CN115604811A

CN115604811A - Method for providing network function service and related equipment

Info

Publication number: CN115604811A
Application number: CN202110772527.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李娜; 王莹莹; 赵芸; 刘璇; 刘光毅
Original assignee: China Mobile Communications Group Co Ltd; China Mobile Communications Ltd Research Institute
Current assignee: China Mobile Communications Group Co Ltd; China Mobile Communications Ltd Research Institute
Priority date: 2021-07-08
Filing date: 2021-07-08
Publication date: 2023-01-13

Abstract

A method for providing network function service and related equipment are provided, the method comprises: the first terminal sends a service registration request message to a service authorization network function, wherein the service registration request message is used for registering a first network function service which can be provided by the first terminal. The method and the related device for providing the network function service provided by the embodiment of the invention register the first network function service which can be provided by the first terminal to the service authorization network function, so that nodes around the first terminal can directly request the service authorization network function to use the first network function service provided by the first terminal when the first network function service needs to be used, thereby reducing the number of network elements required to be passed by the service and reducing the service delay.

Description

Method for providing network function service and related equipment

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of mobile communication technologies, and in particular, to a method for providing a network function service and a related device.

Background

In a Vehicle to outside information exchange (V2X) system architecture, there are two ways to implement data dissemination: firstly, data are directly broadcast to surrounding vehicles through a PC5 interface between vehicles, but the method is only suitable for scenes with short vehicle-to-vehicle distance; secondly, the data is broadcast to other vehicles through the network, and the mode needs to pass through the network of an operator, so that certain time delay can be caused, and the method can be suitable for scenes with long vehicle-to-vehicle distance.

For a scene that realizes V2X message broadcasting through a network, a specific process is as follows:

user Equipment (UE) carries its own geographical location information or its Cell ID, such AS E-UTRAN Cell Global Identifier (ECGI), in a V2X message to be sent to a V2X Application Server (V2X Application Server, V2X AS), and the V2X message simultaneously carries Application layer data to be broadcasted, such AS accident notification. The V2X AS maps the location information provided by the UE to a Broadcast Area concept understood by a 3GPP Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) system, such AS an MBMS Service Area identity (MBMS Area identity, MBMS SAI) and/or an ECGI, which is sent to a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC), or the BM-SC determines an MBMS Broadcast Area based on the geographic location information provided by the V2X AS, and then the BM-SC indicates the application layer data message and the MBMS SAI(s) and/or the ECGI to an MBMS gateway (MBMS gateway, MBMS GW) and forwards the MBMS SAI(s) and/or the ECGI to a related E-UTRAN node to implement data broadcasting.

It can be seen from the above procedure that no matter the V2X application layer data generated by the UE is broadcasted only in the current cell or in several neighboring cells, the data is sent to the V2X application server through E-UTRAN → MBMS GW → BM-SC, and then broadcasted to UEs around the UE through BM-SC → MBMS GW → E-UTRAN.

Since the interfaces between the two network nodes are specific, the UE experiences too many unnecessary intermediate nodes, such AS E-UTRAN, MBMS GW, V2X AS, etc., when requesting the multicast broadcast service of the network, resulting in a large transmission delay. And in the scenario of path optimization of the emergency situation and the like, the time delay of the 5G eV2X needs to be less than 3ms. For such a scenario, if a similar LTE MBMS architecture is still used to support network-based data distribution, the scenario delay requirement cannot be met.

Similarly, in the 4G/5G positioning architecture, when requesting a positioning service of a network, the UE needs to go through unnecessary forwarding nodes such as a base station, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and the like to communicate with a positioning Management Function (LMF), which also causes a problem of large delay, and thus cannot meet the positioning delay requirement in a high-speed mobile scenario of a terminal such as an internet of vehicles and a high-speed rail.

Disclosure of Invention

At least one embodiment of the present invention provides a method for providing a network function service and a related device, which can support a terminal as a provider of the network function service to directly provide a service to surrounding terminals, thereby reducing unnecessary transmission paths and reducing end-to-end transmission delay.

According to an aspect of the present invention, at least one embodiment provides a method for providing a network function service, including:

the first terminal sends a service registration request message to a service authorization network function, wherein the service registration request message is used for registering a first network function service which can be provided by the first terminal.

Further, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, further comprising:

the first terminal receives a first authorization configuration message sent by a service authorization network function, wherein the first authorization configuration message at least comprises one of the following information: one or more authorized first network function service identities, authorized area ranges, authorized time ranges, authorized expiration times, authorized PLMN lists, authorized radio access technology types, one or more authorized users of the first network function service.

Further, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided:

the first terminal receives a service request message sent by a user of the first network function service and provides a corresponding service.

Further in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, the first network function service includes at least one of the following services: RRC connection service, measurement service, UE information service, data transmission service, and information opening service.

a first terminal receives a first authorization message sent by a service authorization network function, wherein the first authorization message is used for authorizing the first terminal to use a second network function service;

and the first terminal uses the service provided by the second network function service according to the first authorization message.

Furthermore, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, before receiving the first authorization message sent by the authorizing network function, the method further comprises:

and the first terminal or an application server associated with the first terminal sends a first authorization request message to the service authorization network function, wherein the first authorization request message is used for requesting the first terminal to be authorized to use a second network function service.

Further in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, the second network function service includes at least one of the following services: RRC connection service, random access service, signaling transport service, access network location service, network configuration service, multicast broadcast service, and mobility service.

According to another aspect of the present invention, at least one embodiment provides a method for providing a network function service, including:

a service authorization network function receives a service registration request message sent by a first terminal, wherein the service registration request message is used for registering a first network function service which can be provided by the first terminal;

the service authorization network function authorizes the first terminal as a provider of the first network function service.

Further in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, the service authorization network function authorizing the first terminal to be a provider of the first network function service includes:

the service authorization network function sends a first authorization configuration message to the first terminal, wherein the first authorization configuration message at least comprises one of the following information: one or more authorized first network function service identities, authorized area ranges, authorized time ranges, authorized expiration times, authorized PLMN lists, authorized radio access technology types, one or more authorized users of the first network function service.

the service authorization network function receives a second authorization request message sent by a first node, wherein the second authorization request message is used for requesting to authorize the first node to use a first network function service provided by the first terminal;

and the service authorization network function sends a second authorization message to the first node according to the second authorization request message, wherein the second authorization message is used for authorizing the first node to use the first network function service, and sends a second authorization configuration message to the first terminal, and the second authorization configuration message is used for indicating that the first node is added as a user of the first network function service.

the service authorization network function sends a first authorization message to a first terminal, wherein the first authorization message is used for authorizing the first terminal to use a second network function service.

the service authorization network function sends a third authorization configuration message to a second network function service, wherein the third authorization configuration message is used for indicating that the first terminal is added as a user of the second network function service.

Further, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, before sending the first grant message, the method further comprises:

the service authorization network function receives a first authorization request message sent by the first terminal; alternatively, the first and second liquid crystal display panels may be,

the service authorization network function receives a first authorization request message sent by an application server associated with the first terminal;

wherein the first authorization request message is used for requesting authorization of the first terminal to use the second network function service.

According to another aspect of the present invention, at least one embodiment provides a first terminal comprising:

a registration request unit, configured to send a service registration request message to a service authorization network function, where the service registration request message is used to register a first network function service that can be provided by the first terminal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, at least one embodiment provides a terminal including: a processor, a memory and a program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, which when executed by the processor, performs the steps of the method as described above.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least one embodiment provides a service authorization network function comprising:

a first receiving unit, configured to receive a service registration request message sent by a first terminal, where the service registration request message is used to register a first network function service that can be provided by the first terminal;

a first authorization unit, configured to authorize the first terminal to serve as a provider of the first network function.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least one embodiment provides a service authorization network function comprising: a processor, a memory and a program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, which when executed by the processor implements the steps of the method as described above.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least one embodiment provides a computer readable storage medium having a program stored thereon, which when executed by a processor, performs the steps of the method as described above.

Compared with the prior art, the method for providing the network function service and the related device provided by the embodiment of the invention register the first network function service which can be provided by the first terminal to the service authorization network function, so that nodes around the first terminal can directly request the service authorization network function to use the first network function service provided by the first terminal when the first network function service is required to be used, thereby reducing the number of network elements required to be passed by the service and reducing the service delay.

Drawings

Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Also, like reference numerals are used to refer to like parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a network function service according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is another flowchart illustrating a method for providing a network function service according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a flowchart of an application example 1 of a method for providing a network function service according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a flowchart of application example 2 of a method for providing a network function service according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a flowchart of application example 3 of a method for providing a network function service according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a first terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a first terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a service authorization network function provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is another structural diagram of the service authorization network function provided in the embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the invention can be embodied in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

The terms first, second and the like in the description and in the claims of the present application are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the data so used may be interchanged under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the application described herein may be implemented, for example, in sequences other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprises," "comprising," and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not necessarily limited to those steps or elements expressly listed, but may include other steps or elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In the description and in the claims "and/or" means at least one of the connected objects.

The techniques described herein are not limited to NR systems and Long Time Evolution (LTE)/LTE Evolution (LTE-Advanced) systems, and may also be used for various wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), single carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably. CDMA systems may implement Radio technologies such as CDMA2000, universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), and so on. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, WCDMA) and other CDMA variants. TDMA systems may implement radio technologies such as Global System for Mobile communications (GSM). The OFDMA system may implement radio technologies such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), evolved-UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.21 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are parts of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). LTE and LTE-advanced (e.g., LTE-A) are new UMTS releases that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE-A, and GSM are described in documents from an organization named "third Generation Partnership project" (3 rd Generation Partnership project,3 GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are described in documents from an organization named "third generation partnership project 2" (3 GPP 2). The techniques described herein may be used for both the above-mentioned systems and radio technologies, as well as for other systems and radio technologies. However, the following description describes the NR system for purposes of example, and NR terminology is used in much of the description below, although the techniques may also be applied to applications other than NR system applications.

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

Aiming at the problem that the end-to-end transmission passes through unnecessary nodes in the prior art mentioned in the background technology, so that the end-to-end transmission delay is overlarge, the embodiment of the invention enables the UE to be directly communicated with related network functions by means of a service interface. Specifically, the terminal may register a service provider called a network function service; in addition, the embodiment of the invention can also enable the terminal to directly communicate with the related network function by means of the service interface.

Specifically, the UE (i.e., a user of the network function service) serving as a content provider may request an access token of the network function service (e.g., a multicast broadcast service, a location service, etc.) in advance, so that when the UE needs to send a service message to a peripheral UE in a Uu port multicast broadcast manner, the UE may directly send the service message to the network function where the multicast broadcast service is located, and the network function where the multicast broadcast service is located directly performs multicast broadcast of the service message, so that the service message does not need to be sent to a core network element and a V2X server, and the number of network elements through which data forwarding needs to pass is reduced, thereby reducing transmission delay of multicast broadcast data. Correspondingly, the UE can also directly provide its own service to other network nodes for use without the need of relay in network elements such as a base station and an AMF, thereby reducing the time delay for providing the service.

Referring to fig. 1, a method for providing a network function service according to an embodiment of the present invention, when applied to a first terminal, includes:

step 11, the first terminal sends a service registration request message to the service authorization network function, where the service registration request message is used to register a first network function service that the first terminal can provide.

Here, the service authorization network function is a functional module on the network side, and may be specifically deployed in a core network or a radio access network. The first network function service which can be provided by the first terminal at least comprises at least one of the following services: radio Resource Control (RRC) connection service, measurement service, UE information service, data transmission service, and information opening service. The service registration request message carries indication information of the first network function service.

Specifically, the RRC connection service is to provide RRC connection state information, such as MCGFailureInformation/SCGFailureInformation detected by the UE. The measurement service at least includes reporting of measurement results, location measurement, log measurement (loggetmeasure), and the like. The UE information service specifically includes UE capability information and side link UE information (SidelinkUEInfo). The data transmission service may perform count check (countcheck) of the data packet. The information opening service may specifically provide information related to a UE application, information that a UE location changes, and the like.

Through the above steps, the embodiment of the present invention registers the first network function service that the first terminal can provide to the service authorization network function, so that nodes (including the terminal and the network side device) around the first terminal can directly request the service authorization network function to use the first network function service provided by the first terminal when the first network function service needs to be used, thereby reducing the number of network elements that the service needs to pass through and reducing the service delay.

After the step 11, the first terminal may further receive a first authorization configuration message sent by the serving-authorization-network function, that is, when the serving-authorization-network function allows the first terminal to provide the first network function service, the first authorization configuration message may return the first authorization configuration message, where the first authorization configuration message includes at least one of the following information: one or more authorized first Network function service identities, an authorized area scope, an authorized time scope, an authorized deadline, an authorized Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) list, an authorized radio access technology type, one or more authorized users of the first Network function service.

Here, the first network function service identifier is an identifier of an authorized first network function service, and is used for indicating a specific network function service; the authorized region range is used for indicating a geographic region where the first network function service is authorized to provide service; the authorized time range is used to indicate a time range in which the first network function service is authorized to provide services; the authorization deadline is to indicate a deadline for authorization of the first network function; the authorized PLMN list is used to indicate PLMNs for which the first network function service is authorized to provide service; the authorized radio access technology type is used to indicate a radio access technology type that the first network function service is authorized to provide services; the user of the first network function service refers to an object for which the first network function service is authorized to provide services.

In the embodiment of the invention, the first terminal receives the service request message sent by the user of the first network function service and provides the corresponding service. Specifically, the first terminal may receive a service request message sent by a certain node (specifically, the first terminal may be a terminal or a network side device), where the service request message generally carries a node identifier of the node and may also carry an identifier of a network function service requested by the node. And the first terminal judges whether the node is a user of a pre-configured first network function service or not according to the node identifier of the node, if so, the first terminal provides the corresponding network function service for the node, and otherwise, the first terminal refuses to provide the service for the node.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the first terminal may also be a user of some network function services (assumed to be the second network function services). At this time, the method further includes: the first terminal receives a first authorization message sent by a service authorization network function, wherein the first authorization message is used for authorizing the first terminal to use a second network function service; in this way, the first terminal can use the service provided by the second network function service according to the first authorization message.

Optionally, the second network function service is a service that can be provided by a radio access network accessed by the first terminal, and specifically, the server deployed in the radio access network or other terminals in the radio access network may provide related services.

In addition, before receiving the first authorization message, the first terminal or an application server associated with the first terminal sends a first authorization request message to the service authorization network function, where the first authorization request message is used to request that the first terminal is authorized to use a second network function service.

Here, the second network function service may be a service provided by another terminal or a network side device, and specifically may include at least one of the following services: RRC connection service, random access service, signaling transport service, access network location service, network configuration service, multicast broadcast service, and mobility service.

Specifically, the RRC connection service refers to a service for maintaining RRC connection for the terminal, and includes RRC establishment, RRC reconfiguration, RRC connection recovery, RRC release, and the like. The random access service refers to a service provided for accessing a network for a terminal, or acquiring system information (requesting the system information as needed), or completing uplink synchronization, and the like. The signaling transmission service refers to the receiving and sending of terminal NAS messages. The home location service is to provide terminal location information, such as location information, a city location, a used location method, and a failure reason. The network configuration service refers to acquiring network related configuration information. The multicast broadcast service refers to direct multicast broadcast transmission of data transmitted by a terminal. The mobility service refers to terminal-triggered handover (such as conditional handover), or terminal-triggered cell reselection parameter update.

Through the steps, the embodiment of the invention can request the service authorization of the network function service in advance, so that the first terminal can directly send the network function of the network function service when needing the relevant service, and the first terminal does not need to send the network function of the network function service to a core network element and other servers, thereby reducing the number of network elements required to be passed by data forwarding and reducing the transmission delay of the service.

Referring to fig. 2, a method for providing a network function service according to an embodiment of the present invention, when applied to a service authorization network function, includes:

step 21, the service authorization network function receives a service registration request message sent by a first terminal, where the service registration request message is used to register the first network function service that the first terminal can provide.

Here, the first network function service includes at least one of the following services: RRC connection service, measurement service, UE information service, data transmission service, and information opening service. The service registration request message carries indication information of the first network function service.

Step 22, the service authorization network function authorizes the first terminal as a provider of the first network function service.

Here, the service authorization network function determines whether to allow the first terminal to provide the first network function service according to a preset policy, and if so, may authorize the first terminal to be a provider of the first network function service. Specifically, the serving-grant network function may send a first grant configuration message to the first terminal, where the first grant configuration message includes at least one of the following information: one or more authorized first network function service identities, authorized area ranges, authorized time ranges, authorized expiration times, authorized PLMN lists, authorized radio access technology types, one or more authorized users of the first network function service.

Through the steps, the embodiment of the invention realizes that the first terminal provides the registration and authorization of the first network function service, so that the first terminal can directly provide the first network function service for the terminals around the first terminal, thereby reducing the number of network elements required to be passed by data forwarding and reducing the transmission delay of the service.

For example, in the above method, if the service authorization network function receives a second authorization request message sent by a first node, where the second authorization request message is used to request that the first node is authorized to use a first network function service provided by the first terminal, where the first node may be a terminal or a network element on a network side. At this time, the service authorization network function may send, to the first node, a second authorization message according to the first authorization request message, where the second authorization message is used to authorize the first node to use the first network function service, and send, to the first terminal, a second authorization configuration message, where the second authorization configuration message is used to indicate that the first node is added as a user of the first network function service.

Optionally, the first node is another terminal or a network device in a radio access network to which the first terminal accesses.

The service authorization network function may determine whether to allow the first node to use the first network function service provided by the first terminal according to a preset policy, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present invention.

Through the steps, the first node can directly use the first network function service passed by the first terminal, so that the number of network elements required to be passed by data forwarding can be reduced, and the transmission delay of the service is reduced.

Similarly, the first terminal may also wish to use the second network function service, and the service authorization network function may also send a first authorization message to the first terminal, the first authorization message being for authorizing the first terminal to use the second network function service. In addition, the service authorization network function sends a third authorization configuration message to a second network function service, where the third authorization configuration message is used to indicate that the first terminal is added as a user of the second network function service. In this way, the second network function service is subsequently able to provide the first terminal with the relevant service.

Optionally, the serving-authorization-network function may be receiving a first authorization request message sent by the first terminal; or after receiving a first authorization request message sent by an application server associated with the first terminal, sending the first authorization message to the first terminal. Here, the first authorization request message is for requesting authorization of the first terminal to use the second network function service.

Here, the second network function service includes at least one of the following services: RRC connection service, random access service, signaling transport service, access network location service, network configuration service, multicast broadcast service, and mobility service.

In addition, in order to help the terminal to know the services that the local access network can provide, the service authorization network function may also broadcast the network function service in the radio access network of the corresponding authorization area range, authorized PLMN list, and authorized radio access technology type according to the authorization area range, authorized PLMN list, and authorized radio access technology type that provide the registered network function service, so that the terminal in the radio access network can know the relevant services that the radio access network can provide.

Various methods of embodiments of the present invention have been described above. To better aid understanding of the above embodiments, the invention is further described below in conjunction with several specific examples.

Example 1: multicast service

As shown in fig. 3, the specific process of this example 1 includes:

step 31a or step 31b: the UE or the application server AF initiates a multicast broadcast service authorization request message, as shown in step 31a, the UE initiates the multicast broadcast service authorization request message to a serving-authorization-network function (e.g. a network function registration function), and as shown in step 31b, the application server (possibly through a network open function NEF) initiates the multicast broadcast service authorization request message to the serving-authorization-network function (e.g. the network function registration function).

The multicast broadcast service authorization request message may carry one or more of the following information: UE identity (e.g. GPSI), UE multicast related capability, authorization request area, authorization request time range, authorization request PLMN list, authorization request RAT type, authorization request frequency, authorization multicast broadcast radius.

Here, the multicast broadcast service authorization request message is used to request the network to authorize one or more UEs to use a multicast broadcast service of the network. In addition, the message may be only a multicast service authorization request or only a broadcast service authorization request.

Step 32a or step 32b: the UE receives a multicast broadcast service authorization configuration message, wherein the message can carry one of the following information: one or more authorized multicast broadcast service identities, authorized usage areas, authorized time ranges, authorized expiration times, authorized PLMN lists, authorized RAT types.

Here, the authorization configuration message may indicate to the UE one or more of the following information:

i) Whether it can act as a content provider for a certain multicast broadcast service/services;

ii) whether regional broadcast of certain multicast broadcast service data/certain multicast broadcast service data can be initiated;

iii) Content providers allowed to act as a certain multicast broadcast service/certain multicast broadcast services in which areas/time frames/PLMNs/RATs;

iv) in which areas/time ranges/PLMNs/RATs area broadcast of certain multicast broadcast service data/certain multicast broadcast service data is allowed to be initiated;

step 33a or step 33b: the UE or AF may send a subscription request to the multicast broadcast service, subscribe to a multicast broadcast status notification, such as a multicast broadcast transmission delay condition, a multicast broadcast retransmission condition, a multicast broadcast frequency, and the like.

In addition, the subscription request can also carry a corresponding event, and the multicast broadcast state is informed when the event is triggered; the event may be: the multicast broadcast cannot meet the requirements of reliability, time delay and geographical range of the request, the time-frequency resource load of the request is overlarge, and the like.

And step 34, the UE sends a multicast broadcast service request to the multicast broadcast service, and the multicast broadcast service request carries service data to be sent and/or multicast broadcast requirements.

Here, the multicast broadcast requirement may specifically be: multicast broadcast time-frequency resource requirements, reliability requirements, transmission delay requirements, multicast broadcast geographical range requirements, and the like.

Step 35: the multicast broadcast service determines the multicast broadcast range, time-frequency resources, mode (system information/single cell point-to-multipoint/MBSFN), whether to start HARQ or ARQ retransmission, whether to use repeat transmission (HARQ blind retransmission or PDCP duplicate), etc.

In addition, before this step 35, there may be further included:

i) It is determined whether the UE is authorized to initiate the regional multicast broadcast. Or

ii) repeating the multicast broadcast service data detection. For example, the radio network node detects repeated service data sent by different UEs through deep packet inspection or a dictionary-based manner, and for repeated multicast broadcast service data, the radio network node only needs to broadcast once, thereby avoiding repeated sending of the same service data.

Step 36: returning a multicast broadcast service response to the UE, which may carry: the reason value of the multicast broadcast failure, whether the multicast broadcast requirement is met, the specific time frequency resource of the multicast broadcast and the like.

Step 37: the multicast broadcast service performs multicast broadcast of data.

Step 38a or step 38b: the multicast broadcast service informs the UE or the AF of the multicast broadcast status.

Example 2: location services

As shown in fig. 4, the specific flow of this example 2 includes:

step 41: the UE initiates a positioning request to the home location service, which may carry a positioning accuracy requirement.

Based on the positioning accuracy requirement, the home location service selects one of the following three processing modes:

scene a: the UE position information meeting the UE positioning precision requirement is locally provided;

scene b: there is no UE position estimate that meets the positioning accuracy requirement yet locally, but local location services can be provided;

scene c: the UE position estimation meeting the positioning precision requirement does not exist locally, and the local position service cannot provide the UE position estimation with the precision, so that the positioning management service is requested to perform positioning processing;

for scenario a, the subsequent flow includes:

and 42a to 43a, under the condition that the local position server locally has the UE position information meeting the UE positioning precision requirement, directly sending the UE position estimation result to the UE through the positioning service response.

For scenario b, the subsequent flow includes:

step 42b: when the requirement of the UE positioning accuracy can be met through the local positioning, determining the local positioning mode may specifically include:

mode 1: sending the UE uplink positioning reference signal to the UE, and executing positioning measurement by the network;

mode 2: indicating UE downlink positioning reference configuration, positioning measurement by UE

Steps 43b to 44b: in the method 1, the local location service informs the UE of the measurement related configuration in step 43b, and in addition, the location service response message in step 44b carries related configuration parameters such as a location method and/or a location algorithm, so that the UE can calculate the location estimate on its own based on the measurement result; in the method 2, the local location service informs the UE of the measurement related configuration through step 43b, and after the UE returns the measurement result or the UE sends the corresponding uplink measurement reference signal, the local location service calculates the UE location estimate, and returns the UE location estimate to the UE through the location service response message of step 44 b.

For scenario c, the subsequent flow includes:

steps 42c to 43c: and when the UE positioning accuracy requirement cannot be met through local positioning, forwarding the positioning service request to the LMF.

Step 44c: and the LMF determines the positioning mode, including the two modes.

Step 45c to step 46c: similar to steps 43 b-44 b, are not further described herein.

Example 3: RRC connection service

As shown in fig. 5, the specific flow of this example 3 includes:

step 51: the UE sends a random access service request message to the random access service.

Step 52: the random access service returns a random access service response message to the UE, which may carry an uplink Grant (UL Grant).

Step 53: the UE sends an RRC connection request message to the RRC connection service requesting that the RRC connection be restored.

Step 54: the RRC connection service returns an RRC connection response message to the UE indicating that the RRC connection recovery is successful.

It can be seen from the above description that, aiming at the problems of long end-to-end transmission delay and reduced user experience caused by a large number of forwarding hops between the terminal and the application server in the prior art, the terminal of the embodiment of the present invention can be used as a service provider and also can be used as a service user. Therefore, the terminal can directly interact with the network function service, and unnecessary transmission paths are reduced, so that the end-to-end transmission delay is reduced.

Referring to steps 34 to 36 of example 1, the terminal may directly use the multicast service provided by the access network to perform multicast of data, without performing multicast operation in a manner of going through a core network, an application server and then to the core network according to the prior art, thereby reducing the overall multicast delay;

referring to example 2, the terminal may also directly use the location service provided by the access network to request location estimation, and may not perform location in a manner of going through the core network, the location server, and then to the core network and the base station according to the prior art, thereby reducing the overall time delay of location;

in addition, the terminal may use or provide related services through multiple access means (e.g., wiFi or 5G NR or 4G LTE enbs or other RATs).

As can be seen from the above description, in the embodiment of the present invention, the terminal can be used as both a provider and a user of the service. And, the terminal can use or provide related services through various access modes (such as WiFi or 5GNR or 4G LTE eNB). In addition, the terminal may directly initiate the authorization request to the network node in charge of authorization, or the relevant AF may initiate the authorization request to the network node in charge of authorization through a network capability opening node (e.g., a network capability opening function).

Through the steps, the terminal can directly communicate with the relevant network nodes without passing through unnecessary network nodes based on the service interface, so that the transmission delay of the data is greatly reduced.

Several method examples of embodiments of the present invention are described above. An apparatus for carrying out the above method is further provided below.

Referring to fig. 6, an embodiment of the present invention provides a first terminal, including:

a registration requesting unit 61, configured to send a service registration request message to a service authorization network function, where the service registration request message is used to register a first network function service that can be provided by the first terminal.

Optionally, the first terminal further includes:

a first receiving unit, configured to receive a first authorization configuration message sent by a serving authorization network function, where the first authorization configuration message includes at least one of the following information: one or more authorized first network function service identities, authorized area ranges, authorized time ranges, authorized expiration times, authorized PLMN lists, authorized radio access technology types, one or more authorized users of the first network function service.

Optionally, the first terminal further includes:

and the service providing unit is used for receiving the service request message sent by the user of the first network function service and providing the corresponding service.

Optionally, the first network function service includes at least one of the following services: RRC connection service, measurement service, UE information service, data transmission service, and information opening service.

Optionally, the first terminal further includes:

a second receiving unit, configured to receive a first authorization message sent by a service authorization network function, where the first authorization message is used to authorize the first terminal to use a second network function service;

and the service using unit is used for using the service provided by the second network function service according to the first authorization message.

Optionally, the first terminal further includes:

the first sending unit is used for sending a first authorization request message to the service authorization network function before receiving a first authorization message sent by the authorization network function, wherein the first authorization request message is used for requesting to authorize the first terminal to use the service of the second network function.

Optionally, the second network function service includes at least one of the following services: RRC connection service, random access service, signaling transport service, access network location service, network configuration service, multicast broadcast service, and mobility service.

It should be noted that the apparatus in this embodiment is an apparatus corresponding to the method shown in fig. 1, and the implementation manners in the embodiments are all applied to the embodiment of the apparatus, and the same technical effects can be achieved. The device provided by the embodiment of the present invention can implement all the method steps implemented by the method embodiment, and can achieve the same technical effects, and detailed descriptions of the same parts and beneficial effects as the method embodiment in this embodiment are not repeated herein.

Referring to fig. 7, a schematic structural diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a processor 701, a transceiver 702, a memory 703, a user interface 704 and a bus interface.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the terminal further includes: programs stored on the memory 703 and executable on the processor 701.

The processor 701 implements the following steps when executing the program:

and sending a service registration request message to a service authorization network function, wherein the service registration request message is used for registering a first network function service which can be provided by the first terminal.

It can be understood that, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the computer program is executed by the processor 701, each process of the method embodiment shown in fig. 1 can be implemented, and the same technical effect can be achieved.

In fig. 7, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, with one or more processors, represented by processor 701, and various circuits, represented by memory 703, being linked together. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripherals, voltage regulators, power management circuits, and the like, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 702 may be a number of elements including a transmitter and a receiver that provide a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The user interface 704 may also be an interface capable of interfacing with a desired device for different user devices, including but not limited to a keypad, display, speaker, microphone, joystick, etc.

The processor 701 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 703 may store data used by the processor 701 in performing operations.

It should be noted that the apparatus in this embodiment is an apparatus corresponding to the method shown in fig. 1, and the implementation manners in the above embodiments are all applicable to the embodiment of the apparatus, and the same technical effects can be achieved. In the device, the transceiver 702 and the memory 703, and the transceiver 702 and the processor 701 may be communicatively connected through a bus interface, the function of the processor 701 may also be implemented by the transceiver 702, and the function of the transceiver 702 may also be implemented by the processor 701. It should be noted that, the apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present invention can implement all the method steps implemented by the method embodiment and achieve the same technical effect, and detailed descriptions of the same parts and beneficial effects as the method embodiment in this embodiment are omitted here.

In some embodiments of the invention, there is also provided a computer readable storage medium having a program stored thereon, which when executed by a processor, performs the steps of:

When executed by the processor, the program can implement all the implementation manners in the method for providing network function service applied to the terminal side, and can achieve the same technical effect, and is not described herein again to avoid repetition.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a service authorization network function shown in fig. 8, where the service authorization network function may specifically be a network element device or a function module in the network element device, and as shown in fig. 8, the service authorization network function includes:

a first receiving unit 81, configured to receive a service registration request message sent by a first terminal, where the service registration request message is used to register the first network function service that can be provided by the first terminal;

a first authorization unit 81, configured to authorize the first terminal to serve as a provider of the first network function.

Optionally, the first authorization unit is further configured to send a first authorization configuration message to the first terminal, where the first authorization configuration message includes at least one of the following information: one or more authorized first network function service identities, authorized area ranges, authorized time ranges, authorized expiration times, authorized PLMN lists, authorized radio access technology types, one or more authorized users of the first network function service.

Optionally, the service authorization network function further includes:

a second receiving unit, configured to receive a second authorization request message sent by a first node, where the second authorization request message is used to request that the first node be authorized to use a first network function service provided by the first terminal;

a first sending unit, configured to send, according to the first authorization request message, a second authorization message to the first node, where the second authorization message is used to authorize the first node to use the first network function service, and send, to the first terminal, a second authorization configuration message, where the second authorization configuration message is used to indicate that a first node is added as a user of the first network function service.

Optionally, the service authorization network function further includes:

a second sending unit, configured to send a first authorization message to a first terminal, where the first authorization message is used to authorize the first terminal to use a second network function service.

Optionally, the service authorization network function further includes:

a third sending unit, configured to send a third authorization configuration message to a second network function service, where the third authorization configuration message is used to indicate that the first terminal is added as a user of the second network function service.

Optionally, the third receiving unit is configured to receive, before sending the first authorization message, the first authorization request message sent by the first terminal; or receiving a first authorization request message sent by an application server associated with the first terminal;

wherein the first authorization request message is used for requesting authorization of the first terminal to use the second network function service;

It should be noted that the apparatus in this embodiment is a device corresponding to the method shown in fig. 2, and the implementation manners in the above embodiments are all applied to the embodiment of the device, and the same technical effects can be achieved. It should be noted that, the apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present invention can implement all the method steps implemented by the method embodiment and achieve the same technical effect, and detailed descriptions of the same parts and beneficial effects as the method embodiment in this embodiment are omitted here.

Referring to fig. 9, an embodiment of the present invention provides a structural diagram of a network function service, including: a processor 901, a transceiver 902, a memory 903, and a bus interface, wherein:

in this embodiment of the present invention, the network function service further includes: a program stored on a memory 903 and executable on a processor 901, the program when executed by the processor 901 performing the steps of:

receiving a service registration request message sent by a first terminal, wherein the service registration request message is used for registering the first network function service which can be provided by the first terminal;

authorizing the first terminal to serve the first network function.

It can be understood that, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the computer program is executed by the processor 901, each process of the method embodiment shown in fig. 2 can be implemented, and the same technical effect can be achieved.

In fig. 9, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, with one or more processors represented by processor 901 and various circuits of memory represented by memory 903 being linked together. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripherals, voltage regulators, power management circuits, and the like, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 902 may be a number of elements including a transmitter and a receiver that provide a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium.

The processor 901 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 903 may store data used by the processor 901 in performing operations.

It should be noted that the terminal in this embodiment is a device corresponding to the method shown in fig. 2, and the implementation manners in the above embodiments are all applicable to the embodiment of the terminal, and the same technical effects can be achieved. In the apparatus, the transceiver 902 and the memory 903, and the transceiver 902 and the processor 901 may be communicatively connected through a bus interface, and the function of the processor 901 may also be implemented by the transceiver 902, and the function of the transceiver 902 may also be implemented by the processor 901. It should be noted that, the apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present invention can implement all the method steps implemented by the method embodiment and achieve the same technical effect, and detailed descriptions of the same parts and beneficial effects as the method embodiment in this embodiment are omitted here.

authorizing the first terminal to be a provider of the first network function service.

When executed by the processor, the program can implement all the implementation manners in the method for providing network function services applied to the network function services, and can achieve the same technical effect, and the details are not repeated here to avoid repetition.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the implementation. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

It is clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described systems, apparatuses and units may refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not described herein again.

In the embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described apparatus embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the units is only one logical division, and other divisions may be realized in practice, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not executed. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment of the present invention.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit.

The functions, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present invention or a part thereof which substantially contributes to the prior art may be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to execute all or part of the steps of the method according to the embodiments of the present invention. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: various media capable of storing program codes, such as a U disk, a removable hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

The above description is only for the specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of the changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present invention, and all the changes or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for providing a network function service, comprising:

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network function service comprises at least one of: RRC connection service, measurement service, UE information service, data transmission service, and information opening service.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

6. The method of claim 5, wherein prior to receiving the first authorization message sent by the authorizing network function, the method further comprises:

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the second network function service comprises at least one of: RRC connection service, random access service, signaling transport service, access network location service, network configuration service, multicast broadcast service, and mobility service.

8. A method for providing a network function service, comprising:

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the service authorization network function authorizes the first terminal as a provider of the first network function service, comprising:

the service authorization network function sends a first authorization configuration message to the first terminal, wherein the first authorization configuration message at least comprises one of the following information: one or more authorized first network function service identities, authorized area coverage, authorized time coverage, authorized expiration time, authorized PLMN list, authorized radio access technology types, one or more authorized users of the first network function service.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first network function service comprises at least one of: RRC connection service, measurement service, UE information service, data transmission service, and information opening service.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

14. The method of claim 12, wherein prior to sending the first grant message, the method further comprises:

the service authorization network function receives a first authorization request message sent by the first terminal; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the second network function service comprises at least one of: RRC connection service, random access service, signaling transport service, access network location service, network configuration service, multicast broadcast service, and mobility service.

16. A first terminal, comprising:

17. A terminal, comprising: a processor, a memory and a program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, which program, when executed by the processor, carries out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

18. A service authorization network function, comprising:

a first authorization unit, configured to authorize the first terminal to be a provider of the first network function service.

19. A service authorization network function, comprising: processor, memory and program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, which when executed by the processor implements the steps of the method according to any of claims 8 to 15.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that a computer program is stored on the computer-readable storage medium, which computer program, when being executed by a processor, carries out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.