Communication method, device, equipment, storage medium, chip, product and program

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a communication method and device, equipment, a storage medium, a chip, a product and a program. The method comprises the steps that first equipment sends first information to a first communication node; the first information comprises first identification information and / or first related information.

Description

Communication method, device, equipment, storage medium, chip, product and program Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication technology, and specifically to a communication method, apparatus, device, storage medium, chip, product, and program. Background Art

[0002] The communication distance of Internet of Things (IoT) devices is short, making it impossible to manage IoT devices over a large area.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, apparatus, device, storage medium, chip, product, and program.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising:

[0006] The first device sends first information to the first communication node; the first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

[0007] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising:

[0008] The first communication node receives first information sent by the first device; the first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

[0009] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising:

[0010] The second communication node receives the first information or the second information sent by the first communication node; the second information is determined according to the first information, and the first information includes: first identification information and / or the first related information.

[0011] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including:

[0012] The communication unit is configured to send first information to a first communication node; the first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

[0013] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including:

[0014] The communication unit is configured to receive first information sent by a first device; the first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

[0015] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including:

[0016] A communication unit is configured to receive first information or second information sent by a first communication node; the second information is determined based on the first information, and the first information includes: first identification information and / or the first related information.

[0017] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first device, comprising: a processor and a memory,

[0018] The memory stores a computer program executable on the processor.

[0019] When the processor executes the program, it combines with the transceiver to implement the method of the first aspect.

[0020] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication node, including: a processor and a memory,

[0021] The memory stores a computer program executable on the processor.

[0022] When the processor executes the program, it combines with the transceiver to implement the method of the second aspect.

[0023] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication node, including: a processor and a memory,

[0024] The memory stores a computer program executable on the processor.

[0025] When the processor executes the program, it combines with the transceiver to implement the method of the third aspect.

[0026] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer storage medium, which stores one or more programs, and the one or more programs can be executed by one or more processors to implement the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0027] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, comprising: a processor, configured to call and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0028] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer storage medium, the computer storage medium storing a computer program, and the computer program including instructions that can be executed by at least one processor, and when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect is implemented.

[0029] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program, which enables a computer to execute the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0030] In an embodiment of the present application, a first device sends first information to a first communication node; the first information includes first identification information and / or first related information. In this way, the first device can send the first identification information and / or first related information to the first communication node, and the first communication node can obtain the identification information and / or related information sent by each of multiple devices. The multiple devices may include the first device, thereby facilitating the management of a wide range of electronic tags. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present application and constitute a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present application and their descriptions are used to explain the present application and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present application. In the drawings:

[0032] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] FIG2 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] FIG3 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG4 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] FIG5 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] FIG6 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0038] FIG7 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG8 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0040] FIG9 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0041] FIG10 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0042] FIG11 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0043] FIG12 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIG13 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0045] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG17 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG18 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The following will describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0051] The technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present application can be combined arbitrarily without conflict. In the description of the present application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise clearly defined.

[0052] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 1, a communication system 100 may include a first device 110, a first communication node 120, and a second communication node 130. The first device 110 may be communicatively coupled to the first communication node 120, and the first communication node 120 may be communicatively coupled to the second communication node 130. Multi-service transmission may be supported between the first device 110 and the first communication node 120, and between the first communication node 120 and the second communication node 130.

[0053] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are only exemplified by the communication system 100, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. That is to say, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Global System of Mobile communication (GSM) system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, Advanced long term evolution (LTE-A) system, New Radio (NR) system, NR system evolution system, LTE on unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) system, NR on unlicensed spectrum (NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum, NR-U) system, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), ... Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Wireless System, UMTS), Internet of Things system, Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) system, enhanced Machine-Type Communications (eMTC) system, or future communication systems (such as 6G and 7G communication systems).

[0054] The first device 110 in the embodiment of the present application may include at least one of the following or a combination of at least two of the following: an electronic tag, an IoT device / IoT terminal, and a terminal device.

[0055] In the embodiments of the present application, the first communication node 120 may include at least one of the following, or a combination of at least two of the following: a terminal device, an access network device, a user plane network element in a core network device, a control plane network element in a core network device, or a core network device. Optionally, the user plane network element may include a user plane function (UPF) network element. Optionally, the control plane network element may include an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element.

[0056] In the embodiments of the present application, the second communication node 130 may include at least one of the following, or a combination of at least two: an Internet of Things Function (IoTF) device / network element, an IoTF module / unit, at least one core network device / network element, an access network device, or a terminal device. Optionally, the IoTF device / network element and the IoTF module / unit may exist independently, or may be integrated into one or more core network devices / network elements.

[0057] The first device 110 in this application may be a device with wireless communication capabilities, which may be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; may also be deployed on water (such as a ship); or may be deployed in the air (such as an airplane, a balloon, or a satellite). The terminal device in this application may be referred to as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. The terminal device may include one of the following or a combination of at least two of the following: a satellite terminal, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a server, a mobile phone, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a handheld computer, a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant, a portable media player, a smart speaker, a navigation device, a smart watch, smart glasses, a smart necklace and other wearable devices, a pedometer, a digital TV, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a smart home, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home ... The wireless terminals in the home and the vehicles, vehicle-mounted devices, vehicle-mounted modules, wireless modems, handheld devices, customer premises equipment (CPE), smart home appliances, etc. in the Internet of Vehicles system.

[0058] Optionally, the terminal device may be any terminal device, including but not limited to a terminal device connected to the network device 120 or other terminal devices by wire or wireless connection.

[0059] Optionally, the terminal device may be used for device-to-device (D2D) communication.

[0060] The access network equipment may include one of the following or a combination of at least two: Evolutional Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in the Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG RAN) equipment, base station (gNB) in the NR system, small station, micro station, wireless controller in the Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN), Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point, transmission reception point (TRP), relay station, access point, vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable device, hub, switch, bridge, router, network equipment in the future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), etc.

[0061] The core network device can be a 5G core network (5G Core, 5GC) device, and the core network device 122 can include one of the following or a combination of at least two: AMF, Authentication Server Function (AUSF), UPF, Session Management Function (SMF), Location Management Function (LMF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF). In other embodiments, the core network device can also be an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) device of the LTE network, for example, a Session Management Function + Core Packet Gateway (SMF+PGW-C) device. It should be understood that SMF+PGW-C can simultaneously implement the functions that SMF and PGW-C can implement. During the network evolution process, the above-mentioned core network device 122 may also be called other names, or a new network entity may be formed by dividing the functions of the core network, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. In other embodiments, the core network device may be a 6G or 7G core network device.

[0062] The functional units in the communication system 100 may also establish connections and implement communication via next generation (NG) network interfaces.

[0063] For example, the terminal device establishes an air interface connection with the access network device through the NR interface for transmitting user plane data and control plane signaling; the terminal device can establish a control plane signaling connection with the AMF through the NG interface 1 (referred to as N1); the access network device, such as the next generation wireless access base station (gNB), can establish a user plane data connection with the UPF through the NG interface 3 (referred to as N3); the access network device can establish a control plane signaling connection with the AMF through the NG interface 2 (referred to as N2); the UPF can establish a control plane signaling connection with the SMF through the NG interface 4 (referred to as N4); the UPF can exchange user plane data with the data network through the NG interface 6 (referred to as N6); the AMF can establish a control plane signaling connection with the SMF through the NG interface 11 (referred to as N11); the SMF can establish a control plane signaling connection with the PCF through the NG interface 7 (referred to as N7).

[0064] Figure 1 exemplarily shows a first communication node, a second communication node and two first devices. Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may include multiple first communication nodes and / or multiple second communication nodes, and each first communication node may include other numbers of first devices within its coverage area, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0065] It should be noted that Figure 1 is merely an example of a system applicable to this application. Of course, the methods described in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other systems. Furthermore, the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably herein. The term "and / or" herein simply describes an association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone. Furthermore, the character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship. It should also be understood that the "indication" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct indication, an indirect indication, or an indication of an association relationship. For example, "A indicates B" can mean that A directly indicates B, for example, B can obtain information through A; it can also mean that A indirectly indicates B, for example, A indicates C, and B can obtain information through C; or it can mean that A and B have an association relationship. It should also be understood that the "correspondence" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can mean that there is a direct or indirect correspondence between two objects, or that there is an association relationship between the two objects, or a relationship between an indicator and the indicated, a configuration and the configured, and so on. It should also be understood that the “predefined”, “protocol agreement”, “predetermined” or “predefined rules” mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in devices (for example, including terminal devices and network devices). This application does not limit its specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to what is defined in the protocol. It should also be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the “protocol” may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, for example, it may include LTE protocols, NR protocols, and related protocols used in future communication systems, and this application does not limit this.

[0066] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the relevant technologies of the embodiments of the present application are described below. The following relevant technologies can be arbitrarily combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application as optional solutions, and they all fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0067] Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a contactless, automatic identification technology that uses radio frequency to acquire and identify objects. RFID can identify high-speed moving objects, identify multiple targets simultaneously, enable remote reading, and operate in harsh environments. In the Internet of Things (IoT), communication between people and objects, and between objects and objects, is essentially achieved through the use of RFID technology. RFID systems act as the tentacles of the IoT, enabling the automatic identification of every object within it and forming the foundation of the IoT.

[0068] An RFID system can be composed of electronic tags, readers / writers, and a data management system. Electronic tags, the data carriers of an RFID system, primarily consist of a chip and an antenna. They are typically attached to objects to identify them. Each tag has a unique electronic code that stores information about the identified object. Readers / writers use radio frequency identification technology to read the information on the electronic tags. Readers / writers typically consist of a radio frequency unit (RFU), a control unit, and an antenna. The data management system manages the readers / writers, typically sending commands to them through a specific interface. The readers / writers read or rewrite the data on the electronic tags, updating database information.

[0069] Both electronic tags and readers are equipped with antennas. The main function of the electronic tag antenna is to receive electromagnetic signals transmitted by the reader or transmit data required by the reader back to the reader. The reader antenna's function is to emit electromagnetic energy to activate the electronic tag, issue commands to the electronic tag, and receive information from the electronic tag.

[0070] RFID technology has at least one of the following characteristics:

[0071] RFID technology and barcode recognition technology are both automatic recognition technologies. Compared with barcode recognition technology, RFID technology can achieve longer-distance communication and has a more convenient recognition method.

[0072] It is non-contact and does not require human intervention to complete the identification work. It can read data through external materials, has a long service life, and can work in harsh environments.

[0073] It can be easily embedded or attached to products of different shapes or types, has a longer reading distance, can write and access data, and takes less time to write than printed barcodes.

[0074] The content of the tag can be changed dynamically, and multiple tags can be processed simultaneously. The access to the tag data is password protected, which is more secure.

[0075] The recognition speed can reach tens of microseconds in some cases, which can realize multi-target recognition, motion recognition, and tracking and positioning of objects attached to RFID tags.

[0076] The data information reading range of RFID can be increased to varying degrees according to the power and antenna of the reader, and data reading within ten meters can be achieved. Compared with traditional identification technology, it has an advantage in recognition range.

[0077] It has strong environmental adaptability, strong anti-interference ability, high temperature resistance, waterproof, oil-proof, and anti-chemical acid and alkali corrosion.

[0078] Radio frequency identification has become the main automatic identification technology in the Internet of Things due to its advantages such as barrier-free reading and long-distance penetration, fast scanning, high storage capacity, anti-pollution ability, reusability, and good security and confidentiality.

[0079] RFID has short distance, small coverage, and low compatibility. In contrast, 3GPP's wireless spectrum and wireless signal design help achieve more efficient ultra-low power or zero power IoT device communications. At the same time, the 3GPP network has the advantages of wide coverage and open capabilities, so it can be widely promoted to different third parties to achieve interoperability of IoT devices.

[0080] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions of the present application are described in detail below through specific embodiments. The above related technologies can be combined arbitrarily with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application as optional solutions, and all of them fall within the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application. The embodiments of the present application include at least part of the following contents.

[0081] FIG2 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG2 , the method includes:

[0082] S201. A first device sends first information to a first communication node; the first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

[0083] Optionally, the first communication node may include one of the following: terminal equipment, access network equipment, and core network equipment.

[0084] Optionally, the first device may send the first information to the first communication node every first duration. Optionally, the first duration may be determined by the first device according to preconfigured information, or the first duration may be sent by the first communication node to the first device, or the first duration may be agreed upon in a protocol.

[0085] Optionally, the first device may receive a request (eg, the second request described below) sent by the first communication node, and send the first information to the first communication node according to the request.

[0086] Optionally, in any embodiment of the present application, the first information may be referred to as current information.

[0087] Optionally, the first device may obtain the first information, and when the first information is different from the third information sent most recently and / or the amount of change exceeds or reaches a first threshold, the first device sends the first information.

[0088] Optionally, the type and / or content of the first information may be determined by the first device according to a preconfiguration, or may be indicated by the first communication node to the first device, or may be agreed upon by a protocol. Exemplarily, the first communication node may send first indication information to the first device, and the first device may send the first information once according to the first indication information. After that, the first communication node may continue to send the first indication information to the first device, and the first device may send the first information again according to the first indication information. In this way, the content of the first information sent by the first device each time is determined based on the first indication information sent by the first communication node each time. As another example, the first communication node may send second indication information to the first device, and the first device, from the moment of receiving the second indication information, sends the first information based on the second indication information to the first communication node according to the second indication information. In this way, by sending the second indication information once, the first communication node can ensure that each subsequent first information sent by the first device is determined based on the indication of the second indication information.

[0089] Optionally, the first indication information and / or the second indication information includes at least one of the following: indication information indicating the type and / or content of the sent information.

[0090] Optionally, the first identification information may include at least one of the following: first specific identification information of the first device, identification information of a specific communication node communicating with the first device, identification information of a target communication node used to maintain and / or store at least part of the first information, attribution identification information corresponding to the first device, geographic identification information of the first device, service identification information of the first device, and service type identification information of the first device. Optionally, the identification information of the specific communication node communicating with the first device may include identification information of the first communication node. Optionally, the identification information of the target communication node used to maintain and / or store at least part of the first information may include identification information of a second communication node. For example, the first identification information may include at least one of the following: first specific identification information of the first device, identification information of the first communication node, and identification information of the second communication node.

[0091] Optionally, in any embodiment of the present application, the first specific identification information of the first device may include all identifiers that can identify the first device. Optionally, in any embodiment of the present application, the first specific identification information of the first device may include at least one of the following: first identification information of the first device; first electronic product code (EPC) of the first device; first communication identification information of the first device; or first network identification information of the first device.

[0092] Optionally, in any embodiment of the present application, the first identification information of the first device may be any information that can identify or mark the first device. Exemplarily, optionally, the first identification information of the first device may include fixed identification information of the first device and / or variable identification information of the first device. The fixed identification information of the first device indicates that the identification information is unchangeable information. The variable identification information of the first device indicates that the identification information is variable information. For example, the variable identification information of the first device can be updated by itself (for example, periodically or non-periodically), or updated according to the instructions of the first communication node and / or the second communication node. Optionally, the first identification information of the first device may include the first device identification information or the first physical identification information of the first device. Optionally, the first device identification information of the first device may be fixed identification information or variable identification information.

[0093] Alternatively, in any embodiment of the present application, the target communication node may include all or some communication nodes that can be used to maintain and / or store at least part of the first information. Alternatively, in any embodiment of the present application, the specific communication node may include all or some communication nodes that can communicate with the first device.

[0094] Optionally, in any embodiment of the present application, the target communication node includes one or more communication nodes, and / or the target communication node includes the second communication node. Optionally, in any embodiment of the present application, the specific communication node includes one or more communication nodes, and / or the specific communication node includes the first communication node.

[0095] Optionally, the first relevant information may include any information associated with the first device.

[0096] Optionally, the first device may send a first data packet to the first communication node, wherein the first data packet carries the first information. Optionally, the first identification information may be included in a header of the first data packet, or the first identification information may be included in a payload of the data packet, or a portion of the first identification information may be included in the header of the first data packet and another portion may be included in the payload of the first data packet. Optionally, the first relevant information may be included in a header of the first data packet, or the first relevant information may be included in a payload of the data packet, or a portion of the first relevant information may be included in the header of the first data packet and another portion may be included in the payload of the first data packet.

[0097] FIG3 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG3 , the method includes:

[0098] S301. A first communication node receives first information sent by a first device; the first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

[0099] Optionally, the first communication node may begin monitoring the first information sent by the first communication node at intervals of the second duration, and the duration of each monitoring may be the third duration. Optionally, the second duration and / or the third duration may be determined by the first communication node based on preconfigured information, or may be sent by another communication node to the first communication node, or may be agreed upon in a protocol.

[0100] Optionally, the first communication node may indicate the type and / or content of the first information to the first device. Optionally, the first communication node may periodically or aperiodically indicate the type and / or content of the first information to the first device. Optionally, the first communication node may indicate the type and / or content of the first information to the first device if the first device is required to send the first information. Optionally, if the type and / or content of the first information changes, the first communication node may indicate the changed type and / or content to the first device. In this way, only if the type and / or content of the first information changes does the first communication node indicate the changed type and / or content to the first device.

[0101] Optionally, the first communication node may send the first information or the second information; the second information is determined based on the first information. Optionally, the first communication node sending the first information or the second information may include: the first communication node sending the first information or the second information to the second communication node.

[0102] Optionally, the first communication node may maintain and / or store the first information or the second information.

[0103] Optionally, at least part of the second information may be determined based on at least part of the first information.

[0104] Optionally, the first information and the second information may be partially identical or completely different. Optionally, the first communication node may determine partial information of the second information based on partial information in the first information, and determine another partial information in the first information and partial information of the second information as the second information.

[0105] For example, if the first information includes the relative position information between the first device and the first communication node, the first communication node can determine the absolute position information of the first device based on its own position information and the relative position information, and replace the relative position information in the first information with the absolute position information of the first device to obtain the second information. Alternatively, the absolute position information of the first device can be added to the first information to obtain the second information. In this way, the second information can include the absolute position information of the first device.

[0106] Optionally, the second communication node may be the first communication node, selected from the target communication nodes included in the first information, or determined based on a second communication node indicated in the first information, or determined based on a pre-configuration of the first communication node, or determined based on at least part of the information in the first information. For example, the first communication node may determine the second communication node based on the home identification information corresponding to the first device in the first information.

[0107] Optionally, the first communication node may send a second data packet to the second communication node, and the second data packet may carry the first information or the second information. Optionally, the second information may include the first identification information and / or the first related information. Optionally, the first identification information in the first information and the first identification information in the second information may be the same, different, or partially the same. Optionally, the first related information in the first information and the first related information in the second information may be the same, different, or partially the same.

[0108] Optionally, the first identification information may be included in the header of the second data packet, or the first identification information may be included in the payload of the data packet, or a portion of the first identification information may be included in the header of the second data packet and another portion may be included in the payload of the second data packet. Optionally, the first relevant information may be included in the header of the second data packet, or the first relevant information may be included in the payload of the data packet, or a portion of the first relevant information may be included in the header of the second data packet and another portion may be included in the payload of the second data packet.

[0109] FIG4 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG4 , the method includes:

[0110] S401. A second communication node receives first information or second information sent by a first communication node; the second information is determined based on the first information, and the first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

[0111] Optionally, upon receiving the first information or the second information, the second communication node may store or maintain at least part of the first information or at least part of the second information.

[0112] Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the first information may be encrypted information. For example, upon receiving the information to be sent, the first device may encrypt the information to be sent to obtain the first information. The information to be sent may include first identification information and / or first related information. Optionally, both the first communication node and the second communication node may decrypt the encrypted first information, or the second communication node may decrypt the first information while the first communication node may not.

[0113] Optionally, in other embodiments of the present application, the first information may be unencrypted information, and the second information may be encrypted information. For example, upon obtaining the first information, the first communication node may encrypt the first information to obtain the second information, or may process at least part of the first information to obtain information to be transmitted, and then encrypt the information to be transmitted to obtain the second information.

[0114] Optionally, in some other embodiments of the present application, both the first information and the second information are non-encrypted information.

[0115] Optionally, in any embodiment of the present application, the first identification information includes or indicates at least one of the following:

[0116] identification information of a target communication node for maintaining and / or storing at least part of the first information;

[0117] Attribution identification information corresponding to the first device;

[0118] identification information of a specific communication node communicating with the first device;

[0119] first identification information of the first device;

[0120] a first electronic product code (EPC) of the first device;

[0121] first communication identification information of the first device;

[0122] first network identification information of the first device;

[0123] Geographic identification information of the first device;

[0124] service identification information of the first device;

[0125] Service type identification information of the first device.

[0126] Optionally, the identification information of the target communication node may include identification information of one or more communication nodes. Optionally, at least some of the target communication nodes may be included in a core network device, for example, the second communication node may be included in a core network device. Optionally, the identification information of the target communication node may include identification information of a second communication node stored by the first device, or may include identification information of a second communication node determined by the first device from identification information of multiple second communication nodes, or may include identification information of all or some communication nodes that can be used to store or maintain at least part of the first information.

[0127] Optionally, the first device may pre-store identification information of the target communication node / second communication node. Optionally, the first communication node may send a first request or a second reply message to the first device, and the first request or the second reply message may carry the identification information of the target communication node / second communication node, so that the first device can obtain the identification information of the target communication node / second communication node based on the first request or the second reply message.

[0128] Optionally, the attribution identification information corresponding to the first device may include at least one of the following: service provider identification information corresponding to the first device, operator identification information corresponding to the first device, attribution identification information corresponding to the first device, device category identification information corresponding to the first device, etc. For example, the service provider identification information may include: identification information corresponding to Tencent, identification information corresponding to Alibaba, or identification information corresponding to JD.com, etc. For example, the operator identification information may include: identification information corresponding to China Mobile or identification information corresponding to China Unicom, etc. For example, the attribution identification information corresponding to the first device may include: identification information corresponding to Mainland China, identification information corresponding to Shaanxi Province, or identification information corresponding to Xi'an City, etc. For example, the device category identification information corresponding to the first device may include: identification information of life services corresponding to the first device or identification information of autonomous driving corresponding to the first device.

[0129] Optionally, the identification information of the specific communication node that communicates with the first device may include: identification information of a specific communication node that can communicate with the first device. Optionally, the identification information of the specific communication node that communicates with the first device may include: identification information of a communication node that can directly or indirectly communicate with the first device. Optionally, the specific communication node that can communicate with the first device may include one or more first communication nodes. For example, the specific communication node that can communicate with the first device may include at least one of the following: terminal device 1, terminal device 2, terminal device 3, RAN device 1, RAN device 2, or AMF network element 1, etc.

[0130] Optionally, in any embodiment of the present application, the first identification information of the first device, the first electronic product code EPC of the first device, the first communication identification information of the first device, and the first network identification information of the first device can be respectively referred to as: the current identification information of the first device, the current electronic product code EPC of the first device, the current communication identification information of the first device, and the current network identification information of the first device.

[0131] Optionally, the first identification information of the first device may be information used to uniquely identify the first device, or may be information used to uniquely identify the first device within an operator network and / or a service provider and / or a home location. Optionally, in other embodiments, the first identification information of the first device may also be referred to as a first device identification code or a first device factory code. The first identification information of the first device may include at least one of the following: an identification code, a device identification code, a device identification code, a product code, a product barcode, a product QR code, a product image, a product number, etc.

[0132] Optionally, the first communication identification information of the first device may be temporary communication identification information or fixed communication identification information of the first device.

[0133] Optionally, the network identification information (the network identification information in any embodiment of the present application may include first network identification information and / or second network identification information) may include at least one of the following: Bluetooth network identification information, WiFi network identification information, Zigbee network identification information, Ultra Wide Band (UWB) network identification information, and cellular network identification information.

[0134] Optionally, the geographic identification information of the first device may include at least one of the following: geographic location identification information of the current location of the first device, geographic location identification information of the factory / warehouse where the first device is located, geographic location identification information of the road where the first device is located, etc., location information of the house where the first device is located, location information of the residential area where the first device is located, location information of the street where the first device is located, location information of the district or county where the first device is located, etc., location information of the city where the first device is located, etc.

[0135] Optionally, the service identification information of the first device may include at least one of the following: refrigerator identification information, air conditioner identification information, vehicle identification information, terminal identification information, etc.

[0136] Optionally, the service type identification information of the first device may include at least one of the following: home appliance identification information, household identification information, commercial identification information, vehicle identification information, etc.

[0137] Optionally, in any embodiment of the present application, the first relevant information includes or indicates at least one of the following:

[0138] tag information of at least part of the first information;

[0139] location information of the first device;

[0140] status information of the first device;

[0141] time information when the first device sends the first information;

[0142] Part or all of the information stored in the first device;

[0143] information determined by the first device based on stored information;

[0144] The correspondence between at least two pieces of identification information among the first identification information of the first device, the first EPC of the first device, the first communication identification information of the first device, and the first network identification information of the first device.

[0145] Optionally, the tag information may be determined by the first device based on at least part of the first information. Optionally, the tag information may be sent by the first communication node to the first device. For example, the first communication node determines the tag information based on at least part of the first information, and sends the tag information and at least part of the corresponding first information to the first device, so that the first device stores the tag information and at least part of the corresponding first information. Optionally, the tag information may be sent by the second communication node to the first device via the first communication node. For example, the second communication node determines the tag information based on at least part of the first information, and sends the tag information and at least part of the corresponding first information to the first device via the first communication node, so that the first device stores the tag information and at least part of the corresponding first information.

[0146] Optionally, the tag information may include at least one of the following: image information, file information, operator information of the first device, temperature information, humidity information, remaining power information, audio information, etc.

[0147] Optionally, the location information of the first device may include: absolute location information of the first device, relative location information of the first device, and location information of the area where the first device is located. Optionally, the relative location information of the first device may include location information of the first device relative to the first communication node.

[0148] In any embodiment of the present application, unless otherwise specified, the location information may include at least one of the following: absolute location information, relative location information, coordinate information, longitude and latitude information, location location information, location identification information, and a global location number (GLN).

[0149] Optionally, the status information of the first device may include at least one of the following: the first device is in a warehouse, the first device is on a shelf, the first device is on display, whether the first device is being used, temperature information of the first device, speed information of the first device, remaining power information of the first device, acceleration information of the first device, etc.

[0150] Optionally, the time information may include timestamp information.

[0151] Optionally, the first device may determine, based on preconfiguration, that the first information includes part of the information or all of the information stored in the first device. Optionally, the first device may determine, based on a second request sent by the first communication node, that the first information includes part of the information or all of the information stored in the first device. For example, in a case where the second request includes indication information indicating the type and / or content of the information to be sent, the first device may determine that the first information includes part of the information stored in the first device, and the part of the information corresponds to the type and / or content of the information to be sent. For another example, in a case where the second request does not include indication information indicating the type and / or content of the information to be sent, the first device may determine that the first information includes all of the information stored in the first device. Further, the first communication node may determine part of the information in the whole information based on the type and / or content of the information to be sent, and send the part of the information to the second communication node, or the first communication node may send all of the information to the second communication node.

[0152] Optionally, the stored information may include part or all of the stored information. Optionally, the information determined based on the stored information may include: information encrypted from the stored information, information modified from the stored information, or information obtained by processing or calculating the stored information. Exemplarily, the stored information may include identification information of the first communication node. The first device may communicate with the first communication node based on the identification information of the first communication node, thereby obtaining location information of the first device relative to the first communication node.

[0153] Optionally, in some examples, the first relevant information includes a correspondence between the first identification information of the first device and the first EPC of the first device. Optionally, in other examples, the first relevant information includes a correspondence between the first identification information of the first device, the first EPC of the first device, and the first communication identification information of the first device. This embodiment of the application does not limit the content of the correspondence included in the first relevant information.

[0154] Optionally, the correspondence between any two pieces of identification information among the first identification information of the first device, the first EPC of the first device, the first communication identification information of the first device, and the first network identification information of the first device may be a one-to-many correspondence, or a one-to-one correspondence, or a many-to-one correspondence. For example, one piece of first identification information of the first device may correspond to multiple first EPCs of the first devices, or one piece of first identification information of the first device may correspond to one first EPC of the first device, or multiple pieces of first identification information of the first devices may correspond to one first EPC of the first device.

[0155] Optionally, in any embodiment of the present application, at least part of the information and / or label information in the first information may be generated by the first device itself, and / or may be configured by the first communication node to the first device, or may be configured by the second communication node to the first device through the first communication node.

[0156] It should be noted that at least part of the first information in any part of this application may be at least one of the information included in the first information listed above, and this embodiment of the application does not list them one by one. It should be noted that in any embodiment of this application, at least part of the first information in different parts may be the same or different.

[0157] FIG5 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG5 , the method includes:

[0158] S501. A first device sends first information to a first communication node; the first communication node receives the first information sent by the first device; the first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

[0159] S502. The first communication node sends first reply information to the first device; the first device receives the first reply information sent by the first communication node.

[0160] Optionally, the first reply information may be used to indicate whether the first communication node has received or not received the first information.

[0161] Optionally, the first reply information includes at least one of the following:

[0162] Indication information indicating successful reception;

[0163] Indication information indicating unsuccessful reception;

[0164] Confirmation ACK;

[0165] Non-confirmation ACK;

[0166] second identification information of the first device;

[0167] a second EPC of the first device;

[0168] second communication identification information of the first device;

[0169] second network identification information of the first device;

[0170] identification information of the first communication node;

[0171] identification information of a target communication node for maintaining and / or storing at least part of the first information;

[0172] Indicative information indicating the type and / or content of the information being sent.

[0173] Optionally, at least one of the second identification information of the first device, the second EPC of the first device, the second communication identification information of the first device, and the second network identification information of the first device can be generated by the first communication node, or can be received by the first communication node from the second communication node.

[0174] Optionally, the second identification information of the first device may be the same as or different from the first identification information of the first device. Optionally, the second EPC of the first device may be the same as or different from the first EPC of the first device. Optionally, the second communication identification information of the first device may be the same as or different from the first communication identification information of the first device. Optionally, the second network identification information of the first device may be the same as or different from the first network identification information of the first device.

[0175] Optionally, when the first device obtains at least one of the second identification information of the first device, the second EPC of the first device, the second communication identification information of the first device, and the second network identification information of the first device, at least one of the second identification information of the first device, the second EPC of the first device, the second communication identification information of the first device, and the second network identification information of the first device is set as at least one of the current identification information of the first device, the current EPC of the first device, the current communication identification information of the first device, and the current network identification information of the first device. In this way, the first device can subsequently communicate with the first communication node through at least one of the second identification information of the first device, the second EPC of the first device, the second communication identification information of the first device, and the second network identification information of the first device, or can include at least one of the second identification information of the first device, the second EPC of the first device, the second communication identification information of the first device, and the second network identification information of the first device in the first information subsequently sent.

[0176] Optionally, the second identification information of the first device, the second EPC of the first device, the second communication identification information of the first device, and the second network identification information of the first device may be the new identification information of the first device, the new EPC of the first device, the new communication identification information of the first device, and the new network identification information of the first device, respectively, in other embodiments.

[0177] Optionally, the identification information of the first communication node may include at least one of the following: identification information of the first communication node, communication identification information of the first communication node, and network identification information of the first communication node.

[0178] Optionally, the first reply information may include one or more bits, which indicate the type and / or content of the information being sent. Optionally, the first reply information may include a target domain or target field, which is used to configure the type and / or content of the information being sent, and indicates the type and / or content of the information being sent through the target domain or target field.

[0179] FIG6 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG6 , the method includes:

[0180] S601. The first device broadcasts a first request; the first communication node receives the first request broadcast by the first device; the first request is used to request information transmission or to request transmission of the first information.

[0181] Alternatively, in some other embodiments, S601 may be replaced by: the first device sends a first request to the first communication node; the first communication node receives the first request sent by the first device. Alternatively, in still other embodiments, S601 may be replaced by: the first device multicasts the first request; the first communication node receives the first request multicast by the first device.

[0182] Optionally, when the first request is used to request the transmission of information, the first request may not include or indicate the content of the information to be transmitted, but only informs the first device that it needs to transmit information, so that the communication node that can transmit information (such as the first communication node) informs the first device that it can send information. Optionally, when the first request is used to request the transmission of the first information, the first request may include part or all of the content of the first information. Exemplarily, the first request may include first identification information and / or first related information. Also exemplarily, the first request may include identification information of the target communication node.

[0183] Optionally, the first request may include one or more bits, where the one or more bits indicate a request to transmit information or are used to request transmission of the first information.

[0184] Optionally, the first request includes at least one of the following:

[0185] first identification information of the first device;

[0186] a first EPC of the first device;

[0187] first communication identification information of the first device;

[0188] first network identification information of the first device;

[0189] indication information indicating the type and / or content of the first information;

[0190] Instruction information for obtaining / searching for a specific communication node for transmitting information.

[0191] S602. The first communication node sends second reply information to the first device; the first device receives the second reply information sent by the first communication node.

[0192] Optionally, the second reply information may be used to indicate that the first communication node may be used to transmit the information sent by the first device.

[0193] Optionally, the second reply information includes at least one of the following:

[0194] Indication information indicating successful reception;

[0195] Indication information indicating unsuccessful reception;

[0196] Confirmation ACK;

[0197] Non-confirmation ACK;

[0198] second identification information of the first device;

[0199] a second EPC of the first device;

[0200] second communication identification information of the first device;

[0201] second network identification information of the first device;

[0202] identification information of the first communication node;

[0203] identification information of a target communication node for maintaining and / or storing at least part of the first information;

[0204] Indicative information indicating the type and / or content of the information being sent.

[0205] Optionally, the second reply information may include one or more bits, which indicate the type and / or content of the information being sent. Optionally, the second reply information may include a target domain or target field, which is used to configure the type and / or content of the information being sent, and indicates the type and / or content of the information being sent through the target domain or target field.

[0206] S603. The first device sends first information to the first communication node; the first communication node receives the first information sent by the first device; the first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

[0207] Optionally, in some other embodiments, after S603, the following steps may be further included: the first communication node sends first reply information to the first device; and the first device receives the first reply information sent by the first communication node.

[0208] Optionally, the first reply message and the second reply message may include the same, different, or partially the same content. Exemplarily, the first reply message includes indication information indicating successful reception or indication information indicating unsuccessful reception, and the second reply message includes second identification information of the first device. Furthermore, exemplarily, the first reply message and the second reply message include identification information of the first communication node.

[0209] FIG7 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG7 , the method includes:

[0210] S701. The first communication node broadcasts a second request; the first device receives the second request broadcast by the first communication node; the second request is used to request to send information or to request to send the first information.

[0211] Alternatively, in some other embodiments, S701 may be replaced by: the first communication node sends a second request to the first device; and the first device receives the second request sent by the first communication node. Alternatively, in still other embodiments, S701 may be replaced by: the first communication node multicasts the second request; and the first device receives the second request multicast by the first communication node.

[0212] Optionally, when the second request is used to request the transmission of information, the second request may not include or indicate the content of the information, but may simply notify the first communication node that it may transmit information, so that the first device, upon receiving the first information, transmits the first information to the first communication node. Optionally, when the second request is used to request the transmission of the first information, the second request may include instruction information for instructing the transmission of the first information. Exemplarily, the second request may include instruction information indicating the first identification information and / or first related information. Furthermore, exemplarily, the second request may include instruction information indicating the identification information of the target communication node.

[0213] Optionally, the second request may include one or more bits, where the one or more bits indicate a request to send information or are used to request to send the first information.

[0214] Optionally, the second request includes at least one of the following:

[0215] Instruction information for sending information or sending the first information;

[0216] identification information of the first communication node;

[0217] At least one of the following of at least one device: first identification information, first EPC, first communication identification information, first network identification information; the at least one device includes the first device;

[0218] At least one of the following corresponding to at least one device: a first identification information range, a first EPC range, a first communication identification information range, and a first network identification information range;

[0219] Indicative information indicating the type and / or content of the information being sent.

[0220] S702. The first device sends first information to the first communication node; the first communication node receives the first information sent by the first device; the first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

[0221] In some other embodiments, after S702, the following steps may also be included: the first communication node sends first reply information to the first device; and the first device receives the first reply information sent by the first communication node.

[0222] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0223] The first device stores part or all of the first reply information or the second reply information.

[0224] In this way, when the first device receives the first reply message or the second reply message, part of the information or all of the information in the first reply message or the second reply message can be stored. Exemplarily, part of the information or all of the information in the first reply message or the second reply message can be all or part of the information included in the first reply message or the second reply message listed above, which are not listed one by one in this application. Exemplarily, when the first reply message or the second reply message includes the second identification information of the first device, the first device can store the second identification information of the first device. Optionally, when storing the second identification information of the first device, the first device can delete or not delete the first identification information of the first device.

[0225] In some embodiments, the first device sending the first information to the first communication node includes: the first device periodically sending the first information to the first communication node.

[0226] In some other embodiments, the first device sends the first information to the first communication node, including: when the first information is different from the third information sent most recently, the first device sends the first information to the first communication node.

[0227] In some further embodiments, the first device sends the first information to the first communication node, including: when the first identification information is different from the second identification information sent most recently, the first device sends the first information or sends the first identification information to the first communication node.

[0228] In some further embodiments, the first device sends first information to the first communication node, including: when the first relevant information is different from the second relevant information sent most recently and / or the change exceeds or reaches a first threshold, the first device sends the first information or sends the first relevant information to the first communication node.

[0229] Optionally, there is a specific moment before the current moment, the current moment corresponds to the first information, and the specific moment corresponds to the third information. The third information may be current information sent by the first device to the first communication node at the specific moment, and the first information may be current information sent by the first device to the first communication node at the current moment.

[0230] Optionally, in any embodiment of the present application, the difference between the first information and the third information may include: the content included in the first information is different from the content corresponding to the third information. Exemplarily, the first identification information included in the first information is different from the first identification information included in the third information. As another example, the first identification information of the first device included in the first information is different from the first identification information of the first device included in the third information. For example, the first identification information of the first device included in the first information is 56, and the first identification information of the first device included in the third information is 67. For another example, the time information when the first device sends the first information included in the first information is the current moment, and the time information when the first device sends the first information included in the third information is a specific moment.

[0231] For the first communication node:

[0232] In some embodiments, the first communication node receives first information sent by a first device, including: the first communication node periodically receiving the first information.

[0233] In some other embodiments, the first information is sent by the first device when the first information is different from the third information sent most recently.

[0234] In some further embodiments, the first information or the first identification information is sent by the first device when the first identification information is different from the second identification information sent most recently.

[0235] In some further embodiments, the first information or the first related information is sent by the first device when the first related information is different from the second related information sent most recently and / or the amount of change exceeds or reaches a first threshold.

[0236] For the second communication node side:

[0237] In some embodiments, the second communication node receives the first information or the second information sent by the first communication node, including: the second communication node periodically receives the first information or the second information sent by the first communication node.

[0238] In some other embodiments, the first information is sent by the first device when the first information is different from the third information sent most recently.

[0239] In some further embodiments, the first information or the first identification information is sent by the first device when the first identification information is different from the second identification information sent most recently.

[0240] In some further embodiments, the first information or the first related information is sent by the first device when the first related information is different from the second related information sent most recently and / or the amount of change exceeds or reaches a first threshold.

[0241] In some embodiments, the first communication node receiving first information sent by the first device includes:

[0242] The first communication node receives a first protocol data packet, where the first protocol data packet includes the first information or the second information.

[0243] Optionally, the first communication node receiving the first protocol data packet may include: the first communication node receiving the first protocol data packet sent by the first device. In this case, the first communication node communicates directly with the first device. Optionally, the first protocol may be a protocol corresponding to communication between the first communication node and the first device.

[0244] Optionally, the first communication node receiving the first protocol data packet may include: the first communication node receiving the first protocol data packet sent by a first intermediate device. The first protocol data packet is generated by the first intermediate device based on the first information or the second information received from the first device. Optionally, the first protocol may be a protocol corresponding to communication between the first communication node and the first intermediate device.

[0245] Optionally, the first protocol may be a protocol before this application. For example, the first protocol may include one of the following: Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), Internet Protocol (IP), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), or NAS.

[0246] Optionally, the first protocol may be a protocol following this application. Optionally, the first protocol data packet may include: a protocol header following this application and a data payload, or may include: a combination of a protocol header following this application and one of the following data packets: an SDAP data packet, an IP data packet, a PDCP data packet, or a NAS data packet.

[0247] In some embodiments, the first communication node sends the first information or the second information to the second communication node, including: the first communication node sends a payload container or a second protocol data packet to the second communication node.

[0248] For the second communication node side:

[0249] In some embodiments, the second communication node receives the first information or the second information sent by the first communication node, including: the second communication node receives the payload container or the second protocol data packet sent by the first communication node.

[0250] The payload container or the second protocol data packet includes the first information or the second information; the payload of the payload container includes the first information or the second information; and the readable information of the payload container includes at least part of the identification information in the first identification information.

[0251] Optionally, the second communication node may communicate with the first communication node directly or indirectly through a second intermediate device.

[0252] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the payload container may be sent by the first communication node to the second communication node via the control interface. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the payload container may be sent by the first communication node to the second communication node via the user interface.

[0253] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the second protocol data packet may be sent by the first communication node to the second communication node via a user interface. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the second protocol data packet may be sent by the first communication node to the second communication node via a control interface.

[0254] In some embodiments, the header of the first protocol data packet and / or the second protocol data packet includes at least part of the identification information in the first identification information.

[0255] In some embodiments, the payload portion of the first protocol data packet and / or the second protocol data packet includes the first information or the second information.

[0256] In some other embodiments, the payload portion of the first protocol data packet and / or the second protocol data packet includes at least part of the information other than the identification information in the first information or the second information.

[0257] In some embodiments, the second protocol data packet includes a Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol. In this case, the first communication node may include a terminal device.

[0258] In some other embodiments, the first protocol data packet includes an SDAP data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol, and the second protocol data packet includes a General Packet Radio Tunneling Protocol-User Plane GTP-U data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol. In this case, the first communication node may include an access network device.

[0259] In some further embodiments, the first protocol data packet includes a non-access stratum (NAS) data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol, and the second protocol data packet includes an Internetwork Protocol (IP) data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol. In this case, the first communication node may include an AMF.

[0260] Optionally, the protocol in the data packet agreed upon by the protocol may be a protocol before this application, or may be a protocol after this application.

[0261] Optionally, the data packet specified in the protocol may include one of the following: a protocol header + an SDAP data packet, a GTP-U data packet, an IP data packet, or a NAS data packet. For example, the second protocol data packet includes a protocol header + an SDAP data packet. In another example, the first protocol data packet includes a protocol header + an SDAP data packet, and the second protocol data packet includes a protocol header + a GTP-U data packet. In another example, the first protocol data packet includes a protocol header + a NAS data packet, and the second protocol data packet includes a protocol header + an IP data packet.

[0262] FIG8 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in yet another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG8 , the method includes:

[0263] S801. The second communication node sends a third request to the first communication node; the first communication node receives the third request sent by the second communication node; wherein the third request is used to request at least one device to send information, and the at least one device includes the first device.

[0264] Optionally, in some embodiments, the third request may be generated by the second communication node itself. Optionally, in other embodiments, the third request may be sent by an application function (AF) entity to the second communication node. For example, in other embodiments, before S801, it may also include: the second communication node receives the third request sent by the application function AF entity, and sends the third request to the first communication node. The AF entity may be an application within the operator, such as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or a third-party service, such as a web service, video or game. If it is an AF entity within the operator, and is in the same trusted domain as other network functions (NF), it can directly interact with other NFs; if the AF entity is not in the trusted domain, a network exposure function (NEF) is required to access other NFs.

[0265] S802. The first communication node broadcasts a second request or sends a second request to the first device; the first device receives the second request broadcast or sent by the first communication node; the second request is used to request to send information or to request to send the first information.

[0266] S803. The first device sends first information to the first communication node; the first communication node receives the first information sent by the first device; the first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

[0267] S804. The first communication node sends the first information or the second information to the second communication node; the second communication node receives the first information or the second information sent by the first communication node; wherein the second information is determined based on the first information.

[0268] Optionally, in some embodiments, upon obtaining the first information or the second information, the first communication node may maintain and / or store at least part of the first information or the second information. Optionally, in other embodiments, upon obtaining the first information or the second information, the first communication node may send the first information or the second information to the AF entity.

[0269] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0270] The second communication node stores and / or maintains relevant information of the first device; the relevant information of the first device includes at least one of the following:

[0271] the first information or the second information received each time;

[0272] time information of each receipt of the first information or the second information;

[0273] time information of starting to receive the first information or the second information;

[0274] time information of ending reception of the first information or the second information;

[0275] receiving time range information of the first information or the second information;

[0276] a time interval for receiving the first information or the second information;

[0277] Provide the application function AF entity with time information of at least part of the relevant information of the first device.

[0278] The relevant information of the first device includes: providing the application function AF entity with time information of at least part of the relevant information of the first device, so that the second communication node provides services to the AF entity within the time information.

[0279] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0280] The second communication node receives a fourth request sent by the AF entity; the fourth request is used to request at least part of the relevant information of the first device;

[0281] The second communication node sends at least part of the relevant information of the first device to the APF entity.

[0282] In some embodiments, the identifier of the IoT device (corresponding to the first device described above) can be defined (included in the first identification information described above). The IoT device in any embodiment of the present application may include a low-power device or a zero-power device. Such a device has a simple power supply and may not even have a battery. It relies on other peripheral sources for power supply (such as RF signals, solar energy, or mechanical energy, etc.). Therefore, the logical power supply of these devices is much simpler than that of ordinary mobile phone terminals.

[0283] Optionally, the identifier of the IoT device includes at least one or more of the following parts: an identifier of the IoTF; an identifier of the IoT device owner; a 3GPP network identifier; and an IoT device code.

[0284] Optionally, the IoTF identifier is used to maintain the IoTF identifier of the IoT device. The 3GPP network node (corresponding to the first communication node mentioned above, such as UE, RAN or core network node) can find the corresponding IoTF according to the identifier and send the information to the correct IoTF.

[0285] Optionally, the IoT device owner identifier refers to the service provider to which the IoT device belongs or the service provider using the IoT device, such as JD.com, Alibaba, or Tencent. This identifier is used to distinguish IoT devices belonging to different owners in practical conditions.

[0286] Optionally, the 3GPP network identifier refers to an identifier of a network that can communicate with the IoT device, such as an operator's public land mobile network PLMN identifier or a non-public network (NPN) identifier.

[0287] Optionally, the IoT device code may include a specific number of the IoT device, which may uniquely identify the IoT device under a home party and / or network identifier.

[0288] Optionally, the internal identifier and external identifier of the IoT device may have a mapping relationship. The internal identifier of the IoT device may include the device identifier of the IoT device, and the external identifier of the IoT device may include the IoT identifier used by the application layer of the IoT device. For example, the external identifier of the IoT device may include the EPC (also known as the EPC Code). Optionally, the internal identifier of the IoT device may be a 3GPP system internal identifier.

[0289] Optionally, the IoT identifier used for the 3GPP system and the IoT identifier used in the application layer (such as the electronic product code EPC) can have a corresponding relationship, and the 3GPP network element (corresponding to the second communication node mentioned above) can convert the external and internal identifiers according to this corresponding relationship. For example, the IoT device and the 3GPP network element can both store the mapping relationship between the internal identifier and the external identifier of the IoT device, so that the IoT device and the 3GPP network element can determine the external identifier of the IoT device based on the internal identifier and the mapping relationship of the IoT device, or can determine the internal identifier of the IoT device based on the external identifier and the mapping relationship of the IoT device. Optionally, the 3GPP network element can also regularly update the internal identifier of the IoT device to achieve better security and privacy protection.

[0290] Optionally, the IoT device ID can have a one-to-one, one-to-many, or many-to-one relationship with the EPC. For example, IoT device ID-1 can correspond to EPC-a. Another example is that IoT device IDs-2, 3, and 4 can correspond to EPC-b. Another example is that IoT device ID-5 can correspond to EPC-c, d, and e.

[0291] In some embodiments, IoT devices can collect data from 3GPP nodes and send it to third-party applications. The 3GPP nodes can be ordinary terminals (UEs) or base station nodes (RANs).

[0292] In some embodiments, communication between the IoT device and the 3GPP node includes: the IoT device transmitting data stored locally on the IoT device (corresponding to part or all of the information stored in the first device described above) to the 3GPP node. Optionally, the local data may include an IoT device identifier (corresponding to the first specific identifier information of the first device described above).

[0293] FIG9 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG9 , in this embodiment, an IoT device (corresponding to the first device described above) proactively sends information to a 3GPP node (including a UE / RAN, corresponding to the first communication node described above), carrying content to be sent. The method includes:

[0294] S901. The IoT device sends first information to a 3GPP node. The first information carries content to be sent.

[0295] Optionally, the first information may include one or more of the following: an IoT device identification, and at least part of the stored content.

[0296] S902. The 3GPP node sends a reception response (corresponding to the first response information mentioned above) to the IoT device.

[0297] Optionally, the received reply may include one or more of the following: a reception success / unsuccessful identification, a confirmation identification, a new IoT device identification (corresponding to the second specific identification information of the first device mentioned above), and a 3GPP node identification.

[0298] Optionally, when the IoT device receives a new IoT device identifier, the IoT device may be updated and use the new IoT device identifier when sending information next time.

[0299] FIG10 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG10 , the method includes:

[0300] S1001. The IoT device broadcasts a request message (corresponding to the first request mentioned above).

[0301] Optionally, because the IoT device does not know which surrounding 3GPP nodes support transmission with the IoT device, it sends a request message, which can be a broadcast message. This message can be used to identify nearby devices. Optionally, the request message can include one or more of the following: IoT device identification, a transmission content indication, and a communication node search indication.

[0302] S1002. The 3GPP node sends a request reply message (corresponding to the second reply information mentioned above) to the IoT device.

[0303] Optionally, a nearby communication node supporting the IoT device sends a reply message to confirm that the 3GPP node is willing to communicate with the IoT device. The reply message may include at least one of the following: 3GPP node information (identity, type, etc.) and the type of content being transmitted.

[0304] S1003. The IoT device sends first information to the 3GPP node.

[0305] Optionally, the IoT device may send the first information to the 3GPP node according to the content included in the reply message.

[0306] Optionally, the first information may include one or more of the following: an IoT device identification, and at least part of the stored content.

[0307] FIG11 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG11 , the method includes:

[0308] S1101. A 3GPP node broadcasts a trigger message (corresponding to the second request mentioned above).

[0309] Optionally, the trigger message includes at least one of the following:

[0310] "First indication": used to tell the IoT device to send its data;

[0311] 3GPP node identification information;

[0312] IoT device identification or scope: used to indicate which IoT device(s) sends data;

[0313] Content type: used to indicate what type of content the IoT device sends;

[0314] Optionally, the content type can be customized in advance, such as including at least one type of label, location, temperature, time, etc.

[0315] S1102. The IoT device sends first information to a 3GPP node.

[0316] Optionally, the first information may include one or more of the following: an IoT device identification, and at least part of the stored content.

[0317] In some embodiments, IoTF, as a new node, can be a logical node combined with the current 3GPP network element (the current 3GPP network element may include NEF, AMF or NWDAF, etc.), or it can become an independent new entity function.

[0318] FIG12 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in yet another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG12 , the method includes:

[0319] S1201. The IoT device sends first information to the UE.

[0320] S1202. The UE reports first information to the IoTF.

[0321] Optionally, the UE may determine the corresponding IoTF based on the identification information of the IoTF.

[0322] S1203. IoTF updates and / or maintains IoT device context information (corresponding to the relevant information of the first information mentioned above).

[0323] FIG13 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG13 , the method includes:

[0324] S1301. The IoT device sends first information to the RAN.

[0325] S1302. RAN reports the first information to IoTF.

[0326] Optionally, the RAN may determine the corresponding IoTF according to the identification information of the IoTF.

[0327] S1303: IoTF updates and / or maintains IoT device context information.

[0328] In S1201 and S1301 , the UE or RAN node may collect content (or information) of the IoT device through a certain mode.

[0329] In S1202, the UE sends the obtained IoT device information (corresponding to the first information sent by the above-mentioned IoT device) (including the IoT device identifier and / or other content information) to the IoTF. Here, the IoTF field carried in the IoT device identifier can be used to determine to which IoTF the information of different IoT devices should be sent.

[0330] The interaction between UE and IoTF can be performed through the control plane or the user plane.

[0331] For the control plane, the UE encapsulates the obtained IoT device information into a container (for example, a payload container), and the external readable part of the container indicates the container "type = identification information of IoT device" and "target node = IoTF identification".

[0332] For the user plane, the UE includes the type and target node information through the extended SDAP protocol data packet header. After receiving it, the RAN encapsulates the type and target node information of the header into the GTP-U data packet header. The payload of the GTP-U data packet can be used to transmit the collected IoT device information. In this way, after the core network user plane device (UPF) receives the GTP-U data packet, it can send the payload content to the corresponding IoTF node.

[0333] In S1302, the RAN node sends the obtained IoT device information (including IoT device identification and / or other content information) to the IoTF. Here, the IoTF field carried in the IoT device identification can be used to determine to which IoTF the information of different IoT devices should be sent.

[0334] The interaction between RAN and IoTF can also be performed through the control plane or user plane.

[0335] For the control plane, the protocol supported by the interface between the RAN node and the core network IoTF network element needs to be able to identify the two contents of "type = IoT device identification information" and "target node = IoTF identification".

[0336] For the user plane, RAN can encapsulate the type and target node information of the header into the GTP-U data packet header. The payload of the GTP-U data packet can be used to transmit the collected IoT device information. In this way, after the core network user plane device (UPF) receives the GTP-U data packet, it can send the payload content to the corresponding IoTF node.

[0337] In S1203 or S1303, after receiving the IoT device information, the IoTF can generate context information for each IoT device. The context information is used to maintain the state of the IoT device. Optionally, the context information can be used to open the context-related information to a third party or other 3GPP network element.

[0338] Table 1 shows the content of context information:

[0339] Table 1

[0340]

[0341] In the embodiments of the present application, the identification definition of IoT devices (IoT devices), the collection, storage and management of IoT device information are realized; limited changes are made based on the existing architecture and processes, which can largely avoid excessive impact of the network side on special devices such as IoT devices; and it is helpful to effectively collect and manage information of IoT devices in large-scale, wide-coverage, non-time or geographically continuous scenarios.

[0342] In the embodiment of the present application, the first device may include a common terminal, for example, the first device may include a terminal device. The solution in the embodiment of the present application may be applicable to future communication networks, for example, a 6G communication network or a 7G communication network.

[0343] The preferred embodiments of the present application are described in detail above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present application is not limited to the specific details in the above embodiments. Within the technical concept of the present application, the technical solution of the present application can be subjected to a variety of simple modifications, and these simple modifications all fall within the scope of protection of the present application. For example, the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the present application will no longer describe the various possible combinations separately. For another example, the various different embodiments of the present application can also be arbitrarily combined, as long as they do not violate the idea of ​​the present application, they should also be regarded as the contents disclosed in the present application. For another example, under the premise of no conflict, the various embodiments and / or the technical features in each embodiment described in the present application can be arbitrarily combined with the prior art, and the technical solution obtained after the combination should also fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0344] It should also be understood that in the various method embodiments of the present application, the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes do not imply a precedence in the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application. In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the terms "downlink," "uplink," and "sidelink" are used to indicate the transmission direction of signals or data, where "downlink" is used to indicate the first direction of transmission of signals or data from a site to a user equipment in a cell, "uplink" is used to indicate the second direction of transmission of signals or data from a user equipment in a cell to a site, and "sidelink" is used to indicate the third direction of transmission of signals or data from user equipment 1 to user equipment 2. For example, "downlink signal" indicates that the transmission direction of the signal is the first direction. In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. Specifically, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0345] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application, which is applied to a terminal device. As shown in FIG14 , the communication device 1400 includes:

[0346] The communication unit 1401 is configured to send first information to a first communication node; the first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

[0347] In some embodiments, the communication device 1400 further includes: a determining unit, configured to determine the first information.

[0348] In some embodiments, the first identification information includes or indicates at least one of the following:

[0349] identification information of a target communication node for maintaining and / or storing at least part of the first information;

[0350] Attribution identification information corresponding to the first device;

[0351] identification information of a specific communication node communicating with the first device;

[0352] first identification information of the first device;

[0353] a first electronic product code (EPC) of the first device;

[0354] first communication identification information of the first device;

[0355] first network identification information of the first device;

[0356] Geographic identification information of the first device;

[0357] service identification information of the first device;

[0358] Service type identification information of the first device.

[0359] In some embodiments, the first relevant information includes or indicates at least one of the following:

[0360] tag information of at least part of the first information;

[0361] location information of the first device;

[0362] status information of the first device;

[0363] time information when the first device sends the first information;

[0364] Part or all of the information stored in the first device;

[0365] information determined by the first device based on stored information;

[0366] The correspondence between at least two pieces of identification information among the first identification information of the first device, the first EPC of the first device, the first communication identification information of the first device, and the first network identification information of the first device.

[0367] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1401 is further configured to receive first reply information sent by the first communication node.

[0368] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1401 is further used to broadcast a first request or send a first request to the first communication node; the first request is used to request the transmission of information or to request the transmission of the first information.

[0369] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1401 is further configured to receive second reply information sent by the first communication node.

[0370] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1401 is further used to receive a second request broadcast or sent by the first communication node; the second request is used to request to send information or to request to send the first information.

[0371] In some embodiments, the first reply message and / or the second reply message includes at least one of the following:

[0372] Indication information indicating successful reception;

[0373] Indication information indicating unsuccessful reception;

[0374] Confirmation ACK;

[0375] Non-confirmation ACK;

[0376] second identification information of the first device;

[0377] a second EPC of the first device;

[0378] second communication identification information of the first device;

[0379] second network identification information of the first device;

[0380] identification information of the first communication node;

[0381] identification information of a target communication node for maintaining and / or storing at least part of the first information;

[0382] Indicative information indicating the type and / or content of the information being sent.

[0383] In some embodiments, the communication device 1400 further includes: a storage unit configured to store part or all of the first reply information or the second reply information.

[0384] In some embodiments, the first request includes at least one of the following:

[0385] first identification information of the first device;

[0386] a first EPC of the first device;

[0387] first communication identification information of the first device;

[0388] first network identification information of the first device;

[0389] indication information indicating the type and / or content of the first information;

[0390] Instruction information for obtaining / searching for a specific communication node for transmitting information.

[0391] In some embodiments, the second request includes at least one of the following:

[0392] Instruction information for sending information or sending the first information;

[0393] identification information of the first communication node;

[0394] At least one of the following of at least one device: first identification information, first EPC, first communication identification information, first network identification information; the at least one device includes the first device;

[0395] At least one of the following corresponding to at least one device: a first identification information range, a first EPC range, a first communication identification information range, and a first network identification information range;

[0396] Indicative information indicating the type and / or content of the information being sent.

[0397] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1401 is further configured to:

[0398] periodically sending the first information to the first communication node;

[0399] When the first information is different from the third information sent most recently, sending the first information to the first communication node;

[0400] When the first identification information is different from the second identification information sent most recently, sending the first information or the first identification information to the first communication node;

[0401] In a case where the first relevant information is different from the second relevant information sent most recently and / or the amount of change exceeds or reaches a first threshold, the first information or the first relevant information is sent to the first communication node.

[0402] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application, which is applied to a terminal device. As shown in FIG15 , the communication device 1500 includes:

[0403] The communication unit 1501 is configured to receive first information sent by a first device; the first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

[0404] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1501 is further configured to send the first information or the second information; the second information is determined based on the first information.

[0405] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1501 is further configured to send the first information or the second information to a second communication node; the second information is determined based on the first information.

[0406] In some embodiments, the communication device 1500 further includes: a determining unit, configured to determine the first information or the second information.

[0407] In some embodiments, the first identification information includes or indicates at least one of the following:

[0408] identification information of a target communication node for maintaining and / or storing at least part of the first information;

[0409] Attribution identification information corresponding to the first device;

[0410] identification information of a specific communication node communicating with the first device;

[0411] first identification information of the first device;

[0412] a first electronic product code (EPC) of the first device;

[0413] first communication identification information of the first device;

[0414] first network identification information of the first device;

[0415] Geographic identification information of the first device;

[0416] service identification information of the first device;

[0417] Service type identification information of the first device.

[0418] In some embodiments, the first relevant information includes or indicates at least one of the following:

[0419] tag information of at least part of the first information;

[0420] location information of the first device;

[0421] status information of the first device;

[0422] time information when the first device sends the first information;

[0423] Part or all of the information stored in the first device;

[0424] information determined by the first device based on stored information;

[0425] The correspondence between at least two pieces of identification information among the first identification information of the first device, the first EPC of the first device, the first communication identification information of the first device, and the first network identification information of the first device.

[0426] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1501 is further configured to send first reply information to the first device.

[0427] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1501 is further used to receive a first request broadcast or sent by the first device; the first request is used to request the transmission of information or to request the transmission of the first information.

[0428] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1501 is further configured to send second reply information to the first device.

[0429] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1501 is further used to broadcast a second request or send a second request to the first device; the second request is used to request to send information or to request to send the first information.

[0430] In some embodiments, the first reply information and / or the second reply information includes at least one of the following: indication information indicating successful reception; indication information indicating unsuccessful reception; confirmation ACK; non-confirmation ACK; second identification information of the first device; second EPC of the first device; second communication identification information of the first device; second network identification information of the first device; identification information of the first communication node; identification information of the target communication node for maintaining and / or storing at least part of the information in the first information; indication information indicating the type and / or content of the sent information.

[0431] In some embodiments, the first request includes at least one of the following: first identification information of the first device; first EPC of the first device; first communication identification information of the first device; first network identification information of the first device; indication information indicating the type and / or content of the first information; indication information indicating obtaining / searching for a specific communication node for transmitting information.

[0432] In some embodiments, the second request includes at least one of the following:

[0433] Instruction information for sending information or sending the first information;

[0434] identification information of the first communication node;

[0435] At least one of the following of at least one device: first identification information, first EPC, first communication identification information, first network identification information; the at least one device includes the first device;

[0436] At least one of the following corresponding to at least one device: a first identification information range, a first EPC range, a first communication identification information range, and a first network identification information range;

[0437] Indicative information indicating the type and / or content of the information being sent.

[0438] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1501 is further configured to periodically receive the first information.

[0439] In some embodiments, the first information is sent by the first device when the first information is different from the third information sent most recently; or

[0440] The first information or the first identification information is sent by the first device when the first identification information is different from the second identification information sent most recently; or

[0441] The first information or the first related information is sent by the first device when the first related information is different from the second related information sent most recently and / or the amount of change exceeds or reaches a first threshold.

[0442] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1501 is further configured to receive a first protocol data packet, where the first protocol data packet includes the first information or the second information.

[0443] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1501 is further configured to send a payload container or a second protocol data packet to the second communication node;

[0444] The payload container or the second protocol data packet includes the first information or the second information; the payload of the payload container includes the first information or the second information; and the readable information of the payload container includes at least part of the identification information in the first identification information.

[0445] In some embodiments, the header of the first protocol data packet and / or the second protocol data packet includes at least part of the identification information in the first identification information; and / or,

[0446] The payload portion of the first protocol data packet and / or the second protocol data packet includes the first information or the second information.

[0447] In some embodiments, the second protocol data packet includes a Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol; or, the first protocol data packet includes an SDAP data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol, and the second protocol data packet includes a General Packet Radio Tunneling Protocol-User Plane (GTP-U) data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol; or, the first protocol data packet includes a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol, and the second protocol data packet includes an Internetwork Protocol (IP) data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol.

[0448] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1501 is further configured to receive a third request sent by the second communication node;

[0449] The third request is used to request at least one device to send information, and the at least one device includes the first device.

[0450] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application, which is applied to a terminal device. As shown in FIG16 , the communication device 1600 includes:

[0451] The communication unit 1601 is used to receive first information or second information sent by a first communication node; the second information is determined based on the first information, and the first information includes: first identification information and / or the first related information.

[0452] In some embodiments, the communication device 1600 further includes: a processing unit 1602, configured to process the first information or the second information, or to store and / or maintain the first information or the second information.

[0453] In some embodiments, the first identification information includes or indicates at least one of the following: identification information of a target communication node for maintaining and / or storing at least part of the first information; attribution identification information corresponding to the first device; identification information of a specific communication node communicating with the first device; first identification information of the first device; first electronic product code EPC of the first device; first communication identification information of the first device; first network identification information of the first device; geographical identification information of the first device; service identification information of the first device; and service type identification information of the first device.

[0454] In some embodiments, the first relevant information includes or indicates at least one of the following: tag information of at least part of the first information; location information of the first device; status information of the first device; time information when the first device sends the first information; part or all of the information stored in the first device; information determined by the first device based on the stored information; the correspondence between at least two identification information among the first identification information of the first device, the first EPC of the first device, the first communication identification information of the first device, and the first network identification information of the first device.

[0455] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1601 is further configured to periodically receive the first information or the second information sent by the first communication node.

[0456] In some embodiments, the first information is sent by the first device when the first information is different from the third information sent most recently; or

[0457] The first information or the first identification information is sent by the first device when the first identification information is different from the second identification information sent most recently; or

[0458] The first information or the first related information is sent by the first device when the first related information is different from the second related information sent most recently and / or the amount of change exceeds or reaches a first threshold.

[0459] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1601 is further used to receive a payload container or a second protocol data packet sent by the first communication node; wherein the payload container or the second protocol data packet includes the first information or the second information; the payload of the payload container includes the first information or the second information, and the readable information of the payload container includes at least part of the identification information in the first identification information.

[0460] In some embodiments, the header of the second protocol data packet includes at least part of the identification information in the first identification information; and / or,

[0461] The payload portion of the second protocol data packet includes the first information or the second information.

[0462] In some embodiments, the second protocol data packet includes a Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol; or, the second protocol data packet includes a General Packet Radio Tunneling Protocol-User Plane (GTP-U) data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol; or, the second protocol data packet includes an Internetwork Protocol (IP) data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol.

[0463] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1601 is further configured to send a third request to the first communication node; or receive the third request sent by the application function AF entity, and send the third request to the first communication node;

[0464] The third request is used to request at least one device to send information, and the at least one device includes the first device.

[0465] In some embodiments, the processing unit 1602 is further configured to store and / or maintain relevant information of the first device; the relevant information of the first device includes at least one of the following: each time the first information or the second information is received; time information of each time the first information or the second information is received; time information of starting to receive the first information or the second information; time information of ending to receive the first information or the second information; time range information of receiving the first information or the second information; time interval of receiving the first information or the second information;

[0466] Provide the application function AF entity with time information of at least part of the relevant information of the first device.

[0467] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1601 is further used to: receive a fourth request sent by the AF entity; the fourth request is used to request at least part of the relevant information of the first device; and send at least part of the relevant information of the first device to the APF entity.

[0468] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1400 , the communication apparatus 1500 , and the communication apparatus 1600 may be applied to a first device, a first communication node, and a second communication node, respectively.

[0469] Those skilled in the art should understand that the relevant description of the above-mentioned communication device in the embodiment of the present application can be understood with reference to the relevant description of the communication method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0470] Figure 17 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1700 may include one of the following: a first device, a first communication node, or a second communication node. The communication device 1700 shown in Figure 17 may include a processor 1710, a memory 1720, and a transceiver 1730. The memory 1720 stores a computer program executable on the processor 1710. When the processor 1710 executes the program, it combines with the transceiver 1730 to implement the communication method in any of the above embodiments. Optionally, the memory 1720 may be a separate device independent of the processor 1710, or it may be integrated into the processor 1710.

[0471] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG17 , a communication device 1700 may include a transceiver 1730. The processor 1710 may control the transceiver 1730 to communicate with other devices. Specifically, the transceiver 1730 may send information or data to other devices or receive information or data sent by other devices. The transceiver 1730 may include a transmitter and / or a receiver. The transceiver 1730 may further include an antenna, which may be one or more.

[0472] In some embodiments, the communication device 1700 may specifically be the first device, the first communication node or the second communication node of the embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 1700 can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the first device, the first communication node or the second communication node in the various methods of the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0473] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer storage medium, which stores one or more programs. The one or more programs can be executed by one or more processors to implement the communication method in any embodiment of the present application.

[0474] In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the first device, the first communication node or the second communication node in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program enables the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the first device, the first communication node or the second communication node in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0475] Figure 18 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application. The chip 1800 shown in Figure 18 includes a processor 1810. The processor 1810 is used to call and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method in any embodiment of the present application.

[0476] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG18 , the chip 1800 may further include a memory 1820 , wherein the processor 1810 may call and execute a computer program from the memory 1820 to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0477] The memory 1820 may be a separate device independent of the processor 1810 , or may be integrated into the processor 1810 .

[0478] In some embodiments, the chip 1800 may further include an input interface 1830. The processor 1810 may control the input interface 1830 to communicate with other devices or chips, and specifically, may obtain information or data sent by other devices or chips.

[0479] In some embodiments, the chip 1800 may further include an output interface 1840. The processor 1810 may control the output interface 1840 to communicate with other devices or chips, and specifically, may output information or data to other devices or chips.

[0480] In some embodiments, the chip can be applied to the first device, the first communication node, or the second communication node in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the first device, the first communication node, or the second communication node in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, no further description is given here. It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be referred to as a system-level chip, a system chip, a chip system, or a system-on-chip chip, etc.

[0481] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer storage medium, the computer storage medium storing a computer program, and the computer program including instructions that can be executed by at least one processor. When the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the communication method in any embodiment of the present application is implemented.

[0482] In some embodiments, the computer program product can be applied to the first device, the first communication node or the second communication node in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program instructions enable the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the first device, the first communication node or the second communication node in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0483] Optionally, the computer program product in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as a software product in other embodiments.

[0484] The present application also provides a computer program that causes a computer to execute the communication method of any of the embodiments of the present application. In some embodiments, the computer program can be applied to the first device, the first communication node, or the second communication node in the embodiments of the present application. When the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer executes the corresponding process implemented by the first device, the first communication node, or the second communication node in each method of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, these procedures are not further described here.

[0485] The processor, communication device, processor or chip of the embodiment of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capability. In the implementation process, each step of the above method embodiment can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or the instruction in the form of software. The above-mentioned processor, communication device, processor or chip may include any one or more of the following integrations: general-purpose processor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), digital signal processing device (DSPD), programmable logic device (PLD), field programmable gate array (FPGA), central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), embedded neural network processor (neural-network processing units, NPU), controller, microcontroller, microprocessor, programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component. Each method, step and logic block diagram disclosed in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly implemented and executed by a hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium well-known in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0486] It is understood that the memory or computer storage medium in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct RAM bus random access memory (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0487] It should be understood that the above-mentioned memory or computer storage medium is exemplary but not restrictive. For example, the memory in the embodiments of the present application may also be static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct RAM RAM (DR RAM), etc. In other words, the memory in the embodiments of the present application is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0488] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0489] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0490] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0491] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0492] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0493] In any embodiment of the present application, the time interval, time period, duration range, duration or time window, etc. may include all endpoint times, or may include part of the endpoint time (for example, including the left endpoint time but not the right endpoint time, or including the right endpoint time but not the left endpoint time), or may not include the endpoint time.

[0494] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0495] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, comprising: The first device sends first information to the first communication node; The first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first identification information includes or indicates at least one of the following: identification information of a target communication node for maintaining and / or storing at least part of the first information; Attribution identification information corresponding to the first device; identification information of a specific communication node communicating with the first device; first identification information of the first device; a first electronic product code (EPC) of the first device; first communication identification information of the first device; first network identification information of the first device; Geographic identification information of the first device; service identification information of the first device; service type identification information of the first device; The first relevant information includes or indicates at least one of the following: tag information of at least part of the first information; location information of the first device; status information of the first device; time information when the first device sends the first information; Part or all of the information stored in the first device; information determined by the first device based on stored information; The correspondence between at least two pieces of identification information among the first identification information of the first device, the first EPC of the first device, the first communication identification information of the first device, and the first network identification information of the first device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: The first device receives first reply information sent by the first communication node.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: The first device broadcasts a first request or sends a first request to the first communication node; The first request is used to request the transmission of information or to request the transmission of the first information; and / or, The first device receives second reply information sent by the first communication node.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: The first device receives a second request broadcast or sent by the first communication node; The second request is used to request sending information or to request sending the first information.

6. The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first reply information and / or the second reply information comprises at least one of the following: Indication information indicating successful reception; Indication information indicating unsuccessful reception; Confirmation ACK; Non-confirmation ACK; second identification information of the first device; a second EPC of the first device; second communication identification information of the first device; second network identification information of the first device; identification information of the first communication node; identification information of a target communication node for maintaining and / or storing at least part of the first information; Indicative information indicating the type and / or content of the information being sent.

7. The method according to claim 3, 4 or 5, further comprising: The first device stores part or all of the first reply information or the second reply information.

8. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first request comprises at least one of the following: first identification information of the first device; a first EPC of the first device; first communication identification information of the first device; first network identification information of the first device; indication information indicating the type and / or content of the first information; Instruction information for obtaining / searching for a specific communication node for transmitting information.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein the second request comprises at least one of the following: Instruction information for sending information or sending the first information; identification information of the first communication node; At least one of the following of at least one device: first identification information, first EPC, first communication identification information, first network identification information; the at least one device includes the first device; At least one of the following corresponding to at least one device: a first identification information range, a first EPC range, a first communication identification information range, and a first network identification information range; Indicative information indicating the type and / or content of the information being sent.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first device sends the first information to the first communication node, comprising one of the following: The first device periodically sends the first information to the first communication node; In a case where the first information is different from the third information sent most recently, the first device sends the first information to the first communication node; When the first identification information is different from the second identification information sent most recently, the first device sends the first information or the first identification information to the first communication node; When the first relevant information is different from the second relevant information sent most recently and / or the amount of change exceeds or reaches a first threshold, the first device sends the first information or the first relevant information to the first communication node.

11. A communication method, comprising: The first communication node receives first information sent by the first device; The first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: The first communication node sends the first information or the second information; The second information is determined based on the first information.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the first identification information includes or indicates at least one of the following: identification information of a target communication node for maintaining and / or storing at least part of the first information; Attribution identification information corresponding to the first device; identification information of a specific communication node communicating with the first device; first identification information of the first device; a first electronic product code (EPC) of the first device; first communication identification information of the first device; first network identification information of the first device; Geographic identification information of the first device; service identification information of the first device; service type identification information of the first device; The first relevant information includes or indicates at least one of the following: tag information of at least part of the first information; location information of the first device; status information of the first device; time information when the first device sends the first information; Part or all of the information stored in the first device; information determined by the first device based on stored information; The correspondence between at least two pieces of identification information among the first identification information of the first device, the first EPC of the first device, the first communication identification information of the first device, and the first network identification information of the first device.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising: The first communication node sends first reply information to the first device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising: The first communication node receives a first request broadcast or sent by the first device; The first request is used to request the transmission of information or to request the transmission of the first information; and / or, The first communication node sends second reply information to the first device.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising: The first communication node broadcasts a second request or sends a second request to the first device; The second request is used to request sending information or to request sending the first information.

17. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the first reply information and / or the second reply information comprises at least one of the following: Indication information indicating successful reception; Indication information indicating unsuccessful reception; Confirmation ACK; Non-confirmation ACK; second identification information of the first device; a second EPC of the first device; second communication identification information of the first device; second network identification information of the first device; identification information of the first communication node; identification information of a target communication node for maintaining and / or storing at least part of the first information; Indicative information indicating the type and / or content of the information being sent.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the first request comprises at least one of the following: first identification information of the first device; a first EPC of the first device; first communication identification information of the first device; first network identification information of the first device; indication information indicating the type and / or content of the first information; Instruction information for obtaining / searching for a specific communication node for transmitting information.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the second request comprises at least one of the following: Instruction information for sending information or sending the first information; identification information of the first communication node; At least one of the following of at least one device: first identification information, first EPC, first communication identification information, first network identification information; the at least one device includes the first device; At least one of the following corresponding to at least one device: a first identification information range, a first EPC range, a first communication identification information range, and a first network identification information range; Indicative information indicating the type and / or content of the information being sent.

20. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein the first communication node receives the first information sent by the first device, comprising: The first communication node periodically receives the first information; or, The first information is sent by the first device when the first information is different from the third information sent most recently; or The first information or the first identification information is sent by the first device when the first identification information is different from the second identification information sent most recently; or The first information or the first related information is sent by the first device when the first related information is different from the second related information sent most recently and / or the amount of change exceeds or reaches a first threshold.

21. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 20, wherein the first communication node receives the first information sent by the first device, comprising: The first communication node receives a first protocol data packet, where the first protocol data packet includes the first information or the second information; and / or, The first communication node sending the first information or the second information to the second communication node includes: The first communication node sends a payload container or a second protocol data packet to the second communication node; The payload container or the second protocol data packet includes the first information or the second information; the payload of the payload container includes the first information or the second information; and the readable information of the payload container includes at least part of the identification information in the first identification information.

22. The method according to claim 21, The header of the first protocol data packet and / or the second protocol data packet includes at least part of the identification information in the first identification information; and / or, The payload portion of the first protocol data packet and / or the second protocol data packet includes the first information or the second information.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, The second protocol data packet includes a Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol; or The first protocol data packet includes an SDAP data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol, and the second protocol data packet includes a General Packet Radio Tunneling Protocol-User Plane GTP-U data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol; or The first protocol data packet includes a non-access layer NAS data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol, and the second protocol data packet includes an Internetwork Protocol IP data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol.

24. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: The first communication node receives a third request sent by the second communication node; The third request is used to request at least one device to send information, and the at least one device includes the first device.

25. A communication method, the method comprising: The second communication node receives the first information or the second information sent by the first communication node; The second information is determined based on the first information, where the first information includes: first identification information and / or the first related information.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the first identification information includes or indicates at least one of the following: identification information of a target communication node for maintaining and / or storing at least part of the first information; Attribution identification information corresponding to the first device; identification information of a specific communication node communicating with the first device; first identification information of the first device; a first electronic product code (EPC) of the first device; first communication identification information of the first device; first network identification information of the first device; Geographic identification information of the first device; service identification information of the first device; service type identification information of the first device; The first relevant information includes or indicates at least one of the following: tag information of at least part of the first information; location information of the first device; status information of the first device; time information when the first device sends the first information; Part or all of the information stored in the first device; information determined by the first device based on stored information; The correspondence between at least two pieces of identification information among the first identification information of the first device, the first EPC of the first device, the first communication identification information of the first device, and the first network identification information of the first device.

27. The method according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the second communication node receives the first information or the second information sent by the first communication node, comprising: The second communication node periodically receives the first information or the second information sent by the first communication node; or, The first information is sent by the first device when the first information is different from the second information sent most recently; or The first information or the first identification information is sent by the first device when the first identification information is different from the second identification information sent most recently; or The first information or the first related information is sent by the first device when the first related information is different from the second related information sent most recently and / or the amount of change exceeds or reaches a first threshold.

28. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the second communication node receives the first information or the second information sent by the first communication node, comprising: The second communication node receives the payload container or the second protocol data packet sent by the first communication node; The payload container or the second protocol data packet includes the first information or the second information; the payload of the payload container includes the first information or the second information; and the readable information of the payload container includes at least part of the identification information in the first identification information.

29. The method according to claim 28, The header of the second protocol data packet includes at least part of the identification information in the first identification information; and / or, The payload portion of the second protocol data packet includes the first information or the second information.

30. The method according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the second protocol data packet comprises a Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol; or The second protocol data packet includes a General Packet Radio Tunneling Protocol-User Plane GTP-U data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol; or The second protocol data packet includes an Internet Protocol IP data packet or a data packet agreed upon by the protocol.

31. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 30, further comprising: The second communication node sends a third request to the first communication node; or, The second communication node receives the third request sent by the application function AF entity, and sends the third request to the first communication node; The third request is used to request at least one device to send information, and the at least one device includes the first device.

32. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 31, further comprising: The second communication node stores and / or maintains relevant information of the first device; The relevant information of the first device includes at least one of the following: the first information or the second information received each time; time information of each receipt of the first information or the second information; time information of starting to receive the first information or the second information; time information of ending reception of the first information or the second information; receiving time range information of the first information or the second information; a time interval for receiving the first information or the second information; Provide the application function AF entity with time information of at least part of the relevant information of the first device.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising: The second communication node receives a fourth request sent by the AF entity; The fourth request is used to request at least part of the relevant information of the first device; The second communication node sends at least part of the relevant information of the first device to the APF entity.

34. A communication device comprising: a communication unit, configured to send first information to the first communication node; The first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

35. A communication device comprising: a communication unit, configured to receive first information sent by a first device; The first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

36. A communication device comprising: a communication unit, configured to receive the first information or the second information sent by the first communication node; The second information is determined based on the first information, where the first information includes: first identification information and / or the first related information.

37. A first device comprising: processors, memory, and transceivers; The memory stores a computer program executable on the processor. When the processor executes the program, it implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in combination with the transceiver.

38. A first communication node, comprising: processors, memory, and transceivers; The memory stores a computer program executable on the processor. When the processor executes the program, the processor implements the method according to any one of claims 11 to 24 in combination with the transceiver.

39. A second communication node, comprising: processors, memory, and transceivers; The memory stores a computer program executable on the processor. When the processor executes the program, it implements the method according to any one of claims 25 to 33 in combination with the transceiver.

40. A computer storage medium storing one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs can be executed by one or more processors to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 10, any one of 11 to 24, or any one of 25 to 33.

41. A chip, comprising: A processor, configured to call and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, any one of 11 to 24, or any one of 25 to 33.

42. A computer program product, comprising a computer storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program comprises instructions executable by at least one processor, and when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, implements the method described in any one of claims 1 to 10 or any one of claims 11 to 24 or any one of claims 25 to 33.

43. A computer program, the computer program causing a computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 10, any one of 11 to 24, or any one of 25 to 33.

Images