CN120239008A - A network element selection method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application discloses a network element selection method and device. A first message is received, the first message includes a user's identifier; the user's media capability requirements are determined based on the user's identifier; at least one media network element is selected to provide services to the user based on the user's media capability requirements, wherein the media capabilities provided by at least one media network element meet the user's media capability requirements. The present application can select a suitable media network element for the user based on the user's media capability requirements, can avoid problems such as detours and multiple hops of multimedia network elements, improve the efficiency of media network element selection and reduce the complexity of media network element selection, and can achieve the effects of reducing latency, saving media resource overhead, reducing signaling complexity, and simplifying traffic topology.

Description

Network element selection method and device

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of mobile communications, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for selecting a network element.

Background

With the evolution of the network, there are media network elements with different media capabilities, taking as an example that the media network elements are internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IP multimedia subsystem, IMS) -access gateway (ACCESS GATEWAY, AGW), IMS-AGW1 has media capability 1, IMS-AGW2 has media capability 2. Due to factors such as cost investment, all media network elements cannot be reformed to have the same media capability in one step. When a network element responsible for a call session control function, such as proxy-call session control function (P-CSCF), selects a media network element for a user, the network element is not used as service subscription information of an access side network element, so that it cannot sense which media capability is needed by the user, and further, the media network element is randomly selected, so that the selected media network element cannot meet the user requirement.

To cope with this problem, one method is to randomly select network elements again, and combine a plurality of media network elements to form a multi-hop media network element to provide services for users, and the other method is to execute network element reselection. However, both of these selection methods have problems of high consumption of network resources and performance.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a network element selection method and a network element selection device, which are used for selecting a proper media network element for a user, improving the efficiency of media network element selection, reducing the complexity of media network element selection and saving the media resource expenditure.

In a first aspect, a network element selection method is provided, where the method is applied to a first network element, where the "network element" in the present application may refer to the network element itself, a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system) in the network element, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network element. The method comprises the steps of receiving a first message, wherein the first message comprises an identifier of a user, determining media capability requirements of the user according to the identifier of the user, and selecting at least one media network element to provide services for the user according to the media capability requirements of the user, wherein the media capability provided by the at least one media network element meets the media capability requirements of the user.

In the embodiment of the application, the first network element can determine the media capability requirement of the user according to the identification of the user, and select a proper media network element for the user according to the media capability requirement of the user. Compared with the scheme of randomly selecting the media network elements, the method can avoid the problems of roundabout, multi-hop and the like of the multimedia network elements, improve the efficiency of selecting the media network elements, reduce the complexity of selecting the media network elements, and achieve the effects of reducing time delay, saving media resource overhead, reducing signaling complexity, simplifying traffic topology and the like.

In one possible design, a second message from a second network element may also be received before the first message is received, the second message indicating a media capability requirement of the user, and the media capability requirement of the user and the identity of the user are stored correspondingly.

Thus, the first network element can acquire and store the media capability requirement of the user so as to determine the media capability requirement of the user later, and the reliability of the scheme can be improved.

In one possible design, the second message includes, but is not limited to, at least one of a user-desired media capability, a user-desired set of media capabilities, an index of user-desired media capabilities, and an index of user-desired set of media capabilities.

Of course, the above items are merely examples, and are not limited thereto in practice.

In one possible design, the second message may be carried in a session initiation protocol (session initiated protocol, SIP) message. Such as a SIP information (Message) Message or a SIP notify (INFO) Message, etc., without limitation.

In one possible design, a registration message may also be received from the user before receiving the second message from the second network element, the registration message including the identity of the user, and the registration message forwarded to the second network element.

Therefore, the first network element can acquire the media capability requirement of the user in the registration process of the user, the process does not need to be independently initiated, and network resources can be saved.

In one possible design, a third message may also be received from the second network element, the third message indicating the user's altered media capability requirement, and the user's media capability requirement is updated based on the third message.

Therefore, the media capability requirement of the user stored in the first network element can be updated in time, and the reliability of the scheme is further improved.

In one possible design, at least one media network element may be selected to provide services to a user based on a preconfigured media capability of one or more media network elements, including at least one media network element, a media capability requirement of the user.

Thus, the first network element can directly obtain the media capability of one or more media network elements from the local, and the efficiency of network element selection can be improved.

In one possible design, the media capabilities of one or more media network elements may be obtained from the network storage function network element, and at least one media network element is selected to provide services for the user according to the media capabilities of the one or more media network elements and the media capability requirements of the user, wherein the one or more media network elements comprise at least one media network element.

Thus, the first network element can directly acquire the media capability of one or more media network elements from the network storage function network element, so that the accuracy of the media capability of the media network element can be improved, and the reliability of the scheme can be improved.

In one possible design, the method may further include sending a first request to the first media network element, where the first request includes a fourth message, where the fourth message is used to indicate at least one media capability required by the user, the first request is used to apply for the at least one media capability to the first media network element, the first media network element is one of the at least one media network element, and receiving a first response fed back by the first media network element, where the first response is used to indicate that the at least one media capability application is successful.

Thus, the media capability can be applied to the selected media network element for the user so as to ensure the subsequent media service of the user.

In one possible design, the first network element is a proxy-call session control function (P-CSCF) network element.

In one possible design, the second network element is an internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IP multimedia subsystem, IMS) application server (application server, AS).

In one possible design, the media network element is an IMS-access gateway (ACCESS GATEWAY, AGW).

Of course, the above is merely an example of the first network element, the second network element, and the media network element, and is not limited thereto in practice.

In a second aspect, a network element selection method is provided, where the method is applied to a second network element, where the "network element" in the present application may refer to the network element itself, a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system) in the network element, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network element. The method comprises the steps of receiving a first message, wherein the first message comprises an identifier of a user, determining media capability requirements of the user according to the identifier of the user, and selecting at least one media network element to provide services for the user according to the media capability requirements of the user, wherein the media capability provided by the at least one media network element meets the media capability requirements of the user. The method comprises the steps of receiving a registration message from a user through a first network element, wherein the registration message comprises the identification of the user, and sending a second message to the first network element, wherein the second message is used for indicating the media capability requirement of the user.

In one possible design, the second message includes, but is not limited to, at least one of a user-desired media capability, a user-desired set of media capabilities, an index of user-desired media capabilities, and an index of user-desired set of media capabilities.

In one possible design, the second message is carried in a SIP message.

In one possible design, a third message may also be sent to the first network element, the third message indicating the user's altered media capability requirements.

In one possible design, the first network element is a P-CSCF.

In one possible design, the second network element is an IMS AS.

In a third aspect, there is provided a communication device comprising means or units or technical means for performing the method as described in the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect.

Illustratively, the communication device may include:

the receiving and transmitting module is used for receiving a first message, and the first message comprises the identification of a user;

and selecting at least one media network element to provide services for the user according to the media capability requirement of the user, wherein the media capability provided by the at least one media network element meets the media capability requirement of the user.

In a possible design the transceiver module is further adapted to receive a second message from the second network element before the first message, the second message being indicative of the media capability requirement of the user, and the processing module is further adapted to store the media capability requirement of the user and the identity of the user in correspondence.

In one possible design, the second message includes, but is not limited to, at least one of a user-desired media capability, a user-desired set of media capabilities, an index of user-desired media capabilities, and an index of user-desired set of media capabilities.

In one possible design, the second message is carried in a SIP message.

In a possible design the transceiver module is further adapted to receive a registration message from the user before receiving the second message from the second network element, the registration message comprising an identification of the user, and to forward the registration message to the second network element.

In a possible design the transceiver module is further adapted to receive a third message from the second network element, the third message being indicative of a changed media capability requirement of the user, and the processing module is further adapted to update the media capability requirement of the user based on the third message.

In one possible design, the processing module is specifically configured to select at least one media network element to provide services for the user according to the media capability requirement of the user and the media capability requirement of the user, wherein the one or more media network elements comprise at least one media network element, or acquire the media capability of the one or more media network elements from the network storage function network element, and select the at least one media network element to provide services for the user according to the media capability of the one or more media network elements and the media capability requirement of the user.

In a possible design, the transceiver module may be further configured to send a first request to the first media network element, where the first request includes a fourth message, where the fourth message is used to indicate at least one media capability required by the user, the first request is used to apply for the at least one media capability to the first media network element, the first media network element is one of the at least one media network element, receive a first response fed back by the first media network element, and the first response is used to indicate that the at least one media capability application is successful.

In one possible design, the first network element is a P-CSCF.

In one possible design, the second network element is an IMS AS.

In one possible design, the media network element is an IMS-AGW.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a communication device comprising means or units or technical means for performing the method as described in the second aspect or any one of the possible designs of the second aspect.

Illustratively, the communication device may include:

The system comprises a receiving and transmitting module, a receiving and transmitting module and a transmitting module, wherein the receiving and transmitting module is used for receiving a registration message from a user through a first network element, the registration message comprises the identification of the user, and the second message is used for indicating the media capability requirement of the user.

In one possible design, the second message includes, but is not limited to, at least one of a user-desired media capability, a user-desired set of media capabilities, an index of user-desired media capabilities, and an index of user-desired set of media capabilities.

In one possible design, the second message is carried in a SIP message.

In a possible design the transceiver module may be further adapted to send a third message to the first network element, the third message being adapted to indicate a changed media capability requirement of the user.

In one possible design, the first network element is a P-CSCF.

In one possible design, the second network element is an IMS AS.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided a communications device comprising a processor and interface circuitry, the interface circuitry being electrically coupled to the processor, the processor causing, by logic circuitry or execution of code instructions, the method as described in the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect, or the method as described in the second aspect or any one of the possible designs of the second aspect.

In a sixth aspect, there is provided a computer readable storage medium having stored therein a computer program or instructions which, when executed, cause a method as described in the first aspect or any of the possible designs of the first aspect, or cause a method as described in the second aspect or any of the possible designs of the second aspect, to be performed.

In a seventh aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the method as described in the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect to be performed or cause the method as described in the second aspect or any one of the possible designs of the second aspect to be performed.

An eighth aspect provides a communication system comprising a first network element for performing the method as described in the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect and a second network element for performing the method as described in the second aspect or any one of the possible designs of the second aspect.

The specific designs and advantageous effects of the above-described second to eighth aspects can be seen from the corresponding designs and advantageous effects in the first to second aspects.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a network architecture diagram of a communication system to which an embodiment of the present application is applicable;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method of selecting a media network element;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method of selecting a media network element;

fig. 4 is a flowchart of a network element selection method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a registration flow chart provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

In order to facilitate understanding of the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application, the following explains and describes some terms mentioned in the embodiments of the present application.

1) Media capabilities include capabilities that provide media surface services (e.g., processing capabilities for media data) and capabilities that provide media resources required by the media surface services (e.g., transmission capabilities for media data). Such as codec capabilities (e.g., audio transcoding (audio transcoding) etc., video transcoding (video transcoding) capabilities, etc.), whether message session relay protocol (message session relay protocol, MSRP) capabilities are supported, web real-time communication (WebRTC) capabilities, etc. Wherein the media data includes, but is not limited to, one or more of audio, video, pictures, faxes, etc.

2) The plural references in the embodiments of the present application refer to two or more. "and/or" describes an association relationship of an association object, and indicates that there may be three relationships, for example, a and/or B, and may indicate that there are three cases of a alone, a and B together, and B alone. The character "/" generally indicates that the context-dependent object is an "or" relationship. In addition, it should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used in describing various objects in embodiments of the application, these objects should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one object from another.

3) The terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof, as used in the description of embodiments of the application, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not limited to only those listed but may optionally include other steps or elements not listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "such as" are used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" or "e.g." in an embodiment should not be taken as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "such as" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete fashion.

The technical scheme of the embodiment of the application can be applied to various communication systems, such as a fifth generation (5th Generation,5G) communication system, a sixth generation (6th Generation,6G) communication system or other future evolution systems, or various wireless communication systems adopting wireless access technology, and the like.

Referring to fig. 1, there is shown a network architecture diagram of a communication system to which AN embodiment of the present application is applied, where the system includes network functions and entities mainly including a terminal equipment (UE), a radio access network (R) AN network element, a proxy-call session control function (proxy-call session control function, P-CSCF), a query-call session control function (interrogating-call session control function, I-CSCF), a service-call session control function (serving-call session control function, S-CSCF), AN internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IP multimedia subsystem, IMS) -AN access gateway (ACCESS GATEWAY, AGW), a remote (remote) IMS, a user home server (home subscriber server, HSS), AN IMS application server (application server, AS), and the like.

It should be noted that, in the present application, the name of each network element is only an example, and the present application does not exclude the case that each network element is another name and functions between each network element are combined. Along with the evolution of technology, any device or network element capable of realizing the functions of each network element is within the protection scope of the present application.

For ease of description, each network element may be expressed in terms of its corresponding english abbreviation hereinafter, for example by "P-CSCF" or "P-CSCF network element" for an application function network element.

A terminal device (UE) may also be referred to as a user equipment, a terminal, a mobile station, a mobile terminal, etc. The terminal may be widely applied to various scenes, for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-device (vehicle to everything, V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), internet of things (internet of things, IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autopilot, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, and the like. The terminal can be a mobile phone, a tablet personal computer, a computer with a wireless receiving and transmitting function, a wearable device, a vehicle, an unmanned aerial vehicle, a helicopter, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a mechanical arm, intelligent household equipment and the like. The embodiment of the application does not limit the specific technology and the specific equipment form adopted by the terminal.

A radio access network (R) AN element may also be referred to as AN access network device, radio access network device, access network, etc. The specific implementation may be a base station (base station), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission and reception point (transmission reception point, TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in a fifth generation mobile communication system, a next generation base station in a sixth generation mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, or may be a module or a unit that performs a function of a base station part, for example, may be a Central Unit (CU), or may be a Distributed Unit (DU). The CU here performs the functions of the radio resource control protocol and the packet data convergence layer protocol (PACKET DATA convergence protocol, PDCP) of the base station, and may also perform the functions of the service data adaptation protocol (SERVICE DATA adaptation protocol, SDAP), and the DU performs the functions of the radio link control layer and the medium access control (medium access control, MAC) layer of the base station, and may also perform the functions of part of the physical layer or all of the physical layer, and for specific description of the above protocol layers, reference may be made to the related technical specifications of 3 GPP. The radio access network device may be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor node, or the like. The embodiment of the application does not limit the specific technology and the specific equipment form adopted by the wireless access network equipment.

P-CSCF, the first contact point of user access to IMS network in service application process. The method is responsible for acting all SIP signaling and completing the routing control of the call, providing QoS resource reservation, supporting SIP signaling compression to improve the bandwidth utilization efficiency of an air interface, providing NAT control to support NAT penetration of an enterprise network, and simultaneously maintaining a security alliance with UE to protect the privacy and the integrity of signaling with the UE.

I-CSCF is a unified entry point of the user home network, which is responsible for the allocation of S-CSCF and the inquiry of S-CSCF where the called party is located.

The S-CSCF is a service switching center of the IMS network and is mainly responsible for receiving and processing the registration request of the UE, user management, session control, service switching, service control, SIP message processing, charging and the like, and can trigger the SIP request to a corresponding AS according to an applied trigger principle.

In a specific implementation, the I-CSCF and the S-CSCF may be deployed on different physical devices, or may be integrated in the same physical device, without limitation. In this context, any of the S-CSCF, I-CSCF, S-CSCF and S-CSCF may be referred to by the I/S-CSCF.

IMS AS for providing various services.

IMS AGW an IMS access gateway for providing media processing capabilities.

HSS, core database for storing user information. The method is used for storing the subscription information of the IMS user in the home network, providing a management interface, and customizing and modifying the subscription data by operators and terminal users. The main information stored in the HSS includes, but is not limited to, IMS user identification, IMS user security context, IMS user routing information, service subscription information, etc. The HSS is similar to a home location register (home location register, HLR) in the global system for mobile communications (global system for mobile communications, GSM).

It will be appreciated that in practical applications, other network elements may be included in the network architecture, which is not limited by the present application.

It should be understood that the names of interfaces between the network elements in fig. 1 are only an example, and the names of interfaces in the specific implementation may be other names, which are not specifically limited by the present application. Furthermore, the names of the transmitted messages (or signaling) between the various network elements described above are also merely an example, and do not constitute any limitation on the function of the message itself.

The communication system and the scenario described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly describing the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application, and as a person of ordinary skill in the art can know, with evolution of the network architecture and occurrence of a new scenario, the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application is equally applicable to similar technical problems.

Referring to fig. 2, a method for selecting a media network element includes the following steps:

S201, terminal equipment corresponding to a user sends an INVITE message, a P-CSCF receives the INVITE message, and the INVITE message contains the identification of the user;

wherein the INVITE message is the first message in the session initiation protocol (session initiation protocol, SIP) sent by the caller to the callee, causing the callee to ring.

S202, the P-CSCF randomly selects a media network element, such as IMS-AGW1, sends an ADD request (ADD request) to the IMS-AGW1, and the IMS-AGW1 receives the ADD request;

S203, the IMS-AGW1 sends an ADD response (ADD response) to the P-CSCF, the P-CSCF receives the ADD response, and the IMS-AGW1 successfully selects;

S204, P-CSCF forwards the INVITE message to other network elements, performing subsequent procedures (not developed here)

S205, P-CSCF receives the 18X message, and determines that IMS-AGW1 can not meet the requirement of the service of the user on the media capability according to the 18X message;

wherein the 18X message is a response message defined by the SIP protocol, indicating that the request message has been received and is being processed

S206, the P-CSCF randomly selects a media network element again, such as selecting IMS-AGW2, sending an ADD request to the IMS-AGW2, and receiving the ADD request by the IMS-AGW 2;

S207, the IMS-AGW2 sends an ADD response to the P-CSCF, the P-CSCF receives the ADD response, and the IMS-AGW2 successfully selects;

It will be appreciated that if IMS-AGW2 and IMS-AGW1 are not yet able to meet the user's traffic demand for media capabilities, the P-CSCF may continue to randomly select media network elements.

S208, the selected media network elements (such as IMS-AGW1 and IMS-AGW 2) form a multi-hop media network element for providing service for the user, as shown in FIG. 2, the media data can be firstly sent to the IMS-AGW2, then sent to the IMS-AGW1, and finally sent to the terminal equipment corresponding to the user through the P-CSCF.

In the above scheme, the multi-hop media network element is formed by combining the plurality of media network elements, so that the media data need to pass through the plurality of media network elements, and more network resources and performance are consumed.

Referring to fig. 3, another method for selecting a media network element includes the following steps:

S301, terminal equipment corresponding to a user sends an INVITE message, and a P-CSCF receives the INVITE message, wherein the INVITE message contains an identifier of the user;

S302, the P-CSCF randomly selects a media network element, such as IMS-AGW1, sends an ADD request (ADD request) to the IMS-AGW1, and the IMS-AGW1 receives the ADD request;

S303, the IMS-AGW1 sends an ADD response to the P-CSCF, the P-CSCF receives the ADD response, and the IMS-AGW1 successfully selects;

S304, P-CSCF forwards the INVITE message to her other network elements, performing the subsequent procedures (not developed here)

S305, P-CSCF receives the 18X message, and determines that IMS-AGW1 can not meet the requirement of the service of the user on the media capability according to the 18X message;

the P-CSCF performs network element reselection:

S306, the P-CSCF sends a deletion request (SUB request) to the IMS-AGW1, and the P-CSCF receives the SUB request;

S307, IMS-AGW1 sends a deleting response (SUB response), P-CSCF receives SUB response, which indicates that the operation of selecting IMS-AGW1 is withdrawn;

S308, the P-CSCF randomly selects a media network element again, such as selecting IMS-AGW2, sending an ADD request to the IMS-AGW2, and receiving the ADD request by the IMS-AGW 2;

s309, the IMS-AGW2 sends an ADD response to the P-CSCF, the P-CSCF receives the ADD response, and the IMS-AGW2 successfully selects;

it will be appreciated that if IMS-AGW2 and IMS-AGW1 are not yet able to meet the user's service demand for media capabilities, then network element reselection may continue to be performed.

S310, the selected media network element provides service for the user, as shown in FIG. 3, the media data is sent to IMS-AGW2 first, and then sent to the terminal equipment corresponding to the user via P-CSCF.

In the above scheme, the random selection of the media network element can lead to the reselection of the media network element, and more network resources and performance can be consumed.

The technical scheme of the embodiment of the application is provided for solving the problem of large network resource and performance consumption caused by selecting the media network element.

Referring to fig. 4, a network element selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application may be applied to the communication system shown in fig. 1. It will be appreciated that, unless specifically stated otherwise, a "network element" in the present application may refer to the network element itself (e.g., a P-CSCF or an IMS-AS or an IMS-AGW AS shown in fig. 4), a component in the network element (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network element, and a "terminal device" in the present application may refer to the terminal device itself (e.g., a terminal device AS shown in fig. 4), a component in the terminal device (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device, where the method includes S401-S403:

S401, the terminal equipment sends a first message, and the first network element receives the first message.

Wherein the first message includes an identification of the user. It is understood that a user refers to a user to whom the terminal device corresponds, for example, the terminal device holder, typically the owner of the terminal device. The terminal device may pre-store information of one (or of course also a plurality of) users, such as the identity (or identity) of the user.

The identity of the user includes, for example, but is not limited to, an identification number of the subscriber identity module (subscriber identification module, SIM) card (e.g., integrated circuit card identification code (INTEGRATE CIRCUIT CARD IDENTITY, ICCID)), a phone number, an identification card number, and the like. In some embodiments, the identification of the user may also be an identification of the terminal device, such as a Media Access Control (MAC) address, an internet protocol (internet protocol, IP) address, etc. of the terminal device.

In one possible design, the first message may be a message for accessing a media service (or media traffic). Taking the media service as an example of a web phone, the first message may be an INVITE message.

In one possible design, the first network element may be a network element responsible for session control, such as a P-CSCF.

Alternatively, the terminal device may send the first message to the P-CSCF via at least one device or entity. For example, the terminal device sends the first message to the access network device, and the access network device forwards the first message to the P-CSCF. Of course, this is merely an example, and the path along which the actual terminal device sends the first message to the first network element is not limited thereto.

S402, the first network element determines the media capability requirement of the user according to the identification of the user.

In one possible design, the first network element stores the user identification and the user media capability requirement, and after the first network element receives the first message, the first network element queries the media capability requirement corresponding to the user identification from the local according to the user identification carried in the first message.

It can be understood that, to ensure that the first network element can locally obtain the media capability requirement corresponding to the identifier of the user, the first network element needs to obtain the media capability requirement corresponding to the user in advance, and store the identifier of the user and the media capability requirement corresponding to the user correspondingly.

In a specific implementation, the first network element may obtain the media capability requirement corresponding to the user from the second network element. For example, the first network element receives a second message from the second network element, the second message indicating a media capability requirement of the user. It is understood that the second network element is a network element providing a media service (or media traffic). For example the second network element may be an IMS-AS.

In the embodiment of the application, the media capability requirement of the user can be one media capability requirement or a plurality of media capability requirements, and the method is not limited. For example, for voice-type services, the user's media capability requirements include at least audio codec capability requirements and video codec capability requirements, for video telephony-type services, the user's media capability requirements include at least audio codec capability requirements and video codec capability requirements, and so on.

There are a number of implementations of the way in which the second message indicates the media capability requirements of the user. Illustratively, the second message may include at least one of:

(1) Media capabilities desired by the user.

I.e. each media capability the user needs is carried in the second message.

In this implementation, the first network element may directly obtain each media capability required by the user from the second message, which may reduce the processing complexity of the first network element.

(2) A set of media capabilities desired by a user.

Wherein the set of media capabilities may represent at least one media capability. The first network element obtains a media capability set required by the user, and determines each media capability required by the user according to the media capability set required by the user.

In this implementation, the second message carries the media capability set required by the user, so that the information amount of the second message can be reduced compared with the second message carrying each media capability required by the user.

(3) Index of media capabilities required by the user.

For example, 001 represents audio transcoding, 002 represents video transcoding, 003 represents MSRP capability, 004 represents WebRTC capability, and so on. It is understood that the index is merely an example and is not limited in practice.

After the first network element obtains the index of the media capability required by the user, each media capability required by the user is determined according to the index of the media capability required by the user.

The index of the media capability required by the user is carried in the second message, so that the information quantity of the second message can be reduced and transmission resources can be saved compared with the index of the media capability required by the user carried in the second message.

(4) Index of the set of media capabilities that the user needs.

For example, 001 represents audio and video transcoding, 002 represents video and MSRP capabilities, 003 represents audio and video transcoding and MSRP capabilities, and so forth. It is understood that the index is merely an example and is not limited in practice.

The first network element obtains an index of a media capability set required by the user, and determines the media capability set required by the user (or each media capability required by the user) according to the index of the media capability set required by the user.

The index of the media capability set required by the user is carried in the second message, so that the information quantity of the second message can be reduced and transmission resources can be saved relative to the index of the media capability set required by the user or the index of the media capability set required by the user carried in the second message.

Alternatively, the second message may be a SIP message, or the second message may be carried in a SIP message. For example, the second Message may specifically be (or be carried in) a SIP information (Message) Message or a SIP notify (INFO) Message, which is not limited.

The SIP message may send the media capability requirements of the user to the first network element in a manner indicated below:

And in the mode 1, carrying the index of the media capability or the media capability set or the index of the media capability set by newly adding the custom header field.

The name of the newly added header field is exemplified by P-MediaCapability-Info, which indicates that the header field is media capability information.

And 2, carrying the index of the media capability or the media capability set or the index of the media capability set through the newly added parameters of the existing header field.

An example of the name of the newly added header field parameter is Media-Capability-infos, which indicates that the parameter is Media Capability information.

And 3, carrying user-defined information in the SIP message, and carrying the media capability or the media capability set or the index of the media capability set.

An example of the name of the newly added message body information is < Media-Capability-infos >, which indicates that the message body carries Media Capability information.

Of course, the above three are merely examples, and are not limited thereto in practice.

In one possible implementation manner, the first network element may acquire the media capability requirement corresponding to the user in a process of registering the user with the second network element.

Taking the example that the first network element is a P-CSCF and the second network element is an IMS-AS, AS shown in fig. 5, the registration procedure may include the following steps:

S501, terminal equipment sends a registration message to a P-CSCF (namely a first network element), and the P-CSCF receives the registration message, wherein the registration message comprises the identification of a user;

alternatively, the terminal device may send the registration message to the P-CSCF via at least one device or entity (e.g. an access network device).

S502, the P-CSCF forwards the registration message to an IMS-AS (i.e. a second network element), and the IMS-AS receives the registration message;

Alternatively, the P-CSCF may send the registration message to the IMS-AS via at least one device or entity. AS shown in fig. 5, the P-CSCF may send the registration message to the IMS-AS via the S-CSCF.

S503, the IMS-AS sends a second message to the P-CSCF, and the P-CSCF receives the second message, wherein the second message is used for indicating the media capability requirement of the user.

Optionally, after mapping out the media capability required by the user according to the service subscription information of the user, the IMS AS sends a second message to the P-CSCF, where the second message is used to indicate the media capability requirement of the user. The service subscription information of the user may be stored locally in the IMS AS or may be stored in another network element (such AS HSS), without limitation.

Alternatively, the IMS-AS may send the second message to the P-CSCF via at least one device or entity. AS shown in fig. 5, the IMS-AS may send the second message to the P-CSCF via the I-PCSCF or S-CSCF.

And S504, the P-CSCF correspondingly stores the user and the identifier and the media capability requirement of the user.

S505, the P-CSCF may send a 200OK message to the IMS-AS indicating that the media capability requirements of the user are acknowledged.

Alternatively, the P-CSCF may send the 200OK message to the IMS-AS via at least one device or entity. AS shown in fig. 5, the P-CSCF may send a 200OK message to the IMS-AS via the S-CSCF.

According to the design mode, the first network element stores the media capability requirement of the user in advance, so that the first network element can quickly acquire the media capability requirement of the user from the local after receiving the first information.

In a possible implementation, when the media capability requirement of the user changes, the second network element may also send a change notification to the first network element. For example, when the second network element determines that the media capability requirement of the user is changed according to the service subscription information of the user, a third message is sent to the first network element, the third message is used for indicating the changed media capability requirement of the user, and after the first network element receives the third message from the second network element, the locally stored media capability requirement of the user is updated according to the third message. Thus, the accuracy of the media capability requirement of the user stored by the first network element can be ensured.

In one possible design, the first network element may obtain the media capability requirements of the user from the other network elements after receiving the first message. For example, the media capability requirement of the user is obtained from the second network element, and the specific implementation method may refer to the method flow shown in fig. 5.

According to the design mode, the first network element acquires the media capability requirement of the user from other network elements after receiving the first information, and the accuracy of the acquired media capability requirement of the user can be ensured.

S403, the first network element selects at least one media network element to provide service for the user according to the media capability requirement of the user.

Wherein the media network element may be any network element capable of providing media capabilities, including for example but not limited to IMS-AGW.

In a specific implementation, the first network element may determine, according to media capabilities of one or more media network elements and media capability requirements of a user, that at least one media network element provides services for the user from the one or more media network elements, where the determined media capabilities provided by the at least one media network element can meet the media capability requirements of the user.

In one possible implementation, the first network element may be preconfigured with media capabilities of one or more media network elements. In another possible implementation, the first network element may obtain the media capabilities of one or more media network elements from other network elements (e.g., NRFs). The embodiment of the application does not limit the mode of acquiring the media capability of the media network element by the first network element.

Further, after the first network element selects at least one media network element meeting the media capability requirement of the user, applying for the media capability required by the user to each selected media network element, so that the media network element can provide the corresponding local media capability for the user.

The first network element sends a first request to the first media network element, the first request comprises a fourth message, the fourth message is used for indicating at least one media capability needed by a user, the first request is used for applying for the at least one media capability to the first media network element, the first media network element is one of the at least one media network element, after the first request is received by the first media network element, if the first media network element confirms that the first network element can provide the at least one media capability, a first response is fed back to the first network element, and the first response fed back by the first media network element is received by the first network element and is used for indicating that the at least one media capability application is successful. Of course, if the first media network element cannot provide the media capability applied by the first network element, no response may be returned, or a response indicating that the media capability application fails may be fed back, without limitation.

In some embodiments, the process of applying the media capability from the media network element by the first network element may also be included in the step of selecting the media network element by the first network element.

In the embodiment of the application, the first network element can determine the media capability requirement of the user according to the identification of the user, and select a proper media network element for the user according to the media capability requirement of the user. Compared with the scheme of randomly selecting the media network elements, the method can avoid the problems of roundabout, multi-hop and the like of the multimedia network elements, improve the efficiency of selecting the media network elements, reduce the complexity of selecting the media network elements, and achieve the effects of reducing time delay, saving media resource overhead, reducing signaling complexity, simplifying traffic topology and the like.

It will be understood that the embodiments provided in the examples of the present application may be implemented separately or in combination with each other, and are not limited thereto.

The method provided by the embodiment of the application is described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the device provided by the embodiment of the application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Based on the same technical concept, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 500, where the device 500 includes modules or units or means (means) corresponding to the steps of the method in the embodiment of the present application, and the functions or units or means may be implemented by software, or implemented by hardware, or implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware.

For example, referring to fig. 6, an apparatus 600 may include a processing module 601 and a transceiver module 602.

Optionally, the transceiver module 602 may include a transmitting module and/or a receiving module. The sending module is configured to perform the sending operation in the method embodiment. The receiving module is configured to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiment.

It should be noted that, the communication apparatus 600 may include a transmitting module, and not include a receiving module. Or the communication device 600 may include a receiving module instead of a transmitting module. Specifically, it may be determined whether or not the above scheme executed by the communication apparatus 600 includes a transmission action and a reception action.

The processing module 601 is used for data processing. The transceiver module 602 may implement the corresponding communication functions.

Optionally, the communication device 600 may further include a storage module, where the storage module may be used to store instructions and/or data, and the processing module 601 may read the instructions and/or data in the storage module, so that the communication device 600 implements the foregoing method embodiments.

The communication device 600 may be, for example, a first network element or a component configurable to the first network element. The processing module 601 is configured to perform the operations related to the processing on the first network element side in the above method embodiment. The transceiver module 602 is configured to perform the operations related to the reception on the first network element side in the above method embodiment.

For example, the transceiver module 602 is configured to receive a first message, where the first message includes an identifier of a user, the processing module 601 is configured to determine a media capability requirement of the user according to the identifier of the user, and select at least one media network element to provide services for the user according to the media capability requirement of the user, where the media capability provided by the at least one media network element meets the media capability requirement of the user.

For example, the communication device 600 may be the second network element or a component configurable to the second network element. The processing module 601 is configured to perform the operations related to the processing on the second network element side in the above method embodiment. The transceiver module 602 is configured to perform the operations related to the reception on the second network element side in the above method embodiment.

For example, the transceiver module 602 is configured to receive a registration message from a user via a first network element, where the registration message includes an identifier of the user, and send a second message to the first network element, where the second message is used to indicate a media capability requirement of the user.

It should be understood that all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiments may be cited to the functional descriptions of the corresponding functional modules, and are not described herein.

The processing module 601 in the above embodiments may be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuits. Transceiver module 602 may be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver related circuitry. Transceiver module 602 may also be referred to as a communication module or communication interface.

Another schematic structural diagram of the communication device according to the embodiment of the present application is shown below. As shown in fig. 7, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus 700, including:

The device comprises at least one processor 701 and a communication interface 703 communicatively connected to the at least one processor 701, wherein the at least one processor 701, by executing instructions stored by a memory 702, causes the device to perform the method steps in the method embodiments described above by means of the communication interface 703.

Optionally, the memory 702 is external to the apparatus 700.

Optionally, the apparatus 700 includes the memory 702, where the memory 702 is connected to the at least one processor 701, and the memory 702 stores instructions executable by the at least one processor 701. Fig. 7 shows, in dashed lines, that memory 702 is optional for device 700.

The processor 701 and the memory 702 may be coupled through an interface circuit, or may be integrated together, which is not limited herein.

The specific connection medium between the processor 701, the memory 702, and the communication interface 703 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In the embodiment of the present application, the processor 701, the memory 702 and the communication interface 703 are connected by a bus 704 in fig. 7, where the bus is indicated by a thick line in fig. 7, and the connection manner between other components is only schematically illustrated, but not limited thereto. The buses may be classified as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is shown in fig. 7, but not only one bus or one type of bus.

The specific connection medium between the processor 701, the memory 702, and the communication interface 703 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In the embodiment of the present application, the processor 701, the memory 702 and the communication interface 703 are connected by a bus 704 in fig. 7, where the bus is indicated by a thick line in fig. 7, and the connection manner between other components is only schematically illustrated, but not limited thereto. The buses may be classified as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is shown in fig. 7, but not only one bus or one type of bus.

When the communication device 700 is a first network element, the first network element may include a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The memory may store computer program code, and the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver.

The processor is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data, controlling the first network element, executing software programs, processing data of the software programs and the like.

The memory is mainly used for storing software programs and data.

The transmitter is for transmitting signals to other network elements or devices and the receiver is for receiving signals from other network elements or devices.

When the communication device 700 is a chip in a first network element, the chip may include a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. Wherein the transceiver may be an input-output circuit or a communication interface. The processor may be an integrated processing module or microprocessor or an integrated circuit on the chip. The sending operation of the first network element in the above method embodiment may be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the first network element in the above method embodiment may be understood as the input of the chip.

When the communication device 700 is a second network element, the second network element may include a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The memory may store computer program code, and the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver.

The processor is mainly used for processing communication protocol and communication data, controlling the second network element, executing software program and processing data of the software program.

The memory is mainly used for storing software programs and data.

The transmitter is for transmitting signals to other network elements or devices and the receiver is for receiving signals from other network elements or devices.

When the communication device 700 is a chip in a second network element, the chip may include a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. Wherein the transceiver may be an input-output circuit or a communication interface. The processor may be an integrated processing module or microprocessor or an integrated circuit on the chip. The sending operation of the second network element in the above method embodiment may be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the second network element in the above method embodiment may be understood as the input of the chip.

It should be understood that the processors mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by hardware or may be implemented by software. When implemented in hardware, the processor may be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or the like. When implemented in software, the processor may be a general purpose processor, implemented by reading software code stored in a memory.

By way of example, the Processor may be a central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, CPU), but may also be other general purpose processors, digital signal processors (DIGITAL SIGNAL Processor, DSP), application SPECIFIC INTEGRATED Circuit (ASIC), off-the-shelf programmable gate array (Field Programmable GATE ARRAY, FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware components, or the like. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

It should be understood that the memory referred to in embodiments of the present application may be volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile Memory may be a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable EPROM (EEPROM), or a flash Memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM) which acts as external cache memory. By way of example, and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (STATIC RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DYNAMIC RAM, DRAM), synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), double data rate Synchronous dynamic random access memory (Double DATA EATE SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced Synchronous dynamic random access memory (ENHANCED SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SYNCHLINK DRAM, SLDRAM), and Direct memory bus RAM (DR RAM).

It should be noted that when the processor is a general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware components, the memory (storage module) may be integrated into the processor.

It should be noted that the memory described herein is intended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

Based on the same technical idea, the embodiments of the present application also provide a computer-readable storage medium including a program or instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the method in the above-described method embodiments to be performed.

Based on the same technical idea, an embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the method in the above-described method embodiment to be performed.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present application may be provided as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present application may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present application may take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, and the like) having computer-usable program code embodied therein.

The present application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to the application. It will be understood that each flow and/or block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of flows and/or blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

Claims (21)

1. A network element selection method, applied to a first network element, the method comprising:

Receiving a first message, wherein the first message comprises an identification of a user;

Determining media capability requirements of the user according to the identification of the user;

and selecting at least one media network element to provide services for the user according to the media capability requirement of the user, wherein the media capability provided by the at least one media network element meets the media capability requirement of the user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to said receiving the first message:

receiving a second message from a second network element, the second message being used to indicate media capability requirements of the user;

and correspondingly storing the media capability requirement of the user and the identification of the user.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second message comprises at least one of:

media capabilities required by the user;

a media capability set required by the user;

An index of media capabilities required by the user;

Index of the set of media capabilities required by the user.

4. A method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second message is carried in a session initiation protocol, SIP, message.

5. The method according to any of claims 2-4, further comprising, prior to said receiving the second message from the second network element:

Receiving a registration message from the user, wherein the registration message comprises the identification of the user;

forwarding the registration message to the second network element.

6. The method of any one of claims 2-5, wherein the method further comprises:

Receiving a third message from the second network element, the third message being for indicating a media capability requirement of the user change;

And updating the media capability requirement of the user according to the third message.

7. The method according to any of claims 1-6, wherein said selecting at least one media network element to serve said user according to the media capability requirements of said user comprises:

Selecting the at least one media network element to serve the user according to the media capability of one or more preconfigured media network elements, the media capability requirement of the user, wherein the one or more media network elements comprise the at least one media network element, or

And selecting the at least one media network element to provide services for the user according to the media capabilities of the one or more media network elements and the media capability requirements of the user, wherein the one or more media network elements comprise the at least one media network element.

8. The method of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the method further comprises:

Sending a first request to a first media network element, wherein the first request comprises a fourth message, the fourth message is used for indicating at least one media capability required by the user, the first request is used for applying the at least one media capability to the first media network element, and the first media network element is one of the at least one media network element;

and receiving a first response fed back by the first media network element, wherein the first response is used for indicating that the at least one media capability application is successful.

9. A method according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the first network element is a proxy-call session control function, P-CSCF, network element.

10. A method according to any of claims 2-6, wherein the second network element is an internet protocol multimedia subsystem, IMS, application server, AS.

11. The method according to any of claims 1-10, wherein the media network element is an internet protocol multimedia subsystem, access gateway, IMS-AGW.

12. A network element selection method, applied to a second network element, the method comprising:

Receiving a registration message from a user via a first network element, wherein the registration message comprises an identification of the user;

And sending a second message to the first network element, wherein the second message is used for indicating the media capability requirement of the user.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein,

The second message includes at least one of:

media capabilities required by the user;

a media capability set required by the user;

An index of media capabilities required by the user;

Index of the set of media capabilities required by the user.

14. A method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the second message is carried in a session initiation protocol, SIP, message.

15. The method of any one of claims 12-14, further comprising:

and sending a third message to the first network element, wherein the third message is used for indicating the changed media capability requirement of the user.

16. A method according to any of claims 12-15, wherein the first network element is a proxy-call session control function, P-CSCF, network element.

17. A method according to any of claims 12-16, wherein the second network element is an internet protocol-multimedia subsystem, IMS, application server, AS.

18. A communication device comprising means for performing the method of any of claims 1-11 or means for performing the method of any of claims 12-16.

19. A communication device comprising a processor and interface circuitry, the interface circuitry being electrically coupled to the processor, the processor causing, by logic circuitry or execution of code instructions, the method of any one of claims 1-11 to be performed or the method of any one of claims 12-16 to be performed.

20. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that the storage medium has stored therein a computer program or instructions, which when executed, cause the method of any of claims 1-11 to be performed or the method of any of claims 12-16 to be performed.

21. A communication system, comprising:

A first network element for performing the method of any of claims 1-11;

A second network element for performing the method of any of claims 12-16.