Method, equipment and system for releasing relay connection

文档序号：410804 发布日期：2021-12-17 浏览：15次中文

阅读说明：本技术 一种释放中继连接的方法、设备及系统 (Method, equipment and system for releasing relay connection ) 是由许胜锋杨艳梅于 2020-06-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请公开了一种释放中继连接的方法、设备及系统,涉及通信技术领域,能够在远端用户设备(user equipment,UE)和/或中继UE的签约或授权信息有改变时及时做出反应,提高网络侧对中继连接管控的准确性和收费的准确性等问题。本申请中,第一网元在确定远端UE和/或中继UE的签约或授权信息有改变时,可以及时指示释放远端UE或中继UE对应的中继连接,或释放远端UE和中继UE之间的中继服务对应的中继连接。通过根据远端UE和/或中继UE的业务签约信息及时做出反应,可以提高网络侧对中继连接管控的准确性和收费的准确性等问题。(The application discloses a method, equipment and a system for releasing relay connection, which relate to the technical field of communication and can timely react when the subscription or authorization information of remote User Equipment (UE) and/or relay UE is changed, so that the problems of accuracy of relay connection management and control and charging accuracy and the like on a network side are improved. In this application, when determining that the subscription or authorization information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE changes, the first network element may timely instruct to release the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE or the relay UE, or release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE and the relay UE. The method and the device can improve the accuracy of the network side in controlling the relay connection and the accuracy of charging and the like by reacting in time according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE.)

1. A method for releasing a relay connection, the method comprising:

a first network element obtains the relay service subscription information of first User Equipment (UE);

the first network element sends first information according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE;

the first information is used for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the first UE, or releasing the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein when the first information is used to release the relay connection corresponding to the first UE, the first information is first relay service authorization revocation information or first relay connection release information;

the first relay service authorization revocation information is used for indicating that the first UE is revoked to be authorized to serve as relay UE or remote UE;

the first relay connection release information is used for indicating to release the relay connection corresponding to the first UE.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first UE is a relay UE, and the first network element sends the first information according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE, including:

when the relay service subscription information of the first UE is changed from the identification information of the remote UE which is allowed to provide the relay service of the first UE to the identification information of the remote UE which is not allowed to provide the relay service of the first UE, the first network element sends the first information; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

when the first network element determines that the first UE is not allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE from the relay service provision permission for the remote UE according to the relay service subscription information, the first network element sends the first information;

the first information is used for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the first UE.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first UE is a remote UE, and the first network element sends the first information according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE, including:

when the relay service subscription information of the first UE is changed from the identification information of the relay UE of which the first UE is allowed to receive the relay service to the identification information of the relay UE of which the first UE is allowed to receive the relay service, the first network element sends the first information; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

when the first network element determines that the first UE is changed from being allowed to receive the relay service to not being allowed to receive the relay service according to the relay service subscription information, the first network element sends the first information;

the first information is used for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the first UE.

5. The method of claim 1,

when the first information is used for releasing relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE, the first information is second relay service authorization revocation information or second relay connection release information;

wherein the second relay service authorization revocation information is used for indicating that the first UE is revoked to provide the relay service for the second UE, or the first UE is revoked to accept the relay service provided by the second UE; the second relay connection release information is used for indicating release of relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE.

6. The method of claim 1 or 5, wherein the first UE is a relay UE, and the first network element sends the first information according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE, comprising:

when the relay service subscription information of the first UE is changed from the identification information of the remote UE which is allowed to provide the relay service and comprises the identification information of the second UE to the identification information of the remote UE which is not allowed to provide the relay service, the first network element sends the first information; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

when the identification information of the remote UE, which is allowed to provide the relay service, of the first UE in the relay service subscription information of the first UE is changed from the identification information of the second UE to the identification information of the second UE, the first network element sends the first information; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

when the first network element determines that the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE to be not allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE, the first network element sends the first information;

the first information is used for releasing relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE.

7. The method of claim 1 or 5, wherein the first UE is a remote UE, and the first network element sends the first information according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE, including:

when the relay service subscription information of the first UE is changed from the identification information of the relay UE which is allowed to receive the relay service and comprises the identification information of the second UE to the identification information of the relay UE which is not allowed to receive the relay service, the first network element sends the first information; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

when the identification information of the relay UE, which is allowed to receive the relay service, of the first UE in the relay service subscription information of the first UE is changed from the identification information of the second UE to the identification information of the second UE, the first network element sends the first information; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

when the first network element determines that the first UE is not allowed to accept the relay service provided by the second UE from the relay service subscription information of the first UE, the first network element sends the first information;

the first information is used for releasing relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE.

8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein the first information comprises identification information of the second UE.

9. The method according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the first network element sending the first information comprises:

and the first network element sends the first information to access network equipment, the first UE or a Session Management Function (SMF) network element of the first UE.

10. The method according to any of claims 1-9, wherein said first network element is an access and mobility management function, AMF, network element or a policy control function, PCF, network element.

11. The method according to any of claims 1-10, wherein the first information comprises a relay connection release cause value, and wherein the relay connection release cause value is used to characterize a cause of the relay connection release.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the reason for the release of the relay connection comprises: the relay service subscription information of the first UE changes.

13. A method for releasing a relay connection, the method comprising:

the access network equipment receives second information, wherein the second information is used for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the first user equipment UE;

and the access network equipment releases the relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the second information.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second information is first relay service authorization revocation information or first relay connection release information;

the first relay service authorization revocation information is used for indicating that the first UE is revoked to be authorized to serve as relay UE or remote UE;

the first relay connection release information is used for indicating to release the relay connection corresponding to the first UE.

15. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein the receiving, by the access network device, the second information comprises:

the access network device receives the second information from a first network element, where the first network element is a Policy Control Function (PCF) network element of the first UE or an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element of the first UE; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

the access network device receives the second information from the first UE.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the first UE is a relay UE, and the access network device releases the relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the second information, including:

and the access network equipment releases communication resources used for the relay connection between the first UE and the access network equipment according to the second information.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the access network device releases the relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the second information, further comprising:

and the access network equipment releases communication resources used for the relay connection between the first UE and the remote UE according to the second information.

18. The method according to any of claims 13-15, wherein the first UE is a remote UE, and the access network device releases the relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the second information, including:

the access network equipment releases at least one of the following resources according to the second information:

communication resources used by the access network device for the relay connection;

communication resources between the first UE and a relay UE for the relay connection.

19. The method according to any of claims 13-18, wherein the second information comprises a relay connection release cause value, the relay connection release cause value being used to characterize a cause of the relay connection release;

wherein the reason for the relay connection release includes: the relay service subscription information of the first UE changes.

20. A method for releasing a relay connection, the method comprising:

the first User Equipment (UE) receives the second information; the second information is used for releasing relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE;

and the first UE releases the relay connection according to the second information.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first UE receives the second information, comprising:

the first UE receives the second information from a second network element;

and the second network element is an access network device or an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element of the first UE.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the second information is second relay service authorization revocation information or second relay connection release information;

the second relay service authorization revocation information is used for indicating that the first UE is revoked to provide the relay service for the second UE, or the first UE is revoked to receive the relay service provided by the second UE;

the second relay connection release information is used for indicating release of relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE.

23. The method of any of claims 20-22, wherein the first UE is a relay UE, wherein the second UE is a remote UE that accepts the first UE to provide relay service, and wherein the first UE releases the relay connection according to the second information, comprising:

the first UE sends third information to the access network equipment according to the second information; wherein the third information is used for releasing communication resources used for the relay connection between the first UE and the access network equipment; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

and the first UE sends fourth information to an AMF network element of the first UE according to the second information, wherein the fourth information is used for deleting the context of the second UE in a PDU session for providing relay service by the first UE.

24. The method of any of claims 20-22, wherein the first UE is a remote UE and the second UE is a relay UE that provides relay service for the first UE; the first UE releases the relay connection according to the second information, and the method comprises the following steps:

the first UE sends fifth information to the access network equipment according to the second information;

wherein the fifth information is used for releasing communication resources used by the access network device for the relay connection.

25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, further comprising:

the first UE sends sixth information to the second UE according to the second information; the sixth information is used for releasing communication resources used for the relay connection between the first UE and the second UE.

26. The method of any of claims 20-25, wherein the second information comprises identity information of the second UE.

27. The method according to any of claims 20-26, wherein the second information comprises a relay connection release cause value, the relay connection release cause value being used to characterize a cause of the relay connection release;

wherein the reason for the relay connection release includes: the relay service subscription information of the first UE changes.

28. A communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory for storing a computer program;

a processor for executing the computer program to implement the method of any one of claims 1-12.

29. A communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory for storing a computer program;

a processor for executing the computer program to implement the method of any one of claims 13-19.

30. A communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory for storing a computer program;

a processor for executing the computer program to implement the method of any one of claims 20-27.

31. A communication system, the communication system comprising:

the communications device of claim 28; and the combination of (a) and (b),

the communications apparatus of claim 29.

32. The communication system of claim 31, further comprising:

the communications apparatus of claim 30.

33. A computer-readable storage medium, having computer program code stored thereon, which, when executed by processing circuitry, implements the method of any of claims 1-27.

34. A chip system, comprising a processing circuit, a storage medium having computer program code stored therein; the computer program code realizing the method of any of claims 1-27 when executed by the processing circuit.

Technical Field

The embodiment of the application relates to the technical field of communication, in particular to a method, equipment and a system for releasing relay connection.

Background

With the wide use of intelligent terminals, proximity service (ProSe) communication is more and more widely used in order to improve spectrum utilization, system throughput, increase network coverage, and the like. For example, when the UE1 is out of network coverage or a communication connection with a Radio Access Network (RAN) is unstable, the UE1 may implement communication with the network side through the UE2 having the relay capability. By establishing a communication mode from the remote UE and the relay UE to the network side, the communication between the UE (such as UE 1) out of the network coverage and the network side can be expanded and supported.

As shown in fig. 1, in a fifth Generation mobile communication technology (5th-Generation, 5G) communication system architecture, a remote UE can access a network through a relay UE. The remote UE and the relay UE may communicate via a PC5 interface (ProSe Communication 5), for example, data plane and control plane information transmission via a PC5 interface. Typically, the network needs to authorize the remote UE to access the network through the relay UE. For example, on the premise that UE1 is allowed to use UE2 as a relay device to transmit traffic data, and UE2 is allowed to provide a relay service for UE1, UE1 can establish a relay connection with UE2 to access the network. In this case, UE1 may also be referred to as a remote UE (remote UE), and UE2 may also be referred to as a relay UE (relay UE).

However, after the remote UE and the relay UE have established the relay connection, if the subscription or authorization information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE changes, for example, the subscription of the UE1 using the UE2 as the relay device for transmitting the service data expires, the subscription of the UE2 for providing the relay service for the UE1 expires, or the subscription of the UE2 for providing the relay service expires, the remote UE and the relay UE cannot respond in time. This may lead to inaccurate control and charging of the relay connection by the network side.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a method, equipment and a system for releasing relay connection, which can respond in time when the subscription or authorization information of remote UE and/or relay UE changes, and improve the accuracy of the network side in controlling the relay connection and the accuracy of charging.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the embodiment of the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

in a first aspect, a method for releasing a relay connection is provided, where the method includes: a first network element obtains the relay service subscription information of a first UE; the first network element sends first information according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE; the first information is used for releasing relay connection corresponding to the first UE, or releasing relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE.

In the technical solution provided in the first aspect, when determining that the subscription or authorization information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE changes according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE, the first network element may timely instruct to release the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE or the relay UE, or release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE and the relay UE. The method and the device can improve the accuracy of the network side in controlling the relay connection and the accuracy of charging and the like by reacting in time according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE.

In a possible implementation manner, when the first information is used to release the relay connection corresponding to the first UE, the first information is first relay service authorization revocation information or first relay connection release information; the first relay service authorization revocation information is used for indicating that the first UE is revoked to be authorized to serve as the relay UE or the remote UE; the first relay connection release information is used for indicating release of the relay connection corresponding to the first UE. The method and the device support that the first network element releases the relay connection corresponding to the first UE through the first relay service authorization revocation information or the first relay connection release information indication.

In a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned first UE is a relay UE, and the sending, by the first network element, the first information according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE includes: when the relay service subscription information of the first UE is changed from the identification information of the remote UE which is allowed to provide the relay service of the first UE to the identification information of the remote UE which is not allowed to provide the relay service of the first UE, the first network element sends first information; or, when the first network element determines that the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE to change from being allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE to not being allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE according to the relay service subscription information, the first network element sends the first information. The first information is used for releasing relay connection corresponding to the first UE. In this application, the specific form of the relay service subscription information of the first UE is not limited. For example, the relay service subscription information of the first UE may include identification information of remote UEs that the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service. Or, the relay service subscription information of the first UE may also be in other forms that can reflect whether the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE.

In a possible implementation manner, when the first information is used to release a relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE, the first information is second relay service authorization revocation information or second relay connection release information; the second relay service authorization revocation information is used for indicating that the first UE is authorized to be revoked to provide the relay service for the second UE, or the first UE is authorized to be revoked to receive the relay service provided by the second UE; the second relay connection release information is used for indicating release of a relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE. The method and the device support that the first network releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE through the second relay service authorization revocation information or the second relay connection release information.

In a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned first UE is a relay UE, and the sending, by the first network element, the first information according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE includes: when the relay service subscription information of the first UE is changed from the identification information of the remote UE which is allowed to provide the relay service and comprises the identification information of the second UE to the identification information of the remote UE which is not allowed to provide the relay service, the first network element sends the first information; or, when the identification information of the remote UE, in the relay service subscription information of the first UE, of which the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service is changed from including the identification information of the second UE to not including the identification information of the second UE, the first network element sends the first information; or when the first network element determines that the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE to be changed into the relay service which is not allowed to be provided for the second UE according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE, the first network element sends the first information; the first information is used for releasing relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE. In this application, the specific form of the relay service subscription information of the first UE is not limited. For example, the relay service subscription information of the first UE may include identification information of remote UEs that the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service. For another example, the relay service subscription information of the first UE may include identification information of whether the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE. Alternatively, the relay service subscription information of the first UE may also be in other forms that can reflect whether the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned first UE is a remote UE, and the sending, by the first network element, the first information according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE includes: when the relay service subscription information of the first UE is changed from the identification information of the relay UE which is allowed to receive the relay service and comprises the identification information of the second UE to the identification information of the relay UE which is not allowed to receive the relay service, the first network element sends first information; or, when the identification information of the relay UE, of which the first UE is allowed to receive the relay service, in the relay service subscription information of the first UE is changed from the identification information of the second UE to the identification information of the second UE, the first network element sends the first information; or when the first network element determines that the first UE is not allowed to accept the relay service provided by the second UE from the relay service subscription information of the first UE, the first network element sends the first information; the first information is used for releasing relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE. In this application, the specific form of the relay service subscription information of the first UE is not limited. For example, the relay service subscription information of the first UE may include identification information of relay UEs that the first UE is allowed to accept the relay service. For another example, the relay service subscription information of the first UE may include identification information of whether the first UE is allowed to accept the relay service provided by the second UE. Or, the relay service subscription information of the first UE may also be in other forms that can show whether the first UE is allowed to accept the relay service provided by the second UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the first information includes identification information of the second UE. By carrying the identification information of the second UE in the first information, the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and which second UE is released is conveniently and accurately determined.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending, by the first network element, the first information includes: the first network element sends the first information to an access network device, the first UE, or a Session Management Function (SMF) network element of the first UE. The method and the device support that the relay connection corresponding to the first UE or the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE is released through the access network equipment, the first UE or the SMF network element of the first UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the first network element is an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element or a Policy Control Function (PCF) network element. The method and the device support the AMF network element or the PCF network element to release the relay connection corresponding to the first UE or release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE according to the relay service subscription information indication of the first UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the first information includes a relay connection release cause value, and the relay connection release cause value is used for characterizing a reason for relay connection release.

In a possible implementation manner, the reason for the release of the relay connection includes: the relay service subscription information of the first UE changes.

In a second aspect, a method for releasing a relay connection is provided, the method comprising: the access network equipment receives second information used for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the first UE; and the access network equipment releases the relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the second information.

In the technical solution provided in the second aspect, the access network device releases the relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the received second information for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the first UE. For example, the second information may be sent by the first network element to the access network device when it is determined that the subscription or authorization information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE is changed according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE, or sent to the access network device through another network element. The method and the device can improve the accuracy of the network side in controlling the relay connection and the accuracy of charging and the like by reacting in time according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the second information is first relay service authorization revocation information or first relay connection release information; the first relay service authorization revocation information is used for indicating that the first UE is revoked to be authorized to serve as the relay UE or the remote UE; the first relay connection release information is used for indicating release of the relay connection corresponding to the first UE. The method and the device support that the network element instructs the access network equipment to release the relay connection corresponding to the first UE through the first relay service authorization revocation information or the first relay connection release information.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving, by the access network device, the second information includes: the access network equipment receives second information from a first network element, wherein the first network element is a PCF network element of the first UE or an AMF network element of the first UE; alternatively, the access network device receives the second information from the first UE. The method and the device support the access network equipment to release the relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the first information from the first network element, the PCF network element of the first UE, the AMF network element of the first UE or the second information of the first UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned first UE is a relay UE, and the access network device releases a relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the second information, including: and the access network equipment releases communication resources used for relay connection between the first UE and the access network equipment according to the second information. In this application, the relay connection corresponding to the first UE may include a communication resource for the relay connection between the first UE and the access network device.

In a possible implementation manner, the foregoing access network device releases the relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the second information, further including: and the access network equipment releases communication resources used for relay connection between the first UE and the remote UE according to the second information. In this application, the relay connection corresponding to the first UE may further include a communication resource used for the relay connection between the relay UE and the remote UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned first UE is a remote UE, and the access network device releases a relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the second information, including: the access network equipment releases at least one of the following resources according to the second information: the access network equipment is used for relaying the communication resources of the connection; and communication resources used for relay connection between the first UE and the relay UE. In this application, the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE may include communication resources used by the access network device for the relay connection and/or communication resources used between the remote UE and the relay UE for the relay connection.

In a possible implementation manner, the second information includes a relay connection release cause value, where the relay connection release cause value is used to characterize a cause of relay connection release; the reason for the relay connection release includes: the relay service subscription information of the first UE changes.

In a third aspect, a method for releasing a relay connection is provided, where the method includes: the first UE receives second information used for releasing relay connection corresponding to relay service between the first UE and the second UE; and the first UE releases the relay connection according to the second information.

In the technical solution provided in the third aspect, the first UE releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE according to the received second information for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE. For example, the second information may be sent by the first network element to the first UE when it is determined that the subscription or authorization information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE is changed according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE, or sent to the first UE through another network element. The method and the device can improve the accuracy of the network side in controlling the relay connection and the accuracy of charging and the like by reacting in time according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving, by the first UE, the second information includes: the first UE receives second information from a second network element; and the second network element is access network equipment or an AMF network element of the first UE. The method and the device support the first UE to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE according to the second information from the access network equipment or the AMF network element of the first UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the second information is second relay service authorization revocation information or second relay connection release information; the second relay service authorization revocation information is used for indicating that the first UE is authorized to be revoked to provide the relay service for the second UE, or the first UE is authorized to be revoked to receive the relay service provided by the second UE; the second relay connection release information is used for indicating release of a relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE. The method and the device support the first UE to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE according to the second relay service authorization revocation information or the second relay connection release information.

In a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned first UE is a relay UE, the second UE is a remote UE that receives the relay service provided by the first UE, and the first UE releases the relay connection according to the second information, including: the first UE sends third information for releasing communication resources used for relay connection between the first UE and the access network equipment to the access network equipment according to the second information; or, the first UE sends, to an AMF network element of the first UE, fourth information for deleting a context of the second UE in a Packet Data Unit (PDU) session in which the first UE provides the relay service, according to the second information. The method and the device support the relay UE to request the access network equipment or the AMF network element of the relay UE to delete the context of the remote UE in the PDU session of the relay UE providing the relay service according to the second information.

In a possible implementation manner, the first UE is a remote UE, and the second UE is a relay UE providing a relay service for the first UE; the first UE releases the relay connection according to the second information, and the method comprises the following steps: and the first UE sends fifth information for releasing the communication resources used for the relay connection by the access network equipment to the access network equipment according to the second information. The method and the device support that the remote UE requests the access network equipment to release the communication resources used for the relay connection of the access network equipment according to the second information.

In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: and the first UE sends sixth information for releasing the communication resource for the relay connection between the first UE and the second UE to the second UE according to the second information. The method and the device also support that the remote UE requests the relay UE to release the communication resource used for the relay connection between the first UE and the second UE, or the relay UE indicates the remote UE to release the communication resource used for the relay connection between the first UE and the second UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the second information includes identification information of the second UE. By carrying the identification information of the second UE in the second information, it is convenient to accurately determine which second UE the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE is released.

In a fourth aspect, a method for releasing a relay connection is provided, the method comprising: the access network equipment receives second information used for releasing relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE; and the access network equipment releases the relay connection according to the second information.

In the technical solution provided in the fourth aspect, the access network device releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE according to the received second information used for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE. For example, the second information may be sent by the first network element to the access network device when it is determined that the subscription or authorization information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE is changed according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE, or sent to the access network device through another network element. The method and the device can improve the accuracy of the network side in controlling the relay connection and the accuracy of charging and the like by reacting in time according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving, by the access network device, the second information includes: the access network equipment receives second information from a first network element, wherein the first network element is a PCF network element of the first UE or an AMF network element of the first UE; alternatively, the access network device receives the second information from the first UE or the second UE. The method and the device support the access network equipment to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE according to the second information from the first network element, the PCF network element of the first UE, the AMF network element of the first UE, and the first UE or the second UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the above first UE is a relay UE, and the access network device releases the relay connection according to the second information, including: the access network equipment releases at least one of the following resources according to the second information: communication resources for relay connection between the first UE and the access network device; communication resources for a relay connection between the first UE and the second UE. In this application, the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE may include a communication resource for the relay connection between the relay UE and the access network device and/or a communication resource for the relay connection between the remote UE and the relay UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the above first UE is a remote UE, and the access network device releases the relay connection according to the second information, including: the access network equipment releases at least one of the following resources according to the second information: the access network equipment is used for relaying the communication resources of the connection; communication resources for a relay connection between the first UE and the second UE. In this application, the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE may include communication resources used by the access network device for relay connection and/or communication resources used by the remote UE and the relay UE for relay connection.

In a fifth aspect, a method for releasing a relay connection is provided, the method comprising: the first UE receives second information used for releasing relay connection corresponding to the first UE; and the first UE releases the relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the second information.

In the technical solution provided in the fifth aspect, the first UE releases the relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the received second information for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the first UE. For example, the second information may be sent by the first network element to the first UE when it is determined that the subscription or authorization information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE is changed according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE, or sent to the first UE through another network element. The method and the device can improve the accuracy of the network side in controlling the relay connection and the accuracy of charging and the like by reacting in time according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned first UE is a relay UE, and the first UE releases a relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the second information, including: the first UE sends third information used for releasing communication resources used for the relay connection between the first UE and the access network equipment to the access network equipment according to the second information; or, the first UE sends, to the AMF network element of the first UE, fourth information for releasing the PDU session used by the first UE for providing the relay service according to the second information. The method and the device support that the relay UE requests the access network equipment to release the communication resource used for the relay connection between the first UE and the access network equipment according to the second information, or requests the AMF network element of the relay UE to release the PDU session used for providing the relay service for the first UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned first UE is a remote UE, and the first UE releases a relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the second information, including: and the first UE sends fifth information for releasing the communication resources used for the relay connection by the access network equipment to the access network equipment according to the second information. The method and the device support that the remote UE requests the access network equipment to release the communication resources used for the relay connection of the access network equipment according to the second information.

In a sixth aspect, there is provided a first network element, comprising: an information obtaining unit, configured to obtain relay service subscription information of a first UE; the processing unit is used for sending first information through the transceiving unit according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE; the first information is used for releasing relay connection corresponding to the first UE, or releasing relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE.

In the technical solution provided in the sixth aspect, when determining that the subscription or authorization information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE changes according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE, the first network element may timely instruct to release the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE or the relay UE, or release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE and the relay UE. The method and the device can improve the accuracy of the network side in controlling the relay connection and the accuracy of charging and the like by reacting in time according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned first UE is a relay UE, and the sending, by the processing unit, the first information according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE through the transceiver unit includes: when the relay service subscription information of the first UE is changed from the identification information of the remote UE which is allowed to provide the relay service and comprises the identification information of the second UE to the identification information of the remote UE which is not allowed to provide the relay service, the processing unit sends the first information through the transceiver unit; or, when the identification information of the remote UE, in the relay service subscription information of the first UE, for which the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service is changed from including the identification information of the second UE to not including the identification information of the second UE, the processing unit transmits the first information through the transceiving unit; or, when the processing unit determines that the first UE is changed from being allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE to not being allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE, the first information is transmitted through the transceiver unit; the first information is used for releasing relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE. In this application, the specific form of the relay service subscription information of the first UE is not limited. For example, the relay service subscription information of the first UE may include identification information of remote UEs that the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service. For another example, the relay service subscription information of the first UE may include identification information of whether the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE. Alternatively, the relay service subscription information of the first UE may also be in other forms that can reflect whether the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE.

In a possible implementation manner, where the first UE is a remote UE, and the sending, by the processing unit, the first information through the transceiver unit according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE includes: when the relay service subscription information of the first UE is changed from the identification information of the relay UE which comprises the first UE and is allowed to receive the relay service, wherein the identification information of the relay UE comprises the identification information of the second UE, to the identification information of the relay UE which does not comprise the first UE and is allowed to receive the relay service, the processing unit sends the first information through the transceiver unit; or, when the identification information of the relay UE, of which the first UE is allowed to receive the relay service, in the relay service subscription information of the first UE is changed from the identification information of the second UE to the identification information of the second UE, the first network element sends the first information; or, when the processing unit determines that the first UE is changed from being allowed to accept the relay service provided by the second UE to not being allowed to accept the relay service provided by the second UE according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE, the processing unit transmits the first information through the transceiver unit; the first information is used for releasing relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE. In this application, the specific form of the relay service subscription information of the first UE is not limited. For example, the relay service subscription information of the first UE may include identification information of relay UEs that the first UE is allowed to accept the relay service. For another example, the relay service subscription information of the first UE may include identification information of whether the first UE is allowed to accept the relay service provided by the second UE. Or, the relay service subscription information of the first UE may also be in other forms that can show whether the first UE is allowed to accept the relay service provided by the second UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending, by the processing unit, the first information through the transceiver unit includes: and the processing unit sends the first information to the access network equipment, the first UE or the SMF network element of the first UE through the transceiving unit. The method and the device support that the relay connection corresponding to the first UE or the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE is released through the access network equipment, the first UE or the SMF network element of the first UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the first network element is an AMF network element or a PCF network element. The method and the device support the AMF network element or the PCF network element to release the relay connection corresponding to the first UE or release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE according to the relay service subscription information indication of the first UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the reason for the release of the relay connection includes: the relay service subscription information of the first UE changes.

In a seventh aspect, an access network device is provided, where the access network device includes: a transceiver unit, configured to receive second information used for releasing a relay connection corresponding to a first UE; and the processing unit is used for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the second information.

In the technical solution provided in the seventh aspect, the access network device releases the relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the received second information for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the first UE. For example, the second information may be sent by the first network element to the access network device when it is determined that the subscription or authorization information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE is changed according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE, or sent to the access network device through another network element. The method and the device can improve the accuracy of the network side in controlling the relay connection and the accuracy of charging and the like by reacting in time according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving and sending unit receives the second information, and includes: the receiving and sending unit receives second information from a first network element, wherein the first network element is a PCF network element of the first UE or an AMF network element of the first UE; alternatively, the access network device receives the second information from the first UE. The method and the device support the access network equipment to release the relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the first information from the first network element, the PCF network element of the first UE, the AMF network element of the first UE or the second information of the first UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit releases the relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the second information, further including: and the processing unit releases communication resources used for relay connection between the first UE and the remote UE according to the second information. In this application, the relay connection corresponding to the first UE may further include a communication resource used for the relay connection between the relay UE and the remote UE.

In a possible implementation manner, where the first UE is a remote UE, and the processing unit releases a relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the second information, including: the processing unit releases at least one of the following resources according to the second information: the access network equipment is used for relaying the communication resources of the connection; and communication resources used for relay connection between the first UE and the relay UE. In this application, the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE may include communication resources used by the access network device for the relay connection and/or communication resources used between the remote UE and the relay UE for the relay connection.

In an eighth aspect, a first UE is provided, the first UE comprising: a transceiver unit, configured to receive second information used for releasing a relay connection corresponding to a relay service between a first UE and a second UE; and the processing unit is used for releasing the relay connection according to the second information.

In the technical solution provided in the above eighth aspect, the first UE releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE according to the received second information for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE. For example, the second information may be sent by the first network element to the first UE when it is determined that the subscription or authorization information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE is changed according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE, or sent to the first UE through another network element. The method and the device can improve the accuracy of the network side in controlling the relay connection and the accuracy of charging and the like by reacting in time according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving and sending unit receives the second information, and includes: the receiving and sending unit receives second information from a second network element; and the second network element is access network equipment or an AMF network element of the first UE. The method and the device support the first UE to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE according to the second information from the access network equipment or the AMF network element of the first UE.

In a possible implementation manner, where the first UE is a relay UE, the second UE is a remote UE that receives the relay service provided by the first UE, and the processing unit releases the relay connection according to the second information, including: the processing unit sends third information for releasing communication resources for relay connection between the first UE and the access network equipment to the access network equipment through the transceiving unit according to the second information; or, the processing unit sends, according to the second information, fourth information for deleting a context of the second UE in the PDU session in which the first UE provides the relay service to the AMF network element of the first UE through the transceiver unit. The method and the device support the relay UE to request the access network equipment or the AMF network element of the relay UE to delete the context of the remote UE in the PDU session of the relay UE providing the relay service according to the second information.

In a possible implementation manner, the first UE is a remote UE, and the second UE is a relay UE providing a relay service for the first UE; the processing unit releases the relay connection according to the second information, and the method comprises the following steps: and the processing unit sends fifth information for releasing the communication resource used for the relay connection by the access network equipment to the access network equipment through the transceiving unit according to the second information. The method and the device support that the remote UE requests the access network equipment to release the communication resources used for the relay connection of the access network equipment according to the second information.

In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to send, to the second UE, sixth information for releasing a communication resource for the relay connection between the first UE and the second UE through the transceiver unit according to the second information. The method and the device also support that the remote UE requests the relay UE to release the communication resource used for the relay connection between the first UE and the second UE, or the relay UE indicates the remote UE to release the communication resource used for the relay connection between the first UE and the second UE.

In a ninth aspect, an access network device is provided, which includes: a transceiver unit, configured to receive second information used for releasing a relay connection corresponding to a relay service between a first UE and a second UE; and the processing unit is used for releasing the relay connection according to the second information.

In the technical solution provided by the ninth aspect, the access network device releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE according to the received second information for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE. For example, the second information may be sent by the first network element to the access network device when it is determined that the subscription or authorization information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE is changed according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE, or sent to the access network device through another network element. The method and the device can improve the accuracy of the network side in controlling the relay connection and the accuracy of charging and the like by reacting in time according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving and sending unit receives the second information, and includes: the receiving and sending unit receives second information from a first network element, wherein the first network element is a PCF network element of the first UE or an AMF network element of the first UE; alternatively, the access network device receives the second information from the first UE or the second UE. The method and the device support the access network equipment to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE according to the second information from the first network element, the PCF network element of the first UE, the AMF network element of the first UE, and the first UE or the second UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the above first UE is a relay UE, and the processing unit releases the relay connection according to the second information, including: the processing unit releases at least one of the following resources according to the second information: communication resources for relay connection between the first UE and the access network device; communication resources for a relay connection between the first UE and the second UE. In this application, the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE may include a communication resource for the relay connection between the relay UE and the access network device and/or a communication resource for the relay connection between the remote UE and the relay UE.

In a possible implementation manner, where the first UE is a remote UE, and the processing unit releases the relay connection according to the second information, including: the processing unit releases at least one of the following resources according to the second information: the access network equipment is used for relaying the communication resources of the connection; communication resources for a relay connection between the first UE and the second UE. In this application, the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE may include communication resources used by the access network device for relay connection and/or communication resources used by the remote UE and the relay UE for relay connection.

In a tenth aspect, a first UE is provided, the first UE comprising: a transceiver unit, configured to receive second information used for releasing a relay connection corresponding to a first UE; and the processing unit is used for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the second information.

In the technical solution provided by the tenth aspect, the first UE releases the relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the received second information for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the first UE. For example, the second information may be sent by the first network element to the first UE when it is determined that the subscription or authorization information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE is changed according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE, or sent to the first UE through another network element. The method and the device can improve the accuracy of the network side in controlling the relay connection and the accuracy of charging and the like by reacting in time according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving and sending unit receives the second information, and includes: the receiving and sending unit receives second information from a second network element; and the second network element is access network equipment or an AMF network element of the first UE. The method and the device support the first UE to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE according to the second information from the access network equipment or the AMF network element of the first UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the above first UE is a relay UE, and the releasing, by the processing unit, a relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the second information includes: the processing unit sends third information for releasing communication resources used for the relay connection between the first UE and the access network equipment to the access network equipment through the transceiving unit according to the second information; or, the processing unit sends, according to the second information, fourth information for releasing the PDU session used by the first UE for providing the relay service to the AMF network element of the first UE through the transceiver unit. The method and the device support that the relay UE requests the access network equipment to release the communication resource used for the relay connection between the first UE and the access network equipment according to the second information, or requests the AMF network element of the relay UE to release the PDU session used for providing the relay service for the first UE.

In a possible implementation manner, where the first UE is a remote UE, and the processing unit releases a relay connection corresponding to the first UE according to the second information, including: and the processing unit sends fifth information for releasing the communication resource used for the relay connection by the access network equipment to the access network equipment through the transceiving unit according to the second information. The method and the device support that the remote UE requests the access network equipment to release the communication resources used for the relay connection of the access network equipment according to the second information.

In an eleventh aspect, there is provided a first network element, comprising: a memory for storing a computer program; a processor for executing the computer program to implement the method in any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect.

In a twelfth aspect, an access network device is provided, which includes: a memory for storing a computer program; a processor for executing the computer program to implement the method in any of the possible implementations of the second aspect or the fourth aspect.

In a thirteenth aspect, a first UE is provided, the first UE comprising: a memory for storing a computer program; a processor configured to execute the computer program to implement the method in any possible implementation manner of the third aspect or the fifth aspect.

A fourteenth aspect provides a communication system comprising the first network element as in any one of the possible implementations of the sixth aspect or the eleventh aspect; and an access network device as in any one of the possible implementations of the seventh aspect, the ninth aspect, or the twelfth aspect, and a first UE as in any one of the possible implementations of the eighth aspect, the tenth aspect, or the thirteenth aspect.

In one possible implementation, the communication system further comprises one or more of: a PCF network element, a Unified Data Management (UDM)/Unified Data Repository (UDR) network element, a SMF network element, or an AMF network element.

A fifteenth aspect provides a computer-readable storage medium having computer program code stored thereon, which when executed by a processor implements the method as in any one of the possible implementations of the first to fifth aspects.

In a sixteenth aspect, a chip system is provided, which includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program code stored in the memory; the computer program code realizes the method according to any one of the possible implementation manners of the first aspect to the fifth aspect when executed by the processor. The chip system may be formed by a chip, and may also include a chip and other discrete devices.

A seventeenth aspect provides a computer program product enabling, when running on a computer, a method as in any one of the possible implementations of the first to fifth aspects.

It is understood that any of the communication devices, chips, computer readable media, computer program products, or communication systems provided above are all used for executing the corresponding methods provided above, and therefore, the beneficial effects achieved by the methods can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and are not described herein again.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of a 5G communication system architecture;

FIG. 2A is a diagram of a communication network architecture;

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario;

fig. 3 is a schematic hardware structure diagram of a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is a schematic hardware structure diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 is two exemplary diagrams of a remote UE accessing a network through a relay UE according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a flowchart of a method for releasing a relay connection according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a flowchart of a first authorization method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of a second authorization method provided in the embodiments of the present application;

fig. 9 is a flowchart of a method of a third authorization method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method of a fourth authorization method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 is a first interaction diagram of a method for releasing a relay connection according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12A is an interaction diagram of a method for releasing a relay connection according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12B is a third interaction diagram of a method for releasing a relay connection according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 is a fourth interaction diagram of a method for releasing a relay connection according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 14 is an interaction diagram of a method for releasing a relay connection according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 15 is a sixth interaction diagram of a method for releasing a relay connection according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 16 is a block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 17 is a block diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The technical solution in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiment of the present application may be applied to, but is not limited to, the following communication systems: a narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) system, a Wireless Local Access Network (WLAN) system, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, a fifth generation mobile communication (5th generation mobile networks or 5th generation wireless systems, 5G) also called a New Radio (NR) system, or a communication system after 5G, such as a 6G system, a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, an internet of vehicles, and so on.

Fig. 2A shows a communication network architecture diagram. Fig. 2A shows an interaction relationship between a network function and an entity and a corresponding interface, taking a network service architecture of a 5G system as an example, where the network architecture is a service-based architecture (SBA).

As shown in fig. 2A, the 5G system includes: a UE, AN Access Network (AN) or a Radio Access Network (RAN), a User Plane Function (UPF) network element, a data network (data network, DN), AN AMF network element, AN SMF network element, AN authentication service function (AUSF) network element, a PCF network element, AN Application Function (AF), a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) network element, a UDM network element, a network open function (NEF) network element, and a network storage function (NRF) network element. The UPF network element, the AMF network element, the SMF network element, the PCF network element, the AUSF network element, the UDM network element, the NSSF network element and the NRF network element all belong to core network equipment.

It should be noted that when the UE connects to the network through the relay device, the UE may be referred to as a "remote UE". The relay device is a device that can provide access to a cellular network for a remote UE, and may be a relay station or a device such as a UE, where in a case where the UE serves as a relay device for the remote UE, the UE supports PC5 interface communication, the relay device may be referred to as a "relay UE," which indicates that the relay device is located in a coverage area of a mobile network, for example, the relay device may normally access an access network of a 5G system.

As shown in fig. 2A, the remote UE is connected to the AN/RAN device and the core network device through the relay UE. The interface between the remote UE and the relay UE is a PC5 interface, the interface between the relay UE and the AN/RAN equipment is a Uu interface, the interface between the remote UE/the relay UE and the AMF network element is AN N1 interface, the interface between the AN/RAN equipment and the AMF network element is AN N2 interface, the interface between the AN/RAN equipment and the UPF network element is AN N3 interface, the interface between the SMF network element and the UPF network element is AN N4 interface, and the interface between the DN network element is AN N6 interface; namf is a service-based interface displayed by an AMF network element, Nsmf is a service-based interface displayed by an SMF network element, Nausf is a service-based interface displayed by an AUSF network element, Nnssf is a service-based interface displayed by an NSSF network element, Nnef is a service-based interface displayed by an NEF network element, Nnrf is a service-based interface displayed by an NRF network element, Npcf is a service-based interface displayed by a PCF network element, Nudm is a service-based interface displayed by a UDM network element, and Naf is a service-based interface displayed by AF.

The main functions of each network element will be described in detail below.

AN/RAN: the AN/RAN may be constituted by AN/RAN device. The AN/RAN equipment may be various forms of base stations, such as: a macro base station, a micro base station (also referred to as a "small station"), a distributed unit-control unit (DU-CU), and the like, wherein the DU-CU is a device capable of wirelessly communicating with the UE deployed in the radio access network. In addition, the base station may also be a wireless controller in a Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN) scenario, or a network device in a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, or a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network for future evolution, or the like. The AN/RAN device may also be a broadband network service gateway (BNG), a convergence switch, a non-3 GPP access device, or the like. The AN/RAN device is mainly responsible for functions of radio resource management, uplink and downlink data classification, quality of service (QoS) management, data compression and encryption at the air interface side, signaling processing with a control plane network element, data forwarding with a user plane functional network element, and the like. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific form and structure of the AN/RAN device.

For example, in systems employing different radio access technologies, the names of base station-capable devices may differ. For example, the base station may be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) device in LTE, such as an evolved node B (eNB or E-NodeB), or a next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) device in 5G system (e.g., a gNB).

AMF network element: is mainly responsible for the processing of control plane messages, such as: access control, mobility management, lawful interception, access authentication/authorization, etc. Specifically, the functions of the AMF network element mainly include: 1) processing an access network control plane; 2) processing non-access stratum (NAS) messages, and taking charge of NAS encryption and integrity protection; 3) registration management; 4) connection management; 5) performing accessibility management; 6) mobility management; 7) intercepting legal information; 8) providing session management messages between the UE and the SMF network element; 9) transparent transmission is realized for the Session Management (SM) message of the route, similar to a transparent transmission agent; 10) access authentication; 11) access authorization; 12) forwarding an SMS message (short message) between the UE and a short message service function, SMSF; 13) interacting with an AUSF network element and the UE to obtain a UE authentication intermediate key; 14) a specific key for the access network is calculated.

SMF network element: the method is mainly used for session management, Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management of UE, selection of a terminal node of an interface capable of managing a user plane function, a policy control and charging function, downlink data notification and the like. Specifically, the SMF network element has the following main functions: 1) session management, session establishment, modification and release, including maintaining a channel between the UPF network element and the AN node; 2) UE IP address allocation and management; 3) selecting and controlling user plane functions; 4) configuring a correct service route on a UPF network element; 5) landing execution of a policy control function; 6) a control part of strategy execution and QoS; 7) legally intercepting; 8) processing a session management part in the NAS message; 9) downlink data indication; 10) initiating specific session management information (routed through AMF network elements) for the access network; 11) determining a mode of continuity with a service in a session; 12) a roaming function.

PCF network element: the method is mainly used for providing UE policy rules, Access Management (AM) policy rules and SM policy rule related parameters for UE, AMF network elements or SMF network elements, managing user subscription information, interfacing UDM network elements to access subscription user information related to policy decision and the like. The PCF network element generally makes policy decisions based on subscription information and the like.

AF: for providing services, mainly for: 1) application impact on traffic routing; 2) access network capability exposure; 3) and interacting with a policy framework to perform policy control.

UPF network element: the method is mainly responsible for packet routing and forwarding, Quality of Service (QoS) control of user plane data, accounting information statistics, and the like. The UPF may receive downlink data from the AF and then transmit the downlink data to the UE through the (R) AN.

NEF network element: the method is mainly used for connecting the core network element and an external application server and providing services such as authentication, data forwarding and the like when the external application server initiates a service request to the core network.

UDM network element: the method is mainly used for managing subscription data and authentication data of users, and performing authentication credit processing, user identification processing, access authorization, registration/mobility management, subscription management, short message management and the like.

In some embodiments, the UDM network element may further include a UDR. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the 3GPP SBA of the 5G system may further include a UDR network element. The UDR network element is used for providing policy storage and retrieval for the PCF network element, storing and retrieving open structured data, storing user information requested by an application function and the like.

In addition, for the introduction of the DN, the AUSF network element, the NSSF network element, and the NRF network element, the explanation and the description in the prior art may be referred to, and the details are not described here.

It should be noted that, in the present application, the UE may access the AN/RAN device through the relay UE, that is, the UE accesses the AN/RAN device through AN indirect communication (indirect communication) link. At this time, the UE is a "far end UE". If the UE is in the coverage of the AN/RAN, the UE may also directly access the AN/RAN device, i.e. the UE accesses the AN/RAN device through a direct communication (direct communication) link. In addition, the remote UE can also access the AN/RAN device through different relay UEs. The remote UE may transmit data to the AN/RAN device through the indirect communication link and the direct communication link, so as to implement split (split) transmission and duplicate (duplicate) transmission of data. The benefit of split transmission is to provide transmission rate and the benefit of repeated transmission is to improve transmission reliability.

As shown in fig. 2B, UE1 has access to the AN/RAN through UE2 and UE3, respectively, while UE1 also establishes a direct communication link with the AN/RAN. UE1 is a far-end UE, and UE2 and UE3 are relay UEs. The UE1 may transmit data to the AN/RAN equipment over two indirect communication links and one direct communication link, e.g., split (split) transmission and/or duplicate (duplicate) transmission.

Remote UE/relay UE: the device can be a desktop device, a laptop device, a handheld device, a wearable device, a smart home device, a computing device, a vehicle-mounted device and the like with a wireless connection function. For example, a netbook, a tablet computer, a smart watch, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a smart camera, a netbook, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), an AR (augmented reality)/VR (virtual reality) device, a wireless device on an aircraft, a wireless device on a robot, a wireless device in industrial control, a wireless device in telemedicine, a wireless device in a smart grid, a wireless device in a smart city (smart city), a wireless device in a smart home (smart home), and the like. Or the far-end UE/relay UE may also be a wireless device in Narrowband (NB) technology, etc.

Further, a remote UE/relay UE may also refer to an access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, relay station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal (user terminal), terminal (terminal), wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment. The terminal device may also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication functionality, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a future 5G network or a terminal device in a future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) or a terminal device in a future vehicle networking, etc.

In addition, in the present application, the relay UE may also be a wireless access device. For example, the relay UE may be an operator deployed router-like access device. The present application does not limit the specific functions and structures of the remote UE/relay UE.

Referring to fig. 3, fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware structure of a UE, where the UE may be a remote UE or a relay UE. As shown in fig. 3, the UE may specifically include: processor 301, radio frequency circuitry 302, memory 303, touch screen 304, bluetooth device 305, one or more sensors 306, Wi-Fi device 307, pointing device 308, audio circuitry 309, peripheral interface 310, power supply 311, fingerprint acquisition device 312, speaker 313, and microphone 314. These components may communicate over one or more communication buses or signal lines (not shown in fig. 3). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the hardware configuration shown in fig. 3 does not constitute a limitation of the UE, which may include more or fewer components than those shown, or combine certain components, or a different arrangement of components.

The following describes each part of the UE in detail with reference to fig. 3:

the processor 301 may be a control center of the UE, and may be connected to other parts of the UE through various interfaces and lines, and may execute various functions of the UE by running or executing a computer program, such as an application client program (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as App), stored in the memory 303.

In some embodiments, processor 301 may be a general-purpose Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to control the execution of programs in accordance with the present invention, and processor 301 may include one or more CPUs; for example, the processor 301 may be an kylin chip.

The radio frequency circuit 302 may be used for reception and transmission of wireless signals. Specifically, the rf circuit 302 may receive downlink data of the base station and send the downlink data to the processor 301 for processing; in addition, the rf circuit 302 may also transmit uplink data to the base station.

In general, the radio frequency circuitry 302 includes, but is not limited to, an antenna, at least one amplifier, a transceiver, a coupler, a low noise amplifier, a duplexer, and the like. In addition, the radio frequency circuit 302 may also communicate with other devices via wireless communication. The wireless communication may use any communication standard or protocol including, but not limited to, global system for mobile communications, general packet radio service, code division multiple access, wideband code division multiple access, long term evolution, email, short message service, and the like.

The memory 303 is used for storing computer programs and may also be used for storing data. The memory 303 may be, but is not limited to, a read-only memory (ROM) or a Random Access Memory (RAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, optical disk storage (including compact disk, laser disk, optical disk, digital versatile disk, blu-ray disk, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store program code and that can be accessed by a computer.

The processor 301 may perform various functions of the UE and data processing by executing the computer program stored in the memory 303.

The memory 303 may include a program storage area and a data storage area. Wherein, the storage program area can store an operating system and application programs (such as a sound playing function and an image playing function) required by at least one function; the storage data area may store data (such as audio data, a phonebook, etc.) created according to the use of the UE.

Among them, the memory 303 may store a computer program for implementing a modular function, and is controlled to be executed by the processor 301. The processor 301 is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory 303, thereby implementing the methods provided by the embodiments described below in the present application. Further, the memory 303 may include high speed random access memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as a magnetic disk storage device, a flash memory device, or other volatile solid state storage device. The memory 303 may store various operating systems, such as an iOS operating system, an Android operating system, and the like.

Although not shown in fig. 3, the UE may further include a camera (a front camera and/or a rear camera), a flash, a micro projection device, a Near Field Communication (NFC) device, and the like, which are not described in detail herein.

It should be understood that the above-mentioned hardware modules included in the UE shown in fig. 3 are only exemplary descriptions and are not limiting to the present application. In fact, the UE (e.g., the remote UE or the relay UE) provided in the embodiments of the present application may further include other hardware modules having an interactive relationship with the hardware modules illustrated in the drawings, and is not limited herein.

It should be noted that AN/RAN device in this application may be a base station. Specifically, the base station may be an Ng-eNB, a gNB, or a transmission/reception point (TRP). But also a base station as defined by 3 GPP. E.g., an eNB or e-NodeB, etc.

Furthermore, when the eNB accesses a core network of the NR, or a Next Generation Core (NGC) or a 5G core network (5 GC), the eNB may also be referred to as an lte eNB. Specifically, the LTE eNB is an LTE base station device that evolves on the basis of the eNB, and may be directly connected to the 5G CN, and the LTE eNB also belongs to a base station device in the NR.

Alternatively, the AN/RAN device may also be a Wireless Terminal (WT). Such as an Access Point (AP) or an Access Controller (AC), or other network device capable of communicating with the UE and the core network. For example, an in-vehicle device, a smart wearable device, and the like. The application does not limit the type of AN/RAN device.

Referring to fig. 4, fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware structure of a network device. The network device may be AN/RAN device in the radio access network shown in fig. 1, or AN/RAN device in the AN/RAN shown in fig. 2A, or a core network element such as AN AMF network element, AN SMF network element, or a PCF network element shown in fig. 2A. As shown in fig. 4, the network device may include a processor 401, a communication line 402, a memory 403, and at least one communication interface (fig. 4 is only exemplary and includes a communication interface 404).

Processor 401 may include one or more processors, which may be, without limitation, a general processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other integrated circuit.

The communication link 402 may include a path for communicating information between the aforementioned components.

A communication interface 404 for communicating with other devices or a communication network.

Memory 403 may be, but is not limited to, ROM or RAM, or EEPROM, CD-ROM, or other optical disk storage, optical disk storage (including compact disk, laser disk, optical disk, digital versatile disk, blu-ray disk, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

It should be noted that the memory may be separate and coupled to the processor via the communication line 402. The memory may also be integral to the processor.

Wherein the memory 403 is used for storing the executing computer program. The processor 401 is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory 403, so as to implement the method of the relevant network element provided in any of the method embodiments described below in the present application.

It is noted that processor 401 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 of fig. 4.

In addition, fig. 4 is only an example of a network device, and does not limit the specific structure of the network device. For example, the network device may also include other functional modules.

The method for releasing relay connection provided in the embodiment of the present application may be applicable to indirect communication based on layer 2 relay (layer 2based relay or layer 2evolved relay), and may also be applicable to indirect communication based on layer 3 relay (layer 3based relay or layer 3evolved relay), without limitation.

Referring to fig. 5 (a), fig. 5 (a) shows a schematic diagram of indirect communication based on layer 2 relay. As shown in fig. 5 (a), UE1 and UE4 access the network as two remote UEs through relay UEs, where the relay UEs are layer 2 relay devices. UE1 and UE4 establish their own PDU sessions to the network, respectively, through relaying the UEs. In this scenario, the data streams of UE1 and UE4 would be mapped onto one Data Radio Bearer (DRB) of the relay UE on the Uu interface. The data bearers of different remote UEs use information identification in AN additional adaptation layer (adaptation layer) so that the relay UE distinguishes data of different remote UEs from the AN/RAN. Alternatively, the data streams of UE1 and UE4 may be mapped to different DRBs of the relay UE on the Uu interface, and the relay UE and the AN/RAN distinguish data of different remote UEs by using different DRBs.

Referring to fig. 5 (b), fig. 5 (b) shows a schematic diagram of indirect communication based on layer 3 relay. As shown in fig. 5 (b), UE1 and UE4 access the network as two remote UEs through relay UEs, where the relay UEs are layer 3 relay devices. Specifically, UE1 and UE4 establish a PC5 communication link with the relay UE, respectively, which establishes a PDU session to the network. In this scenario, the data streams for UE1 and UE4 would be transmitted over the PDU session established by the relay UE. The relay UE forwards uplink and downlink data of the UE1 and the UE4 according to the IP address. For example, the IP address used by the UE1 on the PC5 communication link is IP3, the IP address corresponding to the PDU session of the relay UE is IP1, and in the case that the IP1 is IPv4, the relay UE assigns a specific port number to the UE1, that is, the relay UE distinguishes data of the UE1 by the IP1 and the specific port number. In the uplink direction, after receiving the IP3 packet, the relay UE sends the packet to the network side using the IP1 and the specific port number. In the downlink direction, after receiving the data packet corresponding to the IP1 and the specific port number from the network side, the relay UE transmits the data packet to the UE1 through the PC5 link by using the IP 3.

According to the method for releasing the relay connection, the relay connection corresponding to the UE is updated in time based on the change of the relay service subscription information of the UE. The method is applicable to both relay UE and remote UE. For example, when the relay service subscription information of the relay UE is changed from being allowed to provide the relay service to not being allowed to provide the relay service, the relay connection corresponding to the relay UE is released in time. And the relay service subscription information of the remote UE is changed from being allowed to receive the relay service to not being allowed to receive the relay service, and the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE is released in time. When the relay service subscription information of the relay UE is changed from being allowed to provide the relay service for a certain remote UE to not being allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE, the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE and the relay UE is released in time.

A method for releasing a relay connection according to an embodiment of the present application is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

fig. 6 shows a flowchart of a method for releasing a relay connection according to an embodiment of the present application, where the method may be based on the foregoing architecture, which is described in detail below.

S601, the first network element obtains the relay service subscription information of the first UE.

The first UE may be a remote UE or a relay UE.

For example, the first UE is a remote UE, and the first network element obtains the subscription information of the relay service of the remote UE. For another example, the first UE is a relay UE, and the first network element obtains the subscription information of the relay service of the relay UE.

In one implementation, the first UE is a relay UE, and the relay service subscription information of the first UE may include information (which may be referred to as first relay service permission information) for characterizing whether the first UE is permitted to provide a relay service; further, if the first relay service permission information indicates that the first UE is permitted to provide the relay service, the relay service subscription information of the first UE may further include identification information of a remote UE that the first UE is permitted to provide the relay service, and the like.

The identification information of the remote UE may be used to identify the remote UE, and may be, for example, an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), a Globally Unique Temporary Identity (GUTI), a General Public Subscriber Identity (GPSI), an application layer identity (api), or the like.

Taking the first UE as the UE2 and the UE2 as the relay UE as an example, assuming that the remote UEs that the UE2 is allowed to provide the relay service are the UE1 and the UE4, the relay service subscription information of the UE2 can be presented in the form of a list shown in table 1:

TABLE 1

As can be seen from table 1, UE2 is allowed to provide relay service, and UE2 is allowed to provide relay service to UE1 and UE 4.

In another implementation, the first UE is a remote UE, and the relay service subscription information of the first UE may include information (which may be referred to as second relay service permission information) for characterizing whether the first UE is permitted to receive the relay service; further, if the second relay service permission information indicates that the first UE is permitted to receive the relay service, the relay service subscription information of the first UE may further include identification information of the relay UE that the first UE is permitted to receive the relay service, and the like.

The identification information of the remote UE may be used to identify the relay UE, and may be, for example, an IMSI, a GUTI, a GPSI, an application layer identifier, or the like.

Taking the first UE as UE1, the UE1 as a remote UE, and the UE2 and the UE3 as relay UEs as examples, assuming that the UE1 is allowed to accept the relay service provided by the UE2 and the UE3, the subscription information of the relay service of the UE1 may be presented in the form of a list shown in table 2:

TABLE 2

As can be seen from table 2, the UE1 is allowed to accept relay service, and the UE1 is allowed to accept relay service provided by the UE2 and the UE 3.

It should be noted that, table 1 and table 2 are only examples of two relay service subscription information of the first UE, and the present application does not limit the specific expression of the relay service subscription information of the first UE, and does not limit the remote UE identification information that the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service, the relay UE identification information that the first UE is allowed to receive the relay service, and the like.

In this embodiment of the present application, the relay service subscription information of the first UE may be stored in a UDM/UDR network element, and the step S601 may include: and the first network element obtains the relay service subscription information of the first UE from the UDM/UDR network element.

For example, the first network element may periodically query the UDM/UDR network element whether the relay service subscription information of the first UE changes, and if so, obtain the relay service subscription information of the first UE from the UDM/UDR network element. For another example, when the relay service subscription information of the first UE stored in the UDM/UDR network element is changed, the UDM/UDR network element actively sends the relay service subscription information of the first UE to the first network element. For another example, the first network element subscribes to the relay service subscription information event of the first UE from the UDM/UDR network element, and when the relay service subscription information of the first UE stored in the UDM/UDR network element is changed, the UDM/UDR network element sends the relay service subscription information of the first UE to the first network element. The present application is not limited.

Illustratively, the first network element may be an AMF network element or a PCF network element. For example, when the first UE is a relay UE, the first network element may be an AMF network element of the relay UE or a PCF network element of the relay UE. When the first UE is a remote UE, the first network element may be an AMF network element of the remote UE or a PCF network element of the relay UE.

S602, the first network element sends the first information according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE.

The first information may be used to release a relay connection corresponding to the first UE, or release a relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE.

Illustratively, the first network element may transmit the first information through an Authorization Update (Authorization Update) message or an N2 message.

In this application, if the first UE is a remote UE, the second UE may be a relay UE providing a relay service for the first UE. If the first UE is a relay UE, the second UE may be a remote UE that is served by the first UE.

The content of the first information will be described below with reference to 4 cases, respectively:

case 1: the first UE is a relay UE that is changed from being allowed to provide relay service for the remote UE to not being allowed to provide relay service for the remote UE.

For example, the relay service subscription information at the first UE is changed from including the identification information of the remote UE for which the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service to not including the identification information of the remote UE for which the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service; or the first network element may determine, according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE, that the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE to change from being allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE, and may determine that the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE to change from being allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE to not being allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE.

For case 1, the first information is used to release the relay connection corresponding to the first UE. The relay connection corresponding to the first UE may include all relay connections corresponding to the first UE. All relay connections corresponding to the first UE may include relay connections for relay services between the first UE and the access network device, and relay connections between the first UE and all second UEs that establish relay connections with the first UE.

In some examples, the first information may be first relay service authorization revocation information or first relay connection release information. The first relay service authorization revocation information is used for indicating that the first UE is revoked to be authorized as the relay UE. The first relay connection release information is used for indicating release of the relay connection corresponding to the first UE.

For example, when the first network element is a PCF network element of the first UE, the first network element may send first relay service Authorization cancellation information to the first UE through an Authorization Update message (Authorization Update) to indicate that the first UE requests the RAN to release a relay connection corresponding to the first UE. Or, the first network element may send first relay service Authorization revocation information or first relay connection release information to the second UE through an Authorization Update message (Authorization Update) to indicate that the second UE requests the RAN to release the relay connection corresponding to the first UE. Or, the first relay service Authorization revocation information may be sent to the AMF network element of the first UE through an Authorization Update message (Authorization Update) to indicate that the AMF network element of the first UE requests the SMF network element of the first UE to release PDU session resources used for the relay service by the first UE.

For another example, when the first network element is an AMF network element of the first UE, the first network element may send first relay service authorization revocation information or first relay connection release information to the RAN through an N2 message to instruct the RAN to release the relay connection corresponding to the first UE.

For another example, when the first network element is an AMF network element of the first UE, the first network element may send first relay service authorization revocation information or first relay connection release information to an AMF network element of the second UE, so as to instruct the AMF network element of the second UE to instruct the RAN to release the relay connection corresponding to the first UE.

Case 2: the first UE is a relay UE that is changed from being allowed to provide relay service for the second UE to not being allowed to provide relay service for the second UE.

For example, the relay service subscription information at the first UE is changed from including the identification information of the remote UE that the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service and the identification information of the remote UE includes the identification information of the second UE to not including the identification information of the remote UE that the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service; or the identification information of the remote UE which is allowed to provide the relay service by the first UE in the relay service subscription information of the first UE is changed from the identification information of the second UE to the identification information of the second UE; or the first network element determines that the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE to be not allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE, and may determine that the first UE is allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE to be not allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE.

For case 2, the first information is used to release a relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE.

In some examples, the first information may be second relay service authorization revocation information or second relay connection release information. The second relay service authorization revocation information is used for indicating that the first UE is revoked to provide the relay service for the second UE. The second relay connection release information is used for indicating release of a relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE.

For example, when the first network element is a PCF network element of the first UE, the first network element may send second relay service authorization revocation information to the first UE to indicate that the first UE requests the RAN to release a relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE. Or, the first network element may send the second relay service authorization revocation information to the AMF network element of the first UE, so as to instruct the AMF network element of the first UE to request, to the SMF network element of the first UE, to delete the context of the remote UE1 in the PDU session in which the relay UE1 provides the relay service.

When the first network element is an AMF network element of the first UE, the first network element may send second relay service authorization revocation information or second relay connection release information to an AMF network element of the second UE, so as to indicate the AMF network element of the second UE to instruct the RAN to release relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE. Or, the first network element may send, to the first UE, second relay service authorization revocation information to indicate that the first UE requests the RAN to release a relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE.

Case 3: the first UE is a remote UE and the first UE is changed from being allowed to accept the relay service to not being allowed to accept the relay service.

For example, the relay service subscription information at the first UE is changed from including the identification information of the relay UE for which the first UE is allowed to accept the relay service to not including the identification information of the relay UE for which the first UE is allowed to accept the relay service; or the first network element determines that the first UE is allowed to receive the relay service to be not allowed to receive the relay service according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE, and may determine that the first UE is allowed to receive the relay service to be not allowed to receive the relay service from the previous allowed relay service.

For case 3, the first information is used to release the relay connection corresponding to the first UE. The relay connection corresponding to the first UE includes relay connections between the first UE and all second UEs establishing relay connections with the first UE, and communication resources (such as PDU session resources) used for relay service of the first UE.

In some examples, the first information may be first relay service authorization revocation information or first relay connection release information. The first relay service authorization revocation information is used for indicating that the first UE is revoked to be authorized to serve as the remote UE. The first relay connection release information is used for indicating release of the relay connection corresponding to the first UE.

For example, when the first network element is an AMF network element of the first UE, the first network element may send first relay service authorization revocation information or first relay connection release information to the RAN through an N2 message to instruct the RAN to release the relay connection corresponding to the first UE.

Case 4: the first UE is a remote UE and is changed from being allowed to accept the relay service provided by the second UE to not being allowed to accept the relay service provided by the second UE.

For example, the relay service subscription information at the first UE is changed from including the identification information of the relay UE for which the first UE is allowed to accept the relay service and the identification information of the relay UE includes the identification information of the second UE to not including the identification information of the relay UE for which the first UE is allowed to accept the relay service; or the identification information of the relay UE which is allowed to receive the relay service by the first UE in the relay service subscription information of the first UE is changed from the identification information of the second UE to the identification information of the second UE; or the first network element determines that the first UE is allowed to accept the relay service provided by the second UE to be not allowed to accept the relay service provided by the second UE according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE, and may determine that the first UE is allowed to accept the relay service provided by the second UE to be not allowed to accept the relay service provided by the second UE.

For case 4, the first information is used to release a relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE.

In some examples, the first information may be second relay service authorization revocation information or second relay connection release information. And the second relay service authorization revocation information is used for indicating that the first UE is revoked to accept the relay service provided by the second UE. The second relay connection release information is used for indicating release of a relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE.

For example, when the first network element is an AMF network element of the first UE, the first network element may send second relay service authorization revocation information or second relay connection release information to the RAN to instruct the RAN to release a relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE.

In this embodiment of the present application, the step S602 may specifically include the following three cases:

case a: and the first network element sends the first information to the access network equipment according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE.

Accordingly, the access network device receives the first information from the first network element. And after receiving the first information, the access network equipment releases the corresponding relay connection according to the specific information indicated by the first information.

When the first network element is the AMF of the first UE, the AMF of the first UE directly sends first information to the access network equipment; and when the first network element is the PCF of the first UE, the PCF of the first UE sends the first information to the access network equipment through the AMF of the first UE.

In some examples, for the case 1 described above, that is, the first UE is a relay UE, and the first UE is changed from being previously allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE to not being allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE, the first network element sends the first information to the access network device according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE. And the access network equipment releases the relay connection between the first UE and the access network equipment according to the first information.

In some examples, further, the access network device may release, according to the first information, relay connections corresponding to relay services between the first UE and all second UEs that establish the relay connections with the first UE.

For example, the access network device releases the relay connection between the first UE and the access network device according to the first information, and sends the second information to the first UE. The relay connection between the first UE and the access network device refers to a connection between the first UE and the access network device for relaying data transmission. The second information is used for releasing relay connections corresponding to relay services between the first UE and all second UEs establishing relay connections with the first UE. After receiving the second information, the first UE releases relay connections corresponding to relay services between the first UE and all second UEs establishing relay connections with the first UE according to the second information, and meanwhile, connection for direct communication between the first UE and the second UEs is reserved.

In other examples, for case 2 above, where the first UE is a relay UE and the first UE is changed from being previously allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE to not being allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE, the first network element sends the first information to the access network device according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE. The access network equipment releases at least one of the following resources according to the first information: access network equipment is used for communication resources of relay connection of first UE; communication resources for a relay connection between the first UE and the second UE.

For example, the access network device releases communication resources used by the access network device for relay connection of the first UE according to the first information, and sends the second information to the first UE. The second information is used for releasing relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE. And after receiving the second information, the first UE releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE according to the second information.

In another example, the access network device sends the second information to the first UE according to the first information. The second information is used for releasing relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE. And after receiving the second information, the first UE releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE according to the second information.

In other examples, for the case 3 above, that is, the first UE is a far-end UE, and the first UE is changed from being previously allowed to receive the relay service to not being allowed to receive the relay service, the first network element sends the first information to the access network device according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE. And the access network equipment releases communication resources used by the access network equipment for the relay connection of the first UE according to the first information, or releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE. Releasing the communication resources of the access network device for the relay connection of the first UE may be understood as releasing communication resources corresponding to the indirect communication link of the first UE, while reserving communication resources corresponding to the direct communication link of the first UE.

For example, the access network device releases communication resources used by the access network device for relay connection of the first UE according to the first information, and sends the second information to the first UE. The second information is used for releasing relay connections corresponding to relay services between the first UE and all second UEs establishing relay connections with the first UE. And after receiving the second information, the first UE releases the relay connections corresponding to the relay services between the first UE and all second UEs establishing the relay connections with the first UE according to the second information.

In another example, the access network device sends the second information to the first UE according to the first information. The second information is used for releasing relay connections corresponding to relay services between the first UE and all second UEs establishing relay connections with the first UE. And after receiving the second information, the first UE releases the relay connections corresponding to the relay services between the first UE and all second UEs establishing the relay connections with the first UE according to the second information.

In other examples, for the case 4 described above, that is, the first UE is a far-end UE, and the first UE is changed from being previously allowed to accept the relay service provided by the second UE to not being allowed to accept the relay service provided by the second UE, the first network element sends the first information to the access network device according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE. The access network equipment releases at least one of the following resources according to the first information: access network equipment is used for communication resources of relay connection of first UE; communication resources for a relay connection between the first UE and the second UE. The communication resources of the access network device for the relay connection of the first UE may be understood as communication resources corresponding to the indirect communication link of the access network device for the first UE, but not communication resources corresponding to the direct communication link of the access network device for the first UE.

Case B: and the first network element sends the first information to the first UE according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE.

Accordingly, the first UE receives the first information from the first network element. And after receiving the first information, the first UE releases the corresponding relay connection according to the specific information indicated by the first information.

When the first network element is the AMF of the first UE, the AMF of the first UE sends first information to the first UE by using the NAS message; and when the first network element is the PCF of the first UE, the PCF of the first UE sends the first information to the first UE through the AMF of the first UE.

In some examples, for case 1 above, where the first UE is a relay UE, the first UE changes from being previously allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE to not being allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE, and the first network element sends the first information to the first UE according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE. The first UE releases relay connections corresponding to relay services between the first UE and all second UEs establishing the relay connections with the first UE according to the first information, and requests the access network equipment to release the relay connections between the first UE and the access network equipment.

For example, the first UE sends the sixth information to the second UE according to the first information, and sends the second information to the access network device. The sixth information is used for releasing communication resources used for the relay connection between the first UE and the second UE. And after receiving the sixth information, the second UE releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE according to the sixth information. The second information is used for releasing relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the access network equipment. And after receiving the first information, the access network equipment releases the relay connection between the first UE and the access network equipment according to the second information.

For another example, the first UE releases, according to the first information, relay connections corresponding to the relay services between the first UE and all second UEs that establish the relay connections with the first UE, and requests the access network device to release communication resources for the relay services between the first UE and the access network device. Illustratively, the first UE sends the sixth information to the second UE according to the first information, and sends the third information to the access network device. The sixth information is used for releasing communication resources used for the relay connection between the first UE and all second UEs establishing the relay connection with the first UE. And after receiving the sixth information, the second UE releases the relay connections corresponding to the relay services between the first UE and all the second UEs establishing the relay connections with the first UE according to the sixth information. The third information is used for releasing communication resources used for relay connection between the first UE and the access network equipment. And after receiving the third information, the access network equipment releases communication resources for relay connection between the first UE and the access network equipment according to the third information.

For another example, the first UE releases the relay connections corresponding to the relay services between the first UE and all the second UEs establishing the relay connections with the first UE according to the first information, and requests the AMF network element of the first UE to release the communication resources for the relay connections of the first UE. For example, the first UE sends the sixth information to the second UE according to the first information, and sends the fourth information to an AMF network element of the first UE. The sixth information is used for releasing communication resources used for the relay connection between the first UE and the second UE. And after receiving the sixth information, the second UE releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE according to the sixth information. The fourth information is used for deleting the context of the second UE in the PDU session in which the first UE provides the relay service. And after receiving the fourth information, the AMF network element of the first UE requests the SMF network element to delete the context of the second UE in the PDU session of the relay service provided by the first UE according to the fourth information. The context of the second UE may include, but is not limited to, the ID of the second UE and/or the IP of the remote UE 1. The ID of the second UE may be IMSI, GUTI, GPSI or application layer identity.

In other examples, for case 2 above, where the first UE is a relay UE and the first UE is changed from being previously allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE to not being allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE, the first network element sends the first information to the first UE according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE. The first UE performs at least one of the following according to the first information: releasing communication resources used for relay connection between the first UE and the second UE; requesting release of communication resources for the relay connection of the first UE from the access network device.

For example, the first UE releases a relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the first UE and the second UE according to the first information, and sends the second information to the access network device. The second information is used for releasing relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the access network equipment. And after receiving the second information, the access network equipment releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the access network equipment according to the second information.

For another example, the first UE releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service of the first UE and the second UE according to the first information, and requests the access network device to release the communication resource for the relay connection of the first UE. Illustratively, the first UE releases a relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and the second UE according to the first information, and sends fifth information to the access network device. Wherein the fifth information is used for releasing communication resources for the first UE relay connection. And after receiving the fifth information, the access network equipment releases communication resources for relay connection of the first UE according to the fifth information.

Or the first UE releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service of the first UE and the second UE according to the first information, and requests the AMF network element of the first UE to release the communication resource used for the relay connection of the first UE. Illustratively, the first UE releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service of the first UE and the second UE according to the first information, and sends the fourth information to the AMF network element of the first UE. The fourth information is used for deleting the context of the second UE in the PDU session of the relay service provided by the first UE. And after receiving the fourth information, the AMF network element of the first UE requests the SMF network element to delete the context of the second UE in the PDU session of the relay service provided by the first UE according to the fourth information. The context of the second UE may include, but is not limited to, the ID of the second UE and/or the IP of the remote UE 1.

In other examples, for case 3 above, where the first UE is a far-end UE and the first UE is changed from being previously allowed to receive the relay service to not being allowed to receive the relay service, the first network element sends the first information to the first UE according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE. The first UE releases relay connections corresponding to relay services between the first UE and all second UEs establishing the relay connections with the first UE according to the first information, and requests the access network equipment to release communication resources used by the access network equipment for the relay connections of the first UE.

For example, the first UE releases the relay connections corresponding to the relay services between the first UE and all the second UEs establishing the relay connections with the first UE according to the first information, and sends fifth information to the access network device. The second UE is a relay UE, and the fifth information is used to release communication resources for the relay connection of the first UE. And after receiving the fifth information, the access network equipment releases communication resources for relay connection of the first UE according to the fifth information.

Or the first UE releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and all second UEs establishing the relay connection with the first UE according to the first information, wherein the second UEs are the relay UEs. Further, the first UE requests the second UE to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service, and after the second UE releases the relay connection, the second UE requests the AMF network element of the second UE to delete the context of the first UE in the PDU session in which the second UE provides the relay service. The context of the first UE may include, but is not limited to, the ID of the first UE and/or the IP of the first UE 1.

In other examples, for the case 4 described above, that is, the first UE is a far-end UE, the first UE changes from being previously allowed to accept the relay service provided by the second UE to not being allowed to accept the relay service provided by the second UE, and the first network element sends the first information to the first UE according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE. The first UE performs at least one of the following according to the first information: releasing communication resources used for relay connection between the first UE and the second UE; requesting release of communication resources for the relay connection of the first UE from the access network device. The second UE is a relay UE.

Or the first UE releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service of the first UE and the second UE according to the first information. Further, the first UE requests the second UE to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service, and after the second UE releases the relay connection, the second UE requests the AMF network element of the second UE to delete the context of the first UE in the PDU session in which the second UE provides the relay service. The context of the first UE may include, but is not limited to, the ID of the first UE and/or the IP of the first UE 1.

Case C: and the first network element sends the first information to the SMF network element of the first UE according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE.

Accordingly, the SMF network element of the first UE receives the first information from the first network element. And after receiving the first information, the SMF network element of the first UE releases the corresponding relay connection according to the specific information indicated by the first information. The first network element is an AMF network element of the first UE.

In some examples, for case 1 above, where the first UE is a relay UE, the first UE changes from being previously allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE to not being allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE, and the first network element sends the first information to the SMF network element of the first UE according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE. And the SMF network element of the first UE releases communication resources for relay connection of the first UE according to the first information. For example, the communication resource of the first UE relay connection may be a PDU session established by the first UE for the relay service.

Or, for the above case 2, that is, the first UE is a relay UE, and the first UE is changed from being previously allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE to not being allowed to provide the relay service for the second UE, the first network element sends the first information to the SMF network element of the first UE according to the relay service subscription information of the first UE. And the SMF network element of the first UE deletes the context of the second UE in the PDU session of the relay service provided by the first UE according to the first information.

Further, in an example, the first information or the second information may further include a relay connection release cause value. The relay connection release cause value is used to characterize the cause of the relay connection release. For example, reasons for relay connection release include: the relay service subscription information of the first UE changes. Specifically, for the relay UE, the reason for the relay connection release may include but is not limited to: the subscription of the providing relay UE expires and the list of remote UEs capable of providing the relay service changes. For the far-end UE, the reason for the relay connection release may include, but is not limited to: the subscription to receive the relay service expires, and the list of relay UEs that can receive the relay service changes.

In an example, the first information or the second information may further include identification information of the second UE (e.g., an ID of the second UE). The identification information of the second UE is used for the access network device, the first UE, or the AMF network element of the first UE to know that the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and which remote UE is released, or used for the access network device, the first UE, or the AMF network element of the first UE to know that the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the first UE and which relay UE is released.

By the method for releasing the relay connection provided by the embodiment of the application, when the first network element determines that the subscription or authorization information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE changes according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE, the first network element can timely instruct to release the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE or the relay UE, or release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE and the relay UE. The method and the device can improve the accuracy of the network side in controlling the relay connection and the accuracy of charging and the like by reacting in time according to the service subscription information of the remote UE and/or the relay UE.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, different schemes may be adopted for the authorization of the remote UE and the relay UE. That is, before the step S601, the method may further include: and authorization flow of the remote UE and/or the relay UE. For example, the remote UE and the relay UE may be authorized independently, such as the authorization method one shown in table 3 below.

Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present application, the remote UE and the relay UE may associate with the authorization. Specifically, after the remote UE and the relay UE are authorized independently, the remote UE or the relay UE initiates a correlation authorization application to the network side, and applies for the relay UE to provide a relay service for the remote UE, or the remote UE can access the network through the relay UE. The authorization method two, the authorization method three and the authorization method four are shown in the following table 3.

TABLE 3

It should be noted that, since the independent authorization results of the remote UE and the relay UE are obtained by the first authorization method, the method for releasing the relay connection based on the first authorization method is only applicable to the above cases 1 (i.e., the first UE is the relay UE, and the first UE is changed from being allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE to being not allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE) and 3 (i.e., the first UE is the remote UE, and the first UE is changed from being allowed to receive the relay service to being not allowed to receive the relay service); and does not apply to case 2 and case 3 above. And what is obtained through the second authorization mode, the third authorization mode or the fourth authorization mode is the association authorization result of the remote UE and the relay UE, that is, whether the obtained UE is allowed to be used as the relay UE or the remote UE, and the obtained UE can provide the list of the remote UE of the relay service or the obtained UE can receive the list of the relay UE of the relay service. Therefore, the method of releasing the relay connection based on the second, third, or fourth authorization method is applicable to the above cases 1, 2, 3, and 4.

The following will describe the procedures of the first authorization method, the second authorization method, the third authorization method and the fourth authorization method by taking fig. 7-10 as examples.

The first authorization method may include: the remote UE1 acquires authorization information of the remote UE1 from a PCF network element of the remote UE 1; the relay UE1 acquires authorization information from the PCF network element of the relay UE 1. If the remote UE1 or the relay UE1 is not registered to the network, the pre-configured authorization information may be used.

As shown in fig. 7, the independent authorization (i.e. authorization manner one) process of the remote UE1 and the relay UE1 can be implemented by the following steps S701 to S707:

s701, the remote UE1 and the relay UE1 respectively obtain independent authorization results.

For example, the remote UE1 obtains authorization information of the remote UE1 (i.e. an independent authorization result of the remote UE 1) from a PCF network element of the remote UE 1; the relay UE1 acquires authorization information of the relay UE1 (i.e., an independent authorization result of the relay UE 1) from a PCF network element of the relay UE 1. If the remote UE1 or the relay UE1 is not registered to the network, the pre-configured authorization information may be used. For example, the preconfigured authorization information may be whether the UE is allowed to act as a far end UE or a relay UE.

And S702, a relay discovery and selection process.

For example, the remote UE1 may broadcast the relay service information, where the broadcast relay service information may carry an identifier of the remote UE1 and service information (e.g., service information of the first service) that needs to be transmitted in a relay manner. When the relay UE1 receives the broadcast message, it may send a response message to the remote UE 1. The remote UE1 may receive response messages of multiple relay UEs, and the remote UE1 may perform relay UE selection according to information such as signal status between the remote UE1 and each relay UE, for example, select the relay UE1 as the relay UE for the remote UE1 to transmit the service data of the first service. For specific introduction of the relay discovery process, reference may be made to explanations and descriptions in the prior art, which are not described in detail.

S703, the remote UE1 sends an indirect communication request (indirect communication request) to the relay UE 1.

Wherein the indirect communication request is used to instruct the relay UE1 to establish indirect communication.

S704, the relay UE1 initiates a Service Request (Service Request).

The relay UE1 enters a connected state after receiving the indirect communication request of the remote UE1, so as to provide the relay service for the remote UE 1. For example, if the relay UE1 is not in the connected state (RRC connected), the relay UE1 performs S704 to enter the connected state. If the relay UE1 is in the connected state, S704 is not performed. After the relay UE1 enters the connected state, the relay UE1 performs step S705.

S705, the relay UE1 transmits an indirect communication response (indirect communication response) to the remote UE 1.

Wherein the indirect communication response is used to indicate that the indirect communication of the remote UE1 is established.

S706, the remote UE1 sends an NAS request message to the AMF network element of the remote UE 1.

The NAS request message may be a registration request message or a service request message. The registration request message is used for the remote UE1 to register to the network. The service request message is used to establish/activate a PDU session for providing relay service to the remote UE 1. For example, if the remote UE1 has previously registered to the network, the NAS request message is a service request message; if the remote UE1 has not previously registered to the network, the NAS request message is a registration request message.

S707, PDU session establishment flow of the remote UE 1.

The PDU session is used for the relay UE1 to provide the relay service for the remote UE1, so as to complete the service (e.g. the first service) requested by the remote UE 1. For example, the step S707 above may be initiated by the relay UE 1. For the PDU session establishment process, reference may be made to the introduction in the prior art, which is not described in detail.

The second authorization method may include: the remote UE sends an NAS request message to an AMF network element of the remote UE; the AMF network element of the remote UE requests authorization to the AMF network element of the relay UE; and the AMF network element of the relay UE returns the correlation authorization result to the AMF network element of the remote UE. And the correlation authorization result is determined by the AMF network element of the relay UE according to the subscription information of the relay UE. The subscription information of the relay UE may include, but is not limited to, a list of remote UEs that the relay UE may provide relay service. Or, the relay UE sends the NAS request message to an AMF network element of the relay UE; the AMF network element of the relay UE requests authorization to the AMF network element of the remote UE; and the AMF network element of the remote UE returns the correlation authorization result to the AMF network element of the relay UE. And the correlation authorization result is determined by the AMF network element of the remote UE according to the subscription information of the remote UE. The subscription information of the remote UE may include, but is not limited to, a list of relay UEs that the remote UE is capable of receiving the relay service.

As shown in fig. 8, the second authorization method for the remote UE and the relay UE can be implemented based on the above steps S701-S705 shown in fig. 7 and the following steps S801-S804:

s801, the relay UE1 sends an NAS request message to the AMF network element of the relay UE 1.

After the indirect communication is established, the relay UE1 sends an NAS request message to an AMF network element of the relay UE1 to request to obtain an association authorization result, that is, to obtain a list of remote UEs that have authorized or allowed the relay UE1 to provide the relay service. Wherein the NAS request message is for requesting association authorization.

In some examples, the NAS request message carries the ID of the relay UE1 and the ID of the remote UE 1.

S802, the AMF network element of the relay UE1 sends an Authorization Request message (Authorization Request) to the AMF network element of the remote UE 1.

The authorization request message is used for requesting to acquire a correlation authorization result. The authorization request message carries the ID of the relay UE1 and the ID of the remote UE 1.

S803, the AMF network element of the remote UE1 sends an Authorization Response message (Authorization Response) to the AMF network element of the relay UE 1.

Wherein, the authorization response message carries the associated authorization result. For example, the association authorization result includes a list of remote UEs that have authorized or allowed relay UE1 to provide relay service.

S804, the AMF network element of the remote UE1 stores the ID of the relay UE1 that has been authorized or allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE1, and the ID of the AMF network element of the relay UE 1.

It should be noted that fig. 8 is described by taking an example in which the relay UE initiates the association authorization request. In fact, the remote UE may also use the authorization method two similar to that shown in fig. 8. Specifically, the remote UE1 sends an NAS request message to the AMF network element of the remote UE 1. The NAS request message carries the ID of the relay UE1 and the ID of the remote UE 1. Then, the AMF network element of the remote UE1 sends an authorization request message to the AMF network element of the relay UE1, and receives an association authorization result from the AMF network element of the relay UE 1. Wherein the association authorization result is stored in the AMF network element of the remote UE 1.

The third authorization method may include: the relay UE1 sends an NAS request message to the AMF network element of the relay UE 1. The NAS request message includes the ID of the relay UE1 and the ID of the remote UE 1. And the AMF network element of the relay UE1 and the AMF network element of the remote UE1 interactively determine an authorization result and return the authorization result to the relay UE 1. Alternatively, the remote UE1 sends the NAS request message to the AMF network element of the remote UE 1. The NAS request message includes the ID of the relay UE1 and the ID of the remote UE 1. And the AMF network element of the remote UE1 and the AMF network element of the relay UE1 interactively determine an authorization result and return the authorization result to the remote UE 1.

As shown in fig. 9, the third authorization method for the remote UE1 and the relay UE1 can be implemented based on the above steps S701 to S703 shown in fig. 7 and the following steps S901 to S903:

s901, the relay UE1 sends NAS request information to the AMF network element of the relay UE 1.

In some examples, the NAS request message carries the ID of the relay UE1 and the ID of the remote UE 1.

S902, the AMF network element of relay UE1 sends an NAS response message to relay UE 1.

Wherein, the NAS response message carries the associated authorization result. For example, the association authorization result includes a list of remote UEs that have authorized or allowed relay UE1 to provide relay service.

S903, the AMF network element of the relay UE1 stores the ID of the remote UE that has authorized or allowed the relay UE1 to provide the relay service.

It should be noted that fig. 9 is described by taking an example in which the relay UE initiates the association authorization request. In fact, the remote UE may also adopt the third authorization method similar to that shown in fig. 9. Specifically, the remote UE1 sends an NAS request message to the AMF network element of the remote UE 1. The NAS request message carries the ID of the relay UE1 and the ID of the remote UE 1. And receiving the association authorization result from the AMF network element of the remote UE 1. Wherein the association authorization result is stored in the AMF network element of the remote UE 1.

The fourth authorization mode may include: the relay UE1 sends an NAS request message to an AMF network element of the relay UE 1; the AMF network element of the relay UE1 forwards the authorization request to the PCF network element of the relay UE 1; and the PCF network element of the relay UE1 removes the UDM/UDR network element to acquire the subscription information of the relay UE1 and returns an authorization result to the relay UE1 according to the subscription information of the relay UE 1. The subscription information of the relay UE1 may include, but is not limited to, a list of remote UEs that the relay UE1 may provide the relay service. Or, the remote UE1 sends an NAS request message to the AMF network element of the remote UE 1; the AMF network element of the remote UE1 forwards the authorization request to the PCF network element of the remote UE 1; and the PCF network element of the remote UE1 removes the UDM/UDR network element to acquire the subscription information of the remote UE1 and returns an authorization result to the remote UE1 according to the subscription information. The subscription information of the remote UE1 may include, but is not limited to, a list of relay UEs that the remote UE1 can receive the relay service.

As shown in fig. 10, the fourth authorization manner of the remote UE1 and the relay UE1 can be implemented based on the above steps S701 to S703 shown in fig. 7 and the following steps S1001 to S1003:

s1001, relay UE1 sends an Authorization Request message (Authorization Request) to the PCF network element of relay UE 1.

After the indirect communication is established, the relay UE1 sends an authorization request message to a PCF network element of the relay UE1 to request to obtain an association authorization result, that is, to obtain a list of remote UEs that have authorized or allowed the relay UE1 to provide the relay service. For example, relay UE1 sends an authorization request message to the PCF network element of relay UE1 through the AMF of relay UE1, and the AMF of relay UE1 forwards the authorization request message. The authorization request message is used for obtaining the associated authorization result.

In some examples, the authorization request message includes an ID of the relay UE1 and an ID of the remote UE 1.

S1002, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 sends an Authorization Response message (Authorization Response) to the relay UE 1.

Wherein, the authorization response message includes the associated authorization result. For example, specifically, the PCF network element of relay UE1 sends the authorization response message to relay UE1 through the AMF of relay UE 1. Wherein the association authorization result includes a list of remote UEs that have authorized or allowed the relay UE1 to provide the relay service.

S1003, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 stores the ID of the remote UE that has authorized or allowed the relay UE1 to provide the relay service.

It should be noted that fig. 10 is described by taking an example in which the relay UE initiates the association authorization request. In fact, the remote UE may also use the authorization method four similar to that shown in fig. 10. Specifically, the remote UE1 sends an authorization request message to a PCF network element of the remote UE 1. The authorization request message carries the ID of the relay UE1 and the ID of the remote UE 1. And receiving the association authorization result from the PCF network element of the remote UE 1. Wherein, the association authorization result is stored in the PCF network element of the remote UE 1.

Or, the association authorization result negotiated by the PCF network element of the remote UE and the PCF network element of the relay UE may also be adopted. Taking the example that the relay UE1 initiates the association authorization request, after receiving the authorization request message from the relay UE1, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 requests the association authorization result to the remote UE1, and then stores the ID of the remote UE that has authorized or allowed the relay UE1 to provide the relay service in the PCF network element of the relay UE 1.

Note that table 3 is only an example of a 5G communication system. For other communication systems, reference may be made to the above-described authorization scheme. For example, for a 4G communication system, the AMF network element in table 3 above may be replaced with an MME network element.

In addition, fig. 7-fig. 10 only take the above-mentioned four possible implementation processes of the first authorization manner, the second authorization manner, the third authorization manner, and the fourth authorization manner as examples, and the application does not limit the specific schemes of the independent authorization and the associated authorization, and as to the detailed implementation manners and implementation processes of the independent authorization and the associated authorization, reference may be made to specific descriptions in the prior art.

In the following, several possible implementation procedures of the method for releasing the relay connection provided in the embodiment of the present application are described with reference to fig. 11 to 14. In the embodiments shown in fig. 11-14, the remote UE1 establishes the indirect communication link based on the relay UE 1. And, the remote UE1 and/or the relay UE1 has obtained the authorization result. For example, the remote UE1 and/or the relay UE1 have obtained the association authorization result obtained by using the method shown in fig. 8, fig. 9 or fig. 10; or the remote UE1 and the relay UE1 have obtained the independent authorization result obtained by using the method shown in fig. 7.

In some examples, one method for releasing the relay connection shown in fig. 11 may be performed based on the first authorization method (i.e., the independent authorization method). As described above, the method of releasing the relay connection based on the first authorization method is applicable only to the cases 1 and 3 above.

For example, the first network element is a PCF network element of the relay UE1, and the first information is sent to the relay UE1 by the PCF network element of the relay UE 1. As shown in fig. 11, a method for releasing a relay connection provided in the embodiment of the present application specifically includes the following steps S1101-S1107:

s1101, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 acquires the relay service subscription information of the relay UE1 from the UDM/UDR network element.

Wherein, the relay service subscription information of the relay UE1 is stored in the UDM/UDR network element. For example, the relay service subscription information is used to characterize whether the relay UE1 is allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE.

S1102, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 determines that the relay UE1 is not allowed to be used as the relay equipment according to the relay service subscription information of the relay UE 1.

For example, if the PCF network element of the relay UE1 may determine, according to the relay service subscription information of the relay UE1, that the relay UE1 is allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE to change from being allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE, it may determine that the relay UE1 is not allowed to serve as the relay device.

Illustratively, if the relay service subscription information of the relay UE1 is changed from the indication information that the relay UE1 is allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE to the indication information that the relay UE1 is not allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 may determine that the relay UE1 is not allowed to serve as the relay device.

S1103, the PCF network element of relay UE1 sends the first relay service authorization revocation information to relay UE 1.

The first relay service authorization revocation information is used to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay UE 1.

Illustratively, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 may send the first relay service Authorization revocation information to the relay UE1 through an Authorization Update message (Authorization Update). Wherein the first relay service authorization revocation information is used to indicate that the relay UE1 is revoked and authorized to act as a relay UE.

In some examples, the relay connection release cause value may be included in the first relay service authorization revocation information. The relay connection release cause value is used to characterize the cause of the relay connection release. For example, reasons for relay connection release include: the relay service subscription information of the relay UE1 changes. For example, the subscription to provide the relay service expires.

S1104, relay UE1 sends the second information to the RAN.

The second information is used for requesting to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the relay UE1 and the RAN.

For example, for layer 2 relay, the second information is used to request release of communication resources (e.g., PDU session resources) between the relay UE1 and the RAN for the relay service. For layer 3 relaying, the second information is used to request deletion of the context of all remote UEs (including remote UE 1) in the PDU session in which relay UE1 provides the relay service. The context of the remote UE may include, but is not limited to, the ID of the remote UE and/or the IP of the remote UE.

In some examples, the relay UE1 may send the second information to the RAN by an RRC message.

In some examples, the second information includes an ID of the remote UE1 and a relay connection release reason.

S1105, the relay UE1 transmits the sixth information to the remote UE 1.

The sixth information is used to request to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the relay UE1 and the remote UE 1.

In some examples, the relay UE1 may send the sixth information to the remote UE1 through a Link Release message (Link Release).

In some examples, the sixth information includes a relay connection release reason.

S1106, the RAN releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the relay UE1 and the RAN.

S1107, the remote UE1 releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the relay UE1 and the remote UE 1.

It should be noted that, for the case that the relay UE1 is not allowed to be a relay device, the relay UE1 may send, in addition to the sixth information to the remote UE1, sixth information to other remote UEs that have established relay connections with the relay UE1, so as to request release of relay connections corresponding to relay services between the relay UE1 and other remote UEs. As another example, as shown in fig. 11, a method for releasing a relay connection provided in the embodiment of the present application may specifically include the following steps S1108 to S1111:

s1108, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 acquires the relay service subscription information of the remote UE1 from the UDM/UDR network element.

The relay service subscription information of the remote UE1 is stored in the UDM/UDR network element. For example, the relay service subscription information of the remote UE1 is used to characterize whether the remote UE1 is allowed to receive the relay service.

S1109, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 determines that the remote UE1 is not allowed to receive the relay service according to the remote UE1 relay service subscription information.

For example, if the PCF network element of the relay UE1 may determine that the remote UE1 is allowed to receive the relay service to be not allowed to receive the relay service according to the relay service subscription information of the remote UE1, it may determine that the remote UE1 is not allowed to receive the relay service.

For example, if the relay service subscription information of the remote UE1 is changed from the indication information that the remote UE1 is allowed to receive the relay service to the indication information that the remote UE1 is not allowed to receive the relay service, the PCF network element of the remote UE1 may determine that the remote UE1 is not allowed to receive the relay service.

S1110, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 sends the first information to the remote UE 1.

The first information is used for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE 1.

For example, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 may send the first relay service Authorization revocation information or the first relay connection release information (i.e., the first information) to the remote UE1 through an Authorization Update message (Authorization Update). Wherein the first relay service authorization revocation information is used to indicate that the relay UE1 is revoked and authorized to act as a relay UE. The first relay connection release information is used to instruct to release the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE 1.

In some examples, the relay connection release cause value may be included in the first information. The relay connection release cause value is used to characterize the cause of the relay connection release. For example, reasons for relay connection release include: the relay service subscription information of the relay UE1 changes. For example, the subscription to accept relay service expires.

And S1111, the remote UE1 triggers and releases the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE 1.

For example, the remote UE1 requests the RAN to release communication resources used by the RAN for relay connection of the remote UE1, and release relay connections corresponding to relay services between the remote UE1 and all relay UEs (including the relay UE 1) that establish relay connection with the remote UE 1.

Alternatively, as for the above-mentioned remote UE1 not allowed to receive the relay service, as shown in fig. 11, the method for releasing the relay connection provided in the embodiment of the present application may specifically include the following steps S1112-S1116:

s1112, the AMF network element of the remote UE1 receives the NAS message from the remote UE 1.

The NAS message is used to notify the AMF network element of the remote UE1 that the remote UE1 accesses through an indirect communication mode (i.e., a relay mode).

S1113, the AMF network element of the remote UE1 obtains the relay service subscription information of the remote UE1 from the UDM/UDR network element.

S1114, the AMF network element of the remote UE1 determines, according to the subscription information of the relay service of the remote UE1, that the remote UE1 is not allowed to receive the relay service.

S1115, the AMF network element of the remote UE1 sends the first information to the RAN.

The first information is used for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE 1.

For example, the AMF network element of the remote UE1 may send the first relay service authorization revocation information or the first relay connection release information (i.e., the first information) to the RAN through an N2 message. Wherein, the first relay service authorization revocation information is used for indicating that the remote UE1 is revoked and authorized to be the remote UE. The first relay connection release information is used to instruct to release the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE 1.

S1116, the RAN releases the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE 1.

For example, the RAN releases communication resources used by the RAN for relay connection of the remote UE1, and releases relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE1 and the relay UE 1.

It should be noted that the method for releasing the relay connection based on the first authorization manner may include the above steps S1101-S1107, or include the above steps S1108-S1111, or include the above steps S1112-S1116, or include the above steps S1101-S1107 and S1108-S1111, or include the above steps S1101-S1107 and S1112-S1116.

By the method for releasing relay connection provided by the embodiment based on the first authorization method, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 may timely instruct the remote UE1 to release the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE1 when determining that the remote UE1 is not allowed to receive the relay service according to the service subscription information of the remote UE1, or instruct the RAN to release the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE1 when the AMF network element of the remote UE1 determines that the remote UE1 is not allowed to receive the relay service according to the service subscription information of the remote UE 1; and/or when the PCF network element of the relay UE1 determines that the relay UE1 is not allowed to provide the relay service according to the service subscription information of the relay UE1, indicating the relay UE1 to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay UE1 in time. The method and the device can improve the accuracy of the network side in controlling the relay connection and the accuracy of charging and the like by reacting in time according to the service subscription information of the remote UE1 and/or the relay UE 1.

In some examples, one method of releasing the relay connection shown in fig. 12A and 12B may be performed based on the authorization method two described above. As described above, the method of releasing the relay connection based on the second authorization method is applicable to the above cases 1, 2, 3, and 4.

For example, the first network element is an AMF network element of the relay UE1, and the first information is sent to the RAN by the AMF network element of the relay UE 1. Referring to fig. 12A, a method for releasing a relay connection provided in the embodiment of the present application includes the following steps S1201A-S1204A:

S1201A, the AMF network element of the relay UE1 obtains the subscription information of the relay service of the relay UE1 from the UDM/UDR network element.

The relay service subscription information of the relay UE1 may be stored in the UDM/UDR network element. For example, the relay service subscription information is used to characterize whether the relay UE1 is allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE.

S1202A, the AMF network element of the relay UE1 determines that the relay UE1 is not allowed to be the relay device according to the relay service subscription information of the relay UE 1.

For example, if the relay service subscription information of the relay UE1 is changed from the identification information of the remote UE that includes the relay UE1 allowed to provide the relay service to the identification information of the remote UE that does not include the relay UE1 allowed to provide the relay service; or if it can be determined from the relay service subscription information of the relay UE1 that the relay UE1 is allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE and is not allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE, it can be determined that the relay UE1 is not allowed to serve as the relay device.

S1203A, the AMF network element of the relay UE1 sends the first information to the RAN.

The first information is used for releasing relay connection corresponding to the relay UE 1.

For example, the AMF network element of the relay UE1 may send the first relay service authorization revocation information or the first relay connection release information (i.e., the first information) to the RAN through an N2 message. Wherein the first relay service authorization revocation information is used to indicate that the relay UE1 is revoked and authorized to act as a relay UE. The first relay connection release information is used to instruct release of the relay connection corresponding to the relay UE 1.

In some examples, the first information may include IDs of all remote UEs that have established the relay connection with the relay UE 1.

Alternatively, the AMF network element of the relay UE1 may send the first relay service authorization revocation information to the AMF network element of the remote UE1, so as to instruct the AMF network element of the remote UE1 to send the first information to the RAN.

S1204A, the RAN releases the relay connection corresponding to relay UE 1.

For example, the RAN releases the relay connection between the relay UE1 and the RAN according to the first information, and transmits the second information to the relay UE 1. The second information is used for releasing relay connections corresponding to the relay service between the relay UE1 and all remote UEs (including the remote UE 1) which establish relay connections with the relay UE 1. After receiving the second information, the relay UE1 releases the relay connections corresponding to the relay services between the relay UE1 and all the remote UEs (including the remote UE 1) that have established the relay connections with the relay UE1 according to the second information.

As another example, as shown in fig. 12A, a method for releasing a relay connection provided in the embodiment of the present application may specifically include the following steps S1205A to S1208A:

S1205A, the AMF network element of the remote UE1 obtains the relay service subscription information of the remote UE1 from the UDM/UDR network element.

The relay service subscription information of the remote UE1 may be stored in the UDM/UDR network element. For example, the relay service subscription information of the remote UE1 is used to characterize whether the remote UE1 is allowed to receive the relay service.

S1206A, the AMF network element of the remote UE1 determines that the remote UE1 is not allowed to receive the relay service according to the subscription information of the relay service of the remote UE 1.

For example, if the relay service subscription information of the remote UE1 is changed from the identification information of the relay UE that includes the permission of the remote UE1 to receive the relay service to the identification information of the relay UE that does not include the permission of the remote UE1 to receive the relay service; or if it can be determined from the relay service subscription information of the remote UE1 that the remote UE1 is not allowed to receive the relay service from being allowed to receive the relay service, it can be determined that the remote UE1 is not allowed to receive the relay service.

For example, if the relay service subscription information of the remote UE1 is changed from the table 2 to the relay UE identity information that does not include any relay service that the remote UE1 is allowed to receive, the PCF network element of the remote UE1 may determine that the remote UE1 is not allowed to receive the relay service.

S1207A, the AMF network element of the remote UE1 sends the first information to the RAN.

The first information is used for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE 1.

In some examples, the first information includes IDs of all relay UEs that have established the relay connection with the remote UE 1.

Illustratively, the RAN may release at least one of the following resources according to the first information: RAN communication resources for relay connection of the remote UE 1; communication resources for relay connection between the remote UE1 and the relay UE 1.

For example, for layer 2 relaying, the RAN sends the second information to the remote UE1 according to the first information. The second information is used to release relay connections corresponding to relay services between the remote UE1 and all relay UEs (including the relay UE 1) that establish relay connections with the remote UE 1. After receiving the second information, the remote UE1 releases relay connections corresponding to the relay services between the remote UE1 and all relay UEs (including the relay UE 1) that establish relay connections with the remote UE1 according to the second information.

As another example, for layer 3 relaying, the RAN deletes the context of the remote UE1 in the PDU session in which the relay UE1 provides the relay service according to the first information, and sends the second information to the remote UE 1. The second information is used to release relay connections corresponding to relay services between the remote UE1 and all relay UEs (including the relay UE 1) that establish relay connections with the remote UE 1. After receiving the second information, the remote UE1 releases relay connections corresponding to the relay services between the remote UE1 and all relay UEs (including the relay UE 1) that establish relay connections with the remote UE1 according to the second information.

It should be noted that the method for releasing relay connection based on the second authorization method may include the above steps S1201A-S1204A, and/or S1205A-S1208A.

For another example, the first network element is an AMF network element of the relay UE1, and the first information is sent to the RAN by the AMF network element of the relay UE 1. As shown in fig. 12B, a method for releasing relay connection provided in the embodiment of the present application specifically includes the following steps S1201B-S1205B:

S1201B, the AMF network element of the relay UE1 obtains the subscription information of the relay service of the relay UE1 from the UDM/UDR network element.

The relay service subscription information of the relay UE1 may be stored in the UDM/UDR network element. For example, the relay service subscription information of the relay UE1 includes a list of remote UEs for which the relay UE1 is allowed to provide the relay service.

S1202B, the AMF network element of the relay UE1 determines that the relay UE1 is not allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE1 according to the relay service subscription information of the relay UE 1.

For example, if the relay service subscription information of the relay UE1 is changed from the identification information of the remote UE that includes the relay UE1 and is allowed to provide the relay service, and the identification information of the remote UE includes the identification information of the remote UE1, to the identification information of the remote UE that does not include the relay UE1 and is allowed to provide the relay service; or the identification information of the remote UE which is allowed to provide the relay service by the relay UE1 in the relay service subscription information of the relay UE1 is changed from the identification information including the remote UE1 to the identification information not including the remote UE 1; or determining that the relay UE1 is allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE1 to be not allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE1 according to the relay service subscription information of the relay UE1, it may be determined that the relay UE1 is not allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE 1.

For example, if the relay service subscription information of the relay UE1 is changed from being allowed to provide the relay service for the UE1 and the UE4 to being allowed to provide the relay service for only the UE1, as shown in table 1, the AMF network element of the relay UE1 may determine that the relay UE1 is not allowed to provide the relay service for the UE 4.

S1203B, the AMF network element of the relay UE1 sends the second relay service authorization revocation information to the AMF network element of the remote UE 1.

The second information is used to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE1 and the relay UE 1. For example, the second information may be second relay service authorization revocation information. The second relay service authorization revocation information is used to indicate that the relay UE1 is revoked to provide the relay service for the remote UE 1.

For example, the AMF network element of the relay UE1 may send the second information to the AMF network element of the remote UE1 through an Authorization Update message (Authorization Update).

In some examples, the second information includes an ID of the remote UE 1.

In some examples, the relay connection release cause value may be included in the second information. The relay connection release cause value is used to characterize the cause of the relay connection release. For example, reasons for relay connection release include: the relay service subscription information of the relay UE1 changes. For example, the remote UE list in which the relay UE1 can provide the relay service changes.

S1204B, the AMF network element of the remote UE1 sends the first information to the RAN.

The first information is used for releasing relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the remote UE1 and the relay UE 1.

For example, the AMF network element of the remote UE1 may send the second relay connection release information (i.e., the first information) to the RAN through an N2 message. The second relay connection release information is used to instruct release of a relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the remote UE1 and the relay UE 1.

In some examples, the first information includes an ID of the remote UE 1.

In some examples, the above steps S1203B-S1204B may be replaced with: the AMF network element of the relay UE1 sends the first information directly to the RAN.

S1205B, the RAN releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE1 and the relay UE 1.

For example, for layer 2 relaying, the RAN releases communication resources used by the RAN for relay connection of the first UE according to the first information, and sends the second information to the relay UE 1. The second information is used to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE1 and the relay UE 1. After receiving the second information, the relay UE1 releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE1 and the relay UE1 according to the second information.

As another example, for layer 3 relaying, the RAN sends the second information to relay UE1 according to the first information. The second information is used to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE1 and the relay UE 1. After receiving the second information, the relay UE1 releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE1 and the relay UE1 according to the second information.

As another example, as shown in fig. 12B, a method for releasing a relay connection provided in the embodiment of the present application may specifically include the following steps S1206B-S1209B:

S1206B, the AMF network element of the remote UE1 obtains the subscription information of the relay service of the remote UE1 from the UDM/UDR network element.

The relay service subscription information of the remote UE1 may be stored in the UDM/UDR network element. For example, the relay service subscription information of the remote UE1 includes a list of relay UEs that the remote UE1 is allowed to accept the relay service.

S1207B, the AMF network element of the remote UE1 determines, according to the relay service subscription information of the remote UE1, that the remote UE1 is not allowed to receive the relay service provided by the relay UE 1.

For example, if the relay service subscription information of the remote UE1 is changed from the identification information of the relay UE that includes the identification information of the relay UE that the remote UE1 is allowed to receive the relay service and the identification information of the relay UE includes the identification information of the relay UE1, to the identification information of the relay UE that does not include the remote UE1 is allowed to receive the relay service; or the identification information of the relay UE which is allowed to receive the relay service by the remote UE1 in the relay service subscription information of the remote UE1 is changed from the identification information including the relay UE1 to the identification information not including the relay UE 1; or determining that the remote UE1 is changed from being allowed to accept the relay service provided by the relay UE1 to not being allowed to accept the relay service provided by the relay UE1 according to the relay service subscription information of the remote UE1, it may be determined that the remote UE1 is not allowed to accept the relay service provided by the relay UE 1.

For example, if the relay service subscription information of the remote UE1 is changed from being allowed to accept the relay service provided by the UE2 and the UE3 shown in table 2 to being allowed to accept only the relay service provided by the UE2, the AMF network element of the remote UE1 may determine that the remote UE1 is not allowed to accept the relay service provided by the UE 3.

S1208B, the AMF network element of the remote UE1 sends the first information to the RAN.

The first information is used for releasing relay connection corresponding to a relay service between the remote UE1 and the relay UE 1.

For example, the AMF network element of the remote UE1 may send the second relay service authorization revocation information or the second relay connection release information (i.e., the first information) to the RAN through an N2 message. The second relay service authorization revocation information is used to indicate that the remote UE1 is revoked to accept the relay service provided by the relay UE 1. The second relay connection release information is used to instruct release of a relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE1 and the relay UE 1.

In some examples, the first information includes an ID of the relay UE 1.

S1209B, the RAN releases the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE1 and the relay UE 1.

It should be noted that the method for releasing the relay connection based on the second authorization method may include the above steps S1201B to S1205B, and/or S1206B to S12089B.

The method of releasing the relay connection shown in fig. 12A and 12B is performed based on the authorization method two initiated by the relay UE 1. The method for releasing the relay connection based on the authorization method two initiated by the remote UE1 may also refer to the method shown in fig. 12A and fig. 2B, which is not specifically described here. By the method for releasing relay connection provided by the embodiment based on the authorization method two, the AMF network element may instruct the RAN to release the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE1 in time when it is determined that the remote UE1 is not allowed to receive the relay service according to the service subscription information of the remote UE 1; and/or when determining that the relay UE1 is not allowed to provide the relay service according to the service subscription information of the relay UE1, indicating the RAN to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay UE1 in time; and/or when determining that the relay UE1 is not allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE1 according to the service subscription information of the relay UE1, indicating the RAN to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE1 and the relay UE1 in time; and/or when the remote UE1 is determined not to be allowed to accept the relay service provided by the relay UE1 according to the service subscription information of the remote UE1, instructing the RAN to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE1 and the relay UE1 in time. The method and the device can improve the accuracy of the network side in controlling the relay connection and the accuracy of charging and the like by reacting in time according to the service subscription information of the remote UE1 and/or the relay UE 1.

In some examples, one method of releasing the relay connection shown in fig. 13 may be performed based on the authorization method three described above. As described above, the method of releasing the relay connection based on the third authorization method is applicable to the above cases 1, 2, 3, and 4.

For example, the first network element is an AMF network element of the relay UE1, and the first information is sent to the relay UE1 by the AMF network element of the relay UE 1. As shown in fig. 13, a method for releasing a relay connection according to an embodiment of the present application may be based on steps S1101-S1107 shown in fig. 11, replace steps S1101-S1102 with steps 1201A-S1202A shown in fig. 12A, and replace step S1103 with step S1301:

s1301, the AMF network element of the relay UE1 sends first relay service authorization revocation information to the relay UE 1.

The first relay service authorization revocation information is used to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay UE 1.

For example, the AMF network element of the relay UE1 may send the first relay service Authorization revocation information to the relay UE1 through an Authorization Update message (Authorization Update). Wherein the first relay service authorization revocation information is used to indicate that the relay UE1 is revoked and authorized to act as a relay UE.

In some examples, the first relay service authorization revocation information includes IDs of all remote UEs that have established a relay connection with relay UE 1.

For another example, a method for releasing a relay connection provided in an embodiment of the present application may replace step S1202A based on steps S1201A-S1202A, S1301, and S1104-S1107 of fig. 13 with: the AMF network element of the relay UE1 determines that the relay UE1 is not allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE1 according to the subscription information of the relay UE 1. Step S1301 is replaced with: and the AMF network element of the relay UE1 sends second relay service authorization revocation information to the relay UE1, and the second relay service authorization revocation information is used for indicating that the relay UE1 is revoked to provide the relay service for the remote UE 1. In step S1104, the second information sent by the relay UE1 to the RAN is used to request to release the communication resource or the corresponding relay connection used for the relay service of the remote UE1 between the relay UE1 and the RAN. Step S1106 is replaced with: the RAN releases communication resources used for the relay service of the remote UE1 between the relay UE1 and the RAN, or the RAN releases a relay connection used for the relay service of the remote UE1 between the relay UE1 and the RAN.

For another example, the method for releasing the relay connection provided in the embodiment of the present application may specifically include the above steps S1205A-S1208A shown in fig. 12A, and specifically refer to the above description of the steps S1205A-S1208A.

For another example, the method for releasing the relay connection provided in the embodiment of the present application may specifically include the above steps S1206B-S1209B shown in fig. 12B, and specifically refer to the above description of the steps S1206B-S1209B.

It should be noted that the method for releasing relay connection based on the third authorization manner may include the above steps S1201A-S1202A, S1301, and S1104-S1107, or include the above steps S1205A-S1208A, or include the above steps S1206B-S1209B, or include the above steps S1201A-S1202A, S1301, S1104-S1107, and S1205A-S1208A, or include the above steps S1201A-S1202A, S1301, S1104-S1107, and S1206B-S120 1209B.

The method of releasing the relay connection shown in fig. 13 is performed based on the third authorization method initiated by the relay UE 1. The method for releasing the relay connection based on the third authorization method initiated by the remote UE1 may also refer to the method shown in fig. 13, which is not specifically described here.

By the method for releasing relay connection provided by the embodiment based on the third authorization mode, the AMF network element may instruct the RAN to release the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE1 in time when it is determined that the remote UE1 is not allowed to receive the relay service according to the service subscription information of the remote UE 1; and/or when determining that the relay UE1 is not allowed to provide the relay service according to the service subscription information of the relay UE1, timely instructing the relay UE1 to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay UE 1; and/or when determining that the relay UE1 is not allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE1 according to the service subscription information of the relay UE1, timely instructing the relay UE1 to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE1 and the relay UE 1; and/or when the remote UE1 is determined not to be allowed to accept the relay service provided by the relay UE1 according to the service subscription information of the remote UE1, instructing the RAN to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE1 and the relay UE1 in time. The method can improve the accuracy of the network side in controlling the relay connection and the accuracy of charging and the like by reacting in time according to the service subscription information of the remote UE1 and/or the relay UE 1.

In some examples, one method of releasing the relay connection shown in fig. 14 may be performed based on the authorization method four described above. As described above, the method of releasing the relay connection based on the fourth authorization scheme is applicable to the above cases 1, 2, 3, and 4.

For example, the first network element is a PCF network element of the relay UE1, and the first information is sent to the relay UE1 by the PCF network element of the relay UE 1. As shown in fig. 14, a method for releasing a relay connection according to an embodiment of the present application may replace steps S1201A to S1202A with steps S1101 to S1102 shown in fig. 11, and replace step S1301 with step S1401, based on steps S1201A to S1202A, S1301, and S1104 to S1107 shown in fig. 13:

s1401, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 sends the first relay service authorization revocation information to the relay UE 1.

The first relay service authorization revocation information is used to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay UE 1.

For example, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 may send the first relay service Authorization revocation information to the relay UE1 via the AMF network element of the relay UE1 through Authorization Update (Authorization Update).

In some examples, the first relay service authorization revocation information may include IDs of all remote UEs that have established relay connections with the relay UE 1.

For another example, a method for releasing a relay connection provided in an embodiment of the present application may be based on steps S1108-S1109 of fig. 11 and steps S1401 and S1104-S1107 of fig. 14. Step S1109 is replaced with: the PCF network element of the relay UE1 determines that the relay UE1 is not allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE1 according to the relay service subscription information of the relay UE 1. Step S1401 is replaced with: the PCF network element of the relay UE1 sends the second relay service authorization revocation information to the relay UE1, for revoking the authorization of the relay UE1 to provide the relay service for the remote UE 1. In step S1104, the second information sent by the relay UE1 to the RAN is used to request to release the communication resource or the corresponding relay connection for the relay service of the remote UE1 between the relay UE1 and the RAN. Step S1106 is replaced with: the RAN releases communication resources used for the relay service of the remote UE1 between the relay UE1 and the RAN, or the RAN releases a relay connection used for the relay service of the remote UE1 between the relay UE1 and the RAN.

Or, the method for releasing relay connection provided in the embodiment of the present application may specifically include steps S1108 and S1109 shown in fig. 11, and the following steps S1402-S1403:

s1402, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 sends the first information to the RAN.

The first information is used for releasing the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE 1.

Illustratively, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 may send the first relay service authorization revocation information or the first relay connection release information (i.e., the first information) to the RAN by the N2 message. Wherein, the first relay service authorization revocation information is used for indicating that the remote UE1 is revoked and authorized to be the remote UE. The first relay connection release information is used to instruct to release the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE 1.

In some examples, the first information includes IDs of all relay UEs that have established the relay connection with the remote UE 1.

S1403, the RAN releases the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE 1.

Alternatively, a method for releasing relay connection provided by the embodiment of the present application may be based on steps S1201B-S1205B shown in fig. 12A, and replace S1201B with: and the PCF network element of the relay UE1 acquires the relay service subscription information of the relay UE1 from the UDM/UDR network element. For example, the relay service subscription information of the relay UE1 includes a list of remote UEs for which the relay UE1 is allowed to provide the relay service. Replace S1202B with: the PCF network element of the relay UE1 determines that the relay UE1 is not allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE1 according to the relay service subscription information of the relay UE 1. Replace S1203B with: and the PCF network element of the relay UE1 sends the second relay service authorization revocation information to the AMF network element of the remote UE 1.

Alternatively, a method for releasing a relay connection provided in the embodiment of the present application may be based on steps S1206B-S1209B shown in fig. 12B, and replace S1206B with: and the PCF network element of the relay UE1 acquires the relay service subscription information of the remote UE1 from the UDM/UDR network element. For example, the relay service subscription information of the remote UE1 includes a list of relay UEs that the remote UE1 is allowed to accept the relay service. Replace S1207B with: the PCF network element of the relay UE1 determines that the remote UE1 is not allowed to receive the relay service provided by the relay UE1 according to the relay service subscription information of the remote UE 1. Replace S1208B with: the PCF network element of relay UE1 sends the first information to the RAN.

It should be noted that the method for releasing the relay connection based on the fourth authorization manner may include the above steps S1101-S1102, S1401, and S1104-S1107, or include the above steps S1108-S1109 and S1402-S1403, or include the above steps S1101-S1102, S1401, S1104-S1107, S1108-S1109, and S1402-S1403. Or the method includes a step corresponding to that the relay UE1 is not allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE1 or that the remote UE1 is not allowed to accept the relay service provided by the relay UE 1.

The method of releasing the relay connection shown in fig. 14 is performed based on the authorization method four initiated by the relay UE 1. The method for releasing the relay connection based on the authorization mode four initiated by the remote UE1 may also refer to the method shown in fig. 14, which is not specifically described here.

In addition, the method for releasing relay connection based on the fourth authorization method, for example, the method for releasing relay connection shown in fig. 14, is also applicable to the case where the PCF network element based on the remote UE and the PCF network element of the relay UE negotiate to determine the association authorization result, and is not repeated here.

Through the method for releasing relay connection provided by the embodiment based on the fourth authorization mode, the PCF network element may instruct the RAN to release the relay connection corresponding to the remote UE1 in time when determining that the remote UE1 is not allowed to receive the relay service according to the service subscription information of the remote UE 1; and/or when determining that the relay UE1 is not allowed to provide the relay service according to the service subscription information of the relay UE1, timely instructing the relay UE1 to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay UE 1; and/or when determining that the relay UE1 is not allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE1 according to the service subscription information of the relay UE1, timely instructing the relay UE1 to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE1 and the relay UE 1; and/or when the remote UE1 is determined not to be allowed to accept the relay service provided by the relay UE1 according to the service subscription information of the remote UE1, instructing the RAN to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the remote UE1 and the relay UE1 in time. The method can improve the accuracy of the network side in controlling the relay connection and the accuracy of charging and the like by reacting in time according to the service subscription information of the remote UE1 and/or the relay UE 1.

In some examples, one method of releasing the relay connection shown in fig. 15 may be performed based on the authorization method four described above.

For example, the first network element is a PCF network element of the relay UE1, and the first information is sent to the relay UE1 by the PCF network element of the relay UE 1. As shown in fig. 15, a method for releasing a relay connection according to an embodiment of the present application may be based on S1101-S1102, S1401, and S1104-S1107 shown in fig. 14, and replace S1104-S1107 with S1501-S1502:

s1501, the relay UE1 sends the first relay connection release information to the SMF network element of the relay UE 1.

The first relay connection release information is used to instruct release of the relay connection corresponding to the relay UE 1. Specifically, the first relay connection release information is used by the SMF network element of the relay UE1 to release PDU session resources used by the relay UE1 for the relay service.

In some examples, relay UE1 sends the first relay connection release information to the SMF network element of relay UE1 through the AMF network element of relay UE 1.

S1502, the SMF network element of the relay UE1 releases the PDU session resource used by the relay UE1 for the relay service.

Alternatively, a method for releasing a relay connection provided in an embodiment of the present application may be based on S1101-S1102, S1401, and S1501-S1502 shown in fig. 15, and S1102 is replaced with: and the PCF network element of the relay UE determines that the relay UE1 is not allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE1 according to the relay service subscription information of the relay UE 1. And, replacing S1501 with: the relay UE1 requests the SMF network element of the relay UE1 to delete the context of the remote UE1 in the PDU session of the relay UE1 providing the relay service through the AMF network element of the relay UE 1. For example, the relay UE1 may send fourth information to the SMF network element of the relay UE1, where the fourth information is used to delete the context of the remote UE1 in the PDU session in which the relay UE1 provides the relay service. The context of the remote UE1 may include, but is not limited to, the ID of the remote UE1 and/or the IP of the remote UE 1. And, replacing S1502 with: the SMF network element of the relay UE1 deletes the context of the remote UE1 in the PDU session in which the relay UE1 provides the relay service.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 15, a method for releasing a relay connection provided in the embodiment of the present application may be based on steps S1101 to S1102 shown in fig. 14, and the following steps S1503 to S1505:

s1503, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 sends the first relay service authorization revocation information to the AMF network element of the relay UE 1.

Wherein the first relay service authorization revocation information is used to indicate that the relay UE1 is revoked and authorized to act as a relay UE.

For example, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 may send the first relay service Authorization revocation information to the AMF network element of the relay UE1 through an Authorization Update message (Authorization Update).

In some examples, the Authorization Update message (Authorization Update) carries IDs of all remote UEs that have established a relay connection with relay UE 1.

S1504, the AMF network element of the relay UE1 sends the first relay connection release information to the SMF network element of the relay UE 1.

In some examples, the relay connection release cause value may be included in the first relay connection release information. The relay connection release cause value is used to characterize the cause of the relay connection release. For example, reasons for relay connection release include: the relay service subscription information of the relay UE1 changes. For example, the subscription to provide the relay service expires.

S1505, the SMF network element of the relay UE1 releases the PDU session resource used by the relay UE1 for the relay service.

Alternatively, a method for releasing a relay connection provided in the embodiment of the present application may be based on the method shown in fig. 15, and S1102 is replaced with: and the PCF network element of the relay UE determines that the relay UE1 is not allowed to provide the relay service for the remote UE1 according to the relay service subscription information of the relay UE 1. And, replacing S1503 with: and the PCF network element of the relay UE1 sends the second relay service authorization revocation information to the AMF network element of the relay UE 1. The second relay service authorization revocation information is used to indicate that the relay UE1 is revoked to provide the relay service for the remote UE 1. For example, the PCF network element of the relay UE1 may send the second relay service Authorization revocation information to the AMF network element of the relay UE1 through an Authorization Update message (Authorization Update). In some examples, the Authorization Update message (Authorization Update) carries IDs of all remote UEs that have established a relay connection with relay UE 1. And, replacing S1504 with: and the AMF network element of the relay UE1 sends second relay connection release information to the SMF network element of the relay UE 1. Wherein the second relay connection release credit is used for indicating to release the relay connection corresponding to the relay service between the relay UE1 and the remote UE 1. Specifically, the second relay connection release information is used by the SMF network element of the relay UE1 to request to delete the context of the remote UE1 in the PDU session in which the relay UE1 provides the relay service. And, replacing S1505 with: the SMF network element of the relay UE1 deletes the context of the remote UE1 in the PDU session in which the relay UE1 provides the relay service.

The method of releasing the relay connection shown in fig. 15 is performed based on the authorization method four initiated by the relay UE 1. The method for releasing the relay connection based on the authorization mode four initiated by the remote UE1 may also refer to the method shown in fig. 15, which is not specifically described here. For example, it is possible to refer to steps S1101-S1102, S1401, and S1501-S1502 shown in fig. 15, and replace the PCF network element of the relay UE1 with the PCF network element of the remote UE 1. Alternatively, steps S1101-S1102 and S1503-S1505 shown in fig. 15 may be referred to, and the PCF network element of the relay UE1 is replaced with the PCF network element of the remote UE 1.

In addition, the method for releasing the relay connection shown in fig. 15 may also be performed based on independent authorization of layer 3 relay (e.g., authorization method one), and may also refer to the method shown in fig. 15, which is not specifically described here.

Alternatively, the method for releasing the relay connection based on the third authorization method of the layer 3 relay may refer to the method shown in fig. 15. For example, it is possible to replace S1301-S1305 with S1401 and S1501-S1502 shown in FIG. 15 based on steps S1201A-S1202A and S1301-S1305 shown in FIG. 13; or S1301 to S1305 are replaced with steps S1503 to S1505 shown in fig. 15.

It should be understood that the various aspects of the embodiments of the present application can be reasonably combined and explained, and the explanation or explanation of the various terms appearing in the embodiments can be mutually referred to or explained in the various embodiments, which is not limited.

It should also be understood that, in the various embodiments of the present application, the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes do not mean the execution sequence, and the execution sequence of each process should be determined by its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

It is to be understood that the relay UE, the remote UE, the access network device or other network devices (such as PCF network element, SMF network element or AMF network element) may include hardware structures and/or software modules for performing the functions of any of the above embodiments. Those of skill in the art would readily appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed as hardware or computer software drives hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. 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 application.

In the embodiment of the present application, functional modules of relay UE, remote UE, access network device or other network devices (such as PCF network element, SMF network element or AMF network element) may be divided, for example, each functional module may be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in a hardware mode, and can also be realized in a software functional module mode. It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the division of the module is schematic, and is only one logic function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation.

For example, when the functional modules are divided in an integrated manner, as shown in fig. 16, the functional modules are a block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be a relay UE or a remote UE. The communication device may include a transceiving unit 1610 and a processing unit 1620.

Wherein, when the communication apparatus is a relay UE, the transceiver 1610 is configured to support the relay UE to perform the above steps S701, S702, S703, S704, S705, S801, S901, S902, S1001, S1002, S1103, S1104, S1105, S1301, S1401, or S1501, and/or other procedures for the techniques described herein. The processing unit 1620 is configured to assist the relay UE to perform the above steps S701, S702, S703, S704, S705, S801, S901, S902, S1001, S1002, S1116, S1204A, S1208A, S1205B, or S1209B, and/or other processes for the techniques described herein.

When the communication device is a far-end UE, the transceiver unit 1610 is configured to support the far-end UE to perform the above steps S701, S702, S703, S705, S706, S1105, S1110, or S1112, and/or other processes for the techniques described herein. Processing unit 1620 is configured to assist the remote UE to perform the above steps S701, S702, S703, S705, S706, S707, S1107 or S1111, and/or other procedures for the techniques described herein.

Fig. 17 is a block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be the above access network device, AMF network element, PCF network element, SMF network element, or the like. The communication device may include a transceiving unit 1710 and a processing unit 1720.

Wherein, when the communication apparatus is an access network device, the transceiver 1710 is configured to support the access network device to perform the above steps S601, S602, S701, S702, S704, S706, S707, S901, S902, S1001, S1002, S1103, S1104, S1110, S1112, S1115, S1203A, S1207A, S1204B, S1208B, S1301, S1401, S1402, or S1501, and/or other processes for the technologies described herein. The processing unit 1702 is configured to assist the access network device to perform the above steps S602, S701, S702, S704, S706, S707, S801, S1001, S1002, S1004, S1005, S1007, or S1101, or support the access network device to perform the above steps S1106, S1116, S1204A, S1208A, S1205B, S1209B, or S1403, and/or other processes for the techniques described herein.

When the communication apparatus is an AMF network element, the transceiving unit 1710 is configured to support the AMF network element to perform the above steps S601, S602, S701, S704, S706, S801, S802, S803, S901, S902, S1001, S1002, S1103, S1113, S1115, S1201A, S1203A, S1205A, S1207A, S1201B, S1203B, S1204B, S1206B, S1208B, S1301, S1401, S1501, S1503, or S1504, and/or other processes for the techniques described herein. The processing unit 1702 is configured to assist the AMF network element to perform the above-mentioned steps S602, S701, S704, S706, S707, S801, S802, S803, S901, S902, S1001, or S1002, or to assist the AMF network element to perform the above-mentioned steps S1114, S1202A, S1206A, S1202B, or S1207B, and/or other processes for the techniques described herein.

When the communication device is a PCF network element, the transceiver 1710 is configured to support the PCF network element to perform the above steps S601, S602, S704, S1001, S1002, S1101, S1103, S1108, S1110, S1401, or S1503, and/or other processes for the techniques described herein. Processing unit 1702 is configured to assist a PCF network element in performing steps S602, S701, S704, S1001, or S1002 described above, or in supporting that PCF network element in performing steps S1102 or S1109 described above, and/or other processes for the techniques described herein.

When the communication device is an SMF network element, the transceiving unit 1710 is configured to support the SMF network element to perform the above steps S701, S1401, S1501 or S1504, and/or other processes for the techniques described herein. The processing unit is configured to enable the SMF network element to perform the above-described steps S1502 or S1505, and/or other processes for the techniques described herein.

It should be noted that the transceiver 1610 and the transceiver 1710 may include rf circuits. The UE or the network device may receive and transmit wireless signals through the radio frequency circuit. Typically, the radio frequency circuitry includes, but is not limited to, an antenna, at least one amplifier, a transceiver, a coupler, a low noise amplifier, a duplexer, and the like. In addition, the radio frequency circuitry may also communicate with other devices via wireless communication. The wireless communication may use any communication standard or protocol including, but not limited to, global system for mobile communications, general packet radio service, code division multiple access, wideband code division multiple access, long term evolution, email, short message service, and the like.

In an alternative, when the data transfer is implemented using software, it may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are implemented in whole or in part. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a network of computers, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another, for example, from one website site, computer, server, or data center to another website site, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device, such as a server, a data center, etc., that incorporates one or more of the available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy Disk, hard Disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., Solid State Disk (SSD)), among others.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in hardware or may be embodied in software instructions executed by a processor. The software instructions may consist of corresponding software modules that may be stored in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may reside in a probing apparatus. Of course, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in the probe device.

Through the above description of the embodiments, it is clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and simplicity of description, the foregoing division of the functional modules is merely used as an example, and in practical applications, the above function distribution may be completed by different functional modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device may be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the above described functions.

The application provides a communication system, which comprises access network equipment, an AMF network element and a PCF network element. The communication system is configured to implement the method in any possible implementation manner provided by the present application, for example, the AMF network element or the PCF network element in the communication system is configured to implement steps S601 and S602 shown in fig. 6, or the access network device, the AMF network element and the PCF network element in the communication system are configured to assist in implementing the authorization procedure of the remote UE and/or the relay UE shown in fig. 7, fig. 8, fig. 9, or fig. 10, or the access network device, the AMF network element and the PCF network element in the communication system are configured to assist in implementing the procedure of releasing the relay connection shown in fig. 11, fig. 12, fig. 13, fig. 14, or fig. 15. Further, the communication system may further include the remote UE and the relay UE in the above method embodiments.

A communication device is provided that includes a processor, a memory having computer program code stored therein; the computer program code, when executed by a processor, implements the actions of the first network element, the access network device, or the first UE in the methods provided herein. The communication device may be the system-on-chip, which may be formed by a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

In the several 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 device embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the modules or units is only one logical functional division, and there may be other divisions when actually implemented, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or may be integrated into another device, 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 be one physical unit or a plurality of physical units, that is, may be located in one place, or may be distributed in a plurality of different places. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present application 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 integrated unit can be realized in a form of hardware, and can also be realized in a form of a software functional unit.

The integrated unit, if implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application may be essentially or partially contributed to by the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions may be embodied in the form of a software product, where the software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to enable a device (which may be a single chip, a chip, or the like) or a processor (processor) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: various media capable of storing program codes, such as a usb disk, a removable hard disk, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

The above description is only an embodiment of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present disclosure should be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

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Method, equipment and system for releasing relay connection

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