Equipment switching method and device, communication equipment and readable storage medium

Abstract

The invention discloses a device switching method and device, a communication device and a readable storage medium, and belongs to the technical field of communication, and the device switching method comprises the steps that when a first device meets a first event, a target second device is selected; sending a first signaling to the target second device; wherein the first signaling is used for indicating to switch the Internet of Things service between a third device and a fourth device from the fourth device to the target second device for execution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of communication technologies, and particularly relates to a device switching method, apparatus, communication device, and readable storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In related technologies, during the mobility management and mobility handover processes, the registration process and handover process are usually initiated by the terminal actively for access. However, in the scenario of single - base backscatter communication, since backscatter communication devices (such as Ambient IoT devices) cannot initiate access actively, their access process and handover process need to wait for other devices to send control or excitation signals to trigger. Moreover, many backscatter communication devices do not have the ability to measure and report. Therefore, the existing device switching methods in the mobility management process are not applicable to backscatter communication devices based on single - base backscatter communication. In this case, how to implement device switching in single - base backscatter communication is an urgent problem to be solved currently. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of this application provide a device switching method, apparatus, communication device, and readable storage medium, which can solve the problem of how to implement device switching in single - base backscatter communication.

[0004] In a first aspect, a device switching method is provided, which is executed by a first device. The method includes:

[0005] When the first device meets a first event, it selects a target second device;

[0006] The first device sends a first signaling to the target second device; wherein, the first signaling is used to indicate that the Internet of Things service between a third device and a fourth device is switched from the fourth device to the target second device for execution.

[0007] In a second aspect, a device switching method is provided, which is executed by a second device. The method includes:

[0008] The second device receives the first signaling sent by the first device; wherein, the first signaling is used to indicate that the Internet of Things service between a third device and a fourth device is switched from the fourth device to the second device for execution, and the second device is selected by the first device when the first event is met.

[0009] In a third aspect, a device switching apparatus is provided, which is applied to the first device and includes:

[0010] A selection module, configured to select a target second device when a first event is met;

[0011] A first sending module, configured to send a first signaling to the target second device, where the first signaling is used to instruct to switch the Internet of Things service between a third device and a fourth device from the fourth device to the target second device for execution.

[0012] In a fourth aspect, a device switching apparatus is provided, which is applied to a second device and includes:

[0013] A fourth receiving module, configured to receive a first signaling sent by a first device; where the first signaling is used to instruct to switch the Internet of Things service between a third device and a fourth device from the fourth device to the second device for execution, and the second device is selected by the first device when a first event is satisfied.

[0014] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores a program or instruction that can run on the processor. When the program or instruction is executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect are implemented, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect are implemented.

[0015] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface. For example, when the communication device is the first device, the processor is configured to select a target second device when a first event is satisfied, and the communication interface is configured to send a first signaling to the target second device, where the first signaling is used to instruct to switch the Internet of Things service between a third device and a fourth device from the fourth device to the target second device for execution; or when the communication device is the second device, the communication interface is configured to receive a first signaling sent by the first device, where the first signaling is used to instruct to switch the Internet of Things service between a third device and a fourth device from the fourth device to the second device for execution, and the second device is selected by the first device when a first event is satisfied.

[0016] In a seventh aspect, a readable storage medium is provided. A program or instruction is stored on the readable storage medium. When the program or instruction is executed by a processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect are implemented, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect are implemented.

[0017] In an eighth aspect, a wireless communication system is provided, which may at least include a first device and a second device. The first device may be configured to execute the steps of the method described in the first aspect, and the second device may be configured to execute the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0018] In a ninth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to run a program or instruction to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or to implement the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0019] In a tenth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, which is stored in a storage medium and executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect or the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0020] Through the solution of the embodiments of the present application, when a first event is satisfied by a first device, a target second device can be selected, and a first signaling can be sent to the target second device, where the first signaling is used to instruct to switch the Internet of Things service between a third device (such as an Ambient IoT device) and a fourth device from the fourth device to the target second device for execution, so as to realize the switching of the Internet of Things service between different devices, solve problems such as how to realize device switching in single - base backscatter communication, and further meet the switching of backscatter communication devices (such as Ambient IoT devices) under different connection topologies (for example, switching from the connection topology between an Ambient IoT device and a terminal device to the connection topology between an Ambient IoT device and a base station), and ensure the continuity and transmission reliability of the Internet of Things service. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B 、 Figure 1C 、 Figure 1D and Figure 1E are communication architecture diagrams based on backscatter in the embodiments of the present application;

[0022] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a device switching method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0023] Figure 3 is a flowchart of another device switching method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0024] Figure 4A 、 Figure 4B 、 Figure 4C and Figure 4D are schematic diagrams of communication topology structures in the first embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 5A 、 Figure 5B 、 Figure 5C 、 Figure 5D and Figure 5E are schematic diagrams of service switching scenarios in the second embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device switching device provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0027] Figure 7It is a schematic structural diagram of another device switching device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 8 It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0029] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0030] The terms "first", "second", etc. in the present application are used to distinguish similar objects, rather than to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are usually of the same type, and the number of objects is not limited. For example, the first object can be one or multiple. In addition, "or" in the present application means at least one of the connected objects. For example, "A or B" covers three scenarios, namely, Scenario 1: including A and not including B; Scenario 2: including B and not including A; Scenario 3: including both A and B. The character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0031] The term "indicate" in the present application can be either a direct indication (or an explicit indication) or an indirect indication (or an implicit indication). Among them, a direct indication can be understood as that the sender clearly tells the receiver specific information, operations to be performed, or request results, etc. in the sent indication; an indirect indication can be understood as that the receiver determines the corresponding information according to the indication sent by the sender, or makes a judgment and determines the operations to be performed or request results, etc. according to the judgment result.

[0032] It should be noted that the technology described in the embodiments of this application is not limited to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system, and can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), or other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of this application are often used interchangeably. The described technology can be used not only in the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, but also in other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes the New Radio (NR) system for example purposes, and the NR term is used in most of the following descriptions. However, these technologies can also be applied to systems other than the NR system, such as the 6th Generation (6G) communication system. th Generation, 6G) communication system.

[0033] To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following content is first described.

[0034] Backscatter Communication (BSC) refers to that the backscatter communication device uses the radio frequency signals in other devices or the environment for signal modulation to transmit its own information, and it is a relatively typical passive Internet of Things device. The basic constituent modules and main functions of the backscatter communication transmitter include:

[0035] - Antenna unit: It is used to receive radio frequency signals and control commands, and at the same time is used to transmit modulated backscatter signals.

[0036] - Energy harvesting module or power supply module: This module is used for the backscatter communication device to perform radio frequency energy harvesting, or other energy harvesting, including but not limited to solar energy, kinetic energy, mechanical energy, thermal energy, etc. In addition to including the energy harvesting module, it may also include a battery power supply module. In this case, the backscatter communication device is a semi-passive device. The energy harvesting module or power supply module supplies power to all other modules in the device.

[0037] - Microcontroller: It includes controlling baseband signal processing, energy storage or data scheduling status, switch switching, system synchronization, etc.

[0038] - Signal receiving module: It is used to demodulate control commands or data sent by the backscatter communication receiving end or other network nodes.

[0039] - Coding and modulation module: It performs channel coding and signal modulation under the control of the controller, and realizes modulation by selecting different load impedances under the control of the controller through a selection switch.

[0040] - Memory or sensing module: It is used to store the identification ID information, location information or sensing data of the device.

[0041] In addition to the above typical constituent modules, the future backscatter communication transmitter can also integrate a tunnel diode amplifier module, a low-noise amplifier module, etc., to improve the receiving sensitivity and transmission power of the transmitter.

[0042] Optionally, the basic constituent modules and main functions of the backscatter communication receiver include:

[0043] - Antenna unit: It is used to receive the modulated backscatter signal.

[0044] - Backscatter signal detection module: It is used to detect the backscatter signal sent by the backscatter communication transmitter, including but not limited to ASK detection, PSK detection, FSK detection or QAM detection, etc.

[0045] - Demodulation and decoding module: It demodulates and decodes the detected signal to restore the original information stream.

[0046] The backscatter communication device controls the reflection coefficient Γ of the modulation circuit by adjusting its internal impedance, thereby changing the amplitude, frequency, phase, etc. of the incident signal to achieve signal modulation. The reflection coefficient Γ can be characterized as:

[0047]

[0048] Among them, Z0 is the antenna characteristic impedance; Z1 is the load impedance; j represents a complex number, and θ T represents the phase. Assuming the incident signal is expressed as S in (t), then the output signal is Therefore, by reasonably controlling the reflection coefficient, corresponding amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, or phase modulation can be achieved. Based on this, backscatter communication devices can be Tags in traditional Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), or passive / semi-passive Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Here, backscatter communication devices can be collectively referred to as BSC devices.

[0049] In one implementation, according to the tag capabilities and the sources of capabilities, tags can be classified into:

[0050] - C1 / C2 tags: Passive tags, that is, they obtain energy from the electromagnetic waves sent by the received RFID reader / writer and can only send data outward in the way of backscatter communication;

[0051] - C3 tags: Semi-passive tags. The energy sources such as the tag's own battery only provide power for the circuits in the RFID tag and do not actively send data signals outward. After it is activated by the electromagnetic waves sent by the RFID reader / writer, it can only send data outward in the way of backscatter communication;

[0052] - C4 tags: Active tags, which rely on energy sources such as their own installed batteries to actively send data outward.

[0053] In another implementation, tags can be classified into:

[0054] - Device A: The tag is a passive tag without a storage capacitor / battery, relying on Radio Frequency (RF) signals for power supply. The received RF signal is the power signal of the rectifier. It does not have the ability to generate a carrier and relies on RF as the radio frequency carrier for backscatter communication transmission, with the lowest power consumption;

[0055] - Device B: The tag is a semi-passive tag with a storage capacitor / battery, relying on non-RF signals for power supply. Optionally, it has a PA / LNA or other active devices. It does not have the ability to generate a carrier and relies on RF as the radio frequency carrier for backscatter communication transmission, with the second lowest power consumption;

[0056] - Device C: The tag is an active tag with a storage capacitor / battery, relying on non-RF signals for power supply, with the ability to generate a carrier and the highest power consumption.

[0057] Optionally, the communication architecture based on backscatter can at least include the following several modes:

[0058] (1) Topology 1: As Figure 1A shown, the base station in Topology 1 is both a radio frequency source or a transmitting device and a receiving device. Therefore, Topology 1 is a Monostatic Backscatter Communication System (MBCS) architecture. The traditional RFID system is a typical MBCS, which includes an Ambient IoT Device (such as a Tag) powered by the environment and a Reader (such as a base station), and the Tag communicates directly with the Reader. The Reader may have functional modules with a Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) architecture. In Topology 1, the device that sends control signals and the device that receives backscatter signals are the same device, and the device that sends the RF carrier source can be the same device as the aforementioned device or an independent device.

[0059] (2) Topology 2: As Figure 1B shown, in Topology 2, an Ambient IoT Device (such as a Tag) powered by the environment receives control signals and carrier signals sent by an intermediate node. The control signals are indicated by a network device (such as a base station gNB) through the intermediate node. The intermediate node can be a User Equipment (UE), a repeater, an IAB node, etc. The intermediate node can also act as a relay to forward IoT data to the gNB.

[0060] (3) Topology 3: Topology 3 involves a Bistatic Backscatter Communication System (BBCS), in which the radio frequency source, the BSC transmitting device, and the BSC receiving device are separated; in Topology 3, an Ambient IoT Device (such as a Tag) powered by the environment sends IoT data / uplink signals to the base station and receives data / signals sent by an auxiliary node, as Figure 1C shown; or, an Ambient IoT Device (such as a Tag) sends IoT data / uplink signals to the auxiliary node and receives data / signals sent by the base station, as Figure 1D shown; the base station communicates with the auxiliary node through the Uu interface, and the auxiliary node can be a UE, a repeater, an IAB, etc.

[0061] (4) Topology 4: As Figure 1EAs shown in the figure, in Topology 4, the UE communicates with the Tag as a Reader. This architecture also belongs to a single - base backscatter communication architecture, the difference being that the Reader is the UE instead of the base station.

[0062] Optionally, the solutions in this application can be applied to LTE systems, 5G NR systems, and NR evolution systems, such as 6G systems and 6G evolution systems, as well as IEEE 802.11 systems (such as WiFi systems), Bluetooth systems, LoRa systems, Zigbee systems, wireless optical communication systems, low - power communication systems, backscatter communication systems, etc.

[0063] Optionally, the applicable communication architectures in the embodiments of this application can be Topology1 and Topology4 as described above, and the applicable communication systems can be Ambient IoT systems, etc.

[0064] Next, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, through some embodiments and their application scenarios, the device switching method, device, communication device, and readable storage medium provided by the embodiments of this application will be described in detail.

[0065] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 which is a flowchart of a device switching method provided by the embodiments of this application. This method is executed by a first device. As Figure 2 shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0066] Step 21: When the first device meets the first event, select a target second device;

[0067] Step 22: The first device sends a first signaling to the target second device, and the first signaling is used to indicate that the Internet of Things service between the third device and the fourth device is switched from the fourth device to the target second device for execution.

[0068] In the embodiments of this application, the devices involved above can be described as follows:

[0069] (1) The third device can be a backscatter communication device, such as an Ambient IoT device (such as Device A (i.e., passive Tag), Device B (i.e., semi - passive Tag), active backscatter communication device), or an Internet of Things device with the ability to actively generate a carrier (such as an Active Tag device), etc.

[0070] Optionally, the third device satisfies at least one of the following:

[0071] The third device is one of a passive device, a semi - passive device, and an active device;

[0072] The third device does not have the ability to measure signals;

[0073] The third device does not have the ability to report information.

[0074] (2) The second device (i.e., the target second device), which is used to perform Internet of Things services (such as Ambient IoT services) with the third device (such as an Ambient IoT device) after the handover, can be a user equipment (UE), a base station, or other devices with the ability to receive / transmit wireless signals (such as an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) device, a Repeater, a Relay device, etc.). When performing a handover, there can be one or more second devices. For example, when the second device performs Ambient IoT service transmission with an Ambient IoT device, the second device can be both the device that sends control commands / incentive signals and the device that receives signals sent by the Ambient IoT device, that is, at this time, the second device is the reader / writer device of the Ambient IoT device. This communication architecture can correspond to Topology1 or Topology4 described above. Additionally, if there are multiple second devices, all of the multiple second devices can perform service transmission with the Ambient IoT device, and the final data can be centrally processed in the Ambient IoT management device.

[0075] It should be noted that the candidate second device can be understood as the device to be selected as the target second device.

[0076] (3) The fourth device, which is used to perform Internet of Things services (such as Ambient IoT services) with the third device (Ambient IoT device) before the handover, can be a UE, a base station, or other devices with the ability to receive / transmit wireless signals (such as an IAB device, a Repeater, a Relay device, etc.). When performing a handover, there can be one or more fourth devices. For example, when the fourth device performs Ambient IoT service transmission with an Ambient IoT device, the fourth device can be both the device that sends control commands / incentive signals and the device that receives signals sent by the Ambient IoT device, that is, at this time, the fourth device is the reader / writer device of the Ambient IoT device. This communication architecture can correspond to Topology1 or Topology4 described above. Additionally, if there are multiple fourth devices, all of the multiple fourth devices can perform service transmission with the Ambient IoT device, and the final data can be centrally processed in the Ambient IoT management device.

[0077] (4) The management device, also known as the Ambient IoT management device, can be any one of a core network management function network element (such as a core network network element for managing Ambient IoT, or a core network management function), a radio access network (RAN) device (such as a management function layer or network element in the access network), a terminal (such as a management function layer in the terminal), and an application server, and can be responsible for at least one function such as handover request processing, resource scheduling, information interaction, data processing, authentication, etc. For example, the core network management function network element can be obtained by upgrading the access and mobility management function (AMF) in the existing 5G network, or can be other network function nodes or newly defined network function nodes (such as network nodes specifically for managing Ambient IoT services).

[0078] (5) The first device can meet any of the following: The first device and the fourth device are the same device; The first device is a management device different from the fourth device, and the management device includes at least one of the following: a core network management function network element, an access network device (such as a management function layer or network element in the access network), a terminal (such as a management function layer in the terminal), and an application server.

[0079] Through the solution of the embodiments of the present application, when the first device meets the first event, it can select the target second device and send a first signaling to the target second device. The first signaling is used to instruct to switch the Internet of Things service between the third device (such as an Ambient IoT device) and the fourth device from the fourth device to the target second device for execution, so as to realize the handover of the Internet of Things service between different devices, solve problems such as how to realize the device handover in single-base backscatter communication, and further meet the handover of backscatter communication devices (such as Ambient IoT devices) under different connection topologies (for example, from the connection topology between an Ambient IoT device and a terminal device to the connection topology between an Ambient IoT device and a base station), and ensure the continuity and transmission reliability of the Internet of Things service.

[0080] Optionally, the signaling interaction methods between the second device (or the fourth device), the third device, and the management device (such as the core network management function network element or the application server) can include but are not limited to the following methods:

[0081] 1) Through the air interface (Uu interface): If one of the second device (or the fourth device) and the third device is a base station and the other is a UE, the signaling interaction between the second device (or the fourth device) and the third device can adopt this method; if the Ambient IoT management function network element is located on the RAN side, and the second device (or the fourth device) or the third device is a UE, the signaling interaction between the second device (or the fourth device) or the third device and the Ambient IoT management function network element can also adopt this method.

[0082] 2) Through the network interface: If the second device (or the fourth device) or the third device is a base station, the direct signaling interaction between it and the Ambient IoT management function network element can adopt this method, such as through the NG interface or the S1 interface; in addition, if both the second device (or the fourth device) and the third device are base stations, the signaling interaction between the second device (or the fourth device) and the third device can also adopt this method, such as through the Xn interface or the X2 interface, but it belongs to a different network interface from the NG interface or the S1 interface.

[0083] 3) Through the air interface (Uu interface) and / or the network interface: If the second device (or the fourth device) or the third device is a UE, the signaling interaction between it and the Ambient IoT management function network element can adopt this method, that is, the UE first communicates with access network devices such as base stations through the air interface (Uu interface), and then conducts signaling interaction with the Ambient IoT management function network element through access network devices such as base stations; alternatively, the UE and the Ambient IoT management function network element interact through non-access stratum (NAS) signaling.

[0084] 4) Through the sidelink: If both the second device (or the fourth device) and the third device are UEs, the direct signaling interaction between the second device (or the fourth device) and the third device can adopt this method.

[0085] 5) Through the Xn interface or the X2 interface: If both the second device (or the fourth device) and the third device are base stations, the direct signaling interaction between the second device (or the fourth device) and the third device can adopt this method.

[0086] 6) Newly defined Ambient IoT air interface: The second device (or the fourth device) / the third device communicates with the Ambient IoT management function network element using a newly defined Ambient IoT air interface (different from the Uu interface or the PC5 air interface, etc.).

[0087] 7) Arrangement and combination of the above signaling interaction methods: That is, the signaling interaction between the second device (or the fourth device), the third device, and the AmbientIoT management device can be indirectly signaled (forwarded) through any one or more combinations of the above signaling interactions. For example, if the second device (or the fourth device) is a UE and the third device is also a UE, a feasible way for the signaling interaction between the second device (or the fourth device) and the Ambient IoT management device is: The second device (or the fourth device) first communicates with the third device through Sidelink (or the PC5 air interface), and then communicates with the Ambient IoT management device through NAS signaling, thereby realizing the signaling interaction between the second device and the Ambient IoT management device.

[0088] Optionally, the above Internet of Things services may include but are not limited to at least one of the following:

[0089] Inventory services; for example, the fourth device / second device takes an inventory of the third device, and requests the third device to report identification ID information or EPC number, etc.;

[0090] Communication services; for example, the fourth device / second device communicates with the third device, including downlink data transmission from the fourth device / second device to the third device and uplink data transmission from the third device to the fourth device / second device;

[0091] Positioning services; for example, the fourth device / second device performs ranging and angle measurement services with the third device, or the third device assists the fourth device / second device in positioning;

[0092] Sensing services; for example, the fourth device / second device performs sensing services on the third device, such as sensing services including speed measurement, vibration detection, action or gesture recognition, breathing and heartbeat detection, etc.;

[0093] Control services; for example, the fourth device / second device sends a control command to the third device, requiring the sensors associated with the third device to perform corresponding actions.

[0094] Optionally, the first signaling may be used for the target second device to determine the signal parameters required for performing Internet of Things services, including but not limited to at least one of the following:

[0095] The requirement information of the IoT service; for example, the requirement information may include at least one of the following: service type, Quality of Service (QoS) requirement, etc.; the service type may at least include at least one of communication service, positioning service, sensing service, asset inventory service, control service, etc.; the service QoS requirement may at least include at least one of communication service QoS requirement, positioning service QoS requirement, sensing service QoS requirement, asset inventory service QoS requirement, control service QoS requirement, etc.

[0096] The prior information of the IoT service; for example, the prior information may include at least one of the following: prior information about the possible spatial location of the corresponding device, service type or QoS prior information.

[0097] The signal parameters required to execute the IoT service, which may include but are not limited to time-domain resource information, frequency-domain resource information, modulation mode, coding mode, signal power or reflection coefficient, signal waveform, etc.

[0098] The device identifier or Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) of the third device (such as an Ambient IoT device that is associated with the fourth device or has a service transmission connection before handover and is associated with the target second device or has a service transmission connection after handover).

[0099] The information associated with the device identifier or RNTI of the third device.

[0100] Optionally, the above first event may include but are not limited to at least one of the following:

[0101] The first metric between the fourth device and the third device does not meet the requirement of the first threshold; wherein, the first metric may be a performance metric related to signal strength, signal quality, communication statistics, or device status, etc.; the first threshold may be set based on actual requirements and is not limited herein.

[0102] The resources of the fourth device are insufficient to continue executing the IoT service; for example, some or all of at least one of the time, frequency, antenna, power and other resources used by the fourth device to execute the IoT service (such as Ambient IoT service) are occupied by other services and are insufficient to continue executing the IoT service (such as Ambient IoT service).

[0103] The battery power of the fourth device is insufficient.

[0104] The fourth device is in an overheated state.

[0105] The fourth device has software and hardware failures.

[0106] In an optional implementation, the first event can be classified by type; for example, it can be classified into three categories, namely: event type 1, the first indicator between the fourth device and the third device does not meet the requirements of the first threshold; event type 2, the resources of the fourth device are insufficient to continue executing the Internet of Things service; event type 3, at least including insufficient power of the fourth device, the fourth device being in an overheated state, the fourth device having software and hardware failures, etc.

[0107] Optionally, the reasons for the occurrence of the above first event may include, but are not limited to, the movement of the fourth device or the third device, the movement of relevant auxiliary nodes / intermediate nodes (such as UE, IAB, Repeater, Relay, etc.), the change of the channel environment, the long-term operation of the fourth device, etc.

[0108] Optionally, the device switching method in the embodiments of the present application may further include:

[0109] The first device obtains the first indicator between the fourth device and the third device; wherein, the first indicator includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0110] Signal strength information;

[0111] Signal quality information;

[0112] Communication link statistical information;

[0113] An operation value of at least two of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information;

[0114] A predicted value obtained based on at least one of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information, for example, the predicted value can be obtained through a preset prediction algorithm;

[0115] A smoothed filtered value of at least one of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information, for example, the smoothed filtered value can be obtained through a preset filtering algorithm.

[0116] Optionally, the above signal strength information may include at least one of the following: signal power, Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), etc. The above signal quality information may include at least one of the following: Signal Noise Ratio (SNR), Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR), Signal to Interference Ratio (SIR), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), etc. The above communication link statistics information can be understood as the communication statistics information between the fourth device and the third device, such as including at least one of the following: the number of ACKs, the number of NACKs, Block Error Rate (BLER), Bit Error Ratio (BER), etc.

[0117] Optionally, the above operation values include at least one of the following:

[0118] The mean value, for example, can be the mean value of all sample points within the calculation range, or the mean value after removing the maximum and / or minimum several sample points;

[0119] The variance or standard deviation, for example, can be the variance / standard deviation of all sample points within the calculation range, or the variance / standard deviation after removing the maximum and / or minimum several sample points;

[0120] The variance or standard deviation of the residuals, where the residuals (or innovations) are, for example, the differences between the measured values of the second communication frame and the predicted values of the second communication frame by the first communication frame, where the second communication frame is after the first communication frame (not necessarily adjacent); the variance / standard deviation can be the variance / standard deviation of all sample points within the calculation range, or the variance / standard deviation after removing the maximum and / or minimum several sample points;

[0121] The prediction error covariance, for example, can be obtained based on a prediction algorithm (such as: Kalman filtering);

[0122] The state estimation error covariance, for example, can be obtained based on a filtering algorithm (such as: Kalman filtering).

[0123] Optionally, the first indicator can be determined based on the signals on the resources of at least one of the following dimensions:

[0124] The time domain dimension can be, for example, one or more communication signal periods, or one or more communication frame periods;

[0125] The frequency domain dimension can be, for example, one or more resource block (RB) resources, or a specified frequency range;

[0126] The code domain dimension can be, for example, one or more codewords specified for use;

[0127] The spatial domain dimension can be, for example, a specified angle or spatial range, or a precoding vector;

[0128] The energy dimension can be, for example, a specified signal amplitude or power range.

[0129] Optionally, the process of obtaining the first metric between the fourth device and the third device may include any one of the following:

[0130] a) If the first device and the fourth device are the same device, the first device obtains first data (i.e., signal-related data, such as RSRP, RSRQ, etc.) based on the signal received from the third device, and performs a first operation on the first data to obtain the first metric;

[0131] Optionally, the first operation can be, but is not limited to, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, mean calculation, variance calculation, standard deviation calculation, etc. After obtaining the first metric, the first device can send the first metric to a management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server) for subsequent processing.

[0132] b) If the first device is a management device different from the fourth device, the first device receives first data (i.e., signal-related data, such as RSRP, RSRQ, etc.) or a first measurement value from the fourth device, and performs a second operation on the first data or the first measurement value to obtain the first metric; the first data is obtained based on the signal received by the fourth device from the third device, and the first measurement value is obtained by processing the first data.

[0133] Optionally, the second operation can be, but is not limited to, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, mean calculation, variance calculation, standard deviation calculation, etc. The first measurement value can be obtained by performing an intermediate operation on the first data. For example, after the fourth device obtains the first data based on the received signal, it can directly send the first data to the management device, and the management device performs an operation / processing on the first data to obtain the first metric; or it can first perform an intermediate operation / processing on the first data to obtain the first measurement value, and then send the first measurement value to the management device, and the management device performs an operation / processing on the first measurement value to obtain the first metric.

[0134] In the embodiments of the present application, in order to improve the judgment accuracy, a management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server) may be used to determine whether a device for executing an Internet of Things service needs to be switched.

[0135] Optionally, if the first device and the fourth device are the same device, the device switching method in the embodiments of the present application may further include:

[0136] The first device sends first request information to a management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server), where the first request information is used to request the management device to determine whether a device for executing an Internet of Things service needs to be switched. For example, when the first device determines that a device for executing an Internet of Things service needs to be switched, the first device may send the first request information to the management device. In this way, since the first device / fourth device may have limited functions, by using the management device to determine whether a device for executing an Internet of Things service needs to be switched, the judgment accuracy can be improved.

[0137] Optionally, the first request information may include at least one of the following:

[0138] The event type of the first event; thereby, the reason for executing the device switch can be informed to the management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server), and then the management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server) can be assisted in determining whether a device for executing an Internet of Things service needs to be switched;

[0139] A first indication for indicating whether a device for executing an Internet of Things service needs to be switched; thereby, the result determined by the first device / fourth device can be informed to the management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server), so as to assist the management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server) in determining whether a device for executing an Internet of Things service needs to be switched;

[0140] The identifier of the device to which the Internet of Things service needs to be switched; thereby, the management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server) can comprehensively consider after switching the device and determine whether a device for executing an Internet of Things service needs to be switched.

[0141] Optionally, the device switching method in the embodiments of the present application may further include:

[0142] The first device receives a second signaling sent by a management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server); the second signaling is used to indicate that there is no need to switch the device for executing the Internet of Things service, or to indicate that the device for executing the Internet of Things service needs to be switched, so that the first device / fourth device can know whether the device for executing the Internet of Things service needs to be switched.

[0143] For example, if the management device determines that there is no need to switch the device executing the Ambient IoT service, or if the first request information of the first device received by the management device includes an indication that no device switching is required, the Ambient IoT service transmission between the first device / fourth device and the third device is continued. Or, if the management device determines that the device executing the Ambient IoT service needs to be switched, or if the first request information of the first device received by the management device includes an indication that device switching is required or includes the device identifier of the device whose service needs to be switched, a target second device is selected to switch the device executing the Ambient IoT service.

[0144] Optionally, if the first device is a management device different from the fourth device, that is, the first device and the fourth device are not the same device, the device switching method in the embodiments of the present application may further include:

[0145] The first device receives second request information sent by the fourth device, and the second request information is used to request the first device (i.e., the management device) to determine whether the device executing the Internet of Things service needs to be switched.

[0146] Optionally, the second request information may include at least one of the following:

[0147] The event type of the first event; thus, the management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server) can be informed of the reason for performing device switching, and further assist the management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server) in determining whether the device executing the Internet of Things service needs to be switched;

[0148] A second indication for indicating whether the device executing the Internet of Things service needs to be switched; thus, the management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server) can be informed of the result determined by the fourth device, thereby assisting the management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server) in determining whether the device executing the Internet of Things service needs to be switched;

[0149] The identifier of the device to which the Internet of Things service needs to be switched; thus, the management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server) can comprehensively consider the situation after switching the device and then determine whether the device executing the Internet of Things service needs to be switched.

[0150] Optionally, the device switching method in the embodiments of the present application may further include:

[0151] The first device (i.e., the management device, such as a core network management function network element or an application server) sends a third signaling to the fourth device; the third signaling is used to indicate that there is no need to switch the device executing the Internet of Things service, or to indicate that the device executing the Internet of Things service needs to be switched, so that the fourth device can know whether it is necessary to switch the device executing the Internet of Things service.

[0152] In the embodiments of the present application, when the first event is satisfied, the first device can directly select a target second device and instruct the target second device to execute the service; or it can first select multiple candidate second devices and then select a target second device from them.

[0153] Optionally, the process of selecting the target second device may include:

[0154] The first device selects multiple candidate second devices and selects a target second device from the multiple candidate second devices. The multiple candidate second devices can form a candidate device list. In this way, by first selecting multiple candidate second devices and then selecting a target second device from them, it is beneficial to select a target second device that better meets the requirements to execute the service.

[0155] Optionally, the process of selecting the multiple candidate second devices may include: the first device selects the multiple candidate second devices according to the first information or the obtained first configuration information; wherein, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0156] The capability information of the candidate device, at least including the capability information related to sending control commands, sending incentive signals, and parsing Ambient IoT signals, etc. related to the supported Internet of Things service (such as Ambient IoT service);

[0157] The subscription information of the candidate device; taking the Internet of Things service as the Ambient IoT service as an example, the subscription information at least includes whether the corresponding device agrees to execute the Ambient IoT service or the type of Ambient IoT service executed, and the restricted conditions for the corresponding device to agree to execute the Ambient IoT service (for example: the time range, space range, service range, etc. for the device to agree to execute the Ambient IoT service);

[0158] The permission information of the candidate device; taking the Internet of Things service as the Ambient IoT service as an example, the permission information at least includes whether the network (such as the core network) allows the device to execute the Ambient IoT service or the type of Ambient IoT service executed, and the restricted conditions for allowing the device to execute the Ambient IoT service (for example: the time range, space range, service range, etc. for allowing the device to execute the Ambient IoT service);

[0159] The location information of the candidate device may at least include the tracking area it is in, longitude and latitude information, etc.;

[0160] The requirement information of the Internet of Things service; for example, this requirement information may include at least one of the following: service type, service QoS requirement, etc.; the service type may at least include at least one of communication service, positioning service, sensing service, asset inventory service, control service, etc.; the service QoS requirement may at least include at least one of communication service QoS requirement, positioning service QoS requirement, sensing service QoS requirement, asset inventory service QoS requirement, control service QoS requirement, etc.;

[0161] The prior information of the Internet of Things service; for example, this prior information may include at least one of the following: prior information about the possible spatial location of the corresponding device, service type or QoS prior information.

[0162] Optionally, the first configuration information may be configured by a management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server), such as sending the first configuration information to a fourth device / first device, and the fourth device / first device takes the lead in performing device handover in the subsequent Internet of Things process; or directly by the management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server) taking the lead in performing device handover in the subsequent Internet of Things process. The first configuration information may include but is not limited to at least one of the following:

[0163] The capability information of the pre-handover device, at least including the capability information related to sending control commands, sending incentive signals, and parsing Ambient IoT signals, etc., related to the supported Internet of Things service (such as Ambient IoT service);

[0164] The subscription information of the pre-handover device; taking the Internet of Things service as Ambient IoT service as an example, this subscription information at least includes whether the corresponding device agrees to execute the Ambient IoT service or the type of Ambient IoT service it executes, and the restrictive conditions for the corresponding device to agree to execute the Ambient IoT service (for example: the time range, spatial range, service range, etc. for the device to agree to execute the Ambient IoT service);

[0165] The permission information of the pre-handover device; taking the Internet of Things service as Ambient IoT service as an example, this permission information at least includes whether the network (such as the core network) allows the device to execute the Ambient IoT service or the type of Ambient IoT service it executes, and the restrictive conditions for allowing the device to execute the Ambient IoT service (for example: the time range, spatial range, service range, etc. for allowing the device to execute the Ambient IoT service);

[0166] The location information of the pre-switching device may at least include the tracking area it is in, longitude and latitude information, etc.;

[0167] The priority or sorting information of each pre-switching device, which is used to characterize the matching degree of each pre-switching device for executing Internet of Things services. The above-mentioned priority / sorting information / score information can also be updated synchronously during the process of updating the pre-switching device list, that is, the priority / sorting information of the same pre-switching device is changing in real time;

[0168] The switching time of each pre-switching device;

[0169] The device identifier or RNTI of the Internet of Things device associated with each pre-switching device;

[0170] The information associated with the device identifier or RNTI of the Internet of Things device associated with each pre-switching device.

[0171] It should be noted that the acquisition methods of the above-mentioned capability information, subscription information, and permission information can be at least one of the following: 1) Stored in the network, that is, stored in advance in a network node. The network node can be an Ambient IoT management function network element, or a network node directly or indirectly accessible by the Ambient IoT management function network element; 2) Response reporting, that is, the Ambient IoT management function network element sends query information to the corresponding device, and the device reports at least one of its own capability information, subscription information, and permission information according to the requirements of the query information.

[0172] The acquisition methods of the above-mentioned location information can be at least one of the following: 1) For devices with fixed locations, such as base stations, Transmission and Receiving Points (TRPs), IABs, Repeaters, Relays, etc., the location information is known, and the device location information can be obtained by accessing the network function that stores the device location information (such as a network management system, Unified Data Management (UDM), etc.) or reported by the device; 2) For mobile devices, such as UEs, etc., the method of obtaining location information can be to request location information from a positioning management function or other service functions.

[0173] The aforementioned requirement information or prior information may be obtained by a management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server) from a service initiator. Taking the Ambient IoT service as an example, if the Ambient IoT service is a DT service (i.e., data stream is transmitted to an A-IoT device), the Ambient IoT management function network element directly obtains data from the device. If the Ambient IoT service is a DO service (i.e., data stream originates from an A-IoT device), and specifically a DO-A service (i.e., the device independently initiates data transmission), the Ambient IoT device sends the data to the relevant device; or specifically a DO-DTT service (i.e., the device initiates data transmission after being triggered by the network), the device triggers the Ambient IoT device to report data; finally, the Ambient IoT management function network element obtains the relevant data from the device.

[0174] Optionally, selecting a target second device from the multiple candidate second devices may include: the first device selects a target second device from the multiple candidate second devices according to a second metric between each candidate second device and a third device. For example, the first device may schedule the transmission between each candidate second device and the third device, and then obtain the second metric between each candidate second device and the third device. The specific scheduling method can be selected based on actual requirements, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0175] Optionally, the second metric includes but is not limited to at least one of the following:

[0176] Signal strength information, which may include but is not limited to at least one of the following: signal power, reference signal received power (RSRP), received signal strength indication (RSSI), etc.;

[0177] Signal quality information, which may include but is not limited to at least one of the following: signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), etc.;

[0178] Communication link statistical information, that is, the communication statistical information between each candidate second device and the third device, which may include but is not limited to at least one of the following: number of ACKs, number of NACKs, block error rate (BLER), bit error rate (BER), etc.;

[0179] An operation value of at least two of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information; for example, the operation value may include but is not limited to at least one of the following: mean, variance or standard deviation, variance or standard deviation of residuals, prediction error covariance, state estimation error covariance, etc.;

[0180] A predicted value obtained based on at least one of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information, for example, the predicted value can be obtained through a preset prediction algorithm;

[0181] A smoothed filter value of at least one of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information, for example, the smoothed filter value can be obtained through a preset filter algorithm.

[0182] As an alternative implementation, when selecting a target second device from multiple candidate second devices, the selection can be made according to at least one of the following conditions:

[0183] Condition 1: Compare the second metrics corresponding to each candidate second device with a threshold 1 (this can be the same as or different from the above-mentioned first threshold): If the second metric corresponding to a certain candidate second device meets the requirement of the threshold 1, then use this candidate second device as the target second device; conversely, if the second metric corresponding to this candidate second device does not meet the requirement of the threshold 1, then do not use this candidate second device as the target second device;

[0184] Condition 2: Compare the second metrics corresponding to each candidate second device with the above-mentioned first metric for triggering a handover: If the second metric corresponding to a certain candidate second device can better meet the requirement of the corresponding threshold compared to the first metric, and the difference or ratio value between the second metric and the first metric meets the requirement of a preset threshold, then use this candidate second device as the target second device; otherwise, do not use this candidate second device as the target second device;

[0185] Condition 3: Use one or more candidate second devices corresponding to the maximum or minimum (depending on the meaning of the second metric) of the second metrics corresponding to all candidate second devices that meet at least one of the above Conditions 1 and 2 as the target second device.

[0186] To facilitate the understanding of the above Condition 2, an example is given as follows.

[0187] Example 1: Both the first metric and the second metric use the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR). If the SINR 1 corresponding to a certain candidate second device is greater than the SINR 2 corresponding to the fourth device, and the ratio value (e.g., in decimal) or difference (e.g., in logarithmic scale (dB)) between SINR 1 and SINR 2 is greater than a certain value, then use this candidate second device as the target second device.

[0188] Example 2: Both the first metric and the second metric use the block error rate (BLER). If the BLER 1 corresponding to a certain candidate second device is smaller than the BLER 2 corresponding to the fourth device, and the difference between BLER 1 and BLER 2 (i.e., a negative number) is greater than a certain value, then use this candidate second device as the target second device.

[0189] In addition, there is also a situation where, if multiple candidate second devices do not meet at least one of the above conditions 1 and 2, the handover is not performed. After that, the fourth device can report this event to the Ambient IoT management device, and the Ambient IoT management device can report this event to the service initiator.

[0190] Optionally, after the first device selects a target second device from multiple candidate second devices, it can perform at least one of the following: a) Send a signaling to the target second device to indicate that it is selected as the target second device; b) Send a signaling to candidate second devices other than the target second device to indicate that they are not selected as the device for executing the IoT service for handover; or, if candidate second devices other than the target second device do not receive a signaling within a preset time window, it can implicitly indicate that they are not selected as the target second device, thereby releasing the occupancy of these devices.

[0191] Optionally, if the second metrics between each candidate second device and the third device do not meet the requirements of the second threshold, the device handover method in this embodiment can further include any one of the following:

[0192] (a) If the first device and the fourth device are the same device, the first device reports second information to a management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server), and the second information is used to indicate that the second metrics between each candidate second device and the third device do not meet the requirements of the second threshold, so that the management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server) can learn about it;

[0193] (b) If the first device is a management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server) different from the fourth device, the first device reports third information to the initiator of the IoT service, and the third information is used to indicate that the second metrics between each candidate second device and the third device do not meet the requirements of the second threshold, so that the service initiator can learn about it.

[0194] It should be noted that the second threshold can be determined based on actual requirements, and can be the same as or different from the above first threshold, and this is not limited.

[0195] In the embodiment of the present application, a target second device can be obtained by using a pre-handover device list. The above selection of the target second device can include: the first device selects a target second device from the pre-handover device list. The pre-handover device list can be established and updated in real time by a management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server) to effectively perform device selection.

[0196] In an alternative embodiment, the pre-switching device list may be characterized / described by information similar to the above-mentioned first configuration information, that is, the information may include at least one of the following: the capability information of the pre-switching device, the subscription information of the pre-switching device, the permission information of the pre-switching device, the location information of the pre-switching device, the priority or sorting information of each pre-switching device, the switching time of each pre-switching device, the device identifier of the Internet of Things device associated with each pre-switching device, or information associated with the device identifier, etc.

[0197] Optionally, if the first device is a management device different from the fourth device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server), the device switching method in this embodiment may further include:

[0198] The first device establishes or updates a pre-switching device list according to the fourth information; wherein, the fourth information includes at least one of the following:

[0199] The capability information of the candidate device, at least including the capability information related to sending control commands, sending incentive signals, and parsing Ambient IoT signals, etc., related to the supported Internet of Things services (such as Ambient IoT services);

[0200] The subscription information of the candidate device; taking the Internet of Things service as Ambient IoT service as an example, the subscription information at least includes whether the corresponding device agrees to execute the Ambient IoT service or the type of Ambient IoT service to be executed, and the restrictive conditions for the corresponding device to agree to execute the Ambient IoT service (for example: the time range, space range, service range, etc. within which the device agrees to execute the Ambient IoT service);

[0201] The permission information of the candidate device; taking the Internet of Things service as Ambient IoT service as an example, the permission information at least includes whether the network (such as the core network) allows the device to execute the Ambient IoT service or the type of Ambient IoT service to be executed, and the restrictive conditions for allowing the device to execute the Ambient IoT service (for example: the time range, space range, service range, etc. within which the device is allowed to execute the Ambient IoT service);

[0202] The location information of the candidate device, at least including the tracking area where it is located, longitude and latitude information, etc.;

[0203] Requirement information of the Internet of Things service; for example, this requirement information may include at least one of the following: service type, service QoS requirement, etc.; the service type may include at least one of the following: communication service, positioning service, sensing service, asset inventory service, control service, etc.; the service QoS requirement may include at least one of the following: communication service QoS requirement, positioning service QoS requirement, sensing service QoS requirement, asset inventory service QoS requirement, control service QoS requirement, etc.

[0204] Prior information of the Internet of Things service; for example, this prior information may include at least one of the following: prior information about the possible spatial location of the corresponding device, service type or QoS prior information.

[0205] Optionally, when updating the pre-switch device list, devices that are not in the pre-switch device list but meet at least one of the above fourth information can be added to the pre-switch device list, and devices that are in the pre-switch device list but no longer meet at least one of the above fourth information can be removed from the pre-switch device list.

[0206] Optionally, after establishing or updating the pre-switch device list, the description information of the pre-switch device list can be configured to the fourth device / first device, and the fourth device / first device is responsible for performing device switching in the subsequent process; or directly by the management device leading the device switching in the subsequent Internet of Things process.

[0207] Optionally, the above establishment or update of the pre-switch device list may include at least one of the following:

[0208] When the first device determines that there is no need to switch the device for performing the Internet of Things service, it establishes or updates the pre-switch device list; for example, as long as the Ambient IoT management device determines that there is no need to switch the device for performing the Ambient IoT service, the Ambient IoT management device establishes or updates the pre-switch device list;

[0209] When the first metric between the fourth device and the third device does not meet the requirement of the third threshold, the first device establishes or updates the pre-switch device list; the third threshold can be determined based on actual needs and may be the same as or different from the above first threshold; for example, the Ambient IoT management device compares the first metric with the third threshold: if the first metric meets the requirement of the third threshold, it does not establish or update the pre-switch device list; if the first metric does not meet the requirement of the third threshold, it establishes or updates the pre-switch device list;

[0210] The first device periodically updates the pre-switch device list.

[0211] Optionally, the comparison (judgment) between the first indicator and the third threshold mentioned above can be performed by a fourth device; in this case, after the fourth device completes the comparison (judgment), it reports the corresponding comparison (judgment) result to the management device, or the fourth device only reports the situation where the first indicator meets the third threshold or the first indicator does not meet the third threshold.

[0212] Optionally, the device switching method in this embodiment may further include:

[0213] The first device receives a fourth signaling sent by a target second device, and the fourth signaling is used to indicate whether the target second device agrees or refuses to execute the IoT service. In this way, the first device can learn whether the selected target second device agrees to execute the IoT service.

[0214] For example, if the fourth signaling indicates that the target second device agrees to execute the IoT service, then the subsequent switch is to the target second device to execute the IoT service; and if the fourth signaling indicates that the target second device refuses to execute the IoT service, then the device selection is re-performed.

[0215] Optionally, if the first device and the fourth device are the same device, the device switching method in this embodiment may further include:

[0216] The first device stops executing the IoT service when a first event or a first condition is met; where the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0217] The target second device starts to execute the IoT service;

[0218] The first device receives a fourth signaling sent by the target second device, and the fourth signaling indicates that the target second device agrees to execute the IoT service;

[0219] The first device receives a fifth signaling sent by a management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server), and the fifth signaling indicates that the first device stops executing the IoT service; for example, the management device (such as a core network management function network element or an application server) may, after receiving a signaling sent by the target second device indicating agreement to execute the IoT service, or determining that the first indicator when the first device executes the IoT service does not meet the requirements of the fourth threshold, or determining that the third indicator when the target second device executes the IoT service meets the requirements of the fifth threshold, send the fifth signaling to the first device to indicate that the first device stops executing the IoT service;

[0220] The first metric when the first device executes the Internet of Things service does not meet the requirement of the fourth threshold; the fourth threshold can be determined based on actual needs and may be the same as or different from the above-mentioned first threshold; for example, it can be determined by the first device / fourth device or the management device whether the first metric meets the requirement of the fourth threshold.

[0221] The third metric when the target second device executes the Internet of Things service meets the requirement of the fifth threshold; the fifth threshold can be determined based on actual needs; the specific content included in the third metric can refer to the content included in the above-mentioned first metric or second metric. For example, it can be determined by the target second device or the management device (such as the core network management function network element or the application server) whether the third metric meets the requirement of the fifth threshold, and the judgment result is reported to the first device / fourth device; or, the third metric when the target second device executes the Internet of Things service is reported to the first device / fourth device, and it is determined by the first device / fourth device whether the third metric meets the requirement of the fifth threshold.

[0222] It should be noted that when the first event is satisfied, stopping the execution of the Internet of Things service can be understood as immediately stopping the execution of the Internet of Things service after it is determined that the device needs to be switched. For example, if the type of the first event is the above-mentioned event type 2 or event type 3, the first device / fourth device must stop executing the Internet of Things service, and if the type of the first event is the above-mentioned event type 1, it is optional to stop executing the Internet of Things service.

[0223] In the embodiments of the present application, when the Ambient IoT management device performs signaling interaction with a certain candidate device or candidate second device for the first time, if the device is a mobile device and in an inactive state, the device should first be switched from the inactive state to the connected state through a random access process. For the Ambient IoT device itself, this solution does not limit the connected state or the inactive state, and only needs to be in the state of executing the Ambient IoT service.

[0224] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 is a flowchart of a device switching method provided by the embodiments of the present application. This method is executed by the second device (i.e., the target second device), as Figure 3 shown, and this method includes the following steps:

[0225] Step 31: The second device receives the first signaling sent by the first device, and the first signaling is used to indicate that the Internet of Things service between the third device and the fourth device is switched from the fourth device to the second device for execution.

[0226] In the embodiments of the present application, the second device can be understood as the target second device, which is selected by the first device when a first event is satisfied. For the specific explanations and descriptions of the first device, the second device, the third device, and the fourth device, reference can be made to the above embodiments, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0227] Through the solution of the embodiments of the present application, the switching of Internet of Things services between different devices can be realized, the problem of how to realize device switching in single-base backscatter communication can be solved, and thus the switching of backscatter communication devices (such as Ambient IoT devices) under different connection topologies, such as switching to different network devices, can be satisfied, and the continuity of Internet of Things services and the reliability of transmission can be ensured.

[0228] Optionally, the first device may satisfy any one of the following:

[0229] The first device and the fourth device are the same device;

[0230] The first device is a management device different from the fourth device, and the management device includes at least one of the following: a core network management function network element, an access network device, a terminal, and an application server.

[0231] Optionally, the above first event may include but is not limited to at least one of the following:

[0232] A first metric between the fourth device and the third device does not meet the requirement of a first threshold; wherein, the first metric may be a performance metric related to signal strength, signal quality, communication statistics, or device status, etc.; the first threshold may be set based on actual requirements and is not limited thereto;

[0233] The resources of the fourth device are insufficient to continue executing the Internet of Things service; for example, at least part or all of the resources such as time, frequency, antenna, and power used by the fourth device to execute the Internet of Things service (such as Ambient IoT service) are occupied by other services and are insufficient to continue executing the Internet of Things service (such as Ambient IoT service);

[0234] The power of the fourth device is insufficient;

[0235] The fourth device is in an overheated state;

[0236] The fourth device has software and hardware failures.

[0237] Optionally, the device switching method in this embodiment may further include:

[0238] The second device sends a fourth signaling to the first device, and the fourth signaling is used to indicate whether the second device agrees or refuses to execute the Internet of Things service. In this way, the first device can know whether the selected second device (i.e., the target second device) agrees to execute the Internet of Things service.

[0239] Optionally, the first signaling can be used by the second device to determine the signal parameters required for executing the Internet of Things service, including but not limited to at least one of the following:

[0240] The requirement information of the Internet of Things service; for example, the requirement information can include at least one of the following: service type, Quality of Service (QoS) requirement, etc.; the service type can at least include at least one of communication service, positioning service, sensing service, asset inventory service, control service, etc.; the service QoS requirement can at least include at least one of communication service QoS requirement, positioning service QoS requirement, sensing service QoS requirement, asset inventory service QoS requirement, control service QoS requirement, etc.;

[0241] The prior information of the Internet of Things service; for example, the prior information can include at least one of the following: prior information about the possible spatial location of the corresponding device, service type or QoS prior information;

[0242] The signal parameters required for executing the Internet of Things service can include but not limited to time domain resource information, frequency domain resource information, modulation method, coding method, signal power or reflection coefficient, signal waveform, etc.;

[0243] The device identifier or RNTI of the third device (such as an Ambient IoT device that is associated with the fourth device or has a service transmission connection before handover and is associated with the target second device or has a service transmission connection after handover);

[0244] Information associated with the device identifier or RNTI of the third device.

[0245] Optionally, the device handover method in this embodiment may further include:

[0246] The second device determines the signal parameters required for executing the Internet of Things service according to the information carried in the received first signaling;

[0247] The second device executes the Internet of Things service according to the signal parameters.

[0248] For example, the second device can directly extract the signal parameters required for executing the service from the first signaling, or determine the signal parameters required for executing the service according to the information extracted from the first signaling (such as service requirement information, prior information, etc.). The signal parameters can include, but are not limited to, time-domain resource information, frequency-domain resource information, modulation mode, coding mode, signal power or reflection coefficient, signal waveform, etc.

[0249] Optionally, the device switching method in this embodiment may further include:

[0250] The second device obtains a third metric when executing the Internet of Things service; wherein, the third metric includes at least one of the following:

[0251] Signal strength information, which may include, for example, at least one of the following: signal power, reference signal received power (RSRP), received signal strength indication (RSSI), etc.;

[0252] Signal quality information, which may include, for example, at least one of the following: signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), etc.;

[0253] Communication link statistical information, that is, the communication statistical information between each candidate second device and the third device, which may include, for example, at least one of the following: number of ACKs, number of NACKs, block error rate (BLER), bit error rate (BER), etc.;

[0254] An operation value of at least two of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information; for example, the operation value may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: mean, variance or standard deviation, variance or standard deviation of residuals, prediction error covariance, state estimation error covariance, etc.;

[0255] A predicted value obtained based on at least one of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information. For example, the predicted value can be obtained through a preset prediction algorithm;

[0256] A smoothed filter value of at least one of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information. For example, the smoothed filter value can be obtained through a preset filter algorithm.

[0257] Optionally, the obtaining of the third metric when executing the Internet of Things service may include any one of the following:

[0258] (1) The second device obtains second data (i.e., signal-related data, such as RSRP, RSRQ, etc.) when executing the Internet of Things service, and performs a third operation on the second data to obtain the third metric;

[0259] Optionally, the third operation may be, but is not limited to, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, mean calculation, variance calculation, standard deviation calculation, etc. After obtaining the third metric, the second device may send the third metric to a management device (such as a core network management function or an application server) for subsequent processing.

[0260] (2) The second device obtains second data (i.e., signal-related data, such as RSRP, RSRQ, etc.) when executing the IoT service, processes the second data to obtain a second measurement value, sends the second measurement value to a management device (such as a core network management function or an application server), and receives the third metric from the management device (such as a core network management function or an application server); the third metric is obtained by performing a fourth operation on the second measurement value.

[0261] Optionally, the fourth operation may be, but is not limited to, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, mean calculation, variance calculation, standard deviation calculation, etc. The second measurement value can be understood as being obtained by performing an intermediate operation on the second data.

[0262] Optionally, the device switching method in this embodiment may further include at least one of the following:

[0263] The second device sends the third metric to the first device, that is, directly informs the fourth device or the core network management function / application server of the third metric;

[0264] The second device sends a third indication to the first device, and the third indication is used to indicate whether the third metric meets the requirement of a fifth threshold, that is, to indicate whether the third metric when the second device executes the IoT service meets the threshold requirement. The fifth threshold may be determined based on actual needs and is not limited herein. For example, the second device may send the third metric to the first device only when the third metric meets the requirement of the fifth threshold.

[0265] The present application will be described below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0266] Embodiment 1

[0267] In this first embodiment, the network architecture or connection structure applicable to the solution in the present application is given. Since the solution in the present application mainly focuses on the transmission between the fourth device and the second device (i.e., the target second device) and the Ambient IoT device (i.e., the third device) based on a single-base architecture, and according to different Ambient IoT management devices, it can be divided into the following situations:

[0268] (1) The fourth device and the second device are access network devices.

[0269] In a possible network architecture, such as Figure 4AAs shown in the figure, the fourth device that conducts service transmission with the Ambient IoT device before handover is an access network device such as Base Station A, and the second device that conducts service transmission with the Ambient IoT device after handover is an access network device such as Base Station B; the Ambient IoT management device can be a network element device located in the core network or an Ambient IoT application server. Additionally, at this time, Base Station A and Base Station B can also be access network devices such as IAB, Repeater, and Relay. At this time, the Ambient IoT management device can be a network element located in the core network, an Ambient IoT application server, or a network element device located in the access network.

[0270] (2) The fourth device and the second device are terminal devices.

[0271] In a possible network architecture, as Figure 4B shown in the figure, the fourth device that conducts service transmission with the Ambient IoT device before handover is a terminal device such as UE A, and the second device that conducts service transmission with the Ambient IoT device after handover is a terminal device such as UE B; the Ambient IoT management device can be a network element located in the core network (at this time, the UE and the Ambient IoT management function network element can conduct transmission based on an NSA command), an Ambient IoT application server, a device located in the access network (at this time, the UE and the Ambient IoT management device can conduct transmission based on the Uu interface), or a device located on the UE side (at this time, the UE and the Ambient IoT management device can conduct transmission based on the PC5 interface).

[0272] (3) The capabilities of the fourth device and the second device are not equal, and the capability of the fourth device is weaker than that of the second device.

[0273] In a possible network architecture, as Figure 4C shown in the figure, the fourth device that conducts service transmission with the Ambient IoT device before handover is a terminal device such as UE; the second device that conducts service transmission with the Ambient IoT device after handover is an access network device such as IAB / Relay / Repeater / base station; the Ambient IoT management device can be a network element located in the core network (at this time, the UE and the Ambient IoT management device can conduct transmission based on an NSA command), an Ambient IoT application server, or a network element device located in the access network (at this time, the UE and the Ambient IoT management device can conduct transmission based on the Uu interface).

[0274] Alternatively, the fourth device that conducts service transmission with the Ambient IoT device before handover is a device such as UE / IAB / Relay / Repeater; the second device that conducts service transmission with the Ambient IoT device after handover is an access network device such as a base station.

[0275] (4) The capabilities of the fourth device and the second device are not equal, and the capability of the fourth device is stronger than that of the second device.

[0276] In a possible network architecture, as Figure 4D shown, the fourth device that conducts service transmission with the Ambient IoT device before handover is an access network device such as IAB / Relay / Repeater / base station; the second device that conducts service transmission with the Ambient IoT device after handover is a terminal device such as UE; the Ambient IoT management device can be a network element located in the core network (in this case, the UE and the Ambient IoT management device can perform transmission based on NSA commands), or it can be an Ambient IoT application server, or a device located in the access network (in this case, the UE and the Ambient IoT management device can perform transmission based on the Uu interface).

[0277] Alternatively, the fourth device that conducts service transmission with the Ambient IoT device before handover is a device such as a base station; the second device that conducts service transmission with the Ambient IoT device after handover is a device such as UE / IAB / Relay / Repeater.

[0278] Embodiment 2

[0279] In this Embodiment 2, several instances of triggering the Ambient IoT service handover are given.

[0280] (a) The handover is triggered by the degradation of the signal quality caused by the movement of the Ambient IoT device.

[0281] As Figure 5AAs shown, taking an Ambient IoT device (which may be bound to a device similar to a vehicle) moving along a certain path, and using Base Station A (taking the base station as the Reader as an example) to conduct Ambient IoT services (such as communication, positioning, sensing, inventory, control, etc.) with the Ambient IoT device as an example. At time n, the performance of Base Station A on the Ambient IoT device is lower than the preset threshold (such as the above first threshold); under the scheduling and coordination of the Ambient IoT management device, according to the handover method in this application, Base Station B (taking the base station as the Reader as an example) is selected to switch to execute the Ambient IoT service, and at time n+1, Base Station B starts to connect with the Ambient IoT device to conduct the Ambient IoT service.

[0282] It should be noted that the above Base Station A and Base Station B can also be UE / Repeater / IAB / Relay A and UE / Repeater / IAB / Relay B, or Base Station A and UE / Repeater / IAB / Relay B, or UE / Repeater / IAB / Relay A and Base Station B, etc. The solution in this application is not limited, as long as it meets the single-base station architecture.

[0283] (b) Handover is triggered by the deterioration of the signal quality caused by the change of the channel environment.

[0284] As Figure 5B shown, at time n, Base Station A (taking the base station as the Reader as an example) is conducting Ambient IoT service transmission with the Ambient IoT device; but at time n+1, the transmission link between Base Station A and the Ambient IoT device suddenly deteriorates due to the intrusion of other moving objects, resulting in the performance of Base Station A on the Ambient IoT device being lower than the preset threshold (such as the above first threshold). Under the scheduling and coordination of the Ambient IoT management device, according to the handover method in this application, Base Station B (taking the base station as the Reader as an example) is selected to switch to execute the Ambient IoT service, and at time n+1, Base Station B starts to connect with the Ambient IoT device to conduct the Ambient IoT service.

[0285] It should be noted that the above Base Station A and Base Station B can also be UE / Repeater / IAB / Relay A and UE / Repeater / IAB / Relay B, or Base Station A and UE / Repeater / IAB / Relay B, or UE / Repeater / IAB / Relay A and Base Station B, etc. The solution in this application is not limited, as long as it meets the single-base station architecture.

[0286] (c) The movement of the device performing the Ambient IoT service causes a decrease in signal quality, triggering a handover.

[0287] As Figure 5C shown, UE A (taking the UE as an example of the Reader) performs service transmission with the Ambient IoT device. UE A moves from time n-1 to time n and gets farther and farther away from the Ambient IoT device, making the performance of the link between UE A and the Ambient IoT device lower than the preset threshold (such as the first threshold above). Under the scheduling and coordination of the Ambient IoT management device, according to the handover method in this application, it is selected to hand over to UE B (taking the UE as an example of the Reader) to continue performing the service transmission with the Ambient IoT device. It should be noted that at this time, the Ambient IoT management device can be a device located on the base station side. In addition, UE A / B at this time can also be a mobile Repeater, IAB, Relay, etc.

[0288] (d) The cross-cell movement of the Ambient IoT device triggers a handover.

[0289] As Figure 5D shown, Base Station A (taking the base station as an example of the Reader) performs Ambient IoT service transmission with the Ambient IoT device; at time n, Base Station A or the Ambient IoT management device determines that the position of the Ambient IoT device exceeds (or is about to exceed) the coverage area of Base Station A or enters the weak coverage area of Base Station A; under the scheduling and coordination of the Ambient IoT management device, according to the handover method in this application, Base Station B (taking the base station as an example of the Reader) is selected for handover to perform the service transmission with the Ambient IoT device after the handover to ensure the service transmission performance of the Ambient IoT device. It should be noted that in this scenario, Base Station A or Base Station B can also be devices such as IAB, Repeater, Relay, UE, etc.

[0290] (e) The movement of the Ambient IoT device from a micro base station to a macro base station triggers a handover.

[0291] As Figure 5EAs shown in the figure, Base Station A (taking a micro base station as an example of the Reader) conducts Ambient IoT service transmission with Ambient IoT devices; at time n, Base Station A or the Ambient IoT management device determines that the Ambient IoT device will soon exceed the coverage area of Base Station A or enter the weak coverage area of Base Station A. Under the scheduling and coordination of the Ambient IoT management device, Base Station B (taking a macro base station as an example of the Reader) is selected to perform service transmission with the Ambient IoT device after the handover to ensure the service transmission performance of the Ambient IoT device. It should be noted that in this scenario, the micro base station A can also be devices such as IAB, Repeater, Relay, UE, etc.

[0292] For the device handover method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the execution entity can be a device handover device. In the embodiments of the present application, taking the device handover device executing the device handover method as an example, the device handover device provided in the embodiments of the present application is described.

[0293] Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a device handover device provided in the embodiments of the present application. This device is applied to a first device, such as Figure 6 As shown in the figure, the device handover device 60 includes:

[0294] A selection module 61, configured to select a target second device when a first event is satisfied;

[0295] A first sending module 62, configured to send a first signaling to the target second device, where the first signaling is used to indicate that the Internet of Things service between a third device and a fourth device is switched from the fourth device to the target second device for execution.

[0296] Optionally, the first device satisfies any one of the following:

[0297] The first device and the fourth device are the same device;

[0298] The first device is a management device different from the fourth device, and the management device includes at least one of the following: a core network management function network element, an access network device, a terminal, and an application server.

[0299] Optionally, the first event includes at least one of the following:

[0300] A first metric between the fourth device and the third device does not meet the requirement of a first threshold;

[0301] The resources of the fourth device are insufficient to continue executing the Internet of Things service;

[0302] The battery power of the fourth device is insufficient;

[0303] The fourth device is in an overheated state;

[0304] The fourth device has software and hardware failures.

[0305] Optionally, the first signaling includes at least one of the following:

[0306] The requirement information of the Internet of Things service;

[0307] The prior information of the Internet of Things service;

[0308] The signal parameters required to execute the Internet of Things service;

[0309] The device identifier of the third device or the radio network temporary identifier RNTI;

[0310] The information associated with the device identifier or RNTI of the third device.

[0311] Optionally, the device switching device 60 further includes:

[0312] A first acquisition module, configured to acquire a first metric between the fourth device and the third device;

[0313] Wherein, the first metric includes at least one of the following:

[0314] Signal strength information;

[0315] Signal quality information;

[0316] Communication link statistical information;

[0317] An operation value of at least two of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information;

[0318] A predicted value obtained based on at least one of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information;

[0319] A smoothed filter value of at least one of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information.

[0320] Optionally, the operation value includes at least one of the following:

[0321] Mean value;

[0322] Variance or standard deviation;

[0323] Variance or standard deviation of residuals;

[0324] Prediction error covariance;

[0325] State estimation error covariance.

[0326] Optionally, the first metric is determined based on signals on resources of at least one of the following dimensions:

[0327] Time domain dimension;

[0328] Frequency domain dimension;

[0329] Code domain dimension;

[0330] Spatial domain dimension;

[0331] Energy dimension.

[0332] Optionally, the first acquisition module is specifically configured to:

[0333] When the first device and the fourth device are the same device, obtain first data according to the signal received from the third device, and perform a first operation on the first data to obtain the first metric;

[0334] Or, when the first device is a management device different from the fourth device, receive first data or a first measurement value from the fourth device, and perform a second operation on the first data or the first measurement value to obtain the first metric; wherein, the first data is obtained according to the signal received by the fourth device from the third device, and the first measurement value is obtained by processing the first data.

[0335] Optionally, if the first device and the fourth device are the same device, the device switching device 60 further includes:

[0336] A second sending module, configured to send a first request message to the management device, where the first request message is used to request the management device to determine whether to switch the device for executing the Internet of Things service.

[0337] Optionally, the first request message includes at least one of the following:

[0338] The event type of the first event;

[0339] A first indication, used to indicate whether to switch the device for executing the Internet of Things service;

[0340] The identifier of the device to which the Internet of Things service needs to be switched.

[0341] Optionally, the device switching device 60 further includes:

[0342] A first receiving module, configured to receive a second signaling sent by the core network management function or the application server; wherein, the second signaling is used to indicate that there is no need to switch the device for executing the Internet of Things service, or indicate that there is a need to switch the device for executing the Internet of Things service.

[0343] Optionally, if the first device is a management device different from the fourth device, the device switching device 60 further includes:

[0344] A second receiving module, configured to receive second request information sent by the fourth device, where the second request information is used to request the first device to determine whether to switch the device for executing the Internet of Things service.

[0345] Optionally, the second request information includes at least one of the following:

[0346] The event type of the first event;

[0347] A second indication, used to indicate whether to switch the device for executing the Internet of Things service;

[0348] The identifier of the device to which the Internet of Things service needs to be switched.

[0349] Optionally, the device switching device 60 further includes:

[0350] A third sending module, configured to send a third signaling to the fourth device; where the third signaling is used to indicate that there is no need to switch the device for executing the Internet of Things service, or to indicate that there is a need to switch the device for executing the Internet of Things service.

[0351] Optionally, the selection module 61 is specifically configured to: select a plurality of candidate second devices, and select the target second device from the plurality of candidate second devices.

[0352] Optionally, the selection module 61 is specifically configured to: select the plurality of candidate second devices according to first information or acquired first configuration information; where the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0353] The capability information of the candidate device;

[0354] The subscription information of the candidate device;

[0355] The permission information of the candidate device;

[0356] The location information of the candidate device;

[0357] The requirement information of the Internet of Things service;

[0358] The prior information of the Internet of Things service;

[0359] The first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0360] The capability information of the pre-switching device;

[0361] The subscription information of the pre-switching device;

[0362] Permission information of the pre-switching device;

[0363] Location information of the pre-switching device;

[0364] Priority or sorting information of each pre-switching device;

[0365] Switching time of each pre-switching device;

[0366] Device identifier or RNTI of the Internet of Things device associated with each pre-switching device;

[0367] Information associated with the device identifier or RNTI of the Internet of Things device associated with each pre-switching device.

[0368] Optionally, the selection module 61 is specifically configured to: select the target second device from the multiple candidate second devices according to the second metric between each candidate second device and the third device.

[0369] Optionally, the second metric includes at least one of the following:

[0370] Signal strength information;

[0371] Signal quality information;

[0372] Communication link statistical information;

[0373] An operation value of at least two of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information;

[0374] A predicted value obtained based on at least one of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information;

[0375] A smoothed filter value of at least one of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information.

[0376] Optionally, the device switching device 60 further includes:

[0377] A transceiver module, configured to report second information to a management device when the second metric between each candidate second device and the third device does not meet the requirements of the second threshold and the first device and the fourth device are the same device, where the second information is used to indicate that the second metric between each candidate second device and the third device does not meet the requirements of the second threshold; or, when the second metric between each candidate second device and the third device does not meet the requirements of the second threshold and the first device is the management device, report third information to the initiator of the Internet of Things service, where the third information is used to indicate that the second metric between each candidate second device and the third device does not meet the requirements of the second threshold.

[0378] Optionally, the selection module 61 is specifically configured to: select the target second device from the pre-switching device list.

[0379] Optionally, the device switching device 60 further includes:

[0380] A management module, configured to establish or update a pre-switching device list according to fourth information when the first device is a management device different from the fourth device; wherein, the fourth information includes at least one of the following:

[0381] Capability information of the candidate device;

[0382] Subscription information of the candidate device;

[0383] Permission information of the candidate device;

[0384] Location information of the candidate device;

[0385] Requirement information of the Internet of Things service;

[0386] Prior information of the Internet of Things service.

[0387] Optionally, the management module is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0388] Establish or update the pre-switching device list when it is determined that there is no need to switch the device for executing the Internet of Things service;

[0389] Establish or update the pre-switching device list when a first metric between the fourth device and the third device does not meet the requirement of a third threshold;

[0390] Periodically update the pre-switching device list.

[0391] Optionally, the device switching device 60 further includes:

[0392] A third receiving module, configured to receive a fourth signaling sent by the target second device, where the fourth signaling is used to indicate whether the target second device agrees or refuses to execute the Internet of Things service.

[0393] Optionally, the device switching device 60 further includes:

[0394] A first execution module, configured to stop executing the Internet of Things service when the first device and the fourth device are the same device and when the first event or first condition is satisfied; the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0395] The target second device starts to execute the Internet of Things service;

[0396] The first device receives a fourth signaling sent by the target second device, and the fourth signaling indicates that the target second device agrees to execute the Internet of Things service;

[0397] The first device receives a fifth signaling sent by the management device, and the fifth signaling instructs the first device to stop executing the Internet of Things service;

[0398] A first metric when the first device executes the Internet of Things service does not meet the requirement of a fourth threshold;

[0399] A third metric when the target second device executes the Internet of Things service meets the requirement of a fifth threshold.

[0400] Optionally, the third device satisfies at least one of the following:

[0401] The third device is one of a passive device, a semi-passive device, and an active device;

[0402] The third device does not have the ability to measure signals;

[0403] The third device does not have the ability to report information.

[0404] Optionally, the Internet of Things service includes at least one of the following:

[0405] Inventory-related services;

[0406] Communication-related services;

[0407] Location services;

[0408] Sensing services;

[0409] Control-related services.

[0410] The device switching device 60 provided by the embodiments of the present application can implement Figure 2 each process implemented by the method embodiments shown and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated here.

[0411] Please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 which is a schematic structural diagram of a device switching device provided by the embodiments of the present application. This device is applied to the second device. As Figure 7 shown, the device switching device 70 includes:

[0412] A fourth receiving module 71, configured to receive a first signaling sent by a first device; wherein, the first signaling is used to indicate that the Internet of Things service between a third device and a fourth device is switched from the fourth device to the second device for execution, and the second device is selected by the first device when a first event is satisfied.

[0413] Optionally, the first device satisfies any of the following:

[0414] The first device and the fourth device are the same device;

[0415] The first device is a management device different from the fourth device, and the management device includes at least one of the following: a core network management function network element, an access network device, a terminal, and an application server.

[0416] Optionally, the first event includes at least one of the following:

[0417] A first metric between the fourth device and the third device does not meet the requirement of a first threshold;

[0418] The resources of the fourth device are insufficient to continue executing the Internet of Things service;

[0419] The power of the fourth device is insufficient;

[0420] The fourth device is in an overheated state;

[0421] The fourth device has software and hardware failures.

[0422] Optionally, the device switching device 70 further includes:

[0423] A fourth sending module, configured to send a fourth signaling to the first device, where the fourth signaling is used to instruct the second device to agree or refuse to execute the Internet of Things service.

[0424] Optionally, the first signaling includes at least one of the following:

[0425] Requirement information of the Internet of Things service;

[0426] Prior information of the Internet of Things service;

[0427] Signal parameters required to execute the Internet of Things service;

[0428] Device identifier or radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) of the third device;

[0429] Information associated with the device identifier or RNTI of the third device.

[0430] Optionally, the device switching device 70 further includes:

[0431] A determination module, configured to determine signal parameters required to execute the Internet of Things service according to information carried in the first signaling;

[0432] A second execution module, configured to execute the Internet of Things service according to the signal parameters.

[0433] Optionally, the device switching device 70 further includes:

[0434] A second acquisition module, configured to acquire a third metric when executing the Internet of Things service; the third metric includes at least one of the following:

[0435] Signal strength information;

[0436] Signal quality information;

[0437] Communication link statistical information;

[0438] An arithmetic value of at least two of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information;

[0439] A predicted value obtained based on at least one of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information;

[0440] A smoothed filter value of at least one of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information.

[0441] Optionally, the second acquisition module is specifically configured to perform any one of the following:

[0442] Acquire second data when executing the Internet of Things service, and perform a third operation on the first data to obtain the third metric;

[0443] Acquire second data when executing the Internet of Things service, process the second data to obtain a second measurement value, send the second measurement value to the management device, and receive the third metric from the management device; wherein, the third metric is obtained by performing a fourth operation on the second measurement value.

[0444] Optionally, the device switching device 70 further includes:

[0445] A fifth sending module, configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0446] Send the third metric to the first device;

[0447] Send a third indication to the first device, where the third indication is used to indicate whether the third metric meets the requirement of a fifth threshold.

[0448] The device switching device 70 provided in the embodiments of the present application can implement Figure 3 each process implemented by the method embodiment shown, and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated here.

[0449] As Figure 8As shown in the figure, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device 80, including a processor 81 and a memory 82. A program or instruction that can run on the processor 81 is stored on the memory 82. For example, when the communication device 80 is the first device, when the program or instruction is executed by the processor 81, it implements each step of the device switching method embodiment described above Figure 2 and can achieve the same technical effects. When the communication device 80 is the second device, when the program or instruction is executed by the processor 81, it implements each step of the device switching method embodiment described above Figure 3 and can achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated here.

[0450] An embodiment of the present application further provides a readable storage medium. A program or instruction is stored on the readable storage medium. When the program or instruction is executed by a processor, it implements each process of the device switching method embodiment described above and can achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated here.

[0451] Wherein, the processor is the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiment. The readable storage medium includes computer-readable storage media, such as computer read-only memory ROM, random access memory RAM, magnetic disks or optical discs, etc. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transitory readable storage medium.

[0452] Another embodiment of the present application provides a chip. The chip includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor. The processor is used to run a program or instruction to implement each process of the device switching method embodiment described above and can achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated here.

[0453] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiment of the present application may also be referred to as a system-on-chip, system chip, chip system or system-on-chip, etc.

[0454] Another embodiment of the present application provides a computer program / program product. The computer program / program product is stored in a storage medium. The computer program / program product is executed by at least one processor to implement each process of the device switching method embodiment described above and can achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated here.

[0455] An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, including at least two of a first device, a second device, a third device, and a fourth device. The first device can be used to execute the steps of the device switching method as described above Figure 2 The second device can be used to execute the steps of the device switching method as described above Figure 3 The steps of the device switching method as described above.

[0456] It should be noted that in this text, the term "comprising", "including" or any other variant thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. Without further limitation, an element defined by the statement "comprising a..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising that element. In addition, it should be pointed out that the scope of the methods and devices in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions in a substantially simultaneous manner or in the reverse order according to the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may be added, omitted or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0457] From the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of a computer software product plus a necessary general hardware platform, and of course, can also be implemented by hardware. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.) and includes several instructions for causing a terminal or a network-side device to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application.

[0458] The embodiments of the present application have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present application is not limited to the above specific embodiments. The above specific embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Under the inspiration of the present application, those of ordinary skill in the art can also make many forms of embodiments without departing from the purpose of the present application and the scope protected by the claims. These embodiments are all within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A device switching method, characterized in that, Including: When a first device meets a first event, it selects a target second device; The first device sends a first signaling to the target second device; wherein, the first signaling is used to indicate that the Internet of Things service between a third device and a fourth device is switched from the fourth device to the target second device for execution.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first device meets any one of the following: The first device and the fourth device are the same device; The first device is a management device different from the fourth device, and the management device includes at least one of the following: a core network management function network element, an access network device, a terminal, an application server.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first event includes at least one of the following: A first metric between the fourth device and the third device does not meet the requirement of a first threshold; The resources of the fourth device are insufficient to continue executing the Internet of Things service; The battery power of the fourth device is insufficient; The fourth device is in an overheated state; The fourth device has software and hardware failures.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first signaling includes at least one of the following: Requirement information of the Internet of Things service; Prior information of the Internet of Things service; Signal parameters required to execute the Internet of Things service; Device identifier of the third device or radio network temporary identifier (RNTI); Information associated with the device identifier or RNTI of the third device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first device obtains a first metric between the fourth device and the third device; Wherein, the first metric includes at least one of the following: Signal strength information; Signal quality information; Communication link statistical information; An operation value of at least two of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information; A predicted value obtained based on at least one of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information; A smoothed filtered value of at least one of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The operation value includes at least one of the following: Mean value; Variance or standard deviation; Variance or standard deviation of residuals; Prediction error covariance; State estimation error covariance.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that The first metric is determined based on signals on resources in at least one of the following dimensions: Time domain dimension; Frequency domain dimension; Code domain dimension; Spatial domain dimension; Energy dimension.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that The first device obtaining the first metric between the fourth device and the third device includes: If the first device and the fourth device are the same device, the first device obtains first data based on the signal received from the third device, and performs a first operation on the first data to obtain the first metric; Or, If the first device is a management device different from the fourth device, the first device receives first data or a first measurement value from the fourth device, and performs a second operation on the first data or the first measurement value to obtain the first metric; wherein, the first data is obtained based on the signal received by the fourth device from the third device, and the first measurement value is obtained by processing the first data.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, If the first device and the fourth device are the same device, the method further includes: The first device sends first request information to the management device, where the first request information is used to request the management device to determine whether it is necessary to switch the device executing the Internet of Things service.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein The first request information includes at least one of the following: The event type of the first event; A first indication for indicating whether it is necessary to switch the device executing the Internet of Things service; The identifier of the device to which the Internet of Things service needs to be switched.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first device receives second signaling sent by the management device; where the second signaling is used to indicate that there is no need to switch the device executing the Internet of Things service, or to indicate that it is necessary to switch the device executing the Internet of Things service.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, If the first device is a management device different from the fourth device, the method further includes: The first device receives second request information sent by the fourth device, where the second request information is used to request the first device to determine whether it is necessary to switch the device executing the Internet of Things service.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The second request information includes at least one of the following: The event type of the first event; A second indication for indicating whether it is necessary to switch the device executing the Internet of Things service; The identifier of the device to which the Internet of Things service needs to be switched.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first device sends third signaling to the fourth device; where the third signaling is used to indicate that there is no need to switch the device executing the Internet of Things service, or to indicate that it is necessary to switch the device executing the Internet of Things service.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, The selecting the target second device includes: The first device selects a plurality of candidate second devices and selects the target second device from the plurality of candidate second devices.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein The selecting the plurality of candidate second devices includes: The first device selects the plurality of candidate second devices according to first information or acquired first configuration information; Where the first information includes at least one of the following: The capability information of the candidate device; The subscription information of the candidate device; The permission information of the candidate device; The location information of the candidate device; The requirement information of the Internet of Things service; The prior information of the Internet of Things service; The first configuration information includes at least one of the following: The capability information of the pre-switching device; The subscription information of the pre-switching device; The permission information of the pre-switching device; The location information of the pre-switching device; The priority or sorting information of each pre-switching device; The switching time of each pre-switching device; The device identifier or RNTI of the Internet of Things device associated with each pre-switching device; The information associated with the device identifier or RNTI of the Internet of Things device associated with each pre-switching device.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The first device selects the target second device from the plurality of candidate second devices, including: The first device selects the target second device from the plurality of candidate second devices according to a second metric between each candidate second device and the third device.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein The second metric includes at least one of the following: Signal strength information; Signal quality information; Communication link statistical information; An operation value of at least two of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information; A predicted value obtained based on at least one of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information; A smoothed filtered value of at least one of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, If the second metrics between each of the candidate second devices and the third device do not meet the requirements of the second threshold, the method further includes: If the first device and the fourth device are the same device, the first device reports second information to the management device, and the second information is used to indicate that the second metrics between each of the candidate second devices and the third device do not meet the requirements of the second threshold; Or, If the first device is a management device different from the fourth device, the first device reports third information to the initiator of the Internet of Things service, and the third information is used to indicate that the second metrics between each of the candidate second devices and the third device do not meet the requirements of the second threshold.

20. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that The selecting the target second device includes: The first device selects the target second device from the pre-switching device list.

21. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that If the first device is a management device different from the fourth device, the method further includes: The first device establishes or updates the pre-switching device list according to fourth information; Wherein, the fourth information includes at least one of the following: Capability information of the candidate device; Subscription information of the candidate device; Permission information of the candidate device; Location information of the candidate device; Requirement information of the Internet of Things service; Prior information of the Internet of Things service.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein The establishing or updating the pre-switching device list includes at least one of the following: The first device establishes or updates the pre-switching device list when it is determined that there is no need to switch the device for executing the Internet of Things service; The first device establishes or updates the pre-switching device list when the first metric between the fourth device and the third device does not meet the requirements of the third threshold; The first device periodically updates the pre-switching device list.

23. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first device receives a fourth signaling sent by the target second device, and the fourth signaling is used to indicate whether the target second device agrees or refuses to execute the Internet of Things service.

24. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, If the first device and the fourth device are the same device, the method further includes: The first device stops executing the Internet of Things service when the first event or the first condition is satisfied; Wherein, the first condition includes at least one of the following: The target second device starts to execute the Internet of Things service; The first device receives the fourth signaling sent by the target second device, and the fourth signaling indicates that the target second device agrees to execute the Internet of Things service; The first device receives a fifth signaling sent by the management device, and the fifth signaling indicates that the first device stops executing the Internet of Things service; The first metric when the first device executes the Internet of Things service does not meet the requirements of the fourth threshold; The third metric when the target second device executes the Internet of Things service meets the requirements of the fifth threshold.

25. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that The third device meets at least one of the following: The third device is one of a passive device, a semi-passive device, and an active device; The third device does not have the ability to measure signals; The third device does not have the ability to report information.

26. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that, The Internet of Things service includes at least one of the following: Inventory services; Communication services; Location services; Sensing services; Control services.

27. A device switching method, characterized in that, Including: The second device receives a first signaling sent by the first device; wherein, the first signaling is used to indicate that the Internet of Things service between the third device and the fourth device is switched from the fourth device to the second device for execution, and the second device is selected by the first device when a first event is satisfied.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein The first device satisfies any one of the following: The first device and the fourth device are the same device; The first device is a management device different from the fourth device, and the management device includes at least one of the following: a core network management function network element, an access network device, a terminal, an application server.

29. The method according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that, The first event includes at least one of the following: A first metric between the fourth device and the third device does not meet the requirement of a first threshold; The resources of the fourth device are insufficient to continue executing the Internet of Things service; The power of the fourth device is insufficient; The fourth device is in an overheated state; The fourth device has software and hardware failures.

30. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 29, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second device sends a fourth signaling to the first device, and the fourth signaling is used to indicate that the second device agrees or refuses to execute the Internet of Things service.

31. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 30, characterized in that, The first signaling includes at least one of the following: Requirement information of the Internet of Things service; Prior information of the Internet of Things service; Signal parameters required to execute the Internet of Things service; Device identifier or radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) of the third device; Information associated with the device identifier or RNTI of the third device.

32. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 31, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second device determines the signal parameters required to execute the Internet of Things service according to the information carried in the first signaling; The second device executes the Internet of Things service according to the signal parameters.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second device obtains a third metric when executing the Internet of Things service; Wherein, the third metric includes at least one of the following: Signal strength information; Signal quality information; Communication link statistical information; An operation value of at least two of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information; A predicted value obtained based on at least one of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information; A smoothed filter value of at least one of signal strength information, signal quality information, and communication link statistical information.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein, The second device obtaining the third metric when executing the Internet of Things service includes any one of the following: The second device obtains second data when executing the Internet of Things service, and performs a third operation on the second data to obtain the third metric; The second device obtains second data when executing the Internet of Things service, processes the second data to obtain a second measurement value, sends the second measurement value to a management device, and receives the third metric from the management device; wherein, the third metric is obtained by performing a fourth operation on the second measurement value.

35. The method according to claim 33 or 34, characterized in that The method further includes at least one of the following: The second device sends the third metric to the first device; The second device sends a third indication to the first device, and the third indication is used to indicate whether the third metric meets the requirement of a fifth threshold.

36. A device switching device, characterized in that, Including: A selection module, configured to select a target second device when a first event is satisfied; A first sending module, configured to send a first signaling to the target second device, and the first signaling is used to indicate to switch the Internet of Things service between a third device and a fourth device from the fourth device to the target second device for execution.

37. The device according to claim 36, characterized in that, The first event includes at least one of the following: A first metric between the fourth device and the third device does not meet the requirement of a first threshold; Resources of the fourth device are insufficient to continue executing the Internet of Things service; The battery of the fourth device is insufficient; The fourth device is in an overheated state; The fourth device has software and hardware failures.

38. The device according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that, The device further includes: A third receiving module, configured to receive a fourth signaling sent by the target second device, and the fourth signaling is used to indicate whether the target second device agrees or refuses to execute the Internet of Things service.

39. The device according to any one of claims 36 to 38, characterized in that If the device switching device is deployed on a first device, and the first device and the fourth device are the same device, the device further includes: A first execution module, configured to stop executing the Internet of Things service when the first event or a first condition is satisfied; Wherein, the first condition includes at least one of the following: The target second device starts to execute the Internet of Things service; The first device receives the fourth signaling sent by the target second device, and the fourth signaling indicates that the target second device agrees to execute the Internet of Things service; The first device receives a fifth signaling sent by a management device, and the fifth signaling indicates that the first device stops executing the Internet of Things service; A first metric when the first device executes the Internet of Things service does not meet the requirement of a fourth threshold; A third metric when the target second device executes the Internet of Things service meets the requirement of a fifth threshold.

40. A device switching device, characterized in that, Including: A fourth receiving module, configured to receive a first signaling sent by a first device; wherein, the first signaling is used to indicate to switch the Internet of Things service between a third device and a fourth device from the fourth device to a second device for execution, and the second device is selected by the first device when a first event is satisfied.

41. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein The device further includes: A determination module, configured to determine signal parameters required for executing the Internet of Things service according to information carried in the first signaling; A second execution module, configured to execute the Internet of Things service according to the signal parameters.

42. A communication device, characterized in that, Including a processor and a memory, the memory stores a program or instruction that can run on the processor, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, it implements the steps of the device switching method according to any one of claims 1 to 26, or implements the steps of the device switching method according to any one of claims 27 to 35.

43. A readable storage medium, characterized in that, The program or instruction is stored on the readable storage medium, and when the program or instruction is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the device switching method described in any one of claims 1 to 26, or implements the steps of the device switching method described in any one of claims 27 to 35.

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