Response request for aiot device

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to responding to requests by an Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) device. In one method, a second device transmits a paging message to a first device, such as an AIoT device. The paging message indicates at least one device to respond to the paging message and further indicates whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device is required. The first device receives the paging message from the second device. If the paging message indicates that the at least one response is required, the first device transmits, via backscatter, a data transmission to the second device that includes the at least one response to the at least one request.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various example embodiments of this disclosure generally relate to the telecommunications field, and more specifically to methods, apparatus, and computer-readable storage media for responding to requests for environmental Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, IoT has attracted widespread attention in the field of wireless communication. IoT technology is expected to significantly transform the landscape of various industries. Automation and digitalization in these industries have opened up numerous new markets that require new IoT technologies to support battery-free devices without energy storage capabilities, or devices with energy storage that does not require manual replacement or recharging. Therefore, Ambient IoT (AIoT) has been proposed, a promising area within communication systems such as 5G and New Radio (NR). Ambient IoT refers to IoT that does not have its own power source or energy source. Specifically, Ambient IoT terminal nodes (also called Ambient IoT devices or tags) obtain energy from the environment. For example, Ambient IoT devices can capture and collect energy by collecting radio waves, thereby enabling data acquisition, transmission, and distributed computing. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect of this disclosure, a first apparatus is provided. The first apparatus includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to: receive a paging message from a second apparatus, the paging message indicating at least one apparatus to respond to the paging message, the paging message further indicating whether at least one response to at least one request from the second apparatus is required; and, based on the paging message indicating that at least one response is required, transmit data transmission to the second apparatus via backscattering including at least one response to at least one request.

[0004] In a second aspect of this disclosure, a second apparatus is provided. The second apparatus includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus to: transmit a paging message to a first apparatus, the paging message indicating at least one apparatus to respond to the paging message, the paging message further indicating whether at least one response to at least one request from the second apparatus is required; and, based on the paging message indicating that at least one response is required, receive data transmission from the first apparatus via backscattering including at least one response to at least one request.

[0005] In a third aspect of this disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes: receiving, at a first device, a paging message from a second device, the paging message indicating at least one device to respond to the paging message, the paging message further indicating whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device is required; and, based on the paging message indicating that at least one response is required, transmitting data including at least one response to at least one request to the second device via backscattering.

[0006] In a fourth aspect of this disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes: transmitting a paging message from a second device to a first device, the paging message indicating at least one device to respond to the paging message, the paging message further indicating whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device is required; and receiving data transmission including at least one response to at least one request via backscattering based on the paging message indicating that at least one response is required.

[0007] In a fifth aspect of this disclosure, a first apparatus is provided. The first apparatus includes: means for receiving a paging message from a second apparatus, the paging message indicating at least one means for responding to the paging message, the paging message further indicating whether at least one response to at least one request from the second apparatus is required; and means for transmitting data including at least one response to at least one request via backscattering to the second apparatus based on the paging message indicating that at least one response is required.

[0008] In a sixth aspect of this disclosure, a second apparatus is provided. The second apparatus includes: means for transmitting a paging message to a first apparatus, the paging message indicating at least one means to respond to the paging message, the paging message further indicating whether at least one response to at least one request from the second apparatus is required; and means for receiving data transmission including at least one response to at least one request from the first apparatus via backscattering based on the paging message indicating that at least one response is required.

[0009] In a seventh aspect of this disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon for causing a device to perform at least the method according to a third aspect.

[0010] In an eighth aspect of this disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon for causing a device to perform at least the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0011] It should be understood that the summary portion is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Some exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 An example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented is shown; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the overall access layer (AS) process between A-IoT devices and readers is shown; Figure 3 Example signaling streams for response requests to AIoT devices according to some embodiments of this disclosure are shown; Figure 4 Another example signaling flow for a response request to an AIoT device according to some embodiments of this disclosure is shown; Figure 5 Another example signaling flow for a response request to an AIoT device is shown according to some embodiments of this disclosure; Figure 6 Another example signaling flow for a response request to an AIoT device is shown according to some embodiments of this disclosure; Figure 7 A flowchart is shown illustrating a method implemented at a first device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 8 A flowchart is shown illustrating a method implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 9 A flowchart is shown illustrating a method implemented at a first device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 10 A flowchart is shown illustrating a method implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 11 A flowchart is shown illustrating a method implemented at a first device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 12 A flowchart is shown illustrating a method implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 13 A flowchart is shown illustrating a method implemented at a first device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 14 A flowchart is shown illustrating a method implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 15 A simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown; and Figure 16 A block diagram of an example computer-readable medium according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0013] In all the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The principles of this disclosure will now be described with reference to some exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and to help those skilled in the art to understand and implement this disclosure, without implying any limitation on the scope of this disclosure. The embodiments described herein can be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

[0015] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0016] References to "an embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., in this disclosure indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment includes that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is to be noted that those skilled in the art will recognize, whether explicitly described or not, that such features, structures, or characteristics apply in conjunction with other embodiments.

[0017] It should be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” etc., may be used before nouns herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another, and they do not restrict the order of the nouns. For example, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0018] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, wherein a list of two or more elements combined with “and” or “or” means at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements.

[0019] As used herein, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the “responding to A” execution step does not indicate that the step is executed immediately after “A” occurs, and may include one or more intermediate steps.

[0020] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “possessing,” “containing,” and / or “covering,” as used herein, specify the presence of the stated features, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0021] As used in this application, the term "circuit" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) Hardware circuit implementation only (e.g., implemented with purely analog and / or digital circuits) and (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (if applicable): (i) A combination of (multiple) analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and (ii) Any part of a hardware processor having software (including (multiple) digital signal processors, software, and (multiple) memories, which work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions) and (c) The operation requires software (e.g., firmware) for the operation of (multiple) hardware circuits and / or (multiple) processors, such as (multiple) microprocessors or parts thereof, but the software may be absent when the operation does not require the software.

[0022] This definition of "circuit" applies to all uses of the term in this application. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuit" also covers only hardware circuitry or processors (or processors), or portions of hardware circuitry or servers and their accompanying software and / or firmware implementations. For example, where applicable to certain claim elements, the term "circuit" also covers baseband integrated circuits or processor integrated circuits for mobile devices or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices, or other computing or networking devices.

[0023] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that conforms to any suitable communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-A Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. Furthermore, communication between terminal devices and network devices in a communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocol, including but not limited to first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth-generation (5G), 5.5G, sixth-generation (6G) communication protocols, and / or any other currently known or under development protocols. Embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. Given the rapid development of communications, future types of communication technologies and systems that can implement this disclosure will inevitably emerge. The scope of this disclosure should not be considered limited to the systems described above.

[0024] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network through which terminal devices access the network and receive services. Network devices can refer to base stations (BS) or access points (APs), such as Node B (or NB), evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), NR NB (also known as gNB), Remote Radio Unit (RRU), Radio Header End (RH), Remote Radio Header End (RRH), relay, Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, low-power node (such as femtoseconds, picoseconds), non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-terrestrial network equipment (such as satellite network equipment, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, and geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites), spacecraft network equipment, etc., depending on the terminology and technology applied. In some example embodiments, the low Earth orbit (RAN) separation architecture includes centralized units (CUs) and distributed units (DUs). An IAB node includes: a mobile terminal (IAB-MT) portion that behaves similarly to a UE towards its parent node, and a DU portion that behaves similarly to a base station towards the next-hop IAB node.

[0025] The term "terminal device" refers to any end device with wireless communication capabilities. As an example and not a limitation, a terminal device can refer to communication equipment, user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), portable subscriber station, mobile station (MS), or access terminal (AT). Terminal devices can include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, Voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablets, wearable terminal devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image acquisition terminal devices (such as digital cameras), gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop embedded devices (LEE), laptop mounted devices (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless client devices (CPE), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, watches or other wearable devices, head-mounted displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in the context of industrial and / or automated processing chains), consumer electronic devices, devices operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, etc. The terminal device may also correspond to the mobile terminal (MT) portion of an IAB node (e.g., a relay node). In the following description, the terms "terminal device," "communication device," "terminal," "user equipment," and "UE" are used interchangeably.

[0026] As used herein, the terms “resource,” “transmission resource,” “resource block,” “physical resource block” (PRB), “uplink resource,” or “downlink resource” can refer to any resource used to perform communication (e.g., communication between a terminal device and a network device), such as resources in the time domain, resources in the frequency domain, resources in the spatial domain, resources in the code domain, or any other combination of time-domain, frequency-domain, spatial-domain, and / or code-domain resources that enable communication. In the following, unless explicitly stated otherwise, resources in both the frequency and time domains will be used as examples of transmission resources used to describe some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Note that the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0027] Figure 1 An example communication environment 100 in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented is shown. In the communication environment 100, an AIoT device 110 communicates with a communication device such as a reader 120. The AIoT device 110 may be a battery-free device, a device with energy storage disabled, or a device with limited energy storage capacity. The AIoT device 110 may communicate directly and bidirectionally with the reader 120 (such as a network device or other suitable device).

[0028] As used herein, the term "environmental IoT device" may be referred to as "passive device," "passive IoT," "IoT device," "A-IoT device," "AIoT device," etc. Examples of environmental IoT devices may include, but are not limited to, tags, sensors, radio frequency (RF) components, etc. Environmental IoT devices may not necessarily be able to generate signals independently and may have very low or even no energy storage capacity. Energy for environmental IoT devices can be provided by harvesting radio waves, light, motion, heat, or any other source that may be considered a suitable power source.

[0029] As mentioned, AIoT device 110 can be an environmental IoT device without energy storage and without independent signal generation or amplification. AIoT device 110 may support backscattering transmission. Such an AIoT device 110 may be referred to as "Device A" or "Device Type A". Alternatively, in some embodiments, an AIoT device 110 supporting backscattering transmission may have energy storage but no independent signal generation. For such an AIoT device 110, the use of the stored energy may include amplification of the reflected signal. Such an AIoT device 110 may be referred to as "Device B" or "Device Type B". Alternatively, in some embodiments, AIoT device 110 has energy storage and independent signal generation, i.e., an active RF component for transmission. Such an AIoT device 110 may be referred to as "Device C" or "Device Type C". In some of the following embodiments, AIoT device 110 may be Device A, Device B, or Device C.

[0030] In some embodiments, AIoT device 110 may have different device types. A first device type of AIoT device 110 (referred to as device 1) may support approximately 1 μW peak power consumption, have energy storage, and an initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) of up to 10 x ppm, but does not support DL or UL amplification in the device. The device's UL transmission is backscattered on an externally provided carrier.

[0031] The second device type of AIoT device 110 (referred to as device 2a) can support peak power consumption of less than or equal to several hundred μW, and features energy storage, an initial SFO of up to 10X ppm, and both DL and / or UL amplification in the device. The device's UL transmission is backscattered on an externally provided carrier.

[0032] The third device type of AIoT device 110 (referred to as device 2b) can support peak power consumption of less than or equal to several hundred μW, harvested energy storage, initial SFO of up to 10X ppm, and both DL and / or UL amplification in the device. The device's UL transmission is generated internally by the device.

[0033] In some embodiments, reader 120 may be: a network device, such as a base station, gNB (also referred to as an AIoT-enabled gNB or RAN node), repeater, or IAB device; a terminal device (such as a UE); or any other suitable device. Reader 120 may transmit signals (also referred to as “ambient IoT signals”) to AIoT device 110. As used herein, a device such as reader 120 that transmits ambient IoT signals to AIoT device 110 may be referred to as an “ambient IoT device reader” or simply “reader.” AIoT device 110 receives ambient IoT signals and may perform backscatter transmission based on the ambient IoT signals. For example, AIoT device 110 may collect or harvest energy from the ambient IoT signals and use the collected energy to transmit backscatter transmission. As used herein, the term “signal” may be referred to as a “waveform.” The term “ambient IoT signal” may be referred to as “ambient IoT data,” “ambient IoT signaling,” “ambient IoT waveform,” “acquisition signal,” “carrier (CW),” “inventory signal,” or “command.” Ambient IoT signals may be physical layer (PHY) signals.

[0034] In embodiments where the reader 120 is a network device such as a base station, the AIoT device 110 can communicate directly and bidirectionally with the base station. The topology in which the AIoT device 110 communicates directly and bidirectionally with the base station (e.g., a gNB reader) can be referred to as "Topology 1".

[0035] Alternatively, AIoT device 110 can communicate bidirectionally with an intermediate node (such as reader 120) such as between AIoT device 110 and a network device (not shown) (such as a base station). Reader 120 between AIoT device 110 and the network device can be referred to as an "intermediate node" or "intermediate device." Examples of intermediate nodes may include, but are not limited to, terminal devices such as UEs (also called UE readers, and AIoT-enabled UEs, AIoT nodes, or AIoT-enabled Transmitter Receiver Points (TRPs)), repeaters, IAB nodes, repeaters, distributed units (DUs), or any other suitable AIoT-enabled devices. The intermediate node (i.e., reader 120) can transmit ambient IoT signals to AIoT device 110 and receive backscattered transmissions from AIoT device 110. Reader 120 can be implemented as a communication device such as a UE, through which AIoT devices and network devices can communicate. In some embodiments, reader 120 can be a UE reader for an ambient IoT device. The network device can be implemented as a network device serving the reader.

[0036] Reader 120 (such as an intermediate node) communicates with AIoT device 110, for example, via a Uu interface. Reader 120 can transmit ambient IoT signals to AIoT device 110 based on signals received from reader 120. Reader 120 can receive backscattered transmissions from AIoT device 110 and forward information derived from the backscattered transmissions to network devices. The topology in which AIoT device 110 communicates with a base station via reader 120 (e.g., a UE reader) can be referred to as "Topology 2".

[0037] As used herein, reader 120 may be referred to as an “ambient IoT device reader,” “A-IoT device reader,” “passive device reader,” “IoT device reader,” “reader,” or “reader for AIoT device 110.” Reader 120 may support one or more ambient IoT devices. Reader 120 may operate as a UE and be referred to as a “UE reader,” or it may operate as a radio access network (RAN) node and be referred to as an ambient RAN (A-RAN), RAN reader, or A-RAN reader.

[0038] In some embodiments, reader 120 may be an AIoT-enabled UE or an AIoT-enabled gNB. As used herein, an AIoT-enabled gNB refers to a gNB that supports AIoT Radio Access Network (RAN) functionality and is capable of communicating with an AIoT-enabled UE via an NR Uu interface. An AIoT-enabled UE may refer to a UE that supports common reader functionality and is capable of communicating with AIoT devices via an AIoT radio interface.

[0039] It should be understood that, such as Figure 1 The number of devices and their connections shown is for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting. In some example embodiments of this disclosure, there may be more or fewer devices.

[0040] The process of enabling the AIoT device 110 may involve the AIoT device 110, the reader 120, and optional additional devices, such as core network (CN) devices (not shown). As used herein, the term "function" for the AIoT device 110 may also be referred to as an "application" or "service" of the AIoT device 110, or "environmental IoT function," "environmental IoT application," or "environmental IoT service."

[0041] In the communication environment 100, several use cases related to environmental IoT are supported. An example use case could be indoor inventory management, such as an environmental IoT use case related to an automated warehouse. Specifically, for this use case, when goods are placed on shelves in the warehouse and have been stored for a certain period, the management platform periodically initiates an indoor inventory task to verify the goods (for all goods or for each different batch or group) and generates a list of tags to be inventoried, sending this list to the 5G network. The 5G network receives the list and sends a large-scale inventory signal or a specified inventory signal. Environmental IoT devices within the 5G network coverage can establish communication with the network. The 5G network can interact with the corresponding devices to obtain goods information based on inventory requirements. The 5G network can then send the obtained goods information to the management platform. During these processes, read operations can involve device-initiated (DO) and device-terminated triggered (DTT) services.

[0042] Another use case could be for indoor commands, such as those concerning online modifications to the status of medical devices. In this use case, medical device information (such as the device's serial number, usage status, usage records, service life, integrity, etc.) can be remotely read, modified, and written by the medical device management platform via 5G networks and IoT devices. During these processes, write or modification operations may involve device termination (DT) services, and read operations may involve DO DTT services.

[0043] It should be understood that these described use cases are for illustrative purposes only and do not imply any limitations. Any suitable use case can be supported by embodiments of this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0044] In some example embodiments, the transmission direction from reader 120 to AIoT device 110 is referred to as a downlink (DL) or reader-to-device (R2D) link, while the transmission direction from AIoT device 110 to reader 120 is referred to as an uplink (UL) or device-to-reader (D2R) link. In DL, reader 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or transmitter), and AIoT device 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or receiver). In UL, AIoT device 110 is a TX device (or transmitter), and reader 120 is an RX device (or receiver).

[0045] The communications in the communication environment 100 may comply with any suitable standard, including but not limited to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Evolution, LTE-A Advanced, New Radio (NR), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), Machine Type Communication (MTC), etc. Embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented according to any generated communication protocol currently known or to be developed in the future. Examples of communication protocols include, but are not limited to, first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth-generation (5G) communication protocols, 5.5G, 5G Advanced Networks, or sixth-generation (6G) networks.

[0046] As previously mentioned, AIoT service requests, such as inventory requests or command requests, can be transmitted. In some mechanisms, the Application Function (AF) can initiate inventory or command requests to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) or the AIoT Function (AIoTF). This request may optionally include area information. Subsequently, the AMF or AIoTF selects the appropriate reader(s) for that service.

[0047] In some mechanisms, the AF can initiate an inventory request or command request to the AMF / AIoTF. This request may optionally include area information. The AMF or AIoTF then selects one or more candidate readers and sends a list of candidate readers(s) to the RAN node. The RAN node ultimately determines the reader used to perform the A-IoT service. Alternatively, in some mechanisms, the AF directly determines the reader based on the location of the UE reader.

[0048] In some mechanisms, the functions and procedures required for a compact protocol stack and lightweight signaling processes for environmental IoT are discussed to enable DO-DTT data transmission and DT data transmission.

[0049] During the process, A-IoT paging can be applied, including subsequent paging for the same service. Paging messages may or may not contain an identifier (ID). Temporary identifiers are not supported unless necessary. For backward compatibility, a paging message format needs to be designed so that multiple identifiers can be included in a single paging message.

[0050] A-IoT random access can be applied, including re-access for failure handling. Both contention-based and non-contention-based scenarios are supported. For contention-based random access, only Scheme 1 (three steps only) is included, unless Radio Access Network 2 (RAN2) decides to use Scheme 3 (the unified scheme).

[0051] This process may involve A-IoT data transmission, including (re)transmission of data for failure handling. Segmentation is supported at least in D2R. In some mechanisms, this process for AIoT devices only involves the MAC layer.

[0052] AIoT signaling at the MAC layer is defined for both Topology 1 and Topology 2. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the overall AS process will be described using steps A, B, C1, and C2. Step A involves AIoT paging, where reader 220 sends an AIoT paging message based on a service request to indicate to device 220 that a response is required. Step B involves D2R data (device ID) transmission, where the triggered device 220 subsequently transmits its device ID via an AIoT random access procedure or without using that procedure. In step C1, R2D data transmission may occur, such as for sending a command. In step C2, D2R data transmission may occur, such as a response to the command.

[0053] Subsequently, the AS process described above can support indoor inventory use cases and indoor command use cases in the following ways: for the specific use case of "inventory only", it is supported by a process with steps A and B as the baseline; while for the specific use case of "inventory and command", it is supported by a process with steps A, B, C1 and C2 as the baseline.

[0054] It is important to note that for the "inventory and command" use case, it does not mean that the A-IoT paging message includes both inventory and command, nor does it mean that the reader receives inventory and command from the upper layer at the same time.

[0055] Additionally, the specific use case of "command only" can also be supported by a baseline process with steps A, B, C1, and C2. Furthermore, another candidate supporting this use case can be described using steps A' and C2. Step A' involves A-IoT paging, where the reader sends an A-IoT paging message including a command based on a service request to instruct (multiple) devices to process / respond to the command. Step C2 involves possible D2R data transmission (e.g., device ID and / or a corresponding response to the command), which can be performed via an A-IoT random access procedure or without using an A-IoT random access procedure.

[0056] For the "inventory and command" use case, a process with steps A, B, C1, and C2 is supported as a baseline, but the A-IoT paging message does not necessarily include both inventory and command, nor do the inventory and command need to be received by the reader from the upper layer at the same time. In other words, when an inventory request is issued (meaning signaling steps A and B), it is unclear whether a command request (an additional step C) will follow.

[0057] Therefore, it is impossible to clearly indicate whether step C is necessary by transmitting the service type as part of the initial message (e.g., paging) via signaling. Similarly, the AIoT reader may not know whether to expect a response from the paging device (except in inventory use cases). Both of these factors increase the complexity of AIoT signaling (variable-length, multi-state processes increase the complexity of device implementation and resource allocation) and also affect resource allocation efficiency (due to signaling uncertainty / overhead and the random access characteristics in AIoT).

[0058] In view of the above challenges, embodiments of this disclosure provide several solutions for responding to requests from AIoT devices. In one solution, the AIoT reader transmits a message to the AIoT device indicating whether at least one response to at least one request from the AIoT reader is required. Further, if the received message indicates that the at least one response is required, the AIoT device transmits data including the at least one response to the request to the AIoT reader via backscattering.

[0059] This provides a unified and 3GPP-compliant signaling system that offers resource-efficient response opportunities by flexibly attaching instructions to reader-to-device messages.

[0060] Figure 3 Example signaling flow 300 for a response request indication is shown according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The first device 310 may include and / or be implemented as an AIoT device, such as… Figure 1 The AIoT device 110 is shown. The second device 320 may include and / or be implemented as a reader, such as... Figure 1 The reader 120 is shown.

[0061] In operation, the second device 320 transmits (301) a first message to the first device 310. The first message indicates whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device 320 is required. The first device 310 receives (302) the first message from the second device 320. If the first message indicates that the at least one response is required, the first device 310 transmits (303) a data transmission including the at least one response to the request to the second device 320 via backscattering. The second device 320 receives (304) the data transmission from the first device 310.

[0062] In some embodiments, the first message may include an indication of the need for a response request flag (RRF) for the at least one response. If the RRF indicates that the at least one response is needed, the first device 310 transmits (303) the at least one response to the request to the second device 320 via backscattering. In some example embodiments, the first message may include an indication that the response request flag for a response to a request from the second device 320 is not needed. If the response request flag indicates that a response is not needed, the first device 310 may not transmit the response to the second device 320.

[0063] In some embodiments, the at least one request may include a command request and / or an inventory request. The at least one response to the request may include a response to a command request and / or an inventory response to an inventory request.

[0064] In some example embodiments, the first message may include at least one authorized resource for transmitting the at least one response to the request. The authorized resource may be considered an implicit indication or implicit flag of a response to the request. In some embodiments, the at least one request may include multiple requests from the second device 320, and the at least one authorized resource may indicate at least one response to at least one of the multiple requests. In this case, responses to at least one of the remaining multiple requests are not required. In some embodiments, the multiple requests may include inventory requests and command requests. A first message including a single authorized resource may indicate the need for a response to an inventory request, but not a response to a command request.

[0065] In some embodiments, a first message that does not include an authorized resource for a response to a request from the second device 320 may indicate that a response to a request from the second device 320 is not required.

[0066] In some embodiments, the first device 310 may perform an operation based on a first message indicating that a response to the request is not required. This operation may be to stop monitoring paging timing, stop monitoring selected messages, and / or stop monitoring messages associated with parameters or procedures. For example, messages associated with parameters or procedures requested in response to a command may not be monitored. In another embodiment, this operation may be to enter a sleep state, such as a deep sleep state. In yet another embodiment, this operation may be to transmit an acknowledgment (ACK) message for the command request to the second device 320. This acknowledgment message does not include a response to the command request.

[0067] In some embodiments, the first message may include: a paging message, a contention resolution message associated with a random access procedure to the second device 320, and / or data transmission to the first device 310. Details of this first message will be provided in conjunction with... Figures 4 to 6 Describe it.

[0068] In some embodiments, the first message may include a command request. Alternatively, the command request may be included in another message from the second device 320 to the first device 310.

[0069] Therefore, embodiments of this disclosure provide unified and 3GPP compliant signaling that offers resource-efficient response opportunities for inventory and / or command use cases by flexibly attaching command instructions to reader-to-device messages and by indicating whether a response to a command is required through explicit and implicit methods.

[0070] More specifically, assuming a three-step signaling process with contention-based random access (CBRA) and / or non-contention-based random access (CFRA) as a baseline, it is proposed that command data can be flexibly appended to MSG 0 in step A, MSG 2 in step B, or MSG C1 in step C, and subsequent payload transmissions from the device will carry a response to the command. The need for a device response can be explicitly indicated by a dedicated binary flag, or implicitly indicated by granting zero or non-zero resources. Importantly, if a response is not required, any acknowledgment or other reliability safeguards will be omitted.

[0071] Figure 4 Another example signaling flow 400 for a response request indication is shown according to some embodiments of this disclosure. This signaling flow 400 may involve steps A and B as described above. This signaling flow 400 may occur in a CFRA scenario and may be a CFRA process. The first device 410 may include and / or be implemented as an AIoT device, such as… Figure 1 The device 110 is shown. The second device 420 may include and / or be implemented as a reader, such as... Figure 1 The reader 120 is shown.

[0072] In operation, the second device 420 transmits a paging message (401) to the first device 410, for example... Figure 4MSG_0 is shown. The paging message indicates at least one device to respond to the paging message, and also indicates whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device 420 is required. The at least one request may include at least one of the following: a command request or an inventory request. The at least one response to the request may include at least one of the following: a response to a command request or an inventory response to an inventory request. The first device 410 receives (402) the paging message from the second device 420. If the paging message indicates that the at least one response is required, the first device 410 transmits (403) data transmission including at least one response to at least one request to the second device 420 via backscattering. The second device 420 receives (404) the data transmission from the first device 410 via backscattering.

[0073] In some embodiments, the paging message may include a response request flag indicating the need for at least one response. The response request flag may be set to true or 1 to indicate the need for at least one response. The response request flag may be set to false or 0 to indicate that a response is not needed. That is, the need for a response to the device is explicitly indicated by a dedicated binary flag.

[0074] For example, the response request flags could be like... Figure 4 The ResponseRequestFlag (RRF) shown indicates a request for a response if it equals 1 (RRF=1). In some embodiments, the paging message may include a command (CMD) request. In this case, RRF=1 indicates a response to a future command request. The first device 410 may transmit (403) a message associated with the random access procedure to the second device 420 via backscatter to the second device 420. This message may include an identifier of the first device 410 and a response to the command request (e.g., Figure 4 (See the B2 response shown). Accordingly, the second device 420 can receive (404) the message from the first device 410 via backscattering. In this way, commands can be efficiently transmitted via initial paging, and the second device 420 can receive the B2 response.

[0075] In some embodiments, the paging message may also include a storage request from the second device 420. Accordingly, the message (e.g.) Figure 4 The B2 response shown may also include a disk response to the disk request (e.g., Figure 4 The disk's "INV" response.

[0076] Alternatively, the first message may include a response request flag indicating that a response to the request from the second device 420 is not required. For example, Figure 4The RRF in the configuration can be alternatively set to 0 (RRF=0). In this case, no B2 response is sent from the first device 410, and the first device 410 may simply execute the command, such as updating its software or reconfiguring itself.

[0077] In addition to explicit response requests indicated via the RRF, this disclosure also provides an implicit method. The concept is that the first device 410 determines the need for a response not via the RRF, but from the allocated resources (e.g., resources allocated in the initial paging). For example, in a CFRA procedure, if at least one resource is authorized in the paging, the first device 410 is able to respond, and thus assumes an implicit request for the response.

[0078] In some embodiments, the paging message may include at least one authorized resource for transmitting at least one response to a command request. In some embodiments, the at least one request may include multiple requests from the second device 420. The at least one authorized resource may indicate at least one response to at least one of the multiple requests. In this case, responses to at least one of the remaining multiple requests are not required.

[0079] In the example, the multiple requests may include inventory requests and command requests. A first message including a single authorized resource may indicate the need for a response to the inventory request, but not necessarily a response to the command request. In this case, the B2 response may include only a response to the inventory request, excluding the response to the command request.

[0080] In another example, the at least one authorized resource may include a first resource for an inventory response to an inventory request from the second device 420, and a second resource for a response to a command request from the second device 420. In this case, the B2 response may include both a response to the inventory request and a response to the command request.

[0081] In some embodiments, the second device 420 may transmit a first paging message to the first device 410, which includes a set of authorized resources. If the set of authorized resources expires before at least one response to at least one request is received, or in response to the set of authorized resources comprising a single resource, the second device 420 may transmit a second paging message to the first device 410, which includes authorized resources for at least one response to at least one request.

[0082] Alternatively, if no authorized resource is specified for the response, an explicit indication that no response is required is conveyed. In some embodiments, a paging message that does not specify an authorized resource for a response to a request from the second device 420 may indicate that a response to a request from the second device 420 is not required. Similar to the explicit approach, in this case, a B2 response is not sent from the first device 410, and the first device 410 may simply execute the command, such as updating its software or reconfiguring itself.

[0083] In some embodiments, if a paging message indicates that a response to a request is not required, the first device 410 may stop monitoring paging timings, stop monitoring selected messages, and / or stop monitoring messages associated with parameters or procedures. Alternatively or additionally, the first device 410 may enter a sleep state, such as a deep sleep state. That is, if a response from the first device 410 is not required, after receiving (and executing) a command, the first device 410 may stop monitoring any paging related to the paging timing (session) and, for example, enter deep sleep or use incoming continuous waves only for battery charging.

[0084] Using these embodiments, the second device 420 can explicitly or implicitly indicate to the first device 410 whether a response to a request is required by using a paging message.

[0085] Figure 5 Further example signaling flow 500 for a response request indication between a first device 510 and a second device 520 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. This signaling flow 500 may involve steps A and B as described above. This signaling flow 500 may occur in a CBRA scenario and may be a CBRA process. The first device 510 may include and / or be implemented as an AIoT device, such as… Figure 1 The device 110 is shown. The second device 520 may include and / or be implemented as a reader, such as an AIoT device. Figure 1 The reader 120 is shown.

[0086] In operation, the second device 520 can transmit (501) paging messages (e.g., ...) to the first device 510. Figure 5 The first device 510 can receive (502) the paging message from the second device 520. The first device 510 can transmit (503) a message indicating the random access ID of the first device 510 (e.g., MSG_0). Figure 5 The MSG_1 shown includes “RA_ID”. The second device 520 can receive (504) this message from the first device 510.

[0087] The second device 520 transmits a (505) contention resolution message to the first device 510. This contention resolution message is associated with a random access procedure from the first device 510 to the second device 520. For example, the contention resolution message could be... Figure 5 MSG_2, shown, echoes the RA_ID from MSG_1. The contention resolution message indicates whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device 520 is required. The first device 510 receives (506) the contention resolution message from the second device 520. Based on the contention resolution message indicating that the at least one response is required, the first device 510 transmits (507) a data transmission including the at least one response to the at least one request to the second device 520 via backscatter. The second device 520 receives (508) the data transmission from the first device 510.

[0088] In some embodiments, the contention resolution message may include a response request flag indicating a need for at least one response. That is, a need for a device response is explicitly indicated by a dedicated binary flag.

[0089] For example, the response request flags could be like... Figure 5 The ResponseRequestFlag (RRF) shown indicates that a response has been requested if it is equal to 1 (RRF=1). In some embodiments, the contention resolution message may include a command request. In this case, RRF=1 indicates a response to a future command request. The first device 510 may transmit a message associated with a random access procedure to the second device 520 via backscatter to the second device 520. This message may include an identifier of the first device 510 and a response to the command request (e.g., Figure 5 (See the B2 response shown). Accordingly, the second device 520 can receive the message from the first device 510 via backscatter. Thus, a command payload can be passed to the first device 510 using a contention resolution message, and a response can be explicitly requested via RRF.

[0090] In some embodiments, the contention resolution message may also include a write-in request from the second device 520. Accordingly, the message (e.g.) Figure 5 The B2 response shown may also include a disk response to the disk request (e.g., Figure 5 The disk's "INV" response.

[0091] Alternatively, the contention resolution message may include a response request flag indicating that a response to a request from the second device is not required. For example, Figure 5The RRF in the command can be alternatively equal to 0 (RRF=0). In this case, no B2 response is sent from the first device 510, and the first device 510 can simply execute the command, such as updating its software or reconfiguring itself.

[0092] Empty or non-empty resources are equivalent to RRF=1 or RRF=0, respectively. The same logic applies to the CBRA procedure. Clearly, if for some reason, no paging message (e.g., ...) is displayed... Figure 5 If the authorized response resource is granted in MSG_0 (or the authorized resource expires during CBRA), then a contention resolution message (e.g.) is sent. Figure 5 MSG_2 in the document can theoretically also grant response resources. Therefore, similar to the CFRA procedure, for the CBRA procedure, embodiments of this disclosure provide, in addition to the explicit method for response requirements via RRF, an implicit method for response requirements via allocated resources.

[0093] In some embodiments, the contention resolution message may include at least one authorized resource for transmitting at least one response to a request. In some embodiments, the at least one request may include multiple requests from the second device 520. The at least one authorized resource may indicate at least one response to at least one of the multiple requests. In this case, responses to at least one of the remaining multiple requests are not required.

[0094] In the example, the multiple requests may include inventory requests and command requests. A first message including a single authorized resource may indicate the need for a response to the inventory request, but not necessarily a response to the command request. In this case, the B2 response may include only a response to the inventory request, excluding the response to the command request.

[0095] In another example, at least one authorized resource may include a first resource for an inventory response to an inventory request from the second device 520, and a second resource for a response to a command request from the second device 520. In this case, the B2 response may include both a response to the inventory request and a response to the command request.

[0096] Alternatively, if no resources are authorized for the response, an explicit indication that the response is not required is conveyed. In some embodiments, a contention resolution message that does not include authorized resources for the response to the request from the second device 520 may indicate that a response to the request from the second device 520 is not needed. Similar to the explicit approach, in this case, a B2 response is not sent from the first device 510, and the first device 510 may simply execute the command, such as updating its software or reconfiguring itself.

[0097] In some embodiments, if a contention resolution message indicates that a response to the request is not required, the first device 510 may perform at least one of the following: stop monitoring paging timing; stop monitoring selected messages; stop monitoring messages associated with parameters or procedures; or enter a sleep state. That is, if a response from the first device 510 is not required, after receiving (and executing) a command, the first device 510 may stop monitoring any paging related to the paging timing (session) and, for example, enter deep sleep or use the incoming continuous wave solely for battery charging.

[0098] Through these embodiments, the second device 520 can explicitly or implicitly indicate to the first device 510 via messages during the CBRA process whether a response to the request is required.

[0099] Figure 6 Further example signaling flow 600 for a response request indication is shown between a first device 610 and a second device 620 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The first device 610 may include and / or be implemented as an AIoT device, such as... Figure 1 The device 110 is shown. The second device 620 may include and / or be implemented as a reader, such as an AIoT device. Figure 1 The reader 120 is shown. The signaling stream 600 can occur in a CFBA scenario or a CBRA scenario, and can be a CFBA procedure or a CBRA procedure.

[0100] Similar to signaling flows 400 and 500, signaling flow 600 may involve steps A and B. However, signaling flow 600 may also additionally involve steps C1 and C2 described above (e.g., since the command only arrives after the inventory request is issued). Therefore, as Figure 6 The message C1 shown delivers the command payload and RRF indication. If a command response is required, it is done after completing inventory step B, via... Figure 6 The message C2 shown sends the command response.

[0101] In operation, the second device 620 can transmit (601) paging messages (e.g., ...) to the first device 610. Figure 6 The MSG_0 shown). The first device 610 can receive (602) the paging message (e.g., MSG_0) from the second device 620. Figure 6 The paging message may include a disk storage request from the second device 620. The first device 610 performs (603) a random access procedure to the second device 620. During the random access procedure, a disk storage response to the disk storage request (e.g., Figure 6The B2 response shown is transmitted to the second device 620. The second device 620 receives (604) the inventory response from the first device 610. The second device 620 transmits (605) a first data transmission including a command request (e.g., Figure 6 The message C1 shown. At least one of the first data transmission or the resource associated with the command request indicates whether a response to the command request is required. The first device 610 receives (606) the first data transmission including the command request from the second device 620. Based on the requirement that a response to the command request is required, the first device 610 transmits (607) the second data transmission including the response to the command request (e.g., ) to the second device 620 via backscattering. Figure 6 (Message C2 shown). The second device 620 receives (608) a second data transmission, including a response to a command request, from the first device 610 via backscattering.

[0102] In some embodiments, the first data transmission may include a response request flag indicating whether a response to a command request is required. This response request flag may operate based on the same or similar principles as the ResponseRequestFlag (RRF) described in conjunction with signaling flow 500, and therefore will not be elaborated upon here. Similarly, the requirement for a device response may be explicitly indicated by a dedicated binary flag.

[0103] Furthermore, similar to signaling flows 400 and 500, for signaling flow 600, embodiments of this disclosure provide, in addition to an explicit method for response requirement via RRF, an implicit method for response requirement via allocated resources. That is, an indication of whether a response is required can be implicitly indicated using an indication of empty or non-empty response resources.

[0104] In some embodiments, the second device 620 may transmit to the first device 610 a message including at least one authorized resource in response to at least one response to at least one request. The message may include paging messages and / or messages associated with a random access procedure. The first device 610 may receive the message including the at least one authorized resource from the second device 620.

[0105] In this process, two resources are required for two independent transmissions, whereas signaling streams 400 and 500 may only require one resource for a single transmission. In some embodiments, the at least one authorized resource may include a first resource for a response to a command request and a second resource for a disk drive response to a disk drive request from the second device 620. The two resources may be provided as a large resource pool, for example, as multiple available time slots. If the authorized resource pool expires before the command can be issued or responded to, the command may be delivered via a new paging timing, i.e., via a new independent paging message (e.g., MSG 0) that specifies additional resources, but may be characterized by a new paging identifier.

[0106] In some embodiments, the second device 620 may transmit a disk storage request to the first device 610 during a random access procedure from the first device 610 to the second device 620. The first device may receive the disk storage request from the second device 620 during the random access procedure. The first device 610 may transmit a disk storage response to the second device 620 during the random access procedure based on a second resource. The second device 620 may receive the disk storage response from the first device 610 during the random access procedure based on a second resource.

[0107] In some embodiments, the at least one authorized resource may include a single resource for an inventory response that indicates that a response to a command request is not required. In this case, only a single resource is initially authorized in a paging message (e.g., MSG 0), and the command may also be delivered via a new paging timing, i.e., via a new independent paging message (e.g., MSG 0) that specifies additional resources, but may be characterized by a new paging identifier.

[0108] If the second device 620 does not request a response, message C2 can still be used to deliver an acknowledgment message to the second device 620 to confirm the correct reception of command message C1 (rather than the command itself). In some embodiments, since a response to the command request is not required, the first device 610 can transmit an acknowledgment message for subsequent command requests to the second device 620 via backscattering; this acknowledgment message does not include a response to the command request. The second device 620 can receive this acknowledgment message from the first device 610.

[0109] Through these embodiments, the second device 620 can, after the RA process, explicitly or implicitly indicate to the first device 610 via data transmission whether a response to the request is required.

[0110] It should be understood that although a single first device and a single second device are shown in these signaling flows 300, 400, 500, and / or 600, in some example embodiments, multiple first devices and / or multiple second devices may be present. For example, a second device (such as reader 120) may transmit paging messages, contention resolution messages, or other data transmissions to one or more AIoT devices within the area served by the second device. It should also be understood that these signaling flows 300, 400, 500, and / or 600 may be applied to both Topology 1 and Topology 2 for AIoT devices. That is, the second device may be a gNB reader, a UE reader, or any other suitable reader.

[0111] It should be understood that the above provides some example specifications, signaling flows, and embodiments, and the detailed description is subject to variation. It should also be understood that these signaling flows 300, 400, 500, and / or 600 can be used individually or in any suitable combination. Some example embodiments, operations, or features described relative to one of these signaling flows 300, 400, 500, and / or 600 can be applied to another signaling flow within these signaling flows. A portion of one of these signaling flows 300, 400, 500, and / or 600 can be applied in conjunction with a portion of another signaling flow. It should also be understood that these signaling flows 300, 400, 500, and / or 600 can relate to any other suitable operations or signaling not shown. These signaling flows 300, 400, 500, and / or 600 can enhance the functionality of AIoT devices, such as command processes and / or inventory processes.

[0112] Figure 7 A flowchart of an example method 700 implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For ease of discussion, [the following will be discussed...] Figure 3 The angle of the first device 310 in the method 700 is described.

[0113] At block 710, the first device 310 receives a first message from the second device. The second device may be implemented as the second device 320 as described above. The first message indicates whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device is required.

[0114] At box 720, based on a first message indicating that at least one response is needed, the first device 310 transmits data including the at least one response to the request to the second device via backscattering.

[0115] In some example embodiments, the first message may include a response request flag indicating that the at least one response is required. Alternatively, the first message may include a response request flag indicating that a response to a request from the second device is not required.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the first message may include at least one authorized resource for transmitting the at least one response to the request.

[0117] In some example embodiments, the at least one request may include multiple requests from the second device, and the at least one authorized resource may indicate at least one response to at least one of the multiple requests. In this case, responses to at least one of the remaining multiple requests are not required.

[0118] In some example embodiments, the plurality of requests may include inventory requests and command requests, and a first message including a single authorized resource may indicate the need for a response to the inventory request, but not necessarily a response to the command request.

[0119] In some example embodiments, a first message that does not include an authorized resource for a response to a request from a second device may indicate that a response to a request from a second device is not required.

[0120] In some example embodiments, the at least one request may include at least one of the following: a command request or an inventory request, and the at least one response to the request may include at least one of the following: a response to a command request or an inventory response to an inventory request.

[0121] In some example embodiments, method 700 may further include: based on a first message indicating that a response to the request is not required, performing at least one of the following: stopping monitoring paging timing; stopping monitoring selected messages; stopping monitoring messages associated with parameters or procedures; entering a sleep state; or transmitting an acknowledgment message for the command request to a second device, the acknowledgment message not including a response to the command request.

[0122] In some example embodiments, the first message may include at least one of the following: a paging message, a contention resolution message associated with a random access procedure to a second device, or data transmission to the first device.

[0123] In some example embodiments, the first message may include a command request, or the command request may be included in another message from the second device to the first device.

[0124] In some example embodiments, the first device may include an AIoT device, and the second device may include a reader of the AIoT device.

[0125] Figure 8 A flowchart of an example method 800 implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For ease of discussion, [the following will be discussed]. Figure 3 The angle of the second device 320 in the method 800 is described.

[0126] At block 810, the second device 320 transmits a first message to the first device. The first device may be implemented as the first device 310 as described above. The first message indicates whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device is required.

[0127] At block 820, based on a first message indicating that at least one response is needed, the second device 320 receives data transmission from the first device via backscattering, including the at least one response to the at least one request.

[0128] In some example embodiments, the first message may include a response request flag indicating a need for the at least one response, or indicating that a response to a request from the second device is not needed.

[0129] In some example embodiments, the first message may include at least one authorized resource for transmitting the at least one response to the at least one request.

[0130] In some example embodiments, the request may include multiple requests from the second device, and the at least one authorized resource may indicate at least one response to at least one of the multiple requests. In this case, responses to at least one of the remaining multiple requests are not required.

[0131] In some example embodiments, the plurality of requests may include inventory requests and command requests, and a first message including a single authorized resource may indicate the need for a response to the inventory request, but not necessarily a response to the command request.

[0132] In some example embodiments, a first message that does not include an authorized resource for a response to a request from a second device may indicate that a response to a request from a second device is not required.

[0133] In some example embodiments, the at least one request may include at least one of the following: a command request or an inventory request, and the at least one response to the request may include at least one of the following: a response to a command request or an inventory response to an inventory request.

[0134] In some example embodiments, the first message may include at least one of the following: a paging message, a contention resolution message associated with a random access procedure to a second device, or data transmission to the first device.

[0135] In some example embodiments, the first device may include an Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) device, and the second device may include a reader of the AIoT device.

[0136] Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating an example method 900 implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For ease of discussion, [the following will be discussed...] Figure 4 The angle of the first device 410 in the method 900 is described.

[0137] At block 910, the first device 410 receives a paging message from the second device. The second device may be implemented as the second device 420 as described above. The paging message indicates at least one device to respond to the paging message. The paging message also indicates whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device is required.

[0138] At box 920, based on a paging message indicating that at least one response is needed, the first device 410 transmits data including the at least one response to the at least one request to the second device via backscatter.

[0139] In some example embodiments, the paging message may include a response request flag indicating a need for the at least one response. Alternatively, the first message may include a response request flag indicating that a response to a request from the second device is not needed.

[0140] In some example embodiments, a paging message may include at least one authorized resource for transmitting at least one response to a command request.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the at least one request may include multiple requests from the second device, and the at least one authorized resource may indicate at least one response to at least one of the multiple requests. In this case, responses to at least one of the remaining multiple requests are not required.

[0142] In some example embodiments, the plurality of requests may include inventory requests and command requests, and a first message including a single authorized resource may indicate the need for a response to the inventory request, but not necessarily a response to the command request.

[0143] In some example embodiments, the at least one authorized resource may include a first resource for an inventory response to an inventory request from the second device, and a second resource for a response to a command request from the second device.

[0144] In some example embodiments, a paging message that does not include an authorized resource for a response to a request from a second device may indicate that a response to a request from a second device is not required.

[0145] In some example embodiments, method 900 may further include: transmitting a message associated with a random access procedure to the second device via backscattering, the message including an identifier of the first device and a response to a command request.

[0146] In some example embodiments, the message may also include a disk response to a disk request from a second device.

[0147] In some example embodiments, method 900 may further include: based on a paging message indicating that a response to a request is not required, performing at least one of the following: stopping monitoring paging timing; stopping monitoring selected messages; stopping monitoring messages associated with parameters or procedures; or entering a sleep state.

[0148] In some example embodiments, the at least one request may include at least one of the following: a command request or an inventory request, and the at least one response to the request may include at least one of the following: a response to a command request or an inventory response to an inventory request.

[0149] Figure 10 A flowchart of an example method 1000 implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For ease of discussion, [the following will be discussed]. Figure 4 The angle of the second device 420 in the method 1000 is described.

[0150] At block 1010, the second device 420 transmits a paging message to the first device. The first device may be implemented as the first device 410 as described above. The paging message indicates at least one device to respond to the paging message. The paging message also indicates whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device is required.

[0151] At box 1020, based on a paging message indicating that at least one response is needed, the second device 420 receives data transmission including the at least one response to the at least one request from the first device via backscattering.

[0152] In some example embodiments, the paging message may include a response request flag indicating the need for the at least one response. Alternatively, a response to a request from the second device may not be required.

[0153] In some example embodiments, a paging message may include at least one authorized resource for transmitting at least one response to the request.

[0154] In some example embodiments, the at least one request may include multiple requests from the second device, and the at least one authorized resource may indicate at least one response to at least one of the multiple requests. In this case, responses to at least one of the remaining multiple requests are not required.

[0155] In some example embodiments, the plurality of requests may include inventory requests and command requests, and a first message including a single authorized resource may indicate the need for a response to the inventory request, but not necessarily a response to the command request.

[0156] In some example embodiments, a paging message that does not include an authorized resource for a response to a request from a second device may indicate that a response to a request from a second device is not required.

[0157] In some example embodiments, method 1000 may further include: transmitting a first paging message to a first device that includes a set of authorized resources; and in response to the set of authorized resources expiring before receiving the at least one response to the at least one request, or in response to the set of authorized resources including a single resource, transmitting a second paging message to the first device that includes authorized resources for the at least one response to the at least one request.

[0158] In some example embodiments, method 1000 may further include: receiving, via backscattering, a message associated with a random access procedure to a second device from a first device, the message including an identifier of the first device and a response to a command request.

[0159] In some example embodiments, the message may also include a disk response to a disk request from a second device.

[0160] Figure 11 A flowchart of an example method 1100 implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For ease of discussion, [the following will be discussed...] Figure 5 The angle of the first device 510 in the method 1100 is described.

[0161] At block 1110, the first device 510 receives a contention resolution message from the second device associated with a random access procedure to the second device. The second device may be implemented as the second device 520 as described above. The contention resolution message indicates whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device is required.

[0162] At box 1120, based on a contention resolution message indicating that at least one response is required, the first device 510 transmits data including the at least one response to the at least one request to the second device via backscattering.

[0163] In some example embodiments, the contention resolution message may include a response request flag indicating the need for the at least one response. Alternatively, a response to a request from the second device may not be required.

[0164] In some example embodiments, the contention resolution message may include at least one authorized resource for transmitting the at least one response to the at least one request.

[0165] In some example embodiments, the at least one request may include multiple requests from the second device, and the at least one authorized resource may indicate at least one response to at least one of the multiple requests. In this case, responses to at least one of the remaining multiple requests are not required.

[0166] In some example embodiments, the plurality of requests may include inventory requests and command requests, and a first message including a single authorized resource may indicate the need for a response to the inventory request, but not necessarily a response to the command request.

[0167] In some example embodiments, the at least one authorized resource may include a first resource for an inventory response to an inventory request from the second device, and a second resource for a response to a command request from the second device.

[0168] In some example embodiments, a paging message that does not include an authorized resource for a response to a request from a second device may indicate that a response to a request from a second device is not required.

[0169] In some example embodiments, method 1100 may further include: transmitting a message associated with a random access procedure to the second device via backscattering, the message including an identifier of the first device and a response to a command request.

[0170] In some example embodiments, the message may also include a disk response to a disk request from a second device.

[0171] In some example embodiments, method 1100 may further include: based on a contention resolution message indicating that a response to a request is not required, performing at least one of the following: stopping monitoring paging timing; stopping monitoring selected messages; stopping monitoring messages associated with parameters or procedures; or entering a sleep state.

[0172] Figure 12 A flowchart of an example method 1200 implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For ease of discussion, [the following will be discussed...] Figure 5 The angle of the second device 520 in the method 1200 is described.

[0173] At block 1210, the second device 520 transmits a contention resolution message to the first device associated with a random access procedure from the first device to the second device. The first device may be implemented as the first device 510 as described above. The contention resolution message indicates whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device is required.

[0174] At box 1220, based on a contention resolution message indicating that at least one response is required, the second device receives data transmission including a response to the command request from the first device via backscattering.

[0175] In some example embodiments, the contention resolution message may include a response request flag indicating the need for the at least one response. Alternatively, a response to a request from the second device may not be required.

[0176] In some example embodiments, the contention resolution message may include at least one authorized resource for transmitting the at least one response to the request.

[0177] In some example embodiments, the at least one request may include multiple requests from the second device, and the at least one authorized resource may indicate at least one response to at least one of the multiple requests. Responses to at least one of the remaining multiple requests may not be required.

[0178] In some example embodiments, the plurality of requests may include inventory requests and command requests, and a first message including a single authorized resource may indicate the need for a response to the inventory request, but not necessarily a response to the command request.

[0179] In some example embodiments, a contention resolution message that does not include an authorized resource for a response to a request from a second device may indicate that a response to a request from a second device is not required.

[0180] In some example embodiments, method 1200 may further include: receiving, via backscattering, a message associated with a random access procedure to a second device from a first device, the message including an identifier of the first device and a response to a command request.

[0181] In some example embodiments, the message may also include a disk response to a disk request from a second device.

[0182] Figure 13 A flowchart of an example method 1300 implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For ease of discussion, [the following will be discussed]. Figure 6 The angle of the first device 610 in the method 1300 is described.

[0183] At block 1310, the first device 610 performs a random access procedure to the second device. During this random access procedure, a disk access response to a disk access request is transmitted to the second device. The second device may be implemented as the second device 620 as described above.

[0184] At block 1320, the first device 610 receives a first data transmission including a command request from the second device. At least one of the first data transmission or a resource associated with the command request indicates whether a response to the command request is required.

[0185] At block 1330, based on the need for a response to a command request, the first device 610 transmits a second data transmission, including a response to the command request, to the second device via backscattering.

[0186] In some example embodiments, the first data transmission may include a response request flag that indicates whether a response to a command request is required.

[0187] In some example embodiments, method 1300 may further include: receiving from a second means a message including at least one authorized resource in response to at least one response to at least one request.

[0188] In some example embodiments, the at least one authorized resource may include a first resource for responding to a command request and a second resource for responding to an inventory request from a second device. Method 1300 may further include: receiving an inventory request from the second device during a random access procedure; and transmitting an inventory response to the second device during the random access procedure based on the second resource.

[0189] In some example embodiments, the at least one authorized resource, including a single resource for inventory response, can indicate that a response to a command request is not required.

[0190] In some example embodiments, the message may include at least one of the following: a paging message, or a message associated with a random access procedure.

[0191] In some example embodiments, method 1300 may further include: transmitting an acknowledgment message for another command request to a second device via backscattering, based on the fact that a response to the command request is not required, the acknowledgment message not including a response to the command request.

[0192] Figure 14 A flowchart of an example method 1400 implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For ease of discussion, [the following will be discussed]. Figure 6 The angle of the second device 620 in the method 1400 is described.

[0193] At block 1410, the second device 620 receives a disk response to a disk request from the first device during a random access process from the first device to the second device. The first device may be implemented as the first device 610 as described above.

[0194] At block 1420, the second device 620 transmits a first data transmission, including a command request, to the first device. At least one of the first data transmission or a resource associated with the command request indicates whether a response to the command request is required.

[0195] At block 1430, based on the need for a response to a command request, the second device 620 receives a second data transmission including a response to the command request from the first device via backscattering.

[0196] In some example embodiments, the first data transmission may include a response request flag that indicates whether a response to a command request is required.

[0197] In some example embodiments, method 1400 may further include: transmitting to a first device a message including at least one authorized resource in response to at least one response to at least one request.

[0198] In some example embodiments, method 1400 may further include: transmitting a disk access request to the first device during a random access procedure from the first device to the second device; and receiving a disk access response from the first device during the random access procedure based on a second resource.

[0199] In some example embodiments, the at least one authorized resource, including a single resource for inventory response, can indicate that a response to a command request is not required.

[0200] In some example embodiments, the message may include at least one of the following: a paging message or a message associated with a random access procedure.

[0201] In some example embodiments, method 1400 may further include: receiving, via backscattering, an acknowledgment message for another command request from a first device, based on the fact that a response to the command request is not required, the acknowledgment message not including a response to the other command request.

[0202] In some example embodiments, a first device capable of performing method 700 (e.g. Figure 3 The first device 310 may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of method 700. This component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented as a circuit or a software module. The first device may be implemented as or included in... Figure 3 In the first device 310.

[0203] In some example embodiments, the first device includes: a component for receiving a first message from a second device, the first message indicating whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device is required; and a component for transmitting data including the at least one response to the request to the second device via backscattering based on the first message indicating that the at least one response is required.

[0204] In some example embodiments, the first message may include a response request flag indicating that the at least one response is needed; or the first message may include a response request flag indicating that a response to a request from the second device is not needed.

[0205] In some example embodiments, the first message may include at least one authorized resource for transmitting the at least one response to the request.

[0206] In some example embodiments, the at least one request may include multiple requests from the second device, and the at least one authorized resource indicates at least one response to at least one of the multiple requests, wherein responses to at least one of the remaining multiple requests are not required.

[0207] In some example embodiments, the plurality of requests may include inventory requests and command requests, and a first message including a single authorized resource indicating the need for a response to the inventory request, while a response to the command request is not required.

[0208] In some example embodiments, a first message indicating that the response to the request from the second device is not required does not include an authorized resource for responding to the request from the second device.

[0209] In some example embodiments, the at least one request may include at least one of the following: a command request or an inventory request, and the at least one response to the request may include at least one of the following: a response to a command request or an inventory response to an inventory request.

[0210] In some example embodiments, the first device may further include: a component for performing at least one of the following based on a first message indicating that a response to the request is not required: stopping monitoring paging timing; stopping monitoring selected messages; stopping monitoring messages associated with parameters or procedures; entering a sleep state; or transmitting an acknowledgment message of a command request to the second device, the acknowledgment message not including a response to the command request.

[0211] In some example embodiments, the first message includes at least one of the following: a paging message, a contention resolution message associated with a random access procedure to a second device, or data transmission to the first device.

[0212] In some example embodiments, the first message may include a command request, or the command request may be included in another message from the second device to the first device.

[0213] In some example embodiments, a second means capable of performing any of the methods 800 (e.g. Figure 3 The second device 320 may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of method 800. This component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented as a circuit or a software module. The second device may be implemented as or included in... Figure 3 In the second device 320.

[0214] In some example embodiments, the second device includes: a component for transmitting a first message to the first device, the first message indicating whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device is required; and a component for receiving data transmission including the at least one response to the at least one request from the first device via backscattering based on the first message indicating that the at least one response is required.

[0215] In some example embodiments, the first message may include a response request flag indicating either a need for the at least one response or an indication that a response to a request from the second device is not needed.

[0216] In some example embodiments, the first message may include at least one authorized resource for transmitting the at least one response to the at least one request.

[0217] In some example embodiments, the request may include multiple requests from the second device, and the at least one authorized resource indicates at least one response to at least one of the multiple requests, wherein responses to at least one of the remaining multiple requests are not required.

[0218] In some example embodiments, the plurality of requests may include inventory requests and command requests, and a first message including a single authorized resource indicating the need for a response to the inventory request, while a response to the command request is not required.

[0219] In some example embodiments, a first message indicating that the response to the request from the second device is not required does not include an authorized resource for responding to the request from the second device.

[0220] In some example embodiments, the at least one request may include at least one of the following: a command request or an inventory request, and the at least one response to the request may include at least one of the following: a response to a command request or an inventory response to an inventory request.

[0221] In some example embodiments, the first message includes at least one of the following: a paging message, a contention resolution message associated with a random access procedure to a second device, or data transmission to the first device.

[0222] In some example embodiments, a first means capable of performing any of the methods 900 (e.g. Figure 4 The first device 410 may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of method 900. This component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented as a circuit or a software module. The first device may be implemented as or included in... Figure 4 In the first device 410.

[0223] In some example embodiments, the first device includes: a component for receiving a paging message from a second device, the paging message indicating at least one device to respond to the paging message, and the paging message also indicating whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device is required; and a component for transmitting data including the at least one response to the at least one request to the second device via backscattering based on the paging message indicating that the at least one response is required.

[0224] In some example embodiments, the paging message may include a response request flag indicating that a response to the at least one response is needed, or the first message may include a response request flag indicating that a response to a request from the second device is not needed.

[0225] In some example embodiments, a paging message may include at least one authorized resource for transmitting at least one response to a command request.

[0226] In some example embodiments, the at least one request may include multiple requests from the second device, and the at least one authorized resource indicates at least one response to at least one of the multiple requests, wherein responses to at least one of the remaining multiple requests are not required.

[0227] In some example embodiments, the plurality of requests may include inventory requests and command requests, and a first message including a single authorized resource indicating the need for a response to the inventory request, while a response to the command request is not required.

[0228] In some example embodiments, the at least one authorized resource may include a first resource for an inventory response to an inventory request from the second device, and a second resource for a response to a command request from the second device.

[0229] In some example embodiments, a paging message that does not include an authorized resource for a response to a request from the second device indicates that a response to a request from the second device is not required.

[0230] In some example embodiments, the first device may further include: a component for transmitting a message associated with a random access procedure to the second device via backscattering, the message including an identifier of the first device and a response to a command request.

[0231] In some example embodiments, the message may also include a disk response to a disk request from a second device.

[0232] In some example embodiments, the first device may further include: a component for performing at least one of the following based on a paging message indicating that a response to a request is not required: stopping monitoring paging timing; stopping monitoring selected messages; stopping monitoring messages associated with parameters or procedures; or entering a sleep state.

[0233] In some example embodiments, the at least one request may include at least one of the following: a command request or an inventory request, and the at least one response to the request may include at least one of the following: a response to a command request or an inventory response to an inventory request.

[0234] In some example embodiments, a second means capable of performing any of method 1000 (e.g. Figure 4 The second device 420 may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of method 1000. This component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented as a circuit or a software module. The second device may be implemented as or included in... Figure 4 In the second device 420.

[0235] In some example embodiments, the second device includes: a component for transmitting a paging message to the first device, the paging message indicating at least one device to respond to the paging message, and the paging message also indicating whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device is required; and a component for receiving data transmission including the at least one response to the at least one request from the first device via backscattering based on the paging message indicating that the at least one response is required.

[0236] In some example embodiments, the paging message may include a response request flag indicating a need for the at least one response, or indicating that a response to a request from a second device is not needed.

[0237] In some example embodiments, a paging message may include at least one authorized resource for transmitting at least one response to the request.

[0238] In some example embodiments, the at least one request may include multiple requests from the second device, and the at least one authorized resource indicates at least one response to at least one of the multiple requests, wherein responses to at least one of the remaining multiple requests are not required.

[0239] In some example embodiments, the plurality of requests may include inventory requests and command requests, and a first message including a single authorized resource indicating the need for a response to the inventory request, while a response to the command request is not required.

[0240] In some example embodiments, a paging message that does not include an authorized resource for a response to a request from the second device indicates that a response to a request from the second device is not required.

[0241] In some example embodiments, the second device may further include: a component for transmitting a first paging message to the first device including a set of authorized resources; and a component for transmitting a second paging message to the first device in response to the expiration of the set of authorized resources before receiving the at least one response to the at least one request, or in response to the set of authorized resources including a single resource, the second paging message including authorized resources for the at least one response to the at least one request.

[0242] In some example embodiments, the second device may further include: a component for receiving, via backscattering, a message associated with a random access procedure to the second device, the message including an identifier of the first device and a response to a command request.

[0243] In some example embodiments, the message may also include a disk response to a disk request from a second device.

[0244] In some example embodiments, a first means capable of performing any of method 1100 (e.g. Figure 5 The first device 510 may include components for performing the corresponding operations of method 1100. These components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented as a circuit or a software module. The first device may be implemented as or included in... Figure 5 In the first device 510.

[0245] In some example embodiments, the first device includes: a component for receiving from the second device a contention resolution message associated with a random access procedure to the second device, the contention resolution message indicating whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device is required; and a component for transmitting data including the at least one response to the at least one request to the second device via backscattering based on the contention resolution message indicating that the at least one response is required.

[0246] In some example embodiments, the contention resolution message may include a response request flag indicating a need for the at least one response, or indicating that a response to a request from the second device is not needed.

[0247] In some example embodiments, the contention resolution message may include at least one authorized resource for transmitting the at least one response to the at least one request.

[0248] In some example embodiments, the at least one request may include multiple requests from the second device, and the at least one authorized resource indicates at least one response to at least one of the multiple requests, wherein responses to at least one of the remaining multiple requests are not required.

[0249] In some example embodiments, the plurality of requests may include inventory requests and command requests, and a first message including a single authorized resource indicating the need for a response to the inventory request, while a response to the command request is not required.

[0250] In some example embodiments, the at least one authorized resource may include a first resource for an inventory response to an inventory request from the second device, and a second resource for a response to a command request from the second device.

[0251] In some example embodiments, a paging message that does not include an authorized resource for a response to a request from the second device indicates that a response to a request from the second device is not required.

[0252] In some example embodiments, the first device may further include: a component for transmitting a message associated with a random access procedure to the second device via backscattering, the message including an identifier of the first device and a response to a command request.

[0253] In some example embodiments, the message may also include a disk response to a disk request from a second device.

[0254] In some example embodiments, the first device may further include: a component for performing at least one of the following based on a contention resolution message indicating that a response to a request is not required: stopping monitoring paging timing; stopping monitoring selected messages; stopping monitoring messages associated with parameters or procedures; or entering a sleep state.

[0255] In some example embodiments, a second means capable of performing any of method 1200 (e.g. Figure 5The second device 520 may include components for performing the corresponding operations of method 1200. These components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented as a circuit or a software module. The second device may be implemented as or included in... Figure 5 In the second device 520.

[0256] In some example embodiments, the second device includes: a component for transmitting to the first device a contention resolution message associated with a random access procedure from the first device to the second device, the contention resolution message indicating whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device is required; and a component for receiving, via backscattering, data transmission including a response to a command request from the first device based on the contention resolution message indicating that the at least one response is required.

[0257] In some example embodiments, the contention resolution message may include a response request flag indicating a need for the at least one response, or indicating that a response to a request from the second device is not needed.

[0258] In some example embodiments, the contention resolution message may include at least one authorized resource for transmitting the at least one response to the request.

[0259] In some example embodiments, the at least one request may include multiple requests from the second device, and the at least one authorized resource indicates at least one response to at least one of the multiple requests, wherein responses to at least one of the remaining multiple requests are not required.

[0260] In some example embodiments, the plurality of requests may include inventory requests and command requests, and a first message including a single authorized resource indicating the need for a response to the inventory request, while a response to the command request is not required.

[0261] In some example embodiments, a contention resolution message for authorized resources in response to a request from the second device is not included, indicating that a response to the request from the second device is not required.

[0262] In some example embodiments, the second device may further include: a component for receiving, via backscattering, a message associated with a random access procedure to the second device, the message including an identifier of the first device and a response to a command request.

[0263] In some example embodiments, the message may also include a disk response to a disk request from a second device.

[0264] In some example embodiments, a first means capable of performing any of method 1300 (e.g. Figure 6The first device 610 may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of method 1300. This component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented as a circuit or a software module. The first device may be implemented as or included in... Figure 6 In the first device 610.

[0265] In some example embodiments, the first device includes: components for performing a random access procedure to a second device, wherein a disk response to a disk request is transmitted to the second device during the random access procedure; components for receiving from the second device a first data transmission including a command request, wherein at least one of the first data transmission or a resource associated with the command request indicates whether a response to the command request is required; and components for transmitting a second data transmission including a response to the command request to the second device via backscattering if a response to the command request is required.

[0266] In some example embodiments, the first data transmission may include a response request flag that indicates whether a response to a command request is required.

[0267] In some example embodiments, the first device may further include: a component for receiving from the second device a message including at least one authorized resource for at least one response to at least one request. The at least one authorized resource may include a first resource for a response to a command request, and a second resource for an inventory response to an inventory request from the second device, and the first device is further configured to: a component for receiving an inventory request from the second device during a random access procedure; and a component for transmitting an inventory response to the second device during the random access procedure based on the second resource.

[0268] In some example embodiments, the at least one authorized resource, including a single resource for inventory response, indicates that a response to the command request is not required.

[0269] In some example embodiments, the message may include at least one of the following: a paging message or a message associated with a random access procedure.

[0270] In some example embodiments, the first device may further include a component for transmitting an acknowledgment message of another command request to a second device via backscattering, based on the premise that a response to the command request is not required, the acknowledgment message not including a response to the command request.

[0271] In some example embodiments, a second means capable of performing any of method 1400 (e.g. Figure 6The second device 620 may include components for performing the corresponding operations of method 1400. These components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented as a circuit or a software module. The second device may be implemented as or included in... Figure 6 The second device 620 in the middle.

[0272] In some example embodiments, the second device includes: means for receiving an inventory response to an inventory request from the first device during a random access process from the first device to the second device; means for transmitting a first data transmission including a command request to the first device, wherein at least one of the first data transmission or a resource associated with the command request indicates whether a response to the command request is required; and means for receiving a second data transmission including a response to the command request from the first device via backscattering based on whether a response to the command request is required.

[0273] In some example embodiments, the first data transmission may include a response request flag that indicates whether a response to a command request is required.

[0274] In some example embodiments, the second device may further include a component for transmitting to the first device a message including at least one authorized resource in response to at least one response to at least one request.

[0275] In some example embodiments, the second device may further include: components for transmitting a disk access request to the first device during a random access procedure from the first device to the second device; and components for receiving a disk access response from the first device during the random access procedure based on a second resource.

[0276] In some example embodiments, the at least one authorized resource, including a single resource for inventory response, indicates that a response to the command request is not required.

[0277] In some example embodiments, the message may include at least one of the following: a paging message or a message associated with a random access procedure.

[0278] In some example embodiments, the second device may further include a component for receiving, via backscattering, an acknowledgment message for another command request based on the fact that a response to the command request is not required, the acknowledgment message not including a response to the other command request.

[0279] Figure 15 This is a simplified block diagram of a device 1500 suitable for implementing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Device 1500 may be provided to implement a communication device, such as... Figure 1The AIoT device 110 or reader 120 is shown. As shown, device 1500 includes one or more processors 1510, one or more memories 1520 coupled to processor 1510, and one or more communication modules 1540 coupled to processor 1510.

[0280] Communication module 1540 is used for bidirectional communication. Communication module 1540 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interface can represent any interface necessary for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, communication module 1540 may include at least one antenna.

[0281] As a non-limiting example, processor 1510 can be any type suitable for a local technology network and can include one or more of the following as non-limiting examples: general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), and processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 1500 can have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-dependent on a clock synchronized with the main processor.

[0282] Memory 1520 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 1524, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disk, miniature optical disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD), optical disc, laser disc, and other magnetic and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 1522 and other volatile memories that will not be maintained during power outages.

[0283] Computer program 1530 includes computer-executable instructions that are executed by an associated processor 1510. The instructions of program 1530 may include instructions for performing operations / actions of some example embodiments of this disclosure. Program 1530 may be stored in memory, such as ROM 1524. Processor 1510 can perform any suitable actions and processes by loading program 1530 into RAM 1522.

[0284] Example embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented by means of program 1530, thereby enabling device 1500 to perform as described in the reference. Figures 3 to 14 Any process discussed in this disclosure. Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0285] In some example embodiments, program 1530 may be tangibly included in a computer-readable medium, which may be included in device 1500 (such as in memory 1520) or other storage device accessible to device 1500. Device 1500 may load program 1530 from the computer-readable medium into RAM 1522 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer-readable medium may include any type of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. The term "non-transitory" as used herein is a limitation on the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not tactile) rather than a limitation on data storage persistence (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0286] Figure 16 An example of a computer-readable medium 1600 is shown, which may be in the form of a CD, DVD, or other optical storage disc. The computer-readable medium 1600 stores a program 1530 thereon.

[0287] In general, the various embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects can be implemented in hardware, and others can be implemented in firmware or software executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. While various aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, it should be understood that the blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques, or methods described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof, as examples of non-limiting examples.

[0288] Some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium (such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium). The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in a program module, which are executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor to perform any of the methods described above. Typically, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc., that perform a particular task or implement a particular abstract data type. The machine-executable instructions for the program module can execute on a local device or a distributed device. In a distributed device, the program module can reside on both local and remote storage media.

[0289] Program code for implementing the methods of this disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that, when executed by the processor or controller, the program code causes the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0290] In the context of this disclosure, computer program code or related data may be carried on any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus, or processor to perform the various processes and operations described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer-readable media, etc.

[0291] Computer-readable media can be computer-readable signal media or computer-readable storage media. Computer-readable media can include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media include electrical connections having one or more wires, portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fibers, portable optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0292] Furthermore, although the operations are described in a specific order, this should not be construed as requiring that they be performed in the specific order shown or sequentially, or that all the operations shown be performed in order to achieve the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processes can be advantageous. Similarly, while several specific implementation details are included in the foregoing discussion, they should not be considered as limiting the scope of this disclosure, but rather as a description of features that may be specific to certain embodiments. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, certain features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented individually or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments.

[0293] Although this disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, it should be understood that the disclosure as defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Rather, the specific features and actions described above are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

[0294] Furthermore, the various implementations of this disclosure can be described with reference to the following terms, and their features can be combined in any reasonable manner.

[0295] Clause 1. A first means for communication, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first means to: receive a paging message from a second means, the paging message indicating at least one means to respond to the paging message, the paging message further indicating whether at least one response to at least one request from the second means is required; and, based on the paging message indicating that the at least one response is required, transmit data to the second means via backscattering including the at least one response to the at least one request.

[0296] Clause 2. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the paging message includes a response request flag indicating the need for the at least one response, or wherein the paging message includes a response request flag indicating that a response to a request from the second apparatus is not needed; and / or wherein the paging message includes at least one authorized resource for transmitting the at least one response to the command request.

[0297] Clause 3. The first apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one request comprises a plurality of requests from the second apparatus, and the at least one authorized resource indicates that at least one response to at least one of the plurality of requests is required, wherein a response to at least one of the remaining plurality of requests is not required.

[0298] Clause 4. The first apparatus of claim 3, wherein the plurality of requests includes an inventory request and a command request, and the paging message including a single authorized resource indicates the need for a response to the inventory request, but not the need for a response to the command request.

[0299] Clause 5. The first apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one authorized resource includes a first resource for responding to an inventory request from the second apparatus and a second resource for responding to a command request from the second apparatus.

[0300] Clause 6. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the paging message, which does not include an authorized resource for a response to a request from the second apparatus, indicates that a response to a request from the second apparatus is not required.

[0301] Clause 7. The first device of claim 1, wherein the paging message includes a command request, and the first device is further caused to transmit via backscatter a message associated with a random access procedure to the second device, the message including an identifier of the first device and the response to the command request.

[0302] Clause 8. The first apparatus of claim 7, wherein the message further includes an inventory response to an inventory request from the second apparatus.

[0303] Clause 9. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is further caused to: based on the paging message indicating that a response to the request is not required, perform at least one of the following: stop monitoring paging timing; stop monitoring selected messages; stop monitoring messages associated with parameters or processes; or enter a sleep state.

[0304] Clause 10. The first apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one request comprises at least one of the following: a command request or an inventory request, and the at least one response to the request comprises at least one of the following: a response to the command request or an inventory response to the inventory request.

[0305] Clause 11. A second means for communication, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second means to: transmit a paging message to a first means, the paging message indicating at least one means to respond to the paging message, the paging message further indicating whether at least one response to at least one request from the second means is required; and, based on the paging message indicating that the at least one response is required, receive data transmission from the first means via backscattering including the at least one response to the at least one request.

[0306] Clause 12. The second apparatus of claim 11, wherein the paging message includes one of the following: a response request flag indicating a need for the at least one response, or indicating that a response to a request from the second apparatus is not needed, or for transmitting at least one authorized resource for the at least one response to the request.

[0307] Clause 13. A method for communication, comprising: receiving, at a first device, a paging message from a second device, the paging message indicating at least one device to respond to the paging message, the paging message further indicating whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device is required; and, based on the paging message indicating that the at least one response is required, transmitting data including the at least one response to the at least one request to the second device via backscattering.

[0308] Clause 14. A method for communication, comprising: transmitting a paging message from a second device to a first device, the paging message indicating at least one device to respond to the paging message, the paging message further indicating whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device is required; and receiving data transmission including the at least one response to the at least one request via backscattering based on the paging message indicating that the at least one response is required.

Claims

1. A first device for communication, comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to: Receive a paging message from a second device, the paging message indicating at least one device to respond to the paging message, the paging message also indicating whether at least one response to at least one request from the second device is required; as well as Based on the paging message indicating that at least one response is needed, data transmission including the at least one response to the at least one request is transmitted to the second device via backscattering.

2. The first device according to claim 1, The paging message may include a response request flag indicating that a response to the at least one response is needed, or the paging message may include a response request flag indicating that a response to a request from the second device is not needed; and / or The paging message includes at least one authorized resource for transmitting at least one response to the command request.

3. The first apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one request comprises a plurality of requests from the second apparatus, and the at least one authorized resource indicates that at least one response to at least one of the plurality of requests is required, wherein a response to at least one of the remaining plurality of requests is not required.

4. The first apparatus of claim 3, wherein the plurality of requests includes inventory requests and command requests, and the paging message including a single authorized resource indicates the need for a response to the inventory request, but not the need for a response to the command request.

5. The first apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one authorized resource includes a first resource for an inventory response to an inventory request from the second apparatus and a second resource for a response to a command request from the second apparatus.

6. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the paging message, which does not include an authorized resource for a response to a request from the second apparatus, indicates that a response to a request from the second apparatus is not required.

7. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the paging message includes a command request, and the first apparatus is further caused to: The message associated with the random access procedure to the second device is transmitted to the second device via backscattering. The message includes the identifier of the first device and the response to the command request.

8. The first apparatus of claim 7, wherein the message further includes an inventory response to an inventory request from the second apparatus.

9. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is further caused to: Based on the paging message indicating that a response to the request is not required, perform at least one of the following: Stop monitoring paging timing; Stop monitoring the selected messages; Stop monitoring messages associated with parameters or processes; or Entering a sleep state.

10. The first apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one request includes at least one of the following: a command request or an inventory request, and the at least one response to the request includes at least one of the following: a response to the command request or an inventory response to the inventory request.

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