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

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese patent application (application number 202280102031.0, entitled "Communication Method, Apparatus, Device, Storage Medium, Chip, Product and Program") which entered the Chinese national phase of the PCT international patent application PCT / CN2022 / 134809 filed on November 28, 2022. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, specifically to a communication method, apparatus, device, storage medium, chip, product, and program. Background Technology

[0003] The communication range of Internet of Things (IoT) devices is short, making it impossible to manage a large number of IoT devices. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, device, storage medium, chip, product, and program.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide 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] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide 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] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, the method comprising:

[0010] The second communication node receives first information or second information sent by the 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.

[0011] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including:

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

[0013] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including:

[0014] A 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] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide 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, embodiments of this application provide a first device, including: a processor and a memory.

[0018] The memory stores computer programs that can run on the processor.

[0019] When the processor executes the program, it works in conjunction with the transceiver to implement the method described in the first aspect.

[0020] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a first communication node, including: a processor and a memory.

[0021] The memory stores computer programs that can run on the processor.

[0022] When the processor executes the program, it works in conjunction with the transceiver to implement the method described in the second aspect.

[0023] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a first communication node, including: a processor and a memory.

[0024] The memory stores computer programs that can run on the processor.

[0025] When the processor executes the program, it works in conjunction with the transceiver to implement the method described in the third aspect.

[0026] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer storage medium storing one or more programs, which can be executed by one or more processors to implement the methods described in the first, second, or third aspects.

[0027] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a chip, including: a processor, configured to call and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method as described in the first, second, or third aspects.

[0028] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, the computer program product including a computer storage medium storing a computer program, the computer program including instructions executable by at least one processor, which, when executed by the at least one processor, implement the methods described in the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0029] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program that causes a computer to perform the methods described in the first, second, or third aspects.

[0030] In this embodiment, a first device sends first information to a first communication node; the first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information. Thus, the first device can send the first identification information and / or the first related information to the first communication node, allowing the first communication node to receive the identification information and / or related information sent by each of multiple devices, including the first device, to facilitate the management of a large range of electronic tags. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario of an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating yet another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in yet another embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 8A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in yet another embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating yet another communication method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 12 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in yet another embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 13 A flowchart illustrating yet another communication method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0046] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0047] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0048] Figure 17 A schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 18 This is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0050] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

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

[0052] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario of an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 1As shown, the communication system 100 may include a first device 110, a first communication node 120, and a second communication node 130. The first device 110 can be communicatively connected to the first communication node 120, and the first communication node 120 can be communicatively connected to the second communication node 130. The first device 110 and the first communication node 120 can support multi-service transmission, and the first communication node 120 and the second communication node 130 can also support multi-service transmission.

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

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

[0055] The first communication node 120 in this embodiment may include at least one 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, and 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] The second communication node 130 in this embodiment may include at least one or a combination of at least two of the following: Internet of Things Function (IoTF) device / network element, IoTF module / unit, at least one core network device / network element, access network device, and terminal device. Optionally, the IoTF device / network element and IoTF module / unit may exist independently, or they may be integrated into one or more core network devices / network elements.

[0057] The first device 110 in this application can be a device with wireless communication capabilities, which can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as ships); and it can also be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons, and satellites). The terminal device in this application can be referred to as User Equipment (UE), Mobile Station (MS), Mobile Terminal (MT), User Unit, User Station, Mobile Station, Remote Station, Remote Terminal, Mobile Device, User Terminal, Terminal, Wireless Communication Equipment, User Agent, or User Equipment. Terminal devices may include one or more of the following, or a combination of at least two: satellite terminals, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, servers, mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, PDAs, desktop computers, personal digital assistants, portable media players, smart speakers, navigation devices, smartwatches, smart glasses, smart necklaces and other wearable devices, pedometers, digital TVs, Virtual Reality (VR) terminal devices, Augmented Reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes. Wireless terminals in the home, as well as vehicles, in-vehicle equipment, in-vehicle modules, wireless modems, handheld devices, customer premises equipment (CPE), smart home appliances, etc. in the vehicle networking system.

[0058] Optionally, the terminal device can be any terminal device, including but not limited to terminal devices that are connected to the network device 120 or other terminal devices via wired or wireless connections.

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

[0060] Access network equipment may include one or a combination of at least the following: Evolutionary Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG RAN) equipment, base stations (gNB) in NR systems, small cells, micro cells, radio controllers in Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN), access points for Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi), transmission reception points (TRPs), relay stations, access points, vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable devices, hubs, switches, bridges, routers, and network equipment in the future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), etc.

[0061] The core network equipment can be a 5G core network (5G Core, 5GC) device. Core network equipment 122 may include one or a combination of at least two of the following: 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 equipment may also be an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) device of an 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 of both SMF and PGW-C. During network evolution, the aforementioned core network device 122 may also be called by other names, or new network entities may be formed by dividing the functions of the core network. This application embodiment does not limit this. In other embodiments, the core network device may be a 6G or 7G core network device.

[0062] The various functional units in the communication system 100 can also establish connections and communicate with each other through the next generation (NG) interface.

[0063] For example, terminal devices establish air interface connections with access network devices through the NR interface for transmitting user plane data and control plane signaling; terminal devices can establish control plane signaling connections with the AMF through NG interface 1 (N1); access network devices, such as next-generation radio access base stations (gNB), can establish user plane data connections with the UPF through NG interface 3 (N3); access network devices can establish control plane signaling connections with the AMF through NG interface 2 (N2); the UPF can establish control plane signaling connections with the SMF through NG interface 4 (N4); the UPF can interact with the data network for user plane data through NG interface 6 (N6); the AMF can establish control plane signaling connections with the SMF through NG interface 11 (N11); and the SMF can establish control plane signaling connections with the PCF through NG interface 7 (N7).

[0064] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment 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 the coverage area of ​​each first communication node may include other numbers of first devices. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0065] It should be noted that, Figure 1This application merely illustrates the system to which this application applies; of course, the methods shown 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" in this application merely describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this application generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship. It should also be understood that "instruction" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct instruction, an indirect instruction, or an indication of a related relationship. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, for example, B can be obtained through A; it can also mean that A indirectly instructs B, for example, A instructs C, B can be obtained through C; or it can mean that there is a related relationship between A and B. It should also be understood that "correspondence" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between two things, or an related relationship between two things, or a relationship of instruction and being instructed, configuration and being configured, etc. It should also be understood that the "predefined," "protocol agreement," "predetermined," or "predefined rule" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device (e.g., including terminal devices and network devices). This application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to what is defined in a protocol. It should also be understood that in the embodiments of this application, the "protocol" can refer to standard protocols in the field of communication, such as the LTE protocol, the NR protocol, and related protocols applied to future communication systems. This application does not limit this.

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

[0067] Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a non-contact automatic identification technology that acquires and identifies objects by using radio frequency data. RFID can identify high-speed moving objects, simultaneously identify multiple targets, enable remote reading, and operate in various harsh environments. In the Internet of Things (IoT), communication between people and things, and between things themselves, is essentially achieved using RFID technology. RFID systems act like the tentacles of the IoT, making automatic identification of every object within the IoT possible and forming the foundation for building the IoT.

[0068] An RFID system can consist of electronic tags, readers, and a data management system. Electronic tags are the data carriers of the RFID system, mainly composed of chips and antennas. They are typically attached to objects to identify targets. Each electronic tag has a unique electronic code and stores relevant information about the identified object. Readers use radio frequency identification technology to read the information from the electronic tags. Readers generally consist of an RF unit, a control unit, and an antenna. The data management system manages the readers, usually by sending commands to them through a specific interface. The readers then read or modify the data in the electronic tags and update the 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 from the reader or to transmit the data required by the reader back to the reader. The reader antenna's function is to emit electromagnetic energy to activate the electronic tag, send commands to the electronic tag, and receive information from the electronic tag.

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

[0071] Both RFID and barcode recognition technologies are automatic identification technologies. Compared to barcode recognition technology, RFID technology can achieve communication over longer distances and is more convenient to use.

[0072] It is non-contact, requiring no human intervention to complete the identification process, 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 has a shorter writing time compared to printing barcodes.

[0074] The content of the tags can be changed dynamically, multiple tags can be processed at the same time, and the storage and retrieval of tag data are password protected, making it more secure.

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

[0076] The data reading range of RFID can be increased to varying degrees depending on the power of the reader and the antenna, enabling data reading within ten meters, which is an advantage over traditional identification technologies in terms of reading range.

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

[0078] Radio frequency identification (RFID) has become a major automatic identification technology in the Internet of Things (IoT) due to its advantages such as barrier-free reading and long-distance penetration, fast scanning, high storage capacity, anti-contamination capability, reusability, and good security and confidentiality.

[0079] RFID suffers from short range, limited coverage, and low compatibility. In contrast, 3GPP's wireless spectrum and signal design facilitates more efficient communication for ultra-low-power or zero-power IoT devices. Furthermore, 3GPP networks offer advantages in wide coverage and open capabilities, allowing for widespread adoption by various third parties to achieve interconnectivity between IoT devices.

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

[0081] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the method includes:

[0082] S201, the first device sends first information to the 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, or core network equipment.

[0084] Optionally, the first device may send first information to the first communication node at first intervals of a first duration. Optionally, the first duration may be determined by the first device based on pre-configuration 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 by the protocol.

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

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

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

[0088] Optionally, the type and / or content of the first information may be determined by the first device according to a pre-configuration, or it may be indicated by the first communication node to the first device, or it may be agreed upon by a protocol. For example, the first communication node may send first indication information to the first device, and the first device may send first information once according to the first indication information. Afterwards, the first communication node may continue to send first indication information to the first device, and the first device may send 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 according to 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 it receives the second indication information, sends first information to the first communication node based on the indication of 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 according to 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 information to be sent.

[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 a portion of the information in the first information, home 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 the identification information of the first communication node. Optionally, the identification information of the target communication node used to maintain and / or store at least a portion of the information in the first information may include the 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 this application, the first specific identification information of the first device may include all identifiers capable of identifying the first device. Optionally, in any embodiment of this application, the first specific identification information of the first device may include at least one of the following: 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.

[0092] Optionally, in any embodiment of this application, the first identification information of the first device can be any information capable of identifying or marking the first device. Exemplarily, optionally, the first identification information of the first device may include fixed identification information and / or variable identification information of the first device. Fixed identification information of the first device indicates that the identification information is immutable. Variable identification information of the first device indicates that the identification information is variable. For example, the variable identification information of the first device can be updated automatically (e.g., 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 can be fixed identification information or variable identification information.

[0093] Optionally, in any embodiment of this application, the target communication node may include all or some communication nodes capable of maintaining and / or storing at least a portion of the information in the first information. Optionally, in any embodiment of this application, a specific communication node may include all or some communication nodes capable of communicating with the first device.

[0094] Optionally, in any embodiment of this application, the target communication node includes one or more communication nodes, and / or, the target communication node includes a second communication node. Optionally, in any embodiment of this application, a specific communication node includes one or more communication nodes, and / or, the specific communication node includes a 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, the first data packet carrying first information. Optionally, the first identification information may be included in the header of the first 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 first data packet, and another portion may be included in the payload of the first data packet. Optionally, first related information may be included in the header of the first data packet, or the first related information may be included in the payload of the data packet, or a portion of the first related 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] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 3 As shown, the method includes:

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

[0099] Optionally, the first communication node may begin listening to the first information sent by the first communication node every second time interval, and the duration of each listening interval may be a third time interval. Optionally, the second time interval and / or the third time interval may be determined by the first communication node based on pre-configuration information, or may be sent to the first communication node by other communication nodes, or may be agreed upon by the 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 indicate the type and / or content of the first information to the first device periodically or non-periodically. Optionally, the first communication node may indicate the type and / or content of the first information to the first device when the first device is required to send the first information. Optionally, the first communication node may indicate the changed type and / or content to the first device when the type and / or content of the first information changes. Thus, the first communication node only indicates the changed type and / or content to the first device when the type and / or content of the first information changes.

[0101] Optionally, the first communication node may send either 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 some of the information in the second information may be determined based on at least some of the information in the first information.

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

[0105] For example, the first information includes 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 can 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 the pre-configuration of the first communication node, or determined based on at least some information in the first information. For example, the first communication node can 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, the second data packet carrying either the first information or the second information. Optionally, the second information may include first identification information and / or 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 related information may be included in the header of the second data packet, or the first related information may be included in the payload of the data packet, or a portion of the first related 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] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 4 As shown, the method includes:

[0110] S401, the second communication node receives first information or second information sent by the 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.

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

[0112] Optionally, in some embodiments of this application, the first information may be encrypted information. For example, when a first device receives information to be sent, it 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 and second communication nodes 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 some other embodiments of this application, the first information may be unencrypted information, and the second information may be encrypted information. For example, when the first communication node receives the first information, it may encrypt the first information to obtain the second information; or, it may process at least a portion 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 this application, both the first information and the second information are unencrypted information.

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

[0116] Identification information of the target communication node used to maintain and / or store at least a portion of the information in the first information;

[0117] The attribution identification information corresponding to the first device;

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

[0119] The first identification information of the first device;

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

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

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

[0123] The geographic identification information of the first device;

[0124] Service identification information of the first device;

[0125] The service type identification information of the first device.

[0126] Optionally, the identification information of the target communication node may include the identification information of one or more communication nodes. Optionally, at least some of the target communication nodes may be included in the core network equipment; for example, the second communication node may be included in the core network equipment. Optionally, the identification information of the target communication node may include the identification information of a second communication node stored by the first device, or it may include the identification information of a second communication node determined by the first device from the identification information of multiple second communication nodes, or it may include the identification information of all or some communication nodes capable of storing or maintaining at least some of the information in the first information.

[0127] Optionally, the first device may pre-store the identification information of the target communication node / second communication node. Optionally, the first communication node may send a first request or a second response to the first device, the first request or the second response carrying 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 response.

[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, location identification information corresponding to the first device, and device category identification information corresponding to the first device. For example, service provider identification information may include identification information corresponding to Tencent, Alibaba, or JD.com. For example, operator identification information may include identification information corresponding to China Mobile or China Unicom. For example, location identification information corresponding to the first device may include identification information corresponding to Shaanxi Province or Xi'an City. For example, device category identification information corresponding to the first device may include identification information for local services or identification information for autonomous driving.

[0129] Optionally, the identification information of a specific communication node communicating with the first device may include: identification information of a specific communication node capable of communicating with the first device. Optionally, the identification information of a specific communication node communicating with the first device may include: identification information of a communication node capable of directly or indirectly communicating with the first device. Optionally, a specific communication node capable of communicating with the first device may include one or more first communication nodes. For example, a specific communication node capable of communicating 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 this 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 may be 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, respectively.

[0131] Optionally, the first identification information of the first device may be information used to uniquely identify the first device, or it may be information used to uniquely identify the first device within an operator's network and / or a service provider and / or home territory. Optionally, 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 in other embodiments. The first identification information of the first device may include at least one of the following: identification code, device identification code, device identifier code, product code, product barcode, product QR code, product image, 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 this 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: the geographic location of the first device, the geographic location of the factory / warehouse where the first device is located, the geographic location of the road where the first device is located, the location of the house where the first device is located, the location of the residential community where the first device is located, the location of the street where the first device is located, the location of the district / county where the first device is located, and the location of the city where the first device is located.

[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 this application, the first relevant information includes or indicates at least one of the following:

[0138] The tag information of at least a portion of the information in the first information;

[0139] Location information of the first device;

[0140] Status information of the first device;

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

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

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

[0144] 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, and the correspondence between at least two of the identification information.

[0145] Optionally, the tag information may be determined by the first device based on at least some of the information in the first information. Optionally, the tag information may be sent from the first communication node to the first device. For example, the first communication node determines the tag information based on at least some of the information in the first information, and sends the tag information and the corresponding at least some of the information in the first information to the first device, so that the first device stores the tag information and the corresponding at least some of the information in the first information. Optionally, the tag information may be sent from the second communication node to the first device through the first communication node. For example, the second communication node determines the tag information based on at least some of the information in the first information, and sends the tag information and the corresponding at least some of the information in the first information to the first device through the first communication node, so that the first device stores the tag information and the corresponding at least some of the information in the 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 battery power information, audio information, etc.

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

[0148] In any embodiment of this application, unless otherwise specified, the location information may include at least one of the following: absolute location information, relative location information, coordinate information, latitude and longitude information, location information, location identifier information, and 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 in a display state, whether the first device is being used, the temperature information of the first device, the speed information of the first device, the remaining power information of the first device, the 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 a pre-configuration, that the first information includes some or all of the information stored in the first device. Alternatively, the first device may determine, based on a second request sent by the first communication node, that the first information includes some or all of the information stored in the first device. For example, if 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 some of the information stored in the first device, which corresponds to the type and / or content of the information to be sent. As another example, if 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, based on the type and / or content of the information to be sent, some of the information from the total information and send that portion 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 some or all of the stored information. Optionally, the information determined based on the stored information may include: information that encrypts the stored information, information that modifies the stored information, or information obtained by processing or calculating the stored information. For example, the stored information may include the identification information of the first communication node, and the first device may communicate with the first communication node based on the identification information of the first communication node to obtain the position information of the first device relative to the first communication node.

[0153] Optionally, in some examples, the first relevant information includes the 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 the 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 application embodiment does not limit the content of the correspondence included in the first relevant information.

[0154] Optionally, the correspondence between any two of the first identification information, 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 can be a one-to-many correspondence, a one-to-one correspondence, or a many-to-one correspondence. For example, one first identification information of the first device can correspond to multiple first EPCs of the first device, or one first identification information of the first device can correspond to one first EPC of the first device, or multiple first identification information of the first device can correspond to one first EPC of the first device.

[0155] Optionally, in any embodiment of this application, at least some of the information and / or tag 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 some of the information in the first information at any point in this application may be at least one of the information included in the first information listed above, and this application embodiment does not list them all. It should also be noted that in any embodiment of this application, at least some of the information in the first information at different points may be the same or different.

[0157] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 5 As shown, the method includes:

[0158] S501, 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.

[0159] S502, the first communication node sends a first reply message to the first device; the first device receives the first reply message sent by the first communication node.

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

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

[0162] A message indicating successful reception was received.

[0163] The message indicates that reception was unsuccessful.

[0164] Confirmation (ACK);

[0165] Non-acknowledgment (ACK);

[0166] The second identification information of the first device;

[0167] The second EPC of the first device;

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

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

[0170] The identification information of the first communication node;

[0171] Identification information of the target communication node used to maintain and / or store at least a portion of the information in the first information;

[0172] Indication information indicating the type and / or content of the information to be 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 may be generated by the first communication node, or may 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 receives at least one of the first device's second identification information, the first device's second EPC, the first device's second communication identification information, and the first device's second network identification information, at least one of the first device's second identification information, the first device's second EPC, the first device's second communication identification information, and the first device's second network identification information can be set as at least one of the first device's current identification information, the first device's current EPC, the first device's current communication identification information, and the first device's current network identification information. In this way, the first device can subsequently communicate with the first communication node through at least one of the first device's second identification information, the first device's second EPC, the first device's second communication identification information, and the first device's second network identification information; or, at least one of the first device's second identification information, the first device's second EPC, the first device's second communication identification information, and the first device's second network identification information can be included in the first information sent subsequently.

[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, in other embodiments, 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.

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

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

[0179] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 6 As shown, 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 the transmission of information or to request the transmission of the first information.

[0181] Optionally, in some other embodiments, S601 can be replaced by: the first device sending a first request to the first communication node; the first communication node receiving the first request sent by the first device. Optionally, in yet another embodiment, S601 can be replaced by the first device multicasting the first request, and the first communication node receiving 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; it may simply inform the first device that information needs to be transmitted, thus enabling communication nodes capable of sending information (e.g., the first communication node) to inform the first device that they 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. For example, the first request may include first identification information and / or first related information. As another example, the first request may include the identification information of the target communication node.

[0183] Optionally, the first request may include one or more bits, which indicate: a request to transmit information or a request to transmit the first information.

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

[0185] The first identification information of the first device;

[0186] The first EPC of the first device;

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

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

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

[0190] Instructions for obtaining / finding a specific communication node for transmitting information.

[0191] S602, the first communication node sends a second reply message to the first device; the first device receives the second reply message sent by the first communication node.

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

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

[0194] A message indicating successful reception was received.

[0195] The message indicates that reception was unsuccessful.

[0196] Confirmation (ACK);

[0197] Non-acknowledgment (ACK);

[0198] The second identification information of the first device;

[0199] The second EPC of the first device;

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

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

[0202] The identification information of the first communication node;

[0203] Identification information of the target communication node used to maintain and / or store at least a portion of the information in the first information;

[0204] Indication information indicating the type and / or content of the information to be sent.

[0205] Optionally, the second response information may include one or more bits indicating the type and / or content of the sent information. Optionally, the second response information may include a target field or target field used to configure the type and / or content of the sent information, indicating the type and / or content of the sent information.

[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 included: the first communication node sends a first reply message to the first device; the first device receives the first reply message sent by the first communication node.

[0208] Optionally, the content of the first response information and the second response information may be the same, different, or partially the same. For example, the first response information includes an indication of successful reception or an indication of unsuccessful reception, and the second response information includes the second identification information of the first device. As another example, the first and second response information may include the identification information of the first communication node.

[0209] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 7 As shown, 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] Optionally, in some other embodiments, S701 can be replaced by: the first communication node sending a second request to the first device; the first device receiving the second request sent by the first communication node. Optionally, in yet another embodiment, S701 can be replaced by: the first communication node multicasting the second request; the first device receiving the second request multicast by the first communication node.

[0212] Optionally, when the second request is used to request the sending of information, the second request may not include or indicate information content; it may simply inform the first communication node that it can send information, so that the first device, upon receiving the first information, sends the first information to the first communication node. Optionally, when the second request is used to request the sending of the first information, the second request may include indication information for indicating the sending of the first information. For example, the second request may include indication information of first identification information and / or first related information. As another example, the second request may include indication information of the identification information of the target communication node.

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

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

[0215] Instruction to send information or instruction to send the first information;

[0216] The identification information of the first communication node;

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

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

[0219] Indication information indicating the type and / or content of the information to be 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 be included: the first communication node sends a first reply message to the first device; the first device receives the first reply message sent by the first communication node.

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

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

[0224] Thus, when the first device receives the first or second response information, it can store some or all of the information in the first or second response information. For example, some or all of the information in the first or second response information can be all or part of the information included in the aforementioned first or second response information; this application does not list them all. For example, when the first or second response information 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 first information to the first communication node includes: the first device periodically sending the first information to the first communication node.

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

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

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

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

[0230] Optionally, in any embodiment of this 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. For example, the first identification information included in the first information is different from the first identification information included in the third information. Another example is that 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 instance, 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. Yet another example is that the time information of the first device sending the first information included in the first information is the current time, while the time information of the first device sending the first information included in the third information is a specific time.

[0231] For the first communication node side:

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

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

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

[0235] In some other embodiments, the first information or the first related information is sent by the first device when the first related information differs from and / or changes by more than or equal to a first threshold with respect to the most recently sent second related information.

[0236] For the second communication node side:

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

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

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

[0240] In some other embodiments, the first information or the first related information is sent by the first device when the first related information differs from and / or changes by more than or equal to a first threshold with respect to the most recently sent second related information.

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

[0242] The first communication node receives a first protocol data packet, which includes either 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 the 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 the 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 prior to 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 protocol.

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

[0247] In some embodiments, the first communication node sending the first information or the second information to the second communication node includes: the first communication node sending 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 receiving first information or second information sent by the first communication node includes: the second communication node receiving a payload container or a second protocol data packet sent by the first communication node.

[0250] 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 a portion of the identification information in the first identification information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0259] In some other embodiments, the first protocol data packet includes a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) data packet or a protocol-defined data packet, and the second protocol data packet includes an Internet Protocol (IP) data packet or a protocol-defined data packet. In this case, the first communication node may include an AMF (Advanced Media Release Function).

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

[0261] Optionally, the data packets agreed upon in the protocol may include one of the following: protocol header + SDAP data packet / GTP-U data packet / IP data packet / NAS data packet, etc. For example, the second protocol data packet includes a protocol header + SDAP data packet. Another example is that the first protocol data packet includes a protocol header + SDAP data packet, and the second protocol data packet includes a protocol header + GTP-U data packet. Yet another example is that the first protocol data packet includes a protocol header + NAS data packet, and the second protocol data packet includes a protocol header + IP data packet.

[0262] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 8 As shown, 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, the process may further include: the second communication node receiving the third request sent by the Application Function (AF) entity and sending the third request to the first communication node. The AF entity may be an internal application of 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 internal AF entity of the operator, and it is within the same trusted domain as other Network Functions (NFs), it can directly interact and access other NFs; if the AF entity is not within the trusted domain, it needs to use a network exposure function (NEF) 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 the sending of information or to request the sending of 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 receiving the first information or the second information, the first communication node may maintain and / or store at least a portion of the information in the first or second information. Optionally, in other embodiments, upon receiving 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 includes:

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

[0271] Each time the first information or the second information is received;

[0272] The time information of each received first or second information;

[0273] The time information at which the first or second information is received;

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

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

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

[0277] The application function AF entity provides time information of at least a portion of the relevant information of the first device.

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

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

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

[0281] The second communication node sends at least a portion 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 identifier information described above). The IoT device in any embodiment of this application may include a low-power device or a zero-power device. Such devices are simple to power, and may not even have a battery. They are powered by other sources in the surrounding environment (such as RF signals, solar energy, or mechanical energy). Therefore, the logical power supply of these devices is much simpler than that of ordinary mobile phone terminals.

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

[0284] Optionally, the IoTF identifier is used to maintain the identifier of the IoT device's IoTF. 3GPP network nodes (corresponding to the first communication node mentioned above, such as UE, RAN, or core network node) can find the corresponding IoTF based on this 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. Examples include JD.com, Alibaba, and Tencent. This is used to distinguish IoT devices belonging to different owners under practical conditions.

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

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

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

[0289] Optionally, the IoT identifier used in the 3GPP system and the IoT identifier used in the application layer (such as Electronic Product Code, EPC) can have a corresponding relationship. The 3GPP network element (corresponding to the second communication node mentioned above) can convert between external and internal identifiers based on this correspondence. For example, both the IoT device and the 3GPP network element can store the mapping relationship between the IoT device's internal and external identifiers. Thus, the IoT device and the 3GPP network element can determine the IoT device's external identifier based on its internal identifier and the mapping relationship, or vice versa. Optionally, the 3GPP network element can also periodically update the IoT device's internal identifier to achieve better security and privacy protection.

[0290] Optionally, the IoT device identifier can have a one-to-one, one-to-many, or many-to-one relationship with EPCs. For example, IoT device identifier-1 can correspond to EPC-a. As another example, IoT device identifiers-2, 3, and 4 can correspond to EPC-b. And yet another example, IoT device identifier-5 can correspond to EPCs-c, d, and e.

[0291] In some embodiments, IoT devices may have their data collected by 3GPP nodes and sent to third-party applications. 3GPP nodes may be regular user 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 by the IoT device to the 3GPP node (corresponding to some or all of the information stored in the first device as described above). Optionally, the local data may include the IoT device identifier (corresponding to the first specific identifier information of the first device as described above).

[0293] Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in another embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 9 As shown, in this embodiment, the IoT device (corresponding to the first device mentioned above) actively sends information to the 3GPP node (including UE / RAN, corresponding to the first communication node mentioned above), carrying the content to be sent. The method includes:

[0294] S901, the IoT device sends first information to the 3GPP node, which carries the content to be sent.

[0295] Optionally, the first information may include one or more of the following: IoT device identifier, at least some of the stored content.

[0296] S902, 3GPP nodes send a response to the IoT device (corresponding to the first response information mentioned above).

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

[0298] Optionally, if an IoT device receives a new IoT device identifier, the IoT device can update itself and use the new IoT device identifier when sending information next time.

[0299] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating yet another communication method provided in another embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 10 As shown, the method includes:

[0300] S1001, IoT device broadcast request message (corresponding to the first request mentioned above).

[0301] Optionally, since the IoT device does not know which nearby 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 confirm nearby devices. Optionally, the request message may include one or more of the following: IoT device identifier, content to be sent, and communication node search indication.

[0302] S1002, 3GPP nodes send request response messages to IoT devices (corresponding to the second response information mentioned above).

[0303] Optionally, a response message may be sent by a nearby communication node that supports IoT devices, confirming that the 3GPP node is willing to communicate with the IoT device. This response message may include at least one of the following: 3GPP node information (identifier, type, etc.) and the type of content to be transmitted.

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

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

[0306] Optionally, the first information may include one or more of the following: IoT device identifier, at least some of the stored content.

[0307] Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in another embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 11 As shown, the method includes:

[0308] S1101, 3GPP node broadcast trigger message (corresponding to the second request mentioned above).

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

[0310] "First instruction": Used to instruct IoT devices to send their data;

[0311] 3GPP node identification information;

[0312] IoT device identifier or scope: used to indicate which / which IoT devices are sending data;

[0313] Content type: Indicates what type of content the IoT device sends;

[0314] Optionally, the content type can be predefined, such as including at least one of the following types: tag, location, temperature, time, etc.

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

[0316] Optionally, the first information may include one or more of the following: IoT device identifier, at least some of the stored content.

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

[0318] Figure 12 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in yet another embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 12 As shown, the method includes:

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

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

[0321] Optionally, the UE can determine the corresponding IoTF based on the IoTF's identification information.

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

[0323] Figure 13 A flowchart illustrating yet another communication method provided in another embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 13 As shown, the method includes:

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

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

[0326] Optionally, the RAN can determine the corresponding IoTF based on the IoTF's identification information.

[0327] S1303, IoTF updates and / or maintains the context information of IoT devices.

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

[0329] In S1202, the UE sends the obtained information of the IoT device (corresponding to the first information sent by the IoT device mentioned above) (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 which IoTF the information of different IoT devices should be sent to.

[0330] The interaction between the UE and the 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 (e.g., a payload container), and the readable part outside the container indicates that the container has "type = IoT device identification information" and "target node = IoTF identifier".

[0332] For the user plane, the UE includes the type and target node information in the extended SDAP protocol packet header. After receiving the packet, the RAN encapsulates the type and target node information of the packet header into the GTP-U packet header. The payload of the GTP-U packet can be used to transmit the collected IoT device information. After the core network user plane equipment (UPF) receives the GTP-U 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 identifier and / or other content information) to the IoTF. Here, the IoTF field carried in the IoT device identifier can be used to determine which IoTF the information of different IoT devices should be sent to.

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

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

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

[0337] In S1203 or S1303, after receiving IoT device information, the IoTF can generate context information for each IoT device. This context information is used to maintain the state of the IoT device. Optionally, the context information can be used to expose this context-related information to third parties or other 3GPP network elements.

[0338] Table 1 illustrates the content of one type of contextual information:

[0339] Table 1

[0340]

[0341] In this embodiment, the identification definition of IoT devices (IoT devices), the collection, storage and management of IoT device information are realized; with limited modifications based on the existing architecture and processes, the network side can avoid excessive influence on IoT devices, which are special devices, to a large extent; and it helps to effectively collect and manage IoT device information in large-scale, wide-coverage, non-temporally or geographically continuous scenarios.

[0342] In this embodiment, the first device may include a common terminal; for example, the first device may include a terminal device. The solutions in this embodiment are applicable to future communication networks, such as 6G or 7G communication networks.

[0343] The preferred embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific details of the above embodiments. Within the scope of the technical concept of this application, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solutions of this application, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of this application. For example, the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. To avoid unnecessary repetition, this application will not describe the various possible combinations separately. Furthermore, various different embodiments of this application can also be arbitrarily combined, as long as they do not violate the spirit of this application, they should also be considered as the content disclosed in this application. Moreover, without conflict, the various embodiments and / or the technical features in the various embodiments described in this application can be arbitrarily combined with the prior art, and the resulting technical solutions should also fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0344] It should also be understood that in the various method embodiments of this application, the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, the terms "downlink," "uplink," and "sidelink" are used to indicate the transmission direction of signals or data. "Downlink" indicates that the transmission direction of signals or data is a first direction from the site to the user equipment in the cell; "uplink" indicates that the transmission direction of signals or data is a second direction from the user equipment in the cell to the site; and "sidelink" indicates that the transmission direction of signals or data is a third direction from user equipment 1 to user equipment 2. For example, "downlink signal" indicates that the transmission direction of the signal is the first direction. Additionally, in the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the association relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. Specifically, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Furthermore, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0345] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application, which is applied to terminal devices, such as... Figure 14 As shown, the communication device 1400 includes:

[0346] The communication unit 1401 is used to send first information to the 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 for determining first information.

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

[0349] Identification information of the target communication node used to maintain and / or store at least a portion of the information in the first information;

[0350] The attribution identification information corresponding to the first device;

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

[0352] The first identification information of the first device;

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

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

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

[0356] The geographic identification information of the first device;

[0357] Service identification information of the first device;

[0358] The 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] The tag information of at least a portion of the information in the first information;

[0361] Location information of the first device;

[0362] Status information of the first device;

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

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

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

[0366] 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, and the correspondence between at least two of the identification information.

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

[0368] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1401 is further configured 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 a second reply message sent by the first communication node.

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

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

[0372] A message indicating successful reception was received.

[0373] The message indicates that reception was unsuccessful.

[0374] Confirmation (ACK);

[0375] Non-acknowledgment (ACK);

[0376] The second identification information of the first device;

[0377] The second EPC of the first device;

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

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

[0380] The identification information of the first communication node;

[0381] Identification information of the target communication node used to maintain and / or store at least a portion of the information in the first information;

[0382] Indication information indicating the type and / or content of the information to be sent.

[0383] In some embodiments, the communication device 1400 further includes a storage unit for storing part or all of the information in the first reply information or the second reply information.

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

[0385] The first identification information of the first device;

[0386] The first EPC of the first device;

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

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

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

[0390] Instructions for obtaining / finding a specific communication node for transmitting information.

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

[0392] Instruction to send information or instruction to send the first information;

[0393] The identification information of the first communication node;

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

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

[0396] Indication information indicating the type and / or content of the information to be sent.

[0397] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1401 is further used for one of the following:

[0398] The first information is periodically sent to the first communication node;

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

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

[0401] If the first relevant information differs from the most recently sent second relevant information 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] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application, which is applied to terminal devices, such as... Figure 15 As shown, the communication device 1500 includes:

[0403] The communication unit 1501 is used to receive first information sent by the 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 the 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 for determining first information or second information.

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

[0408] Identification information of the target communication node used to maintain and / or store at least a portion of the information in the first information;

[0409] The attribution identification information corresponding to the first device;

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

[0411] The first identification information of the first device;

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

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

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

[0415] The geographic identification information of the first device;

[0416] Service identification information of the first device;

[0417] The 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] The tag information of at least a portion of the information in the first information;

[0420] Location information of the first device;

[0421] Status information of the first device;

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

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

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

[0425] 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, and the correspondence between at least two of the identification information.

[0426] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1501 is further configured to send a first response message to the first device.

[0427] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1501 is further configured 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 a second response message to the first device.

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

[0430] In some embodiments, the first response information and / or the second response information includes at least one of the following: an indication of successful reception; an indication of unsuccessful reception; an ACK; a non-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 the target communication node for maintaining and / or storing at least a portion of the information in the first information; and an indication of the type and / or content of the information to be sent.

[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; and indication information indicating the acquisition / search for a specific communication node for transmitting information.

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

[0433] Instruction to send information or instruction to send the first information;

[0434] The identification information of the first communication node;

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

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

[0437] Indication information indicating the type and / or content of the information to be sent.

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

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

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

[0442] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1501 is further configured to receive a first protocol data packet, the first protocol data packet including 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] 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 a portion 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 a portion 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 defined by the protocol; or, the first protocol data packet includes an SDAP data packet or a data packet defined by the protocol, and the second protocol data packet includes a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol-User Plane (GTP-U) data packet or a data packet defined by the protocol; or, the first protocol data packet includes a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) data packet or a data packet defined by the protocol, and the second protocol data packet includes an Internet Protocol (IP) data packet or a data packet defined 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] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application, which is applied to terminal devices, such as... Figure 16 As shown, the communication device 1600 includes:

[0451] The communication unit 1601 is used to receive first information or second information sent by the 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, which is used 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 a portion of the information in the first information; home 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; geographic 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 related information includes or indicates at least one of the following: tag information of at least a portion 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; partial or all information stored in the first device; information determined by the first device based on the stored information; and a correspondence between at least two of the following: first identification information of the first device, first EPC of the first device, first communication identification information of the first device, and 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 differs from the most recently sent third information; 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 most recently sent second identification information; or,

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

[0459] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1601 is further configured 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 a portion of the identification information in the first identification information.

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

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

[0462] In some embodiments, the second protocol data packet includes Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) data packets or data packets agreed upon by the protocol; or, the second protocol data packet includes General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol-User Plane (GTP-U) data packets or data packets agreed upon by the protocol; or, the second protocol data packet includes Internet Protocol (IP) data packets or data packets 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 a 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 the start of receiving the first information or the second information; time information of the end of receiving 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] The application function AF entity provides time information of at least a portion of the relevant information of the first device.

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

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

[0469] Those skilled in the art should understand that the description of the communication device in the embodiments of this application can be understood with reference to the description of the communication method in the embodiments of this application.

[0470] Figure 17 The present application provides a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1700, which may include one of the following: a first device, a first communication node, or a second communication node. Figure 17 The communication device 1700 shown may include a processor 1710, a memory 1720, and a transceiver 1730. The memory 1720 stores a computer program that can run on the processor 1710. When the processor 1710 executes the program, it works in conjunction 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, such as Figure 17 As shown, the communication device 1700 may include a transceiver 1730, and the processor 1710 may control the transceiver 1730 to communicate with other devices. Specifically, it 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, and the number of antennas may be one or more.

[0472] In some embodiments, the communication device 1700 may specifically be a first device, a first communication node, or a second communication node in the embodiments of this application, and the communication device 1700 may 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 this application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0473] This application also provides a computer storage medium that stores one or more programs, which can be executed by one or more processors to implement the communication method in any embodiment of this application.

[0474] In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be applied to the first device, the first communication node, or the second communication node in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes 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 this application. For the sake of brevity, these will not be described in detail here.

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

[0476] In some embodiments, such as Figure 18 As shown, chip 1800 may further include memory 1820. Processor 1810 can retrieve and run computer programs from memory 1820 to implement the methods described in this embodiment.

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

[0478] In some embodiments, the chip 1800 may further include an input interface 1830. The processor 1810 can control the input interface 1830 to communicate with other devices or chips; specifically, it can acquire 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 can control the output interface 1840 to communicate with other devices or chips, specifically, to 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 this 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 this application. For the sake of brevity, these will not be elaborated further here. It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application can also be called a system-on-a-chip, a system chip, a chip system, or a system-on-a-chip, etc.

[0481] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer storage medium storing a computer program. The computer program includes instructions executable by at least one processor, which, when executed by the at least one processor, implement the communication method in any embodiment of this application.

[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 this application, and the computer program instructions cause 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 this application. For the sake of brevity, these will not be described in detail here.

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

[0484] This application also provides a computer program that causes a computer to execute the communication methods in any embodiment of this application. In some embodiments, the computer program can be applied to a first device, a first communication node, or a second communication node in the embodiments of this application. When the computer program runs on a computer, it causes 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 this application. For the sake of brevity, these will not be described in detail here.

[0485] The processor, communication device, or chip in the embodiments of this application may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor hardware or by instructions in software form. The aforementioned processor, communication device, 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 processing unit (NPU), controller, microcontroller, microprocessor, programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from 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 this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous DRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and Direct Rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in 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-described memory or computer storage medium is exemplary but not limiting. For example, the memory in the embodiments of this 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 memory bus RAM (DR RAM), etc. That is to say, the memory in the embodiments of this 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 recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples 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 implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0489] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing 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, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

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

[0492] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0493] In any embodiment of this application, the time interval, time period, duration range, duration or time window may include all endpoint times, or may include some endpoint times (e.g., 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 endpoint times.

[0494] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as 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 this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0495] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, the method comprising: The first device sends the 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 the target communication node used to maintain and / or store at least a portion of the information in the first information; The attribution identification information corresponding to the first device; Identification information of the specific communication node communicating with the first device; 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; The first network identification information of the first device.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The first identification information of the first device includes the variable identification information of the first device. The variable identification information of the first device is updated periodically or non-periodically, or updated according to the instructions of the first communication node and / or the second communication node.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first identification information includes an Internet of Things (IoT) device identifier, wherein the IoT device identifier includes at least one or more of the following parts: an IoT Function (IoTF) identifier, an IoT device owner identifier, a 3GPP network identifier, and an IoT device code.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The IoT device owner identifier refers to the service provider to which the IoT device belongs or the service provider using the IoT device; The 3GPP network identifier refers to the identifier of the network communicating with the IoT device; The IoT device code includes the specific number of the IoT device.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The IoT device owner identifier is used to distinguish IoT devices belonging to different owners under actual conditions; The 3GPP network identifier indicates the operator's Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifier or Non-Public Network (NPN) identifier; The IoT device code uniquely identifies the IoT device under a homeowner and / or network identifier.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: The first device receives a second request broadcast or sent by the first communication node; The second request is used to request the sending of information or to request the sending of the first information.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second request comprises at least one of the following: Instruction to send information or instruction to send the first information; The identification information of the first communication node; At least one of the following for at least one device: first identification information, first EPC, first communication identification information, and first network identification information; the at least one device includes the first device; At least one of the following corresponds to at least one of the following: a first identification information range, a first EPC range, a first communication identification information range, and a first network identification information range; Indication information indicating the type and / or content of the information to be sent.

9. A communication method, the method comprising: 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.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first identification information includes or indicates at least one of the following: Identification information of the target communication node used to maintain and / or store at least a portion of the information in the first information; The attribution identification information corresponding to the first device; Identification information of the specific communication node communicating with the first device; 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; The first network identification information of the first device.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The first identification information of the first device includes the variable identification information of the first device. The variable identification information of the first device is updated periodically or non-periodically, or updated according to the instructions of the first communication node and / or the second communication node.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The first identification information includes an Internet of Things (IoT) device identifier, wherein the IoT device identifier includes at least one or more of the following parts: an IoT Function (IoTF) identifier, an IoT device owner identifier, a 3GPP network identifier, and an IoT device code.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The IoT device owner identifier refers to the service provider to which the IoT device belongs or the service provider using the IoT device; The 3GPP network identifier refers to the identifier of the network communicating with the IoT device; The IoT device code includes the specific number of the IoT device.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The IoT device owner identifier is used to distinguish IoT devices belonging to different owners under actual conditions; The 3GPP network identifier indicates the operator's Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifier or Non-Public Network (NPN) identifier; The IoT device code uniquely identifies the IoT device under a homeowner and / or network identifier.

15. The method according to claim 9 or 10, 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 the sending of information or to request the sending of the first information.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second request comprises at least one of the following: Instruction to send information or instruction to send the first information; The identification information of the first communication node; At least one of the following for at least one device: first identification information, first EPC, first communication identification information, and first network identification information; the at least one device includes the first device; At least one of the following corresponds to at least one of the following: a first identification information range, a first EPC range, a first communication identification information range, and a first network identification information range; Indication information indicating the type and / or content of the information to be sent.

17. A communication device, comprising: The communication unit is used to send first information to the first communication node; The first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

18. A communication device, comprising: A communication unit is used to receive first information sent by the first device; The first information includes: first identification information and / or first related information.

19. A first device, comprising: Processor, memory, and transceiver; The memory stores computer programs that can run on the processor. When the processor executes the program, it implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 8 in conjunction with the transceiver.

20. A first communication node, comprising: Processor, memory, and transceiver; The memory stores computer programs that can run on the processor. When the processor executes the program, it implements the method according to any one of claims 9 to 16 in conjunction with the transceiver.

Images