Communication method and device for achieving business continuity

Abstract

The present invention provides a communication method and apparatus for achieving service continuity, wherein the method comprises: a remote user device autonomously selecting or determining a communication path with an access network based on a first indication from the access network; and the remote user device communicating with the access network using the communication path. The present invention achieves determination of the communication path, thereby resolving the problem of the lack of a method for determining a communication link for a remote user device and service continuity in related technologies. This method can thereby ensure service continuity for the remote user device and provide a technical foundation for implementing communication in wearable devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a communication method and device for achieving service continuity. Background Art

[0002] With the development of wireless multimedia services, the demand for high data rates and user experience is growing, placing higher demands on the system capacity and coverage of traditional cellular networks. At the same time, application scenarios such as public safety, social networking, close-range data sharing, and local advertising are driving a growing demand for understanding and communicating with nearby people and objects (Proximity Services). Traditional base station-centric cellular networks have significant limitations in supporting high data rates and proximity services. Against this backdrop, D2D (Device-to-Device) technology, representing a new direction for future communication technology development, has emerged. The application of D2D technology can reduce the burden on cellular networks, reduce battery power consumption of user devices, increase data rates, and improve the robustness of network infrastructure, effectively meeting the requirements of these high-data-rate services and proximity services. Currently, D2D technology is also known as Proximity Services (ProSe) and Sidelink (SL).

[0003] D2D technology generally includes D2D discovery and D2D communication. D2D discovery refers to technology used to determine whether a first user device is in proximity to a second user device. Typically, D2D user devices can discover each other by sending or receiving discovery signals or information. D2D communication refers to technology that allows some or all communication data between D2D user devices to be communicated directly without going through network infrastructure.

[0004] On the other hand, with the growing demand for the Internet of Things (IoE), the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has standardized machine-type communication (MTC). The work on evolved MTC (eMTC) in Releases 12 and 13 has been largely completed, while the standardization of narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) is still ongoing. Release 13 eMTC, while supporting low costs, adds support for coverage enhancement and limited bandwidth. Generally speaking, the radio frequency transmission and reception capabilities of eMTC user equipment (UE) are limited to 1.4 MHz, while the radio frequency transmission and reception bandwidth of NB-IoT devices is limited to 180 kHz. Multiple repetitions of data transmission between the evolved Node B (eNB) and the eMTC / NB-IoT UE are typically used to enhance coverage. Given the low cost of eMTC / NB-IoT devices, it's generally desirable to maximize their lifespan. However, coverage enhancement often results in repeated data packet transmissions, rapidly draining the UE's battery. In addition to eMTC and NB-IoT devices, wearable devices also have similar application requirements, such as low cost, limited bandwidth, and low power consumption.

[0005] Among the newly established topics in 3GPP is enhanced D2D, which is mainly aimed at wearable devices (Wearables) and Internet of Things (IoT) / Machine Type Communication (MTC) applications. In this article, the above devices are collectively referred to as remote user equipment; wearable devices communicate with the network through the relay between the UE and the access network (UE-to-network relay). Among them, Wearables UE can communicate through PC5 or Uu port within the coverage of the eNB, at least the uplink data uses PC5. Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a communication architecture using UE-to-network relay according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the UE-to-network relay communication architecture is used. Figure 1 shown.

[0006] In the related art, for the various remote user devices mentioned above, the status of their communication links may change with the movement of the device or the change of network load, and cause the communication operation to fail. However, there is currently no suitable processing solution for determining the communication link of the remote user device (for example, the communication link determination method during initial selection or reselection).

[0007] With respect to the problem that the related technologies lack a method for determining a communication link of a remote user equipment and service continuity, no corresponding technical solution has been given so far. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The embodiments of the present invention provide a communication method and apparatus for achieving service continuity, so as to at least solve the problem in the related art of lacking a method for determining a communication link of a remote user equipment and service continuity.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a communication method for achieving service continuity is provided, comprising: a remote user device autonomously selecting or determining a communication path with an access network based on a first indication of the access network; and the remote user device communicating with the access network using the communication path.

[0010] Optionally, the communication path includes at least one of the following: communicating with the access network through a first interface, wherein the first interface is used for the remote user equipment to be directly connected to the access network; communicating with the access network through a second interface, wherein the second interface is used for the remote user equipment to be connected to the access network through a relay user equipment.

[0011] Optionally, when the communication path includes communicating with the access network through a second interface, the method further includes: the remote user equipment autonomously selecting or determining, based on a second indication of the access network, a communication technology for communicating between the remote user equipment and the relay user equipment.

[0012] Optionally, the communication technology includes at least one of the following: a transmission technology based on 3GPP; a transmission technology based on non-3GPP.

[0013] Optionally, the 3GPP-based transmission technology includes: device-to-device D2D technology; and / or, the non-3GPP-based transmission technology includes at least one of the following: Bluetooth technology, wireless local area network WLAN / WiFi technology, infrared data communication IrDA technology, wireless personal area network ZigBee technology, and other wireless communication technologies using unlicensed spectrum.

[0014] Optionally, the remote user equipment autonomously selects or determines according to the second indication of the access network that the communication technology for the remote user equipment to communicate with the relay user equipment includes at least one of the following: the remote user equipment transfers the 3GPP technology originally used by the second interface to a non-3GPP technology for transmission; the remote user equipment transfers the non-3GPP technology originally used by the second interface to a 3GPP technology for transmission; the remote user equipment transfers the 3GPP technology originally used by the second interface to another 3GPP technology for transmission; the remote user equipment transfers the non-3GPP technology originally used by the second interface to another non-3GPP technology for transmission.

[0015] Optionally, the remote user equipment autonomously selects or determines, based on the first indication of the access network, a communication path with the access network, including at least one of the following: the remote user equipment transfers all or part of the service originally transmitted through the first interface to the second interface for transmission; the remote user equipment transfers all or part of the service originally transmitted through the second interface to the first interface for transmission; the remote user equipment transfers all or part of the service originally transmitted through the first interface to the interface directly connected to the target base station for transmission; the remote user equipment transfers all or part of the service originally transmitted through the second interface to the air interface connected to the target relay user equipment for transmission.

[0016] Optionally, the relay user equipment includes at least one of the following: a layer 2 or layer 3 UE-to-network relay.

[0017] Optionally, the first interface is a Uu interface; and / or the second interface is an air interface between a remote user equipment and a relay user equipment.

[0018] Optionally, the remote user equipment autonomously selects the communication path with the access network, including: the remote user equipment determines the communication path with the access network based on at least one of the following information: link quality, service quality of service QoS requirements, power consumption requirements, pre-configured rules, and access network indication information.

[0019] Optionally, the preconfigured rules include at least one of the following: priority of the communication path; link quality threshold of the communication path; resource configuration rules.

[0020] Optionally, the preconfigured rules are stored in a universal integrated circuit card UICC or a mobile equipment ME of the remote user equipment, or are received from the access network via a system broadcast message.

[0021] Optionally, the access network indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: using a first interface and a second interface to communicate with the access network at the same time, wherein the first interface is used for the remote user equipment to directly connect to the access network, and the second interface is used for the remote user equipment to connect to the access network through a relay user equipment; the service type communicated on the first interface and the second interface, wherein the service type includes one of the following: QoS of the service, control plane service, user plane service, uplink or downlink service; the priority of the first interface and the second interface; discovery resources and / or communication resources of the second interface; the second interface uses 3GPP or non-3GPP technology.

[0022] Optionally, the remote user equipment includes at least one of the following: user equipment UE, wearable terminal, Internet of Things IOT / machine type device MTC terminal.

[0023] Optionally, the access network includes: a base station.

[0024] Optionally, the remote user equipment uses the communication path to communicate with the access network, including at least one of the following communication types: uplink control plane CP communication; uplink user plane UP communication; downlink control plane CP communication; downlink user plane UP communication.

[0025] Optionally, the first indication is a system message or a dedicated instruction for indicating a communication path, wherein the dedicated instruction includes at least one of the following: layer 1 signaling, layer 2 signaling, and layer 3 signaling.

[0026] Optionally, the second indication is a system message or a dedicated instruction for indicating a communication technology, wherein the dedicated instruction includes at least one of the following: layer 1 signaling, layer 2 signaling, and layer 3 signaling.

[0027] Optionally, the first interface and the second interface are of the same frequency or different frequencies; and / or, the second interface uses a licensed spectrum or an unlicensed spectrum.

[0028] Optionally, the remote user equipment is located within or outside the coverage of the access network, or the remote user equipment is located within the enhanced coverage of the access network; the relay user equipment is located within the coverage of the access network.

[0029] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a communication device for achieving business continuity is provided, which is located in a remote user equipment, and the device includes: a first determination module, which is used to autonomously select or determine a communication path with the access network based on a first indication of the access network; and a communication module, which is used to communicate with the access network using the communication path.

[0030] Optionally, the communication path includes: communicating with the access network through a second interface, wherein the second interface is used for the remote user equipment to be connected to the access network through a relay user equipment, and the device also includes: a second determination module, used to autonomously select or determine the communication technology for the remote user equipment to communicate with the relay user equipment based on a second indication of the access network.

[0031] Optionally, the relay user equipment includes at least one of the following: a layer 2 or layer 3 UE-to-network relay.

[0032] Optionally, the remote user equipment includes at least one of the following: user equipment UE, wearable terminal, Internet of Things IOT / machine type device MTC terminal.

[0033] Optionally, the access network includes: a base station.

[0034] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a storage medium is provided. The storage medium is configured to store program code for executing the following steps: a remote user equipment autonomously selecting or determining, based on a first indication from the access network, a communication path with the access network; and the remote user equipment communicating with the access network using the communication path.

[0035] Through the present invention, since the remote user equipment adopts autonomous selection or determines the communication path with the access network according to the instructions of the access network, and adopts the determined communication path for communication, the determination of the communication path is realized. Therefore, it can solve the problem of lack of determination method and business continuity of the communication link of the remote user equipment in the related technology, thereby ensuring the business continuity of the remote user equipment and providing a technical basis for the communication implementation of wearable devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of this application. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication architecture using UE-to-network relay according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a communication method for achieving service continuity according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an architecture in which a remote user equipment communicates via a relay user equipment according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 4a This is an example diagram of implementing scenario 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4b This is an example diagram of implementing scenario 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 4c This is an example diagram of implementing scenario 3 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 4d is an example diagram of implementing scenario 4 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 5 is a schematic flow chart of a method according to a preferred embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 6 is a schematic flow chart of a method according to a preferred embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 7 is a schematic flow chart of a method according to a preferred embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 8 is a schematic flow chart of a method according to a preferred embodiment 4 of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 9 is a schematic flow chart of a method according to a preferred embodiment 5 of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 10 2 is a schematic diagram of a system structure for achieving service continuity according to a preferred embodiment 6 of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 11 is a structural block diagram of a communication device for achieving service continuity according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 12 This is a block diagram of a preferred structure of a communication device for achieving service continuity according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with embodiments. It should be noted that, unless there is a conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other.

[0053] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the description and claims of the present invention and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0054] During the research and practice of related technologies, the inventors discovered that the following problems currently exist: Wearables / IoT / MTC UEs (hereinafter referred to as remote user equipment, i.e., remote-UE, abbreviated as r-UE) communicate with the network through relay user equipment (relay UE, hereinafter referred to as R-UE) or directly. Due to the movement of the r-UE / R-UE device or changes in network load, the communication link status may change, resulting in the failure of the r-UE / R-UE's communication operation.

[0055] In order to ensure the service continuity of r-UE, it is necessary to solve the problem of how to select the r-UE communication link and / or communication technology. Based on the above considerations, the embodiment of the present invention provides a communication solution for achieving service continuity to at least solve at least one of the above problems.

[0056] Method Example

[0057] In this embodiment, a communication method for achieving service continuity is provided. Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a communication method for achieving service continuity according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, the process includes the following steps:

[0058] Step S202: The remote user equipment autonomously selects or determines a communication path with the access network according to a first instruction of the access network;

[0059] Step S204: the remote user equipment communicates with the access network using the communication path.

[0060] Through the above steps, since the remote user device adopts autonomous selection or determines the communication path with the access network according to the instructions of the access network, and adopts the determined communication path for communication, the determination of the communication path is realized. Therefore, the problem of lack of determination method and business continuity of the communication link of the remote user device in the related technology can be solved, thereby ensuring the business continuity of the remote user device and providing a technical basis for the communication implementation of wearable devices.

[0061] The first indication is a system message or a dedicated instruction for indicating a communication path, which may include at least one of the following: layer 1 signaling, layer 2 signaling, and layer 3 signaling.

[0062] Optionally, the r-UE may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a user equipment (UE), a wearable terminal, or an Internet of Things (IoT) / Machine Type Device (MTC) terminal. The access network may include, but is not limited to, a base station. Optionally, the r-UE may be located within or outside the coverage of the access network, or within the enhanced coverage of the access network; the R-UE may be located within the coverage of the access network.

[0063] As a preferred embodiment, the communication path may include at least one of the following:

[0064] Communicating with the access network via a first interface, wherein the first interface is used for the r-UE to directly connect to the access network, and typically the first interface may be a Uu interface;

[0065] Communicate with the access network via a second interface, wherein the second interface is used for the r-UE to connect to the access network via a relay user equipment R-UE. Typically, the second interface may be an air interface between r-UEs and R-UEs.

[0066] Optionally, the first interface and the second interface may be co-frequency or different-frequency; and / or, the second interface may use a licensed spectrum or an unlicensed spectrum.

[0067] The R-UE may include at least one of the following: a layer 2 or layer 3 UE-to-network relay.

[0068] Optionally, when the communication path includes communicating with the access network via a second interface, the r-UE may further autonomously select or determine, based on a second indication from the access network, a communication technology for communication between the r-UE and the R-UE. For example, the communication technology may include a 3GPP-based transmission technology and / or a non-3GPP-based transmission technology.

[0069] The second indication is a system message or a dedicated instruction for indicating a communication technology, which may include at least one of the following: layer 1 signaling, layer 2 signaling, and layer 3 signaling.

[0070] Among them, the 3GPP-based transmission technology may include D2D communication technology (such as sidelink technology); the non-3GPP-based transmission technology may include at least one of the following: Bluetooth technology, wireless local area network (WLAN) / wireless fidelity (WiFi) technology, infrared data communication (Infrared Data Association, abbreviated as IrDA) technology, wireless personal area network (ZigBee) technology, and other wireless communication technologies using unlicensed spectrum.

[0071] Optionally, the scenario in which the r-UE autonomously selects or determines, according to the second indication of the access network, the communication technology for communication between the r-UE and the R-UE may include one or more of the following:

[0072] The r-UE transfers the 3GPP technology originally used by the second interface to a non-3GPP technology for transmission;

[0073] The r-UE transfers the non-3GPP technology originally used by the second interface to the 3GPP technology for transmission;

[0074] The r-UE transfers the 3GPP technology originally used by the second interface to another 3GPP technology for transmission;

[0075] The r-UE transfers the non-3GPP technology originally used by the second interface to another non-3GPP technology for transmission.

[0076] Optionally, the scenario in which the r-UE autonomously selects or determines, according to the first indication of the access network, a communication path with the access network may include one or more of the following:

[0077] The r-UE transfers all or part of the services originally transmitted through the first interface to the second interface for transmission;

[0078] The r-UE transfers all or part of the services originally transmitted through the second interface to the first interface for transmission;

[0079] The r-UE transfers all or part of the services originally transmitted through the first interface to an interface directly connected to the target base station for transmission;

[0080] The r-UE transfers all or part of the services originally transmitted through the second interface to the air interface connected to the target R-UE for transmission.

[0081] As a preferred embodiment, in step S202, the r-UE may determine the communication path with the access network based on at least one of the following information: link quality, quality of service (QoS) requirements, power consumption requirements, pre-configured rules, and access network indication information. The pre-configured rules may include one or more of the following: communication path priority; link quality threshold for the communication path; and resource configuration rules.

[0082] Optionally, the preconfigured rules may be stored in a UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card) or ME (Mobility Equipment) of the r-UE, or received from the access network through a system broadcast message.

[0083] Optionally, the access network indication information may be used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0084] Simultaneously communicating with the access network using a first interface and a second interface, wherein the first interface is used for the r-UE to directly connect to the access network, and the second interface is used for the r-UE to connect to the access network through a relay user equipment R-UE;

[0085] The service type communicated on the first interface and the second interface, wherein the service type includes one of the following: QoS of the service, control plane service, user plane service, uplink or downlink service;

[0086] priorities of the first interface and the second interface;

[0087] discovery resources and / or communication resources of the second interface;

[0088] The second interface adopts 3GPP or non-3GPP technology; and so on.

[0089] As a preferred embodiment, the r-UE uses the communication path to communicate with the access network, including at least one of the following communication types: uplink control plane (CP) communication; uplink user plane (UP) communication; downlink CP communication; downlink UP communication.

[0090] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the method according to the above embodiment can be implemented by means of software plus the necessary general hardware platform, and of course it can also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases the former is a better implementation method. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present invention is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM / RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk), and includes a number of instructions for enabling a terminal device (which can be a mobile phone, computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in each embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] The following description is made in conjunction with preferred embodiments, which combine the above embodiments and their preferred implementation methods.

[0092] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of r-UE communicating through R-UE according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 3 As shown, a network structure in which an r-UE communicates via a R-UE is provided. The network structure includes an r-UE device, an R-UE device, and an access network device. The r-UE device may include at least one of the following: user equipment (UE), wearables, or an IoT / MTC terminal (e.g., category M1 / category NB-IoT device). Unless otherwise specified, the r-UE mentioned in this preferred embodiment represents one or more of the above-mentioned terminal devices. It should be noted that the solution of this preferred embodiment is applicable to various types of UEs. The r-UE selects a communication path (an air interface link between the r-UE and the R-UE or a Uu link between the r-UE and the access network device) based on instructions sent by the access network device or autonomously. Furthermore, the r-UE selects a transmission technology for the link between the r-UE and the R-UE based on instructions sent by the access network device or autonomously. The link between the r-UE and the R-UE may use a transmission technology based on 3GPP LTE (D2D communication technology, such as sidelink) or a non-3GPP transmission technology (e.g., Bluetooth, wireless local area network (WLAN), infrared, etc.).

[0093] The R-UE device may include at least one of the following: a relay. The R-UE device is responsible for transmitting control plane and / or user plane information between the access network device and the r-UE device. The R-UE is a layer 2 or layer 3 relay. The R-UE and the r-UE can communicate using at least one of the following: sidelink, bluetooth, WLAN / WiFi, IrDA (Infrared Data Association), ZigBee (Wireless Personal Area Network), and other wireless communication technologies using unlicensed spectrum.

[0094] The access network device at least includes an eNB, wherein the eNB is mainly responsible for sending information to the r-UE device and / or R-UE device and receiving information sent by the r-UE device and / or R-UE.

[0095] This preferred embodiment also describes a method for achieving r-UE service continuity using the above-mentioned device, specifically including: the r-UE independently selecting or determining the communication path with the access network based on the instruction of the access network; and the r-UE independently selecting or determining the communication technology between itself and the R-UE based on the instruction of the access network.

[0096] The r-UE is located within or outside the coverage of the access network. Furthermore, the r-UE is located within an enhanced coverage area. The r-UE receives system messages, synchronization signals, paging messages, etc. sent by the access network via a Uu port. To save power, uplink user plane data of the r-UE may be transmitted via the R-UE.

[0097] Autonomous selection refers to the UE selecting Figure 3 Interface 1 or interface 3 (and interface 2) in communicates with the access network, where Figure 3 The interface 1 in the figure is the first interface mentioned above. Figure 3 Interface 3 is the second interface mentioned above. For ease of understanding, the following description refers to interface 1 and interface 3. The pre-configured rules are stored in the UE's UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card) or ME (Mobility Equipment), or are sent by the access network eNB through a system broadcast message.

[0098] The communication path may include: interface 1, interface 3, uplink, and downlink; and the communication includes communication of control plane CP services and / or user plane UP services.

[0099] When the r-UE and / or R-UE moves or the network load changes, the reselection of the communication link may include one of the following scenarios:

[0100] 1) All or part of the services (including user plane and / or control plane data, uplink and / or downlink) originally transmitted by the r-UE through interface 1 are transferred to interface 3 for transmission;

[0101] 2) All or part of the services (including user plane and / or control plane data, uplink and / or downlink) originally transmitted by the r-UE through interface 3 are transferred to interface 1 for transmission; interface 3 may adopt 3GPP or non-3GPP technology;

[0102] 3) All or part of the services (including user plane and / or control plane data, uplink and / or downlink) originally transmitted by the r-UE through interface 1 are transferred to the new interface 1 (connecting the new cell, i.e., the interface connected to the target base station, the same below) for transmission;

[0103] 4) All or part of the services (including user plane and / or control plane data, uplink and / or downlink) originally transmitted by the r-UE through interface 3 are transferred to the new interface 3 (connected to the new relay, i.e., the air interface connected to the target R-UE, the same below) for transmission.

[0104] The subsequent description of this preferred embodiment is mainly aimed at the above-mentioned scenarios 1) and 2); for scenario 3), existing cell reselection or switching technology can be used to achieve service continuity; for scenario 4), if interface 3 adopts sidelink transmission, existing relay selection / reselection can be used for implementation. If non-3GPP technology is used, relevant technologies or enhanced functions can be considered for implementation.

[0105] Reselection of the communication technology of interface 3 between the r-UE and the R-UE may include one of the following scenarios:

[0106] 1) Interface 3 originally uses 3GPP technology (D2D communication technology, such as sidelink) for transmission and needs to be transferred to non-3GPP technology for transmission;

[0107] 2) Interface 3 originally uses non-3GPP technology for transmission and needs to be transferred to 3GPP technology for transmission;

[0108] 3) Interface 3 originally uses non-3GPP technology for transmission and needs to be transferred to another non-3GPP technology;

[0109] 4) Interface 3 originally uses 3GPP technology (D2D communication technology, such as sidelink) for transmission, and needs to be transferred to a new interface 3 and uses 3GPP technology or non-3GPP technology for transmission.

[0110] It should be noted that the above scenario does not exclude the possibility that some services in interface 3 adopt 3GPP technology and some services adopt non-3GPP technology.

[0111] Figure 4a to d are respectively example diagrams of various implementation scenarios according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 4, where the user plane refers to the user plane data transmission path, and the control plane refers to the control plane data transmission path; note that the uplink user plane communication of the r-UE is carried out through the R-UE, but this preferred embodiment does not exclude the scenario where the uplink user plane communication of the r-UE is also carried out through interface 1.

[0112] The r-UE makes a judgment based on one of the following: link quality, service quality (QoS) requirement, power consumption requirement, pre-configured rules, and eNB indication information to determine the required communication path.

[0113] The pre-configured rules may include at least one of the following: priority, threshold; priority refers to the priority between interface 1 and interface 3; if interface 1 has a higher priority, interface 1 is selected first; threshold refers to the link quality requirement of interface 1 and / or interface 3; if the link quality of the current interface is lower than the specified threshold, the UE may select another interface or another communication technology to continue communication; if the UE selects another interface or another communication technology, the UE notifies the access network device. Furthermore, the pre-configured rules may also include resource configuration.

[0114] The access network indication may be information sent by the access network device to the UE via a system message or dedicated signaling to indicate the communication path and / or communication technology, wherein the dedicated signaling includes at least one of the following: layer 1 signaling, layer 2 signaling, and layer 3 signaling. Furthermore, the access network indication may also include one of the following: simultaneous use of interface 1 and interface 3 for communication, service types communicated on interface 1 and interface 3, priorities of interface 1 and interface 3, discovery and / or communication resources of interface 3, and use of 3GPP or non-3GPP technology by interface 3; wherein the service type may include one of the following: service QoS, control plane service, user plane service, and uplink or downlink service.

[0115] The R-UE may be a UE-to-network relay.

[0116] The interface 1 and the interface 3 may be co-frequency or different-frequency, and the interface 3 may use a licensed spectrum or an unlicensed spectrum.

[0117] The communication technology between the r-UE and the R-UE (interface 3) may include one of the following: sidelink, bluetooth, WLAN, IrDA, ZigBee, and other wireless communication technologies using unlicensed spectrum.

[0118] Based on the above introduction, the specific implementation steps of this preferred embodiment are as follows:

[0119] Step 1: r-UE communicates with the access network.

[0120] The r-UE passes Figure 3 Communicate with the access network eNB through the path in.

[0121] Step 2: Determine whether to select a new communication path or communication technology. If yes, go to step 3; otherwise, go to step 4.

[0122] The judgment is performed by the r-UE or R-UE or eNB. Specifically, when the r-UE is in an idle state, the r-UE can make the judgment; when the R-UE is in a connected state, the R-UE makes the judgment based on the link status of interface 1 and / or interface 2 and / or interface 3 and the eNB indication, and the eNB makes the judgment based on the reported information of the r-UE and / or R-UE, local policy, radio resource management RRM, etc.

[0123] The order of priority for the judgment results of the three nodes is: eNB, R-UE, and r-UE. That is, when multiple results are available simultaneously, the eNB takes precedence, followed by the R-UE, and finally the r-UE. Furthermore, if the r-UE or R-UE determines a result, the r-UE or R-UE sends a result indication to the eNB, and the eNB determines whether to accept or reject the judgment result of the r-UE or R-UE. Furthermore, when the r-UE makes an autonomous selection, it may not notify the eNB.

[0124] The determination is made based on one of the following parameters: link quality, service QoS requirements, pre-configured rules, and access network indication information. For example, if the current link quality is below a pre-configured threshold, and / or the current link does not meet the QoS requirements of the service, and / or meets the link reselection conditions indicated by the pre-configured rules, and / or the access network indicates reselection / handover, then a new link or technology may be selected; otherwise, no new link or technology may be selected.

[0125] The communication path includes one of the following: interface 1, interface 3, uplink UL, downlink DL; the communication includes one of the following: user plane, control plane; further, the communication path also includes: the r-UE selects a new R-UE or selects a new cell.

[0126] The communication technology used by interface 3 includes one of the following: 3GPP technology and non-3GPP technology. 3GPP technology includes D2D communication technology, such as Sidelink communication; non-3GPP technology includes one of the following: Bluetooth, WLAN, IrDA, ZigBee, and other wireless communication technologies using unlicensed spectrum.

[0127] Step 3: The r-UE selects a new path and / or technology for communication.

[0128] The r-UE selects a new path and / or technology autonomously or according to the instruction of the eNB. When the r-UE is outside the coverage of the eNB or the r-UE is pre-configured to adopt an autonomous selection mode, the r-UE may select a new path or technology. Note that if the r-UE is outside the coverage of the eNB, the r-UE cannot select interface 1. If the r-UE selects a non-3GPP technology, the R-UE is required to support the selected technology and meet the specified conditions of the selected technology.

[0129] Step 4: The r-UE continues to communicate along the original path.

[0130] If the r-UE does not need to update the path and / or technology, it continues to communicate along the original path and / or using the original technology. Continuing to communicate along the original path also includes: if the r-UE selects a new path and / or technology, but the eNB and / or R-UE rejects the new selection, the r-UE continues to use the original path.

[0131] The above embodiments are described below with reference to specific scenarios.

[0132] Preferred embodiment 1

[0133] This preferred embodiment mainly describes the following scenario: the r-UE communicates via interface 1 and transfers communication to interface 3.

[0134] This preferred embodiment provides a method for achieving business continuity. Figure 5 , Figure 5 : is a flow chart of a method according to a preferred embodiment 1 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown in the figure, the specific process is:

[0135] Step S502: r-UE communicates via interface 1.

[0136] The communication performed by the r-UE through interface 1 includes one of the following: downlink control plane communication and downlink user plane communication, downlink user plane communication and uplink and downlink control plane communication, and uplink and downlink control plane communication; as shown in scenarios 1, 2, and 3 in Figure 4, the uplink user plane communication of the r-UE is performed through the R-UE.

[0137] Note: the r-UE communicating via interface 1 does not exclude the r-UE communicating via interface 3 at the same time.

[0138] Step S504: Determine to switch to interface 3 for communication.

[0139] The determination is performed by one of the following: r-UE, R-UE, eNB. The switching to interface 3 includes one of the following: downlink control plane and / or downlink user plane communication, downlink user plane and / or uplink and downlink control plane communication, uplink and downlink control plane communication.

[0140] Furthermore, the conversion further includes: the r-UE selects or the original eNB indicates a new eNB (ie, new interface 1).

[0141] Step S506: r-UE communicates via interface 3.

[0142] The r-UE can communicate via interface 3 using either 3GPP or non-3GPP technologies. Before communicating via interface 3, the r-UE must select an R-UE. If the r-UE uses 3GPP technology on interface 3, the r-UE selects the R-UE using existing UE-to-network relay rules. Otherwise, the r-UE selects the R-UE based on pre-configured rules or eNB instructions. Resource configuration for interface 3 can be performed according to existing rules, pre-configured in the r-UE's UICC or ME, or configured by the eNB based on the r-UE's request.

[0143] Preferred embodiment 2

[0144] This preferred embodiment mainly describes the following scenario: the UE communicates through interface 3 and transfers communication to interface 1.

[0145] Figure 6 : is a flow chart of a method according to a preferred embodiment 2 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown in the figure, the specific process is:

[0146] Step S602: r-UE communicates via interface 3.

[0147] The communication performed by the r-UE through interface 3 includes one of the following: uplink user plane communication, uplink control plane communication and uplink user plane communication, uplink and downlink user plane communication, uplink and downlink control plane communication and uplink and downlink user plane communication; as shown in scenarios 1, 2, 3, and 4 in Figure 4.

[0148] Note: the r-UE communicating via interface 3 does not exclude the r-UE communicating via interface 1 at the same time.

[0149] Step S604: Determine to switch to interface 1 for communication.

[0150] The determination is performed by one of the following: the r-UE, the R-UE, or the eNB. The transition to interface 1 includes one of the following: uplink and downlink control plane communication, or downlink user plane communication. Note: While the r-UE's uplink user plane communication is considered to be conducted via interface 3, this does not preclude the r-UE from also conducting uplink user plane communication via interface 1.

[0151] Furthermore, the conversion further includes: the r-UE selects or the eNB instructs selection of a new R-UE (new interface 3).

[0152] Step S606: r-UE communicates via interface 1.

[0153] The communication resources of interface 1 are configured by the eNB. The eNB configuration can be performed by r-UE sending a request message to the eNB (can be performed by R-UE), and the eNB sends a response message including the wireless communication resources of interface 1.

[0154] Preferred embodiment 3

[0155] This preferred embodiment mainly describes the following scenario: the r-UE communicates via 3GPP technology at interface 3 and switches to other non-3GPP technology communication.

[0156] Figure 7 : is a schematic flow chart of a method according to a preferred embodiment 3 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown in the figure, the specific process is:

[0157] Step S702: the r-UE communicates using the D2D communication technology.

[0158] The communication performed by the r-UE through interface 3 includes one of the following: uplink user plane communication, uplink control plane communication and uplink user plane communication, uplink and downlink user plane communication, uplink and downlink control plane communication and uplink and downlink user plane communication; as shown in scenarios 1, 2, 3, and 4 in Figure 4.

[0159] Note: the r-UE communicating via interface 3 does not exclude the r-UE communicating via interface 1 at the same time.

[0160] Step S704: Determine to transfer to other non-3GPP technologies for communication.

[0161] The determination is performed by one of the following: r-UE, R-UE, eNB. The non-3GPP technology includes one of the following: bluetooth, WLAN, IrDA, ZigBee, and other wireless communication technologies using unlicensed spectrum.

[0162] Step S706: The r-UE communicates using non-3GPP technology.

[0163] The non-3GPP technology may be carried using unlicensed spectrum. If unlicensed spectrum is used, the corresponding wireless resources are selected by the r-UE independently (according to corresponding technical rules) or coordinated by network elements on the network side.

[0164] Preferred embodiment 4

[0165] This preferred embodiment mainly describes the following scenario: the r-UE communicates via a non-3GPP technology at interface 3 and switches to 3GPP technology communication.

[0166] Figure 8 : is a schematic flow chart of a method according to a preferred embodiment 4 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. Figure 8As shown in the figure, the specific process is:

[0167] Step S802: The r-UE communicates using non-3GPP technology.

[0168] The non-3GPP technology includes one of the following: Bluetooth, WLAN, IrDA, ZigBee, and other wireless communication technologies using unlicensed spectrum.

[0169] Step S804: Determine to transfer to 3GPP technology for communication.

[0170] The determination is performed by one of the following: r-UE, R-UE, eNB. The 3GPP technology is a D2D communication technology, such as sidelink.

[0171] Step S806: The r-UE communicates using 3GPP technology.

[0172] The radio resources of the 3GPP technology are selected by the r-UE autonomously or configured by the eNB / R-UE, where the r-UE autonomous selection refers to pre-configured resources and stored in the UICC or ME, or sent by the eNB through a broadcast message, and the r-UE selects the required communication resources from the pre-configured resources or broadcast indication resources.

[0173] Preferred embodiment 5

[0174] This preferred embodiment mainly describes the following scenario: the r-UE communicates on interface 3 and transfers to a new interface 3 for communication.

[0175] Figure 9 : is a schematic flow chart of a method according to a preferred embodiment 5 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. Figure 9 As shown in the figure, the specific process is:

[0176] Step S902: r-UE communicates via interface 3.

[0177] The communication performed by the r-UE through interface 3 includes one of the following: uplink user plane communication, uplink control plane communication and uplink user plane communication, uplink and downlink user plane communication, uplink and downlink control plane communication and uplink and downlink user plane communication; as shown in scenarios 1, 2, 3, and 4 in Figure 4.

[0178] The r-UE communicates at interface 3 using 3GPP or non-3GPP technology.

[0179] Note: the r-UE communicating via interface 3 does not exclude the r-UE communicating via interface 1 at the same time.

[0180] Step S904: Determine to transfer to the new interface 3 for communication.

[0181] The determination is performed by one of the following: r-UE, R-UE, eNB. The switching to the new interface 3 includes one of the following: uplink user plane communication, uplink control plane communication and uplink user plane communication, uplink and downlink user plane communication, uplink and downlink control plane communication and uplink and downlink user plane communication.

[0182] Step S906: the r-UE communicates via the new interface 3.

[0183] When the new interface 3 adopts 3GPP technology, the communication resources are selected by the UE independently or configured by the eNB; when the new interface 3 adopts non-3GPP technology, the communication resources are selected by the r-UE independently or coordinated by the network side (R-UE and / or eNB).

[0184] Preferred embodiment 6

[0185] This preferred embodiment mainly describes a system for achieving business continuity. Figure 10 FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a system structure for achieving service continuity according to a preferred embodiment 6 of the present invention. Figure 10 As shown, the system includes: a wireless access network device 101, a remote terminal r-UE 102 and a relay R-UE 103; the wireless access network device 101 includes a base station 1011; the remote terminal r-UE 102 includes a terminal receiving module 1021, a processing module 1022 and a sending module 1023; the relay R-UE 103 includes: a receiving module 1031, a processing module 1032 and a sending module 1033.

[0186] Remote terminal receiving module 1021 is configured to receive data transmitted by base station module 1011 and / or R-UE transmitting module 1033 over the air interface. Processing module 1022 of remote terminal r-UE 102 is configured to autonomously select a communication path, communication technology, or communication resources. Transmitting module 1023 of terminal 102 is configured to transmit data and / or request information to base station module 1011 or the R-UE receiving module. Base station module 1011 is configured to receive data and / or request information from terminal 102 and to transmit data to r-UE 102 and / or R-UE 103.

[0187] Preferred embodiment 7

[0188] This preferred embodiment mainly describes the application scenario mainly implemented by the above solution. In this application scenario, the wearables device / MTC / NB-IOT device (r-UE) sends data to the eNB through the relay (R-UE) and receives information sent by the eNB through the Uu port. The relay communicates with the eNB through the Uu port:

[0189] 1) r-UE receives control signaling through the Uu port;

[0190] 2) The r-UE measures the channel quality of interface 3 and the Uu port and reports it to the eNB (directly or through the R-UE);

[0191] 3) The eNB sends communication link reselection / switching information to the r-UE;

[0192] 4) The r-UE selects a new R-UE autonomously or according to the eNB's instructions;

[0193] 5) The r-UE sends uplink data through the new R-UE.

[0194] This preferred embodiment can achieve remote UE service continuity, and ensure the service continuity requirements of the remote UE through the communication path or communication technology between the remote UE and the relay selected by the remote UE independently or instructed by the eNB.

[0195] Device embodiment

[0196] This embodiment also provides a communication device for implementing service continuity, located in a remote user equipment (r-UE). This device is used to implement the above-mentioned embodiments and preferred implementations, and details already described will not be repeated. As used below, the term "module" may refer to a combination of software and / or hardware that implements a predetermined function. Although the devices described in the following embodiments are preferably implemented in software, implementation using hardware, or a combination of software and hardware, is also possible and contemplated.

[0197] Figure 11 FIG. 1 is a structural block diagram of a communication device for achieving service continuity according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 As shown, the device includes:

[0198] The first determining module 112 is configured to autonomously select or determine a communication path with the access network according to a first indication of the access network; the communication module 114 is connected to the first determining module 112 and configured to communicate with the access network using the communication path.

[0199] Figure 12 FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred structure of a communication device for achieving service continuity according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 As shown, optionally, the communication path includes: communicating with the access network through interface 3, wherein the interface 3 is used for the r-UE to connect to the access network through a relay user equipment R-UE, and the apparatus may further include:

[0200] The second determining module 116 is connected to the first determining module 112 and the communication module 114, and is configured to autonomously select or determine, according to a second instruction of the access network, a communication technology for the r-UE to communicate with the R-UE.

[0201] Optionally, the R-UE may include at least one of the following: a layer 2 or layer 3 UE-to-network relay.

[0202] Optionally, the r-UE may include at least one of the following: a traditional user equipment UE, a wearable terminal, an Internet of Things (IOT) / machine type device (MTC) terminal.

[0203] Optionally, the access network includes: a base station.

[0204] It should be noted that the above modules can be implemented through software or hardware. For the latter, it can be implemented in the following ways, but not limited to: the above modules are all located in the same processor; or the above modules are located in different processors in any combination.

[0205] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a storage medium. Optionally, in this embodiment, the storage medium may be configured to store program codes for executing the following steps:

[0206] Step S202: The remote user equipment r-UE autonomously selects or determines a communication path with the access network according to a first instruction of the access network;

[0207] Step S204: The r-UE communicates with the access network using the communication path.

[0208] Optionally, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned storage medium may include but is not limited to: a USB flash drive, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a mobile hard disk, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and other media that can store program codes.

[0209] Optionally, specific examples in this embodiment may refer to the examples described in the above embodiments and optional implementation modes, and this embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0210] Obviously, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various modules or steps of the present invention described above can be implemented using a general-purpose computing device, centralized on a single computing device, or distributed across a network of multiple computing devices. Alternatively, they can be implemented using program code executable by a computing device, which can then be stored in a storage device and executed by the computing device. In some cases, the steps shown or described can be performed in a different order than that shown, or can be fabricated as separate integrated circuit modules, or multiple modules or steps can be fabricated as a single integrated circuit module. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any particular combination of hardware and software.

[0211] The foregoing description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are intended to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A communication method for achieving business continuity, characterized in that: include: Remote user equipment autonomously selects a communication path with the access network; The remote user equipment communicates with the access network using the communication path; The remote user equipment autonomously selecting a communication path with the access network includes: the remote user equipment determining the communication path with the access network based on the following information: link quality and pre-configured rules; the pre-configured rules including: a link quality threshold and resource configuration rules of the communication path; The communication path includes at least one of the following: Communicating with the access network via a first interface, wherein the first interface is used for the remote user equipment to directly connect to the access network; communicating with the access network via a second interface, wherein the second interface is used for the remote user equipment to connect to the access network via a relay user equipment; The preconfigured rules are stored in the universal integrated circuit card UICC or the mobile equipment ME of the remote user equipment; The first interface is a Uu interface; and / or, The second interface is a PC5 air interface between the remote user equipment and the relay user equipment; In a case where the communication path includes communicating with the access network through a second interface, the method further includes: The remote user equipment independently selects or determines according to a second instruction of the access network a communication technology for communication between the remote user equipment and the relay user equipment; The communication technology includes at least one of the following: a transmission technology based on 3GPP; a transmission technology based on non-3GPP.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The 3GPP-based transmission technology includes: device-to-device D2D technology; and / or, The non-3GPP based transmission technology includes at least one of the following: Bluetooth technology, wireless local area network WLAN / WiFi technology, infrared data communication IrDA technology, wireless personal area network ZigBee technology, and other wireless communication technologies using unlicensed spectrum.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The communication technology selected by the remote user equipment autonomously or determined according to the second indication of the access network for the remote user equipment to communicate with the relay user equipment includes at least one of the following: The remote user equipment transfers the 3GPP technology originally used by the second interface to a non-3GPP technology for transmission; The remote user equipment transfers the non-3GPP technology originally used by the second interface to the 3GPP technology for transmission; The remote user equipment transfers the 3GPP technology originally used by the second interface to another 3GPP technology for transmission; The remote user equipment transfers the non-3GPP technology originally used by the second interface to another non-3GPP technology for transmission.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The remote user equipment autonomously selects a communication path with the access network, including at least one of the following: The remote user equipment transfers all or part of the services originally transmitted through the first interface to the second interface for transmission; The remote user equipment transfers all or part of the services originally transmitted through the second interface to the first interface for transmission; The remote user equipment transfers all or part of the services originally transmitted through the first interface to an interface directly connected to the target base station for transmission; The remote user equipment transfers all or part of the services originally transmitted through the second interface to the air interface connected to the target relay user equipment for transmission.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The relay user equipment includes at least one of the following: Layer 2 or Layer 3 UE-to-network relay.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The remote user equipment determines a communication path with the access network according to the following information: link quality and pre-configured rules; wherein the information further includes: service quality of service QoS requirements, power consumption requirements, and access network indication information.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The preconfigured rules also include priorities of communication paths.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The preconfigured rules are also received from the access network via a system broadcast message.

9. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The access network indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: Simultaneously communicating with the access network using a first interface and a second interface, wherein the first interface is used for the remote user equipment to directly connect to the access network, and the second interface is used for the remote user equipment to connect to the access network via a relay user equipment; The service type communicated on the first interface and the second interface, wherein the service type includes one of the following: QoS of the service, control plane service, user plane service, uplink or downlink service; priorities of the first interface and the second interface; discovery resources and / or communication resources of the second interface; The second interface adopts 3GPP or non-3GPP technology.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The remote user equipment includes at least one of the following: User equipment UE, wearable terminal, Internet of Things IOT / machine type device MTC terminal.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The access network includes: a base station.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The remote user equipment communicates with the access network using the communication path, including at least one of the following communication types: Uplink control plane CP communication; Uplink user plane UP communication; Downlink CP communication; Downlink UP communication.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The second indication is a system message or a dedicated instruction for indicating a communication technology, wherein the dedicated instruction includes at least one of the following: layer 1 signaling, layer 2 signaling, and layer 3 signaling.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and 9, characterized in that The first interface and the second interface are of the same frequency or different frequencies; and / or, The second interface uses a licensed spectrum or an unlicensed spectrum.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The remote user equipment is located within or outside the coverage of the access network, or the remote user equipment is located within the enhanced coverage of the access network; the relay user equipment is located within the coverage of the access network.

16. A communication device for achieving service continuity, located in a remote user device, characterized in that: The device comprises: A first determination module is configured to autonomously select a communication path with the access network, wherein autonomously selecting the communication path with the access network comprises: the remote user equipment determining the communication path with the access network based on the following information: link quality and pre-configured rules; the pre-configured rules comprising: a link quality threshold and resource configuration rules of the communication path; a communication module, configured to communicate with the access network using the communication path; The communication path includes at least one of the following: communicating with the access network through a first interface, wherein the first interface is used for the remote user equipment to be directly connected to the access network; communicating with the access network through a second interface, wherein the second interface is used for the remote user equipment to be connected to the access network through a relay user equipment; The preconfigured rules are stored in the universal integrated circuit card UICC or the mobile equipment ME of the remote user equipment; The first interface is a Uu interface; and / or, The second interface is a PC5 air interface between the remote user equipment and the relay user equipment; The device further comprises: The second determination module is used to autonomously select or determine the communication technology for the remote user equipment to communicate with the relay user equipment based on a second indication of the access network; the communication technology includes at least one of the following: a transmission technology based on 3GPP; a transmission technology based on non-3GPP.

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that The relay user equipment includes at least one of the following: a layer 2 or layer 3 UE-to-network relay.

18. The device according to any one of claims 16 to 17, characterized in that The remote user equipment includes at least one of the following: user equipment UE, wearable terminal, Internet of Things IOT / machine type device MTC terminal.

19. The device according to any one of claims 16 to 17, characterized in that The access network includes: a base station.

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