Communication method based on dual connectivity configuration and related device

Abstract

The embodiment of the disclosure provides a communication method based on a dual connection configuration and related equipment, and belongs to the technical field of communication. The method is applied to a terminal, and the method comprises the following steps: when the terminal is connected with a master node and a secondary node, sending first auxiliary information of the terminal to the master node, the first auxiliary information of the terminal comprising at least one of the following: a first expected maximum carrier number of the terminal to a secondary cell group (SCG) under the secondary node, a first expected radio resource control state of the terminal, a first expected SCG state of the terminal to the SCG, and current power information of the terminal, so that the master node generates a deactivation / release instruction according to the first auxiliary information; receiving the deactivation / release instruction returned by the master node in response to the first auxiliary information, wherein the deactivation / release instruction indicates that the master node agrees with the terminal to deactivate or release the SCG according to the first auxiliary information; and deactivating or releasing the SCG according to the deactivation / release instruction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a communication method, terminal, master node, slave node, and computer-readable storage medium based on a dual-connection configuration. Background Technology

[0002] In the initial stages of 5G mobile communication systems, since 4G and 5G New Radio (NR) networks will coexist, operators will deploy Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) and NR networks to simultaneously provide service transmission to terminals in order to fully utilize existing 4G networks. Alternatively, two 5G NR access networks can be deployed to provide service transmission to terminals simultaneously. This connection method, which provides service transmission to terminals simultaneously through two access networks, is called Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) or dual connectivity.

[0003] In dual connectivity, two nodes provide service transmission for the terminal: the master node (MN) and the secondary node (SN). The multiple serving cells under the master node are called the master cell group (MCG). The MCG includes the primary cell (PCell) and the secondary cell (SCell). The master cell operates on the primary carrier, and the terminal establishes the initial connection or initiates a connection re-establishment process on the master cell. All cells in the MCG except the PCell are SCells.

[0004] The multiple serving cells of a terminal under a secondary node are called a Secondary Cell Group (SCG). An SCG includes the primary SCG cell (PSCell) and SCells. Among them, the cell in the SCG where the terminal performs random access during synchronization and reconfiguration is called a PSCell, and all other cells in the SCG besides the PSCell are SCells.

[0005] In existing technologies, when a terminal is configured with an SCG, even if the terminal has relatively low data transmission rate requirements, it still needs to monitor the PSCell and the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) of the SCG and the SCell. Furthermore, the terminal also needs to transmit uplink signals such as Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) and Channel State Information (CSI) on the PSCell and the SCell of the SCG. This results in excessively high power consumption for the terminal. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure provides a communication method, terminal, master node, slave node, and computer-readable storage medium based on a dual-connection configuration, which can reduce the power consumption of the terminal.

[0007] This disclosure provides a communication method based on a dual-connectivity configuration, applied to a terminal. The method includes: when the terminal is connected to a master node and a slave node, sending first auxiliary information of the terminal to the master node. The first auxiliary information includes at least one of the following: the terminal's first desired maximum number of carriers for a secondary cell group (SCG) under the slave node; the terminal's first desired radio resource control status; the terminal's first desired secondary cell group status for the SCG; and the terminal's current battery information, so that the master node generates a deactivation / release command based on the first auxiliary information; receiving the deactivation / release command returned by the master node in response to the first auxiliary information, the deactivation / release command instructing the master node to agree to the terminal deactivating or releasing the SCG based on the first auxiliary information; and deactivating or releasing the SCG according to the deactivation / release command. The method provided in this disclosure can be executed by the terminal or by a chip configured in the terminal, and this disclosure does not limit this execution.

[0008] This disclosure provides a communication method based on a dual-connectivity configuration, applied to a master node. The method includes: when a terminal is connected to both the master node and a secondary node, receiving first auxiliary information from the terminal. The first auxiliary information includes at least one of the following: the terminal's first desired maximum number of carriers for a secondary cell group (SCG) under the secondary node, the terminal's first desired radio resource control status, the terminal's first desired secondary cell group status for the SCG, and the terminal's current battery level; generating a deactivation / release instruction based on the first auxiliary information, the deactivation / release instruction instructing the master node to agree to the terminal deactivating or releasing the SCG based on the first auxiliary information; and sending the deactivation / release instruction to the terminal so that the terminal deactivates or releases the SCG according to the deactivation / release instruction. The method provided in this disclosure can be executed by the master node or by a chip configured in the master node; this disclosure does not limit this execution.

[0009] This disclosure provides a communication method based on a dual-connectivity configuration, applied to a secondary node. The method includes: when a terminal is connected to a primary node and the secondary node, receiving a first secondary node modification request message from the primary node. The first secondary node modification request message instructs the primary node to request the secondary node to deactivate or release a secondary cell group (SCG) under the secondary node. The primary node generates the first secondary node modification request message based on first auxiliary information received from the terminal. The first auxiliary information of the terminal includes at least one of the following: the terminal's first desired maximum number of carriers for the secondary cell group (SCG) under the secondary node, the terminal's first desired radio resource control status, the terminal's first desired secondary cell group status for the SCG, and the terminal's current battery information. If the primary node agrees to the first secondary node modification request message, it returns a first secondary node modification request confirmation message to the primary node, indicating that the secondary node agrees to deactivate or release the SCG. The primary node then returns a deactivation / release instruction to the terminal based on the confirmation message, and the terminal deactivates or releases the SCG according to the deactivation / release instruction. The method provided in this disclosure can be executed by a secondary node or by a chip configured in the secondary node, and this disclosure does not limit it in this regard.

[0010] This disclosure provides a terminal, including: a first communication unit, configured to send first auxiliary information of the terminal to the master node when the terminal is connected to a master node and a slave node, the first auxiliary information of the terminal including at least one of the following: the terminal's first desired maximum number of carriers for a secondary cell group (SCG) under the slave node, the terminal's first desired radio resource control status, the terminal's first desired secondary cell group status for the SCG, and the terminal's current battery information, so that the master node generates a deactivation / release instruction based on the first auxiliary information; the first communication unit is further configured to receive the deactivation / release instruction returned by the master node in response to the first auxiliary information, the deactivation / release instruction instructing the master node to agree to the terminal deactivating or releasing the SCG based on the first auxiliary information; and a first processing unit, configured to deactivate or release the SCG according to the deactivation / release instruction. The first communication unit and the first processing unit of the terminal can be implemented by software and / or hardware.

[0011] This disclosure provides a master node, comprising: a second communication unit, configured to receive first auxiliary information from a terminal when the terminal is connected to the master node and a secondary node, the first auxiliary information including at least one of the following: the terminal's first desired maximum number of carriers for a secondary cell group (SCG) under the secondary node, the terminal's first desired radio resource control status, the terminal's first desired secondary cell group status for the SCG, and the terminal's current battery information; a second processing unit, configured to generate a deactivation / release instruction based on the first auxiliary information, the deactivation / release instruction instructing the master node to agree to the terminal deactivating or releasing the SCG based on the first auxiliary information; the second communication unit is further configured to send the deactivation / release instruction to the terminal so that the terminal deactivates or releases the SCG according to the deactivation / release instruction. The second communication unit and the second processing unit of this master node can be implemented by software and / or hardware.

[0012] This disclosure provides a secondary node, including: a third communication unit, configured to receive a first secondary node modification request message from the primary node when a terminal is connected to a primary node and the secondary node. The first secondary node modification request message instructs the primary node to request the secondary node to deactivate or release a secondary cell group (SCG) under the secondary node. The primary node is configured to generate the first secondary node modification request message based on first auxiliary information received from the terminal. The first auxiliary information of the terminal includes at least one of the following: the terminal's first desired maximum number of carriers for the secondary cell group (SCG) under the secondary node, the terminal's first desired radio resource control status, the terminal's first desired secondary cell group status for the SCG, and the terminal's current battery level. The third communication unit is further configured to, if agreeing to the first secondary node modification request message, return a first secondary node modification request confirmation message to the primary node instructing the secondary node to agree to deactivate or release the SCG. This allows the primary node to return a deactivation / release instruction to the terminal based on the confirmation message, and the terminal is configured to deactivate or release the SCG according to the deactivation / release instruction. The third communication unit included in this auxiliary node can be implemented through software and / or hardware.

[0013] This disclosure provides a communication device, which includes at least one processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is used for information exchange between the communication device and other communication devices. When program instructions are executed in the at least one processor, the method in any of the possible implementations described above is implemented.

[0014] Optionally, the communication device may also include a memory. The memory is used to store programs and data.

[0015] Optionally, the communication device may be a terminal and / or a master node and / or a slave node.

[0016] This disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for execution by a communication device, wherein the program, when executed by a processor, implements the method in any of the possible implementations described above.

[0017] For example, the computer-readable storage medium may store a computer program for execution by a terminal, which, when executed by a processor, implements instructions for the method described in the above embodiments.

[0018] For example, the computer-readable storage medium may store a computer program for execution by the master node, which, when executed by a processor, implements instructions for the method described by the master node as described in the above embodiments.

[0019] For example, the computer-readable storage medium may store a computer program for execution by a secondary node, which, when executed by a processor, implements instructions for the method performed by the secondary node as described in the above embodiments.

[0020] This disclosure provides a computer program product containing instructions. When the computer program product is run on a communication device, it causes the communication device to execute the instructions of the methods described above or any possible implementation of the methods described above.

[0021] For example, when the computer program product is executed on a terminal, it causes the terminal to execute instructions of the method in any of the possible implementations of the above embodiments.

[0022] For example, when the computer program product is executed on the master node, it causes the master node to execute instructions of the method in any of the possible implementations of the above embodiments.

[0023] For example, when the computer program product is executed on a secondary node, it causes the secondary node to execute instructions of the method in any possible implementation of the above embodiments.

[0024] This disclosure provides a system chip including an input / output interface and at least one processor, which is used to call instructions in memory to perform operations of the methods in any of the possible implementations of the above-described parties.

[0025] Optionally, the system chip may also include at least one memory and a bus, wherein the at least one memory is used to store instructions executed by the processor.

[0026] This disclosure provides a communication system including the aforementioned terminal, master node, and slave node.

[0027] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when a terminal connects to a master node and a slave node, the terminal sends its first auxiliary information to the master node. This first auxiliary information carries at least one of the following: the terminal's first expected maximum carrier count for the slave node's secondary cell group (SCG), the terminal's first expected radio resource control status, the terminal's first expected secondary cell group status for the SCG, and the terminal's current battery level. This allows the master node to know the terminal's first expected maximum carrier count, first expected radio resource control status, first expected secondary cell group status, and current battery level for the SCG. The master node can determine whether to generate a deactivation / release command based on any one or more of the terminal's current battery information, such as the terminal's first expected maximum number of carriers for the secondary cell group SCG, the first expected radio resource control status, the first expected secondary cell group status, and the terminal's current battery information carried in the first auxiliary information. If the master node decides to accept the first auxiliary information sent by the terminal, it can generate a deactivation / release command and return the generated deactivation / release command to the terminal. After receiving the deactivation / release command, the terminal can activate or release the SCG according to the deactivation / release command. The solution provided in this disclosure allows a terminal to indicate its preference for the maximum number of carriers in a secondary cell group (SCG) to the master node via the first expected maximum carrier number in the first auxiliary information, and / or, to indicate its preference for the radio resource control state to the master node via the first expected radio resource control state, and / or, to indicate its preference for the secondary cell group state of the SCG to the master node via the first expected secondary cell group state. To assist the master node in making better judgments, the terminal can also indicate its current battery information to the master node via its current battery information. This allows the master node, upon receiving the first auxiliary information reported by the terminal, to configure an appropriate secondary cell group state for the terminal based on its current service requirements and current battery information, such as deactivating or releasing it. When the SCG is deactivated, the terminal does not need to listen to the PSCell of the SCG and the PDCCH of the SCell, nor does it need to send uplink signals such as SRS and CSI on the PSCell and the SCell of the SCG, thereby effectively reducing the terminal's power consumption and ensuring service requirements as much as possible. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 The illustration shows an application scenario of a communication method based on a dual-connection configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a communication method based on a dual-connection configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0030] Figure 3 The illustration shows an interactive diagram of a communication method based on a dual-connection configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating a communication method based on a dual-connection configuration according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0032] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a communication method based on a dual-connection configuration according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0033] Figure 6 A schematic block diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0034] Figure 7 A schematic block diagram of a terminal according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be more thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the exemplary embodiments to those skilled in the art.

[0036] In this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, " / " means "or," for example, A / B can mean A or B. The "and / or" in this document is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. Furthermore, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. The terms "first," "second," etc., do not limit the quantity or order of execution, and "first," "second," etc., do not necessarily imply differences.

[0037] The solutions provided in this disclosure can be applied to 5G dual connectivity scenarios. Early 5G introduced Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) technology, which can include various networking methods such as EN-DC (E-RTRAN-NR Dual Connectivity, E-UTRAN-NR Dual Connectivity), NE-DC (NR-E-UTRAN Dual Connectivity, NR-E-UTRAN Dual Connectivity), NR-DC (NR-NR Dual Connectivity, NR-NR Dual Connectivity), and NGEN-DC (NG-RAN E-UTRAN-NR Dual Connectivity, NG-RANE-UTRAN-NR Dual Connectivity).

[0038] Figure 1 5G NSA (Non-Standalone) networking uses the EN-DC mode, such as... Figure 1 As shown, this dual connectivity uses the evolved NodeB (eNB) in the Long Term Evolution (LTE) network as the primary node (MN) to provide basic coverage, and the en-gNB in ​​the NR network as the secondary node (SN) to improve system capacity. Furthermore, the eNB connects to the 4G core network, namely the Evolved Packet Core Internet (EPC). MME stands for Mobility Management Entity function. S-GW stands for Serving Gateway.

[0039] Specifically, a UE (User Equipment) in DC mode occupies cell resources from two base stations. The base station establishing the control plane connection is called the primary node (MN), and the other is called the secondary node (SN). The cells of MN form the primary cell group (MCG), and the cells of SN form the secondary cell group (SCG). Both MCG and SCG contain a primary cell (PCell). The primary cell of MCG is called PCell, and the primary cell of SCG is called PSCell. PCell and PSCell are collectively referred to as special cells (SpCell). If MCG or SCG contains one or more SCells in addition to SpCell, it indicates that MN or SN is configured with CA (Carrier Aggregation). DC and CA are independent of each other. Specifically, CA is implemented at the MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and DC is implemented at the PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol). Therefore, they can be configured individually or simultaneously.

[0040] The NGEN-DC dual connectivity method uses the NG-eNB as the master node and the gNB as the slave node, with the master node connected to the 5G core network (5G Core, 5GC).

[0041] The NE-DC dual connectivity method uses the gNB as the primary node and the NG-eNB in ​​eLTE as the secondary node, with the primary node connected to the 5GC.

[0042] The NR-DC dual-connection method uses one gNB as the master node and the other gNB as the slave node, with the master node connected to 5GC.

[0043] It should be noted that the technical solution disclosed herein can be based on the above four dual connection methods, but is not limited to the above dual connection methods.

[0044] It should be noted that the nodes (including primary nodes and secondary nodes) involved in this disclosure can be base stations (BTS) in Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), base stations (NodeB, NB) in Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), eNBs, APs (Access Points), or relay stations in LTE networks, NG-eNBs in eLTE, gNBs in 5G NR, etc., and there is no limitation in this regard.

[0045] Furthermore, the terminal involved in this disclosure refers to a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, such as a handheld device with wireless connectivity or other processing device connected to a wireless modem. The terminal can be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone) and a computer with a mobile terminal, for example, a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-embedded, or vehicle-mounted mobile device that exchanges voice and / or data with a wireless access network. The terminal can also be referred to as a Subscriber Unit, Subscriber Station, Mobile Station, Mobile Station, Remote Station, Access Point (AP), Remote Terminal, Access Terminal, User Terminal, User Agent, or User Equipment (UE), without limitation.

[0046] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a communication method based on a dual-connection configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown schematically. It should be understood that in this embodiment, method 200 is described using a terminal as the executing entity. As an example and not a limitation, the executing entity of method 200 can also be a chip applied to the terminal.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the method provided in this disclosure embodiment may include the following steps.

[0048] In step S210, when the terminal connects with the master node and the slave node, the master node sends the terminal's first auxiliary information. The terminal's first auxiliary information includes at least one of the following: the terminal's first expected maximum number of carriers for the slave cell group (SCG) under the slave node, the terminal's first expected radio resource control status, the terminal's first expected slave cell group status for the SCG, and the terminal's current battery information, so that the master node can generate a deactivation / release command based on the first auxiliary information.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, sending the first auxiliary information of the terminal to the master node may include: sending a first terminal auxiliary information message to the master node, wherein the first terminal auxiliary information message carries the first auxiliary information.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, when the first auxiliary information includes the first expected maximum number of carriers, the first expected maximum number of carriers is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 31.

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, when the first auxiliary information includes the first expected maximum number of carriers, the first expected maximum number of carriers can be 0.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the first expected maximum number of carriers may include a first expected maximum number of downlink carriers and a first expected maximum number of uplink carriers. The first expected maximum number of downlink carriers may be an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 31, and the first expected maximum number of uplink carriers may be an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 31.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, when the first auxiliary information includes the first expected maximum number of carriers, the first auxiliary information may include overheating auxiliary information, which may include the first expected maximum number of carriers. The first expected maximum number of carriers may be an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 31.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, when the first auxiliary information includes the first desired radio resource control state, the first desired radio resource control state may be an idle state, an inactive state, a connected state, or a disconnected state.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, when the first auxiliary information includes the state of the first desired secondary cell group, the state of the first desired secondary cell group can be a deactivated state or a released state.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, when the first auxiliary information includes the current battery level information, the current battery level in the current battery level information may be less than a preset battery level threshold.

[0057] In step S220, the master node receives the deactivation / release instruction returned by the first auxiliary information. The deactivation / release instruction instructs the master node to agree to the terminal deactivating or releasing the SCG according to the first auxiliary information.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, receiving the deactivation / release instruction returned by the master node in response to the first auxiliary information may include: receiving a first radio resource control connection reconfiguration message returned by the master node in response to the first auxiliary information, wherein the first radio resource control connection reconfiguration message carries the deactivation / release instruction.

[0059] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include: responding to the first radio resource control connection reconfiguration message by returning a first radio resource control connection reconfiguration complete message to the master node.

[0060] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include: receiving a rejection deactivation / release instruction returned by the master node in response to the first auxiliary information, the rejection deactivation / release instruction instructing the master node to reject the terminal from deactivating or releasing the SCG according to the first auxiliary information; and maintaining the configuration of the SCG according to the rejection deactivation / release instruction.

[0061] In an exemplary embodiment, receiving the rejection deactivation / release instruction returned by the master node in response to the first auxiliary information may include: receiving a second radio resource control connection reconfiguration message returned by the master node in response to the first auxiliary information, wherein the second radio resource control connection reconfiguration message carries the rejection deactivation / release instruction.

[0062] In step S230, the SCG is activated or released according to the deactivation / release instruction.

[0063] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the deactivation / release instruction may include a deactivation instruction or a release instruction. The deactivation instruction is used to deactivate the secondary cell group (SCG) under the secondary node (SN) of the terminal. After the SCG is deactivated, the terminal can retain the relevant configurations for the SCG. The relevant SCG configurations may include the physical layer configuration, MAC layer configuration, etc., of the SCell. This can reduce the latency of SCG activation.

[0064] Optionally, the above deactivation command can be MAC layer signaling or physical layer signaling.

[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include: sending second auxiliary information of the terminal to the master node, the second auxiliary information of the terminal including at least one of the following: the second desired maximum number of carriers of the terminal for the SCG, the second desired radio resource control state of the terminal, and the second desired secondary cell group state of the terminal for the SCG, so that the master node generates an activation command based on the second auxiliary information; receiving the activation command returned by the master node in response to the second auxiliary information; and activating the SCG according to the activation command.

[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, sending the second auxiliary information of the terminal to the master node may include: sending a second terminal auxiliary information message to the master node, wherein the second terminal auxiliary information message carries the second auxiliary information.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, when the second auxiliary information includes the second expected maximum number of carriers, the second expected maximum number of carriers may not be 0.

[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, when the second auxiliary information includes the second desired radio resource control state, the first desired radio resource control state may be a connection state.

[0069] In an exemplary embodiment, when the second auxiliary information includes the second desired secondary cell group state, the second desired secondary cell group state can be an active state.

[0070] In an exemplary embodiment, receiving the activation instruction returned by the master node in response to the second auxiliary information may include: receiving a third radio resource control connection reconfiguration message returned by the master node in response to the second auxiliary information, wherein the third radio resource control connection reconfiguration message carries the activation instruction.

[0071] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include: responding to the third radio resource control connection reconfiguration message by returning a second radio resource control connection reconfiguration completion message to the master node.

[0072] The communication method based on dual-connectivity configuration provided in this disclosure, when a terminal is connected to a master node and a slave node, sends its first auxiliary information to the master node. This first auxiliary information carries at least one of the following: the terminal's first expected maximum carrier count for the slave node's secondary cell group (SCG), the terminal's first expected radio resource control status, the terminal's first expected secondary cell group status for the SCG, and the terminal's current battery level. This allows the master node to know the terminal's first expected maximum carrier count, first expected radio resource control status, first expected secondary cell group status, and current battery level for the SCG. The master node can determine whether to generate a deactivation / release command based on any one or more of the terminal's current battery information, such as the terminal's first expected maximum number of carriers for the secondary cell group SCG, the first expected radio resource control status, the first expected secondary cell group status, and the terminal's current battery information carried in the first auxiliary information. If the master node decides to accept the first auxiliary information sent by the terminal, it can generate a deactivation / release command and return the generated deactivation / release command to the terminal. After receiving the deactivation / release command, the terminal can activate or release the SCG according to the deactivation / release command. The solution provided in this disclosure allows a terminal to indicate its preference for the maximum number of carriers in a secondary cell group (SCG) to the master node via the first expected maximum carrier number in the first auxiliary information, and / or, to indicate its preference for the radio resource control state to the master node via the first expected radio resource control state, and / or, to indicate its preference for the secondary cell group state of the SCG to the master node via the first expected secondary cell group state. To assist the master node in making better judgments, the terminal can also indicate its current battery information to the master node via its current battery information. This allows the master node, upon receiving the first auxiliary information reported by the terminal, to configure an appropriate secondary cell group state for the terminal based on its current service requirements and current battery information, such as deactivating or releasing it. When the SCG is deactivated, the terminal does not need to listen to the PSCell of the SCG and the PDCCH of the SCell, nor does it need to send uplink signals such as SRS and CSI on the PSCell and the SCell of the SCG, thereby effectively reducing the terminal's power consumption and ensuring service requirements as much as possible.

[0073] Given the lack of an ideal transmission link between LTE and NR base stations, introducing NR will introduce some latency. Therefore, to fully utilize the high bandwidth of NR, a rapid addition and activation mechanism for secondary cells can be considered. On the other hand, maintaining two radio links simultaneously in EN-DC will significantly increase the power consumption of both the NR UE and the network. In some cases, the power consumption of the NR UE can be 3 to 4 times that of the LTE UE. Therefore, when the UE data rate changes dynamically, such as from high to low, activating / deactivating the SN can be considered to save power consumption for both the network and the UE.

[0074] Effective secondary cell group activation / deactivation strategies can reduce terminal power consumption while lowering activation latency and ensuring service quality. Related technologies support master node-controlled secondary cell group activation / deactivation strategies; however, the terminal cannot indicate its preference for secondary cell group status to the master node, thus hindering efficient power consumption reduction and impacting standby time. To reduce terminal power consumption while ensuring service quality, relevant standards and implementations still face at least the following challenges:

[0075] - The terminal cannot indicate its preference for secondary cell group configuration to the master node: In related technologies, the UE assistant information lacks indication information on the preference for secondary cell group status. After receiving the assistant information, the master node cannot properly configure the appropriate secondary cell group status for the terminal, thus failing to achieve the goal of saving power while ensuring service quality.

[0076] - Lack of indication information related to terminal power consumption: In related technologies, the UE assistance information lacks indication information related to the current power level of the terminal. The terminal cannot indicate its current power level information to the master node, thus failing to assist the master node in making appropriate strategies.

[0077] - The master node cannot respond to the terminal's secondary cell group configuration preference information: In related technologies, the RRC (Radio Resource Control) message lacks a response message for the terminal's secondary cell group configuration preference. After receiving the auxiliary information sent by the terminal, the master node cannot respond to the secondary cell group configuration proposed by the terminal, and thus cannot configure the most suitable secondary cell group state for the terminal.

[0078] Based on the above requirements and cause analysis, the current 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) protocol cannot meet the needs, and new methods are needed to enhance the MR-DC process to meet the terminal's service quality and power saving requirements. Specifically, to further improve the performance of dual connectivity, reduce terminal power consumption while lowering secondary cell group response latency, and ensure service quality, the current standard and implementation scheme need further optimization.

[0079] To address the configuration problem of multiple radio dual connectivity, the method proposed in this disclosure provides an efficient secondary cell group configuration approach. Through the scheme provided in this disclosure, a terminal can indicate its preference for secondary cell group configuration to the master node via UE auxiliary information messages (including a first terminal auxiliary information message and a second terminal auxiliary information message) based on current service requirements and current battery information. The terminal can also indicate its preference for secondary cell group status to the master node via auxiliary information (including first and second auxiliary information). To assist the master node in making better judgments, the terminal can also indicate its current battery information to the master node via the first UE auxiliary information message. Upon receiving the terminal's auxiliary information, the master node, based on the terminal's current service requirements, current battery information, and service characteristics, determines whether to accept the terminal's request for secondary cell group configuration preference and configures an appropriate secondary cell group status for the terminal, thereby minimizing terminal power consumption while ensuring the terminal's service requirements are met.

[0080] This disclosure effectively reduces terminal power consumption and secondary cell group response latency through an efficient secondary cell group configuration mechanism, thus ensuring service requirements are met as much as possible. Furthermore, the method provided in this disclosure is based on existing UE auxiliary information messages and features minimal modification to existing protocols.

[0081] For example, for a terminal configured with a secondary cell group, when the terminal's service load decreases, battery level drops, or it overheats, the terminal sends a first terminal assistance information message to the master node to indicate its preference for the secondary cell group deactivation state. To assist the master node in making a reasonable judgment, the terminal sends its current battery level information to the master node along with the first terminal assistance information message. After receiving the terminal's first assistance information, the master node determines whether to accept the terminal's request for secondary cell lease configuration preference based on the terminal's current service needs, current battery level information, and service characteristics. It then responds to the terminal's request with a first RRCConnectionReconfiguration message (first radio resource control connection reconfiguration message), treating the first RRCConnectionReconfiguration message as a response to the first UE assistantinformation message. After receiving the master node's response message, the terminal configures the secondary cell group and sends a first RRCConnectionReconfigurationComplete message (first radio resource control connection reconfiguration completion message) to the master node.

[0082] For example, when the terminal's traffic increases, the terminal can instruct the primary node to activate the secondary cell group through the second auxiliary information.

[0083] The method provided in this disclosure describes a dual-connectivity configuration mechanism, where the cell group corresponding to the primary node is MCG, and the cell group corresponding to the secondary node is SCG. The terminal sends auxiliary information to the primary node to indicate its preference for deactivating / activating the SCG. The following describes... Figure 3 The process of configuring the secondary cell group (SCG) in the method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure is illustrated by example, but the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0084] In step S31, in order to meet the service requirements of the terminal, when the primary node cannot meet the service requirements of the terminal, the primary node adds a secondary cell group (SCG) for the terminal. At this time, the terminal is connected to both the primary cell group (MCG) and the secondary cell group (SCG), that is, the UE is connected to the MN and SN.

[0085] In step S32, when the terminal anticipates no data transmission for a period of time, it may wish to reduce the secondary cell group (SCG) configuration to lower power consumption. At this time, the terminal may send first auxiliary information to the master node to indicate its preference for the maximum number of carriers in the secondary cell group (SCG) (first desired maximum carrier number). Generally, the terminal can reduce power consumption by lowering the maximum number of carriers in the secondary cell group (SCG). Once the maximum carrier number is configured, the number of carriers in the secondary cell group cannot exceed this value. When the terminal sets the first desired maximum carrier number of the secondary cell group (SCG) to 0, it indicates that the terminal no longer wants to maintain the secondary cell group (SCG) configuration. In other embodiments, the terminal may also report its preference for the RRC state through this first terminal auxiliary information message. Specifically, the first terminal auxiliary information message may include, but is not limited to, the following information:

[0086] - First expected maximum number of carriers for the secondary cell group (SCG): For example, the MaxCC-Preference-r16 field in the UE assistance information (referred to here as the terminal's first assistance information to distinguish it from the UE assistance information below) can be used to indicate the terminal's preference for the maximum number of carriers in the secondary cell group (SCG), where the first expected maximum number of carriers may include:

[0087] The reduced maximum number of carriers could include, for example:

[0088] Reduced first expected maximum number of downlink carriers: value is an integer between 0 and 31;

[0089] Reduced first expected maximum number of uplink carriers: an integer between 0 and 31.

[0090] -RRC State Preference, i.e., First Desired Radio Resource Control State: This field is used to indicate the UE's preference for RRC state. For example, the preferredRRC-State-r16 field can indicate any of the following states: idle, inactive, connected, outOfConnected, etc.

[0091] In step S33, when the terminal overheats, it can also report its preference for the maximum number of carriers in the secondary cell group (SCG) (first desired maximum number of carriers) by sending first auxiliary information to the master node. In other embodiments, the terminal can also report its preference for the RRC state through the first terminal auxiliary information message. Specifically, the first terminal auxiliary information message may include, but is not limited to, the following information:

[0092] - Overheating auxiliary information, which may further include:

[0093] The reduced maximum number of carriers indicates the terminal's preference for the number of secondary cell group carriers, and may include, for example:

[0094] Reduced first expected maximum number of downlink carriers: value is an integer between 0 and 31;

[0095] Reduced first expected maximum number of uplink carriers: an integer between 0 and 31.

[0096] -RRC State Preference, i.e., First Desired Radio Resource Control State: This field is used to indicate the UE's preference for RRC state. For example, the preferredRRC-State-r16 field can indicate any of the states such as idle, inactive, connected, outOfConnected, etc.

[0097] In step S34, the terminal can configure the first desired maximum number of carriers for the secondary cell group (SCG) to 0, indicating that it does not want to maintain the secondary cell group SCG configuration. The terminal's RRC state preference indicates its preference for the RRC state. However, the first terminal auxiliary information message cannot indicate the terminal's preference for the secondary cell group state. In this case, the terminal can add a preference message for the secondary cell group SCG state, namely the first desired secondary cell group state, to the first auxiliary information. This first desired secondary cell group state can be a deactivated state or a released state, to indicate the terminal's preference for the secondary cell group SCG activation, deactivation, or release state.

[0098] For example, the first auxiliary information message may also include:

[0099] - Secondary Cell Group SCG State Preference, i.e., the first desired secondary cell group state: This field is used to indicate the terminal's preference for the secondary cell group SCG state, which may include several states such as activation, deactivation, and release. In this case, it indicates deactivation or release.

[0100] In step S35, if the terminal's battery level is low, for example, it is determined whether it is below a preset battery threshold. This preset battery threshold can be set according to actual needs, and this disclosure does not limit it. When the terminal's current battery level is less than the preset battery threshold, the terminal's battery level is determined to be low; when the terminal's current battery level is greater than or equal to the preset battery threshold, the terminal's battery level is determined to be high. The terminal can add the current battery level information to a first terminal auxiliary information message to indicate the terminal's urgent need for deactivation or release of the secondary cell group (SCG). This first terminal auxiliary information message may include:

[0101] - Current Battery Information: This field indicates the current battery level of the device. It can be represented as an integer up to 100, indicating the current battery percentage. For example, a value of 30 indicates that the device has 30% battery remaining.

[0102] In step S36, after receiving the first auxiliary information from the terminal, the master node MN learns the terminal's preference for the maximum number of carriers, RRC state, and SCG state of the secondary cell group (SCG) and the terminal's current battery information through the first expected maximum number of carriers (MaxCC-prefer), the first expected radio resource control state (RRC State), the first expected secondary cell group state (SCG-State), overheating auxiliary information (overheating state), and current battery information (BatteryState) carried in the first auxiliary information. The master node then makes a judgment on the request message in the terminal's first terminal auxiliary information message based on one or more of these information.

[0103] Optionally, in step S37, when the master node MN rejects the terminal's request, the master node MN informs the terminal through a second RRC connection reconfiguration message that the secondary cell group SCG-related request message carried in its first auxiliary information has not been accepted, and the terminal cannot deactivate or release the secondary cell group SCG. The second RRC connection reconfiguration message is used to indicate the rejection of the secondary cell group-related request.

[0104] In step S38, when the primary node MN agrees to the terminal's secondary cell group (SCG) configuration deactivation or release request, the primary node MN sends the first secondary node (SN) message to the secondary node SN. Figure 3 In this context, the secondary node (represented by SgNB) requests the secondary node SN to activate or release the secondary cell group (SCG).

[0105] In step S39, after receiving the first auxiliary node modification request message from the master node MN (i.e., after receiving the deactivation or release request from MN), the auxiliary node SN responds to the first auxiliary node modification request message by returning a first auxiliary node modification request confirmation message (i.e., an SgNB Modification Request Acknowledge message) to MN. This confirms that SN accepts the first auxiliary node modification request message sent by MN, and the first auxiliary node modification request confirmation message serves as the response message to the first auxiliary node modification request message. This response message may include, but is not limited to, the following information:

[0106] - Secondary Cell Group SCG Modification Request Confirmation Message: This field indicates whether the secondary node SN agrees to the primary node MN's request. When it is ACK, it means that the secondary node SN agrees to the primary node MN's request, and when it is NACK, it means that the secondary node SN rejects the primary node MN's request.

[0107] In step S310, after receiving the first secondary node modification request confirmation message from the secondary node, if the primary node agrees to the secondary cell group SCG deactivation or release request, the primary node informs the terminal of its consent to the deactivation or release of the secondary cell group SCG via a first RRC connection reconfiguration message. If the secondary node rejects the secondary cell group SCG deactivation or release request, the primary node rejects the terminal's secondary cell group SCG deactivation or release request via a second connection RRC reconfiguration message.

[0108] In step S311, after the terminal receives the first RRC connection reconfiguration message from the master node, if the master node accepts the deactivation or release request for the secondary cell group SCG, the terminal updates the configuration of the secondary cell group SCG and sends the first RRC connection reconfiguration complete message (RRCConnectionReconfigurationComplete message) to the master node. If the master node rejects the deactivation or release request for the secondary cell group SCG, the terminal can maintain the original secondary cell group SCG configuration and does not need to send the first RRC connection reconfiguration complete message to the MN.

[0109] In step S312, after receiving the first RRC connection reconfiguration complete message, the master node can send the first secondary node reconfiguration complete (i.e., SgNB Reconfiguration Complete) message to the SN to notify the secondary node that the terminal has completed the secondary node reconfiguration process.

[0110] Steps S31 to S312 above constitute the SCG deactivation period.

[0111] In step S314, after the secondary cell group (SCG) has been deactivated for a period of time, if the terminal's traffic increases, the terminal can request the master node to reactivate the secondary cell group (SCG) through a second terminal auxiliary information message. The terminal can indicate its preference for maintaining the secondary cell group carrier configuration by configuring the maximum number of carriers in the secondary cell group (referring to the second desired maximum number of carriers) to an integer greater than 0. The terminal can also indicate its preference for the secondary cell group's status through this second terminal auxiliary information message. Specifically, the second auxiliary information may include, but is not limited to, the following information:

[0112] - Maximum number of carriers in the secondary cell group (SCG), also known as the second desired maximum number of carriers: This indicates the terminal's preference for the maximum number of carriers in the secondary cell group (SCG). Once configured, the number of carriers in the secondary cell group (SCG) cannot exceed this value. If this value is configured to 0, it means that the terminal no longer wants to maintain the secondary cell group configuration. If this value is configured to an integer greater than 0, it means that the terminal wants to continue maintaining the secondary cell group configuration.

[0113] -RRC State Preference, i.e., Second Expected RRC State: This field indicates the UE's preference for RRC state, which may include several states such as idle, inactive, connected, and outOfConnected.

[0114] - Secondary Cell Group SCG State Configuration, i.e. Secondary Desired SCG State: This field is used to indicate the terminal's preference for the secondary cell group state, which may include several states such as activation, deactivation, and release. In this case, it indicates activation.

[0115] In step S315, after receiving the second auxiliary information of the SCG sent by the terminal, the master node decides to reactivate the SCG based on the terminal's service requirements and the message requested in the second auxiliary information. The master node sends a second auxiliary node modification request message to the auxiliary node, requesting the auxiliary node to activate the auxiliary cell group SCG.

[0116] In step S316, after receiving the second auxiliary node modification request message from the master node, the auxiliary node responds to the second auxiliary node modification request message and sends it to the master node through the second auxiliary node modification request confirmation message.

[0117] In step S317, after receiving the second auxiliary node modification request confirmation message sent by the auxiliary node, the master node learns that the auxiliary node agrees to activate the auxiliary cell group SCG. At this time, the master node sends a third RRC connection reconfiguration message to the terminal to inform the terminal that it agrees to activate the auxiliary cell group SCG.

[0118] In step S318, after the terminal receives the third RRC connection reconfiguration message from the master node, it activates the slave node and sends the second RRC connection reconfiguration completion message to the master node.

[0119] In step S319, after receiving the second RRC connection reconfiguration completion message, the master node sends a second secondary node reconfiguration completion message to the secondary node SN to notify the secondary node that the terminal has completed the reconfiguration process of the secondary cell group.

[0120] Steps S314 to S319 above constitute the secondary cell group activation process.

[0121] The method provided in this disclosure allows, on one hand, a terminal to indicate its preferences for the maximum number of carriers and the secondary cell group status (including a first desired maximum number of carriers, a second desired maximum number of carriers, a first desired secondary cell group status, and a second desired secondary cell group status) to the master node via auxiliary information. Upon receiving the auxiliary information, the master node can configure a reasonable secondary cell group status for the terminal based on the indicated information, thereby achieving power saving while ensuring service quality. On the other hand, the terminal can indicate its current battery level to the master node via auxiliary information, thereby assisting the master node in making a reasonable secondary cell group configuration strategy. Furthermore, the master node can respond to the terminal's secondary cell group configuration request message via RRC connection reconfiguration messages (including first to third RRC connection reconfiguration messages). Upon receiving the terminal's auxiliary information, the master node can respond to the terminal's secondary cell group configuration preference request based on the terminal's service configuration and current battery level information, thereby configuring a reasonable secondary cell group status for the terminal.

[0122] The method provided in this disclosure has two advantages: firstly, it has minimal impact on the terminal and good backward compatibility and deployment feasibility; secondly, the solution provided in this disclosure can enhance existing protocols with minimal modifications and is relatively easy to implement.

[0123] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating a communication method based on a dual-connection configuration according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown schematically. It should be understood that in this embodiment, the method 400 is described using the master node as the execution subject. As an example and not a limitation, the execution subject of the method 400 can also be a chip applied to the master node.

[0124] like Figure 4 As shown, the method provided in this disclosure embodiment may include the following steps.

[0125] In step S410, when the terminal is connected to the primary node and the secondary node, the terminal receives first auxiliary information from the terminal. The first auxiliary information of the terminal includes at least one of the following: the terminal's first expected maximum number of carriers for the secondary cell group (SCG) under the secondary node, the terminal's first expected radio resource control status, the terminal's first expected secondary cell group status for the SCG, and the terminal's current battery information.

[0126] In step S420, a deactivation / release instruction is generated based on the first auxiliary information. The deactivation / release instruction instructs the master node to agree to the terminal deactivating or releasing the SCG based on the first auxiliary information.

[0127] In an exemplary embodiment, generating a deactivation / release instruction based on the first auxiliary information may include: when the terminal agrees to deactivate or release the SCG based on the first auxiliary information, sending a first auxiliary node modification request message to the auxiliary node to request the auxiliary node to deactivate or release the SCG; if the received first auxiliary node modification request confirmation message returned by the auxiliary node in response to the first auxiliary node modification request message indicates that the auxiliary node agrees to deactivate or release the SCG, then returning the deactivation / release instruction to the terminal.

[0128] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include: if the received auxiliary node responds to the first auxiliary node modification request message with a first auxiliary node modification request confirmation message indicating that the auxiliary node refuses to deactivate or release the SCG, then a refuse deactivation / release instruction is returned to the terminal, the refuse deactivation / release instruction instructing the master node to refuse the terminal from deactivating or releasing the SCG according to the first auxiliary information, so that the terminal maintains the configuration of the SCG according to the refuse deactivation / release instruction.

[0129] In step S430, the deactivation / release instruction is sent to the terminal so that the terminal can deactivate or release the SCG according to the deactivation / release instruction.

[0130] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include: receiving a first radio resource control connection reconfiguration complete message returned by the terminal; and sending a first secondary node reconfiguration complete message to the secondary node according to the first radio resource control connection reconfiguration complete message.

[0131] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include: receiving second auxiliary information of the terminal sent by the terminal, the second auxiliary information of the terminal including at least one of the following: the terminal's second desired maximum number of carriers for the SCG, the terminal's second desired radio resource control state, and the terminal's second desired secondary cell group state for the SCG; generating an activation instruction based on the second auxiliary information; and sending the activation instruction to the terminal so that the terminal activates the SCG according to the activation instruction.

[0132] In an exemplary embodiment, generating an activation instruction based on the second auxiliary information may include: sending a second auxiliary node modification request message to the auxiliary node based on the second auxiliary information to request the auxiliary node to activate the SCG; receiving a second auxiliary node modification request confirmation message returned by the auxiliary node in response to the second auxiliary node modification request message; and generating the activation instruction based on the second auxiliary node modification request confirmation message.

[0133] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include: receiving a second radio resource control connection reconfiguration completion message returned by the terminal; and sending a second auxiliary node reconfiguration completion message to the auxiliary node based on the second radio resource control connection reconfiguration completion message.

[0134] Figure 4 Other aspects of the embodiments can be found in the other embodiments described above.

[0135] To address the configuration problem of multiple radio dual connectivity, this disclosure provides an efficient secondary cell group configuration method. Through the scheme provided in this disclosure, the terminal can indicate its preference for the secondary cell group state to the master node via auxiliary information. To assist the master node in making better judgments, the terminal can also indicate its current battery information to the master node via terminal auxiliary information messages. After receiving the terminal's auxiliary information, the master node configures an appropriate secondary cell group state for the terminal based on the terminal's current service requirements and current battery information, thereby minimizing terminal power consumption while ensuring the terminal's service requirements are met. Furthermore, when the terminal has high data transmission rate requirements, it can send second auxiliary information to the master node. After receiving the second auxiliary information, the master node can return an activation command to the terminal. The terminal can then activate the SCG according to the activation command. Since the SCG configuration is still retained by the terminal after it is deactivated, the SCG configuration can be used directly after the SCG is activated, without the need for the secondary node to reconfigure the SCG for the terminal. This reduces the signaling overhead between the air interface, the master node, and the secondary node, and also reduces the activation latency of the SCG, thereby reducing the response latency of the secondary cell group and ensuring service requirements are met as much as possible.

[0136] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a communication method based on a dual-connection configuration according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. It should be understood that in this embodiment, the method 500 is described using a secondary node as the execution subject. As an example and not a limitation, the execution subject of method 500 can also be a chip applied to the secondary node.

[0137] like Figure 5 As shown, the method provided in this disclosure embodiment may include the following steps.

[0138] In step S510, when the terminal is connected to the master node and the secondary node, it receives a first secondary node modification request message from the master node. The first secondary node modification request message instructs the master node to request the secondary node to deactivate or release the secondary cell group (SCG) under the secondary node. The master node generates the first secondary node modification request message based on first auxiliary information received from the terminal. The first auxiliary information of the terminal includes at least one of the following: the terminal's first expected maximum number of carriers for the secondary cell group (SCG) under the secondary node, the terminal's first expected radio resource control status, the terminal's first expected secondary cell group status for the SCG, and the terminal's current battery information.

[0139] In step S520, if the first auxiliary node modification request message is agreed to, a first auxiliary node modification request confirmation message instructing the auxiliary node to agree to deactivate or release the SCG is returned to the master node, so that the master node returns a deactivation / release instruction to the terminal according to the first auxiliary node modification request confirmation message instructing the auxiliary node to agree to deactivate or release the SCG, and the terminal is used to deactivate or release the SCG according to the deactivation / release instruction.

[0140] Figure 5 Other aspects of the embodiments can be found in the other embodiments described above.

[0141] It should also be understood that the above is only to help those skilled in the art better understand the embodiments of this disclosure, and is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art can obviously make various equivalent modifications or changes based on the examples given above, for example, the above method 200... Figure 3 Some steps in the embodiments, methods 400 and 500 may be unnecessary, or new steps may be added. Alternatively, any combination of two or more of the above embodiments may be used. Such modifications, variations, or combinations also fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0142] It should also be understood that the above description of the embodiments of this disclosure focuses on highlighting the differences between the various embodiments. Similarities or differences not mentioned can be referred to each other, and for the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0143] It should also be understood that the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0144] It should also be understood that in the embodiments of this disclosure, "pre-setting" or "pre-defining" can be achieved by pre-saving the corresponding code, table or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device (e.g., including terminal and network devices), and this disclosure does not limit the specific implementation method.

[0145] It should also be understood that, in the various embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0146] The foregoing section provided a detailed example of a communication method based on a dual-connectivity configuration. It is understood that the terminal, MN, and SN, in order to implement the aforementioned functions, include corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for performing each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this disclosure can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0147] Figure 6 A schematic block diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0148] like Figure 6 As shown, the terminal 600 provided in this embodiment may include a first communication unit 610 and a first processing unit 620.

[0149] The first communication unit 610 can be used to send first auxiliary information of the terminal to the master node when the terminal is connected to the master node and the slave node. The first auxiliary information of the terminal includes at least one of the following: the terminal's first expected maximum number of carriers for the secondary cell group (SCG) under the slave node, the terminal's first expected radio resource control status, the terminal's first expected secondary cell group status for the SCG, and the terminal's current battery information, so that the master node can generate a deactivation / release command based on the first auxiliary information.

[0150] The first communication unit 610 can also be used to receive the deactivation / release instruction returned by the master node in response to the first auxiliary information, wherein the deactivation / release instruction instructs the master node to agree to the terminal deactivating or releasing the SCG according to the first auxiliary information.

[0151] The first processing unit 620 can be used to activate or release the SCG according to the deactivation / release instruction.

[0152] Optionally, the first communication unit 610 may include a first receiving unit (module) and a first transmitting unit (module) for executing method 200. Figure 3 The steps for the terminal to receive and send information are described in this embodiment.

[0153] Optionally, the terminal 600 may also include a storage unit for storing instructions executed by the first communication unit and the first processing unit.

[0154] It should be understood that the first communication unit 610 can be implemented by a transceiver, and the first processing unit 620 can be implemented by a processor. The storage unit can be implemented by a memory. Figure 7 The terminal 700 shown may include a processor 710, a memory 720, and a transceiver 730.

[0155] Furthermore, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a master node, which may include a second communication unit and a second processing unit.

[0156] The second communication unit can be used to receive first auxiliary information of the terminal from the terminal when the terminal is connected to the main node and the auxiliary node. The first auxiliary information of the terminal includes at least one of the following: the terminal's first expected maximum number of carriers for the auxiliary cell group (SCG) under the auxiliary node, the terminal's first expected radio resource control status, the terminal's first expected auxiliary cell group status for the SCG, and the terminal's current battery information.

[0157] Optionally, the second communication unit may include a second receiving unit (module) and a second transmitting unit (module) for executing method 400. Figure 3The steps for the master node to receive and send information are described in this embodiment.

[0158] Optionally, the master node may also include a storage unit for storing instructions executed by the second communication unit and the second processing unit.

[0159] It should be understood that the second communication unit can be implemented by a transceiver, and the storage unit can be implemented by a memory. The master node may include a processor, memory, and a transceiver.

[0160] Furthermore, embodiments of this disclosure also provide an auxiliary node, which may include a third communication unit.

[0161] The third communication unit can be used to receive a first secondary node modification request message from the primary node when the terminal is connected to the primary node and the secondary node. The first secondary node modification request message instructs the primary node to request the secondary node to deactivate or release the secondary cell group (SCG) under the secondary node. The primary node is used to generate the first secondary node modification request message based on first auxiliary information received from the terminal. The first auxiliary information of the terminal includes at least one of the following: the terminal's first expected maximum number of carriers for the secondary cell group (SCG) under the secondary node, the terminal's first expected radio resource control status, the terminal's first expected secondary cell group status for the SCG, and the terminal's current battery information.

[0162] The third communication unit can also be used to return a first auxiliary node modification request confirmation message to the master node if it agrees to the first auxiliary node modification request message, indicating that the auxiliary node agrees to deactivate or release the SCG, so that the master node returns a deactivation / release instruction to the terminal according to the first auxiliary node modification request confirmation message indicating that the auxiliary node agrees to deactivate or release the SCG, and the terminal is used to deactivate or release the SCG according to the deactivation / release instruction.

[0163] Optionally, the third communication unit may include a third receiving unit (module) and a third transmitting unit (module) for executing method 500. Figure 3 The steps for the auxiliary node to receive and send information are described in this embodiment.

[0164] Optionally, the auxiliary node may also include a storage unit for storing instructions executed by the third communication unit.

[0165] It should be understood that the third communication unit can be implemented by a transceiver, and the storage unit can be implemented by a memory. Auxiliary nodes may include a processor, memory, and a transceiver.

[0166] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that the steps performed by the terminal, master node, and slave node, as well as the corresponding beneficial effects, can be referred to the above method 200. Figure 3 For the sake of brevity, the relevant descriptions of the terminal, master node, and slave node in the embodiments, method 400, and method 500 will not be repeated here.

[0167] It should be understood that the above division of units is only a functional division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0168] This disclosure also provides a processing apparatus, including a processor and an interface; the processor is configured to execute the communication method based on a dual-connection configuration in any of the above method embodiments.

[0169] It should be understood that the aforementioned processing device can be a single chip. For example, the processing device can be a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a System-on-Chip (SoC), a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Network Processor (NP), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Micro Controller Unit (MCU), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), or other integrated chips.

[0170] In implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software. The steps of the method disclosed in this embodiment can be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor. The software modules can reside in readily available storage media in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, or registers. This storage medium is located in memory; the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0171] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of this disclosure can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by the integrated logic circuitry in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this disclosure. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this disclosure can be directly embodied in the execution of a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. The storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0172] This disclosure also provides a communication system including the aforementioned transmitting device and receiving device. For example, the transmitting device is a terminal, and the receiving device is a master node; or, the transmitting device is a master node, and the receiving device is a slave node.

[0173] This disclosure also provides a computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a computer, implements the communication method based on dual-connection configuration in any of the above method embodiments.

[0174] This disclosure also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, implements the communication method based on dual-connection configuration in any of the above method embodiments.

[0175] This disclosure also provides a system-on-a-chip (SoC) comprising a processing unit and a communication unit. The processing unit may be, for example, a processor, and the communication unit may be, for example, an input / output interface, pins, or circuitry. The processing unit can execute computer instructions to cause the chips in the terminal, master node, and slave node to perform any of the dual-connection-based communication methods provided in this disclosure.

[0176] Optionally, the computer instructions are stored in a storage unit.

[0177] Optionally, the storage unit can be an internal storage unit within the chip, such as a register or cache. Alternatively, it can be an external storage unit within the terminal, such as read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM). The processor mentioned above can be a CPU, microprocessor, ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits used to control program execution based on the dual-connection configuration communication method described above. The processing unit and the storage unit can be decoupled and located on different physical devices, connected via wired or wireless means to implement their respective functions, thus supporting the system chip in implementing the various functions described in the above embodiments. Alternatively, the processing unit and the memory can also be coupled to the same device.

[0178] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When these computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function according to the embodiments of this disclosure is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0179] In the several embodiments provided in this disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0180] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0181] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this disclosure can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0182] In this disclosure, various objects such as messages / information / devices / network elements / systems / devices / actions / operations / processes / concepts may be named. It is understood that these specific names do not constitute a limitation on the relevant objects. The names may be changed depending on the scenario, context, or usage habits. The understanding of the technical meaning of the technical terms in this disclosure should be mainly determined from their functions and technical effects embodied / performed in the technical solution.

[0183] In the various embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0184] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method based on dual-connection configuration, characterized in that, The method is applied to a terminal, and the method includes: When the terminal connects to the master node and the slave node, it sends the first auxiliary information of the terminal to the master node. The first auxiliary information of the terminal includes at least one of the following: the first expected maximum number of carriers of the terminal for the slave cell group (SCG) under the slave node, the first expected radio resource control status of the terminal, the first expected slave cell group status of the terminal for the SCG, and the current battery information of the terminal, so that the master node can generate a deactivation / release command based on the first auxiliary information. The master node receives the deactivation / release instruction returned by the first auxiliary information, and the deactivation / release instruction instructs the master node to agree to the terminal deactivating or releasing the SCG according to the first auxiliary information; The SCG is activated or released according to the deactivation / release command, wherein the configuration of the SCG is retained after the SCG is deactivated; The second auxiliary information of the terminal is sent to the master node through the second terminal auxiliary information message. The second auxiliary information includes the second expected maximum number of carriers of the terminal for the SCG and / or the second expected secondary cell group status of the terminal for the SCG. The second expected maximum number of carriers is not 0 and the second expected secondary cell group status is active, so that the master node can generate an activation command according to the second auxiliary information. Receive the activation command returned by the master node in response to the second auxiliary information; The SCG is activated according to the activation instruction.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Sending the terminal's first auxiliary information to the master node, including: A first terminal assistance information message is sent to the master node, the first terminal assistance information message carrying the first assistance information.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the first auxiliary information includes the first expected maximum number of carriers, the first expected maximum number of carriers is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 31.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first expected maximum number of carriers is 0.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first expected maximum number of carriers includes the first expected maximum number of downlink carriers and the first expected maximum number of uplink carriers. The first expected maximum number of downlink carriers is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 31, and the first expected maximum number of uplink carriers is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 31.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the first auxiliary information includes the first expected maximum number of carriers, the first auxiliary information includes overheating auxiliary information, and the overheating auxiliary information includes the first expected maximum number of carriers, wherein the first expected maximum number of carriers is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 31.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the first auxiliary information includes the first desired radio resource control state, the first desired radio resource control state is an idle state, an inactive state, a connected state, or a disconnected state.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the first auxiliary information includes the state of the first expected secondary cell group, the state of the first expected secondary cell group is either deactivated or released.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the first auxiliary information includes the current battery level information, the current battery level in the current battery level information is less than a preset battery level threshold.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Receiving the deactivation / release instruction returned by the master node in response to the first auxiliary information includes: The master node receives a first radio resource control connection reconfiguration message returned in response to the first auxiliary information, the first radio resource control connection reconfiguration message carrying the deactivation / release instruction.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, Also includes: In response to the first Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection reconfiguration message, a first RRC connection reconfiguration completion message is returned to the master node.

12. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The master node receives a rejection deactivation / release instruction returned by the first auxiliary information, wherein the rejection deactivation / release instruction instructs the master node to refuse the terminal from deactivating or releasing the SCG according to the first auxiliary information; The SCG configuration is maintained according to the stated denial deactivation / release instruction.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, Receiving the rejection deactivation / release instruction returned by the master node in response to the first auxiliary information includes: The master node receives a second radio resource control connection reconfiguration message returned in response to the first auxiliary information. The second radio resource control connection reconfiguration message carries the denial deactivation / release instruction.

14. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second auxiliary information of the terminal also includes the second desired radio resource control state of the terminal, so that the master node can generate an activation command based on the second auxiliary information.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, When the second auxiliary information includes the second desired radio resource control state, the second desired radio resource control state is a connected state.

16. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, Receiving the activation command returned by the master node in response to the second auxiliary information includes: The master node receives a third radio resource control connection reconfiguration message in response to the second auxiliary information, the third radio resource control connection reconfiguration message carrying the activation instruction.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, Also includes: In response to the third radio resource control connection reconfiguration message, a second radio resource control connection reconfiguration completion message is returned to the master node.

18. A communication method based on dual-connection configuration, characterized in that, The method is applied to the master node, and the method includes: When the terminal is connected to the primary node and the secondary node, the terminal receives first auxiliary information from the terminal. The first auxiliary information of the terminal includes at least one of the following: the terminal's first expected maximum number of carriers for the secondary cell group (SCG) under the secondary node, the terminal's first expected radio resource control status, the terminal's first expected secondary cell group status for the SCG, and the terminal's current battery information. A deactivation / release instruction is generated based on the first auxiliary information, and the deactivation / release instruction instructs the master node to agree to the terminal deactivating or releasing the SCG based on the first auxiliary information; Send the deactivation / release instruction to the terminal so that the terminal can deactivate or release the SCG according to the deactivation / release instruction, wherein the configuration of the SCG is retained after the SCG is deactivated; The terminal receives a second terminal assistance information message sent by the terminal. The second terminal assistance information message includes the second assistance information of the terminal. The second assistance information includes the second expected maximum number of carriers of the terminal for the SCG and / or the second expected secondary cell group status of the terminal for the SCG. The second expected maximum number of carriers is not 0 and the second expected secondary cell group status is active. Activation instructions are generated based on the second auxiliary information; The activation command is sent to the terminal so that the terminal activates the SCG according to the activation command.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, Generate deactivation / release instructions based on the first auxiliary information, including: When the terminal agrees to deactivate or release the SCG based on the first auxiliary information, a first auxiliary node modification request message is sent to the auxiliary node to request the auxiliary node to deactivate or release the SCG. If the first auxiliary node modification request confirmation message returned by the auxiliary node in response to the first auxiliary node modification request message indicates that the auxiliary node agrees to deactivate or release the SCG, then the deactivation / release instruction is returned to the terminal.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, Also includes: If the primary node receives a confirmation message from the secondary node in response to the first secondary node modification request message, indicating that the secondary node refuses to deactivate or release the SCG, then it returns a refuse deactivation / release instruction to the terminal. The refuse deactivation / release instruction instructs the primary node to refuse the terminal from deactivating or releasing the SCG based on the first auxiliary information, so that the terminal can maintain the configuration of the SCG according to the refuse deactivation / release instruction.

21. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive the first radio resource control connection reconfiguration complete message returned by the terminal; Based on the first radio resource control connection reconfiguration complete message, a first auxiliary node reconfiguration complete message is sent to the auxiliary node.

22. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The second auxiliary information of the terminal also includes the terminal's second desired radio resource control state.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, Activation instructions are generated based on the second auxiliary information, including: A second auxiliary node modification request message is sent to the auxiliary node according to the second auxiliary information to request the auxiliary node to activate the SCG; Receive the second auxiliary node modification request confirmation message returned by the auxiliary node in response to the second auxiliary node modification request message; The activation instruction is generated based on the confirmation message of the modification request from the second auxiliary node.

24. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive the second radio resource control connection reconfiguration completion message returned by the terminal; Based on the second radio resource control connection reconfiguration complete message, a second auxiliary node reconfiguration complete message is sent to the auxiliary node.

25. A communication method based on dual-connection configuration, characterized in that, The method is applied to auxiliary nodes, and the method includes: When the terminal is connected to the master node and the secondary node, it receives a first secondary node modification request message from the master node. The first secondary node modification request message instructs the master node to request the secondary node to deactivate or release the secondary cell group (SCG) under the secondary node. The master node is used to generate the first secondary node modification request message based on first auxiliary information received from the terminal. The first auxiliary information of the terminal includes at least one of the following: the terminal's first expected maximum number of carriers for the secondary cell group (SCG) under the secondary node, the terminal's first expected radio resource control status, the terminal's first expected secondary cell group status for the SCG, and the terminal's current battery information. If the first auxiliary node modification request message is agreed to, a first auxiliary node modification request confirmation message instructing the auxiliary node to agree to deactivate or release the SCG is returned to the master node. This allows the master node to return a deactivation / release instruction to the terminal based on the first auxiliary node modification request confirmation message instructing the auxiliary node to agree to deactivate or release the SCG. The terminal is used to deactivate or release the SCG according to the deactivation / release instruction, wherein the configuration of the SCG is retained after deactivation. The terminal is configured to send second auxiliary information of the terminal to the master node via a second terminal auxiliary information message. The second auxiliary information includes the terminal's second expected maximum number of carriers for the SCG and / or the terminal's second expected secondary cell group status for the SCG. The second expected maximum number of carriers is not 0, and the second expected secondary cell group status is active. This allows the master node to generate an activation command based on the second auxiliary information. The terminal also receives the activation command returned by the master node in response to the second auxiliary information and activates the SCG according to the activation command.

26. A terminal, characterized in that, include: A first communication unit is configured to send first auxiliary information of the terminal to the master node when the terminal is connected to the master node and the slave node. The first auxiliary information of the terminal includes at least one of the following: the terminal's first expected maximum number of carriers for the secondary cell group (SCG) under the slave node, the terminal's first expected radio resource control status, the terminal's first expected secondary cell group status for the SCG, and the terminal's current battery information, so that the master node can generate a deactivation / release command based on the first auxiliary information. The first communication unit is further configured to receive the deactivation / release instruction returned by the master node in response to the first auxiliary information, wherein the deactivation / release instruction instructs the master node to agree to the terminal deactivating or releasing the SCG according to the first auxiliary information; The first processing unit is configured to activate or release the SCG according to the deactivation / release instruction, wherein the configuration of the SCG is retained after the SCG is deactivated. The first communication unit is further configured to send the second auxiliary information of the terminal to the master node via a second terminal auxiliary information message. The second auxiliary information includes the second expected maximum number of carriers of the terminal for the SCG and / or the second expected secondary cell group status of the terminal for the SCG. The second expected maximum number of carriers is not 0 and the second expected secondary cell group status is active, so that the master node can generate an activation command based on the second auxiliary information. The first communication unit is also configured to receive the activation command returned by the master node in response to the second auxiliary information; The first processing unit is further configured to activate the SCG according to the activation instruction.

27. A master node, characterized in that, include: The second communication unit is used to receive first auxiliary information of the terminal from the terminal when the terminal is connected to the main node and the auxiliary node. The first auxiliary information of the terminal includes at least one of the following: the terminal's first expected maximum number of carriers for the auxiliary cell group (SCG) under the auxiliary node, the terminal's first expected radio resource control status, the terminal's first expected auxiliary cell group status for the SCG, and the terminal's current battery information. The second processing unit is configured to generate a deactivation / release instruction based on the first auxiliary information, wherein the deactivation / release instruction instructs the master node to agree to the terminal deactivating or releasing the SCG based on the first auxiliary information; The second communication unit is further configured to send the deactivation / release instruction to the terminal, so that the terminal deactivates or releases the SCG according to the deactivation / release instruction, wherein the configuration of the SCG is retained after the SCG is deactivated; The second communication unit is further configured to receive a second terminal assistance information message sent by the terminal. The second terminal assistance information message includes the second assistance information of the terminal. The second assistance information includes the second expected maximum number of carriers of the terminal for the SCG and / or the second expected secondary cell group status of the terminal for the SCG. The second expected maximum number of carriers is not 0, and the second expected secondary cell group status is active. The second processing unit is further configured to generate an activation instruction based on the second auxiliary information; The second communication unit is also used to send the activation command to the terminal so that the terminal activates the SCG according to the activation command.

28. An auxiliary node, characterized in that, include: The third communication unit is configured to receive a first secondary node modification request message from the primary node when the terminal is connected to the primary node and the secondary node. The first secondary node modification request message instructs the primary node to request the secondary node to deactivate or release the secondary cell group (SCG) under the secondary node. The primary node is configured to generate the first secondary node modification request message based on first auxiliary information received from the terminal. The first auxiliary information of the terminal includes at least one of the following: the terminal's first expected maximum number of carriers for the secondary cell group (SCG) under the secondary node, the terminal's first expected radio resource control status, the terminal's first expected secondary cell group status for the SCG, and the terminal's current battery information. The third communication unit is further configured to, if agreeing to the first auxiliary node modification request message, return a first auxiliary node modification request confirmation message to the master node indicating that the auxiliary node agrees to deactivate or release the SCG, so that the master node returns a deactivation / release instruction to the terminal according to the first auxiliary node modification request confirmation message indicating that the auxiliary node agrees to deactivate or release the SCG, and the terminal is configured to deactivate or release the SCG according to the deactivation / release instruction, wherein the configuration of the SCG is retained after deactivating the SCG; The terminal is used to send second auxiliary information of the terminal to the master node through a second terminal auxiliary information message. The second auxiliary information includes the second expected maximum number of carriers of the terminal for the SCG and / or the second expected secondary cell group status of the terminal for the SCG. The second expected maximum number of carriers is not 0 and the second expected secondary cell group status is active, so that the master node can generate an activation command based on the second auxiliary information. Receive the activation instruction returned by the master node in response to the second auxiliary information; activate the SCG according to the activation instruction.

29. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 17, or the method as described in any one of claims 18 to 24, or the method as described in claim 25.

Images