Communication method and device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a communication method and device. The method comprises: a first device monitoring a first transmission based on first information, the first transmission being a transmission from a second device to the first device; wherein the first device and the second device are both devices in an IOT scene. By implementing the embodiment of the invention, the equipment in the IOT scene can perform discontinuous receiving, so that the equipment in the IOT scene can save energy to the maximum extent, and the working performance of the equipment is improved.

Description

A communication method and apparatus TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communication, and in particular, to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a communication system, in order to save power and reduce the complexity of devices, a new device, such as an Internet of Things (IOT) device, also known as a passive IOT device, is introduced. However, the power storage of the passive IOT device is limited, and how to save energy for the IOT device has become a problem to be solved.

[0003] SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method and apparatus.

[0005] According to a first aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method is performed by a first device, and the method comprises: listening to a first transmission based on first information; the first transmission is a transmission from a second device to the first device; wherein the first device and the second device are both devices in an Internet of Things (IOT) scenario.

[0006] According to a second aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method is performed by a second device, and the method comprises: configuring first information for a first device, the first information being used by the first device to listen to a first transmission; the first transmission is a transmission from the second device to the first device; wherein the first device and the second device are both devices in an IOT scenario.

[0007] According to a third aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: a processing module configured to listen to a first transmission based on first information; the first transmission is a transmission from a second device to a first device; wherein the first device and the second device are both devices in an IOT scenario.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: a processing module configured to configure first information for a first device, the first information being used by the first device to listen to a first transmission, the first transmission being a transmission from a second device to the first device; wherein the first device and the second device are both devices in an IOT scenario.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising:

[0010] The first device is configured to perform the optional implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0011] A second device configured to perform the optional implementation of the preceding second aspect.

[0012] According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, comprising one or more processors;

[0013] The processor is configured to invoke instructions to cause the communication device to perform the optional implementation of the preceding first aspect and second aspect.

[0014] According to a seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, the storage medium stores instructions, when the instructions are run on a communication device, the communication device performs the optional implementation of the preceding first aspect and second aspect.

[0015] According to an eighth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program, the computer program is implemented when the communication device is executed to realize the optional implementation of the preceding first aspect and second aspect.

[0016] According to the technical solutions of the present disclosure, the device in the IOT scenario can perform discontinuous reception, so that the device in the IOT scenario can maximize energy saving and improve the working performance of the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following describes the drawings required for the embodiments, and the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not specifically limit the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 1 is an architecture schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIGS. 2A-2E are architecture schematic diagrams of an A-IOT device communicating with a network device and / or a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 3A is an interaction schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 3B is an interaction schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 3C is a flow schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a flow schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a flow schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 6 is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 7A is a structural diagram of a first device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 7B is a structural diagram of a second device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 8A is a structural diagram of a communication device 8100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 8B is a structural diagram of a chip 8200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present disclosure provides a communication method and device.

[0031] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by a first device, and includes: listening to a first transmission based on first information, the first transmission being a transmission from a second device to the first device, wherein the first device and the second device are both devices in an Internet of Things (IOT) scenario.

[0032] In the above embodiment, the device in the IOT scenario (e.g., the first device) intermittently listens to the first transmission (i.e., the transmission from the second device to the first device) based on the first information, which can enable the device in the IOT scenario to perform discontinuous reception, thereby maximizing energy saving, reducing the number of charging and discharging, and improving the working performance of the device.

[0033] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first device is one or more of Internet of Things devices, and the second device is a network device or an intermediate node in the IOT scenario.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the IOT device can intermittently listen to the transmission from the second device to the first device based on the first information, which can enable the IOT device to perform discontinuous reception, thereby maximizing energy saving, reducing the number of charging and discharging, and improving the working performance of the IOT device.

[0035] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first information includes a first listening period, and the method further includes: determining the first listening period.

[0036] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the determination of the first listening period includes: determining the first listening period based on a protocol agreement, or determining the first listening period based on a configuration of the second device, or determining the first listening period based on a pre-configuration of the second device, or determining the first listening period based on an implementation of the first device.

[0037] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first monitoring period comprises an on period and an off period; and the monitoring the first transmission based on the first information comprises: monitoring the first transmission during the on period of the first monitoring period; and stopping monitoring the first transmission during the off period of the first monitoring period.

[0038] In the above embodiments, the IOT device can support discontinuous reception by monitoring the first transmission during the on period of the first monitoring period and stopping monitoring the first transmission during the off period of the first monitoring period, so that the IOT device can maximize energy saving, reduce the number of charging and discharging, and improve the working performance of the IOT device.

[0039] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises: charging during the off period of the first monitoring period.

[0040] In the above embodiments, the IOT device can effectively prolong the endurance time of the IOT device by charging during the off period of the first monitoring period.

[0041] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first information further comprises a second monitoring period, and the second monitoring period is different from the first monitoring period.

[0042] In the above embodiments, by setting different monitoring periods, the monitoring frequency and duration can be flexibly adjusted according to the business requirements, so that the resource utilization can be optimized.

[0043] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the monitoring the first transmission based on the first information comprises: the first device meets a set condition, and the first device monitors the first transmission based on the first monitoring period.

[0044] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises: receiving a first command sent by a second device, the first command being used to instruct to use a second monitoring period; and monitoring the first transmission based on the second monitoring period.

[0045] In the above embodiments, when the first device meets the set condition, the first device can first monitor the first transmission based on the first monitoring period, and when the first command sent by the second device is received, the first device switches from the first monitoring period to the second monitoring period and monitors the first transmission using the second monitoring period, so that the business requirements can be responded in real time.

[0046] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the monitoring the first transmission based on the first information comprises: the first device meets a set condition, and the first device monitors the first transmission based on the second monitoring period.

[0047] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises: receiving a second command sent by the second device, the second command being used to instruct to use the first listening period; and listening to the first transmission based on the first listening period.

[0048] In the above embodiments, when the first device meets the set condition, the first transmission can be listened to based on the second listening period first, and when the second command sent by the second device is received, the second listening period is switched to the first listening period, and the first transmission is listened to using the first listening period, so that the service demand can be responded in real time.

[0049] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises: determining the second listening period based on a protocol agreement; or determining the second listening period based on a configuration of the second device; or determining the second listening period based on a pre-configuration of the second device; or determining the second listening period based on an implementation of the first device.

[0050] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first information comprises a timer, the timer being used to indicate a duration of listening to the first transmission; and the method comprises: determining that the first device belongs to the paged device and / or determining that the first device triggers the contention-based random access; and starting the timer, and listening to the first transmission during running of the timer.

[0051] In the above embodiments, when the first device determines that it belongs to the paged device and / or determines that the first device triggers the contention-based random access, the discontinuous reception of the IOT device can be implemented through the timer, so that the IOT device can maximize energy saving, reduce the number of charging and discharging, and improve the working performance of the IOT device.

[0052] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises: determining that the first device does not belong to the paged device and / or determining that the first device triggers the non-contention-based random access, and not starting the timer.

[0053] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises: during running of the timer, the first device receives the first transmission, and the first device restarts the timer.

[0054] In the above embodiments, if the first device receives the first transmission during running of the timer, the first device restarts the timer, so that the first device can continue to listen to the first transmission during running of the timer, to ensure that the first device can receive the complete first transmission, and to ensure communication between the first device and the second device.

[0055] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises: receiving the first transmission, the first transmission being for transmitting a third command, the third command being a command directed to the first device; and starting or restarting the timer.

[0056] In the above embodiments, if the first transmission for transmitting the third command (i.e., a specific command directed to the first device) is received, the first device can start or restart the timer, so that the first device can respond to the third command during the running of the timer, ensuring the communication between the first device and the second device.

[0057] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises: determining the timer based on a protocol agreement; or determining the timer based on a configuration of the second device; or determining the timer based on a pre-configuration of the second device; or determining the timer based on an implementation of the first device.

[0058] In the second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, the method being performed by a second device, and the method comprising: configuring a first device with first information, the first information being used to instruct the first device to listen to a first transmission; the first transmission being a transmission from the second device to the first device; wherein the first device and the second device are both devices in an Internet of Things scenario.

[0059] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first device is one or more of Internet of Things devices; and the second device is a network device or an intermediate node in the Internet of Things scenario.

[0060] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first information comprises a first listening period, the first listening period being used to listen to the first transmission.

[0061] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first listening period comprises an on period and an off period; wherein the on period of the first listening period is used to listen to the first transmission; and the off period of the first listening period is used to stop listening to the first transmission.

[0062] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the off period of the first listening period is further used for charging.

[0063] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first information further comprises a second listening period, the second listening period being used to listen to the first transmission, and the second listening period being different from the first listening period.

[0064] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further comprises: sending a first command to the first device, the first command being used to instruct the first device to listen to the first transmission using the second listening period.

[0065] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending, to the first device, a second command, the second command being used to instruct the first device to listen to the first transmission using the first listening period.

[0066] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes a timer, the timer being used to indicate a time length of listening to the first transmission.

[0067] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending, to the first device, the first transmission, the first transmission being used to transmit a third command, the third command being a command directed to the first device, the third command being used to instruct the first device to start or restart the timer.

[0068] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first device, including at least one of a transceiver module, a processing module; wherein the first device is configured to execute the optional implementation manners of the first aspect.

[0069] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second device, including at least one of a transceiver module, a processing module; wherein the second device is configured to execute the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0070] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication system, including:

[0071] A first device configured to execute the optional implementation manners of the first aspect.

[0072] A second device configured to execute the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0073] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, including: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to invoke instructions to cause the communication device to execute the optional implementation manners of the first aspect.

[0074] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, including: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to invoke instructions to cause the communication device to execute the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0075] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, causing the communication device to execute the optional implementation manners of the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0076] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a program product, when the program product is executed by a communication device, causing the communication device to execute the method described in the optional implementation manners of the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0077] In a tenth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program which, when running on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect and the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0078] In an eleventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip or a chip system. The chip or the chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the method described in the first aspect and the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0079] It can be understood that the first device, the second device, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip or the chip system are all used to perform the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects achieved thereby can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be described here.

[0080] The embodiments of the present disclosure propose a communication method and apparatus. In some embodiments, the terms of information processing method and communication method can be replaced with each other, the terms of information processing apparatus and communication apparatus can be replaced with each other, and the terms of information processing system and communication system can be replaced with each other.

[0081] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but only illustrate some embodiments, and are not specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure. In the case of no contradiction, each step in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the scheme after removing some steps in an embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in an embodiment can be exchanged arbitrarily, in addition, the optional implementation manners in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily; in addition, the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the steps of different embodiments or some or all steps of different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, an embodiment can be combined with the optional implementation manners of other embodiments.

[0082] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent if there is no special description and logical conflict, and can be referred to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0083] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and not as a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0084] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, an element expressed in singular form, such as "a", "an", "the", "said", "the aforementioned", "the foregoing", "this", and the like, unless otherwise specified, can represent "one and only one", or can represent "one or more", "at least one", and the like. For example, in the case of using an article such as "a", "an", "the" in English, the noun after the article can be understood as a singular expression, or can be understood as a plural expression.

[0085] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, "plurality" refers to two or more.

[0086] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0087] In some embodiments, the description modes such as "at least one of A, B", "A and / or B", "A in one case and B in another case", "in response to a case A, in response to a case B", and the like can include the following technical solutions according to the case: in some embodiments, A is executed regardless of B; in some embodiments, B is executed regardless of A; in some embodiments, A and B are selectively executed from A and B; in some embodiments, A and B are executed (A and B are both executed). When there are more branches such as A, B, C, and the like, it is similar to the above.

[0088] In some embodiments, the description modes such as "A or B" and the like can include the following technical solutions according to the case: in some embodiments, A is executed regardless of B; in some embodiments, B is executed regardless of A; in some embodiments, A and B are selectively executed from A and B. When there are more branches such as A, B, C, and the like, it is similar to the above.

[0089] The prefix words "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present disclosure are merely used to distinguish different description objects, and do not constitute limitation on the position, sequence, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. The description of the description objects should refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and should not constitute redundant limitation because of the use of the prefix words. For example, the description objects are "fields", and the ordinal words before "fields" in "first field" and "second field" do not limit the position or sequence between "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" modified thereby are in the same message, nor do they limit the sequence of "first field" and "second field". For another example, the description objects are "levels", and the ordinal words before "levels" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit the priority between "levels". For another example, the quantity of the description objects is not limited by the ordinal words, and can be one or more. For example, "first device", wherein the quantity of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefix words can be the same or different. For example, the description objects are "devices", and "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. For another example, the description objects are "information", and "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0090] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "for indicating A", "carrying A" can be interpreted as directly carrying A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0091] In some embodiments, the terms "time / frequency", "time / frequency domain" and the like refer to the time domain and / or the frequency domain.

[0092] In some embodiments, the terms "in response to", "in response to determining", "in the case of", "when", "when", "if", "if" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0093] In some embodiments, the terms "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not lower than", "above" and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", "below" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0094] In some embodiments, the apparatuses and devices can be interpreted as entities, and can also be interpreted as virtual, whose names are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and in some cases can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", etc.

[0095] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as an apparatus contained in the network, for example, access network device, core network device, etc.

[0096] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" can also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", and in some embodiments can also be understood as "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)", etc.

[0097] In some embodiments, a "terminal" or "terminal device" can be referred to as a "user equipment" (UE), a "user terminal," a "mobile station" (MS), a "mobile terminal" (MT), a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, and / or the like.

[0098] In some embodiments, data, information and / or the like can be obtained in compliance with laws and regulations of a country where the data, information and / or the like is obtained.

[0099] In some embodiments, data, information and / or the like can be obtained after consent of a user.

[0100] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication system can include, but is not limited to, one first device and one second device, and the number and form of the devices shown in FIG. 1 are used only for example and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present disclosure, and in actual applications, two or more first devices, two or more second devices can be included. The communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 takes one first device 101 and one second device 102 as an example.

[0101] In some embodiments, the first device 101 and the second device 102 can each be a device in an Internet of Things (IOT) scenario. In some embodiments, the terms "Internet of Things (IOT) scenario," "Ambient Internet of Things (Ambient IOT or A-IOT) scenario" and / or the like can be replaced with each other.

[0102] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can be an Internet of Things (IOT) device, also referred to as an Ambient Internet of Things (Ambient IOT or A-IOT) device. The IOT device can collect energy without generating energy by itself, such as collecting energy based on signals transmitted by a surrounding environment or surrounding devices, and can communicate based on the collected energy. The device can also not need to be configured with a battery and replace the battery. That is, the Ambient IOT device needs to collect radio waves transmitted by the surrounding environment or surrounding devices to obtain energy to drive itself to work. The Ambient IOT device has the characteristics of low memory, low processing power, low power, small data transmission, and mass deployment. The Ambient IOT device can be maintenance-free and has a long service life.

[0103] In some embodiments, the device types of the IOT devices can be divided into a first type, a second type, and a third type. The IOT device of the first type has energy storage, does not have independent signal generation / amplification function, and uplink transmission relies on backscatter transmission. Optionally, the IOT device of the first type has a peak power consumption of less than 1 microwatt (uw). The IOT device of the second type has energy storage, has independent signal amplification function, and uplink transmission is based on internally generated signals. Optionally, the IOT device of the second type has a peak power consumption of less than or equal to a few hundred uw. The IOT device of the third type has energy storage, has independent signal amplification function, and uplink transmission relies on backscatter transmission. Optionally, the IOT device of the third type has a peak power consumption of less than or equal to a few hundred uw. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the few hundred uw, for example, 100 uw or 200 uw, is an example given for the convenience of understanding by those skilled in the art, that is, the peak power consumption is less than or equal to other hundreds of uw, and the present disclosure does not make specific limitations here.

[0104] In some embodiments, the second device 102 can be a network device or an intermediate node in an IOT scenario. In some embodiments, the second device 102 can inventory or page the first device 101. In some embodiments, the terms “inventory”, “page”, “count”, “check”, and the like can be replaced with each other. In some embodiments, “page” in the present disclosure can mean to find or inventory IOT devices in an IOT scenario. “Inventory” in the present disclosure can mean to check the number of IOT devices in an existing IOT scenario by counting or reconciling. In some embodiments, the terms “Internet of Things (IOT) device”, “Ambient Internet of Things (Ambient IOT or A-IOT) device”, and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0105] In some embodiments, the second device 102 is, for example, a network device in an IOT scenario, which can be an access network device in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal device to a wireless network, and the access network device can include at least one of an evolved NodeB (eNB) in a 5G communication system, a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved node B (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0106] In some embodiments, the network device can be a core network (CN) device or a server. In some embodiments, the core network device herein may, for example, include but is not limited to at least one of the following: an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function); a UPF (User Plane Function); an SMF (Session Management Function); a UDM (Unified Data Management) function, etc. Among them, the AMF can be used to perform registration, connection, reachability, mobility management. The UPF can be used for packet routing forwarding, policy implementation, traffic reporting, QoS (Quality of Service) processing. The SMF can be responsible for tunnel maintenance, IP address allocation and management, UP function selection, policy implementation and control in QoS, charging data collection, roaming, etc. The UDM can be used for 3GPP AKA (Authentication and Key Agreement) authentication, user identification, access authorization, registration, mobility, subscription, short message management, etc.

[0107] In some embodiments, the second device 102 is, for example, an intermediate node in an IOT scenario, and in some embodiments, the second device 102 can be, for example, a relay, an IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul), a terminal, a repeater, etc. In some embodiments, the terminal in this article can be an entity on the user side for receiving or transmitting signals, such as a mobile phone. It can also be called a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. The terminal can be at least one of a car with communication function, a smart car, a mobile phone, a wearable device, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, etc. Embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the specific technology and specific device form of the terminal.

[0108] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of the present disclosure can be applied to an Open RAN architecture, at this time, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can become internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be realized through software or programs.

[0109] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit (control unit). The CU-DU structure can split the protocol layers of the access network device, and some of the functions of the protocol layers are controlled by the CU, and the rest or all of the functions of the protocol layers are distributed in the DU, and the CU controls the DU, but is not limited thereto.

[0110] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of system architecture and the appearance of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0111] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 or part of the subject, but are not limited thereto. The subjects shown in FIG. 1 are exemplary, and the communication system can include all or part of the subjects in FIG. 1, or other subjects other than FIG. 1. The number and form of each subject is arbitrary, each subject can be real or virtual, the connection relationship between each subject is exemplary, each subject can not be connected or can be connected, the connection can be in any way, can be direct connection or indirect connection, can be wired connection or wireless connection.

[0112] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark)), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, Device-to-Device (D2D) system, Machine to Machine (M2M) system, Internet of Things (IoT) system, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), system using other communication methods, next-generation system expanded based thereon, and the like. Further, a plurality of systems can be applied in combination (for example, combination of LTE or LTE-A and 5G, and the like).

[0113] In a communication system, in order to save power and reduce device complexity, a new type of Internet of Things (IOT) device or Ambient Internet of Things (Ambient IOT or A-IOT) device is introduced. For example, the new type of IOT device needs to collect radio waves sent by the surrounding environment or surrounding devices to obtain energy to drive itself to work. Therefore, before obtaining energy, the new type of IOT device is usually in an "off" state, i.e., an off-network state. Therefore, the communication system needs to support a data communication mode with shorter transmission time, lower memory consumption, and more convenient terminal management to complete the data communication process as soon as possible.

[0114] In some embodiments, the present disclosure implements a wireless communication design based on ambient energy devices (which can also be referred to as IOT devices or Ambient IOT devices, i.e., second devices herein) for communication based on backscattering technology. Optionally, the above-mentioned IOT devices or Ambient IOT devices (also referred to as Ambient IOT devices or A-IOT devices) can be applied to various different communication architectures in a communication system. For example, taking an A-IOT device as an example, FIGS. 2A-2E are schematic diagrams of an A-IOT device communicating with a network device and / or a terminal according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 2A, the A-IOT device (i.e., the Ambient IOT device in FIG. 2A) can directly receive and transmit data or signals with a network device (such as a base station (BS)).

[0115] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 2B, the A-IOT device can indirectly receive and transmit data or signals with a network device (such as a base station (BS)) through an intermediate node, for example, a relay, an Integrated access backhaul (IAB) device, a terminal, or a repeater.

[0116] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 2C, the A-IOT device can directly transmit uplink data with a network device (such as a base station (BS)), and the A-IOT device can indirectly transmit downlink data with the network device (such as a base station (BS)) through an intermediate node, for example, a relay, an IAB device, a terminal, or a repeater.

[0117] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 2D, the A-IOT device and the network device (such as a base station (BS)) can directly transmit downlink data, and the A-IOT device and the network device (such as a base station (BS)) can indirectly transmit uplink data through an intermediate node.

[0118] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 2E, the A-IOT device and the terminal (or user equipment (UE)) can directly receive and send data, and the terminal can be responsible for collecting data of the A-IOT device and forwarding the collected data to the network device.

[0119] In the related art, the power storage of the passive IOT device is limited, and continuous command listening will cause power consumption and even power failure, and the charging process will affect the command transmission of the device, so how to save power for the IOT device has become a problem to be solved.

[0120] Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method and device, which can make the device in the IOT scene perform discontinuous reception, reduce the influence on the command transmission in the case of ensuring the power of the device, maximize the power saving of the device in the IOT scene, and improve the working performance of the device.

[0121] FIG. 3A is an interaction schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3A, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method which can be applied to the communication system 100, and the above method includes but is not limited to the following steps.

[0122] In step S3101, the first device 101 listens to the first transmission based on a first listening period.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first listening period can be used to indicate listening to the first transmission. For example, the first listening period can be used to indicate that the first device 101 listens to the first transmission, that is, the first listening period can be used for the first device 101 to listen to the first transmission.

[0124] In some embodiments, the first transmission can be a transmission from the second device 102 to the first device 101. For example, the transmission from the second device 102 to the first device 101 can be understood as that the second device 102 sends information (or command or signal or data) to the first device 101.

[0125] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can be an IOT device; the second device 102 can be a network device in an IOT scene, such as a base station or a core network device; and the first transmission can be that the network device sends information (or command or signal or data) to the IOT device.

[0126] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can be an IOT device; the second device 102 can be an intermediate node in an IOT scenario; wherein the first transmission can refer to the intermediate node sending information (or command or signal or data) to the IOT device.

[0127] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can determine that it meets a set condition, and then the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission based on the first listening period. In some embodiments, the first device 101 meeting the set condition can include but is not limited to the first device 101 starting up. For example, when the first device 101 starts up, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the first listening period. In some embodiments, the first device 101 meeting the set condition can include but is not limited to the first device 101 having data to be sent. For example, when the first device 101 determines that it has data to be sent, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the first listening period.

[0128] For example, the data to be sent can be DO-A (Device-originated-autonomous) service data, i.e., data actively sent by the first device 101. For example, taking a sensor as an example, the data to be sent can be data actively reported by the sensor function trigger. For example, the first device 101 can be applied to an automatic driving scenario, such as speed detection, vehicle fault detection, etc. The first device 101 (i.e., an IOT device or an A-IoT device) loaded with multiple integrated sensors of vehicle parts exceeds a measurement threshold (such as pressure, resistance, temperature, etc.), initiates communication actively, or when the speed of the vehicle running exceeds a certain threshold, the first device 101 can also actively initiate an alarm. The first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 has data to be sent, i.e., the first device 101 can determine that there is actively sent data.

[0129] For example, taking the first device 101 applied to an automatic driving scenario as an example, the first device 101 loaded with multiple integrated sensors of vehicle parts exceeds a measurement threshold (such as pressure, resistance, temperature, etc.), initiates communication actively, or when the speed of the vehicle running exceeds a certain threshold, the first device 101 can also actively initiate an alarm. The first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 has data to be sent, i.e., the first device 101 can determine that there is actively sent data.

[0130] For example, the first device 101 can send the to-be-sent data in a first state (e.g., a SLEEP state), and after sending the to-be-sent data, the first device 101 can enter a second state (e.g., an ON state) and listen to the first transmission according to a first listening period, so that the first device 101 listens to the first transmission (e.g., response information of the to-be-sent data sent by the second device 102, such as ACK information) in the second state. The SLEEP state can be, for example, a power sleep state, and can be, for example, a state in which a command (or information or signal) can be sent but cannot be received. The ON state can be, for example, a power-on state, and can be, for example, a state in which a command (or information or signal) can be sent and received.

[0131] In some embodiments, the first device 101 meeting the set condition can include, but is not limited to, the first device 101 receiving a fourth command for configuring a listening period. For example, if the first device 101 receives the fourth command sent by the second device 102, the fourth command can be used to indicate the use of the first listening period, and it can be considered that the first device 101 meets the set condition, and the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the specific listening period configured by the fourth command. That is, the first listening period described above can be configured by the fourth command, and if the first device 101 receives the fourth command sent by the second device 102, it can be considered that the first device 101 meets the set condition, and the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the first listening period configured by the fourth command. For example, the listening period can be configured by the fourth command, for example, the fourth command can be used to instruct the first device to use the first listening period. For example, the fourth command can be a newly defined command, such as a command specially used to instruct the first device to use the first listening period, the instructed first device can be one first device, or the instructed first device can be multiple first devices, or the instructed first device can be a group of first devices, or the instructed first device can be all first devices. For example, the second device 102 sends the fourth command, and accordingly, for the first device 101 receiving the fourth command, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the first listening period instructed by the fourth command. For example, the fourth command carries an indication bit, which can be used to indicate the use of the first listening period or the use of the second listening period, for example, the indication bit takes a second value (e.g., 1), indicating the use of the first listening period, and the indication bit takes a third value (e.g., 0), indicating the use of the second listening period; the second value and the third value can also adopt other values, which are not limited herein. For the first device 101 receiving the fourth command, the first device 101 can determine the use of the first listening period according to the value of the indication bit in the fourth command, and the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the first listening period.

[0132] For example, if the ON duration and OFF duration of the first listening cycle are defined in the protocol, the fourth command can directly indicate which listening cycle to use by an indication bit (e.g. in the fourth command). Alternatively, the fourth command can directly indicate to use the first listening cycle, and the fourth command can carry the duration of the ON duration and OFF duration of the first listening cycle to be used, and no indication bit is needed to indicate which listening cycle to use (i.e. the indication bit is optional). For example, the fourth command can directly indicate to use the first listening cycle, and the fourth command can not need to carry an indication bit to indicate to use the first listening cycle, and can carry the duration of the ON duration and OFF duration of the first listening cycle.

[0133] In some embodiments, the fourth command can indicate to use the first listening cycle for one first device, or for multiple first devices, or for a group of first devices, or for all first devices, by an identity in the fourth command. For example, the fourth command can include an identity of one first device, and the fourth command can indicate to use the first listening cycle for the one first device. For example, the fourth command can include identities of multiple first devices, and the fourth command can indicate to use the first listening cycle for the multiple first devices. For example, the fourth command can include a group identity of a group of first devices, and the fourth command can indicate to use the first listening cycle for the group of first devices. For example, the fourth command can not include any identity or include a special value (e.g. all), and the fourth command can indicate to use the first listening cycle for all first devices.

[0134] In some embodiments, a common fourth command can be defined for a fourth command to indicate for one first device, for a fourth command to indicate for multiple first devices, for a fourth command to indicate for a group of first devices, and for a fourth command to indicate for all first devices, and a command type can be used for the common fourth command, and a first indication information can be used to indicate whether the fourth command indicates for one first device, or for multiple first devices, or for a group of first devices, or for all first devices.

[0135] In some embodiments, the fourth command can comprise first indication information, and different values of the first indication information can indicate different identities carried in the fourth command or different first devices indicated by the fourth command. In some embodiments, the first indication information can be a fifth value, which can be used to indicate that the fourth command comprises a first identity, e.g., an identity of a first device. In some embodiments, the first indication information can be a sixth value, which can be used to indicate that the fourth command comprises multiple first identities, e.g., identities of multiple first devices. In some embodiments, the first indication information can be a seventh value, which can be used to indicate that the fourth command comprises a second identity, e.g., a group identity of a group of first devices. In some embodiments, the first indication information can be an eighth value, which can be used to indicate that the fourth command does not comprise any identity or that the fourth command comprises a special value. For example, the first indication information can occupy 2 bits, e.g., the fifth value of the first indication information can be 00, which can indicate that the fourth command comprises a first identity; the sixth value of the first indication information can be 01, which can indicate that the fourth command comprises multiple first identities; the seventh value of the first indication information can be 10, which can indicate that the fourth command comprises a second identity; and the eighth value of the first indication information can be 11, which can indicate that the fourth command does not comprise any identity or comprises a special value. For example, the fifth value, the sixth value, the seventh value, and the eighth value of the first indication information can also be indicated in other manners, which are not limited in the present disclosure and will not be described herein.

[0136] In some embodiments, four types of fourth commands can be defined, i.e., a fourth command for indicating a first device, a fourth command for indicating multiple first devices, a fourth command for indicating a group of first devices, and a fourth command for indicating all first devices, which are associated with different command types. In some embodiments, the fourth command can be of a first type, which can be used to indicate that the fourth command comprises a first identity; the fourth command can be of a second type, which can be used to indicate that the fourth command comprises multiple first identities; the fourth command can be of a third type, which can be used to indicate that the fourth command comprises a second identity; and the fourth command can be of a fourth type, which can be used to indicate that the fourth command does not comprise any identity. The first type, the second type, the third type, and the fourth type can be different. For example, the type of the fourth command can be used to determine whether the fourth command comprises a first identity, multiple first identities, a second identity, or no identity.

[0137] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 itself is the first device indicated by the fourth command by including an identifier in the fourth command. For example, the fourth command includes a first identifier, and for the first device 101 receiving the fourth command, the first device 101 determines that the device identifier of the first device 101 is the same as the first identifier, and the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 itself is the first device indicated by the fourth command. For example, the fourth command includes a plurality of first identifiers, and for the first device 101 receiving the fourth command, the first device 101 determines that the device identifier of the first device 101 is included in the plurality of first identifiers, and the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 itself belongs to the first device indicated by the fourth command. For example, the fourth command includes a second identifier (e.g., a group identifier of a group of first devices), and for the first device 101 receiving the fourth command, the first device 101 determines that the group identifier of the first device 101 is the same as the second identifier, and the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 itself belongs to the first device indicated by the fourth command. For example, the fourth command does not include any identifier or includes a special value (e.g., all), and for the first device 101 receiving the fourth command, the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 itself belongs to the first device indicated by the fourth command. For example, if the first device 101 determines that the first device 101 itself is or belongs to the first device indicated by the fourth command, the first device 101 can use the listening period configured by the fourth command.

[0138] It should be noted that the optional implementation of the above-mentioned “the first device 101 meets the set condition” (i.e., the first device 101 meeting the set condition can include the first device 101 starting up; or, the first device 101 meeting the set condition can include the first device 101 having data to be sent) is only an example given for the convenience of those skilled in the art to understand, that is, the optional implementation of the above-mentioned “the first device 101 meets the set condition” can also be implemented in other manners, and the present disclosure does not limit this, and will not be described herein.

[0139] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first device 101 can intermittently listen to the first transmission based on a first listening period. In some embodiments, the first listening period can comprise an ON duration and an off duration. For example, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission during the ON duration of the first listening period. For example, the first device 101 can stop listening to the first transmission during the off duration of the first listening period. For example, the first listening period is 60 seconds, the ON duration of the first listening period is 25 seconds, and the off duration of the first listening period is 35 seconds. For one first listening period, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission during the first 25 seconds of the first listening period, and the first device 101 can stop listening to the first transmission during the last 35 seconds of the first listening period (i.e., the first device 101 stops listening to the first transmission after 25 seconds, and the duration of the stop listening is 35 seconds). For example, the duration of the ON duration can be the same as the duration of the off duration. For example, the duration of the ON duration can be different from the duration of the off duration, e.g., the duration of the ON duration is greater than the duration of the off duration, or the duration of the ON duration is less than the duration of the off duration. For example, the duration of the ON duration and the duration of the off duration can be default, or can be agreed by a protocol, or can be determined according to a service requirement.

[0140] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can perform charging during the off duration of the first listening period. For example, the first device 101 can collect radio waves sent by a surrounding environment or a surrounding device to obtain energy, i.e., perform charging, during the off duration of the first listening period. For example, the first device 101 can perform charging by using ambient light energy during the off duration of the first listening period. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the first device 101 can also perform charging in other manners, which are not limited in the present disclosure and will not be described herein.

[0141] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the first listening period described above can be configured, or can be pre-configured, or can be agreed by a protocol, or can be determined by the first device based on implementation. In some embodiments, the first device 101 can determine the first listening period based on a protocol agreement. For example, the first listening period can be agreed by a protocol, and the first device 101 determines the first listening period based on the protocol agreement.

[0142] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can determine the first listening period based on a second device 102 configuration. For example, the first listening period can be configured by the second device 102, and the first device 101 can determine the first listening period based on the second device 102 configuration.

[0143] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can determine the first listening period based on a second device 102 pre-configuration. For example, the first listening period can be pre-configured by the second device 102, and the first device 101 can determine the first listening period based on the second device 102 pre-configuration.

[0144] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can determine the first listening period based on a first device 101 implementation. For example, the first listening period can be determined by the first device 101 based on implementation, i.e., the first device 101 can determine the first listening period based on implementation, such as determining the first listening period according to business requirement.

[0145] In some embodiments, the first listening period can refer to a time period. For example, the unit of the first listening period can be, but not limited to, any one of the following: us (microsecond); ms (millisecond); s (second); minute; hour. Optionally, the unit of the first listening period can also be represented in other forms, such as relative time indication, which is not limited in the present disclosure and will not be described herein.

[0146] Optionally, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3A, the method can comprise step S3102.

[0147] In step S3102, the first device 101 receives a first command sent by the second device 102.

[0148] In some embodiments, the first command can be used to indicate using a second listening period; or the first command can be used to indicate enabling the second listening period, which can be used to listen to the first transmission. In some embodiments, the second listening period can be different from the first listening period. For example, the duration of the second listening period can be less than the duration of the first listening period. For example, the duration of the second listening period can be greater than the duration of the first listening period.

[0149] In some embodiments, the second device 102 can send the first command based on a business requirement, for example, the second device 102 can send the first command to indicate the second listening period is enabled. Accordingly, the first device 101 can receive the first command sent by the second device 102, and facilitate the first device 101 to enable the second listening period. For example, the number of the first device 101 can be one or more. For example, the first device 101 can be an IOT device.

[0150] In some embodiments, the first command can be a paging command (paging commod). In some embodiments, the first command can be a newly defined command, for example, a command specially used to indicate the second listening period is used. For example, the first device 101 can determine the newly defined command is a command used to indicate the second listening period is used by the command type (command type) of the newly defined command. For example, the first message triggering the first device to perform initial access can be called a paging message (or paging commod, or the first command), or called an initial trigger message. The paging command can page one IOT device, or can page multiple IOT devices, or can page a group of IOT devices, or can page all IOT devices. A first indication bit can be carried in the paging command, and the first indication bit is used to indicate the second listening period is used. For example, the first indication bit can be a first value, and the first value can be 1 or enable, or other values, which are not limited herein. For example, if the start period and the end period (or the time length of the start period and the time length of the end period) of the second listening period are agreed by a protocol, the first indication bit can be used to directly indicate the second listening period is used. For example, if the start period and the end period (or the time length of the start period and the time length of the end period) of the second listening period are not agreed by a protocol, and the start period and the end period (or the time length of the start period and the time length of the end period) can be configured in the first command, the first command can directly indicate the second listening period is used (i.e., the command type of the defined command is used to distinguish), and the first indication bit used to indicate the second listening period is used can not be carried in the first command, and the time length of the start period and the end period of the second listening period can be carried. For example, the first command and the fourth command in the above embodiments can be the same command or different commands.

[0151] In some embodiments, the first command can comprise a first identifier, which can indicate a first device, the first identifier can be an identifier of the first device, the identifier can be an EPC (Electronic Product Code) code, or can also be a unique identifier, or can also be an identifier allocated by the core network, such as a unique identifier or a temporary identifier, or can also be a tag identifier, and the like, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0152] For example, the first command can comprise a plurality of first identifiers, which can indicate a plurality of first devices, and the plurality of first identifiers correspond to the plurality of first devices one by one. For example, assuming that the identifier of the first device A is A1, the identifier of the first device B is B1, and the identifier of the first device C is C1, the first command comprises the identifier A1, the identifier B1, and the identifier C1, and the first command can indicate the first device A, the first device B, and the first device C.

[0153] For example, the first command can comprise a second identifier, which can be a group identifier of a group of second devices 102, the group identifier can be a MASK mask or other group identifier, such as a group identifier allocated by the core network, and the MASK mask can be a file or a bitstring, which is not limited in the present disclosure. The first command can indicate the group of second devices 102.

[0154] For example, the first command can not comprise any identifier, or the first command can comprise a special value (such as all), and the first command can indicate all second devices 102 that receive the first command.

[0155] In some embodiments, a common first command can be defined, which is used to indicate a first device, used to indicate a plurality of first devices, used to indicate a group of first devices, and used to indicate all first devices, and a command type can be shared, and the second indication information can be used to distinguish whether the first command indicates a first device, a plurality of first devices, a group of first devices, or all first devices that receive the first command. The optional implementation manner of the second indication information of the first command is similar to the optional implementation manner of the first indication information of the fourth command, and the optional implementation manner of the second indication information of the first command can refer to the optional implementation manner of the first indication information of the fourth command, which will not be described herein.

[0156] In some embodiments, four types of first commands can be defined, i.e. a first command for indicating one first device, a first command for indicating multiple first devices, a first command for indicating a group of first devices, and a first command for indicating all first devices, associated with different command types. The optional implementation of the command type of the first command is similar to the optional implementation of the command type of the fourth command described above, and the optional implementation of the command type of the first command can refer to the optional implementation of the command type of the fourth command described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0157] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 itself is the first device indicated by the first command by including an identifier in the first command. For example, if the first command includes a first identifier, for the first device 101 receiving the first command, the first device 101 determines that the device identifier of the first device 101 is the same as the first identifier, and the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 itself is the first device indicated by the first command. For example, if the first command includes multiple first identifiers, for the first device 101 receiving the first command, the first device 101 determines that the device identifier of the first device 101 is included in the multiple first identifiers, and the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 belongs to the first device indicated by the first command. For example, if the first command includes a second identifier (such as a group identifier of a group of first devices), for the first device 101 receiving the first command, the first device 101 determines that the group identifier of the first device 101 is the same as the second identifier, and the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 belongs to the first device indicated by the first command. For example, if the first command does not include any identifier or includes a special value (such as all), for the first device 101 receiving the first command, the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 belongs to the first device indicated by the first command. For example, if the first device 101 determines that the first device 101 itself is or belongs to the first device indicated by the first command, the first device 101 can use the listening period configured by the first command.

[0158] Optionally, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3A, the method can include step S3103.

[0159] Step S3103, the first device 101 listens to the first transmission based on the second listening period.

[0160] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first device 101 receives a first command sent by the second device 102, which can be used to indicate to use the second listening period, and the first device 101 can determine whether to enable the second listening period. For example, the first device 101 can determine whether the first device 101 itself needs to enable the second listening period according to its own identity and the first command. For example, if the first command includes a first identity, if the first identity is the same as the identity of the first device 101, the first device 101 can determine to enable the second listening period, i.e., can listen to the first transmission based on the second listening period; if the first identity is different from the identity of the first device 101, the first device 101 can not enable the second listening period, for example, the first device 101 can continue to use the first listening period to listen to the first transmission.

[0161] For example, if the first command includes multiple first identities, if the identity of the first device 101 is included in the multiple first identities (or there is a first identity in the multiple first identities that is the same as the identity of the first device 101), the first device 101 can determine to enable the second listening period, i.e., can listen to the first transmission based on the second listening period; if the identity of the first device 101 is not included in the multiple first identities (or there is no first identity in the multiple first identities that is the same as the identity of the first device 101), the first device 101 can not enable the second listening period, for example, the first device 101 can continue to use the first listening period to listen to the first transmission.

[0162] For example, if the first command includes a second identity, if the second identity included in the first command is the same as the group identity of the first device 101 (i.e., the group identity of the second device group to which the first device 101 belongs), the first device 101 can determine to enable the second listening period, i.e., can listen to the first transmission based on the second listening period; if the second identity included in the first command is different from the group identity of the first device 101 (i.e., the group identity of the second device group to which the first device 101 belongs), the first device 101 can not enable the second listening period, for example, the first device 101 can continue to use the first listening period to listen to the first transmission.

[0163] For example, if the first command includes no identity or a special value, the first device 101 can determine to enable the second listening period, i.e., can listen to the first transmission based on the second listening period.

[0164] In some embodiments, the first command can further carry a first indication bit, and the first device 101 can determine to enable the second listening period based on the first indication bit and / or the first device 101. For example, the first device 101 can determine to enable the second listening period based on the first indication bit and / or the first device 101 when the first device 101 receives the first command from the second device 102 and the first indication bit in the first command has a first value and / or the first device 101 determines that the first device 101 matches the first device indicated in the first command. In other words, the first device 101 can switch from the first listening period to the second listening period and listen to the first transmission in the second listening period when the first device 101 receives the first command from the second device 102 and the first command indicates to use the second listening period.

[0165] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission intermittently based on the second listening period. In some embodiments, the second listening period can include an on period and an off period. For example, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission in the on period of the second listening period. For example, the first device 101 can stop listening to the first transmission in the off period of the second listening period. For example, the second listening period is 50 seconds, the on period of the second listening period is 25 seconds, and the off period of the second listening period is 25 seconds. For a second listening period, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission in the first 25 seconds of the second listening period and stop listening to the first transmission in the second 25 seconds of the second listening period (i.e., the first device 101 stops listening to the first transmission after 25 seconds, and the duration of the stop listening is 25 seconds). For example, the duration of the on period can be the same as the duration of the off period. For example, the duration of the on period can be different from the duration of the off period, for example, the duration of the on period is greater than the duration of the off period, or for example, the duration of the on period is less than the duration of the off period. For example, the duration of the on period and the duration of the off period can be default, or can be agreed by a protocol, or can be determined according to a service requirement.

[0166] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can perform charging during the off period of the second listening period. For example, the first device 101 can perform charging by collecting radio waves from the surrounding environment or surrounding devices during the off period of the second listening period. For example, the first device 101 can perform charging by collecting ambient light energy during the off period of the second listening period. It should be noted that the first device 101 can perform charging in other manners in some embodiments, which will not be limited herein.

[0167] In some embodiments, the second listening period can be configured, preconfigured, or agreed upon by a protocol. In some embodiments, the first device 101 can determine the second listening period based on a protocol agreement. For example, the second listening period can be agreed upon by a protocol, and the first device 101 can determine the second listening period based on the protocol agreement.

[0168] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can determine the second listening period based on a second device 102 configuration. For example, the second listening period can be configured, and the second device 102 can configure the second listening period for the first device 101. Accordingly, the first device 101 can determine the second listening period based on the second device 102 configuration.

[0169] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can determine the second listening period based on a second device 102 preconfiguration. For example, the second listening period can be preconfigured, and the second device 102 can preconfigure the second listening period. Accordingly, the first device 101 can determine the second listening period based on the second device 102 preconfiguration.

[0170] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can determine the second listening period based on a first device 101 implementation. For example, the second listening period can be determined by the first device 101 based on an implementation, i.e., the first device 101 can determine the second listening period based on an implementation, such as determining the second listening period according to a business requirement.

[0171] In some embodiments, the second listening period can refer to a time period. For example, the unit of the second listening period can be, but is not limited to, any one of the following: us (microsecond); ms (millisecond); s (second); minute; hour. Optionally, the unit of the second listening period can also be represented in other forms, such as a relative time indication, which will not be limited herein.

[0172] It should be noted that in some embodiments, step S3102+step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the second device 102 can send the first command based on the implementation, for example, the second device 102 can send the first command based on the business requirement to indicate the second listening period enabled. For the first device 101 receiving the first command, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission based on the second listening period indicated by the first command.

[0173] It should be noted that in some embodiments, step S3101+step S3102+step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the first device 101 can first listen to the first transmission according to the first listening period, for example, according to the business requirement, the first device 101 can first listen to the first transmission according to the first listening period. The second device 102 determines that the business requirement changes based on the implementation, and the first device 101 needs to use the second listening period to listen to the first transmission, and then the second device 102 can send the first command to indicate the first device 101 to use the second listening period. For the first device 101 receiving the first command, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission based on the second listening period. That is, the first device 101 first listens to the first transmission according to the first listening period, and when receiving the first command for indicating the use of the second listening period, the first device 101 can switch from the first listening period to the second listening period, and the first device 101 can use the second listening period to listen to the first transmission, so as to be able to respond to the business requirement in real time. Thus, by setting different listening periods, the present disclosure can flexibly adjust the listening frequency and duration according to the business requirement, so as to optimize the resource utilization.

[0174] Optionally, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3A, the method can include step S3104 and step S3105.

[0175] Step S3104, the first device 101 determines that it belongs to the device to be paged and / or determines to trigger the contention-based random access, and starts or restarts the timer. In some embodiments, the timer can be used to indicate the duration of listening to the first transmission.

[0176] In some embodiments, the first device 101 determines that it belongs to the paged devices, then the first device 101 can start or restart the timer. The number of the first devices 101 can be one or more. In one possible implementation, the second device 102 sends a paging message, which can be used to page one first device, for the first device 101 receiving the paging message, if the identity included in the paging message is the same as the identity of the first device 101, the first device 101 can determine that it is the paged device, since only one first device is paged, the paging message triggers the non-contention based random access, the first device 101 does not start or restart the timer. Alternatively, if the identity included in the paging message is different from the identity of the first device 101, the first device 101 can determine that it does not belong to the paged devices, the first device 101 does not start or restart the timer.

[0177] In one possible implementation, the second device 102 sends a paging message, which can be used to page multiple first devices, for the first device 101 receiving the paging message, if the identity included in the paging message is the same as the identity of the first device 101, the first device 101 can determine that it is the paged device, if the paged multiple first devices all have dedicated random access resources, the first device 101 can determine that the paging message triggers the non-contention based random access, the first device 101 does not start or restart the timer, if the random access resources of the paged multiple first devices are contention based resources, for example, determined based on the first parameter (such as Q) in this paper, the first device 101 can determine that the paging message triggers the contention based random access, the first device 101 starts or restarts the timer, for example, the first device 101 can start or restart the timer at the end of the paging message (such as the end of the time slot). Alternatively, if the identity included in the paging message is not the same as the identity of the first device 101, the first device 101 can determine that it does not belong to the paged devices, the first device 101 does not start or restart the timer.

[0178] In a possible implementation, the second device 102 sends a paging message, which can be used to page a group of first devices. For a first device 101 receiving the paging message, if the group identity included in the paging message is the same as the group identity of the first device 101 (i.e. the group identity of the first device group to which the first device 101 belongs), the first device 101 can determine that it is a paged device, and the first device 101 can start or restart a timer. For example, the first device 101 can start or restart the timer at the end of the paging message (e.g. the end of a time slot). Alternatively, if the group identity included in the paging message is not the same as the group identity of the first device 101 (i.e. the group identity of the first device group to which the first device 101 belongs), the first device 101 can determine that it is not a paged device, and the first device 101 does not start or restart the timer.

[0179] In a possible implementation, the second device 102 sends a paging message, which can be used to page all first devices (i.e. page all first devices receiving the paging message). For a first device 101 receiving the paging message, the first device 101 can determine that it is a paged device, and the first device 101 can start or restart a timer. For example, the first device 101 can start or restart the timer at the end of the paging message (e.g. the end of a time slot).

[0180] In some embodiments, the first device 101 determines that the contention-based random access is triggered, and the first device 101 can start or restart the timer. In one possible implementation, the second device 102 sends a paging message, the paging message pages a plurality of first devices or pages a group of first devices or pages all the first devices, the paging message includes a first parameter (such as Q) indicating that the contention-based random access is triggered; for the first device 101 receiving the paging message, if the first device 101 determines that the paging message pages a plurality of first devices or pages a group of first devices or pages all the first devices, and / or the first parameter is included in the paging message, and / or the first device 101 is a paged device, the first device 101 can determine that the contention-based random access is triggered, and the first device 101 can start or restart the timer. For example, the first device 101 can start or restart the timer at the end of the paging message (such as the end of a time slot). For example, the first parameter (such as the Q value) can be configured or preconfigured by the second device 102 (such as a network device), and the first parameter (such as the Q value) can be used to solve the conflict, for example, can be used to trigger the contention-based random access. For example, the first device 101 obtaining the first parameter can randomly select a number between 0 and (Q power of 2-1) or between 0 and Q, and use the random number as the initial value of the counter. Each time the first device 101 receives a first transmission (such as a query repeat), the value of the counter is reduced by 1. When the value of the counter is reduced to 0, the first device 101 can send a response message to the second device 102, and the response message can carry the random number.

[0181] In the above embodiments, the first device determines that the first device belongs to the paged devices and / or determines that the contention-based random access is triggered, and the non-continuous reception of the IOT device can be implemented by the timer, so that the IOT device can maximize the energy saving, reduce the number of charging and discharging, and improve the working performance of the IOT device.

[0182] In one possible implementation, the second device 102 sends a paging message, the paging message pages a first device, and the paging message triggers the non-contention-based random access; for the first device 101 receiving the paging message, if the first device 101 determines that the paging message is used to trigger the non-contention-based random access, the first device 101 does not start or restart the timer.

[0183] In some embodiments, the "paging message" in step S3104 can not be the same message as the paging message in step S3102 in which the "first command can be a paging message". That is, the first command in step S3102 can be a paging message, which is used to indicate to use the second monitoring period; the "paging message" in step S3104 is used to determine whether the first device 101 belongs to the paged devices and / or determine whether to trigger the contention-based random access. For example, the first device 101 first receives the first command sent by the second device 102, and the first device 101 determines to enable the second monitoring period based on the first command, i.e., to monitor the first transmission according to the second monitoring period. The first device 101 receives the paging message during monitoring the first transmission according to the second monitoring period, and the first device 101 determines that it belongs to the paged devices and / or determines to trigger the contention-based random access based on the paging message. The first device 101 can start or restart the timer, for example, the first device 101 can start or restart the timer at the end of the paging message (e.g., the end of a time slot).

[0184] In some embodiments, the "paging message" in step S3104 can be the same message as the paging message in step S3102 in which the "first command can be a paging message". That is, the first command in step S3102 can be a paging message, which is used to indicate to use the second monitoring period, and the paging message can also be used to determine whether the first device 101 belongs to the paged devices and / or determine whether to trigger the contention-based random access. The first device 101 receives the paging message, and can determine to enable the second monitoring period, i.e., to monitor the first transmission according to the second monitoring period. The first device 101 can also determine that it belongs to the paged devices and / or determine to trigger the contention-based random access based on the paging message. The first device 101 can start or restart the timer, for example, the first device 101 can start or restart the timer at the end of the paging message (e.g., the end of a time slot).

[0185] Step S3105, the first device 101 monitors the first transmission during the running of the timer.

[0186] For example, the first device 101 determines that it belongs to the paged devices and / or determines to trigger the contention-based random access, and the first device 101 can start or restart the timer. During the running of the timer, the first device 101 can monitor the first transmission.

[0187] Optionally, in some embodiments, during the running of the timer, the first device 101 receives the first transmission, the first device 101 can restart the timer. That is, during the running of the timer, if the first device 101 receives the first transmission, the first device 101 can restart the timer. For example, the first device 101 determines to trigger the contention-based random access, during the running of the timer, the first device 101 receives the first transmission, the first transmission can be at least one of the following: query (containing the first parameter); queryrepete (indicating that the random number is reduced by 1, i.e. the first device receives one queryrepete, the random number is reduced by 1); queryadjust (used to adjust the first parameter), indicating that there will be a first transmission in a short time (or the second device will send information to the first device in a short time), the first device 101 restarts the timer, so that the first device 101 can continue to listen to the first transmission during the running of the timer, ensuring the communication between the devices.

[0188] In some embodiments, if the first device 101 receives the queryrepete, the random number is reduced to a specific value (such as 0) (or the first device 101 receives the first transmission that can reduce the random number to a specific value, such as the queryrepete command), the first device 101 determines that the transmission opportunity of the first device 101 is reached, the first device 101 can not need to restart the timer, that is, the first device 101 receives the first transmission that reduces the random number of the first device 101 to a specific value (such as 0), and no longer restarts the timer. In some embodiments, if the first device 101 receives the first transmission that directly indicates the transmission opportunity of the first device 101, for example, the first transmission carries the random number, the random number is the same as the random number generated by the first device 101 (for example, the random number similar to RN16 generated based on Q), the first device 101 determines the transmission opportunity of the first device 101 through the first transmission, for example, the slot where the first transmission is located, the first device 101 receives the first transmission, and no longer restarts the timer.

[0189] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the timer can be configured, or preconfigured, or agreed by the protocol. In some embodiments, the first device 101 can determine the timer based on the agreement of the protocol. For example, the timer can be agreed by the protocol, and the first device 101 determines the timer based on the agreement of the protocol.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can determine the timer based on the configuration of the second device 102. For example, the timer can be configured, for example, the second device 102 configures the timer for the first device 101, and correspondingly, the first device 101 can determine the timer based on the configuration of the second device 102.

[0191] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can determine the timer based on a pre-configuration of the second device 102. For example, the timer can be pre-configured by the second device 102, and the first device 101 can determine the timer based on the pre-configuration of the second device 102.

[0192] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can determine the timer based on an implementation of the first device 101. For example, the first device 101 can determine the timer based on the implementation, e.g., the first device 101 can determine the timer according to the business requirement.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first device 101 and the second device 102 can communicate via a PRDCH (Physical Reader Device Control Channel) channel. For example, the second device 102 can send the first transmission to the first device 101 via the PRDCH channel, i.e., the second device to the first device transmission (i.e., the first transmission) can be carried via the PRDCH channel.

[0194] Optionally, in some embodiments, after the timer expires, the first device 101 can continue to listen to the first transmission according to the listening period. For example, after the timer expires, the first device 101 can determine whether the listening period has ended, if the listening period has ended (has entered the closing period), the first device 101 can not need to listen to the first transmission, and can enter the SLEEP state or the OFF state (i.e., the power-off state, which can neither receive information nor send information). If the listening period has not ended, the first device 101 can keep the current state, and can continue to listen to the first transmission until the listening period ends. The listening period can be the first listening period or the second listening period.

[0195] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the step S3104+ the step S3105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0196] Optionally, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3A, the method can include the step S3106.

[0197] Step S3106, the first device 101 receives the first transmission, which can be used to transmit a third command, which can be a command for the first device 101, and the first device 101 can start or restart a timer.

[0198] For example, the third command can include, but is not limited to, a read command, a write command, a lock command, a kill command, a disable command, etc. For example, the device identifier included in the third command is the same as the identifier of the first device 101, and for the first device 101 receiving the third command, it can be determined that the third command is a command for the first device 101 (i.e., the third command is a specific command for the first device 101), which can start or restart a timer for indicating the duration of listening to the first transmission. For example, the first device 101 can start or restart the timer at the end of the third command (e.g., the end of a time slot), and the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission during the running of the timer, so that the first device can respond to the third command during the running of the timer, and ensure communication between the first device and the second device. For example, the timer can be configured, preconfigured, or agreed upon by the protocol.

[0199] In some embodiments, the third command can indicate whether there is a next third command to be sent (i.e., the third command can indicate whether there is a next third command to be sent), such as by setting the second indication bit to 1 to indicate that there is a first transmission (i.e., a third command) to be sent from the second device to the first device, and setting the second indication bit to 0 to indicate that there is no first transmission (i.e., a third command) to be sent from the second device to the first device. In some embodiments, the first device 101 receives the third command, determines based on the second indication bit of the third command that there is a first transmission (i.e., a third command) to be sent from the second device 102 to the first device 101, and the first device 101 can restart the timer. In some embodiments, the first device 101 receives the third command, determines based on the second indication bit of the third command that there is no first transmission (i.e., a third command) to be sent from the second device 102 to the first device 101, and the first device 101 can not restart the timer.

[0200] In some embodiments, step S3106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. In some embodiments, step S3101 + step S3106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the first listening period. The first device 101 receives the first transmission, which can be used to transmit a third command, which can be a command for the first device 101. The first device 101 can start or restart a timer, which is used to indicate the time length of listening to the first transmission. The first device 101 can listen to the first transmission during the running of the timer, ensuring the communication between devices.

[0201] In some embodiments, step S3101 + step S3102 + step S3103 + step S3106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the first listening period. If the first device 101 receives a first command indicating to use a second listening period, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the second listening period. The first device 101 receives the first transmission, which can be used to transmit a third command, which can be a command for the first device 101. The first device 101 can start or restart a timer, which is used to indicate the time length of listening to the first transmission. The first device 101 can listen to the first transmission during the running of the timer, ensuring the communication between devices.

[0202] In some embodiments, step S3101 + step S3104 + step S3105 + step S3106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. In some embodiments, step S3101 + step S3102 + step S3103 + step S3104 + step S3105 + step S3106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0203] In some embodiments, the names of information and the like are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", "chip", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0204] In some embodiments, "acquire", "obtain", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive", and the like can be replaced with each other, and can be interpreted as receiving from another subject, acquiring from a protocol, acquiring from a higher layer, obtaining by self-processing, implementing autonomously, and the like.

[0205] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "issue", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0206] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain", "preset", "pre-set", "set", "indicated", "a certain", "any", "first", and the like can be replaced with each other, and "certain A", "preset A", "pre-set A", "set A", "indicated A", "a certain A", "any A", "first A" can be interpreted as A specified in advance in a protocol and the like, can be interpreted as A obtained by setting, configuring, or indicating, and the like, and can be interpreted as certain A, a certain A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0207] The method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3101-S3106. For example, step S3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3102+S3103+S3106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3102+S3103+S3104+S3105+S3106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0208] In some embodiments, steps S3102 to S3106 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0209] In some embodiments, steps S3101 to S3105 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0210] In some embodiments, steps S3102 to S3105 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0211] In some embodiments, steps S3104 to S3105 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0212] In some embodiments, steps S3102, S3103 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0213] In some embodiments, steps S3101, S3104, S3105 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0214] In some embodiments, step S3101 is optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0215] In some embodiments, other optional implementations can be found in the description before or after the description of FIG. 3A.

[0216] FIG. 3B is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3B, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method applicable to the communication system 100, and the above method includes but is not limited to the following steps.

[0217] In step S3201, the first device 101 listens to the first transmission based on a second listening period.

[0218] In some embodiments, the second listening period can be used to indicate listening to the first transmission. For example, the second listening period can be used to indicate that the first device 101 listens to the first transmission, that is, the second listening period can be used for the first device 101 to listen to the first transmission. The optional implementation of the first transmission in step S3201 can refer to the description of the first transmission in step S3101 of FIG. 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0219] In some embodiments, the first device 101 meets a set condition, and the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission based on the second listening period. In some embodiments, the first device 101 meeting the set condition can include, but is not limited to, the first device 101 being started up. For example, when the first device 101 is started up, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the second listening period, i.e., when the first device 101 is started up, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission every second listening period. In some embodiments, the first device 101 meeting the set condition can include, but is not limited to, the first device 101 having data to be sent. For example, when the first device 101 determines that the first device 101 has data to be sent, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the second listening period.

[0220] For example, the data to be sent can be DO-A (Device-originated-autonomous) service data, i.e., data actively sent by the first device 101. For example, taking the first device 101 as a sensor, the data to be sent can be data actively reported by the sensor function triggered. For example, the first device 101 can be applied to an automatic driving scenario, such as speed detection, vehicle fault detection, etc. The first device 101 (i.e., an IoT device or an A-IoT device) loaded with multiple integrated sensors of vehicle parts exceeds a measurement threshold (such as pressure, resistance, temperature, etc.), initiates communication actively, or when the speed of the vehicle running exceeds a certain threshold, the first device 101 can also actively initiate an alarm. The first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 has data to be sent, i.e., the first device 101 can determine that there is actively sent data.

[0221] For example, taking the first device 101 applied to an automatic driving scenario as an example, the first device 101 loaded with multiple integrated sensors of vehicle parts exceeds a measurement threshold (such as pressure, resistance, temperature, etc.), initiates communication actively, or when the speed of the vehicle running exceeds a certain threshold, the first device 101 can also actively initiate an alarm. The first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 has data to be sent, i.e., the first device 101 can determine that there is actively sent data.

[0222] For example, the first device 101 can send the data to be sent in a first state (e.g., a SLEEP state), and after sending the data to be sent, the first device 101 can enter a second state (e.g., an ON state) and listen to the first transmission according to a second listening period, so that the first device 101 listens to the first transmission (e.g., response information of the second device 102 to the data to be sent, such as ACK information) in the second state. The SLEEP state can be, for example, a power sleep state, and can be, for example, a state in which commands (or information or signals) can be sent but cannot be received. The ON state can be, for example, a power-on state, and can be, for example, a state in which commands (or information or signals) can be sent and received.

[0223] In some embodiments, the first device 101 meeting the set condition can include, but is not limited to, the first device 101 receiving a fourth command for configuring a listening period. For example, if the first device 101 receives the fourth command sent by the second device 102, the fourth command can be used to indicate using the second listening period, the first device 101 can be considered to meet the set condition, and the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the specific listening period configured by the fourth command. That is, the second listening period described above can be configured by the fourth command, if the first device 101 receives the fourth command sent by the second device 102, the first device 101 can be considered to meet the set condition, and the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the second listening period configured by the fourth command. For example, the listening period can be configured by the fourth command, for example, the fourth command can be used to instruct the first device to use the second listening period. For example, the fourth command can be a newly defined command, such as a command specially used to instruct the first device to use the second listening period, the instructed first device can be one first device, or the instructed first device can be multiple first devices, or the instructed first device can be a group of first devices, or the instructed first device can be all first devices. For example, the second device 102 sends the fourth command, and correspondingly, for the first device 101 receiving the fourth command, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the second listening period instructed by the fourth command. For example, the fourth command carries an indication bit, which can be used to indicate using the first listening period or using the second listening period, for example, the indication bit takes a second value (such as 1), indicating using the first listening period, and the indication bit takes a third value (such as 0), indicating using the second listening period. For the first device 101 receiving the fourth command, the first device 101 can determine to use the second listening period according to the value of the indication bit in the fourth command, and the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the second listening period. For other optional implementation manners of the fourth command, please refer to the related description of step S3101 of FIG. 3A, which will not be described here. For optional implementation manners of determining whether the fourth command instructs one first device, or instructs multiple first devices, or instructs a group of first devices, or instructs all first devices, please refer to the related description of step S3101 of FIG. 3A, which will not be described here.

[0224] It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the optional implementation of the above-mentioned "the first device 101 meets the set condition" (i.e., the first device 101 meeting the set condition can include the first device 101 starting up; or, the first device 101 meeting the set condition can include the first device 101 having data to be sent) is only an example given for the convenience of those skilled in the art to understand, that is, the optional implementation of the above-mentioned "the first device 101 meets the set condition" can also be implemented in other manners, and the present disclosure does not limit this, and will not be repeated here.

[0225] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first device 101 can intermittently listen to the first transmission based on a second listening period. In some embodiments, the second listening period can include an ON duration and an off duration. For example, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission during the ON duration of the second listening period. For example, the first device 101 can stop listening to the first transmission during the off duration of the second listening period. For example, the second listening period is 50 seconds, the ON duration of the second listening period is 25 seconds, and the off duration of the second listening period is 25 seconds. For a second listening period, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission for the first 25 seconds of the second listening period, and the first device 101 can stop listening to the first transmission for the last 25 seconds of the second listening period (i.e., the first device 101 stops listening to the first transmission after 25 seconds, and the duration of the stop listening is 25 seconds). For example, the duration of the ON duration and the duration of the off duration can be the same; or, the duration of the ON duration and the duration of the off duration can be different, for example, the duration of the ON duration is greater than the duration of the off duration, or, for example, the duration of the ON duration is less than the duration of the off duration. For example, the duration of the ON duration and the duration of the off duration can be default, or can be agreed upon by the protocol, or can be determined according to the business needs. In some embodiments, the above-mentioned second listening period can be configured, or pre-configured, or agreed upon by the protocol, or can be determined by the first device based on the implementation.

[0226] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can perform charging power compensation during the off duration of the second listening period. For example, the first device 101 can collect radio waves transmitted by the surrounding environment or surrounding devices to obtain energy, i.e., perform charging power compensation, during the off duration of the second listening period. For example, the first device 101 can use ambient light energy to perform charging power compensation during the off duration of the second listening period. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the first device 101 can also perform charging power compensation in other manners, and the present disclosure does not limit this, and will not be repeated here.

[0227] Optionally, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3B, the method can comprise: step S3202.

[0228] In step S3202, the first device 101 receives the second command sent by the second device 102.

[0229] In some embodiments, the second command can be used to indicate to use the first listening period; or the second command can be used to indicate the first listening period enablement, and the first listening period can be used to indicate to listen to the first transmission. In some embodiments, the second listening period can be different from the first listening period. For example, the length of the second listening period can be less than the length of the first listening period. For example, the length of the second listening period can be greater than the length of the first listening period.

[0230] In some embodiments, the second device 102 can send the second command based on the implementation, for example, the second device 102 can send the second command based on the service requirement to indicate the first listening period enablement. Accordingly, the first device 101 can receive the second command sent by the second device 102, so as to enable the first listening period for the first device 101. For example, the number of the first device 101 can be one or more. For example, the first device 101 can be an IOT device.

[0231] In some embodiments, the second command can be a paging command (paging commod). In some embodiments, the second command can be a newly defined command, for example, a command specially used to indicate to use the first listening period, for example, the first device 101 determines that the new command is a command used to indicate to use the first listening period through the command type (command type) of the new command. For example, the first message triggering the first device to perform initial access can be called a paging message (or paging commod, or the second command), or called an "initial trigger message". The paging command can page one IOT device, or can page multiple IOT devices, or can page a group of IOT devices, or can page all IOT devices. A first indication bit can be carried in the paging command, and the first indication bit is used to indicate to use the first listening period, for example, the first indication bit takes a first value, indicating to use the first listening period, and the first value can be 1 or enable, or other values are adopted, which are not limited here.

[0232] In some embodiments, the second command can include a first identifier, which can indicate a first device, the first identifier can be an identifier of the first device, the identifier can be an EPC (Electronic Product Code) code, or can be a unique identifier, or can be an identifier allocated by the core network, such as a unique identifier or a temporary identifier, or can be a tag identifier, etc., which is not limited in the present disclosure. For example, if the start period and the stop period (or the start duration and the stop duration) of the first listening period are agreed by the protocol, the first indication bit can be used to indicate the use of the first listening period. For example, if the start period and the stop period (or the start duration and the stop duration) of the first listening period are not agreed by the protocol, but can be configured in the first command, the first command can directly indicate the use of the first listening period (i.e., distinguished by the command type of the defined command), and the first indication bit for indicating the use of the first listening period can not be carried in the first command, and the start period and the stop period of the first listening period can be carried.

[0233] For example, the second command can include a plurality of first identifiers, which can indicate a plurality of first devices, and the plurality of first identifiers correspond to the plurality of first devices one by one. For example, assuming that the identifier of the first device A is A1, the identifier of the first device B is B1, and the identifier of the first device C is C1, the second command includes the identifier A1, the identifier B1, and the identifier C1, and the second command can indicate the first device A, the first device B, and the first device C.

[0234] For example, the second command can include a second identifier, which can be a group identifier of a group of second devices 102, the group identifier can be a MASK mask or other group identifier, such as a group identifier allocated by the core network, and the MASK mask can be a file or a bit string, which is not limited in the present disclosure. The second command can indicate the group of second devices 102.

[0235] For example, the second command can not include any identifier, or the second command can include a special value (such as all), and the second command can indicate all the second devices 102 that receive the second command.

[0236] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the second command in step S3203 and the first command in step S103 can be the same command, which carries an indication bit, and the value of the indication bit is the second value (such as 1), indicating that the first monitoring period is used, and the value of the indication bit is the third value (such as 0), indicating that the second monitoring period is used; the second value and the third value can also be represented by other values, which are not limited here.

[0237] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the second command in step S3203 and the first command in step S103 can be different commands, and whether the first monitoring period or the second monitoring period is used can be directly indicated by the command type carried by the command. For example, the command type is the first type, indicating that the first monitoring period is used; the command type is the second type, indicating that the second monitoring period is used; the first type is different from the second type.

[0238] In some embodiments, a common second command can be defined for indicating a second command of a first device, for indicating second commands of multiple first devices, for indicating second commands of a group of first devices, and for indicating second commands of all first devices, and a command type (command type) can be shared, and then the third indication information can be used to distinguish whether the first device indicated by the second command is a first device, or multiple first devices, or a group of first devices, or all first devices receiving the second command. The optional implementation of the third indication information of the second command is similar to the optional implementation of the first indication information of the fourth command, and the optional implementation of the third indication information of the second command can be referred to the optional implementation of the first indication information of the fourth command, which will not be repeated here.

[0239] In some embodiments, four second commands can be defined, i.e., a second command for indicating a first device, a second command for indicating multiple first devices, a second command for indicating a group of first devices, and a second command for indicating all first devices, and different command types (command types) are associated. The optional implementation of the command type of the second command is similar to the optional implementation of the command type of the fourth command, and the optional implementation of the command type of the second command can be referred to the optional implementation of the command type of the fourth command, which will not be repeated here.

[0240] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 itself is the first device indicated by the second command based on an identity included in the second command. For example, if the second command includes a first identity, the first device 101 receiving the second command can determine that the first device 101 itself has the same identity as the first identity, and the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 itself is the first device indicated by the second command. For example, if the second command includes a plurality of first identities, the first device 101 receiving the second command can determine that the first device 101 itself has an identity included in the plurality of first identities, and the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 itself belongs to the first device indicated by the second command. For example, if the second command includes a second identity (e.g., a group identity of a group of first devices), the first device 101 receiving the second command can determine that the first device 101 itself has the same group identity as the second identity, and the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 itself belongs to the first device indicated by the second command. For example, if the second command does not include any identity or includes a special value (e.g., all), the first device 101 receiving the second command can determine that the first device 101 itself belongs to the first device indicated by the second command. For example, if the first device 101 determines that the first device 101 itself is or belongs to the first device indicated by the second command, the first device 101 can use the listening period configured by the second command. For example, the second command can be the same as or different from the fourth command in the above embodiment.

[0241] Optionally, in some embodiments, the method can include step S3203 as shown in FIG. 3B.

[0242] In step S3203, the first device 101 listens to the first transmission based on the first listening period.

[0243] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first device 101 receives a second command sent by the second device 102, and the second command can be used to indicate the use of the first listening period. The first device 101 can determine whether the first device 101 itself enables the first listening period. For example, the first device 101 can determine whether the first device 101 itself needs to enable the first listening period based on the identity of the first device 101 and the second command. For example, if the second command includes a first identity, and the first identity is the same as the identity of the first device 101, the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 itself enables the second listening period, i.e., the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission based on the first listening period. If the first identity is different from the identity of the first device 101, the first device 101 can not enable the first listening period, e.g., the first device 101 can continue to use the second listening period to listen to the first transmission.

[0244] For example, if the identity of the first device 101 is included in the multiple first identities (or there is a first identity in the multiple first identities that is the same as the identity of the first device 101), the first device 101 can determine to enable the first listening period, i.e., can listen to the first transmission based on the first listening period; if the identity of the first device 101 is not included in the multiple first identities (or there is no first identity in the multiple first identities that is the same as the identity of the first device 101), the first device 101 can not enable the first listening period, e.g., the first device 101 can continue to listen to the first transmission using the second listening period.

[0245] For example, if the second identity included in the second command is the same as the group identity of the first device 101 (i.e., the group identity of the second device group to which the first device 101 belongs), the first device 101 can determine to enable the first listening period, i.e., can listen to the first transmission based on the first listening period; if the second identity included in the second command is different from the group identity of the first device 101 (i.e., the group identity of the second device group to which the first device 101 belongs), the first device 101 can not enable the first listening period, e.g., the first device 101 can continue to listen to the first transmission using the second listening period.

[0246] For example, if the second command received by the first device 101 does not include any identity or includes a special value, the first device 101 can determine to enable the first listening period, i.e., can listen to the first transmission based on the first listening period.

[0247] In some embodiments, the second command can carry a first indication bit, and the first device 101 can determine to enable the first listening period based on the identity of the first device 101 and / or the value of the first indication bit. For example, the first device 101 receives the second command sent by the second device 102, the value of the first indication bit in the second command is a first value, and / or the first device 101 determines that the identity of the first device 101 matches (i.e., the first device 101 belongs to the first device indicated in the first command), the first device 101 can determine to enable the first listening period, i.e., the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the first listening period. That is, the first device 101 receives the second command sent by the second device 102, the second command can be used to indicate the use of the first listening period, the first device 101 can switch from the second listening period to the first listening period, and the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission using the first listening period.

[0248] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can intermittently listen to the first transmission based on a first listening period. In some embodiments, the first listening period can include an ON period and an OFF period. For example, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission during the ON period of the first listening period. For example, the first device 101 can stop listening to the first transmission during the OFF period of the first listening period. For example, the first listening period is 60 seconds, the ON period of the first listening period is 25 seconds, and the OFF period of the first listening period is 35 seconds. For one first listening period, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission during the first 25 seconds of the first listening period, and the first device 101 can stop listening to the first transmission during the last 35 seconds of the first listening period (i.e., the first device 101 stops listening to the first transmission after 25 seconds, and the duration of the stop listening is 35 seconds). For example, the duration of the ON period can be the same as the duration of the OFF period. For example, the duration of the ON period can be different from the duration of the OFF period, such as the duration of the ON period being greater than the duration of the OFF period, or the duration of the ON period being less than the duration of the OFF period. For example, the duration of the ON period and the duration of the OFF period can be default, or can be agreed by a protocol, or can be determined according to a service requirement.

[0249] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can perform charging during the OFF period of the first listening period. For example, the first device 101 can collect radio waves sent by a surrounding environment or a surrounding device to obtain energy during the OFF period of the first listening period, i.e., perform charging. For example, the first device 101 can use ambient light energy to perform charging during the OFF period of the first listening period. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the first device 101 can also use other ways to perform charging, which are not limited in the present disclosure and will not be described herein.

[0250] In some embodiments, the first listening period described above can be configured, or preconfigured, or agreed by a protocol.

[0251] It should be noted that in some embodiments, step S3202+step S3203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the second device 102 can send the second command based on a service requirement, such as the second device 102 sending the second command to indicate that the first listening period is enabled. For the first device 101 receiving the second command, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission based on the first listening period indicated by the second command.

[0252] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the step S3201+the step S3202+the step S3203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the first device 101 can first listen to the first transmission according to the second listening period. For example, according to the service requirement, the first device 101 can first listen to the first transmission according to the second listening period. The second device 102 determines that the service requirement changes, and the first device 101 needs to listen to the first transmission using the first listening period. Then, the second device 102 can send a second command to instruct the first device 101 to use the first listening period. For the first device 101 receiving the second command, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission based on the first listening period. That is, the first device 101 first listens to the first transmission according to the second listening period. When the second command for instructing to use the first listening period is received, the first device 101 can switch from the second listening period to the first listening period. The first device 101 can listen to the first transmission using the first listening period, so as to be able to respond to the service requirement in real time.

[0253] Optionally, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3B, the method can include the step S3204 and the step S3205.

[0254] The step S3204 is that the first device 101 determines that the first device 101 belongs to the paged device and / or determines to trigger the contention-based random access, and starts or restarts a timer. In some embodiments, the timer can be used to indicate the duration of listening to the first transmission.

[0255] The optional implementation of the step S3204 can refer to the optional implementation of the step S3104 in FIG. 3A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 3A, which will not be described here.

[0256] The step S3205 is that the first device 101 listens to the first transmission during the running of the timer.

[0257] The optional implementation of the step S3205 can refer to the optional implementation of the step S3105 in FIG. 3A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 3A, which will not be described here.

[0258] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the step S3204+the step S3205 can be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0259] Optionally, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3B, the method can include the step S3206.

[0260] The first device 101 receives the first transmission, which can be used to transmit a third command, which can be a command for the first device 101, and the first device 101 can start or restart the timer.

[0261] The optional implementation of step S3206 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3106 in FIG. 3A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0262] In some embodiments, step S3206 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. In some embodiments, step S3201+step S3206 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the second listening period. The first device 101 receives the first transmission, which can be used to transmit a third command, which can be a command for the first device 101, and the first device 101 can start or restart the timer, which is used to indicate the duration of listening to the first transmission. The first device 101 can listen to the first transmission during the running of the timer to ensure the communication between devices.

[0263] In some embodiments, step S3201+step S3202+step S3203+step S3206 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the second listening period. If the first device 101 receives the first command, which indicates to use the first listening period, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the first listening period. The first device 101 receives the first transmission, which can be used to transmit a third command, which can be a command for the first device 101, and the first device 101 can start or restart the timer, which is used to indicate the duration of listening to the first transmission. The first device 101 can listen to the first transmission during the running of the timer to ensure the communication between devices.

[0264] In some embodiments, the third command can indicate whether there is a next third command to be sent, i.e., the third command can indicate whether there is a next third command to be sent, such as by setting the second indication bit to 1 to indicate that there is a first transmission (i.e., a third command) to be sent from the second device to the first device, and setting the second indication bit to 0 to indicate that there is no first transmission (i.e., a third command) to be sent from the second device to the first device. In some embodiments, the first device 101 receives the third command, determines based on the second indication bit of the third command that there is a first transmission (i.e., a third command) to be sent from the second device 102 to the first device 101, and the first device 101 can restart the timer. In some embodiments, the first device 101 receives the third command, determines based on the second indication bit of the third command that there is no first transmission (i.e., a third command) to be sent from the second device 102 to the first device 101, and the first device 101 can not restart the timer.

[0265] In some embodiments, the step S3201+ the step S3204+ the step S3205+ the step S3206 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. In some embodiments, the step S3201+ the step S3202+ the step S3203+ the step S3204+ the step S3205+ the step S3206 can be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0266] It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B is different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A in that the first device 101 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A can first listen to the first transmission according to the first listening period, and if the first command sent by the second device 102 is received, the first command is used to indicate that the second listening period is enabled, the first device 101 can switch from the first listening period to the second listening period, so as to listen to the first transmission using the second listening period. The first device 101 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B can first listen to the first transmission according to the second listening period, and if the second command sent by the second device 102 is received, the second command is used to indicate that the first listening period is enabled, the first device 101 can switch from the second listening period to the first listening period, so as to listen to the first transmission using the first listening period.

[0267] The method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of the steps S3201-S3206. For example, the step S3201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the step S3202+ the step S3203+ the step S3206 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the step S3202+ the step S3203+ the step S3204+ the step S3205+ the step S3206 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but not limited thereto.

[0268] In some embodiments, steps S3202 to S3206 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0269] In some embodiments, steps S3201 to S3205 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0270] In some embodiments, steps S3202 to S3205 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0271] In some embodiments, steps S3204 to S3205 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0272] In some embodiments, steps S3202, S3203 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0273] In some embodiments, steps S3201, S3204, S3205 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0274] In some embodiments, step S3201 is optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0275] In some embodiments, other optional implementations can be described before or after the description of Figure 3B.

[0276] Figure 3C is a flow diagram illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3C, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which can be performed by the communication system 100. The above method can include but not limited to the following steps.

[0277] In step S3301, the first device 101 listens to the first transmission based on a listening period.

[0278] In some embodiments, the listening period can be used to indicate listening to the first transmission. For example, the listening period can be used to indicate that the first device 101 listens to the first transmission, that is, the listening period can be used for the first device 101 to listen to the first transmission. The optional implementation of the first transmission in step S3301 can refer to the description of the first transmission in step S3101 of Figure 3A, which will not be described here.

[0279] It should be noted that the difference between the embodiment shown in FIG. 3C and the embodiments shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B is that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, two listening periods can be defined, i.e., the first listening period and the second listening period; in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3C, one listening period can be defined. Exemplarily, the one listening period can be the first listening period, or can be the second listening period.

[0280] In some embodiments, the first device 101 meets the set condition, and the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission based on the listening period. In some embodiments, the first device 101 meeting the set condition can include but is not limited to the first device 101 being started up. Exemplarily, when the first device 101 is started up, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the listening period. In some embodiments, the first device 101 meeting the set condition can include but is not limited to the first device 101 having data to be sent. Exemplarily, when it is determined that the first device 101 has data to be sent, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the listening period.

[0281] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission intermittently based on the listening period. In some embodiments, the listening period can include an ON duration and an off duration. Exemplarily, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission during the ON duration of the listening period. Exemplarily, the first device 101 can stop listening to the first transmission during the off duration of the listening period. Exemplarily, the length of the ON duration can be the same as the length of the off duration, or the length of the ON duration can be different from the length of the off duration, for example, the length of the ON duration is greater than the length of the off duration, or for example, the length of the ON duration is less than the length of the off duration. Exemplarily, the length of the ON duration and the length of the off duration can be default, or can be agreed by protocol, or can be determined according to business requirements.

[0282] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the listening period can be configured by a fourth command, for example, the fourth command can be used to indicate the length of the on period and / or the length of the off period of the listening period, so if the first device 101 receives the fourth command, it can be considered that the first device 101 meets the set condition, and the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the listening period configured by the fourth command. In some embodiments, the first device 101 meeting the set condition can include but is not limited to: the first device 101 receiving the fourth command, which is used to configure the listening period, for example, the fourth command can be a newly defined command, such as a command specially used to indicate the length of the on period and / or the length of the off period of the listening period. For example, the second device 102 sends the fourth command, and correspondingly, for the first device 101 receiving the fourth command, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the length of the on period and / or the length of the off period indicated by the fourth command. That is, the fourth command can directly carry the length of the on period and / or the length of the off period of the listening period, and the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission through the length of the on period and / or the length of the off period in the fourth command.

[0283] In some embodiments, the fourth command can also indicate which specific first devices can use the length of the on period and / or the length of the off period of the listening period to listen to the first transmission. In some embodiments, a common fourth command can be defined, which is used to indicate the fourth command of a first device, the fourth command of multiple first devices, the fourth command of a group of first devices, and the fourth command of all first devices, which can share a command type (command type). Then, the first indication information in the fourth command can be used to distinguish whether the fourth command indicates one first device, multiple first devices, a group of first devices, or all first devices. The optional implementation of the first indication information in the fourth command can refer to the optional implementation of the first indication information in the fourth command in step S3101 of FIG. 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0284] In some embodiments, four types of fourth commands can be defined, i.e., the fourth command for indicating a first device, the fourth command for indicating multiple first devices, the fourth command for indicating a group of first devices, and the fourth command for indicating all first devices, which are associated with different command types (command types). The optional implementation of the command type of the fourth command can refer to the optional implementation of the command type in the fourth command in step S3101 of FIG. 3A described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0285] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 itself is the first device indicated by the fourth command by including an identification in the fourth command. For example, the fourth command includes a first identification. For the first device 101 receiving the fourth command, if the first device 101 determines that the device identification of the first device 101 is the same as the first identification, the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 itself is the first device indicated by the fourth command. For example, the fourth command includes a plurality of first identifications. For the first device 101 receiving the fourth command, if the first device 101 determines that the device identification of the first device 101 is included in the plurality of first identifications, the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 itself belongs to the first device indicated by the fourth command. For example, the fourth command includes a second identification (e.g., a group identification of a group of first devices). For the first device 101 receiving the fourth command, if the first device 101 determines that the group identification of the first device 101 is the same as the second identification, the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 itself belongs to the first device indicated by the fourth command. For example, the fourth command does not include any identification or includes a special value (e.g., all). For the first device 101 receiving the fourth command, the first device 101 can determine that the first device 101 itself belongs to the first device indicated by the fourth command. For example, if the first device 101 determines that the first device 101 itself is or belongs to the first device indicated by the fourth command, the first device 101 can use the listening period configured by the fourth command.

[0286] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can perform charging during the off period of the listening period. For example, the first device 101 can collect radio waves transmitted by the surrounding environment or the surrounding devices to obtain energy, i.e., perform charging, during the off period of the listening period. For example, the first device 101 can use ambient light energy to perform charging during the off period of the listening period. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the first device 101 can also perform charging in other manners, which are not limited in the present disclosure and will not be described herein.

[0287] In some embodiments, the listening period can refer to a time period. For example, the unit of the listening period can be, but is not limited to, any one of the following: us (microsecond); ms (millisecond); s (second); minute; hour. Optionally, the unit of the listening period can also be represented in other forms, such as relative time indication, which are not limited in the present disclosure and will not be described herein.

[0288] Optionally, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3C, the method can include steps S3302 and S3303.

[0289] In step S3302, the first device 101 determines that it belongs to the paged devices and / or determines that the contention-based random access is triggered, and starts or restarts a timer. In some embodiments, the timer can be used to indicate the duration of listening to the first transmission.

[0290] The optional implementation of step S3302 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3104 in FIG. 3A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0291] In step S3303, the first device 101 listens to the first transmission during the running of the timer.

[0292] The optional implementation of step S3303 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3105 in FIG. 3A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0293] Optionally, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3C, the method can comprise step S3304.

[0294] In step S3304, the first device 101 receives the first transmission, which can be used to transmit a third command, which can be a command for the first device 101, and the first device 101 can start or restart the timer.

[0295] The optional implementation of step S3304 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3106 in FIG. 3A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0296] In some embodiments, step S3304 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. In some embodiments, step S3301+step S3304 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the listening period. The first device 101 receives the first transmission, which can be used to transmit a third command, which can be a command for the first device 101, and the first device 101 can start or restart the timer, which is used to indicate the duration of listening to the first transmission. The first device 101 can listen to the first transmission during the running of the timer, thereby ensuring the communication between devices.

[0297] The method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3301-S3304. For example, step S3301 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3302+S3303 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3301+S3302+S3303 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3302+S3303+S3304 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3301+S3302+S3303+S3304 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0298] In some embodiments, steps S3302-S3304 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0299] In some embodiments, steps S3301, S3304 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0300] In some embodiments, step S3304 is optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0301] In some embodiments, step S3301 is optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0302] In some embodiments, steps S3302, S3303 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0303] In some embodiments, other optional implementations described before or after the corresponding description of FIG. 3C can be referred to.

[0304] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which can be performed by a first device 101, and the above method can include but is not limited to the following steps.

[0305] Step S4101, based on first information, listening to a first transmission; the first transmission is a transmission from a second device to the first device; wherein the first device and the second device are both devices in an Internet of Things scenario.

[0306] In some embodiments, the first device is one or more of Internet of Things devices; the second device is a network device or an intermediate node in an Internet of Things scenario.

[0307] In some embodiments, the first information comprises a first listening period; the first device 101 can determine the first listening period. Illustratively, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission based on the first listening period. Illustratively, the first device 101 can determine the first listening period based on a protocol agreement; or, the first device 101 can determine the first listening period based on a configuration of the second device; or, the first device 101 can determine the first listening period based on a pre-configuration of the second device; or, the first device 101 can determine the first listening period based on an implementation of the first device.

[0308] In some embodiments, the first listening period comprises an on period and an off period; the first device 101 listens to the first transmission based on the first information, comprising: the first device 101 listens to the first transmission based on the first listening period. Illustratively, the first device 101 listens to the first transmission during the on period of the first listening period; the first device 101 stops listening to the first transmission during the off period of the first listening period.

[0309] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: the first device 101 performs charging during the off period of the first listening period.

[0310] In some embodiments, the first information further comprises a second listening period, the second listening period being different from the first listening period. Illustratively, the first device 101 listens to the first transmission based on the second listening period.

[0311] In some embodiments, the first device 101 listens to the first transmission based on the first information, comprising: the first device 101 listens to the first transmission based on the first listening period when a set condition is met. In some embodiments, the first device 101 receives a first command sent by the second device, the first command being used to instruct to use the second listening period; the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission based on the second listening period.

[0312] In some embodiments, the first device 101 listens to the first transmission based on the first information, comprising: the first device 101 listens to the first transmission based on the second listening period when a set condition is met. In some embodiments, the first device 101 receives a second command sent by the second device, the second command being used to instruct to use the first listening period; the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission based on the first listening period.

[0313] In some embodiments, the first device 101 determines the second listening period based on a protocol agreement; or, determines the second listening period based on a configuration of the second device; or, determines the second listening period based on a pre-configuration of the second device; or, determines the second listening period based on an implementation of the first device.

[0314] In some embodiments, the first information comprises a timer, the timer is used to indicate a time length for listening to the first transmission; the first device 101 determines that the first device 101 belongs to the paged device and / or determines that the first device triggers the contention-based random access, and the first device 101 can start or restart the timer, and listen to the first transmission during the running of the timer.

[0315] In some embodiments, the first device 101 determines that the first device 101 does not belong to the paged device and / or determines that the first device 101 triggers the non-contention-based random access, and does not start or restart the timer.

[0316] In some embodiments, during the running of the timer, the first device 101 receives the first transmission, and the first device 101 restarts the timer.

[0317] In some embodiments, the first device 101 receives the first transmission, and the first transmission is used to transmit a third command, the third command is a command for the first device, and the first device 101 starts or restarts the timer.

[0318] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can determine the timer based on a protocol agreement; or, determine the timer based on a second device configuration; or, determine the timer based on a second device pre-configuration; or, determine the timer based on a first device implementation.

[0319] The optional implementation of the first device 101 side method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be referred to the above description related to the first device 101 in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, which will not be described here.

[0320] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the embodiments of the present disclosure involve a communication method, which can be performed by the first device 101, and the above method can include but not limited to the following steps.

[0321] Step S5101, configuring the first device 101 with first information.

[0322] In some embodiments, the first information can be used to indicate that the first device 101 listens to the first transmission; the first transmission can be a transmission from the second device 102 to the first device 101; wherein the first device 101 and the second device 102 are both devices in an Internet of Things scenario.

[0323] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can be one or more of Internet of Things devices; and the second device 102 can be a network device or an intermediate node in an Internet of Things scenario.

[0324] In some embodiments, the first information can comprise a first listening period, and the first listening period is used to listen to the first transmission.

[0325] In some embodiments, the first listening period comprises an on period and an off period; wherein the on period of the first listening period is used for listening to the first transmission; and the off period of the first listening period is used for stopping listening to the first transmission. For example, the first device 101 listens to the first transmission during the on period of the first listening period; and the first device 101 stops listening to the first transmission during the off period of the first listening period.

[0326] In some embodiments, the off period of the first listening period is also used for charging. For example, the first device 101 charges during the off period of the first listening period.

[0327] In some embodiments, the first information comprises a second listening period, the second listening period is used for listening to the first transmission, and the second listening period is different from the first listening period.

[0328] In some embodiments, the second device 102 sends a first command to the first device 101, the first command is used to instruct the first device 101 to listen to the first transmission using the second listening period. For example, for the device 101 receiving the first command, the device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the second listening period.

[0329] In some embodiments, the second device 102 sends a second command to the first device 101, the second command is used to instruct the first device 101 to listen to the first transmission using the first listening period. For example, for the device 101 receiving the second command, the device 101 can listen to the first transmission according to the first listening period.

[0330] In some embodiments, the first information comprises a timer, the timer is used to indicate a listening duration of the first transmission.

[0331] In some embodiments, the second device 102 sends a first transmission to the first device 101, the first transmission is used to transmit a third command, the third command is a command for the first device 101, and the third command is used to instruct the first device 101 to start or restart the timer.

[0332] The optional implementation of the second device 102 side method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be referred to the description of the second device 102 in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, which will not be repeated here.

[0333] FIG. 6 is an interaction schematic diagram of a communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100, and the method comprises but is not limited to the following steps.

[0334] In step S6101, the second device 102 configures the first device 101 with first information, the first information being used to instruct the first device to listen to a first transmission; the first transmission being a transmission from the second device to the first device; wherein the first device 101 and the second device 102 are both devices in an Internet of Things scenario.

[0335] In step S6102, the first device 101 listens to the first transmission based on the first information.

[0336] In some embodiments, two listening periods can be defined, including a first listening period and a second listening period, the first listening period and the second listening period being different; for example, the first listening period has a longer duration than the second listening period, or the first listening period has a shorter duration than the second listening period. In some embodiments, the first information can include the first listening period, the first listening period being used to listen to the first transmission. For example, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission based on the first listening period. The optional implementation can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in FIG. 3A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 3A, which will not be described here.

[0337] In some embodiments, two listening periods can be defined, including a first listening period and a second listening period, the first listening period and the second listening period being different; for example, the first listening period has a longer duration than the second listening period, or the first listening period has a shorter duration than the second listening period. In some embodiments, the first information can include the second listening period, the second listening period being used to listen to the first transmission, and the second listening period being different from the first listening period. For example, the first device 101 can listen to the first transmission based on the second listening period. The optional implementation can refer to the optional implementation of step S3201 in FIG. 3B and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 3B, which will not be described here.

[0338] In some embodiments, one listening period can be defined, for example, the listening period can be the first listening period, or can be the second listening period. In some embodiments, the first information can include the listening period, the listening period being used to listen to the first transmission. For example, the first device can listen to the first transmission based on the listening period. The optional implementation can refer to the optional implementation of step S3301 in FIG. 3C and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 3C, which will not be described here.

[0339] In some embodiments, the above method can include the method described in the embodiments of the first device side and the second device side, which will not be described here.

[0340] It is worth noting that the embodiments of the present disclosure propose an energy saving method in an IOT scenario, which can make the IOT device perform discontinuous reception, save power as much as possible, reduce the number of charging and discharging, and improve the working performance of the IOT device. The following will be described exemplarily in combination with embodiments.

[0341] In some embodiments, a listening period is defined, the listening period includes an ON duration and an off duration, and the first IOT device listens to the R2D transmission (i.e., the first transmission herein) in the ON duration.

[0342] Exemplarily, a listening period is defined. Exemplarily, the first IOT device listens to the R2D transmission according to the listening period after being powered on by charging. Specifically, the first IOT device listens to the R2D transmission in the ON duration of the listening period and stops listening to the R2D transmission in the off duration. Exemplarily, the first IOT device charges in the off duration. The listening period can be configured, preconfigured, or specified by a protocol.

[0343] Exemplarily, two listening periods are defined, a long listening period and a short listening period (e.g., the first listening period and the second listening period herein). Exemplarily, the first IOT device listens to the R2D transmission according to the long listening period after being powered on. Exemplarily, the first IOT device listens to the R2D transmission according to the short listening period after being powered on.

[0344] In some embodiments, a first command is defined, and the second device (e.g., a CN / Reader) indicates the IOT device to switch from the long listening period to the short listening period or from the short listening period to the long listening period through the first command.

[0345] Exemplarily, the first command can indicate one IOT device, and the first command can indicate a group of IOT devices. The first command can indicate all IOT devices. Exemplarily, one bit is used to indicate the long listening period or the short listening period, for example, being set to 0 to indicate that the IOT device enters the long listening period, being set to 1 to indicate that the IOT device enters the short listening period, or other indication forms, which are not specifically limited. Exemplarily, the first command can be a paging command, and exemplarily, the first command can be a new command.

[0346] In some embodiments, a timer is defined, the first IOT device determines the IOT device that belongs to the paged IOT device and / or the first IOT device determines to trigger the contention-based random access, and the first IOT device starts the timer. During the running of the timer, the first IOT device listens to the R2D transmission.

[0347] In an example, the paging message pages a group of IOT devices, the first IOT device belongs to the group of IOT devices. In an example, the paging message contains Q, triggers contention-based random access, the first IOT device starts a timer, e.g., at the end of the paging message, during the running of the timer, the first IOT device listens to R2D transmission. In an example, the paging message pages a group of IOT devices, the first IOT device does not belong to the group of IOT devices, the first IOT device does not start a timer.

[0348] In an example, the paging message pages one IOT device, the first IOT device is the one IOT device being paged, the paging message triggers non-contention-based random access, the first IOT device does not start a timer. The paging message pages one IOT device, the first IOT device is not the one IOT device being paged, the first IOT device does not start a timer.

[0349] In an example, the paging message pages all IOT devices, the first IOT device belongs to the one of the all IOT devices being paged. In an example, all IOT devices receiving the paging message belong to the IOT devices being paged, the first IOT device receives the paging message. In an example, the paging message contains Q, triggers contention-based random access, the first IOT device starts a timer, e.g., at the end of the paging message, during the running of the timer, the first IOT device listens to R2D transmission.

[0350] In some embodiments, during the running of the timer, the first IOT device receives R2D transmission, the first IOT device restarts the timer. In an example, the first IOT device determines that contention-based random access is triggered, during the running of the timer, the first IOT device receives R2D transmission, e.g., query (contains Q), and / or queryrepete (decreases by 1 for each received random number), and / or queryadjust (adjusts Q), the first IOT device restarts the timer.

[0351] In some embodiments, the first IOT device receives a second command, the second command is a command directed to the first IOT device, the first IOT device starts or restarts the timer. In an example, the second command can include a read command, a write command, a kill command, a disable command, etc. The second command contains the same device identification as the first IOT device.

[0352] Embodiments of the present disclosure also propose an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods, e.g., an apparatus comprising units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the first device in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is proposed, comprising units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the second device in any of the above methods.

[0353] It should be understood that the division of each unit or module in the above apparatus is only a logical function division, and all or part of them can be integrated into a physical entity or physically separated in actual implementation. In addition, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of processor calling software: for example, the apparatus includes a processor connected with a memory, the memory stores instructions, and the processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or realize the functions of the units or modules of the above apparatus, wherein the processor is a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory in the apparatus or a memory outside the apparatus. Alternatively, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, and the functions of part or all of the units or modules can be realized by the design of the hardware circuit. The above hardware circuit can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of part or all of the units or modules are realized by the design of the logical relationship of the elements in the circuit; for another example, in another implementation, the above hardware circuit is a programmable logic device (PLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) is taken as an example, which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by a configuration file, so as to realize the functions of part or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above apparatus can be implemented in the form of processor calling software, or all units or modules can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, or part of the units or modules are implemented in the form of processor calling software, and the remaining part is implemented in the form of hardware circuit.

[0354] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with information processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and running capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), a digital signal processor (DSP), and the like. In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through a logical relationship of hardware circuit, and the logical relationship of the hardware circuit is fixed or can be reconfigured. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In the reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads a configuration document to implement the hardware circuit configuration. It can be understood that the processor loads instructions to implement the functions of the above part or all units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), and the like.

[0355] FIG. 7A is a structural schematic diagram of a first device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7A, the first device 7100 can include at least one of a transceiver module 7101, a processing module 7102, and the like. In some embodiments, the processing module 7102 is configured to listen to a first transmission based on first information, the first transmission being a transmission from a second device to the first device, and the first device and the second device are both devices in an Internet of Things scenario. Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (for example, steps S3102 and S3202, but not limited thereto) of the sending and / or receiving performed by the first device 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be described herein again. Optionally, the processing module is configured to perform at least one of the other steps (for example, steps S3101, S3103, S3104, S3105, S3106, S3107, S3201, S3203, S3204, S3205, S3206, and S3207, but not limited thereto) performed by the first device 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be described herein again.

[0356] In some embodiments, the first device is one or more of Internet of Things devices; and the second device is a network device or an intermediate node in an Internet of Things scenario.

[0357] In some embodiments, the first information comprises a first listening period; and the processing module 7102 is configured to determine the first listening period. For example, the processing module 7102 is configured to determine the first listening period based on a protocol agreement; or, determine the first listening period based on a configuration of the second device; or, determine the first listening period based on a pre-configuration of the second device; or, determine the first listening period based on an implementation of the first device.

[0358] In some embodiments, the first listening period comprises an on-period and an off-period; and the processing module 7102 is configured to listen to the first transmission based on the first listening period. For example, the processing module 7102 is configured to listen to the first transmission during the on-period of the first listening period; and stop listening to the first transmission during the off-period of the first listening period.

[0359] In some embodiments, the processing module 7102 is configured to perform charging during the off-period of the first listening period.

[0360] In some embodiments, the first information further comprises a second listening period, the second listening period being different from the first listening period.

[0361] In some embodiments, the processing module 7102 is configured to listen to the first transmission based on the first listening period when the first device 101 meets a set condition. The processing module 7102 is configured to receive a first command sent by the second device, the first command being used to instruct to use the second listening period; and listen to the first transmission based on the second listening period.

[0362] In some embodiments, the processing module 7102 is configured to listen to the first transmission based on the second listening period when the first device 101 meets a set condition. The processing module 7102 is configured to receive a second command sent by the second device, the second command being used to instruct to use the first listening period; and listen to the first transmission based on the first listening period.

[0363] In some embodiments, the processing module 7102 is configured to determine the second listening period based on a protocol agreement; or, determine the second listening period based on a configuration of the second device; or, determine the second listening period based on a pre-configuration of the second device; or, determine the second listening period based on an implementation of the first device.

[0364] In some embodiments, the first information comprises a timer, the timer being used to indicate a time length for listening to the first transmission; and the processing module 7102 is configured to determine that the first device 101 belongs to a paged device and / or determine that the first device triggers a contention-based random access; and start the timer, and listen to the first transmission during a running period of the timer.

[0365] In some embodiments, the processing module 7102 is configured to determine that the first device 101 triggers the non-contention based random access, and not to start the timer.

[0366] In some embodiments, during the running of the timer, the transceiver module 7101 receives the first transmission, and the processing module 7102 is configured to restart the timer.

[0367] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 7101 receives the first transmission, the first transmission is used to transmit a third command, the third command is a command for the first device, and the processing module 7102 starts or restarts the timer.

[0368] In some embodiments, the processing module 7102 is configured to determine the timer based on a protocol agreement, or based on a second device configuration, or based on a second device pre-configuration, or based on a first device implementation.

[0369] FIG. 7B is a structural schematic diagram of a second device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7B, the second device 7200 can include at least one of a transceiver module 7201, a processing module 7202, etc. In some embodiments, the processing module 7202 is configured to configure first information for a first device, the first information being used by the first device to listen to a first transmission, the first transmission being a transmission from a second device to the first device, and the first device and the second device both being devices in an Internet of Things scenario. Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to perform at least one of the communication steps of sending and / or receiving performed by the second device 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be described herein again. Optionally, the processing module is configured to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the second device 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be described herein again.

[0370] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can be one or more of Internet of Things devices, and the second device 102 can be a network device or an intermediate node in an Internet of Things scenario.

[0371] In some embodiments, the first information can include a first listening period, the first listening period being used to listen to the first transmission.

[0372] In some embodiments, the first listening period includes an on period and an off period, the first listening period on period being used to listen to the first transmission, and the first listening period off period being used to stop listening to the first transmission. For example, the first device 101 listens to the first transmission during the on period of the first listening period, and stops listening to the first transmission during the off period of the first listening period.

[0373] In some embodiments, the off period of the first listening period is also used for charging replenishment. For example, the first device 101 performs charging replenishment during the off period of the first listening period.

[0374] In some embodiments, the first information comprises a second listening period, the second listening period is used for listening to the first transmission, and the second listening period is different from the first listening period.

[0375] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 7201 is configured to send a first command to the first device 101, the first command being used to instruct the first device 101 to use the second listening period to listen to the first transmission.

[0376] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 7201 is configured to send a second command to the first device 101, the second command being used to instruct the first device 101 to use the first listening period to listen to the first transmission.

[0377] In some embodiments, the first information comprises a timer, the timer being used to indicate a time length for listening to the first transmission.

[0378] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 7201 is configured to send a first transmission to the first device 101, the first transmission being used to transmit a third command, the third command being a command for the first device 101, and the third command being used to instruct the first device 101 to start or restart the timer.

[0379] In some embodiments, the transceiver module can comprise a sending module and / or a receiving module, which can be separate or integrated together. Alternatively, the transceiver module can be replaced by a transceiver.

[0380] In some embodiments, the processing module can be one module or can comprise a plurality of sub-modules. Alternatively, the plurality of sub-modules perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module. Alternatively, the processing module can be replaced by a processor.

[0381] FIG. 8A is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device 8100 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication device 8100 can be a first device (such as an IOT device or an A-IOT device, etc.), a second device (such as a network device, e.g., an access network device, a core network device, or a server, etc.), a chip or chip system or processor supporting the first device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip or chip system or processor supporting the second device to implement any of the above methods. The communication device 8100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and details can be referred to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0382] As shown in FIG. 8A, the communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 can be a general processor or a special-purpose processor, etc., such as a baseband processor or a central processor. The baseband processor can be configured to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processor can be configured to control a communication apparatus (e.g., a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process data of the programs. Optionally, the communication device 8100 is configured to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the one or more processors 8101 are configured to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above methods.

[0383] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8103. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8103, the transceiver 8103 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., step S3102, step S3202, but not limited to) in the above methods, and the processor 8101 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., step S3101, step S3103, step S3104, step S3105, step S3106, step S3107, step S3201, step S3203, step S3204, step S3205, step S3206, step S3207, but not limited to). In optional embodiments, the transceiver can include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiving unit, transceiver, transceiving circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc. can be replaced with each other, and the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other, and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0384] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8102 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memory 8102 can also be outside the communication device 8100. In optional embodiments, the communication device 8100 can include one or more interface circuits 8104. Optionally, the interface circuit 8104 is connected to the memory 8102, and the interface circuit 8104 can be configured to receive data from the memory 8102 or other devices, and can be configured to send data to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8104 can read data stored in the memory 8102 and send the data to the processor 8101.

[0385] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiments can be the first device or the second device, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 can not be limited by FIG. 8A. The communication device can be a standalone device or can be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device can be: 1) a standalone integrated circuit (IC), or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, which can optionally also include storage components for storing data, programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, a smart terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handset, a mobile unit, a vehicle-mounted device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, and the like; (6) other devices, and the like.

[0386] FIG. 8B is a structural schematic diagram of a chip 8200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the case where the communication device 8100 is a chip or a chip system, the structural schematic diagram of the chip 8200 shown in FIG. 8B can be referred to, but is not limited thereto.

[0387] The chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201. The chip 8200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0388] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202. Optionally, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and the like can be replaced with each other. In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memory 8203 can be outside the chip 8200. Optionally, the interface circuit 8202 is connected to the memory 8203, and the interface circuit 8202 can be configured to receive data from the memory 8203 or other devices, and the interface circuit 8202 can be configured to send data to the memory 8203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8202 can read data stored in the memory 8203 and send the data to the processor 8201.

[0389] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 8202 performs at least one of the communication steps (for example, step S3102, step S3202, but not limited thereto) of transmitting and / or receiving and the like in the above method. The interface circuit 8202 performing the communication steps such as transmitting and / or receiving in the above method refers to, for example, the interface circuit 8202 performing data interaction between the processor 8201, the chip 8200, the memory 8203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 8201 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S3101, step S3103, step S3104, step S3105, step S3106, step S3107, step S3201, step S3203, step S3204, step S3205, step S3206, step S3207, but not limited thereto).

[0390] The present disclosure further proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 8100, cause the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and can also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and can also be a transitory storage medium.

[0391] The present disclosure further proposes a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 8100, causes the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0392] The present disclosure further proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[0393] In the embodiments described above, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer programs are loaded on a computer and executed, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are produced. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer programs can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer programs can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center through a wired (such as a coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) manner. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that includes one or more available media sets. The available media can be a magnetic medium (such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (such as a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (such as a solid state disk (SSD)), etc.

[0394] Those skilled in the art can appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of the 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 the functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. A person 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 the present disclosure.

[0395] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0396] The above description is merely a specific implementation of the present disclosure, but the protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical range disclosed by the present disclosure, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is performed by a first device, and the method comprises: listening to a first transmission based on first information; the first transmission is a transmission from a second device to the first device; wherein the first device and the second device are both devices in an Internet of Things scenario.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first device is one or more of Internet of Things devices; and the second device is a network device or an intermediate node in the Internet of Things scenario.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first information comprises a first listening period; and the method further comprises: determining the first listening period.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The determination of the first listening period comprises: determining the first listening period based on a protocol agreement; or determining the first listening period based on a configuration of the second device; or determining the first listening period based on a pre-configuration of the second device; or determining the first listening period based on an implementation of the first device.

5. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein, The first listening period comprises an on period and an off period; and the listening to the first transmission based on the first information comprises: listening to the first transmission during the on period of the first listening period; and stopping listening to the first transmission during the off period of the first listening period.

6. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein, The method further comprises: performing charging and energy replenishment during the off period of the first listening period.

7. The method of any one of claims 1-6, wherein, The first information comprises a second listening period, which is different from the first listening period.

8. The method of any one of claims 3-7, wherein, The listening to the first transmission based on the first information comprises: the first device listens to the first transmission based on the first listening period in accordance with a set condition.

9. The method of claim 7 or 8, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving a first command sent by the second device, the first command being used to instruct to use the second listening period; and listening to the first transmission based on the second listening period.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein, The listening to the first transmission based on the first information comprises: the first device listens to the first transmission based on the second listening period in accordance with a set condition.

11. The method of claim 7 or 10, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving a second command sent by the second device, the second command being used to instruct to use the first listening period; and listening to the first transmission based on the first listening period.

12. The method of any one of claims 7-11, wherein, The method further comprises: determining the second listening period based on a protocol agreement; or determining the second listening period based on a configuration of the second device; or determining the second listening period based on a pre-configuration of the second device; or determining the second listening period based on an implementation of the first device.

13. The method of claims 1-12, wherein, The first information comprises a timer, which is used to indicate a duration of listening to the first transmission; and the method comprises: determining that the first device belongs to devices being paged and / or determining that the first device triggers contention-based random access; and starting the timer, and listening to the first transmission during running of the timer.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The method further comprises: determining that the first device does not belong to devices being paged and / or determining that the first device triggers non-contention-based random access, and not starting the timer.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein, The method further comprises: during running of the timer, the first device receiving the first transmission, and the first device restarting the timer.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving the first transmission, the first transmission being used to transmit a third command, the third command being a command directed to the first device; starting or restarting the timer.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein, The method further comprises: determining the timer based on a protocol agreement; or determining the timer based on a configuration of the second device; or determining the timer based on a pre-configuration of the second device; or determining the timer based on an implementation of the first device.

18. A method of communication, comprising: The method is performed by a second device, and the method comprises: configuring a first device with first information, the first information being used to instruct the first device to listen to a first transmission; the first transmission being a transmission from the second device to the first device; wherein the first device and the second device are both devices in an Internet of Things scenario. The first device is one or more of Internet of Things devices; and the second device is a network device or an intermediate node in an Internet of Things scenario.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The first information comprises a first listening period, the first listening period being used to listen to the first transmission.

20. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein, The first listening period comprises an on period and an off period; wherein:

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, the on period of the first listening period is used to listen to the first transmission; the off period of the first listening period is used to stop listening to the first transmission. The off period of the first listening period is further used for charging.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, The first information comprises a second listening period, the second listening period being used to listen to the first transmission, the second listening period being different from the first listening period.

23. The method of any one of claims 18-22, wherein, The method further comprises:

24. The method of claim 23, wherein, sending a first command to the first device, the first command being used to instruct the first device to listen to the first transmission using the second listening period. The method further comprises:

25. The method of claim 23, wherein, sending a second command to the first device, the second command being used to instruct the first device to listen to the first transmission using the first listening period. The first information comprises a timer, the timer being used to instruct a time length for listening to the first transmission.

26. The method of any one of claims 18-25, wherein, The method further comprises:

27. The method of claim 26, wherein, sending the first transmission to the first device, the first transmission being used to transmit a third command, the third command being a command directed to the first device, the third command being used to instruct the first device to start or restart the timer. comprising:

28. A communications device, characterized by a processing module configured to listen to a first transmission based on first information; the first transmission being a transmission from a second device to a first device; wherein the first device and the second device are both devices in an Internet of Things scenario. comprising:

29. A communications device, characterized by a processing module configured to configure a first device with first information, the first information being used for the first device to listen to a first transmission, the first transmission being a transmission from a second device to the first device; wherein the first device and the second device are both devices in an Internet of Things scenario. comprising:

30. A communication system, characterized by a first device configured to perform the communication method of any one of claims 1-17; a second device configured to perform the communication method of any one of claims 18-27. comprising:

31. A communications device, characterized by one or more processors; wherein the communication device is configured to perform the communication method of any one of claims 1-17, 18-27. ​ 32. A storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, wherein, When the instructions are executed on the communication device, the communication device is caused to perform the method of any of claims 1-17, 18-27.

33. A computer program product comprising a computer program, characterized in that, The computer program, when executed by the communication device, implements the steps of the method of any of claims 1-17, 18-27.

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