Method, apparatus and storage medium for indicating terminal status

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method, apparatus and storage medium for indicating terminal state. The method comprises: a first terminal can send a first message to a relay terminal according to a bearer configuration. Wherein, the first message can be used to instruct the relay terminal to enter a connected state, and the bearer configuration is used to indicate whether a first radio bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through an indirect path, the first radio bearer being a radio bearer used by the first terminal to communicate with a network device, and the indirect path being a path for forwarding data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device through the relay terminal. In this way, the first terminal can instruct the relay terminal to enter the connected state through the first message, thereby improving the reliability of indirect path communication.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communication, and in particular, to a method, apparatus and storage medium for indicating terminal state. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of wireless communication technology, in order to realize direct communication between terminal devices, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defines a communication mode of Sidelink (also known as Side link or Sidelink). For example, one typical application scenario of Sidelink is Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X). In V2X, each vehicle can be regarded as a terminal device, and the terminal device can transmit information to another terminal device through Sidelink, thereby effectively reducing communication delay. In the Sidelink communication scenario, the terminal device can also communicate with a network device, for example, the terminal device and the network device can communicate through a Direct Path or an Indirect Path. SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure provides a method, apparatus and storage medium for indicating terminal state.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method for indicating terminal state is provided, which is executed by a first terminal, and the method comprises:

[0005] sending a first message to a relay terminal according to a bearer configuration, wherein the first message is used to instruct the relay terminal to enter a connected state, and the bearer configuration is used to indicate whether a first radio bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through an indirect path, the first radio bearer being a radio bearer used by the first terminal to communicate with a network device, and the indirect path being a path through which the relay terminal forwards data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method for indicating terminal state is provided, which is executed by a relay terminal, and the method comprises:

[0007] receiving a first message sent by a first terminal, wherein the first message is a message sent by the first terminal according to a bearer configuration, and the bearer configuration is used to indicate whether a first radio bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through an indirect path, the first radio bearer being a radio bearer used by the first terminal to communicate with a network device, and the indirect path being a path through which the relay terminal forwards data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device.

[0008] entering a connected state according to the first message.

[0009] According to a third aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for indicating a terminal state is provided, performed by a network device, and the method comprises:

[0010] sending a second message to a first terminal, the second message being used to instruct the first terminal to configure an indirect path and send a first message to a relay terminal according to a bearer configuration, the first message being used to instruct the relay terminal to enter a connected state, the bearer configuration being used to indicate whether a first radio bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through the indirect path, the first radio bearer being a radio bearer used by the first terminal to communicate with the network device, and the indirect path being a path through which data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device is forwarded by the relay terminal.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a device for indicating a terminal state is provided, applied to a first terminal, and the device comprises:

[0012] a first transceiver module, configured to send a first message to a relay terminal according to a bearer configuration, wherein the first message is used to instruct the relay terminal to enter a connected state, and the bearer configuration is used to indicate whether a first radio bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through an indirect path, the first radio bearer being a radio bearer used by the first terminal to communicate with a network device, and the indirect path being a path through which data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device is forwarded by the relay terminal.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a device for indicating a terminal state is provided, applied to a relay terminal, and the device comprises:

[0014] a second transceiver module, configured to receive a first message sent by a first terminal, the first message being a message sent by the first terminal according to a bearer configuration, the bearer configuration being used to indicate whether a first radio bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through an indirect path, the first radio bearer being a radio bearer used by the first terminal to communicate with a network device, and the indirect path being a path through which data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device is forwarded by the relay terminal.

[0015] a second processing module, configured to enter a connected state according to the first message.

[0016] According to a sixth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a device for indicating a terminal state is provided, applied to a network device, and the device comprises:

[0017] The third transceiving module is configured to send a second message to the first terminal, and the second message is used to instruct the first terminal to configure an indirect path and send a first message to a relay terminal according to a bearer configuration, the first message is used to instruct the relay terminal to enter a connected state, and the bearer configuration is used to indicate whether a first radio bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through the indirect path, the first radio bearer is a radio bearer used by the first terminal to communicate with a network device, and the indirect path is a path through which data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device is forwarded through the relay terminal.

[0018] According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for indicating a terminal state is provided, comprising:

[0019] a processor;

[0020] a memory for storing processor-executable instructions;

[0021] The processor is configured to perform the steps of the method for indicating a terminal state provided in the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0022] According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for indicating a terminal state is provided, comprising:

[0023] a processor;

[0024] a memory for storing processor-executable instructions;

[0025] The processor is configured to perform the steps of the method for indicating a terminal state provided in the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0026] According to a ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for indicating a terminal state is provided, comprising:

[0027] a processor;

[0028] a memory for storing processor-executable instructions;

[0029] The processor is configured to perform the steps of the method for indicating a terminal state provided in the third aspect of the present disclosure.

[0030] According to a tenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores computer program instructions, and the computer program instructions are executed by a processor to implement the steps of the method for indicating a terminal state provided in the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0031] According to an eleventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores computer program instructions, and the computer program instructions are executed by a processor to implement the steps of the method for indicating a terminal state provided in the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0032] According to a twelfth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer readable storage medium is provided, and the computer readable storage medium stores computer program instructions. The computer program instructions are executed by a processor to implement the steps of the method for indicating a terminal state according to the third aspect of the present disclosure.

[0033] According to a thirteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, and the communication system comprises:

[0034] a first terminal, which can execute the method for indicating a terminal state according to the first aspect of the present disclosure;

[0035] a relay terminal, which can execute the method for indicating a terminal state according to the second aspect of the present disclosure;

[0036] a network device, which can execute the method for indicating a terminal state according to the third aspect of the present disclosure.

[0037] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can have the following beneficial effects: the first terminal can send a first message to the relay terminal according to a bearer configuration. The first message can be used to instruct the relay terminal to enter a connected state, and the bearer configuration can be used to indicate whether a first radio bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through an indirect path. The first radio bearer is a radio bearer used by the first terminal to communicate with a network device, and the indirect path is a path through which data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device is forwarded by the relay terminal. In this way, the first terminal can instruct the relay terminal to enter the connected state through the first message, thereby improving the reliability of indirect path communication.

[0038] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0039] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0041] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method for indicating a terminal state according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0042] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method for indicating a terminal state according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0043] Figure 4is a flowchart of a method of indicating a terminal state according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0044] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method of indicating a terminal state according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0045] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method of indicating a terminal state according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0046] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a method of indicating a terminal state according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0047] Figure 8 is a flowchart of a method of indicating a terminal state according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0048] Figure 9 is a block diagram of an apparatus for indicating a terminal state according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0049] Figure 10 is a block diagram of an apparatus for indicating a terminal state according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0050] Figure 11 is a block diagram of an apparatus for indicating a terminal state according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0051] Figure 12 is a block diagram of an apparatus for indicating a terminal state according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0052] Figure 13 is a block diagram of an apparatus for indicating a terminal state according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is with reference to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures. The implementations described in the following exemplary embodiments are not meant to represent all implementations consistent with the present disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples with which those skilled in the art can implement and use devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the present disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

[0054] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms such as "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish similar objects, not to necessarily express a particular order or sequence. In addition, in the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same elements in different drawings unless otherwise specified.

[0055] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, "multiple" refers to two or more than two, and other quantifiers are similar thereto. "At least one", "one or more" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one can represent any number; for another example, one or more of a, b and c can represent: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, where a, b, c can be single or multiple. "And / or" is a description of the association relationship between the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects. The singular forms "a", "an", "one", "the", "said", "the above" and "the foregoing" are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0056] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the description mode of "in one case A, in another case B", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" and the like can include the following technical solutions according to the case: A is executed regardless of B, that is, A in some embodiments; B is executed regardless of A, that is, B in some embodiments; A and B are selectively executed, that is, A and B are selected from A and B in some embodiments; A and B are both executed, that is, A and B in some embodiments. When there are more branches of A, B, C and the like, it is similar to the above.

[0057] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, "including A", "containing A", "for indicating A", "carrying A" can be interpreted as directly carrying A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0058] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms "in response to", "in response to determining", "in the case of", "when", "when", "if", "if" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0059] In some embodiments, the terms "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "above", "higher than", "not less than" and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms "less than", "less than or equal to", "below", "lower than", "not greater than" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0060] In some embodiments, the terms "network element", "node", "function", "device", "equipment", "system", "chip", "chip system" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0061] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0062] Although the operations or steps are described in a particular order in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the drawings, it should not be understood as requiring the operations or steps to be performed in the particular order or in a serial order, or requiring all of the operations or steps to be performed to obtain a desired result. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the operations or steps can be performed in any order without contradiction; the operations or steps can also be performed in parallel; a part of the operations or steps can be performed; the operations or steps in multiple embodiments or drawings can be combined, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit this.

[0063] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but are only a part of the embodiments, and are not specifically limited to the protection scope of the present disclosure. In the case of no contradiction, each step in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily. For example, the scheme after removing some steps in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in an embodiment can be exchanged arbitrarily. In addition, the optional implementation manners in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily. In addition, the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the steps of different embodiments or the optional implementation manners of an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily.

[0064] First, the implementation environment of the embodiments of the present disclosure is introduced below.

[0065] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. The communication system can include one or more of a fourth generation (4th Generation, 4G) communication system, a fifth generation (5th Generation, 5G) communication system, and other future wireless communication systems (such as 6G). The communication system can also include one or more of a public land mobile network (Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN) network, a device-to-device (Device-to-Device, D2D) communication system, a machine-to-machine (Machine to Machine, M2M) communication system, an Internet of Things (Internet of Things, IoT) communication system, a vehicle-to-everything (Vehicle-to-Everything, V2X) communication system, or other communication systems.

[0066] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 1 As shown, the communication system 100 may include terminal device 150 and network device 160. This communication system can be used to support 4G network access technologies, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) access technology, or 5G network access technologies, such as New Radio Access Technology (New RAT), or other future wireless communication technologies. It should be noted that in this communication system, the number of network devices and terminal devices can both be one or more. Figure 1 The number of network devices and terminal devices in the communication system shown is merely an adaptive example, and this disclosure does not limit this number.

[0067] Figure 1 The network equipment in the document can be used to support terminal access. For example, the network equipment may include an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE; the network equipment may also include a next-generation Node B (gNB or gNodeB) in 5G networks; the network equipment may also include NG-Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) equipment in 5G networks; and the network equipment may also include at least one of the following in a future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN): a base station, a Broadband Network Gateway (BNG), an aggregation switch, or a non-3GPP access device. Optionally, the network device in this disclosure embodiment may include at least one of the following various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, access points, 5G base stations or future base stations, satellites, Transmitting and Receiving Points (TRPs), Transmitting Points (TPs), mobile switching centers, and device-to-device (D2D), machine-to-machine (M2M), Internet of Things (IoT), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) devices, or other devices that perform base station functions in a communication system, etc. This disclosure embodiment does not specifically limit these. For ease of description, in this disclosure embodiment, the apparatus that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices is collectively referred to as a network device or base station.

[0068] Figure 1 The terminal device in this disclosure can be an electronic device that provides voice or data connectivity. For example, it can also be called User Equipment (UE), Subscriber Unit, Mobile Station, Station, Terminal, etc. For instance, the terminal device may include smartphones, smart wearable devices, smart speakers, smart tablets, wireless modems, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Customer Premise Equipment (CPEs), etc. With the development of wireless communication technology, any device that can access a communication system, communicate with network devices within the communication system, communicate with other objects through the communication system, or allow direct communication between two or more devices can be a terminal device in this disclosure embodiment; for example, terminals and vehicles in intelligent transportation, home appliances in smart homes, electricity meter reading instruments, voltage monitoring instruments, environmental monitoring instruments in smart grids, video monitoring instruments in smart security networks, cash registers, etc. In this disclosure embodiment, the terminal device can communicate with network devices. Communication can also be achieved between multiple terminal devices. The terminal devices can be statically fixed or mobile, and this disclosure does not limit this.

[0069] In some embodiments of this disclosure, such as Figure 1 As shown, terminal device 150 may include a first terminal 151 and a relay terminal 153. The relay terminal 153 can provide relay functionality for communication between the first terminal and network devices. In this scenario, the first terminal 151 can be referred to as a remote terminal or remote UE, and the relay terminal 153 providing relay functionality can be referred to as a relay UE. The relay terminal 153 and network device 160 can communicate via a UU interface, and the first terminal 151 and relay terminal 153 can communicate via a direct link (Sidelink). The interface for communication between the first terminal 151 and relay terminal 153 can be referred to as a PC5 interface or a direct communication interface. The direct link communication method between the first terminal 151 and relay terminal 153 can include any one or more of unicast, multicast, or broadcast.

[0070] It should be noted that, in Figure 1In some embodiments, the terminal device 150 can further include a second terminal, a third terminal, or more terminals; the first terminal can be one or more, and the relay terminal can also be one or more, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0071] The manner in which the first terminal 151 communicates with the network device 160 can include direct communication and / or indirect communication.

[0072] In some embodiments, the first terminal 151 can directly communicate with the network device 160 through a direct path (Direct Path), which can also be referred to as a direct link (Direct Link), a UU interface link, or a cellular communication interface link. The direct path can include an uplink channel and / or a downlink channel between the first terminal and the network device, and for example, the direct path can include one or more of a physical random access channel (PRACH), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and the like. Similarly, the relay terminal can also communicate with the network device through a direct path.

[0073] In other embodiments, the first terminal 151 can indirectly communicate with the network device 160 through an indirect path (Indirect Path), which can also be referred to as an indirect link (Indirect Link) or a relay link. The indirect path can be a path through which the relay terminal forwards data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device. For example, the indirect path can include a direct link between the first terminal and the relay terminal and a direct path between the relay terminal and the network device. The first terminal sends data or signaling to the relay terminal, and the relay terminal can forward the data or signaling to the network device; similarly, the network device can also send data or signaling to the relay terminal, and the relay terminal can forward the data or signaling to the first terminal.

[0074] In other embodiments, the first terminal 151 can communicate indirectly with the network device 160 through both direct and indirect paths. That is, both direct and indirect paths can exist simultaneously between the first terminal and the network device, which can improve transmission speed and reliability. This communication method between the first terminal and the network device can also be called a multipath connection.

[0075] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for indicating a terminal state according to an exemplary embodiment. This method can be executed by the aforementioned communication system. Figure 2 As shown, the method may include:

[0076] S201, The relay terminal sends status parameters to the first terminal.

[0077] This status parameter can be used to indicate the connection status of the relay terminal. This connection status can also be referred to as RRC connection status or RRC status.

[0078] The relay terminal can be a terminal that provides relay function for communication between the first terminal and network equipment. The first terminal can be called a remote terminal or remote UE.

[0079] The relay terminal can be in a connected state, idle state, inactive state, or dormant state; similarly, the first terminal can also be in a connected state, idle state, inactive state, or dormant state. It should be noted that states other than the connected state can also be called non-connected states.

[0080] In some embodiments, the relay terminal can send the status parameter to the first terminal via a direct link (e.g., a PC5 interface link).

[0081] For example, a relay terminal can carry this status parameter via a discovery message on a direct link.

[0082] The discovery message may also include at least one of the following: terminal identification parameters of the relay terminal, terminal capability parameters, serving cell identifier, or neighboring cell identifier.

[0083] The terminal identifier parameter can be used to uniquely identify the relay terminal. For example, the terminal identifier parameter can include at least one of a SUCI (Subscription Concealed Identifier), a SUPI (Subscriber Permanent Identifier), a GUTI (Globally Unique Temporary Identifier), a PEI (Permanent Equipment Identifier), an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity), an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity), a TMSI (Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity), a RNTI (Radio Network Temporary Identity), or an IP address. The GUTI can be a 5G-GUTI, a 4G-GUTI, or a GUTI of another network standard, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0084] The terminal capability parameter can be used to indicate that the relay terminal has the capability to provide a relay function.

[0085] The server cell identifier can be used to indicate an identifier of a cell in which the relay terminal currently resides.

[0086] The neighboring cell identifier can be used to indicate a neighboring cell of the cell in which the relay terminal currently resides.

[0087] In some embodiments, the relay terminal can periodically send the state parameter to the first terminal.

[0088] The period in which the relay terminal sends the state parameter can be any pre-set time period, such as 100 milliseconds or 1 second.

[0089] Optionally, the relay terminal can periodically send the state parameter when the connection state is a connected state, and not send the state parameter when the connection state is not the connected state. In this way, the first terminal can determine that the connection state of the relay terminal is not the connected state when the first terminal does not receive the state parameter in a plurality of consecutive periods.

[0090] In some embodiments, the relay terminal can also send the state parameter to the first terminal when the connection state changes.

[0091] For example, the relay terminal can send the state parameter to the first terminal when the connection state changes from the idle state to the connected state, and the state parameter can indicate that the connection state of the relay terminal is the connected state.

[0092] In some embodiments, the relay terminal can send the state parameter to the first terminal multiple times after the connection state changes. In this way, the transmission reliability of the state parameter can be improved.

[0093] In some embodiments, the first terminal can also send a state parameter of the first terminal to the relay terminal.

[0094] S202, the network device sends a second message to the first terminal.

[0095] The second message can be used to instruct the first terminal to configure an indirect path.

[0096] For example, the network device can send the second message to the first terminal through a direct path (e.g., a UU interface). The second message can include an indirect path addition configuration, which can include path parameters corresponding to the indirect path, and the first terminal can configure the indirect path according to the first message.

[0097] In some embodiments, the second message can include a terminal identifier of the relay terminal, and the first terminal can determine the relay terminal corresponding to the indirect path according to the terminal identifier.

[0098] S203, the first terminal sends a first message to the relay terminal.

[0099] The first message can be used to instruct the relay terminal to enter the connected state.

[0100] In some embodiments, the first terminal can send the first message to the relay terminal after receiving the second message sent by the network device.

[0101] The first terminal can also determine the relay terminal corresponding to the indirect path according to the second message, and send the first message to the relay terminal.

[0102] In some embodiments, the first terminal can also actively send the first message to the relay terminal according to the bearer configuration.

[0103] For example, the first terminal can actively initiate the establishment of an indirect path, determine the relay terminal corresponding to the indirect path, and send the first message to the relay terminal.

[0104] In some embodiments, the first terminal can send the first message to the relay terminal according to the bearer configuration.

[0105] The bearer configuration can be used to indicate whether the first radio bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through the indirect path, the first radio bearer being a radio bearer used by the first terminal to communicate with the network device, and the indirect path being a path through which data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device is forwarded by the relay terminal.

[0106] The first radio bearer can be a signaling radio bearer (SRB) or a data radio bearer (DRB). In some embodiments, the first radio bearer can be an SRB1, which can be used to carry RRC signaling and part of non-access stratum (NAS) signaling between the first terminal and the network device, and the RRC signaling can include RRC reconfiguration messages or RRC reconfiguration complete messages, etc.

[0107] In this step, the first terminal can first determine whether the first radio bearer can be transmitted through the indirect path according to the bearer configuration, and then send the first message according to the determination result.

[0108] In some embodiments, the first terminal can determine that the first radio bearer can be transmitted through the indirect path in a case where the first terminal determines that there is a corresponding sidelink relay adaptation protocol (SRAP) entity for the first radio bearer according to the bearer configuration. The SRAP entity can be used to transmit signaling or data through the indirect path.

[0109] In other embodiments, the first terminal can determine that the first radio bearer can be transmitted through the indirect path in a case where the first terminal determines that the first radio bearer is a split bearer (e.g., splitSRB1). The split bearer can be used to indicate that the first radio bearer can transmit signaling or data through the direct path and the indirect path.

[0110] It should be noted that "determining whether the first radio bearer can be transmitted through the indirect path" can also be expressed as "determining whether the first radio bearer is configured on the indirect path", or can also be expressed as "determining whether the first radio bearer is transmitted through the indirect path", if the first radio bearer is configured on the indirect path, the first radio bearer can be transmitted through the indirect path, or the first radio bearer is transmitted through the indirect path. For example, the first radio bearer SRB1 can be transmitted through the corresponding sidelink radio link control (SL-RLC1) entity of the indirect path.

[0111] In this way, the first terminal can determine whether the first radio bearer can be transmitted over the indirect path according to the bearer configuration, or the first terminal can determine whether the first radio bearer is configured on the indirect path according to the bearer configuration.

[0112] In some embodiments, the first terminal can send the first message over the indirect path in a case that the first terminal determines that the first radio bearer can be transmitted over the indirect path according to the bearer configuration.

[0113] The first message can be a response message of the first terminal to a second message, and the second message can be an RRC reconfiguration message, and the first message can be an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0114] In some embodiments, the relay terminal can enter into a connected state according to the first message, and the relay terminal can also forward the first message to a network device.

[0115] The first terminal can send the first message through a sidelink radio link control (SL-RLC) entity corresponding to the indirect path.

[0116] The first message can be carried on an SRB1, and the SRB1 can be transmitted to the relay terminal through an SL-RLC1, and the relay terminal can also receive the first message through the SL-RLC1.

[0117] In this way, the first terminal can send the first message to the relay terminal over the indirect path.

[0118] In another embodiment, the first terminal can send the first message over a sidelink in a case that the first terminal determines that the first radio bearer cannot be transmitted over the indirect path according to the bearer configuration.

[0119] The sidelink can be a link between the first terminal and the relay terminal.

[0120] In an implementation, the first message can be a sidelink radio resource control (SL-RRC) message, that is, an SL-RRC message transmitted over a PC5 interface. For example, the first message can be an SL-RRC reconfiguration (RRCReconfigurationSidelink) message.

[0121] The SL-RRC message can include a first indication parameter, and the first indication parameter can be used to indicate the relay terminal to enter into a connected state.

[0122] The relay terminal can receive the first message over the sidelink, and enter into the connected state in response to the first message.

[0123] In this way, the first terminal can send the first message to the relay terminal over the sidelink.

[0124] In an implementation, the first terminal can acquire a connection state of the relay terminal, and determine whether to send the first message according to the connection state.

[0125] For example, the first terminal can send the first message through the sidelink in a case where the connection state of the relay terminal is not the connected state. The first message can indicate the relay terminal to enter the connected state.

[0126] For another example, the first terminal can not send the first message (SL-RRC reconfiguration message) in a case where the connection state of the relay terminal is the connected state.

[0127] For yet another example, the first terminal can not send the first indication parameter in a case where the connection state of the relay terminal is the connected state.

[0128] In some embodiments, the first message can include an RRC reconfiguration complete message and an SL-RRC reconfiguration message, and the first terminal can send the RRC reconfiguration complete message but not send the SL-RRC reconfiguration message in a case where the connection state of the relay terminal is the connected state.

[0129] In this way, in a case where the relay terminal has already been in the connected state, the first terminal can not need to send the SL-RRC reconfiguration message or the first indication parameter, avoiding unnecessary signaling transmission and saving wireless resources.

[0130] The first terminal can receive a state parameter sent by the relay terminal, and determine whether the connection state of the relay terminal is the connected state according to the state parameter. The state parameter can be used to indicate the connection state of the relay terminal. The connection state of the relay terminal can be the connected state, the idle state, the inactive state or the dormant state.

[0131] The specific manner in which the relay terminal sends the state parameter can refer to the description of the foregoing S201 step, which will not be described here again.

[0132] In this way, the first terminal can send the first message to the relay terminal through the sidelink in a case where the relay terminal is not in the connected state. The first message can indicate the relay terminal to enter the connected state.

[0133] S204, the relay terminal receives the first message sent by the first terminal, and enters the connected state according to the first message.

[0134] In some embodiments, the relay terminal can receive the first message through the sidelink or the indirect path in a case where the connection state of the relay terminal is not the connected state, and enter the connected state after receiving the first message.

[0135] In some embodiments, the relay terminal can enter the connected state after receiving the first message.

[0136] In some embodiments, the relay terminal can enter the connected state after receiving the first message.

[0137] Optionally, the relay terminal can restart a deactivation timer after receiving the first message, if the relay terminal is in the connected state. It should be noted that the deactivation timer can be used to keep the relay terminal in the connected state. For example, the relay terminal can enter the non-connected state from the connected state if the deactivation timer can expire. By restarting the deactivation timer, the relay terminal can continue to keep the connected state, avoiding the relay terminal entering the non-connected state too early.

[0138] In some embodiments, the first message can further include a connection keeping duration, and the relay terminal can set a duration of the deactivation timer as the connection keeping duration after receiving the first message. In this way, the connected state of the relay terminal can be kept for at least the connection keeping duration, thereby improving the reliability of the indirect path communication.

[0139] S205, the relay terminal forwards the message between the first terminal and the network device.

[0140] In some embodiments, the relay terminal can forward the first message to the network device.

[0141] In some embodiments, the relay terminal can provide a relay forwarding function between the first terminal and the network device. For example, the relay terminal can forward data or signaling sent by the first terminal to the network device after entering the connected state, and can also forward data or signaling sent by the network device to the first terminal.

[0142] By using the above method, the first terminal can instruct the relay terminal to enter the connected state through the first message, and establish an indirect path with the network device through the relay terminal. The first terminal can communicate with the network device through the indirect path.

[0143] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method for indicating a terminal state according to an exemplary embodiment. The method can be performed by the first terminal in the above communication system. As shown in Figure 3 the method can include:

[0144] S301, the first terminal sends a first message to a relay terminal according to a bearer configuration.

[0145] The first message can be used to instruct the relay terminal to enter a connected state, and the bearer configuration is used to indicate whether the first wireless bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through the indirect path, the first wireless bearer being a wireless bearer used by the first terminal to communicate with the network device, and the indirect path being a path through which the relay terminal forwards data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device.

[0146] The first wireless bearer can be a signaling radio bearer (SRB) or a data radio bearer (DRB). In some embodiments, the first wireless bearer can be an SRB1.

[0147] In some embodiments, the first terminal can send the first message to the relay terminal according to the bearer configuration after receiving the second message sent by the network device.

[0148] In other embodiments, the first terminal can also actively send the first message to the relay terminal.

[0149] In this step, the first terminal can first determine whether the first wireless bearer can be transmitted through the indirect path according to the bearer configuration, and then send the first message according to the determination result.

[0150] In some embodiments, the first terminal can determine that the first wireless bearer can be transmitted through the indirect path when it is determined according to the bearer configuration that there is a corresponding sidelink relay adaptation protocol (SRAP) entity for the first wireless bearer. The SRAP entity can be used to transmit signaling or data through the indirect path.

[0151] In other embodiments, the first terminal can determine that the first wireless bearer can be transmitted through the indirect path when it is determined that the first wireless bearer is a split bearer (e.g., splitSRB1). The split bearer can be used to indicate that the first wireless bearer can transmit signaling or data through the direct path and the indirect path.

[0152] In this way, the first terminal can determine whether the first wireless bearer can be transmitted through the indirect path according to the bearer configuration, or the first terminal can determine whether the first wireless bearer is configured on the indirect path according to the bearer configuration.

[0153] In some embodiments, the first terminal can send the first message through the indirect path when it is determined according to the bearer configuration that the first wireless bearer can be transmitted through the indirect path.

[0154] The first message can be a response message of the first terminal to a second message, and the second message can be an RRC reconfiguration message, and the first message can be an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0155] In some embodiments, the relay terminal can enter the connected state according to the first message, and the relay terminal can also forward the first message to the network device.

[0156] The first terminal can send the first message through a sidelink radio link control (SL-RLC) entity corresponding to the indirect path.

[0157] For example, the first message can be carried on SRB1, and the SRB1 can be sent to the relay terminal through SL-RLC1, and the relay terminal can also receive the first message through SL-RLC1.

[0158] In this way, the first terminal can send the first message to the relay terminal through the indirect path.

[0159] In some other embodiments, the first terminal can send the first message through the sidelink in a case where it is determined according to a bearer configuration that the first radio bearer cannot be transmitted through the indirect path.

[0160] The sidelink can be a link between the first terminal and the relay terminal.

[0161] In this way, the first terminal can send the first message to the relay terminal through the sidelink.

[0162] In an implementation manner, the first message can be a sidelink RRC (SL-RRC) message. For example, the SL-RRC message can include a first indication parameter, and the first indication parameter can be used to indicate the relay terminal to enter the connected state.

[0163] The relay terminal can receive the first message through the sidelink, and enter the connected state in response to the first message.

[0164] In an implementation manner, the first terminal can obtain a connection state of the relay terminal, and determine whether to send the first message according to the connection state.

[0165] For example, the first terminal can send the first message through the sidelink in a case where the connection state of the relay terminal is not the connected state. The first message can indicate the relay terminal to enter the connected state.

[0166] For another example, the first terminal can not send the first message (SL-RRC reconfiguration message) in a case where the connection state of the relay terminal is the connected state.

[0167] For example, the first terminal can not send the first indication parameter when the connection state of the relay terminal is connected.

[0168] In some embodiments, the first message can include an RRC reconfiguration complete message and an SL-RRC reconfiguration message, and the first terminal can send the RRC reconfiguration complete message but not the SL-RRC reconfiguration message when the connection state of the relay terminal is connected.

[0169] In this way, when the relay terminal is already in the connected state, the first terminal can not need to send the SL-RRC reconfiguration message or the first indication parameter, avoiding unnecessary signaling transmission and saving wireless resources.

[0170] The first terminal can receive a state parameter sent by the relay terminal and determine whether the connection state of the relay terminal is connected according to the state parameter, and the state parameter can be used to indicate the connection state of the relay terminal. The connection state of the relay terminal can be connected, idle, inactive or dormant.

[0171] The specific manner in which the relay terminal sends the state parameter to the first terminal can refer to the specific description of the embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 2 shown in the embodiments, and will not be described here.

[0172] In this way, the first terminal can send the first message to the relay terminal through the sidelink when the relay terminal is not in the connected state, and the first message can indicate the relay terminal to enter the connected state.

[0173] By using the above method, the first terminal can send the first message to the relay terminal according to the bearer configuration. The first message can be used to indicate the relay terminal to enter the connected state, and the bearer configuration is used to indicate whether the first wireless bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through the indirect path. The first wireless bearer is a wireless bearer for communication between the first terminal and the network device, and the indirect path is a path for forwarding data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device through the relay terminal. In this way, the first terminal can instruct the relay terminal to enter the connected state through the first message, thereby improving the reliability of indirect path communication.

[0174] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for indicating a terminal state according to an exemplary embodiment. The method can be performed by the first terminal in the communication system described above. As Figure 4 shown, the method can include:

[0175] S401, the first terminal receives a second message sent by the network device.

[0176] The second message can be used to indicate the first terminal to configure the indirect path.

[0177] For example, the first terminal can receive the second message sent by the network device through a direct path (e.g., a UU interface). The second message can include an indirect path addition configuration, which can include path parameters corresponding to the indirect path. The first terminal can configure the indirect path according to the first message.

[0178] In some embodiments, the second message can include a terminal identifier of the relay terminal, and the first terminal can determine the relay terminal corresponding to the indirect path according to the terminal identifier.

[0179] S402, the first terminal sends a first message to the relay terminal.

[0180] The first message can be used to instruct the relay terminal to enter a connected state.

[0181] In some embodiments, the first terminal can send the first message to the relay terminal after receiving the second message.

[0182] The first terminal can send the first message through the indirect path. Alternatively, the first terminal can also send the first message through the direct link.

[0183] In other embodiments, the first terminal can send the first message to the relay terminal according to the bearer configuration after receiving the second message.

[0184] It should be noted that the specific manner in which the first terminal sends the first message to the relay terminal according to the bearer configuration can refer to the specific description of the embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 2 shown in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and will not be described here.

[0185] In this way, the first terminal can send the first message to the relay terminal in response to receiving the second message sent by the network device.

[0186] In some embodiments, the first terminal can determine whether to send the first message to the relay terminal after receiving the second message.

[0187] For example, if it is determined that the relay terminal is not in a connected state or the state of the relay terminal cannot be determined, the first message can be sent to the relay terminal to instruct the relay terminal to enter or remain in the connected state.

[0188] For another example, if it is determined that the relay terminal is in the connected state, the first message, which can be an SL-RRC message, can not be sent to the relay terminal.

[0189] In this way, the relay terminal can be instructed to enter the connected state, and the signaling overhead and wireless resources can be saved when the relay terminal is in the connected state.

[0190] Figure 5is a flowchart of a method for indicating a terminal state according to an exemplary embodiment. The method can be performed by a first terminal in the above communication system. As shown in Figure 5 the method can include:

[0191] S501, the first terminal receives a state parameter sent by a relay terminal.

[0192] The state parameter can be used to indicate the connection state of the relay terminal. The connection state can also be referred to as an RRC connection state or an RRC state. The connection state of the relay terminal can be a connected state, an idle state, an inactive state, or a dormant state.

[0193] S502, the first terminal determines whether to send a first message to the relay terminal according to the state parameter.

[0194] For example, the first terminal can determine whether to send the first message to the relay terminal according to the connection state of the relay terminal according to the state parameter.

[0195] For example, the first terminal can not send the first message to the relay terminal if the connection state of the relay terminal is a connected state.

[0196] For another example, the first terminal can send the first message to the relay terminal if the connection state of the relay terminal is not a connected state. The first message can indicate that the relay terminal enters a connected state.

[0197] For another example, the first terminal can send the first message to the relay terminal according to a bearer configuration if the connection state of the relay terminal is not a connected state.

[0198] It should be noted that the specific manner in which the first terminal sends the first message to the relay terminal according to the bearer configuration can be referred to the specific description in the embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 2 shown in the embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0199] In this way, the first terminal can obtain the state parameter of the relay terminal and determine whether to send the first message to the relay terminal according to the state parameter.

[0200] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method for indicating a terminal state according to an exemplary embodiment. The method can be performed by a first terminal in the above communication system. As shown in Figure 6 the method can include:

[0201] S601, the relay terminal receives a first message sent by a first terminal.

[0202] In some embodiments, the first message can be a message sent by the first terminal. The first message can be used to indicate that the relay terminal enters a connected state.

[0203] In some embodiments, the first message can be a message sent by the first terminal according to a bearer configuration, the bearer configuration being used to indicate whether a first radio bearer of the first terminal is capable of being transmitted through an indirect path, the first radio bearer being a radio bearer used by the first terminal to communicate with the network device, the indirect path being a path through which the relay terminal forwards data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device.

[0204] The first radio bearer can be a signaling radio bearer (SRB) or a data radio bearer (DRB). In some embodiments, the first radio bearer can be a signaling radio bearer (SRB1).

[0205] In some embodiments, the relay terminal can receive the first message sent by the first terminal through the indirect path.

[0206] For example, the first message can be an RRC reconfiguration complete message. The relay terminal can also send the RRC reconfiguration complete message to the network device.

[0207] For another example, the relay terminal can receive the first message sent by the first terminal through a sidelink radio link control (SL-RLC) entity corresponding to the indirect path. For instance, the first message can be carried on an SRB1, which can be sent to the relay terminal through an SL-RLC1, and the relay terminal can receive the first message through the SL-RLC1.

[0208] In this way, the relay terminal can receive the first message sent by the first terminal through the indirect path.

[0209] In some other embodiments, the relay terminal can receive the first message sent by the first terminal through a sidelink.

[0210] The sidelink can be a link between the first terminal and the relay terminal.

[0211] In an implementation, the first message can be a sidelink RRC (SL-RRC) message, i.e., an SL-RRC message transmitted through a PC5 interface. For instance, the first message can be an SL-RRC reconfiguration (RRCReconfigurationSidelink) message.

[0212] The SL-RRC message can include a first indication parameter, which can be used to indicate the relay terminal to enter a connected state.

[0213] The relay terminal can receive the first message through the sidelink, and in response to the first message, enter the connected state.

[0214] In this way, the relay terminal can receive the first message sent by the first terminal through the sidelink.

[0215] S602、the relay terminal enters a connected state according to the first message.

[0216] In some embodiments, the relay terminal can receive the first message through a direct link or an indirect path when the connection state of the relay terminal is not the connected state, and enter the connected state after receiving the first message.

[0217] In some other embodiments, the relay terminal can not receive the first message or discard the first message when the connection state of the relay terminal is the connected state.

[0218] In some other embodiments, the relay terminal can enter the connected state when the relay terminal is in a non-connected state (for example, an idle state or an inactive state) after receiving the first message, and can continue to maintain the connected state when the relay terminal is in the connected state.

[0219] Optionally, the relay terminal can restart a deactivation timer when the relay terminal is in the connected state after receiving the first message. It should be noted that the deactivation timer can be used to maintain the relay terminal in the connected state. For example, the relay terminal can enter a non-connected state from the connected state when the deactivation timer can be timed out, and the relay terminal can continue to maintain the connected state by restarting the deactivation timer, thereby avoiding the relay terminal from entering the non-connected state too early.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first message can further include a connection maintenance time length, and the relay terminal can set the time length of the deactivation timer as the connection maintenance time length after receiving the first message. In this way, the connection state of the relay terminal can be maintained for at least the connection maintenance time length, thereby improving the reliability of indirect path communication.

[0221] By using the above method, the relay terminal can receive the first message sent by the first terminal and enter the connected state according to the first message. In this way, the reliability of indirect path communication can be improved.

[0222] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a method for indicating a terminal state according to an exemplary embodiment. The method can be performed by the relay terminal in the above communication system. As shown in Figure 7 the method can include:

[0223] S701, the relay terminal sends a state parameter to the first terminal.

[0224] The state parameter is used to indicate the connection state of the relay terminal.

[0225] The specific manner in which the relay terminal sends the state parameter to the first terminal can refer to the specific manner of sending the state parameter to the first terminal in the above communication system Figure 2The specific description in the illustrated embodiments will not be repeated here.

[0226] In some embodiments, the relay terminal can further receive the first message sent by the first terminal after sending the state parameter, and enter the connected state according to the first message.

[0227] It should be noted that, in the case of no contradiction, the embodiments can be combined with the foregoing embodiments or implementation manners of the present disclosure and various optional schemes thereof, and the specific implementation manners of the above steps in the embodiments can also refer to the description in the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure, which will not be repeated here.

[0228] In this way, the relay terminal can send the state parameter to the first terminal, so that the first terminal sends the first message according to the state parameter, and the relay terminal can enter the connected state according to the first message. In this way, the reliability of indirect path communication can be improved.

[0229] Figure 8 is a flowchart of a method of indicating a terminal state according to an example embodiment. The method can be performed by the network device in the above communication system. As shown, the method can include: Figure 8

[0230] S801, the network device sends a second message to the first terminal.

[0231] The second message is used to instruct the first terminal to configure an indirect path and send a first message to the relay terminal according to a bearer configuration, the first message is used to instruct the relay terminal to enter a connected state, and the bearer configuration is used to indicate whether a first radio bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through the indirect path, the first radio bearer being a radio bearer used by the first terminal to communicate with the network device, and the indirect path being a path through which data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device is forwarded by the relay terminal.

[0232] The first radio bearer can be a signaling radio bearer SRB or a data radio bearer DRB. In some embodiments, the first radio bearer can be a signaling radio bearer SRB1.

[0233] For example, the network device can send the second message to the first terminal through a direct path (e.g., a UU interface). The second message can include an indirect path addition configuration, which can include path parameters corresponding to the indirect path, and the first terminal can configure the indirect path according to the first message.

[0234] In some embodiments, the second message can include a terminal identifier of the relay terminal, and the first terminal can determine the relay terminal corresponding to the indirect path according to the terminal identifier.

[0235] ​Using the above method, the network device can send a second message to the first terminal, instructing the first terminal to configure an indirect path.

[0236] In one exemplary embodiment, this disclosure also provides a communication system, which may include a first terminal, a relay terminal, and a network device, wherein the first terminal may execute the method for indicating terminal status related to the first terminal in the foregoing embodiments of this disclosure; the relay terminal may execute the method for indicating terminal status related to the relay terminal in the foregoing embodiments of this disclosure; and the network device may execute the method for indicating terminal status related to the network device in the foregoing embodiments of this disclosure.

[0237] Figure 9 This is a block diagram illustrating a device 2100 for indicating the state of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment. The device 2100 can be applied to a first terminal, or the device 2100 can be the first terminal.

[0238] like Figure 9 As shown, the device 2100 may include:

[0239] The first transceiver module 2101 is configured to send a first message to the relay terminal according to the bearer configuration; wherein the first message is used to instruct the relay terminal to enter the connected state, the bearer configuration is used to instruct whether the first wireless bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through an indirect path, the first wireless bearer is the wireless bearer for communication between the first terminal and the network device, and the indirect path is the path through which the relay terminal forwards the data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device.

[0240] In some embodiments, the first transceiver module 2101 is configured to send the first message through the indirect path if it is determined, based on the bearer configuration, that the first wireless bearer can be transmitted through the indirect path.

[0241] In some embodiments, the first message is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration completion message.

[0242] In some embodiments, the first transceiver module 2101 is configured to send the first message through the direct link radio link control (SL-RLC) entity corresponding to the indirect path.

[0243] In some embodiments, the first transceiver module 2101 is configured to send the first message via a direct link when it is determined, based on the bearer configuration, that the first wireless bearer cannot be transmitted via the indirect path, wherein the direct link is a link between the first terminal and the relay terminal.

[0244] In some embodiments, the first message is a sidelink, SL, RRC message, and the SL RRC message includes a first indication parameter, where the first indication parameter is used to indicate that the relay terminal enters a connected state.

[0245] In some embodiments, the first transceiver 2101 is configured to, in a case where the connection state of the relay terminal is not the connected state, transmit the first message via the sidelink.

[0246] Figure 10 FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an apparatus 2100 for indicating a terminal state, according to an example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the apparatus 2100 can include a first processing module 2102 and a first transceiver 2101. Figure 10 The apparatus 2100 can further include:

[0247] The first processing module 2102 is configured to, in a case where the connection state of the relay terminal is the connected state, not transmit the first message.

[0248] In some embodiments, the first transceiver 2101 is further configured to receive a state parameter transmitted by the relay terminal, where the state parameter is used to indicate the connection state of the relay terminal.

[0249] In some embodiments, the first processing module 2102 is configured to, in a case where it is determined according to the bearer configuration that the first radio bearer has a corresponding sidelink relay adaptation protocol, SRAP, entity, determine that the first radio bearer can be transmitted via the indirect path; or,

[0250] In a case where the first radio bearer is a split bearer, determine that the first radio bearer can be transmitted via the indirect path.

[0251] In some embodiments, the first transceiver 2101 is further configured to receive a second message transmitted by a network device, where the second message is used to instruct the first terminal to configure an indirect path.

[0252] In some embodiments, the first radio bearer is a signaling radio bearer, SRB1.

[0253] Figure 11 FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an apparatus 2200 for indicating a terminal state, according to an example embodiment. The apparatus 2200 can be applied to a relay terminal, or the apparatus 2200 can be a relay terminal.

[0254] As shown in FIG. 14, the apparatus 2200 can include: Figure 11

[0255] ​The second transceiver module 2201 is configured to receive a first message sent by a first terminal. The first message is a message sent by the first terminal according to a bearer configuration. The bearer configuration is used to indicate whether a first radio bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through an indirect path. The first radio bearer is a radio bearer used by the first terminal to communicate with a network device. The indirect path is a path through which data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device is forwarded by the relay terminal.

[0256] The second processing module 2202 is configured to enter a connected state according to the first message.

[0257] In some embodiments, the second transceiver module 2201 is configured to receive the first message sent by the first terminal through the indirect path.

[0258] In some embodiments, the first message is a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration complete message. The second transceiver module 2201 is further configured to send the RRC reconfiguration complete message to the network device.

[0259] In some embodiments, the second transceiver module 2201 is configured to receive the first message sent by the first terminal through a sidelink radio link control (SL-RLC) entity corresponding to the indirect path.

[0260] In some embodiments, the second transceiver module 2201 is configured to receive the first message sent by the first terminal through a sidelink. The sidelink is a link between the first terminal and the relay terminal.

[0261] In some embodiments, the first message is a sidelink (SL)-RRC reconfiguration complete message. The SL-RRC reconfiguration complete message includes a first indication parameter. The first indication parameter is used to indicate that the relay terminal enters a connected state.

[0262] In some embodiments, the second transceiver module 2201 is configured to receive the first message through the sidelink in a case where the connection state of the relay terminal is not a connected state.

[0263] In some embodiments, the second transceiver module 2201 is further configured to send a state parameter to the first terminal. The state parameter is used to indicate the connection state of the relay terminal.

[0264] In some embodiments, the first radio bearer is a signaling radio bearer (SRB1).

[0265] Figure 12is a block diagram of an apparatus 2300 for indicating terminal state according to an example embodiment. The apparatus 2300 can be applied to a network device, or the apparatus 2300 can be a network device.

[0266] As shown in Figure 12 the apparatus 2300 can include:

[0267] a third transceiving module 2301, configured to send a second message to a first terminal; the second message is used to instruct the first terminal to configure an indirect path and send a first message to a relay terminal according to a bearer configuration, the first message is used to instruct the relay terminal to enter a connected state, and the bearer configuration is used to indicate whether a first radio bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through the indirect path, the first radio bearer being a radio bearer used by the first terminal to communicate with a network device, and the indirect path being a path through which data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device is forwarded by the relay terminal.

[0268] In some embodiments, the first radio bearer is a signaling radio bearer SRB1.

[0269] As to the apparatus in the above embodiments, the specific manners in which various modules perform operations have been described in detail in the embodiments of the method, and will not be described here in detail.

[0270] Figure 13 is a block diagram of an apparatus for indicating terminal state according to an example embodiment. The apparatus 3000 for indicating terminal state can be a first terminal, a relay terminal or a network device in a communication system as shown. Figure 1

[0271] Referring to Figure 13 , the apparatus 3000 can include one or more of the following components: a processing component 3002, a memory 3004, and a communication component 3006.

[0272] The processing component 3002 can be configured to control the overall operation of the apparatus 3000 such as the operations associated with display, telephony calls, data communications, camera operations, and recording operations. The processing component 3002 can include one or more processors 3020 to execute instructions to complete all or part of the steps of the above-mentioned method for indicating terminal state. In addition, the processing component 3002 can include one or more modules to facilitate interaction with other components. For example, the processing component 3002 can include a multimedia module to facilitate the interaction between the multimedia component and the processing component 3002.

[0273] ​The memory 3004 is configured to store various types of data to support operations on the device 3000. Examples of these data include instructions for any application or method operating on the device 3000, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, videos, and the like. The memory 3004 can be implemented by any type of volatile or nonvolatile storage devices or a combination thereof such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), programmable read only memory (PROM), read only memory (ROM), magnetic storage, flash memory, magnetic or optical disk.

[0274] The communication component 3006 is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between the device 3000 and other devices. The device 3000 can access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as Wi-Fi, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G, NB-IOT, eMTC, or the like, or a combination thereof. In an example embodiment, the communication component 3006 receives broadcast signals or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In an example embodiment, the communication component 3006 also includes a Near Field Communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communication. For example, the NFC module can be implemented based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) techniques, infrared data association (IrDA) techniques, ultra-wideband (UWB) techniques, Bluetooth (BT) techniques, and other techniques.

[0275] In an example embodiment, the device 3000 can be implemented by one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, or other electronic elements for executing the above-described method of indicating a terminal state.

[0276] The apparatus 3000 described above can be a standalone electronic device, or a part of a standalone electronic device. For example, in an embodiment, the electronic device can be an integrated circuit (IC) or a chip, where the integrated circuit can be one IC or a collection of multiple ICs; the chip can include, but is not limited to, the following categories: GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), CPU (Central Processing Unit), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), SOC (System on Chip), and the like. The integrated circuit or chip described above can be used to execute executable instructions (or code) to implement the method of indicating terminal state described above. The executable instructions can be stored in the integrated circuit or chip, or obtained from other devices or apparatuses, for example, the integrated circuit or chip includes a processor, a memory, and an interface for communicating with other devices. The executable instructions can be stored in the processor, and when the executable instructions are executed by the processor, the method of indicating terminal state described above is implemented; or the integrated circuit or chip can receive executable instructions through the interface and transmit them to the processor for execution, so as to implement the method of indicating terminal state described above.

[0277] In an example embodiment, the present disclosure also provides a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon computer program instructions, which when executed by a processor implement the steps of the method of indicating terminal state provided by the present disclosure. For example, the computer readable storage medium can be a non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions, for example, the above-mentioned memory 3004 including instructions executable by the processor 3020 of the apparatus 3000 to complete the method of indicating terminal state described above. For example, the non-transitory computer readable storage medium can be a ROM, a random access memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, and an optical data storage device, etc.

[0278] In another example embodiment, a computer program product is also provided, which includes a computer program executable by a programmable apparatus, the computer program having code portions for performing the method of indicating terminal state described above when executed by the programmable apparatus.

[0279] Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

[0280] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise structures as herein described and illustrated in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A method for indicating terminal status, characterized in that, The method, executed by a first terminal, includes: A first message is sent to the relay terminal according to the bearer configuration; wherein, the first message is used to instruct the relay terminal to enter the connected state, the bearer configuration is used to instruct whether the first radio bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through an indirect path, the first radio bearer is the signaling radio bearer SRB1 for communication between the first terminal and the network device, and the indirect path is the path through which the relay terminal forwards the data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device; Sending the first message to the relay terminal according to the bearer configuration includes: If it is determined according to the bearer configuration that the first wireless bearer cannot be transmitted through the indirect path, the first message is sent through a direct link, where the direct link is the link between the first terminal and the relay terminal; the first message is a direct link SL-RRC message, where the SL-RRC message includes a first indication parameter, which is used to indicate that the relay terminal enters the connected state.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Sending the first message to the relay terminal according to the bearer configuration includes: If it is determined, based on the bearer configuration, that the first wireless bearer can be transmitted via the indirect path, the first message is sent via the indirect path.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first message is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration completion message.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Sending the first message through the indirect path includes: The first message is sent through the SL-RLC entity that controls the direct link of the indirect path.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Sending the first message via a direct link includes: If the relay terminal is not in a connected state, the first message is sent through the direct link.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive status parameters sent by the relay terminal, the status parameters being used to indicate the connection status of the relay terminal; The relay terminal carries the status parameters through a discovery message on the direct link. The discovery message also includes at least one of the following: the relay terminal's terminal identification parameter, terminal capability parameter, serving cell identifier, or neighboring cell identifier.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: If, based on the bearer configuration, it is determined that the first wireless bearer has a corresponding Direct Link Relay Adaptation Protocol (SRAP) entity, it is determined that the first wireless bearer can be transmitted through the indirect path; or... If the first wireless bearer is a separate bearer, it is determined that the first wireless bearer can be transmitted through the indirect path.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first terminal receives a second message sent by a network device; the second message is used to instruct the first terminal to configure an indirect path.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first message also includes the connection hold duration of the deactivation timer of the relay terminal, the deactivation timer being used to keep the relay terminal in a connected state.

10. A method for indicating terminal status, characterized in that, The method, executed by a relay terminal, includes: Receive a first message sent by a first terminal; the first message is a message sent by the first terminal according to the bearer configuration, the bearer configuration is used to indicate whether the first radio bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through an indirect path, the first radio bearer is the signaling radio bearer SRB1 for communication between the first terminal and the network device, and the indirect path is the path through which the relay terminal forwards the data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device; Enter the connection state based on the first message; The first message sent by the first terminal includes: The relay terminal receives a first message sent by the first terminal via a direct link; the direct link is the link between the first terminal and the relay terminal; the first message is a direct link SL-RRC reconfiguration completion message, the SL-RRC reconfiguration completion message includes a first indication parameter, the first indication parameter being used to indicate that the relay terminal enters the connected state.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first message sent by the first terminal includes: The first message sent by the first terminal is received through the indirect path.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first message is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration complete message; the method further includes: The RRC reconfiguration complete message is sent to the network device.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, Receiving the first message sent by the first terminal through the indirect path includes: The first message sent by the first terminal is received by the SL-RLC entity corresponding to the direct link of the indirect path.

14. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The step of receiving the first message sent by the first terminal via a direct link includes: If the relay terminal is not in a connected state, the first message is received through the direct link.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: A status parameter is sent to the first terminal via a discovery message on the direct link. The status parameter is used to indicate the connection status of the relay terminal. The discovery message carries the status parameter and also includes at least one of the following: the relay terminal's terminal identification parameter, terminal capability parameter, serving cell identifier, or neighboring cell identifier.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that, The first message also includes the connection hold duration of the relay terminal's deactivation timer, the deactivation timer being used to keep the relay terminal in a connected state, and the method further includes: When the relay terminal is in a connected state, the deactivation timer is restarted according to the connection duration.

17. A method for indicating the state of a terminal, characterized in that, Performed by a network device, the method includes: Send a second message to the first terminal; the second message is used to instruct the first terminal to configure an indirect path and send a first message to the relay terminal according to the bearer configuration. The first message is used to instruct the relay terminal to enter the connected state. The bearer configuration is used to instruct whether the first wireless bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through the indirect path. The first wireless bearer is the signaling wireless bearer SRB1 for communication between the first terminal and the network device. The indirect path is the path through which the relay terminal forwards the data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device. Wherein, the second message is used to instruct the first terminal to configure an indirect path and, if it is determined according to the bearer configuration that the first wireless bearer cannot be transmitted through the indirect path, to send a first message to the relay terminal through a direct link; the direct link is the link between the first terminal and the relay terminal; the first message is a direct link SL-RRC message, the SL-RRC message includes a first indication parameter, the first indication parameter is used to instruct the relay terminal to enter the connected state.

18. A device for indicating the status of a terminal, characterized in that, Applied to a first terminal, the device includes: The first transceiver module is configured to send a first message to the relay terminal according to the bearer configuration; wherein the first message is used to instruct the relay terminal to enter the connected state, the bearer configuration is used to instruct whether the first wireless bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through an indirect path, the first wireless bearer is the signaling wireless bearer SRB1 for communication between the first terminal and the network device, and the indirect path is the path through which the relay terminal forwards the data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device; The first transceiver module is also used for: If it is determined according to the bearer configuration that the first wireless bearer cannot be transmitted through the indirect path, the first message is sent through a direct link, where the direct link is the link between the first terminal and the relay terminal; the first message is a direct link SL-RRC message, where the SL-RRC message includes a first indication parameter, which is used to indicate that the relay terminal enters the connected state.

19. A device for indicating the status of a terminal, characterized in that, The device, applied to a relay terminal, includes: The second transceiver module is configured to receive a first message sent by the first terminal; the first message is a message sent by the first terminal according to the bearer configuration, the bearer configuration is used to indicate whether the first radio bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through an indirect path, the first radio bearer is the signaling radio bearer SRB1 for communication between the first terminal and the network device, and the indirect path is the path through which the relay terminal forwards the data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device; The second processing module is configured to enter the connection state based on the first message; The second transceiver module is also used for: The relay terminal receives a first message sent by the first terminal via a direct link; the direct link is the link between the first terminal and the relay terminal; the first message is a direct link SL-RRC reconfiguration completion message, the SL-RRC reconfiguration completion message includes a first indication parameter, the first indication parameter being used to indicate that the relay terminal enters the connected state.

20. A device for indicating the status of a terminal, characterized in that, Applied to network devices, the device includes: The third transceiver module is configured to send a second message to the first terminal; the second message is used to instruct the first terminal to configure an indirect path and send a first message to the relay terminal according to the bearer configuration, the first message is used to instruct the relay terminal to enter a connected state, the bearer configuration is used to instruct whether the first wireless bearer of the first terminal can be transmitted through the indirect path, the first wireless bearer is the signaling wireless bearer SRB1 for communication between the first terminal and the network device, and the indirect path is the path through which the relay terminal forwards the data or signaling between the first terminal and the network device; The second message is used to instruct the first terminal to configure an indirect path and, if it is determined according to the bearer configuration that the first wireless bearer cannot be transmitted through the indirect path, to send a first message to the relay terminal through a direct link; the direct link is the link between the first terminal and the relay terminal; the first message is a direct link SL-RRC message, the SL-RRC message includes a first indication parameter, the first indication parameter being used to instruct the relay terminal to enter the connected state.

21. A device for indicating the status of a terminal, characterized in that, The device includes: processor; Memory used to store processor-executable instructions; The processor is configured to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or the processor is configured to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, or the processor is configured to perform the steps of the method according to claim 17.

22. A computer-readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9; or, when the computer program instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 10 to 16; or, when the computer program instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the steps of the method according to claim 17.

23. A communication system, characterized in that, include: A first terminal, wherein the first terminal performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9; A relay terminal, wherein the relay terminal performs the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 16; A network device that performs the method as described in claim 17.

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