Attachment of energy harvesting devices

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to attachment of an energy harvesting device to a terminal device. The terminal device receives, from the network device, an information message for attachment of the at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device. In turn, the terminal device receives a message from the network device indicating that the at least one energy harvesting device is attached to the terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various example embodiments relate to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly to a terminal device, a network device, a method, an apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium for attaching an energy harvesting device. Background Art

[0002] A candidate technology for ultra-low energy or zero-energy devices is backscattering, whereby an illuminator can send a radio frequency (RF) signal that energizes an energy harvesting device, the energy harvesting device modulates the incident RF signal with an information-bearing signal, and the reflected signal is demodulated at a receiver. All backscattering systems are Reader Talks First (RTF). That is, the energy harvesting device only uses the information stored therein to modulate the reflected wave after receiving a signal sent by the illuminator.

[0003] Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) based on Electronic Product Code (EPC) Generation 2 (Gen2) can support data rates from 40 kbps to 640 kbps from an energy harvesting device to a reader, with a sensitivity of -85 dBm. Typical rates using Miller (M = 4) coding vary between 60 - 70 kbps in the laboratory. For RFID, a typical range of 3 m can be achieved using a passive transponder, and a range of up to 30 m can be achieved using an active transponder. All remote systems operate using ultra-high frequency (UHF) or microwave frequencies and use backscattering modulation to communicate with the reader.

[0004] From the perspective of cost, complexity, and lifecycle, a passive Internet of Things (IoT) with RF harvesting and backscattering in the Fifth Generation System (5GS) is an optimized solution. Radio technologies need to be studied to, for example, support backscattering communication and RF energy harvesting, or extend the communication range of passive devices. For example, the harvested energy can be used only to provide auxiliary enhancement to the backscattered signal and not for active communication. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Generally, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for attaching an energy harvesting device.

[0006] In a first aspect, a terminal device is provided. The terminal device includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. When the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the terminal device to at least: receive, from a network device, an information message for attaching at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device; and receive, from the network device, a message indicating that at least one energy harvesting device is attached to the terminal device.

[0007] In a second aspect, a network device is provided. The network device includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. When the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the network device to at least: send an information message for attachment of at least one energy harvesting device to a terminal device; receive information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device and an identification of the terminal device; determine attachment of the at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device based at least on the information and the identification of the terminal device; and send a message to the terminal device indicating that the at least one energy harvesting device is attached to the terminal device.

[0008] In a third aspect, a method implemented at a terminal device is provided. The method includes: at the terminal device, receiving an information message from a network device for attachment of at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device; and receiving a message from the network device indicating that the at least one energy harvesting device is attached to the terminal device.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, a method implemented at a network device is provided. The method includes: sending an information message from the network device to a terminal device for attachment of at least one energy harvesting device; receiving information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device and an identification of the terminal device; determining attachment of the at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device based at least on the information and the identification of the terminal device; and sending a message to the terminal device indicating that the at least one energy harvesting device is attached to the terminal device.

[0010] In a fifth aspect, a device is provided. The device includes: means for receiving, at a terminal device, an information message from a network device for attachment of at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device; and means for receiving a message from the network device indicating that the at least one energy harvesting device is attached to the terminal device.

[0011] In a sixth aspect, a device is provided. The device includes: means for sending an information message from the network device to a terminal device for attachment of at least one energy harvesting device; means for receiving information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device and an identification of the terminal device; means for determining attachment of the at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device based at least on the information and the identification of the terminal device; and means for sending a message to the terminal device indicating that the at least one energy harvesting device is attached to the terminal device.

[0012] In a seventh aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions is provided, the program instructions for causing a device to at least execute the method according to any one of the third to fourth aspects above.

[0013] It should be understood that the Summary of the Invention section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Through the following description, other features of the present disclosure will become readily understood. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 illustrates an example communication network in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0016] Figure 2 illustrates a signaling diagram that illustrates an attachment process for an energy harvesting device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 3 illustrates a signaling diagram that illustrates an attachment process for an energy harvesting device according to some other example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 4 illustrates a signaling diagram that illustrates an attachment process for an energy harvesting device according to still other example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a terminal device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a network device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 7 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0022] Figure 8 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer-readable medium according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] In all the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Details of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, and do not represent any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure described herein can be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

[0025] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0026] In this disclosure, references to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "example embodiment", etc., indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment must include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0027] It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the example embodiments, a first element may be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0028] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the example embodiments. The singular forms "a", "an", and "the" as used herein also include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Further understood, the terms "comprises", "comprising", "has", "having", "includes", and / or "including" when used herein specify the presence of the stated feature, element, and / or component, etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. As used herein, "at least one of: <list of two or more elements>" and "at least one in <list of two or more elements>" and similar phrases (where the list of two or more elements is joined by "and" or "or") refer to at least any one of these elements, or at least any two or more of these elements, or at least all of these elements.

[0029] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0030] (a) a pure hardware circuit implementation (such as an implementation using only analog and / or digital circuitry), and

[0031] (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (if applicable):

[0032] (i) A combination of (one or more) analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, and

[0033] (ii) Any portion of (one or more) hardware processors (including (one or more) digital signal processors) with software and (one or more) memories, which work together to cause a device, such as a mobile phone or a server, to perform various functions, and

[0034] (c) (One or more) hardware circuitry and / or (one or more) processors, such as (one or more) microprocessors or a portion of (one or more) microprocessors, which require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but the software may be absent when not needed.

[0035] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claim. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also encompasses implementations of only hardware circuitry or a processor (or processors) or a portion of a hardware circuitry or a processor together with its accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, if applicable to a particular claim element, the term circuitry also encompasses a baseband integrated circuit or a processor integrated circuit for a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other computing or networking devices.

[0036] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that follows any suitable communication standard, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), NarrowBand Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. In addition, the communication between a terminal device and a network device in a communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocols, including but not limited to the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, future fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols known currently or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. Considering the rapid development of communication, of course, there will also be future types of communication technologies and systems that can be used to embody the present disclosure. It should not be regarded as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to the above systems.

[0037] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network through which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services from the network. Depending on the terminology and technology applied, the network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), such as Node B (NodeB or NB), evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), NR NB (also known as gNB), remote radio unit (RRU), radio header (RH), remote radio head (RRH), relay, low-power node (such as femto, pico), etc.

[0038] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. By way of example and not limitation, the terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), portable subscriber station, mobile station (MS), or access terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but is not limited to, mobile phones, cellular phones, smart phones, IP voice (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablets, wearable terminal devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices (such as digital cameras), game terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop embedded devices (LEE), laptop mobile devices (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer premises equipment (CPE), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, watches or other wearable devices, head-mounted displays (HMD), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in the context of an industrial and / or automation processing chain), consumer electronic devices, devices operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, etc. In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device", "terminal", "user equipment", and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

[0039] Figure 1 An example communication network is illustrated in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. The communication network 100 may include terminal devices 110-1, terminal devices 110-2, terminal devices 110-3, terminal devices 110-4, and terminal devices 110-5. Hereinafter, for simplicity, the terminal devices 110-1, terminal devices 110-2, terminal devices 110-3, terminal devices 110-4, and terminal devices 110-5 may be collectively referred to as (multiple) terminal devices 110, or individually referred to as (a) terminal device 110.

[0040] The communication network 100 may further include a network device 120. The network device 120 may provide a coverage area 122, which is also referred to as a cell 122. The network device 120 communicates with the terminal devices 110 in the cell 122.

[0041] The communication network 100 may further include energy harvesting devices 130-1, energy harvesting devices 130-2, energy harvesting devices 130-3, energy harvesting devices 130-4, energy harvesting devices 130-5, energy harvesting devices 130-6, energy harvesting devices 130-7, energy harvesting devices 130-8, energy harvesting devices 130-9, energy harvesting devices 130-10, energy harvesting devices 130-11, energy harvesting devices 130-12, and energy harvesting devices 130-13. Hereinafter, for the sake of brevity, the energy harvesting devices 130-1, energy harvesting devices 130-2, energy harvesting devices 130-3, energy harvesting devices 130-4, energy harvesting devices 130-5, energy harvesting devices 130-6, energy harvesting devices 130-7, energy harvesting devices 130-8, energy harvesting devices 130-9, energy harvesting devices 130-10, energy harvesting devices 130-11, energy harvesting devices 130-12, and energy harvesting devices 130-13 may be collectively referred to as the (multiple) energy harvesting devices 130, or individually referred to as the (one) energy harvesting device 130.

[0042] In some example embodiments, the terminal devices 110 may provide services to one or more of the energy harvesting devices 130 in their respective service areas. For example, the terminal devices 110-1 and 110-2 may provide services to the energy harvesting devices 130-1 to 130-4 in the service area 140. The terminal devices 110-3 and 110-4 may provide services to the energy harvesting devices 130-5 to 130-8 in the service area 150.

[0043] It should be understood that the numbers of the network devices, terminal devices, and energy harvesting devices are for illustrative purposes only and do not imply any limitation. The network 100 may include any suitable number of network devices, terminal devices, and energy harvesting devices suitable for implementing the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] Communications in the communication network 100 can be implemented according to any suitable communication protocol, including but not limited to: cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), and fifth generation (5G), etc., wireless local area network communication protocols such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and / or any other protocol known currently or to be developed in the future. In addition, the communication can utilize any suitable wireless communication technology, including but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD), Time Division Duplexing (TDD), Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform Spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), passive communication protocols such as RFID protocols, including but not limited to: ISO / IEC 14443, ISO / IEC 15693, ISO / IEC 18000, EPC Gen2, and / or any other technology known currently or to be developed in the future.

[0045] In some example embodiments, at least one of the terminal devices 110 can be a terminal device with exciter capabilities.

[0046] In some example embodiments, at least one of the terminal devices 110 can be a terminal device with receiver or reader / writer capabilities. In the present disclosure, the terms "receiver" and "reader / writer" can be used interchangeably.

[0047] In some example embodiments, the exciter can send an RF signal that energizes the energy harvesting device 130. The RF signal of the energy harvesting device 130 is also referred to as an illumination signal. The energy harvesting device can modulate the incident RF signal with an information-bearing signal and reflect the modulated signal. The reflected signal can be demodulated at the receiver.

[0048] In some example embodiments, at least one of the terminal devices 110 can be a terminal device with both reader / writer and exciter capabilities. For the sake of brevity, a terminal device with both reader / writer and exciter capabilities is also referred to as a "reader / writer / exciter".

[0049] In some example embodiments, at least one of the terminal devices 110 can be a reader / stimulator with a fixed deployment, which is also referred to as a fixed reader / stimulator. For example, the terminal device 110-1 can be a fixed reader / stimulator deployed in the area 140 with high-density energy harvesting devices 130-1 to 130-4. For another example, the terminal device 110-5 can be a fixed reader / stimulator that serves the energy harvesting devices 130-10 to 130-12.

[0050] In some example embodiments, at least one of the terminal devices 110 can be a reader / stimulator with a mobile deployment, which is also referred to as a mobile reader / stimulator. For example, the terminal device 110-2 can be a mobile reader / stimulator deployed in the area 140. The terminal devices 110-3 and 110-4 can serve the energy harvesting devices 130-5 to 130-8 entering the area 150.

[0051] In some example embodiments, when the fixed reader / stimulator is not available for service, the mobile reader / stimulator can be used for "probabilistic" or "best effort" coverage.

[0052] In some example embodiments, the network device 120 can act as a reader / stimulator, a stimulator, or a receiver.

[0053] In some example embodiments, at least one of the energy harvesting devices 130 can be an active device.

[0054] Alternatively, in some example embodiments, at least one of the energy harvesting devices 130 can be a passive device. For example, at least one energy harvesting device 130 can be a passive IoT device (such as a tag).

[0055] As Figure 1 shown, in the cell 122, the energy harvesting devices 130 are non-uniformly distributed at high density in some areas (such as in the areas 140 and 150), and are distributed at low density in other areas. Some energy harvesting devices 130 can be located closer to the network device 120. However, some energy harvesting devices can be located far from the network device 120. For example, the energy harvesting device 130-13 is closer to the network device 120, while the energy harvesting devices 130-1 to 130-4 are farther from the network device 120.

[0056] Although the energy harvesting device 130 is an element of the 5GS, it does not have some of the characteristics of a 5G terminal device. For example, due to cost and / or complexity limitations, the energy harvesting device 130 may not be able to receive and parse most of the communications in 5G NR. The energy harvesting device 130 may be able to receive only some selected communication messages on pre-configured frequencies. Therefore, the energy harvesting device 130 may have only limited communication capabilities with the network device 120. For example, the energy harvesting device 130 may be able to communicate with the network device 120 only via backscattering.

[0057] Due to link budget limitations, the network device 120 itself should not always be used as an exciter for backscattering because it may cause a large amount of interference to other terminal devices. For the energy harvesting device 130 at the cell edge, if the reflected signal can be received and correctly decoded by the network device 120, the power used by the network device 120 to excite the energy harvesting device 130 may need to be very large, which may interfere with all other communications at the same frequency.

[0058] A possible solution is to deploy multiple exciters and receivers (or readers / writers) according to the density of the energy harvesting devices 130. These exciters and receivers are 5G terminal devices. They can communicate with the network device 120 in a normal manner. The exciters and receivers deployed nearby can minimize the power required for excitation. For example, an exciter that only covers the energy harvesting devices within 10 meters can send power that will not cause a large amount of interference to the UEs and energy harvesting devices in other areas.

[0059] Based on different use cases and requirements, the exciters and receivers can be fixed and powered by a fixed power source, or can be mobile and powered by a battery or another type of energy storage. In some cases, when there are no longer energy harvesting devices around some exciters and receivers, they can be deactivated by the system, or opportunistically excited and / or received by a nearby mobile terminal device.

[0060] When the energy harvesting devices are allowed to enter the 5GS, multiple exciters and receivers have been deployed in the system according to the density of the energy harvesting devices. Before being able to communicate with the 5GS, some requirements need to be addressed. For example, it is necessary to first discover the energy harvesting devices and the readers / writers / exciters, and configure the exciter-receiver pairs for each energy harvesting device based on the information. For another example, it is necessary to detect any expiration of the connectivity of the energy harvesting devices, and / or initiate or restart the process for establishing / re-establishing the connectivity of the energy harvesting devices.

[0061] Example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for attaching at least one energy harvesting device (e.g., establishing or enabling some form of communication association with at least one energy harvesting device). According to one solution, the terminal device receives an information message from the network device for attaching at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device. For example, the message may indicate to the terminal device that at least one energy harvesting device is attached to the terminal device. Thus, the energy harvesting device can be associated with the terminal device acting as a reader / stimulator. Therefore, the network device can obtain information associated with the energy harvesting device through the terminal device.

[0062] In the following, details of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 8 Description of the present disclosure.

[0063] Figure 2 The signaling diagram illustrates an attachment process 200 for at least one energy harvesting device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, process 200 will be described with reference to Figure 1 Description of process 200. Process 200 may involve Figure 1 Terminal device 110, network device 120, and energy harvesting device 130 in. In the following, process 200 will be described using, for example, terminal device 110-1, network device 120, and energy harvesting devices 130-1 and 130-2.

[0064] In process 200, terminal device 110-1 is implemented as a reader / stimulator.

[0065] As Figure 2 shown in, network device 120 sends 210 an information message for attaching at least one energy harvesting device 130 to terminal device 110.

[0066] In some example embodiments, network device 120 may broadcast the information message in system information such that all terminal devices 110 in cell 122 can receive the information message. For example, network device 120 may broadcast the information message in a system information block (SIB) or through multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS).

[0067] In some example embodiments, the information message may include at least one of the following:

[0068] ● The time at which the excitation signal is to be sent,

[0069] ● The bandwidth part (BWP) on which the excitation signal is to be sent,

[0070] ● The type of at least one energy harvesting device 130 that will receive the excitation signal, or

[0071] ● A set of identifiers of energy harvesting devices including at least one energy harvesting device 130.

[0072] In some example embodiments, the set of identifiers of energy harvesting devices may indicate a range of identifiers of energy harvesting devices to be discovered by the terminal device 110.

[0073] Thus, the terminal device 110-1 receives an information message for attachment of at least one energy harvesting device 130 from the network device 120.

[0074] In an example embodiment where the terminal device 110-1 is implemented as a reader / exciter, the terminal device 110-1 may send an excitation signal based on the information message. The excitation signal includes a request for attachment.

[0075] In some example embodiments, the terminal device 110-1 may broadcast the excitation signal such that more than one energy harvesting device can receive the excitation signal. For example, the energy harvesting device 130-1 and the energy harvesting device 130-2 may receive the excitation signal.

[0076] In some example embodiments, the excitation signal may include an identifier of the terminal device 110-1.

[0077] Furthermore, the terminal device 110-1 may receive 220 a signal from the energy harvesting device 130-1 based on the information message. The signal may at least include an identifier of the energy harvesting device 130-1. Alternatively or additionally, the signal may include any other auxiliary information to be used for attachment of the energy harvesting device 130-1.

[0078] In an example embodiment where the energy harvesting device 130-1 is a passive energy harvesting device, the signal from the energy harvesting device 130-1 may be a signal backscattered from the energy harvesting device 130-1. For example, the energy harvesting device 130-1 may modulate the received excitation signal using an information-bearing signal and backscatter the modulated signal. The information-bearing signal may include an identifier of the energy harvesting device 130-1.

[0079] The terminal device 110-1 may demodulate the backscattered signal from the energy harvesting device 130-1.

[0080] In an example embodiment where the energy harvesting device 130-1 is an active energy harvesting device, the signal from the energy harvesting device 130-1 may be a signal sent from the energy harvesting device 130-1.

[0081] Similarly, the terminal device 110-1 can receive a signal from the energy harvesting device 130-2 based on the information message 225. The signal from the energy harvesting device 130-2 can at least include the identifier of the energy harvesting device 130-2. The signal from the energy harvesting device 130-2 can be a signal backscattered or transmitted from the energy harvesting device 130-2.

[0082] Then, the terminal device 110-1 can send 230 information associated with at least one energy harvesting device 130 and the identifier of the terminal device 110-1 to the network device 120.

[0083] In some example embodiments, the information associated with at least one energy harvesting device 130 can include at least one of the following: the identifier of at least one energy harvesting device 130, or the power measurement of the signal from at least one energy harvesting device 130. For example, the information associated with at least one energy harvesting device 130 can include at least one of the following: the identifiers of the energy harvesting devices 130-1 and 130-2, or the power measurements of the signals from the energy harvesting devices 130-1 and 130-2.

[0084] After receiving the information associated with at least one energy harvesting device 130 and the identifier of the terminal device 110-1, the network device 120 determines 235 to attach at least one energy harvesting device 130 to the terminal device 110-1 based at least on the information and the identifier of the terminal device 110-1. For example, the network device 120 can determine to attach at least one of the energy harvesting devices 130-1 and 130-2 to the terminal device 110-1 based at least on the information and the identifier of the terminal device 110-1.

[0085] Furthermore, the network device 120 sends 240 a message to the terminal device 110-1 indicating that at least one energy harvesting device 130 is attached to the terminal device 110-1.

[0086] In some example embodiments, the message indicating that at least one energy harvesting device 130 is attached to the terminal device 110-1 can include the identifier of at least one of the energy harvesting devices 130-1 and 130-2.

[0087] After receiving the message indicating that at least one energy harvesting device 130 is attached to the terminal device 110-1, the attachment of at least one energy harvesting device 130 to the terminal device 110-1 is completed.

[0088] In some example embodiments, the attachment of at least one energy harvesting device 130 to the terminal device 110-1 determines which exciters may need to be used to communicate with the energy harvesting device 130 and which readers may need to listen for the energy harvesting device 130 when the exciters are active. For example, in an example embodiment where the energy harvesting device 130-1 is attached to the terminal device 110-1 acting as a reader / exciter, the terminal device 110-1 may need to be used to communicate with the energy harvesting device 130-1 and listen for the energy harvesting device 130-1.

[0089] In some example embodiments, the network device 120 may send 245 a query configuration for at least one attached energy harvesting device 130 to the terminal device 110-1. For example, the network device 120 may broadcast the query configuration.

[0090] In some example embodiments, the query configuration may include at least one of the following:

[0091] ● An identification of at least one attached energy harvesting device 130,

[0092] ● A period at which the query is sent, or

[0093] ● A bandwidth portion on which the query is to be sent.

[0094] After receiving the query configuration, the terminal device 110-1 may send 250 a query to at least one attached energy harvesting device 130 based on the query configuration. For example, the terminal device 110-1 may broadcast the query such that the attached energy harvesting device 130-1 and the energy harvesting device 130-2 can receive the query.

[0095] Alternatively, the network device 120 may send a query to at least one attached energy harvesting device 130 based on the query configuration.

[0096] Furthermore, the terminal device 110-1 may receive 255 a query result from the attached energy harvesting device 130-1 based on the query configuration. For example, the query result from the attached energy harvesting device 130-1 may include sensing information from the attached energy harvesting device 130-1.

[0097] Similarly, the terminal device 110-1 may receive 260 a query result from the attached energy harvesting device 130-2 based on the query configuration. For example, the query result from the attached energy harvesting device 130-2 may include sensing information from the attached energy harvesting device 130-2.

[0098] Furthermore, the terminal device 110-1 may send 265 the query result to the network device 120.

[0099] In some example embodiments, at least one energy harvesting device 130 may not be attached to the terminal device 110-1 due to the mobility of at least one of the following: at least one energy harvesting device 130, or the terminal device 110-1. In other words, at least one energy harvesting device 130 may not be within the communication range of the terminal device 110-1.

[0100] In some example embodiments, optionally, if the terminal device 110-1 detects that at least one energy harvesting device 130 does not respond to the terminal device 110-1, such as a query request, the terminal device 110-1 may send 270 a notification indicating that at least one energy harvesting device 130 does not respond to the terminal device 110-1 to the network device 120.

[0101] After receiving the notification, the network device 120 may optionally send 275 an information message for reattachment of at least one energy harvesting device 130 to the terminal device 110. For example, the network device 120 may broadcast an information message for reattachment of at least one energy harvesting device 130 to the terminal device 110.

[0102] In some example embodiments, the notification from the terminal device 110-1 may indicate the number of energy harvesting devices 130 that do not respond to the terminal device 110-1. If the number exceeds a number threshold, the network device 120 may send an information message for reattachment of at least one energy harvesting device 130 to the terminal device 110-1.

[0103] In some example embodiments, the network device 120 may periodically send an information message such that one or more new or other energy harvesting devices may attach to the terminal device 110. In such example embodiments, even if the network device 120 does not receive a notification from the terminal device 110-1, the network device 120 may periodically send an information message.

[0104] Figure 3 The signaling diagram illustrates an attachment process 300 for at least one energy harvesting device according to some other example embodiments of the present disclosure. For purposes of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 describe process 300. Process 300 may involve Figure 1 the terminal device 110, the network device 120, and the energy harvesting device 130 in. Hereinafter, process 300 will be described using, for example, the terminal device 110-1, the terminal device 110-2, the network device 120, and the energy harvesting devices 130-1 and 130-2.

[0105] In process 300, the terminal device 110-1 is implemented as an exciter, and the terminal device 110-2 is implemented as a reader / writer.

[0106] The actions at 210, 215, 245, 250, and 275 in process 300 are similar to those in process 200. Therefore, the details of these actions are omitted for brevity.

[0107] The actions of process 300 at 310, 315, 320, 325, 330, 335, 340, 345, 350, and 355 are different from those of process 200.

[0108] Specifically, the terminal device 110-2 can receive 310 a signal from the energy harvesting device 130-1 based on an information message. The signal from the energy harvesting device 130-1 can be a signal backscattered or transmitted from the energy harvesting device 130-1. The signal can include at least the identification of the energy harvesting device 130-1 and the identification of the terminal device 110-1. Alternatively or additionally, the signal can include any other auxiliary information to be used for the attachment of the energy harvesting device 130-1.

[0109] Similarly, the terminal device 110-2 can receive 315 a signal from the energy harvesting device 130-2 based on an information message. The signal from the energy harvesting device 130-2 can include at least the identification of the energy harvesting device 130-2 and the identification of the terminal device 110-1. The signal from the energy harvesting device 130-2 can be a signal backscattered or transmitted from the energy harvesting device 130-2.

[0110] Then, the terminal device 110-2 can send 320 information associated with at least one energy harvesting device 130, the identification of the terminal device 110-1, and the identification of the terminal device 110-2 to the network device 120.

[0111] After receiving the information associated with at least one energy harvesting device 130, and the identifications of the terminal devices 110-1 and 110-2, the network device 120 determines 325 to attach at least one energy harvesting device 130 to the terminal devices 110-1 and 110-2 based at least on the information, and the identifications of the terminal devices 110-1 and 110-2. For example, the network device 120 can determine to attach at least one of the energy harvesting device 130-1 and the energy harvesting device 130-2 to the terminal devices 110-1 and 110-2 based at least on the information, and the identifications of the terminal devices 110-1 and 110-2.

[0112] Furthermore, the network device 120 sends 330 a message to the terminal device 110-2 indicating that at least one energy harvesting device 130 is attached to the terminal device 110-2.

[0113] Similarly, network device 120 sends a message 335 to terminal device 110-1 indicating that at least one energy harvesting device 130 is attached to terminal device 110-1.

[0114] After receiving the message indicating that at least one energy harvesting device 130 is attached to terminal devices 110-1 and 110-2, the attachment of at least one energy harvesting device 130 to terminal devices 110-1 and 110-2 is completed.

[0115] In some example embodiments, the attachment of at least one energy harvesting device 130 to terminal devices 110-1 and 110-2 determines which exciter may need to be used to communicate with the energy harvesting device 130 and which reader may need to listen for the energy harvesting device 130 when the exciter is active.

[0116] For example, in an example embodiment where energy harvesting device 130-1 is attached to terminal device 110-1 acting as an exciter and to terminal device 110-2 acting as a reader, terminal device 110-1 may need to be used to send a signal to energy harvesting device 130-1, and terminal device 110-2 may need to be used to listen for energy harvesting device 130-1.

[0117] After receiving the query, energy harvesting device 130-1 sends a query result 340 to terminal device 110-2, and energy harvesting device 130-2 sends a query result 345 to terminal device 110-2.

[0118] After receiving the query results from energy harvesting device 130-1 and energy harvesting device 130-2, terminal device 110-2 sends a query result 350 to network device 120.

[0119] In some example embodiments, at least one energy harvesting device 130 may not be attached to terminal device 110-2, for example, due to the mobility of at least one of the following: at least one energy harvesting device 130, or terminal device 110-2. In other words, at least one energy harvesting device 130 may not be within the communication range of terminal device 110-2.

[0120] In some example embodiments, optionally, if terminal device 110-2 detects that at least one energy harvesting device 130 does not respond to terminal device 110-2, terminal device 110-2 may send a notification 355 to network device 120 indicating that at least one energy harvesting device 130 does not respond to terminal device 110-2.

[0121] After receiving the notification, the network device 120 may optionally send an information message 275 for reattachment of at least one energy harvesting device 130 to the terminal device 110-2.

[0122] It should be noted that the details of the example embodiments already referred to Figure 2 also apply to process 300.

[0123] In some example embodiments, the energy harvesting device 130 has a high density, and the terminal device 110 can be used only as a receiver. This configuration is referred to as a bistatic configuration. In a high-density area such as area 140, reducing the number of exciters can reduce the mutual interference between backscattered signals. Multiple mobile receivers in different directions can act as receivers to assist a fixed exciter for anti-collision purposes. This will be described with reference to Figure 4 below.

[0124] Figure 4 The illustrated signaling diagram illustrates an attachment process 400 for at least one energy harvesting device according to additional other example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, process 400 will be described with reference to Figure 1 below. Process 400 may involve Figure 1 the terminal device 110, the network device 120, and the energy harvesting device 130 in

[0125] In process 400, the terminal device 110-1 may act as a reader / writer / exciter, and the terminal device 110-2 may act as a mobile receiver. Alternatively, in process 400, the terminal device 110-1 may act as an exciter, and the terminal device 110-2 may act as a mobile receiver. Alternatively, in process 400, the terminal device 110-1 may act as a reader / writer / exciter, and the terminal device 110-2 may act as a mobile reader / writer / exciter.

[0126] The actions at 245, 250, 255, 260, and 265 in process 400 are similar to the actions in process 200. Therefore, the details of these actions are omitted for brevity.

[0127] In addition, the actions at 210 to 240 in process 200 may be performed in process 400. Therefore, these actions are not shown for brevity in Figure 4 below.

[0128] As described below, the actions of process 400 at 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, 435, 440, 445, 450, and 455 are different from those of process 200.

[0129] As Figure 4 shown, the terminal device 110-1 can enter the cell 122 at 410, for example, by physically entering the cell 122 or powering on in the cell 122.

[0130] The terminal device 110-1 can send a request at 415 to act as a receiver for at least one energy harvesting device 130 to the network device 120.

[0131] In some example embodiments, the request to act as a receiver may include at least one of the following:

[0132] ● The identification of the terminal device 110-2,

[0133] ● The location of the terminal device 110-2, or

[0134] ● The capability information of the terminal device 110-2.

[0135] After receiving the request, the network device 120 sends a response at 420 to the request. The response may include an information message for the attachment of at least one energy harvesting device 130 to the terminal device 110.

[0136] The energy harvesting device 130-1 broadcasts a signal at 425 such that the terminal devices 110-1 and 110-2 can receive the signal based on the information message. In some examples, the information message may be broadcast periodically.

[0137] As described above, the signal from the energy harvesting device 130-1 may include at least the identification of the energy harvesting device 130-1. Alternatively or additionally, the signal may include any other auxiliary information to be used for the attachment of the energy harvesting device 130-1.

[0138] Similarly, the energy harvesting device 130-2 broadcasts a signal at 430 such that the terminal devices 110-1 and 110-2 can receive the signal based on the information message. In some examples, the information message may be broadcast periodically.

[0139] As described above, the signal from the energy harvesting device 130-2 may include at least the identification of the energy harvesting device 130-2. Alternatively or additionally, the signal may include any other auxiliary information to be used for the attachment of the energy harvesting device 130-2.

[0140] After receiving the signal, the terminal device 110-2 sends information related to the energy harvesting devices 130-1 and 130-2 and the identifier of the terminal device 110-2 to the network device 120.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the information related to the energy harvesting devices 130-1 and 130-2 may include at least one of the following: the identifiers of the energy harvesting devices 130-1 and 130-2, or power measurements of the signals from the energy harvesting devices 130-1 and 130-2.

[0142] After receiving the information related to the energy harvesting devices 130-1 and 130-2 and the identifier of the terminal device 110-2, the network device 120 changes the attachment of at least one of the energy harvesting devices 130-1 and 130-2 based on at least one of the following: the number of energy harvesting devices 130, power measurements of the signals from the energy harvesting devices 130, or the location of the terminal device 110-2.

[0143] For example, since the terminal device 110-2 is closer to the energy harvesting device 130-2 than the terminal device 110-1, the network device 120 may change the attachment of the energy harvesting device 130-2 from the terminal device 110-1 to the terminal device 110-2.

[0144] In an example embodiment where the terminal device 110-2 is only implemented as a mobile receiver, the network device 120 may send a notification 445 to the terminal device 110-2 to indicate that the reception of the signal from the energy harvesting device 130-2 is to be started.

[0145] In an example embodiment where the terminal device 110-1 is implemented as a reader / writer / exciter or a receiver, the network device 120 may send a notification 455 to the terminal device 110-1 to indicate that the reception of the signal from the energy harvesting device 130-2 is to be stopped.

[0146] In an example embodiment where the terminal device 110-2 is implemented as a mobile reader / writer / exciter, the network device 120 may send a notification to the terminal device 110-2 to indicate that the reception of the signal from the energy harvesting device 130-2 and the transmission of a signal to the energy harvesting device 130-2 are to be started. The network device 120 may also send a notification to the terminal device 110-1 to indicate that the attachment of the energy harvesting device 130-2 is removed.

[0147] In addition, in order to obtain the query result of the energy harvesting device 130-2, the network device 120 may send a query configuration 450 to the terminal device 110-2.

[0148] Using process 400, the terminal device 110-2 acting as a mobile receiver can operate in a direction different from that of the terminal device 110-1 acting as a fixed exciter to assist the fixed exciter for anti-collision purposes.

[0149] In addition, only the terminal device 110-2 acting as a mobile receiver will not increase the number of exciters in area 140, which can reduce the mutual interference between backscattered signals.

[0150] It should be noted that the details of the exemplary embodiments already referred to Figure 2 and Figure 3 also apply to process 400.

[0151] Figure 5 FIG. shows a flowchart of a method 500 implemented at a terminal device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, method 500 will be described with reference to Figure 1 the perspective of the terminal device 110.

[0152] At block 510, the terminal device 110 receives an information message from a network device for the attachment of at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device.

[0153] At block 520, the terminal device 110 receives a message from the network device indicating that at least one energy harvesting device is attached to the terminal device.

[0154] In some exemplary embodiments, the information message includes at least one of the following: the time at which an excitation signal is to be sent, the bandwidth portion on which the excitation signal is to be sent, the type of at least one energy harvesting device that will receive the excitation signal, or a set of identifiers of energy harvesting devices including the at least one energy harvesting device.

[0155] In some exemplary embodiments, method 500 further includes: receiving a signal from at least one energy harvesting device based on the information message, the signal including at least the identifier of the at least one energy harvesting device; and sending information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device, as well as the identifier of the terminal device, to the network device.

[0156] In some exemplary embodiments, the signal is at least one of the following: a backscattered signal from a passive energy harvesting device, or a transmission signal from an active energy harvesting device.

[0157] In some exemplary embodiments, the information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the at least one energy harvesting device, or a power measurement of the signal.

[0158] In some exemplary embodiments, method 500 further includes: sending an excitation signal based on the information message, the excitation signal including a request for attachment.

[0159] In some example embodiments, method 500 further includes: receiving, from a network device, a query configuration for at least one attached energy harvesting device; receiving, based on the query configuration, a query result from at least one attached energy harvesting device; and sending the query result to the network device.

[0160] In some example embodiments, method 500 further includes: sending, based on the query configuration, a query to at least one attached energy harvesting device.

[0161] In some example embodiments, the query configuration includes at least one of the following: an identifier of at least one energy harvesting device, a period at which the query is to be sent, or a bandwidth portion on which the query is to be sent.

[0162] In some example embodiments, receiving an information message includes: sending to the network device a notification indicating that at least one energy harvesting device did not respond to the terminal device; and receiving, from the network device, a response to the notification, the response including the information message.

[0163] In some example embodiments, receiving an information message includes receiving the information message periodically.

[0164] In some example embodiments, receiving an information message includes: sending to the network device a request to act as a receiver for at least one energy harvesting device; and receiving, from the network device, a response to the request, the response including the information message.

[0165] In some example embodiments, the request to act as a receiver includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the terminal device, a location of the terminal device, or capability information of the terminal device.

[0166] In some example embodiments, method 500 further includes: receiving, from the network device, a notification indicating that reception of signals from at least one energy harvesting device is to be stopped; or receiving, from the network device, a notification indicating that the attachment is removed.

[0167] Figure 6 A flowchart of a method 600 implemented at a network device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For purposes of discussion, method 600 will be described from Figure 1 the perspective of network device 120.

[0168] At block 610, network device 120 sends an information message for attachment of at least one energy harvesting device to a terminal device.

[0169] At block 620, network device 120 receives information associated with at least one energy harvesting device and an identifier of the terminal device.

[0170] At block 630, network device 120 determines to attach at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device based at least on the information and the identity of the terminal device.

[0171] At block 640, network device 120 sends a message to the terminal device indicating that at least one energy harvesting device is attached to the terminal device.

[0172] In some example embodiments, the information message includes at least one of the following: the time at which the excitation signal is to be sent, the bandwidth portion on which the excitation signal is to be sent, the type of at least one energy harvesting device that will receive the excitation signal, or a set of identities of energy harvesting devices including the at least one energy harvesting device.

[0173] In some example embodiments, method 600 further includes: sending an excitation signal based on the information message, the excitation signal including a request for attachment.

[0174] In some example embodiments, method 600 further includes: sending a query configuration for the at least one attached energy harvesting device to the terminal device; and receiving a query result from the terminal device.

[0175] In some example embodiments, the query configuration includes at least one of the following: the identity of the at least one energy harvesting device, the period at which the query is sent, or the bandwidth portion on which the query is to be sent.

[0176] In some example embodiments, method 600 further includes: sending a query to the at least one energy harvesting device based on the query configuration.

[0177] In some example embodiments, the information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device includes at least one of the following: the identity of the at least one energy harvesting device, or a power measurement of a signal from the at least one energy harvesting device.

[0178] In some example embodiments, sending the information message includes: receiving from the terminal device a notification indicating that at least one energy harvesting device is not responding to the terminal device; and sending a response to the notification to the terminal device, the response including the information message.

[0179] In some example embodiments, sending the information message includes: sending the information message periodically.

[0180] In some example embodiments, sending the information message includes: receiving from the terminal device a request to act as a receiver for the at least one energy harvesting device; and sending a response to the request to the terminal device, the response including the information message.

[0181] In some example embodiments, the request to act as a receiver includes at least one of the following: the identity of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, or the capability information of the terminal device.

[0182] In some example embodiments, method 600 further includes: changing the attachment of at least one energy harvesting device based at least on information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device. Changing the attachment includes: sending a notification to the terminal device indicating that reception of signals from the at least one energy harvesting device is to be stopped; and sending a notification to another terminal device indicating that reception of the signals is to be started.

[0183] In some example embodiments, method 600 further includes: changing the attachment of at least one energy harvesting device based at least on information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device; and sending a notification to the terminal device indicating that the attachment has been removed.

[0184] In some example embodiments, a device (e.g., terminal device 110) capable of performing any method 500 may include components for performing the corresponding operations of method 500. The components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in circuitry or software modules. The device may be implemented as terminal device 110, or included in terminal device 110. In some example embodiments, the components may include a processor and a memory.

[0185] In some example embodiments, the device includes: components for receiving, at the terminal device, an information message from a network device for the attachment of at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device; and components for receiving, from the network device, a message indicating that the at least one energy harvesting device is attached to the terminal device.

[0186] In some example embodiments, the information message includes at least one of the following: the time at which an excitation signal is to be sent, the bandwidth portion on which the excitation signal is to be sent, the type of at least one energy harvesting device that will receive the excitation signal, or a set of identifiers of energy harvesting devices including the at least one energy harvesting device.

[0187] In some example embodiments, the device further includes: components for receiving, based on the information message, a signal from the at least one energy harvesting device, the signal including at least the identifier of the at least one energy harvesting device; and components for sending, to the network device, information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device and the identifier of the terminal device.

[0188] In some example embodiments, the signal is at least one of the following: a backscatter signal from a passive energy harvesting device, or a transmission signal from an active energy harvesting device.

[0189] In some example embodiments, the information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the at least one energy harvesting device, or a power measurement of the signal.

[0190] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for sending an incentive signal based on an information message, the incentive signal including a request for attachment.

[0191] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from a network device, a query configuration for at least one attached energy harvesting device; means for receiving, based on the query configuration, a query result from at least one attached energy harvesting device; and means for sending the query result to the network device.

[0192] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for sending a query to at least one attached energy harvesting device based on the query configuration.

[0193] In some example embodiments, the query configuration includes at least one of the following: an identifier of at least one energy harvesting device, a period at which the query is sent, or a bandwidth portion on which the query is to be sent.

[0194] In some example embodiments, the means for receiving an information message comprises: means for sending to the network device a notification indicating that at least one energy harvesting device has not responded to the terminal device; and means for receiving, from the network device, a response to the notification, the response including the information message.

[0195] In some example embodiments, the means for receiving an information message comprises means for receiving the information message periodically.

[0196] In some example embodiments, the means for receiving an information message comprises: means for sending to the network device a request to act as a receiver for at least one energy harvesting device; and means for receiving, from the network device, a response to the request, the response including the information message.

[0197] In some example embodiments, the request to act as a receiver includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the terminal device, a location of the terminal device, or capability information of the terminal device.

[0198] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the network device, a notification indicating that reception of signals from at least one energy harvesting device is to be stopped; or means for receiving, from the network device, a notification indicating that the attachment is removed.

[0199] In some example embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., network device 120) capable of performing any method 600 may include means for performing the corresponding operations of method 600. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in circuitry or a software module. The apparatus may be implemented as network device 120, or included in network device 120. In some example embodiments, the means may include a processor and a memory.

[0200] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes: components for sending, from a network device to a terminal device, an information message for attachment of at least one energy harvesting device; components for receiving information associated with at least one energy harvesting device and an identifier of the terminal device; components for determining, based at least on the information and the identifier of the terminal device, to attach at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device; and components for sending to the terminal device a message indicating that at least one energy harvesting device is attached to the terminal device.

[0201] In some example embodiments, the information message includes at least one of the following: the time at which an excitation signal is to be sent, the bandwidth portion on which the excitation signal is to be sent, the type of at least one energy harvesting device that will receive the excitation signal, or a set of identifiers of energy harvesting devices including at least one energy harvesting device.

[0202] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further includes: components for sending an excitation signal based on the information message, the excitation signal including a request for attachment.

[0203] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further includes: components for sending to the terminal device a query configuration for at least one attached energy harvesting device; and components for receiving a query result from the terminal device.

[0204] In some example embodiments, the query configuration includes at least one of the following: an identifier of at least one energy harvesting device, the period at which the query is sent, or the bandwidth portion on which the query is to be sent.

[0205] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further includes: components for sending a query to at least one energy harvesting device based on the query configuration.

[0206] In some example embodiments, the information associated with at least one energy harvesting device includes at least one of the following: an identifier of at least one energy harvesting device, or a power measurement of a signal from at least one energy harvesting device.

[0207] In some example embodiments, the components for sending the information message include: components for receiving from the terminal device a notification indicating that at least one energy harvesting device is not responding to the terminal device; and components for sending to the terminal device a response to the notification, the response including the information message.

[0208] In some example embodiments, the components for sending the information message include: components for sending the information message periodically.

[0209] In some example embodiments, the component for sending an information message includes: a component for receiving, from a terminal device, a request for a receiver that acts as at least one energy harvesting device; and a component for sending, to the terminal device, a response to the request, the response including the information message.

[0210] In some example embodiments, the request for a receiver includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the terminal device, a location of the terminal device, or capability information of the terminal device.

[0211] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further includes: a component for changing the attachment of at least one energy harvesting device based at least on information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device. The component for changing the attachment includes: a component for sending, to the terminal device, a notification indicating that reception of a signal from the at least one energy harvesting device is to be stopped; and a component for sending, to another terminal device, a notification indicating that reception of the signal is to be started.

[0212] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further includes: a component for changing the attachment of at least one energy harvesting device based at least on information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device; and a component for sending, to the terminal device, a notification indicating that the attachment has been removed.

[0213] Figure 7 is a simplified block diagram of a device 700 suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 700 may be provided to implement a communication device, such as Figure 1 the terminal device 110 or the network device 120 as shown. As shown, the device 700 includes one or more processors 710, one or more memories 720 coupled to the processor 710, and one or more communication modules 740 coupled to the processor 710.

[0214] The communication module 740 is used for two-way communication. The communication module 740 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface may represent any interface required to communicate with other network elements.

[0215] The processor 710 may be of any type suitable for a local technical network and, by way of non-limiting example, may include one or more of the following: a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. The device 700 may have multiple processors, such as an application-specific integrated circuit chip that is subordinate in time to a clock synchronized with a main processor.

[0216] The memory 720 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 724, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disk, compact disk (CD), digital video disk (DVD), and other magnetic and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 722 and other volatile memories that do not persist during a power outage.

[0217] The computer program 730 includes computer-executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 710. The program 730 may be stored in the ROM 724. The processor 710 may execute any appropriate actions and processes by loading the program 730 into the RAM 722.

[0218] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by the program 730 such that the device 700 may execute any process of the present disclosure discussed with reference to Figures 1 to 6 Embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0219] In some example embodiments, the program 730 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium, which may be included in the device 700 (such as in the memory 720) or in other storage devices accessible by the device 700. The device 700 may load the program 730 from the computer-readable medium into the RAM 722 for execution. The computer-readable medium may include any type of tangible non-volatile memory, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. Figure 8 An example of a computer-readable medium 800 in the form of a CD or DVD is illustrated. The program 730 is stored on the computer-readable medium.

[0220] In general, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using hardware or specific circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented using hardware, while other aspects may be implemented using firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although the various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, it should be understood that, as a non-limiting example, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, specific circuits or logic, general hardware or a controller or other computing device, or some combination thereof.

[0221] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as instructions included in program modules, which are executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the methods 500 to 600 described above with reference to Figures 5 to 6 the methods 500 to 600. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functions of program modules can be combined or split among program modules as needed. The machine-executable instructions of program modules can be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules can be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0222] The program code for performing the methods of the present disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, such that when the program codes are executed by the processor or controller, the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams are implemented. The program code can be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0223] In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program code or related data can be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus, or processor to perform the various processes and operations described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer-readable media, etc.

[0224] The computer-readable medium can be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable medium can include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, devices, or apparatuses, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer-readable storage medium will include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer floppy disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0225] Moreover, although the operations are described in a particular order, this should not be construed as requiring that the operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all of the illustrated operations be performed to achieve the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Also, although several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented separately or in any suitable subcombination in multiple embodiments.

[0226] Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the above specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A terminal device, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to at least: receive, from a network device, an information message for attachment of at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device; and receive, from the network device, a message indicating attachment of the at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device.

2. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the information message comprises at least one of the following: the time at which an excitation signal is to be sent, the bandwidth portion on which the excitation signal is to be sent, the type of the at least one energy harvesting device that will receive the excitation signal, or a set of identifiers of energy harvesting devices including the at least one energy harvesting device.

3. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is further caused to: receive, based on the information message, a signal from the at least one energy harvesting device, the signal comprising at least the identifier of the at least one energy harvesting device; and send to the network device information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device and an identifier of the terminal device.

4. The terminal device according to claim 3, wherein the signal is at least one of the following: a backscatter signal from a passive energy harvesting device, or a transmission signal from an active energy harvesting device.

5. The terminal device according to claim 3, wherein the information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device comprises at least one of the following: the identifier of the at least one energy harvesting device, or a power measurement of the signal.

6. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is further caused to: send, based on the information message, an excitation signal, the excitation signal comprising a request for the attachment.

7. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is further caused to: receive, from the network device, a query configuration for at least one attached energy harvesting device; receive, based on the query configuration, a query result from the at least one attached energy harvesting device; and send the query result to the network device.

8. The terminal device according to claim 7, wherein the terminal device is further caused to: send, based on the query configuration, a query to the at least one attached energy harvesting device.

9. The terminal device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the query configuration comprises at least one of the following: the identifier of the at least one energy harvesting device, the period at which the query is sent, or the bandwidth portion on which the query is to be sent.

10. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is caused to receive the information message by: sending to the network device a notification indicating that the at least one energy harvesting device has not responded to the terminal device; and receiving, from the network device, a response to the notification, the response comprising the information message.

11. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is caused to receive the information message periodically.

12. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is caused to receive the information message by: Sending a request to the network device to act as a receiver for the at least one energy harvesting device; and Receiving a response to the request from the network device, the response including the information message.

13. The terminal device according to claim 12, wherein the request to act as the receiver includes at least one of the following: An identifier of the terminal device, A location of the terminal device, or Capability information of the terminal device.

14. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is further caused to: Receive from the network device a notification indicating that reception of a signal from the at least one energy harvesting device is to be stopped; or Receive from the network device a notification indicating that the attachment is removed.

15. A network device, comprising: At least one processor; And At least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network device to at least: Send an information message for attachment of at least one energy harvesting device to a terminal device; Receive information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device and an identifier of the terminal device; Determine, at least based on the information and the identifier of the terminal device, to attach the at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device; And Send a message to the terminal device indicating that the at least one energy harvesting device is attached to the terminal device.

16. The network device according to claim 15, wherein the information message includes at least one of the following: A time at which an excitation signal is to be sent, A bandwidth portion on which the excitation signal is to be sent, A type of the at least one energy harvesting device that will receive the excitation signal, or A set of identifiers of energy harvesting devices including the at least one energy harvesting device.

17. The network device according to claim 15, wherein the network device is further caused to: Send an excitation signal based on the information message, the excitation signal including a request for the attachment.

18. The network device according to claim 15, wherein the network device is further caused to: Send a query configuration for at least one attached energy harvesting device to the terminal device; and Receive a query result from the terminal device.

19. The network device according to claim 18, wherein the query configuration includes at least one of the following: An identifier of the at least one energy harvesting device, A period at which the query is sent, or A bandwidth portion on which the query is to be sent.

20. The network device according to claim 18, wherein the network device is further caused to: Send a query to the at least one energy harvesting device based on the query configuration.

21. The network device according to claim 15, wherein the information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device includes at least one of the following: An identifier of the at least one energy harvesting device, or A power measurement of a signal from the at least one energy harvesting device.

22. The network device according to claim 15, wherein the network device is caused to send the information message by: Receiving from the terminal device a notification indicating that the at least one energy harvesting device has not responded to the terminal device; and Sending to the terminal device a response to the notification, the response including the information message.

23. The network device according to claim 15, wherein the network device is caused to send the information message periodically.

24. The network device according to claim 15, wherein the network device is caused to send the information message by: Receiving from the terminal device a request to act as a receiver for the at least one energy harvesting device; and Sending to the terminal device a response to the request, the response including the information message.

25. The network device according to claim 24, wherein the request to act as the receiver includes at least one of the following: An identification of the terminal device, A location of the terminal device, or Capability information of the terminal device.

26. The network device according to claim 15, wherein the network device is further caused to: Change the attachment of the at least one energy harvesting device based at least on the information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device, including: Sending to the terminal device a notification indicating that reception of a signal from the at least one energy harvesting device is to be stopped; And Sending to another terminal device a notification indicating that reception of the signal is to be started.

27. The network device according to claim 15, wherein the network device is further caused to: Change the attachment of the at least one energy harvesting device based at least on the information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device; and Sending to the terminal device a notification indicating that the attachment has been removed.

28. A method, comprising: At a terminal device, receiving from a network device an information message for attachment of at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device; And Receiving from the network device a message indicating that the at least one energy harvesting device is attached to the terminal device.

29. A method, comprising: Sending from a network device to a terminal device an information message for attachment of at least one energy harvesting device; Receiving information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device and an identification of the terminal device; Determining, based at least on the information and the identification of the terminal device, to attach the at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device; And Sending to the terminal device a message indicating that the at least one energy harvesting device is attached to the terminal device.

30. An apparatus, comprising: Means for receiving at a terminal device from a network device an information message for attachment of at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device; And Means for receiving from the network device a message indicating that the at least one energy harvesting device is attached to the terminal device.

31. An apparatus, comprising: Means for sending from a network device to a terminal device an information message for attachment of at least one energy harvesting device; A component for receiving information associated with the at least one energy harvesting device and an identifier of the terminal device; A component for determining to attach the at least one energy harvesting device to the terminal device based at least on the information and the identifier of the terminal device; And A component for sending a message to the terminal device indicating that the at least one energy harvesting device is attached to the terminal device.

32. A computer-readable medium comprising program instructions for causing a device to perform at least the method according to any one of claims 28 to 29.

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