can adopt the following multiple modes.

[0085] Mode one: UCA subnet communication, i.e. communication between communication objects accessing the same UCA. This mode can be applied to communication between intelligent agents in a subnet composed of management domains such as individuals, families, enterprises, etc. In a subnet, intelligent agents can discover each other, establish sessions, and exchange information, etc.

[0086] Mode two: cross-subnet (cross-user communication agent UCA) communication, i.e. communication between communication objects accessing different UCAs. Communication objects accessing different UCAs establish mutual trust relationships, and transmit information messages based on the established mutual trust relationships. Or, communication objects accessing different UCAs do not establish mutual trust relationships, and the communication objects can transmit information messages based on user permission (e.g. permission based on subscription information, or temporary authorization of the user).

[0087] Mode three: dynamic networking communication of multiple UCAs. Multiple UCAs temporarily form a network based on a task, and realize communication object joining and information exchange between communication objects in the network. Embodiments of the present application mainly introduce technical solutions applicable to mode three.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 1c, the relationship between a subscribed user, a UCA, an IIF, and a CO is introduced. Each subscribed user can create one or more UCAs, and a UCA can only belong to one subscribed user. As shown in FIG. 1c, subscribed user 1 creates UCA 1 and UCA 2, and subscribed user 3 creates UCA 3. Multiple UCAs can be created in each IIF, and each UCA can only exist in one IIF. As shown in FIG. 1c, UCA 1 is located in IIF 1, and UCA 2 and UCA 3 are located in IIF 2. Multiple UCAs of the same subscribed user can be located in one IIF or multiple IIFs. As shown in FIG. 1c, UCA 1 of subscribed user 1 is located in IIF 1, and UCA 2 is located in IIF 2. Each UCA can be connected to one or more COs, and each CO can only be connected to one UCA. As shown in FIG. 1c, CO 1 and CO 2 are connected to UCA 1, CO 3 and CO 4 are connected to UCA 2, and CO 5 and CO 6 are connected to UCA 3. It should be noted that the UCA connected by a communication object of a user is the UCA of the user, e.g. CO 1, CO 2, CO 3, and CO 4 are all communication objects of subscribed user 1, and CO 5 and CO 6 are both communication objects of subscribed user 2.

[0089] In the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the first UCA provides services for communication objects of a first user, and the second UCA provides services for communication objects of a second user, wherein the communication objects of the first user include a first communication object, and the communication objects of the second user include a second communication object. The first UCA adds the first communication object to a network of a first task under the triggering of a third UCA; and the second UCA adds the second communication object to the network of the first task under the triggering of the third UCA. The first communication object sends an information message to the first UCA as a source communication object, the first UCA sends the information message to the third UCA, the third UCA sends the information message to the second UCA, and the second UCA sends the information message to the second communication object (i.e. a destination communication object).

[0090] In the method, the third UCA, as a creator of the network of the first task, forwards information messages transmitted between the communication objects in the network of the first task. That is, when a communication object (i.e. a source communication object) in the network of the first task sends an information message to another communication object (i.e. a destination communication object), the source communication object first sends the information message to a UCA serving the source communication object, the UCA serving the source communication object sends the information message to a UCA creating the network of the first task, the UCA creating the network of the first task sends the information message to a UCA serving the destination communication object, and the UCA serving the destination communication object sends the information message to the destination communication object. In this way, the multiple communication objects participating in the first task can interact with each other to execute the first task.

[0091] In the following, some terms or concepts in the embodiments of the present application are explained and described to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art.

[0092] 1), the first UCA, the second UCA and the third UCA:

[0093] The first UCA is a UCA serving communication objects of a first user, and the communication objects of the first user include a first communication object. Therefore, the first UCA can also be regarded as a UCA serving the first communication object.

[0094] The second UCA is a UCA serving communication objects of a second user, and the communication objects of the second user include a second communication object. Therefore, the second UCA can also be regarded as a UCA serving the second communication object.

[0095] The UCA serving the communication objects, the UCA serving the communication objects, the UCA accessed by the communication objects and the UCA belonging to the communication objects in the embodiments of the present application can be replaced with each other.

[0096] The third UCA is a UCA that creates the network of the first task, and the third UCA provides services for a communication object of a third user, and the communication object of the third user includes a third communication object.

[0097] The source communication object of the first information message is the first communication object, and the destination communication object of the first information message is the second communication object.

[0098] 2), the first table, the second table, the third table, the task group information table, and the global task group information table:

[0099] The first UCA creates and maintains the first table, and the first table includes, but is not limited to, an association relationship among an identifier of the first task, an identifier of a communication object used to execute the first task, and an identifier of a UCA that creates a network corresponding to the first task. The first table can be a UCA task group information table as shown in FIG. 2, or the first table is a part of the UCA task group information table, or the first table includes the UCA task group information table and further includes other contents.

[0100] The second UCA creates and maintains the third table, and the third table includes, but is not limited to, an association relationship among an identifier of the first task, an identifier of a communication object used to execute the first task, and an identifier of a UCA that creates a network corresponding to the first task. The third table can be a UCA task group information table as shown in FIG. 2, or the third table is a part of the UCA task group information table, or the third table includes the UCA task group information table and further includes other contents.

[0101] The third UCA creates and maintains the second table, and the second table includes, but is not limited to, an association relationship among an identifier of the first task, an identifier of a communication object used to execute the first task, and an identifier of a UCA that provides services for the communication object. The second table can be a UCA task group information table as shown in FIG. 2, or the second table is a part of the UCA task group information table, or the second table includes the UCA task group information table and further includes other contents.

[0102] It can be seen that, in the UCA that creates the network of the first task, for the communication object that joins the network of the first task, the saved UCA associated with the communication object is an identifier of a UCA that provides services for the communication object, and in the UCA that is not the UCA that creates the network of the first task, for the communication object that joins the network of the first task, the saved UCA associated with the communication object is the UCA that creates the network of the first task.

[0103] The UDM creates and maintains a global task group information table (as shown in FIG. 2), which includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: an identifier of a task, an identifier of a UCA that creates a network of the task, and an identifier of a communication object that joins the network of the task (which can be embodied by a communication object digital identity identifier list CO_DID_List).

[0104] 3) UCA communication object information table and information cache table:

[0105] In each UCA, a UCA communication object information table and an information cache table can also be created and maintained.

[0106] The UCA communication object information table is used to record information of a communication object capable of communicating with the UCA, including but not limited to one or more of the following: a digital identity of the CO, an identifier of the UCA accessed by the CO, a type of the CO, an identifier of an IIF interface associated with the CO, a capability set of the CO, and a relationship of the CO with the UCA. The other information can be indexed by the digital identity of the CO and / or the identifier of the UCA. These pieces of information are basically unchanged.

[0107] If the identifier of the UCA accessed by the CO in the UCA communication object information table is an identifier of the local UCA, it indicates that the CO is a CO accessing the local UCA; if it is not an identifier of the local UCA, it indicates that the CO is a CO having a trust relationship with a CO accessing the local UCA.

[0108] The type of the CO includes but is not limited to a user terminal, a robot, a robotic dog, a drone, a smart car, a digital assistant, etc.

[0109] The identifier of the IIF interface associated with the CO is used to indicate which interface on the IIF the CO accesses the UCA through, or through which interface on the IIF the CO can be accessed. For example, the identifier of the IIF interface associated with the CO is related to the type of the CO, for example, as shown in FIG. 1a, the CO is a physical intelligent agent or a user terminal, and the IIF interface associated with the CO is interface 4; the CO is a virtual intelligent agent, and the IIF interface associated with the CO is interface 5. If the interfaces in the IIF do not distinguish different functions, or in other words, any device / apparatus / network element outside the IIF can communicate with the IIF through the same interface, the identifier of the IIF interface is equivalent to the identifier of the IIF, and the IP address of the IIF interface is equivalent to the IP address of the IIF, and then the identifier of the IIF interface associated with the CO can be replaced by the identifier of the IIF, which is also applicable in other embodiments of the present application.

[0110] The capability set of the CO records the capabilities of the CO that are open to the outside and can be called, including but not limited to: capability description, capability API, and calling method, etc.

[0111] The type of the trust relationship is fixed (or long-term) or temporary (or short-term), and if the type of the trust relationship is fixed (or long-term), the trust relationship is deleted based on a request of a user. If the type of the trust relationship is temporary (or short-term), the trust relationship can be started to be timed when the trust relationship is established, and the trust relationship is released when a preset time length is reached, or the trust relationship is automatically released after a communication task is completed.

[0112] The information cache table mainly records dynamic variable information, including but not limited to one or more of the following: 1) a mapping table of the digital identity of the CO and the IP address, the IP address of the CO can be re-allocated after the CO reconnects to the UCA; 2) a mapping table of the UCA identifier and the UCA IP address, the UCA can migrate between different IIFs, or be re-allocated after migration, and can obtain a new IP address; 3) a mapping relationship between the UCA identifier and the IIF identifier, the UCA of the user can migrate between different IIFs, and the relationship between them can be dynamically changed; 4) a relationship between the IIF interface identifier and the interface IP address, the interface IP address can be changed by modifying the management interface. For 4), if the interfaces in the IIF do not distinguish different functions, or in other words, any device / apparatus / network element outside the IIF can communicate with the IIF through the same interface, then the IIF interface identifier is equivalent to the IIF identifier, and the IIF interface IP address is the IP address of the IIF.

[0113] A global UCA information table is created and maintained in the UDM (as shown in FIG. 2), and the global UCA information table is used to record the information of the UCA. The information of each UCA includes but is not limited to one or more of the following: the UCA identifier, the identity of the user to which the UCA belongs, the IP address of the UCA, the IIF identifier in which the UCA is located, and the subscription information of the UCA (i.e., the subscription information of the user mentioned above). The UCA identifier and / or the identity of the user can be indexed to other information of the UCA.

[0114] 4) the global UCA information table, the global communication object information table, and the global IIF information table:

[0115] A global UCA information table is created and maintained in the UDM (as shown in FIG. 2), and the global UCA information table is used to record the information of the UCA. The information of each UCA includes but is not limited to one or more of the following: the UCA identifier, the identity of the user to which the UCA belongs, the IP address of the UCA, the IIF identifier in which the UCA is located, and the subscription information of the UCA. The UCA identifier and / or the identity of the user can be indexed to other information of the UCA.

[0116] A global communication object information table is created and maintained in the UDM (as shown in FIG. 2), and the global communication object information table includes but is not limited to one or more of the following: the communication object digital identity CO_DID, the communication object IP address CO_IP, the communication object type CO_Type, and the identifier UCA_ID of the UCA serving the communication object. The communication object digital identity CO_DID can be indexed to other information.

[0117] The UDM creates and maintains a global IIF information table (see FIG. 2), which includes but is not limited to one or more of the following: IIF identifier, IIF interface identifier, IIF interface IP address. For example, the IIF interface includes: an interface for communication with the ICMF (e.g., interface 7 in FIG. 1a), an interface for interaction between UCAs (e.g., interface 6 in FIG. 1a), an interface for interaction with user terminals, physical intelligent agents (e.g., interface 4 in FIG. 1a), an interface for interaction with virtual intelligent agents (e.g., interface 5 in FIG. 1a). The IIF identifier can index all interface identifiers and IP addresses of the IIF.

[0118] It should be noted that the IIF information table of FIG. 2 is described by way of example, assuming that multiple interfaces are provided in the IIF, each IIF interface has a corresponding identifier and IP address, and different IIF interfaces have different functions. If the interfaces in the IIF do not distinguish different functions, or in other words, any device / apparatus / network element outside the IIF can communicate with the IIF through the same interface, then the IIF interface identifier is equivalent to the IIF identifier, and the IIF interface IP address is equivalent to the IP address of the IIF. Therefore, the global IIF information table can include the IIF identifier and the IP address of the IIF.

[0119] It should be noted that in other embodiments of the present application, if IIF interface identifier and IIF interface IP address are mentioned, they can be replaced by IIF identifier and IP address of the IIF.

[0120] It should be noted that the names of the tables mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are only for the purpose of description and do not limit the functions of the tables. These names can be replaced by other names, such as Table 1, Table 2, etc. In addition, the tables mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be split, combined or reorganized. For example, one table can be split into two or more tables. For example, one table, or two or more tables can be combined into one table. For example, two or more tables can be reorganized into two or more tables. For example, the local communication information table is divided into two tables, one table is used to record the information of the communication object accessing the UCA, and the other table is used to record the information of the communication object having a mutual trust relationship with the communication object accessing the UCA.

[0121] 5), perform the first task, which can be replaced by: participate in the first task, join the first task, etc.

[0122] The network corresponding to the first task includes a communication object for executing the first task. This sentence can be understood as: the communication object included in the network corresponding to the first task is the communication object for executing the first task, or the communication object joining the network corresponding to the first task is the communication object for executing the first task.

[0123] 6) The digital identity of the communication object CO_DID can be replaced by "communication object identifier", "communication object identity", "communication object digital identifier", etc. The user identity U_ID of the user can be replaced by "user identifier", "user identity", etc.

[0124] 7) In the embodiments of the present application, any two UCAs can directly interact, or can interact through ICMF or other devices. Taking the interaction between the first UCA and the third UCA as an example, the first UCA sends a message to the ICMF, and the ICMF sends the message to the third UCA.

[0125] In the embodiments of the present application, the UCA and the UDM can directly interact, or can interact through the ICMF or other devices. Taking the interaction between the third UCA and the UDM as an example, the third UCA sends a message to the ICMF, and the ICMF sends the message to the UDM.

[0126] Similarly, in the embodiments of the present application, A sends a message to B, which can be that A directly sends a message to B, or A first sends a message to an intermediate device, and the intermediate device forwards the message to B.

[0127] 8) In each flowchart introduced in the embodiments of the present application, if a message carries multiple information, this is only one possible implementation. In another possible implementation, the multiple information can also be carried in multiple messages. In addition, the order of transmitting each information can not be limited without affecting the logic before and after.

[0128] 9) In each flowchart introduced in the embodiments of the present application, the control plane function network element in the intelligent communication network is taken as the ICMF, and the user plane function network element is taken as the IIF. It can be understood that the ICMF can be replaced by other names, such as intelligent agent communication network control plane function network element, and the IIF can be replaced by other names, such as intelligent agent communication network user plane function network element.

[0129] 10) Each embodiment of the present application is decoupled from each other, and each embodiment can exist independently or be combined with other embodiments as one embodiment. In addition, the technical details of each embodiment can be mutually referenced.

[0130] In order to better introduce the embodiments of the present application, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application is introduced below in combination with the drawings. In the following, if no special description is given, the steps represented by the dashed lines in the drawings corresponding to the various embodiments of the present application are optional steps.

[0131] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application, including the following steps:

[0132] Step 301a: The third UCA triggers the first UCA to add the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task. Correspondingly, under the triggering of the third UCA, the first UCA adds the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task.

[0133] One possible way is that the third UCA invites the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task to the first UCA.

[0134] For example, the third UCA sends a first message to the first UCA, and correspondingly, the first UCA receives the first message from the third UCA, the first message being used to request the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task. The first UCA adds the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task based on the first message.

[0135] Further optionally, the first UCA can also send a first response to the third UCA; correspondingly, the third UCA receives the first response, the first response being used to indicate the agreement of the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task.

[0136] For example, the first message includes the identification of the first task, and optionally, the identification of the first communication object and / or the identification of the third UCA.

[0137] For example, the first response includes the identification of the first communication object and / or the identification of the first task. Optionally, the first response also includes indication information used to indicate the agreement, for example, the indication information occupies 1 bit, and the value of the 1 bit represents the agreement or disagreement of the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task.

[0138] Another possible way is that the first UCA requests the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task to the third UCA.

[0139] For example, the first UCA sends a second message to the third UCA; correspondingly, the third UCA receives the second message from the second UCA, and the second message is used to indicate that the first communication object requests to join the network corresponding to the first task. The third UCA sends a second response to the first UCA, and correspondingly, the first UCA receives the second response; in the case that the second response is used to indicate that the first communication object is agreed to join the network corresponding to the first task, the first UCA adds the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task.

[0140] For example, the second message comprises the identity of the first task, the identity of the first communication object and the identity of the first UCA.

[0141] For example, the second response comprises the identity of the first communication object and / or the identity of the first task. Optionally, the second response further comprises indication information used to indicate the agreement, for example, the indication information occupies 1 bit, and the value of the 1 bit is used to represent the agreement or disagreement of the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task.

[0142] One possible way for the first UCA to add the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task is that the first UCA saves the association relationship among the identity of the first task, the identity of the first communication object and the identity of the third UCA (for the convenience of description, the association relationship is referred to as the first association relationship hereinafter).

[0143] For example, the first UCA maintains a first table, and the first table comprises the association relationship among the identity of the first task, the identity of the communication object used to execute the first task (i.e., to join the network of the first task) and the identity of the UCA used to create the network corresponding to the first task. The first UCA saves the first association relationship in the first table. The table is designed to record the identity of the UCA used to create the first task and the identity of the communication object used to execute the first task, which can facilitate the first UCA to find which UCA creates the first task and which communication object joins the network of the first task.

[0144] Step 301b: The third UCA triggers the second UCA to add the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task. Correspondingly, under the triggering of the third UCA, the second UCA adds the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task.

[0145] The sequence of step 301a and step 301b is not limited.

[0146] One possible way is that the third UCA invites the second UCA to add the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task.

[0147] For example, the third UCA sends a fifth message to the second UCA, and correspondingly, the second UCA receives the fifth message from the third UCA, where the fifth message is used to request the second communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task. The second UCA adds the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task based on the fifth message.

[0148] Further optionally, the second UCA can also send a fifth response to the third UCA, and correspondingly, the third UCA receives the fifth response, where the fifth response is used to indicate the consent of the second communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task.

[0149] For example, the fifth message comprises the identity of the first task, and optionally, further comprises the identity of the second communication object and the identity of the third UCA.

[0150] For example, the fifth response comprises the identity of the second communication object and / or the identity of the first task. Optionally, the fifth response further comprises indication information used to indicate the consent, for example, the indication information occupies one bit, and the value of the one bit is used to indicate the consent or the non-consent of the second communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task.

[0151] Another possible manner is that the second UCA requests the third UCA to add the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task.

[0152] For example, the second UCA sends a sixth message to the third UCA, and correspondingly, the third UCA receives the sixth message from the second UCA, where the sixth message is used to indicate that the second communication object requests to join the network corresponding to the first task. The third UCA sends a sixth response to the second UCA, and correspondingly, the second UCA receives the sixth response. In a case where the sixth response is used to indicate the consent of the second communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task, the second UCA adds the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task.

[0153] For example, the sixth message comprises the identity of the first task, the identity of the second communication object and the identity of the first UCA.

[0154] For example, the sixth response comprises the identity of the second communication object and / or the identity of the first task. Optionally, the sixth response further comprises indication information used to indicate the consent, for example, the indication information occupies one bit, and the value of the one bit is used to indicate the consent or the non-consent of the second communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task.

[0155] One possible manner in which the second UCA adds the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task is that the second UCA saves the association relationship among the identity of the first task, the identity of the second communication object and the identity of the third UCA (for the convenience of description, the association relationship is referred to as a fifth association relationship hereinafter).

[0156] For example, the second UCA maintains a third table, which includes the association relationship of the identity of the first task, the identity of the communication object for executing the first task (i.e., joining the network of the first task), and the identity of the UCA creating the network corresponding to the first task. The second UCA saves the fifth association relationship in the third table. The table is designed to record the identity of the UCA creating the first task and the identity of the communication object executing the first task, so as to facilitate the second UCA to find which UCA creates the first task and which communication objects join the network of the first task.

[0157] Further optionally, after the UCA joins the communication object belonging to itself into the network corresponding to the first task, the UCA can notify the communication object of this case.

[0158] For example, after step 301a (the first UCA joins the first communication object into the network corresponding to the first task), the first UCA sends a message to the first communication object, which indicates that the first communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task. For example, the message includes the identity of the first communication object and the identity of the first task. Optionally, the message further includes the identity of the third UCA (i.e., the identity of the UCA creating the network of the first task). Based on the message, the first communication object can know that it has joined the network of the first task. The first communication object can save the identity of the first task; further optionally, the identity of the third UCA (i.e., the identity of the UCA creating the network of the first task) can also be saved.

[0159] For example, after step 301b (the second UCA joins the second communication object into the network corresponding to the first task), the second UCA sends a message to the second communication object, which indicates that the second communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task. For example, the message includes the identity of the second communication object and the identity of the first task. Optionally, the message further includes the identity of the third UCA (i.e., the identity of the UCA creating the network of the first task). Based on the message, the second communication object can know that it has joined the network of the first task. The second communication object can save the identity of the first task; further optionally, the identity of the third UCA (i.e., the identity of the UCA creating the network of the first task) can also be saved.

[0160] Further optionally, after the third UCA triggers the joining of a communication object a into the network of the first task, the third UCA can notify other members b already in the network of the first task of the case that the communication object a joins the network of the first task, and inform the communication object a newly joining the network of the first task of the information of the other members b.

[0161] For example, after step 301a and step 301b, the third UCA can further send a message to the first UCA indicating that the second communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task, where the message includes the identity of the second communication object and the identity of the first task, and optionally, the identity of the third UCA (i.e., the identity of the UCA that created the network of the first task). Further optionally, the first UCA sends a message to the first communication object indicating that the second communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task, where the message includes the identity of the second communication object and the identity of the first task. Based on the message, the first communication object can learn that the second communication object has joined the network of the first task. The first communication object can save the association between the identity of the second communication object and the identity of the first task.

[0162] For example, after step 301a and step 301b, the third UCA can further send a message to the second UCA indicating that the first communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task, where the message includes the identity of the first communication object and the identity of the first task, and optionally, the identity of the third UCA (i.e., the identity of the UCA that created the network of the first task). Further optionally, the second UCA sends a message to the second communication object indicating that the first communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task, where the message includes the identity of the first communication object and the identity of the first task. Based on the message, the second communication object can learn that the first communication object has joined the network of the first task. The second communication object can save the association between the identity of the first communication object and the identity of the first task.

[0163] Step 302: The first communication object sends a first information packet to the first UCA, and correspondingly, the first UCA receives the first information packet from the first communication object.

[0164] The source communication object of the first information packet is the first communication object, and the destination communication object of the first information packet is the second communication object. Illustratively, the first information packet includes the identity of the source communication object, the identity of the destination communication object, the identity of the first task, and the specific content (also referred to as the payload) of the information packet. The specific content can be any information, such as text, audio / video, API call, semantic vector, model or parameter, etc. The first information packet can be a request packet or a response packet.

[0165] Optionally, before step 302, the first communication object generates the first information message. Optionally, the first communication object judges whether it has joined the network of the first task, and carries the identification of the first task in the first information message if it is determined that it has joined the network of the first task. Optionally, the first communication object judges whether the second communication object has joined the network of the first task, and determines the identification of the second communication object as the identification of the destination communication object if it is determined that the second communication object has joined the network of the first task.

[0166] The first communication object stores the identification and / or IP address of the first UCA it accesses in itself, and sends the first information message to the first UCA based on the identification and / or IP address of the first UCA.

[0167] The first information message is carried on the session connection established between the first communication object and the IIF-A where the first UCA is located. The first communication object sends the first information message to the IIF-A where the first UCA is located, and the IIF-A sends the first information message to the first UCA. The following takes different IIF interfaces corresponding to different types of source communication objects as examples for introduction:

[0168] In one case, the source communication object is a physical intelligent agent or a user terminal, and the source communication object sends the first information message to the interface 4 of the IIF-A.

[0169] If the source communication object does not install an application service, the first information message is sent to the first UCA through the interface 4 of the IIF-A. If the source communication object installs an application service, the first information message is sent to the application service of the source communication object through the interface 4 of the IIF-A, and the application service sends the first information message to the first UCA through an internal interface with the first UCA.

[0170] In another case, the source communication object is a virtual intelligent agent, and the source communication object sends the first information message to the interface 5 of the IIF-A. The first information message is sent to the first UCA through the interface 5 of the IIF-A.

[0171] The first information message is carried as a payload on an IP message, the source IP address of the IP message is the IP address of the source communication object, and the destination IP address is the IP address of the first UCA. When the application service of the first communication object participates in the forwarding of the information message, the source IP address is the IP address of the application service, and the destination IP address is the IP address of the first UCA when the application service sends the information message to the first UCA.

[0172] The first communication object can send the first information message based on the request of the user, or send the first information message based on autonomous judgment.

[0173] The process of sending the first information message by the first communication object to the first UCA can also be applied to sending a request message, a response message, or any information by the first communication object to the first UCA, as long as the interaction between the first UCA and the first communication object is applicable. The principle of the process can also be applied to the interaction between any UCA and any communication object belonging to the UCA.

[0174] Step 303: The first UCA sends the first information message to the third UCA; correspondingly, the third UCA receives the first information message from the first UCA.

[0175] For example, in the case where the network of the first task includes the first communication object and / or the second communication object, the first UCA sends the first information message to the third UCA. If the network of the first task does not include the first communication object and / or the second communication object, the first UCA does not send the first information message to the third UCA.

[0176] For example, the first UCA parses the first information message to determine the identity of the first task, the identity of the source communication object, and the identity of the destination communication object included in the first information message. The first UCA determines whether an association relationship between the source communication object and the identity of the first task is saved, and if so, determines that the network of the first task includes the source communication object (i.e., the first communication object). The first UCA determines whether an association relationship between the destination communication object and the identity of the first task is saved, and if so, determines that the network of the first task includes the destination communication object (i.e., the second communication object).

[0177] Specifically, the first UCA can determine whether an association relationship between the first communication object and the identity of the first task, and an association relationship between the second communication object and the identity of the first task are saved in a first table maintained by the first UCA. The first table includes an association relationship between the identity of the first task, the identity of the communication object for executing the first task (joining the network of the first task), and the identity of the UCA for creating the network of the first task.

[0178] After receiving the first information message, the first UCA can also determine which UCA to send the first information message to, and the process is described below:

[0179] For example, the first UCA determines the identity of the UCA for creating the network of the first task (i.e., the identity of the third UCA) based on the identity of the first task in the first information message. For example, the first UCA queries the identity of the UCA for creating the network of the first task in the first table based on the identity of the first task in the first information message.

[0180] For another example, the first UCA determines, based on the identity of the first task and the identity of the destination communication object in the first information message, to which UCA the first information message is sent. For example, the first UCA queries, based on the identity of the first task and the identity of the destination communication object in the first information message, the first table for the identity of the UCA associated with the identity of the first task and the identity of the destination communication object (i.e., the identity of the third UCA).

[0181] Further, the first UCA sends the first information message to the third UCA based on the identity of the third UCA.

[0182] One possible implementation of the first UCA sending the first information message to the third UCA based on the identity of the third UCA is that the first UCA determines, based on the identity of the third UCA, the identity and IP address of the IIF-C where the third UCA is located, the first UCA sends the first information message to the IIF-C where the third UCA is located based on the identity and IP address of the IIF-C, and the IIF-C sends the first information message to the third UCA.

[0183] For example, the first UCA can query the UDM for the identity and IP address of the IIF-C where the third UCA is located. For example, the first UCA sends the identity of the third UCA to the UDM, the UDM determines, based on the identity of the third UCA, the identity of the IIF-C where the third UCA is located based on the global UCA information table as shown in FIG. 2, and determines the IIF-C interface identity and the IIF-C interface IP address based on the global IIF information table.

[0184] For example, the first UCA determines that the interface for forwarding the information message is the interface 6 of the IIF-A, i.e., the interface used for communication between the UCA and the UCA.

[0185] For example, the first UCA sends the information message to the interface 6 of the IIF-A, and the IIF-A forwards the information message to the interface 6 of the IIF-C where the third UCA is located through the interface 6 of the IIF-A.

[0186] The IIF-A tunnels the IP message. For example, the source address of the inner IP header of the first information message is the IP address of the first UCA, and the destination address is the IP address of the third UCA; the source address of the outer IP header of the first information message is the interface 6 address of the IIF-A, and the destination address is the interface 6 address of the IIF-C. The interface 6 of the IIF-C receives the message, the IIF-C decapsulates the outer IP header, and forwards the inner IP message to the third UCA.

[0187] The process of sending the first information message by the first UCA to the third UCA based on the identity of the third UCA can also be applied to sending a request message, a response message or other information by the first UCA to the third UCA based on the identity of the third UCA. The principle of the process can also be applied to the interaction between any two UCAs.

[0188] Step 304: The third UCA sends the first information message to the second UCA; correspondingly, the second UCA receives the first information message from the third UCA.

[0189] For example, in the case where the network of the first task includes the first communication object and / or the second communication object, the third UCA sends the first information message to the second UCA.

[0190] For example, the third UCA parses the first information message to determine the identity of the first task, the identity of the source communication object and the identity of the destination communication object included in the first information message. The third UCA determines whether the association relationship between the source communication object and the identity of the first task is saved, and if so, determines that the network of the first task includes the source communication object (i.e. the first communication object). The third UCA determines whether the association relationship between the destination communication object and the identity of the first task is saved, and if so, determines that the network of the first task includes the destination communication object (i.e. the second communication object).

[0191] Specifically, the third UCA can determine whether the association relationship between the first communication object and the identity of the first task, and the association relationship between the second communication object and the identity of the first task are saved in the second table maintained by the third UCA. The second table includes the association relationship between the identity of the first task, the identity of the communication object for executing the first task (joining the network of the first task) and the identity of the UCA serving the communication object. The table is designed to record the identity of the UCA creating the first task and the identity of the communication object executing the first task, which can facilitate the third UCA to find which communication objects join the network of the first task.

[0192] After receiving the first information message, the third UCA can also determine to which UCA to send the first information message, and the process is described as follows:

[0193] For example, the third UCA determines to which UCA to send the first information message based on the identity of the first task and the identity of the destination communication object in the first information message.

[0194] For example, the third UCA queries the identity of the UCA (i.e. the identity of the second UCA) associated with the identity of the first task and the identity of the destination communication object in the second table based on the identity of the first task and the identity of the destination communication object in the first information message.

[0195] Further, the third UCA sends the first information message to the second UCA based on the identity of the second UCA. The possible implementation manner that the third UCA sends the first information message to the second UCA based on the identity of the second UCA can refer to the possible implementation manner that the first UCA sends the first information message to the third UCA based on the identity of the third UCA, and details are not described herein.

[0196] Step 305: The second UCA sends the first information message to the second communication object, and correspondingly, the second communication object receives the first information message.

[0197] For example, in the case that the network of the first task includes the first communication object and / or the second communication object, the second UCA sends the first information message to the second communication object.

[0198] For example, the second UCA parses the first information message to determine the identity of the first task, the identity of the source communication object and the identity of the destination communication object included in the first information message. The second UCA determines whether the association relationship between the source communication object and the identity of the first task is saved, and if yes, determines that the network of the first task includes the source communication object (i.e., the first communication object). The second UCA determines whether the association relationship between the destination communication object and the identity of the first task is saved, and if yes, determines that the network of the first task includes the destination communication object (i.e., the second communication object).

[0199] Specifically, the second UCA can determine whether the association relationship between the first communication object and the identity of the first task, and the association relationship between the second communication object and the identity of the first task are saved in a third table maintained by the second UCA. The third table includes the association relationship between the identity of the first task, the identity of the communication object for executing the first task (joining the network of the first task) and the identity of the UCA for creating the network of the first task.

[0200] After receiving the first information message, the second UCA can determine that the destination communication object is the communication object accessing itself, and then send the first information message to the destination communication object.

[0201] Optionally, after the second communication object receives the first information message, the identity of the first task, the identity of the first communication object (the source communication object) and the identity of the second communication object (the destination communication object) in the first information message can be parsed. The second communication object can judge whether the second communication object has joined the network of the first task, and / or whether the first communication object has joined the network of the first task. The second communication object parses the specific content in the first information message in the case that the second communication object has joined the network of the first task, and / or the first communication object has joined the network of the first task, otherwise, discards the first information message.

[0202] The first information message is carried on a session connection established between the second communication object and the IIF-B where the second UCA is located. The second UCA sends the first information message to the IIF-B where the second UCA is located, and the IIF-B sends the first information message to the second communication object. The following is an example of different IIF-B interfaces corresponding to different types of destination communication objects:

[0203] In one case, the destination communication object is a physical intelligent agent or a user terminal, the second UCA sends the first information message to the interface 4 of the IIF-B. If the destination communication object does not install an application service, the first information message is sent to the destination communication object through the interface 4 of the IIF-B; if the destination communication object installs an application service, the first information message is sent to the application service of the destination communication object through the internal interface of the second UCA, and the application service sends the first information message to the destination communication object through the interface 4 of the IIF-B.

[0204] In another case, the destination communication object is a virtual intelligent agent, the second UCA sends the first information message to the interface 5 of the IIF-B, and the first information message is sent to the destination communication object through the interface 5 of the IIF-B.

[0205] The first information message is carried as a payload on an IP message, the source IP address of the IP message is the IP address of the second UCA, and the destination IP address is the IP address of the destination communication object. When the application service of the destination communication object participates in the forwarding of the information message, the second UCA sends the first information message to the application service, the source IP address is the IP address of the second UCA, and the destination IP address is the IP address of the application service.

[0206] The process of the second UCA sending the first information message to the second communication object described above can also be applied to the second UCA sending a request message, a response message, or any information to the second communication object. As long as the interaction between the second UCA and the second communication object is applicable, it can be applied. The principle of the process can also be applied to the interaction between any UCA and any communication object belonging to the UCA.

[0207] Optionally, the first UCA, or the third UCA, or the second UCA can perform modal conversion on the first information message. For example, based on the different capabilities of the source communication object and the destination communication object, the modal conversion is performed to match the format or processing capability of the destination communication object for receiving the information message. For example, the natural language sent by the source object is converted into a domain specific language (DSL) that can be recognized by the destination object through a local knowledge base, or the semantic extraction of the picture sent by the source object is performed through a media processing unit, etc.

[0208] In the method, the third UCA, as the creator of the network of the first task, forwards information messages transmitted between communication objects in the network of the first task. That is, when a communication object (i.e., a source communication object) in the network of the first task sends an information message to another communication object (i.e., a destination communication object), the source communication object first sends the information message to the UCA serving the source communication object, the UCA serving the source communication object sends the information message to the UCA creating the network of the first task, the UCA creating the network of the first task sends the information message to the UCA serving the destination communication object, and the UCA serving the destination communication object sends the information message to the destination communication object. In this way, the multiple communication objects participating in the first task can interact with each other to perform the first task.

[0209] Before step 301a and step 301b, the third UCA creates the network of the first task. For example, the third UCA stores a first task information record about the first task, which at least includes: an identifier of the first task, information TA_Info of the first task (e.g., a name of the first task, summary information of the first task), and optionally, an identifier of a communication object joining the network of the first task, an identifier of a UCA serving the communication object joining the network of the first task, an identifier of the third UCA, a type of the communication object joining the network of the first task, a capability set of the communication object joining the network of the first task, and the like.

[0210] The following describes an example of the third UCA creating the network of the first task, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0211] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, including the following steps:

[0212] Step 401: The third UCA receives information of the first task.

[0213] In a possible implementation, the third UCA receives a message for requesting to create the network of the first task or a message for requesting to complete the first task. The message includes: information TA_Info of the first task (e.g., a name of the first task, summary information of the first task), and optionally, one or more of the following: an identifier UCA3_ID of the third UCA, a digital identity CO_DID of a communication object joining the network of the first task, an identifier of the first task, and an identifier of a UCA serving the communication object joining the network of the first task.

[0214] The communication object joined in the network of the first task can be one or multiple. The communication object joined in the network of the first task can include the communication object (for example, the third communication object) of the third UCA service or not include the communication object (for example, the first communication object and / or the second communication object) of the third UCA service.

[0215] One way: the third UE or the third communication object sends a message to the third UCA, and correspondingly, the third UCA receives the message from the third UE or the third communication object. The message is used to request to create the network of the first task or the message is used to request to complete the first task. In one possible implementation, the third communication object sends the message to the third UCA, and the message includes the digital identity of the third communication object, that is, the message includes the digital identity of the initiator.

[0216] Another way: the third UE or the third communication object sends a message to the ICMF, and correspondingly, the ICMF receives the message from the third UE or the third communication object. The message is used to request to create the network of the first task or the message is used to request to complete the first task. The message includes: the information TA_Info of the first task (for example, the name of the first task, the summary information of the first task); and optionally, the message further includes one or more of the following: the UCA identifier for creating the network of the first task, the digital identity CO_DID of the communication object joined in the network of the first task, the identifier of the first task, and the identifier of the UCA serving the communication object joined in the network of the first task.

[0217] If the message includes the UCA identifier for creating the network of the first task, the ICMF sends a message to the UCA corresponding to the identifier for requesting to create the network of the first task; if the message does not include the UCA identifier for creating the network of the first task, the ICMF can determine which UCA to create the network of the first task or complete the first task.

[0218] This example takes the third UCA creating the network of the first task or completing the first task as an example for introduction:

[0219] The ICMF sends a message to the third UCA for requesting to create the network of the first task or for requesting to complete the first task based on the identifier of the third UCA. Correspondingly, the third UCA receives the message from the ICMF for requesting to create the network of the first task or for requesting to complete the first task.

[0220] One possible implementation for the ICMF to send the message to the third UCA based on the identity of the third UCA is that: the ICMF inquires the identity and IP address of the IIF where the third UCA is located based on the identity of the third UCA, sends the message to the IIF based on the identity and IP address of the IIF where the third UCA is located, and the IIF sends the message to the third UCA.

[0221] Step 402: The third UCA creates an information record of the first task.

[0222] If the third UCA receives a message for requesting to create a network of the first task, the third UCA can create an information record of the first task based on the message. If the third UCA receives a message for requesting to complete the first task, the third UCA determines that the completion of the first task needs the participation of multiple communication objects and needs to form a network of the first task, and then creates an information record of the first task.

[0223] The third UCA creates an information record of the first task based on the message received in step 401. One way to create the information record of the first task is that the third UCA saves one or more of the following: the identity of the first task, the information TA_info of the first task (for example, the name of the first task, the summary information of the first task). For example, the UCA task group information table (as shown in FIG. 2) is created in the third UCA, and the UCA task group information table includes one or more of the following: the identity TA_ID of the first task, the information TA_info of the first task, the digital identity CO_DID of the communication object joining the network corresponding to the first task, the type CO_Type, the associated interface CO_Inf, the capability set CO_CapList, the identity UCA_ID of the UCA providing services for the communication object, etc. The third UCA saves the identity of the first task and the information TA_info of the first task in the UCA task group information table.

[0224] If one or more of the digital identity CO_DID of the communication object joining the network corresponding to the first task, the type CO_Type, the associated interface CO_Inf, the capability set CO_CapList, the identity UCA_ID of the UCA providing services for the communication object have been known, the corresponding information can be saved in the UCA task group information table, and if these information have not been known, the part of the UCA task group information table about these information is empty or has a preset initial value.

[0225] For example, three communication objects CO1, CO2, CO3 join the network of the first task, the identity of the first task is TA1, the first UCA serves CO1, the second UCA serves CO2, and the third UCA serves CO3. The record of the first task created in the third UCA includes: "TA1, CO1, the first UCA", "TA1, CO2, the second UCA", and "TA1, CO3, the third UCA".

[0226] It should be noted that the communication objects joining the network of the first task can include the communication objects served by the third UCA creating the network of the first task, or can not include the communication objects served by the third UCA creating the network of the first task.

[0227] Optionally, if the identity of the first task is not received in step 401, the third UCA can determine the identity of the first task by itself.

[0228] Optionally, after the third UCA creates the information record of the first task, it can be understood that the third UCA creates the network of the first task.

[0229] After the third UCA creates the network of the first task, the third UCA can send the identity of the first task and the information TA_info of the first task (for example, the name of the first task and the summary information of the first task) to the outside, so that more UCAs and communication objects know the first task.

[0230] The following steps 403, 404, 405, and 406 are optional steps.

[0231] Step 403: The third UCA sends a message to the UDM, and correspondingly, the UDM receives the message.

[0232] The message is used to notify the creation of the information record of the first task. The message includes but is not limited to at least one of the following: the identity TA_ID of the first task, the information TA_info of the first task, the digital identity CO_DID of the communication object joining the network corresponding to the first task (for example, embodied in the form of CO_DID_List), the type CO_Type, the associated interface CO_Inf, the capability set CO_CapList, and the identity of the UCA creating the network of the first task (that is, the identity of the third UCA).

[0233] The third UCA can directly send the message to the UDM, or send the message to the UDM through the forwarding of the ICMF or other devices.

[0234] Step 404: The UDM creates the information record of the first task.

[0235] One way to create the information record of the first task is that the UDM saves the one or more pieces of information received in step 103.

[0236] For example, a global task group information table (as shown in FIG. 2) is created and maintained in the UDM, which includes the identity of the task, the UCA identity of the network creating the task, and the digital identity of the communication object (e.g., in the form of CO_DID_List) joining the network of the task. The UDM saves the one or more pieces of information received in step 103 in the global task group information table.

[0237] Step 405: The UDM sends a message to the third UCA, and the third UCA receives the message accordingly.

[0238] The message is used to indicate that the information record of the first task has been created, and the message includes the identity TA_ID of the first task.

[0239] For example, the UDM sends the message to the ICMF, and the ICMF sends the message to the third UCA.

[0240] After step 402, the third UCA sends a response message, which is used to indicate that the network of the first task is created, and the response message optionally includes the identity TA_ID of the first task. For example, the third UCA sends the response message to the third UE or the third communication object. For another example, the third UCA sends the response message to the ICMF, and the ICMF sends a response message to the third UE or the third communication object, which is used to indicate that the network of the first task is created, and the response message includes the identity TA_ID of the first task.

[0241] The above step 301a introduces one possible way that the first communication object joins the network corresponding to the first task, which is that the third UCA invites the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task to the first UCA. For example, the third UCA sends a first message to the first UCA, and the first UCA receives the first message from the third UCA accordingly, and the first message is used to request the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task. The first UCA joins the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task based on the first message. The process is described in detail below. It can be understood that the third UCA invites the second communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task to the second UCA is also similar in principle. The following is only an example of the third UCA inviting the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task to the first UCA:

[0242] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a communication method suitable for the embodiments of the present application.

[0243] Step 500a: The third UCA creates the network of the first task.

[0244] Step 500b: The first communication object has accessed the first UCA.

[0245] Optionally, step 500c: The third UCA and the first communication object have established a mutual trust relationship.

[0246] For example, the UCA communication object information table and the information cache table maintained in the third UCA include information records of the first communication object.

[0247] For example, the UCA communication object information table and the information cache table maintained in the first UCA include information records of one or more communication objects belonging to the third UCA.

[0248] The sequence of step 500a, step 500b and step 500c is not limited.

[0249] Step 501: The third UCA sends a message to the first UCA, and correspondingly, the first UCA receives the message from the third UCA.

[0250] The message is used to request the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task. The message includes the identity of the first communication object and the identity of the first task. Optionally, the message further includes the identity of the first UCA, the identity of the third UCA, the information TA_Info of the first task (for example, the name of the first task and the summary information of the first task), and the information of the second communication object that has joined the network of the first task; wherein the information of the second communication object at least includes the identity of the second communication object, and optionally further includes the type CO_Type of the second communication object, the associated interface CO_Inf, and the capability set CO_CapList.

[0251] Step 502: The first UCA creates an information record of the first task.

[0252] One example of creating the information record of the first task is that the first UCA saves one or more of the following: the information of the first communication object, the identity of the first task, the information TA_Info of the first task (for example, the name of the first task and the summary information of the first task), the identity of the third UCA that creates the network of the first task, and the information of the second communication object that has joined the network of the first task.

[0253] The information of the first communication object at least includes the identity of the first communication object, and optionally further includes the type CO_Type of the first communication object, the associated interface CO_Inf, and the capability set CO_CapList. The information of the second communication object at least includes the identity of the second communication object, and optionally further includes the type CO_Type of the second communication object, the associated interface CO_Inf, and the capability set CO_CapList.

[0254] For example, the UCA task group information table (as shown in FIG. 2) is created and maintained in the first UCA, and the UCA task group information table includes one or more of the following: the identity TA_ID of the first task, the information TA_info of the first task, the identity CO_DID of the communication object of the network joining the first task, the type CO_Type, the associated interface CO_Inf, the capability set CO_CapList, the identity UCA_ID of the UCA creating the network of the first task, and the like. That is, the first UCA creates an information record of the first task in the UCA task group information table.

[0255] Optionally, before step 502, the first UCA can also determine whether to agree (allow) the first communication object to join the network of the first task. If agreed, step 502 is performed, and if not agreed, step 502 is not performed.

[0256] One determination manner is that the first UCA determines whether to allow the communication object accessing the first UCA to join the network of the task based on the subscription information of the first UCA. The first UCA can query the subscription information of the first UCA saved in the UDM through the ICMF. For example, the subscription information includes: allowing the communication object accessing the first UCA to join the network of the task, or not allowing the communication object accessing the first UCA to join the network of the task.

[0257] Another determination manner is that the first UCA sends a message to the first UE (the first UE has accessed the first UCA) whether to allow (agree) the first communication object to join the network of the first task, the message including the digital identity of the first communication object and the identity of the first task, and optionally, further including the identity of the third UCA creating the network of the first task. The first UE displays prompt information for this situation, and the first user sees the prompt information and issues an indication to the first UE. The first UE triggers the sending of the message to the first UCA whether to allow (agree) the first communication object to join the network of the first task based on the indication of the user.

[0258] If the first communication object is not allowed (disagreed) to join the network of the first task, the first UCA sends indication information to the third UCA that the first communication object is not allowed (disagreed) to join the network of the first task.

[0259] Step 503: The first UCA sends a message to the first communication object, and correspondingly, the first communication object receives the message.

[0260] The message is used to notify the first communication object to join the network of the first task, and the message includes the identity of the first task, and optionally, further includes the identity of the first communication object and the identity of the third UCA.

[0261] The first communication object receives the message and saves the information carried in the message.

[0262] Optionally, if the first UCA also receives the information of the second communication object which has joined the network of the first task in step 501, the first UCA also informs the first communication object of the information of the second communication object. Alternatively, the third UCA sends the information of the second communication object to the first UCA after determining that the first UCA agrees that the first communication object joins the network of the first task. Further, the first UCA saves the information of the second communication object in the information record of the first task, and the first UCA informs the first communication object of the identity of the second communication object so that the first communication object knows that the second communication object has joined the network of the first task.

[0263] Optionally, in step 504, the first UCA sends a message to the third UCA, and correspondingly, the third UCA receives the message.

[0264] The message is used to indicate the agreement of the first communication object to join the network of the first task. The message includes the identity of the first communication object and / or the identity of the first task. Optionally, the message also includes indication information used to indicate whether the agreement is given or not. The indication information can occupy 1 bit, and the value of the 1 bit is used to indicate the agreement or the disagreement.

[0265] The sequence of step 503 and step 504 is not limited.

[0266] In step 505, the third UCA saves the association between the information of the first communication object and the identity of the first task.

[0267] For example, the third UCA saves one or more of the following: the identity of the first task, the identity of the first communication object, the identity of the first UCA which provides service for the first communication object. The information of the first communication object at least includes the identity of the first communication object, and optionally includes: the type of the first communication object, the interface associated with the first communication object, the capability set of the first communication object, etc.

[0268] For example, the third UCA saves the above information in the UCA task group information table as shown in FIG. 2.

[0269] The third UCA can save the information based on the message from the first UCA which agrees that the first communication object joins the network of the first task after step 504. Alternatively, the third UCA can also save the information based on the message sent to the first UCA which requests the first communication object to join the network of the first task after step 501.

[0270] The following steps 506, 507 and 508 are optional steps.

[0271] Step 506: The third UCA sends a message to the UDM, and the UDM receives the message accordingly.

[0272] The message is used to notify the first communication object to join the network of the first task. The message includes at least one of the following: the identity TA ID of the first task and the information of the first communication object; and optionally further includes the identity of the UCA (i.e., the third UCA identity) that creates the network of the first task. The information of the first communication object at least includes the identity of the first communication object; and optionally further includes the type of the first communication object, the interface associated with the first communication object, the capability set of the first communication object, and the like.

[0273] Step 507: The UDM saves the information of the first communication object in the information record of the first task.

[0274] For example, the UDM finds the information record of the first task based on the identity of the first task, and saves the information of the first communication object in the information record of the first task, thereby saving the association relationship between the identity TA ID of the first task, the identity of the third UCA, and the information of the first communication object.

[0275] For example, the UDM finds the information record of the first task in the global task group information table as shown in FIG. 2 based on the identity of the first task, and adds the identity of the first communication object in the information record of the first task.

[0276] Step 508: The UDM sends a message to the third UCA, and the first UCA receives the message accordingly.

[0277] The message is used to indicate that the information of the first communication object has been saved, and the message includes the identity TA ID of the first task and / or the identity of the first communication object.

[0278] For example, the UDM sends the message to the ICMF, and the ICMF sends the message to the third UCA.

[0279] In step 506, the third UCA sends the message to the UDM to notify the first communication object to join the network of the first task, which can be replaced by that the first UCA sends the message to the UDM to notify the first communication object to join the network of the first task. Correspondingly, step 508 can also be replaced by that the UDM sends the message to the first UCA to indicate that the information of the first communication object has been saved.

[0280] It can be understood that the third UCA inviting the second communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task to the second UCA is also a similar process of FIG. 5. For example, the first communication object in FIG. 5 is replaced by the second communication object, and the first UCA is replaced by the second UCA; optionally, if the first communication object has accessed the network of the first task, the third UCA also informs the second UCA that the first communication object has joined the network of the first task, and the second UCA also informs the second communication object that the first communication object has joined the network of the first task, that is, the second communication object in FIG. 5 is replaced by the first communication object, and the second UCA is replaced by the first UCA.

[0281] The above step 301a introduces that a possible way for the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task is that the first UCA requests the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task to the third UCA. For example, the first UCA sends a second message to the third UCA; correspondingly, the third UCA receives the second message, and the second message is used to indicate that the first communication object requests to join the network corresponding to the first task. The third UCA sends a second response to the first UCA, and correspondingly, the first UCA receives the second response; in the case that the second response is used to indicate that the first communication object is agreed to join the network corresponding to the first task, the first UCA joins the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task. The process is described in detail below. It can be understood that the second UCA requests the second communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task to the third UCA is also similar principle. The following is only an example of the first UCA requesting the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task to the third UCA:

[0282] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a communication method suitable for the embodiments of the present application.

[0283] Step 600a: The third UCA creates a network of the first task.

[0284] Step 600b: The first communication object has accessed the first UCA.

[0285] Optionally, step 600c: The third UCA and the first communication object have established a mutual trust relationship.

[0286] For example, the UCA communication object information table and the information cache table maintained in the third UCA include information records of the first communication object.

[0287] For example, the UCA communication object information table and the information cache table maintained in the first UCA include information records of one or more communication objects belonging to the third UCA.

[0288] The sequence of steps 600a, 600b and 600c is not limited.

[0289] Step 601: The first communication object acquires the identifier of the first task.

[0290] For example, the first UE sends the identifier of the first task to the first communication object, or the first communication object acquires the identifier of the first task through near field communication, code scanning, or the like. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the process of how the first communication object acquires the identifier of the first task.

[0291] Optionally, the first communication object further acquires the identifier of the third UCA of the network in which the first task is created.

[0292] Step 602: The first communication object sends a message to the first UCA, and correspondingly, the first UCA receives the message.

[0293] The message is used to indicate that the first communication object requests to join the network of the first task. The message includes the identifier of the first task and the identifier of the first communication object, and optionally, further includes the identifier of the third UCA.

[0294] Optionally, step 603: The first UCA determines the identifier of the third UCA of the network in which the first task is created based on the identifier of the first task.

[0295] If the first communication object does not send the identifier of the third UCA to the first UCA in step 602, step 603 is performed.

[0296] One possible implementation of step 603 is that the first UCA sends a query message to the UDM (for example, sends the query message to the UDM through ICMF), and the query message is used to query the information of the UCA of the network in which the first task is created. The UDM stores the association relationship between the identifier of the task and the identifier of the UCA of the network in which the task is created (for example, is stored in the global task group information table maintained by the UDM), and the UDM can query the identifier of the third UCA of the network in which the first task is created based on the identifier of the first task, and the UDM sends the identifier of the third UCA to the first UCA.

[0297] The first UCA and the UDM can directly interact with each other, or can interact through the forwarding of ICMF or other devices.

[0298] Further optionally, the first UCA can further acquire the identifier and IP address of the IIF in which the third UCA is located through the UDM. The UDM stores the identifier of the third UCA, the identifier and IP address of the IIF in which the third UCA is located, and the UDM can determine the identifier and IP address of the IIF in which the third UCA is located based on the identifier of the third UCA.

[0299] Step 604: The first UCA sends a message to the third UCA, and correspondingly, the third UCA receives the message.

[0300] The message is used to indicate that the first communication object requests to join the network corresponding to the first task. The message includes information of the first communication object, an identifier of the first task, and optionally, an identifier of the third UCA and an identifier of the first UCA. The information of the first communication object at least includes an identifier of the first communication object, and optionally includes a type CO_Type of the first communication object, an associated interface CO_Inf, a capability set CO_CapList, and the like.

[0301] The first UCA sends a message to the third UCA based on the identifier of the third UCA obtained in step 603. Alternatively, the first UCA sends the message to the IIF in which the third UCA is located based on the identifier and IP address of the IIF, and the IIF forwards the message to the third UCA.

[0302] Optionally, in step 605, the third UCA performs identity authentication on the first communication object.

[0303] For example, the third UCA performs identity authentication on the first communication object through the IDM. For example, the third UCA interacts with the IDM through the ICMF. Illustratively, the third UCA sends a message to the ICMF, and the ICMF receives the message. The message is used to perform identity authentication on the first communication object, and the message includes a digital identity identifier CO1_DID of the first communication object. The ICMF sends a message to the IDM, and the IDM receives the message. The message is used to perform identity authentication on the first communication object, and the message includes the CO1_DID. The IDM performs identity authentication on the first communication object based on the CO1_DID, and sends a result of the authentication to the ICMF, and the ICMF sends the result of the authentication to the third UCA. The result of the authentication indicates that the identity authentication of the first communication object passes or fails. The result of the authentication includes the CO1_DID, and optionally, includes indication information used to indicate that the authentication passes or fails, for example, 1 bit of different values is used to indicate that the authentication passes or fails.

[0304] Alternatively, the third UCA directly communicates with the IDM without the ICMF. For example, the third UCA sends a message to the IDM, and the IDM receives the message. The message is used to perform identity authentication on the first communication object, and the message includes the CO1_DID. The IDM sends a result of the authentication to the first ICA.

[0305] One authentication manner is to determine whether the CO1_DID is associated with an identifier of a subscription user. If the CO1_DID is associated with the identifier of the subscription user, the authentication passes, otherwise, the authentication fails. The embodiments of the present application are described by taking the authentication passing as an example.

[0306] By verifying the identity of the first communication object, security can be improved.

[0307] In addition, the embodiments of the present application can also not need to verify the digital identity of the first communication object, and can default that the digital identity of the first communication object is reasonable and legal.

[0308] Step 606: The third UCA saves the association between the information of the first communication object and the identifier of the first task.

[0309] For example, the third UCA saves one or more of the following: the identifier of the first task, the identifier of the first communication object, the identifier of the first UCA that provides services for the first communication object. The information of the first communication object at least includes the identifier of the first communication object, and optionally further includes: the type of the first communication object, the interface associated with the first communication object, the capability set of the first communication object, etc.

[0310] For example, the third UCA saves the above information in the UCA task group information table as shown in FIG. 2.

[0311] The third UCA can save the information after step 504 based on the message from the first UCA that agrees that the first communication object joins the network of the first task. Alternatively, the third UCA can save the information after step 501 based on the message sent to the first UCA for requesting the first communication object to join the network of the first task.

[0312] Optionally, before step 606, the third UCA determines whether to allow the first communication object to join the network of the first task, and if so, step 606 can be performed, and if not, step 606 is not performed.

[0313] One determination method is: if the identity verification of the first communication object is passed, it is determined to allow the first communication object to join the network of the first task, and if the identity verification of the first communication object is not passed, it is determined not to allow the first communication object to join the network of the first task.

[0314] Another determination method is: the third UCA sends a message to the third UE whether to allow (agree) the first communication object to join the network of the first task, and the message includes the digital identity of the first communication object and the identifier of the first task. The third UE displays prompt information for this situation, and after the third user sees the prompt information, the third user issues an indication to the third UE, and the third UE triggers the sending of a message to the third UCA whether to allow (agree) the first communication object to join the network of the first task based on the indication of the user.

[0315] If the first communication object is not allowed (disagrees) to join the network of the first task, the third UCA sends an indication information to the first UCA that the first communication object is not allowed (disagrees) to join the network of the first task.

[0316] Step 607: The third UCA sends a message to the first UCA, and the first UCA receives the message accordingly.

[0317] The message is used to indicate that the first communication object is allowed to join the network of the first task, and the message includes the identification of the first communication object and / or the identification of the first task.

[0318] Optionally, the message further includes the information of the second communication object that has joined the network of the first task, and the information of the second communication object at least includes the identification of the second communication object, and optionally further includes the type CO_Type, the associated interface CO_Inf, and the capability set CO_CapList of the second communication object.

[0319] Step 608: The first UCA creates an information record of the first task.

[0320] An example of creating the information record of the first task is that the first UCA saves one or more of the following: the information of the first communication object, the identification of the first task, the information TA_Info of the first task (e.g., the name of the first task, the summary information of the first task), the identification of the third UCA that creates the network of the first task, and the information of the second communication object that has joined the network of the first task.

[0321] The information of the first communication object at least includes the identification of the first communication object, and optionally further includes the type CO_Type, the associated interface CO_Inf, and the capability set CO_CapList of the first communication object. The information of the second communication object at least includes the identification of the second communication object, and optionally further includes the type CO_Type, the associated interface CO_Inf, and the capability set CO_CapList of the second communication object.

[0322] For example, the UCA task group information table (as shown in FIG. 2) is created and maintained in the first UCA, and the UCA task group information table includes one or more of the following: the identification TA_ID of the first task, the information TA_info of the first task, the identification CO_DID, the type CO_Type, the associated interface CO_Inf, and the capability set CO_CapList of the communication object that has joined the network of the first task, and the identification UCA_ID of the UCA that creates the network of the first task. That is, the first UCA creates the information record of the first task in the UCA task group information table.

[0323] Step 609: The first UCA sends a message to the first communication object, and the first communication object receives the message accordingly.

[0324] The message is used to inform the first communication object to join the network of the first task, and the message includes the identity of the first task, and optionally, the identity of the first communication object and the identity of the third UCA.

[0325] After receiving the message, the first communication object saves the information carried in the message.

[0326] Optionally, if the first UCA also receives the information of the second communication object who has joined the network of the first task in step 607, the first UCA also informs the first communication object of the information of the second communication object. Alternatively, the third UCA sends the information of the second communication object to the first UCA after determining that the first UCA agrees that the first communication object joins the network of the first task. Then, the first UCA saves the information of the second communication object in the information record of the first task, and the first UCA informs the first communication object of the identity of the second communication object, so that the first communication object knows that the second communication object has joined the network of the first task.

[0327] The following steps 610, 611 and 612 are optional steps.

[0328] Step 610: The third UCA sends a message to the UDM, and the UDM receives the message accordingly.

[0329] The message is used to inform the first communication object to join the network of the first task. The message includes at least one of the following: the identity of the first task TA_ID and the information of the first communication object; and optionally, the identity of the UCA that creates the network of the first task (i.e., the identity of the third UCA). The information of the first communication object includes at least the identity of the first communication object; and optionally, the type of the first communication object, the interface associated with the first communication object, the capability set of the first communication object, etc.

[0330] Step 611: The UDM saves the information of the first communication object in the information record of the first task.

[0331] For example, the UDM finds the information record of the first task based on the identity of the first task, and saves the information of the first communication object in the information record of the first task, thereby saving the association relationship between the identity of the first task TA_ID, the identity of the third UCA and the information of the first communication object.

[0332] For example, the UDM finds the information record of the first task in the global task group information table as shown in FIG. 2 based on the identity of the first task, and adds the identity of the first communication object in the information record of the first task.

[0333] Optionally, step 612: the UDM sends a message to the third UCA, and correspondingly, the first UCA receives the message.

[0334] The message is used to indicate that the information of the first communication object has been saved, and the message includes the identity TA ID of the first task and / or the identity of the first communication object.

[0335] For example, the UDM sends the message to the ICMF, and the ICMF sends the message to the third UCA.

[0336] In step 610, the third UCA sends a message to the UDM for notifying the first communication object to join the network of the first task, and the first UCA can also send a message to the UDM for notifying the first communication object to join the network of the first task. Correspondingly, in step 612, the UDM can also send a message to the first UCA for indicating that the information of the first communication object has been saved.

[0337] It can be understood that the second UCA requests the second communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task is also a similar process of FIG. 6. For example, the first communication object in FIG. 6 is replaced by the second communication object, and the first UCA is replaced by the second UCA. Optionally, if the first communication object has accessed the network of the first task, the third UCA further informs the second UCA that the first communication object has joined the network of the first task, and the second UCA further informs the second communication object that the first communication object has joined the network of the first task, that is, the second communication object in FIG. 6 is replaced by the first communication object, and the second UCA is replaced by the first UCA.

[0338] FIG. 3 introduces that the first communication object and the second communication object transmit the first information packet through the forwarding of the third UCA, and the first communication object and the second communication object do not belong to the third UCA, that is, the source communication object and the destination communication object of the first information packet do not belong to the UCA creating the network of the first task.

[0339] The following introduces a possible example that the first communication object sends a second information packet to a third communication object belonging to the third UCA, and the source communication object of the second information packet is the first communication object, and the destination communication object is the third communication object.

[0340] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, including the following steps:

[0341] Step 701a: the third UCA triggers the first UCA to add the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task. Correspondingly, under the triggering of the third UCA, the first UCA adds the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task.

[0342] The details of step 701a can refer to the description of step 301a, and will not be repeated here.

[0343] Step 701b: The third UCA adds the third communication object to the network corresponding to the first task.

[0344] The sequence of step 701a and step 701b is not limited.

[0345] One possible way for the third UCA to add the third communication object to the network corresponding to the first task is that the third UCA saves the association relationship among the identity of the first task, the identity of the third communication object, and the identity of the third UCA.

[0346] For example, the third UCA maintains a third table (the fourth table is the same table as the second table maintained in the third UCA, or a different table), and the fourth table includes the association relationship among the identity of the first task, the identity of the communication object used to execute the first task (i.e., to join the network of the first task), and the identity of the UCA that creates the network corresponding to the first task. The third UCA saves the association relationship in the fourth table. Designing the table to record the identity of the UCA that creates the first task and the identity of the communication object that executes the first task can facilitate the third UCA to find which UCA creates the first task and which communication objects join the network of the first task.

[0347] Further optionally, after the UCA adds the communication object belonging to itself to the network corresponding to the first task, the UCA can notify the communication object of this situation.

[0348] For example, after step 701a (the first UCA adds the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task), the first UCA sends a message to the first communication object, where the message indicates that the first communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task. For example, the message includes the identity of the first communication object and the identity of the first task, and optionally, the message further includes the identity of the third UCA (i.e., the identity of the UCA that creates the network of the first task). Based on the message, the first communication object can know that it has joined the network of the first task. The first communication object can save the identity of the first task, and further optionally, the identity of the third UCA (i.e., the identity of the UCA that creates the network of the first task).

[0349] For example, after step 701b (the third UCA adds the third communication object to the network corresponding to the first task), the third UCA sends a message to the third communication object, the message indicating that the third communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task, the message including the identity of the third communication object and the identity of the first task, and optionally, the identity of the third UCA (i.e., the identity of the UCA that created the network of the first task). Based on the message, the third communication object can know that it has joined the network of the first task. The third communication object can save the identity of the first task; further optionally, the identity of the third UCA (i.e., the identity of the UCA that created the network of the first task) can also be saved.

[0350] Further optionally, after triggering the addition of a communication object a to the network of the first task, the third UCA can inform other members b that have joined the network of the first task of the addition of the communication object a to the network of the first task, and can also inform the communication object a that has just joined the network of the first task of the information of the other members b.

[0351] For example, after steps 701a and 701b, the third UCA can also send a message to the first UCA, the message indicating that the third communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task, the message including the identity of the third communication object and the identity of the first task, and optionally, the identity of the third UCA (i.e., the identity of the UCA that created the network of the first task). Further optionally, the first UCA sends a message to the first communication object, the message indicating that the third communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task, the message including the identity of the third communication object and the identity of the first task. Based on the message, the first communication object can know that the third communication object has joined the network of the first task. The first communication object can save the association between the identity of the first task and the identity of the third communication object.

[0352] Step 702: The first communication object sends a second information packet to the first UCA, and correspondingly, the first UCA receives the second information packet from the first communication object.

[0353] The process of step 702 can refer to step 302, and the difference between step 702 and step 302 is that the first information packet is replaced by the second information packet, and the second communication object is replaced by the third communication object as the destination communication object.

[0354] Step 703: The first UCA sends the second information packet to the third UCA, and correspondingly, the third UCA receives the second information packet from the first UCA.

[0355] The process of step 703 can refer to step 303, which will not be repeated here.

[0356] Step 704: The third UCA sends the second information message to the third communication object; correspondingly, the third communication object receives the second information message.

[0357] For example, in the case that the network of the first task includes the first communication object and / or the third communication object, the third UCA sends the second information message to the third communication object.

[0358] The process of step 704 can refer to the process of the second UCA sending the first information message to the second communication object in step 305, which will not be described in detail here.

[0359] The following introduces a possible example, the third communication object to which the third UCA belongs sends the third information message to the second communication object to which the second UCA belongs, and the source communication object of the third information message is the third communication object and the destination communication object is the second communication object.

[0360] Step 801a: The third UCA triggers the second UCA to add the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task. Correspondingly, under the trigger of the third UCA, the second UCA adds the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task.

[0361] The details of step 801a can refer to the description in step 301b, which will not be described here.

[0362] Step 801b: The third UCA adds the third communication object to the network corresponding to the first task.

[0363] The order of step 801a and step 801b is not limited.

[0364] After step 801a and step 801b, the process of informing the UCA and the communication object which communication objects join the network of the first task can refer to the process before step 702 in FIG. 7, which will not be described in detail here.

[0365] Step 802: The third communication object sends the third information message to the third UCA, and correspondingly, the third UCA receives the third information message from the third communication object.

[0366] The process of step 802 can refer to the process of the first communication object sending the first information message to the first UCA in step 302, which will not be described in detail here.

[0367] Step 803: The third UCA sends the third information message to the second UCA; correspondingly, the second UCA receives the third information message from the third UCA.

[0368] The process of step 803 can refer to step 304, which will not be repeated here.

[0369] Step 804: The second UCA sends the third information message to the second communication object; correspondingly, the second communication object receives the third information message.

[0370] The process of step 804 can refer to step 305, which will not be repeated here.

[0371] In the above examples of transmitting information messages introduced in FIG. 3, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the destination communication object is one of the communication objects in the network of the first task. In another possible example, the destination communication object can be all the communication objects in the network of the first task, and then the third UCA sends a fourth information message received from a source communication object (the source communication object can belong to the third UCA, or belong to another UCA different from the UCA) to all the communication objects in the network of the first task. For example, the identification of the destination communication object of the fourth information message is the identification of the first task, which means that the fourth information message can be sent to all the communication objects in the network of the first task.

[0372] It can be understood that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the UCA and the communication object include corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for performing the functions. Those skilled in the art should easily understand that, in combination with the units and method steps of the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is implemented in hardware or computer software driven hardware depends on the specific application scenarios and design constraints of the technical solutions.

[0373] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are structural schematic diagrams of possible communication apparatuses provided by the embodiments of the present application. These communication apparatuses can be used to implement the functions of the UCA (such as the first UCA, the second UCA or the third UCA) or the communication object (such as the first communication object, the second communication object or the third communication object) in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments.

[0374] As shown in FIG. 9, the communication apparatus 900 includes a processing unit 910 and a transceiver unit 920.

[0375] For example, the communication apparatus 900 is configured to implement the functions of the network device or the terminal device (e.g., the first terminal device or the second terminal device) in the method embodiments of FIG. 3 to FIG. 8. The transceiver 920 can perform the receiving and transmitting actions performed by the UCA (e.g., the first UCA, the second UCA, or the third UCA) or the communication object (e.g., the first communication object, the second communication object, or the third communication object) in the method embodiments. The processing unit 910 can perform the actions performed by the UCA (e.g., the first UCA, the second UCA, or the third UCA) or the communication object (e.g., the first communication object, the second communication object, or the third communication object) in the method embodiments, except for the transmitting and receiving actions.

[0376] The processing unit 910 and the transceiver 920 can be implemented by the processor and the transceiver, respectively.

[0377] It should be understood that the division of the units in the above apparatus is only a logical functional division, and all or part of the units can be integrated into one physical entity, or can be physically separated. The units in the apparatus can all be implemented in the form of software invoked by the processing element; or all be implemented in the form of hardware; or some units are implemented in the form of software invoked by the processing element, and some units are implemented in the form of hardware. For example, each unit can be a separately configured processing element, or can be integrated into a chip of the apparatus, and in addition, can be stored in the form of a program in the memory, and the function of the unit is invoked and executed by a processing element of the apparatus. In addition, all or part of the units can be integrated together, or can be independently implemented. The processing unit herein can be a processor, which can be an integrated circuit with signal processing capability. In the implementation process, each operation of the above method or each unit can be implemented by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processing element, or in the form of software invoked by the processing element.

[0378] In one example, the units in any of the above apparatuses can be one or more integrated circuits, configured to implement one or more of the above methods, e.g., one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or, one or more digital singnal processors (DSPs), or, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. In another example, when the units in the apparatuses can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler, the processing element can be a processor, such as a general purpose central processing unit (CPU), or other processor capable of invoking a program. In yet another example, the units can be integrated together, implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0379] The above unit for receiving is an interface circuit of the apparatus for receiving signals from other apparatuses. For example, when the apparatus is implemented in the form of a chip, the unit is an interface circuit of the chip for receiving signals from other chips or apparatuses. The above unit for transmitting is an interface circuit of the apparatus for transmitting signals to other apparatuses. For example, when the apparatus is implemented in the form of a chip, the unit is an interface circuit of the chip for transmitting signals to other chips or apparatuses.

[0380] As shown in FIG. 10, the communication apparatus 1000 includes a processor 1010 and an interface circuit 1020. The processor 1010 and the interface circuit 1020 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 1020 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication apparatus 1000 can further include a memory 1030 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1010, or storing input data required by the processor 1010 to run instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1010 runs instructions. Sometimes, the interface circuit 1020 can also be understood as a part of the processor 1010, and at this time the communication apparatus 1000 includes the processor 1010.

[0381] When the communication apparatus 1000 is used to implement the methods shown in FIGS. 3-8, the processor 1010 is configured to implement the functions of the processing unit 910, and the interface circuit 1020 is configured to implement the functions of the transceiving unit 920.

[0382] When the communication apparatus is a chip applied to a terminal device, the terminal device chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiments. The terminal device chip receives information from a network device, which can be understood as the information being received by other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal device first, and then being sent to the terminal device chip by the modules. The terminal device chip sends information to the network device, which can be understood as the information being sent to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal device first, and then being sent to the network device by the modules.

[0383] When the communication apparatus is a chip applied to a network device, the network device chip implements the functions of the network device in the method embodiments. The network device chip receives information from a terminal device, which can be understood as the information being received by other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device first, and then being sent to the network device chip by the modules. The network device chip sends information to the terminal device, which can be understood as the information being sent to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device first, and then being sent to the terminal device by the modules. The network device module here can be a baseband chip of the network device, or a DU or other module, and the DU here can be a DU under the O-RAN architecture.

[0384] In this application, entity A sending information to entity B can be A sending directly to B, or A sending indirectly to B through other entities. Similarly, entity B receiving information from entity A can be entity B receiving the information sent by entity A directly, or entity B receiving the information sent by entity A indirectly through other entities. The entities A and B here can be network devices or terminal devices, or modules inside a network device or modules inside a terminal device. The sending and receiving of information can be the information interaction between a network device and a terminal device, or the information interaction between two network devices, such as the information interaction between a CU and a DU; or the sending and receiving of information can be the information interaction between different modules in one device, such as the information interaction between a terminal device chip and other modules in the terminal device, or the information interaction between a network device chip and other modules in the network device.

[0385] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0386] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can be used to execute the communication method. In other words, the computer program includes instructions for implementing the communication method.

[0387] The embodiments of the present application further provide a chip, which includes a processor. When the processor executes a computer program or instructions, the processor is used to implement the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. Alternatively, the chip can further include a memory. The chip can be composed of the chip, or can include the chip and other discrete devices. The memory is used to store the computer program or instructions.

[0388] The embodiments of the present application further provide a circuit, which is used to execute the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. The circuit can include a chip circuit. Alternatively, the circuit can be coupled with a memory.

[0389] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, which includes computer program code. When the computer program code runs on a computer, the computer can execute the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0390] The embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which includes at least two of the first communication object, the second communication object, the third communication object, the first UCA, the second UCA and the third UCA, which execute the communication method.

[0391] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) (also known as a read-only optical disc), or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a base station or a terminal. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the base station or the terminal.

[0392] In the above embodiments, the implementation can be entirely or partially by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, the implementation can be entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When loaded and executed on a computer, the computer programs or instructions perform the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a first control plane network element, user equipment, or other programmable devices. The computer programs or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another, for example, the computer programs or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another by wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disc; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state disk. The computer-readable storage medium can be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or can include both volatile and non-volatile storage media.

[0393] In various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referred to if there is no special description and no logical conflict. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0394] In the embodiments of the present application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, represents "a singular noun or a plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" refers to one or more, and "multiple" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, wherein A or B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents that the associated objects before and after it are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B represents: A or B. "At least one of the following" or "one or more of the following" and the like means any combination of these items, including any combination of single item or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b and (or) c, or one or more of a, b and (or) c, represents: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c. Each of a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0395] The ordinal numbers "first", "second", and the like mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish a plurality of objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, time sequence, priority, or importance of the plurality of objects. Moreover, such names do not represent the difference in the content, sending / receiving end, sending order, size, application scenario, priority, or importance of the two pieces of information. In addition, the numbering of the steps in each embodiment introduced in the present application is only for distinguishing different steps, and is not used to limit the order of the steps.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: Applied to a first user communication agent (UCA), comprising: joining a first communication object into a network corresponding to a first task under triggering of a third UCA; wherein the network comprises communication objects for executing the first task; the first UCA provides services for communication objects of a first user, and the communication objects of the first user comprise the first communication object; a second UCA provides services for communication objects of a second user, and the communication objects of the second user comprise a second communication object; receiving a first information message from the first communication object; wherein the first information message comprises an identifier of the first task, and a destination communication object of the first information message is the second communication object; in a case where the network comprises the second communication object, sending the first information message to the third UCA; wherein the third UCA is configured to send the first information message to the second UCA.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The joining of the first communication object into the network corresponding to the first task comprises: saving a first association relationship of the identifier of the first task, the identifier of the first communication object and the identifier of the third UCA.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The saving of the first association relationship of the identifier of the first task, the identifier of the first communication object and the identifier of the third UCA comprises: saving the first association relationship in a first table; wherein the first table comprises an association relationship of the identifier of the first task, the identifier of the communication object for executing the first task and the identifier of the UCA for creating the network corresponding to the first task.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The joining of the first communication object into the network corresponding to the first task under the triggering of the third UCA comprises: receiving a first message from the third UCA, the first message being configured to request the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task; based on the first message, joining the first communication object into the network corresponding to the first task.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The joining of the first communication object into the network corresponding to the first task under the triggering of the third UCA comprises: sending a second message to the third UCA, the second message being configured to indicate that the first communication object requests to join the network corresponding to the first task; receiving a second response from the third UCA; in a case where the second response is configured to indicate that the first communication object is allowed to join the network corresponding to the first task, joining the first communication object into the network corresponding to the first task.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, In a case where the network comprises the second communication object, sending the first information message to the third UCA comprises: in a case where a second association relationship has been saved, sending the first information message to the third UCA; wherein the second association relationship comprises an association relationship of the identifier of the first task, the identifier of the second communication object and the identifier of the third UCA.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, Further comprising: receiving a third message, the third message being configured to indicate that the second communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task; based on the third message, saving the second association relationship.

8. A communication method characterized by comprising: Applied to a third user communication agent (UCA), comprising: triggering a first UCA to add the first communication object to a network corresponding to the first task, and triggering a second UCA to add the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task; wherein the network comprises communication objects for executing the first task; the first UCA provides services for communication objects of a first user, and the communication objects of the first user comprise the first communication object; the second UCA provides services for communication objects of a second user, and the communication objects of the second user comprise the second communication object; receiving a first information message from the first UCA; wherein the first information message comprises an identifier of the first task, a source communication object of the first information message is the first communication object, and a destination communication object of the first information message is the second communication object; in a case where the network comprises the first communication object and the second communication object, sending the first information message to the second UCA.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The triggering the first UCA to add the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task, and / or the triggering the second UCA to add the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task, comprises: receiving a fourth message, the fourth message being used for requesting to create the network corresponding to the first task; based on the fourth message, triggering the first UCA to add the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task, and / or triggering the second UCA to add the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task.

10. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein, The triggering the first UCA to add the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task comprises: sending a first message to the first UCA, the first message being used for requesting the first communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task.

11. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein, The triggering the first UCA to add the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task comprises: receiving a second message from the first UCA, the second message being used for indicating that the first communication object requests to join the network corresponding to the first task; sending a second response to the first UCA, the second response being used for indicating to agree that the first communication object joins the network corresponding to the first task.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that, The triggering the second UCA to add the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task comprises: sending a fifth message to the second UCA, the fifth message being used for requesting the second communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein, The triggering the second UCA to add the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task comprises: receiving a sixth message from the second UCA, the sixth message being used for indicating that the second communication object requests to join the network corresponding to the first task; sending a sixth response to the second UCA, the sixth response being used for indicating to agree that the second communication object joins the network corresponding to the first task.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein, After triggering the first UCA to add the first communication object to the network corresponding to the first task, further comprising: saving a third association relationship of an identifier of the first task, an identifier of the first communication object, and an identifier of the first UCA; After triggering the second UCA to add the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task, further comprising: saving a fourth association relationship of an identity of the first task, an identity of the second communication object and an identity of the first UCA.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The saving the third association relationship and the saving the fourth association relationship comprise: saving the third association relationship and the fourth association relationship in a second table; wherein the second table comprises an identity of the first task, an identity of a communication object joining a network corresponding to the first task and an identity of a UCA serving the communication object joining the network corresponding to the first task.

16. The method of any one of claims 8-15, wherein, In a case where the network comprises the first communication object and the second communication object, the sending the first information message to the second UCA comprises: In a case where the third association relationship and the fourth association relationship have been saved, the sending the first information message to the second UCA; wherein the third association relationship comprises an association relationship of the identity of the first task, the identity of the first communication object and the identity of the first UCA; and the fourth association relationship comprises an association relationship of the identity of the first task, the identity of the second communication object and the identity of the second UCA.

17. The method of any one of claims 8-16, wherein, Before the receiving the first information message from the first UCA, the method further comprises: sending a third message to the first UCA, the third message being used for indicating that the second communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task; wherein the third message comprises the identity of the first task and the identity of the second communication object; and / or sending a seventh message to the second UCA, the seventh message being used for indicating that the first communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task; wherein the seventh message comprises the identity of the first task and the identity of the first communication object.

18. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to a second user communication agent (UCA) and comprises: joining, under a trigger of a third UCA, a second communication object to a network corresponding to a first task; wherein the network comprises communication objects used for executing the first task; a first UCA serves communication objects of a first user, the communication objects of the first user comprising a first communication object; and a second UCA serves communication objects of a second user, the communication objects of the second user comprising the second communication object; receiving a first information message from the third UCA; wherein the first information message comprises an identity of the first task, a source communication object of the first information message being the first communication object and a destination communication object of the first information message being the second communication object; In a case where the network comprises the first communication object and the second communication object, the sending the first information message to the second communication object.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The joining the second communication object to the network corresponding to the first task comprises: saving a fifth association relationship of the identity of the first task, the identity of the second communication object and an identity of the third UCA.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The saving the fifth association relationship of the identity of the first task, the identity of the second communication object and the identity of the third UCA comprises: The fifth association relationship is stored in a third table; the third table includes an association relationship among an identifier of the first task, an identifier of the communication object used for executing the first task, and an identifier of the UCA used for creating the network corresponding to the first task.

21. The method of any one of claims 18-20, wherein, The joining of the second communication object into the network corresponding to the first task triggered by the third UCA includes: receiving a fifth message from the third UCA, the fifth message being used for requesting the second communication object to join the network corresponding to the first task; joining the second communication object into the network corresponding to the first task based on the fifth message.

22. The method of any one of claims 18-20, wherein, The joining of the second communication object into the network corresponding to the first task triggered by the third UCA includes: sending a sixth message to the third UCA, the sixth message being used for indicating that the second communication object requests to join the network corresponding to the first task; receiving a sixth response from the third UCA; joining the second communication object into the network corresponding to the first task in a case that the sixth response is used for indicating that the second communication object is allowed to join the network corresponding to the first task.

23. The method of any one of claims 18-22, wherein, The sending of the first information packet to the second communication object in a case that the network includes the first communication object and the second communication object includes: sending the first information packet to the second communication object in a case that a fifth association relationship and a sixth association relationship have been stored; the fifth association relationship includes an association relationship among an identifier of the first task, an identifier of the second communication object, and an identifier of the third UCA, and the sixth association relationship includes an association relationship among an identifier of the first task, an identifier of the first communication object, and an identifier of the third UCA.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein, Further including: receiving a seventh message, the seventh message being used for indicating that the first communication object has joined the network corresponding to the first task; storing the sixth association relationship based on the seventh message.

25. A communications device, characterized by A module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1-24.

26. A communications device, characterized by A processor coupled with a memory; The memory is configured to store computer programs or instructions; The processor is configured to execute part or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory, and when the part or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, the processor is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-24.

27. A communications device, characterized by A processor and a memory; The memory is configured to store computer programs or instructions; The processor is configured to execute part or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory, and when the part or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, the processor is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-24.

28. A chip system, characterized by A processor and an interface circuit, the processor being coupled with a memory; The memory is configured to store computer programs or instructions; The processor is configured to execute part or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory, and when the part or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, the processor is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-24.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium has stored therein computer programs or instructions which, when executed by the communication device, implement the method of any of claims 1-24.

30. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises computer instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the method of any of claims 1-24 to be implemented.

31. A communication system, characterized by comprise at least one of: a first user communication agent for performing the method of any of claims 1-7; a third user communication agent for performing the method of any of claims 8-17; or a second user communication agent for performing the method of any of claims 18-24.

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