Position relationship determination method and device, equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The application discloses a position relationship determination method and device, equipment and a storage medium, and belongs to the technical field of Internet of Things. The method comprises the following steps: determining the position relationship between a relay device and an Internet of Things device; wherein the position relationship comprises a first position relationship or a second position relationship, the first position relationship is used for indicating that there is a geographical bundling relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device, and the second position relationship is used for indicating that there is no geographical bundling relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device.

Description

Method, device, equipment and storage medium for determining position relationship Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of Internet of Things, and in particular to a method, apparatus, device and storage medium for determining a position relationship. Background Art

[0002] In related technologies, when a relay device moves, the IoT device may move with the relay device or separately. When the IoT device moves with the relay device, as long as the relay device is within the signal coverage of the network device, the relay device can continue to provide services to the IoT device, which means that the network device does not need to worry about connectivity issues with the IoT device. When the IoT device moves separately from the relay device, if the relay device is no longer within the signal coverage of the network device or the IoT device is no longer within the signal coverage of the relay device, the relay device can no longer provide services to the IoT device, and the network device needs to provide a replacement relay device for the IoT device.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a method, apparatus, device, and storage medium for determining a position relationship. The technical solution is as follows:

[0005] In one aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for determining a position relationship, the method being performed by a relay device, the method comprising:

[0006] Determining a positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device;

[0007] Among them, the position relationship includes a first position relationship or a second position relationship, the first position relationship is used to indicate that there is a geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device, and the second position relationship is used to indicate that there is no geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device.

[0008] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for determining a location relationship, the method being performed by a network device, the method comprising:

[0009] A location relationship is received, where the location relationship includes a first location relationship or a second location relationship, where the first location relationship is used to indicate that a geographical binding relationship exists between the relay device and the Internet of Things device, and the second location relationship is used to indicate that the geographical binding relationship does not exist between the relay device and the Internet of Things device.

[0010] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a device for determining a position relationship, the device comprising:

[0011] A determination module, configured to determine a positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device;

[0012] Among them, the position relationship includes a first position relationship or a second position relationship, the first position relationship is used to indicate that there is a geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device, and the second position relationship is used to indicate that there is no geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device.

[0013] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a device for determining a position relationship, the device comprising:

[0014] A receiving module is used to receive a position relationship, where the position relationship includes a first position relationship or a second position relationship, where the first position relationship is used to indicate that a geographical binding relationship exists between the relay device and the Internet of Things device, and the second position relationship is used to indicate that the geographical binding relationship does not exist between the relay device and the Internet of Things device.

[0015] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a relay device, the relay device including a processor; wherein:

[0016] The processor is configured to determine a positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device;

[0017] Among them, the position relationship includes a first position relationship or a second position relationship, the first position relationship is used to indicate that there is a geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device, and the second position relationship is used to indicate that there is no geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device.

[0018] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a network device, comprising a processor and a transceiver connected to the processor; wherein:

[0019] The transceiver is used to receive a position relationship, where the position relationship includes a first position relationship or a second position relationship, where the first position relationship is used to indicate that a geographical binding relationship exists between the relay device and the Internet of Things device, and the second position relationship is used to indicate that the geographical binding relationship does not exist between the relay device and the Internet of Things device.

[0020] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored. The computer program is used to be executed by a processor to implement the above-mentioned method for determining the position relationship.

[0021] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, which includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions. When the chip runs on a terminal or a network device, it is used to implement the above-mentioned method for determining the position relationship.

[0022] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes computer instructions, and the computer instructions are stored in a computer-readable storage medium; the processor of the communication device reads the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium and executes the computer instructions, so that the communication device implements the above-mentioned method for determining the position relationship.

[0023] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program, which is executed by a processor of a communication device to implement the above-mentioned method for determining the position relationship.

[0024] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application may have the following beneficial effects:

[0025] By determining the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device, it is possible to determine whether there is a geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device. Therefore, when there is no geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device, the network device can promptly provide the IoT device with a replacement relay device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by the related art;

[0027] FIG2 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by the related art;

[0028] FIG3 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by the related art;

[0029] FIG4 shows a schematic diagram of a terminal device reporting a measurement report provided by a related art;

[0030] FIG5 shows a flow chart of a method for determining a position relationship provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG6 is a schematic diagram showing a method for determining a position relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] FIG7 shows a schematic diagram of a query-response process provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] FIG8 shows a flow chart of a method for determining a position relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] FIG9 shows a flow chart of a method for determining a position relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG10 shows a flow chart of a method for determining a position relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] FIG11 shows a flow chart of a method for determining a position relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] FIG12 is a schematic diagram showing a method for determining a positional relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] FIG13 shows a flow chart of a method for determining a position relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG14 shows a flow chart of a method for determining a position relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] FIG15 is a schematic diagram showing a method for determining a position relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] FIG16 is a schematic diagram showing a method for determining a position relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] FIG17 shows a structural block diagram of a device for determining a position relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] FIG18 shows a structural block diagram of a device for determining a position relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIG19 shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] To further clarify the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application, embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, with examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, identical numerals in different figures represent identical or similar elements, unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with certain aspects of this application, as detailed in the appended claims. All other embodiments conceivable by persons of ordinary skill in the art without inventive effort with respect to the embodiments described herein are intended to be protected by this application. The terms used in this disclosure are intended solely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this disclosure. As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It should be understood that while this disclosure may employ the terms first, second, third, etc. to describe various information, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish information of the same type from one another. For example, first information could be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information could be referred to as first information, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Depending on the context, the term "if" as used herein could be interpreted as "when," "when," or "in response to determining."

[0046] First, the relevant technologies involved in the embodiments of this application are introduced:

[0047] Environmental IoT:

[0048] The Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT), also known as the Zero Power Internet of Things (ZPIoT), or the Passive Internet of Things (PIoT), refers to a new type of wireless communication network that is largely self-sufficient by using energy from the environment. It is an ecosystem for connecting and automating a large number of objects and devices, each of which is connected using low-cost, self-powered sensor nodes to form a wireless sensor network. As one of the key power supply mechanisms, the Ambient Internet of Things relies on energy harvesting, eliminating the need for cables to power or charge batteries in mobile devices and smart objects. Vibrations from equipment, machinery, and buildings, as well as the propagation of radio signals in the surrounding environment, can be used to generate electricity.

[0049] In related technologies, the topological structures of A-IOT in the fifth generation (5G) network include the following:

[0050] In some embodiments, topology 1 is shown in FIG1 . In topology 1, IoT device 130 directly communicates bidirectionally with network device 110. The communication between network device 110 and IoT device 130 includes data and / or signals. It should be noted that in the communication structure shown in topology 1, a first network device may send data and / or signals to a first IoT device, and a second network device may receive the data and / or signals sent by the first IoT device. This means that network devices and IoT devices do not necessarily correspond one-to-one.

[0051] In some embodiments, topology 2 is shown in FIG2 . In topology 2, IoT device 130 communicates bidirectionally with relay device 120. In topology 2, relay device 120 can be an intermediate node, an Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) node, a relay terminal, a repeater, etc. Relay device 120 transmits data and / or signals between network device 110 and IoT device 130.

[0052] In some embodiments, topology 3 is shown in Figure 3. In topology 3, IoT device 130 sends data and / or signals to network device 110 and receives data and / or signals from auxiliary node 140; alternatively, IoT device 130 receives data and / or signals from network device 110 and transmits the data and / or signals to auxiliary node 140. In topology 3, auxiliary node 140 can be an intermediate node, an Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) node, a relay terminal, a repeater, etc. Topology 3 primarily addresses the issue of insufficient uplink transmission coverage for IoT devices by utilizing auxiliary nodes to send uplink signals to network devices.

[0053] Measuring events:

[0054] In some embodiments, the network device may configure the terminal device to perform measurements in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state (RRC_CONNECTED). The network device may configure the terminal device to report according to the measurement configuration. The measurement configuration is provided by the network device through dedicated signaling, such as RRCReconfiguration or RRCResume.

[0055] In some embodiments, the network device may configure the terminal device to report the following measurement information based on the Synchronization Signal / PBCH Block (SSB):

[0056] The measurement results of each SSB;

[0057] Measurement results for each cell based on SSB;

[0058] SSB index.

[0059] In some embodiments, the network device may configure the terminal device to report the following measurement information based on a Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS):

[0060] The measurement results of each CSI-RS;

[0061] CSI-RS-based measurements for each cell;

[0062] CSI-RS measurement identifier.

[0063] In some embodiments, the measurement configuration includes the following parameters:

[0064] 1. Measurement objects: The list of objects on which the terminal device performs measurements.

[0065] a) For intra-frequency and inter-frequency measurements, the measurement object indicates the frequency / time position and subcarrier spacing of the reference signal to be measured.

[0066] b) The measObjectId of the measurement object of each serving cell is indicated by servingCellMO in the serving cell configuration.

[0067] 2. Report configuration: Report configuration list, where each measurement object can have one or more report configurations. Each measurement report configuration contains the following:

[0068] Reporting criteria: The criteria that triggers the terminal device to send measurement reports. This can be periodic or based on a single event description.

[0069] Reference Signal (RS) type: RS (SSB or CSI-RS) used by the terminal device for beam and cell measurement results.

[0070] Reporting format: The number of each cell and each beam, and other relevant information, such as the maximum number of cells to be reported and the maximum number of beams per cell.

[0071] 3. Measurement Identifier: A list of measurement identifiers. Each measurement identifier links a measurement object to a report configuration. By configuring multiple measurement identifiers, multiple measurement objects can be linked to the same report configuration, and multiple report configurations can be linked to the same measurement object.

[0072] In some embodiments, reporting criteria include the following:

[0073] Event A1 (the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is better than the first threshold)

[0074] Event A2 (the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is lower than the second threshold)

[0075] Event A3 (the wireless signal quality of the neighboring cell is higher than the wireless signal quality of the serving cell by an offset)

[0076] Event A4 (the wireless signal quality of the neighboring cell is better than the third threshold)

[0077] Event A5 (the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is lower than the fourth threshold, and the wireless signal quality of the neighboring cell is better than the second threshold)

[0078] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4, when the measurement object meets the reporting criteria, the terminal device sends a measurement report to the network device. The measurement report includes information such as a measurement identifier (measID) and a measurement result.

[0079] Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) query process:

[0080] In some embodiments, the RFID query process includes the following steps:

[0081] Step 1: The interrogator selects a designated group or a specific group via select signaling. In some embodiments, the interrogator may also be referred to as a reader, scanner, communicator, or reader / writer. In some embodiments, the designated group can be understood as a portion of designated terminal devices selected from a plurality of terminal devices via select signaling. In some embodiments, the specific group can be understood as a portion of specific terminal devices selected from a plurality of terminal devices via select signaling.

[0082] Step 2: The reader (Interrogator) sends a query message after a certain time interval. In some embodiments, the query message includes a designated group or a designated terminal device or a specific group or a specific terminal device is selected, and also includes a time slot count parameter Q.

[0083] Step 3: The electronic tag randomly selects a value from the received (0, 2Q-1) and places it into the time slot counter. The electronic tag that selects the value 0 sends RN16 to the network device after a certain interval.

[0084] Step 4: If the network device receives RN16 correctly, it sends an Acknowledgement (ACK) command to the electronic tag (Tag).

[0085] Step 5: The electronic tag (Tag) sends the tag ID information to the network device.

[0086] Step 6: The network device sends a QueryRep message to the terminal device. Then, return to step 2 and repeat the above steps.

[0087] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned reader (Interrogator) can be understood as a relay device, and the electronic tag (Tag) can be understood as an Internet of Things device.

[0088] In some embodiments, Figures 1 to 3 above respectively illustrate different topological structures of the communication system provided in embodiments of the present application. The present application embodiments are described using the communication system shown in Figure 2 as an example. The communication system includes a network device 110, a relay device 120, and an IoT device 130.

[0089] The network device 110 in the present application provides wireless communication functions, and the network device 110 includes but is not limited to: Evolved Node B (eNB), Radio Network Controller (RNC), Node B (NB), Base Station Controller (BSC), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), Home Base Station (e.g., Home Evolved Node B, or Home Node B, HNB), Baseband Unit (BBU), Access Point (AP) in Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, Wireless Relay Node, Wireless Backhaul Node, Transmission Point (TP) or Transmission and Reception Point (TRP), etc., and can also be Next Generation Node B (NGNB) in 5G mobile communication system. B, gNB) or transmission point (TRP or TP), or, one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system, or, a network node constituting a gNB or transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU) or a distributed unit (DU), or a Beyond Fifth Generation (B5G) mobile communication system, a sixth generation (6 th The present invention relates to base stations in 6G (6th Generation) mobile communication systems, or core networks (CN), fronthaul, backhaul, radio access networks (RAN), network slices, etc., or service cells, primary cells (Pcell), primary secondary cells (PSCell), special cells (SpCell), secondary cells (Scell), and neighboring cells of terminal devices.

[0090] The relay device 120 in this application may also be referred to as a terminal device or an intermediate node. The relay device 120 may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. The relay device 120 includes, but is not limited to, handheld devices, wearable devices, vehicle-mounted devices, and Internet of Things devices, such as mobile phones, tablet computers, e-book readers, laptop computers, desktop computers, televisions, game consoles, mobile Internet devices (MIDs), augmented reality (AR) terminals, virtual reality (VR) terminals, and mixed reality (MR) terminals, wearable devices, handles, electronic tags, controllers, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loops (WLANs), and wireless terminals in smart cities. Loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDA), TV set-top boxes (STB), customer premises equipment (CPE), etc.

[0091] Relay device 120 and network device 110 communicate with each other via an air interface technology, such as a Uu interface. For example, there are two communication scenarios between relay device 120 and network device 110: uplink communication and downlink communication. Uplink communication refers to signals sent from relay device 120 to network device 110; downlink communication refers to signals sent from network device 110 to relay device 120.

[0092] The IoT device 130 in this application may also be referred to as an Ambient IoT device or a zero-power device. In related art, there is bidirectional communication between the relay device 120 and the IoT device 130. The relay device 120 transmits a carrier wave to the IoT device 130, transmits data and / or signals to the IoT device 130, and receives data and / or signals reflected from the IoT device 130. In some embodiments, the IoT device 130 in this application may be understood as the aforementioned electronic tag.

[0093] In some embodiments, when relay device 120 moves, IoT device 130 may move with or separately from relay device 120. Determining whether the relay device and IoT device move together is an unresolved technical issue. To address this issue, embodiments of the present application propose a method for determining a positional relationship between a relay device and an IoT device.

[0094] FIG5 shows a flow chart of a method for determining a position relationship provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by a relay device. The method includes:

[0095] Step 220: Determine the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device.

[0096] In some embodiments, the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device includes the following two types:

[0097] First position relationship;

[0098] Second position relationship.

[0099] In some embodiments, the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device includes a first positional relationship. The first positional relationship is used to indicate that a geographical binding relationship exists between the relay device and the IoT device. In some embodiments, the geographical binding relationship may also be referred to as a mobile binding relationship or a relative position-invariant relationship. In the embodiments of the present application, a geographical binding relationship is used as an example for illustration.

[0100] In some embodiments, a geographically bound relationship exists between the relay device and the IoT device, meaning that when the relay device moves, the IoT device follows the movement of the relay device. That is, when the relay device and / or the IoT device moves, the relative positions of the relay device and the IoT device remain substantially unchanged. For example, as shown in FIG6 , assuming that the relay device 120 is at a first position at a first moment, and the IoT device 130, which is geographically bound to the relay device 120, is at a first following position at the first moment, then when the relay device 120 moves from the first position to the second position at a second moment, the IoT device 130 also moves from the first following position to the second following position at the second moment. It should be understood that the first relative position between the relay device 120 and the IoT device 130 at the first moment (the relative position between the first position and the first following position) is substantially the same as the second relative position between the relay device 120 and the IoT device 130 at the second moment (the relative position between the second position and the second following position).

[0101] In some embodiments, there is a geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device, which can also be understood as the IoT device is always within the signal coverage range of the relay device.

[0102] In some embodiments, a geographical binding relationship exists between the relay device and the IoT device. This can also be understood as a constant connection between the relay device and the IoT device, and this connection does not change with the location of the relay device and / or the IoT device. In other words, even if the relay device and / or the IoT device moves, the connection between the relay device and the IoT device remains.

[0103] In some embodiments, a geographically bound relationship exists between the relay device and the IoT device, which can also be understood as ensuring that communication, data transmission, or query-response processes can always be performed between the relay device and the IoT device. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG7 , the query-response process involves the relay device sending a query message to the IoT device, and the IoT device responding to the query message with a response message to the relay device based on the received query message.

[0104] It is worth noting that, in general, when there is a geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device, the distance between the relay device and the IoT device is relatively close.

[0105] In some embodiments, the position relationship between the relay device and the IoT device includes a second position relationship. The second position relationship is used to indicate that there is no geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device.

[0106] In some embodiments, there is no geographic binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device. This means that when the relay device moves, the IoT device does not follow the movement of the relay device. In other words, the movement of the relay device and the movement of the IoT device are separate and uncorrelated.

[0107] In some embodiments, there is no geographic binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device. Alternatively, the IoT device may be within the relay device's signal coverage at a first moment and outside the relay device's signal coverage at a second moment. The relay device may be at a first location at a first moment and at a second location at a second moment. It should be understood that the relay device's signal coverage is typically a fixed-size range centered on the relay device. For example, as shown in FIG6 , assuming the signal coverage of relay device 120 is a circular range centered on relay device 120, after relay device 120 moves from a first location to a second location, the signal coverage of relay device 120 remains a circular range centered on relay device 120. The position of the center of the circle changes, meaning the position of relay device 120 changes, but the size and shape of the circular range remain unchanged. Alternatively, the IoT device may be within the relay device's historical signal coverage at a historical moment but outside the relay device's current signal coverage at the current moment.

[0108] In some embodiments, there is no geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device. This can also be understood as a connection relationship between the relay device and the IoT device at a first moment but no connection relationship at a second moment. Alternatively, this can be understood as a historical connection relationship between the relay device and the IoT device.

[0109] In some embodiments, there is no geographic binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device. This can also be understood as the relay device being able to communicate, transmit data, or execute a query-response process with the IoT device at a first moment, but unable to do so at a second moment. Alternatively, this can be understood as the existence of a history of communication, data transmission, or query-response processes between the relay device and the IoT device.

[0110] In some embodiments, a method for determining a positional relationship between a relay device and an IoT device includes at least one of the following:

[0111] Method 1: Determine the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device based on the measurement report reported by the IoT device.

[0112] Method 2: Determine the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device based on whether a response message fed back by the IoT device is received.

[0113] To sum up, the method provided in this embodiment, by determining the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device, makes it possible to determine whether there is a geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device, so that when there is no geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device, the network device can promptly provide the IoT device with a replacement relay device.

[0114] For method 1 (measurement report):

[0115] FIG8 shows a flow chart of a method for determining a position relationship provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by a relay device. The above step 220 can be replaced by the following sub-steps:

[0116] Step 221: Determine the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device based on the measurement report reported by the IoT device.

[0117] In some embodiments, the measurement report is used to indicate the quality of the wireless signal measured by the IoT device.

[0118] In some embodiments, the measurement report is used to indicate that the wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device is less than a wireless signal quality threshold. In some embodiments, the wireless signal quality threshold is used to indicate the minimum value allowed for the wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device. If the wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device is less than the minimum value, the IoT device reports the measurement report to the relay device; if the wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device is greater than or equal to the minimum value, the IoT device does not report the measurement report to the relay device. In some embodiments, the wireless signal quality threshold is preconfigured or predefined by the network device. In some embodiments, the wireless signal quality threshold corresponds to the relay device. In some embodiments, the wireless signal quality threshold and the identifier of the relay device are in one-to-one correspondence. For example, wireless signal quality threshold 1 corresponds to relay device 1, and wireless signal quality threshold 2 corresponds to relay device 2. In some embodiments, the wireless signal quality threshold is determined based on historical measurement results.

[0119] In some embodiments, the IoT device evaluates the quality of wireless signals in one or more ways. In some embodiments, the IoT device evaluates the quality of wireless signals based on the Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP) of a reference signal. In some embodiments, the IoT device evaluates the quality of wireless signals based on the Reference Signal Receiving Quality (RSRQ) of a reference signal. In some embodiments, the IoT device evaluates the quality of wireless signals based on the Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR) of a reference signal. Optionally, the reference signal is an SSB. Optionally, the reference signal is a CSI-RS.

[0120] In some embodiments, the above method further includes: receiving a measurement report reported by an IoT device.

[0121] The method provided in the embodiments of the present application enables a relay device to promptly determine whether the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the first positional relationship or the second positional relationship by referring to the measurement report reported by the IoT device. When the measurement report reported by the IoT device indicates that the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the second positional relationship, the network device can promptly provide the IoT device with a replacement relay device.

[0122] The measurement report is used to indicate the quality of the wireless signal:

[0123] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG9 , the above step 221 may be replaced by the following sub-steps:

[0124] Step 2211: Determine the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device based on the first measurement report and the second measurement report reported by the IoT device.

[0125] In some embodiments, the first measurement report and the second measurement report are reported by the IoT device at different times. For example, the first measurement report is reported by the IoT device to the relay device at a first time, and the second measurement report is reported by the IoT device to the relay device at a second time.

[0126] In some embodiments, the first measurement report indicates a first wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device at a first moment, and the second measurement report indicates a second wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device at a second moment. It should be understood that the first wireless signal quality and the second wireless signal quality correspond to the same evaluation metric.

[0127] In some embodiments, the evaluation metric is the RSRP of a reference signal. In some embodiments, the first measurement report indicates a first RSRP measured by the IoT device at a first moment, and the second measurement report indicates a second RSRP measured by the IoT device at a second moment. The first RSRP and the second RSRP may be the same or different.

[0128] In some embodiments, the evaluation metric is the RSRQ of the reference signal. In some embodiments, the first measurement report is used to indicate a first RSRQ measured by the IoT device at a first moment, and the second measurement report is used to indicate a second RSRQ measured by the IoT device at a second moment. The first RSRQ and the second RSRQ may be the same or different.

[0129] In some embodiments, the evaluation metric is a reference signal SINR. In some embodiments, the first measurement report indicates a first SINR measured by the IoT device at a first moment, and the second measurement report indicates a second SINR measured by the IoT device at a second moment. The first SINR and the second SINR may be the same or different.

[0130] In some embodiments, if the absolute difference between the first wireless signal quality and the second wireless signal quality is less than a first wireless signal quality threshold, the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is determined to be a first positional relationship. If the absolute difference between the first wireless signal quality and the second wireless signal quality is greater than or equal to the first wireless signal quality threshold, the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is determined to be a second positional relationship.

[0131] In some embodiments, the first wireless signal quality threshold is used to indicate the maximum allowable difference in wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device at different times. If the absolute difference in wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device at different times is less than the maximum difference, the positional relationship between the IoT device and the relay device is a first positional relationship. If the absolute difference in wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device at different times is equal to or greater than the maximum difference, the positional relationship between the IoT device and the relay device is a second positional relationship.

[0132] For example, assuming that the first wireless signal quality is -30dbm, the second wireless signal quality is -35dbm, and the first wireless signal quality threshold is 10dbm, the absolute difference between the first wireless signal quality and the second wireless signal quality is 5dbm. Since 5dbm is less than 10dbm, it can be determined that the position relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device is the first position relationship.

[0133] For example, assuming that the first wireless signal quality is -30dbm, the second wireless signal quality is -80dbm, and the first wireless signal quality threshold is 10dbm, the absolute difference between the first wireless signal quality and the second wireless signal quality is 50dbm. Since 50dbm is greater than 10dbm, it can be determined that the position relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device is the second position relationship.

[0134] In some embodiments, the measurement time of the IoT device and / or the first wireless signal quality threshold are preconfigured by the network device. In some embodiments, at least one of the first time, the second time, and the first wireless signal quality threshold is preconfigured by the network device.

[0135] In some embodiments, the above method further includes: receiving a first measurement report and a second measurement report reported by the IoT device.

[0136] In some embodiments, a first measurement report reported by an IoT device is received at a first receiving time. It should be understood that, in general, the first receiving time is slightly later than the first time, which is the time when the IoT device reports the first measurement report.

[0137] In some embodiments, a second measurement report reported by the IoT device is received at a second receiving time. It should be understood that, in general, the second receiving time is slightly later than the second time, which is the time when the IoT device reports the second measurement report.

[0138] To sum up, the method provided in this embodiment refers to the measurement reports reported by the IoT device at different times, so that the relay device can determine whether the position relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the first position relationship or the second position relationship based on the absolute difference in wireless signal quality indicated by different measurement reports.

[0139] The measurement report is used to indicate that the wireless signal quality is less than the wireless signal quality threshold:

[0140] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG10 , the above step 221 may be replaced by the following sub-steps:

[0141] Step 2212: Based on the third measurement report reported by the IoT device, determine the position relationship between the relay device and the IoT device.

[0142] In some embodiments, the third measurement report is used to indicate that the third wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device is less than the second wireless signal quality threshold. In some embodiments, the third measurement report is sent when the third wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device is less than the second wireless signal quality threshold. In some embodiments, the IoT device measures the third wireless signal quality and only reports the third measurement report when the third wireless signal quality is less than the second wireless signal quality threshold. If the third wireless signal quality is greater than or equal to the second wireless signal quality threshold, the IoT device does not report the third measurement report.

[0143] In some embodiments, the second wireless signal quality threshold is used to indicate a minimum value allowed for wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device. If the wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device is less than the minimum value, the IoT device reports a measurement report to the relay device; if the wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device is greater than or equal to the minimum value, the IoT device does not report a measurement report to the relay device.

[0144] Exemplarily, assuming that the third wireless signal quality is -80 dBm and the wireless signal quality threshold is -40 dBm, since -80 dBm is less than -40 dBm, the IoT device reports a measurement report to the relay device.

[0145] For example, assuming that the third wireless signal quality is -35dbm and the wireless signal quality threshold is -40dbm, since -35dbm is greater than -40dbm, the IoT device does not report the measurement report to the relay device.

[0146] In some embodiments, upon receiving the third measurement report, the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is determined to be the second positional relationship. It should be understood that if the IoT device does not report the third measurement report to the relay device, that is, if the relay device does not receive the third measurement report, the positional relationship between the IoT device and the relay device is determined to be the first positional relationship by default.

[0147] In some embodiments, the above method further includes: receiving a third measurement report reported by the IoT device.

[0148] In summary, in the method provided in this embodiment, the relay device determines whether the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the first positional relationship or the second positional relationship based on whether it receives the third measurement report reported by the IoT device. By determining that the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the second positional relationship only when the third measurement report reported by the IoT device is received, signaling overhead can be effectively reduced to a certain extent.

[0149] For method 2 (response message):

[0150] FIG11 shows a flow chart of a method for determining a position relationship provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by a relay device. The above step 220 can be replaced by the following sub-steps:

[0151] Step 222: Determine the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device based on whether the response message fed back by the IoT device is received or successfully decoded.

[0152] In some embodiments, the IoT device is a device that has communicated with the relay device at a historical time. In some embodiments, the IoT device is the device that the relay device historically communicated with, or the IoT device is the device that the relay device historically transmitted data with, or the IoT device is the device that the relay device historically received a response message with.

[0153] In some embodiments, the response message is fed back by the IoT device to the relay device that sent the query message based on the received query message. In some embodiments, the response message is used to indicate that the IoT device has received the query message.

[0154] It should be understood that the IoT device in the embodiments of the present application is a device that has historically fed back a response message to the relay device based on a query message sent by the relay device. That is, the IoT device and the relay device in the embodiments of the present application have historically executed a query-response process. In some embodiments, the IoT device fed back a response message to the relay device at the first feedback moment.

[0155] In some embodiments, before the above step 222, the above method further includes: sending a query message.

[0156] In some embodiments, the query message is sent by the relay device in a broadcast form. In some embodiments, the query message is used to query IoT devices within the signal coverage range of the relay device.

[0157] In some embodiments, the sending of the query message further includes: sending the query message when the query conditions are met.

[0158] In some embodiments, the query condition is used to indicate the timing for the relay device to send the query message. In some embodiments, the query message is sent when a triggering event occurs. The triggering event is used to trigger the relay device to send the query message. In some embodiments, the triggering event is preconfigured by the network device, and the network device pre-configures information related to the triggering event to the relay device. In some embodiments, the triggering event includes at least one of the following:

[0159] First triggering event;

[0160] Second trigger event;

[0161] The third triggering event;

[0162] The fourth triggering event.

[0163] In some embodiments, the first trigger event is used to indicate that the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is less than a third wireless signal quality threshold. The serving cell is the cell where the relay device is currently residing. In some embodiments, the third wireless signal quality threshold is used to indicate the minimum value allowed for the wireless signal quality of the serving cell. If the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is less than the minimum value, it is considered that the first trigger event has occurred, and the relay device is triggered to send a query message; if the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is greater than or equal to the minimum value, it is considered that the first trigger event has not occurred. Optionally, the first trigger event is an A1 event (Event A1).

[0164] For example, assuming that the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is -80dbm and the third wireless signal quality threshold is -40dbm, since -80dbm is less than -40dbm, it is considered that the first trigger event occurs, and the relay device is triggered to send a query message.

[0165] For example, assuming that the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is -30 dBm and the third wireless signal quality threshold is -40 dBm, since -30 dBm is less than -40 dBm, it is considered that the first triggering event has not occurred.

[0166] In some embodiments, the second trigger event is used to indicate that the radio signal quality of the target cell is greater than the sum of the radio signal quality of the serving cell and the offset value. The target cell is a neighboring cell of the serving cell. In some embodiments, when the radio signal quality of the target cell is greater than the sum of the radio signal quality of the serving cell and the offset value, it is considered that the second trigger event has occurred, and the relay device is triggered to send a query message. When the radio signal quality of the target cell is less than or equal to the sum of the radio signal quality of the serving cell and the offset value, it is considered that the second trigger event has not occurred. Optionally, the second trigger event is an A3 event (Event A3).

[0167] For example, assuming that the wireless signal quality of the service cell is -80dbm, the offset value is 10dbm, and the wireless signal quality of the target cell is -40dbm, since -40dbm is greater than -70dbm (-80dbm+10dbm), it is considered that a second trigger event has occurred, and the relay device is triggered to send a query message.

[0168] In some embodiments, the third trigger event is used to indicate that the wireless signal quality of the target cell is greater than a fourth wireless signal quality threshold. In some embodiments, the fourth wireless signal quality threshold is used to indicate the maximum value allowed for the wireless signal quality of the target cell. If the wireless signal quality of the target cell is greater than the maximum value, the third trigger event is considered to have occurred, triggering the relay device to send a query message. If the wireless signal quality of the target cell is less than or equal to the maximum value, the third trigger event is considered not to have occurred. Optionally, the third trigger event is Event A4.

[0169] For example, assuming that the wireless signal quality of the target cell is -10dBm and the fourth wireless signal quality threshold is -30dBm, since -10dBm is greater than -30dBm, it is considered that the third trigger event occurs, and the relay device is triggered to send a query message.

[0170] In some embodiments, the fourth trigger event is used to indicate that the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth wireless signal quality threshold, and the wireless signal quality of the target cell is greater than the fifth wireless signal quality threshold. When the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth wireless signal quality threshold, and the wireless signal quality of the target cell is greater than the fifth wireless signal quality threshold, it is considered that the fourth trigger event has occurred, and the relay device is triggered to send a query message. When the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is greater than or equal to the fifth wireless signal quality threshold, and / or, the wireless signal quality of the target cell is less than or equal to the fifth wireless signal quality threshold, it is considered that the fourth trigger event has not occurred. Optionally, the fourth trigger event is an A5 event (Event A5).

[0171] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the relay device sends a query message when the query conditions are met, so that the query message is sent only when the query is needed, which is beneficial to reducing the resource consumption of the relay device.

[0172] The method provided in the embodiment of the present application sends a query message when a trigger event occurs, so that the relay device can actively send a query message to determine whether the position relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device is the first position relationship or the second position relationship based on the measured wireless signal quality, thereby being able to report the position relationship information related to the Internet of Things device to the network device in a timely manner.

[0173] In some embodiments, a trigger event is used to instruct a relay device to perform a cell handover or cell reselection. After the relay device performs a cell handover or cell reselection, the network device communicating with the relay device will switch from the current network device to the target network device. At this point, IoT devices in a first positional relationship with the relay device will move with the relay device, completing the cell handover or cell reselection together. IoT devices in a first positional relationship with the relay device can still obtain network services provided by the target network device through the relay device. However, IoT devices in a second positional relationship with the relay device will not move with the relay device and cannot obtain network services provided by the current network device through the relay device. Therefore, after a trigger event occurs, the relay device sends a query message, which facilitates timely identification of IoT devices in a second positional relationship with the relay device. By promptly reporting this to the network device, the network device can promptly provide an alternative relay device for the IoT devices in a second positional relationship with the relay device, thus avoiding the situation where IoT devices lose connection.

[0174] In some embodiments, after sending the query message, the relay device waits to receive a response message fed back by the IoT device.

[0175] In some embodiments, the relay device receives a response message fed back by the IoT device. That is, the IoT device receives a query message sent by the relay device; and based on the received query message, the IoT device sends a response message to the relay device; and the response message is received by the relay device.

[0176] At this point, upon receiving a response message from the IoT device, the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is determined to be the first positional relationship. This response message was fed back by the IoT device to the relay device at the second feedback time, which is after the first feedback time. Since the IoT device fed back a response message to the relay device at both the first feedback time and the second feedback time, the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device can be determined to be the first positional relationship.

[0177] In some embodiments, when the relay device receives a response message fed back by the IoT device and successfully decodes the response message, it is determined that the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is a first positional relationship.

[0178] In some embodiments, when the relay device receives a response message fed back by the IoT device but fails to successfully decode the response message, it is determined that the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is a second positional relationship.

[0179] In some embodiments, the relay device does not receive a response message from the IoT device. This may occur in the following situations:

[0180] Case 1: If the IoT device does not receive the query message sent by the relay device, the IoT device will not send a response message to the relay device.

[0181] Case 2: The IoT device receives a query message sent by the relay device, and based on the received query message, the IoT device sends a response message to the relay device; however, the relay device does not receive the response message sent by the IoT device.

[0182] At this time, if no response message is received from the IoT device, the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is determined to be the second positional relationship. Since the IoT device only fed back a response message to the relay device at the first feedback time, the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device can be determined to be the second positional relationship.

[0183] It should be understood that, when the IoT device has received the query message sent by the relay device and fed back a response message to the relay device, the relay device may fail to receive the response message because the signal coverage range of the relay device is different from the signal coverage range of the IoT device. For example, assume that the signal coverage range of the relay device is a circular range with a radius of 100 meters and the signal coverage range of the IoT device is a circular range with a radius of 80 meters and the IoT device is centered on the IoT device. Then, when the IoT device is 90 meters away from the relay device, the IoT device is within the signal coverage range of the relay device and can receive the query message sent by the relay device; but the relay device is outside the signal coverage range of the IoT device and cannot receive the response message fed back by the IoT device.

[0184] For example, as shown in FIG12 , assuming that the IoT devices that have historically communicated with the relay device include IoT device 1, IoT device 2, and IoT device 3, the relay device sends a query message.

[0185] IoT device 1 receives the query message and feeds back a response message 1 to the relay device. When the relay device receives the response message 1 fed back by IoT device 1, it determines that the positional relationship between IoT device 1 and the relay device is the first positional relationship.

[0186] IoT device 2 receives the query message and feeds back a response message 2 to the relay device. The relay device fails to receive the response message 2 fed back by IoT device 2, and therefore determines that the positional relationship between IoT device 2 and the relay device is the second positional relationship.

[0187] IoT device 3 fails to receive the query message and therefore does not feedback a response message. The relay device also fails to receive the response message 3 feedback from IoT device 3. Therefore, it is determined that the positional relationship between IoT device 3 and the relay device is the second positional relationship.

[0188] In summary, the method provided in this embodiment allows the relay device to determine whether the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the first positional relationship or the second positional relationship based on whether it receives a response message from the IoT device. If no response message is received from the IoT device, the network device can promptly provide the IoT device with an alternative relay device.

[0189] In some embodiments, the above method further includes: sending notification information to the network device when the proportion of the first IoT device in the IoT devices is greater than a proportion threshold.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first IoT device is a device whose positional relationship with the relay device is the second positional relationship. For example, as shown in FIG12 , the first IoT device is IoT device 2 and IoT device 3.

[0191] In some embodiments, the ratio threshold is used to indicate the maximum proportion of first IoT devices allowed among IoT devices. In some embodiments, the ratio threshold is pre-set by the network device. Alternatively, the ratio threshold is configured by the network device through signaling. Alternatively, the ratio threshold is configured by the network device through broadcasting.

[0192] In some embodiments, the method further includes determining a proportion of the first IoT device in the IoT devices, and if the proportion of the first IoT device in the IoT devices is less than or equal to a proportion threshold, not sending the notification information to the network device.

[0193] For example, assuming that the number of IoT devices is 10, the number of first IoT devices is 3, and the ratio threshold is 50%, the first IoT devices account for 30% of the IoT devices. Since 30% is less than 50%, no notification information is sent to the network device.

[0194] For example, assuming that the number of IoT devices is 10, the number of first IoT devices is 7, and the ratio threshold is 50%, the proportion of first IoT devices in the IoT devices is 70%. Since 70% is greater than 50%, a notification message is sent to the network device.

[0195] In some embodiments, the notification information is sent by the relay device to the network device, and is used to inform the network device of information related to the first Internet of Things device, including at least one of the device identification of the first Internet of Things device, the number of the first Internet of Things devices, and the location relationship information between the first Internet of Things device and the relay device.

[0196] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, when the relay device discovers that the proportion of the first IoT device in the IoT devices is greater than a proportion threshold, it can promptly send a notification message to the network device to inform the network device of information related to the first IoT device, so that the network device can promptly provide a replacement relay device for the first IoT device.

[0197] In some embodiments, the above method further includes: receiving a response message.

[0198] In some embodiments, the response message includes a first response message fed back by an IoT device that has a history of communication with the relay device.

[0199] In some embodiments, the response message includes a second response message fed back by the second IoT device. The second IoT device is a device that sends a response message to the relay device based on the query message. It should be understood that the second IoT device is a device that is communicating with the relay device for the first time, or that the second IoT device is a device that is establishing a connection with the relay device for the first time, or that the second IoT device is a device that is performing a query-response process with the relay device for the first time, or that the second IoT device is a device that is feeding back a response message to the relay device for the first time.

[0200] In some embodiments, the method further includes: upon receiving second response information fed back by the second network device, determining connection information corresponding to the second IoT device. The connection information is used to indicate that a connection relationship has been established between the second IoT device and the relay device, or to indicate that the second IoT device has communicated with the relay device.

[0201] In some embodiments, the above method further includes: sending connection information corresponding to the second Internet of Things device to the network device.

[0202] The method provided in the embodiment of the present application enables the network device to promptly learn of the newly discovered IoT device by sending connection information corresponding to the newly discovered IoT device to the network device.

[0203] FIG13 shows a flow chart of a method for determining a position relationship provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by a relay device. The method further includes:

[0204] Step 320: Send the location relationship to the network device.

[0205] In some embodiments, the location relationship is carried in uplink RRC signaling or non-access stratum (NAS) signaling related to the target event. In some embodiments, the target event includes a measurement event corresponding to the relay device. When the relay device reports a measurement report corresponding to the measurement event to the network device, the location relationship is carried in the relevant uplink RRC signaling or NAS signaling. In some embodiments, the location relationship is carried in a measurement report or a Tracking Area Update (TAU) request.

[0206] In some embodiments, the manner of sending the location relationship to the network device includes the following two methods:

[0207] Method 1: reporting the first position relationship and reporting the second position relationship;

[0208] In some embodiments, when it is determined that the positional relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device is a first positional relationship, the first positional relationship is sent to the network device; and when it is determined that the positional relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device is a second positional relationship, the second positional relationship is sent to the network device.

[0209] Method 2: Only report the second position relationship.

[0210] In some embodiments, when it is determined that the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is a second positional relationship, the second positional relationship is sent to the network device.

[0211] The method provided in the embodiment of the present application enables the network device to promptly obtain the positional relationship between the IoT device and the relay device by sending the positional relationship to the network device, so that when there is no geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device, the network device can promptly provide the IoT device with a replacement relay device.

[0212] FIG14 shows a flow chart of a method for determining a location relationship provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by a network device. The method includes:

[0213] Step 420: Receive the position relationship.

[0214] In some embodiments, the location relationship is sent by a relay device. In some embodiments, the location relationship is a location relationship between the relay device and the IoT device. In some embodiments, the location relationship includes a first location relationship or a second location relationship, wherein the first location relationship indicates that a geographical binding relationship exists between the relay device and the IoT device, and the second location relationship indicates that no geographical binding relationship exists between the relay device and the IoT device.

[0215] In some embodiments, a geographically bound relationship exists between the relay device and the IoT device, meaning that when the relay device moves, the IoT device follows the movement of the relay device. That is, when the relay device and / or the IoT device moves, the relative positions of the relay device and the IoT device remain substantially unchanged. For example, as shown in FIG6 , assuming that the relay device 120 is at a first position at a first moment, and the IoT device 130, which is geographically bound to the relay device 120, is at a first following position at the first moment, then when the relay device 120 moves from the first position to the second position at a second moment, the IoT device 130 also moves from the first following position to the second following position at the second moment. It should be understood that the first relative position between the relay device 120 and the IoT device 130 at the first moment (the relative position between the first position and the first following position) is substantially the same as the second relative position between the relay device 120 and the IoT device 130 at the second moment (the relative position between the second position and the second following position).

[0216] In some embodiments, there is a geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device, which can also be understood as the IoT device is always within the signal coverage range of the relay device.

[0217] In some embodiments, a geographical binding relationship exists between the relay device and the IoT device. This can also be understood as a constant connection between the relay device and the IoT device, and this connection does not change with the location of the relay device and / or the IoT device. In other words, even if the relay device and / or the IoT device moves, the connection between the relay device and the IoT device remains.

[0218] In some embodiments, a geographically bound relationship exists between the relay device and the IoT device, which can also be understood as ensuring that communication, data transmission, or query-response processes can always be performed between the relay device and the IoT device. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG7 , the query-response process involves the relay device sending a query message to the IoT device, and the IoT device responding to the query message with a response message to the relay device based on the received query message.

[0219] It is worth noting that, in general, when there is a geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device, the distance between the relay device and the IoT device is relatively close.

[0220] In some embodiments, the position relationship between the relay device and the IoT device includes a second position relationship. The second position relationship is used to indicate that there is no geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device.

[0221] In some embodiments, there is no geographic binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device. This means that when the relay device moves, the IoT device does not follow the movement of the relay device. In other words, the movement of the relay device and the movement of the IoT device are separate and uncorrelated.

[0222] In some embodiments, there is no geographic binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device. Alternatively, the IoT device may be within the relay device's signal coverage at a first moment and outside the relay device's signal coverage at a second moment. The relay device may be at a first location at a first moment and at a second location at a second moment. It should be understood that the relay device's signal coverage is typically a fixed-size range centered on the relay device. For example, as shown in FIG6 , assuming the signal coverage of relay device 120 is a circular range centered on relay device 120, after relay device 120 moves from a first location to a second location, the signal coverage of relay device 120 remains a circular range centered on relay device 120. The position of the center of the circle changes, meaning the position of relay device 120 changes, but the size and shape of the circular range remain unchanged. Alternatively, the IoT device may be within the relay device's historical signal coverage at a historical moment but outside the relay device's current signal coverage at the current moment.

[0223] In some embodiments, there is no geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device. This can also be understood as a connection relationship between the relay device and the IoT device at a first moment but no connection relationship at a second moment. Alternatively, this can be understood as a historical connection relationship between the relay device and the IoT device.

[0224] In some embodiments, there is no geographic binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device. This can also be understood as the relay device being able to communicate, transmit data, or execute a query-response process with the IoT device at a first moment, but unable to do so at a second moment. Alternatively, this can be understood as the existence of a history of communication, data transmission, or query-response processes between the relay device and the IoT device.

[0225] In some embodiments, the relay device reports both the first position relationship and the second position relationship. If the relay device determines that the position relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the first position relationship, the relay device receives the first position relationship; and if the relay device determines that the position relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the second position relationship, the relay device receives the second position relationship.

[0226] In some embodiments, the relay device only reports the second position relationship. When the relay device determines that the position relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the second position relationship, the relay device receives the second position relationship.

[0227] To sum up, the method provided in this embodiment enables the network device to determine whether there is a geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device by receiving the position relationship between the relay device and the IoT device, so that when there is no geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device, a replacement relay device can be provided to the IoT device in a timely manner.

[0228] In some embodiments, the relay device moves within the cell range, causing the IoT device to be disconnected or unresponsive (i.e., the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the second positional relationship). For example, as shown in FIG15 , an embodiment of the present application provides a method for determining a positional relationship. The method comprises the following steps:

[0229] Step 1a: The IoT device sends a measurement report to the relay device.

[0230] In some embodiments, if the IoT device 1 does not send a measurement report to the relay device, the IoT device 1 is not offline, or the positional relationship between the IoT device 1 and the relay device has not changed. Generally, the positional relationship between the IoT device and the relay device is assumed to be the first positional relationship.

[0231] In some embodiments, IoT device 2 sends a measurement report to the relay device. In some embodiments, the measurement report is used to indicate that IoT device 2 is offline or unresponsive, or that the positional relationship between IoT device 2 and the relay device has changed, such as from a first positional relationship to a second positional relationship.

[0232] Step 1b: A query-response process is performed between the relay device and the IoT device.

[0233] In some embodiments, the relay device sends a query message to the IoT device, including sending a query message to IoT device 1 and sending a query message to IoT device 2.

[0234] In some embodiments, the IoT device feeds back a response message to the relay device based on the received query message. In some embodiments, if IoT device 1 feeds back a response message to the relay device and the relay device receives the response message, IoT device 1 is not offline or the positional relationship between IoT device 1 and the relay device has not changed. In some embodiments, if IoT device 2 does not feed back a response message to the relay device, this indicates that IoT device 2 is offline or unresponsive, or that the positional relationship between IoT device 2 and the relay device has changed.

[0235] It should be noted that the above steps 1a and 1b are optional. In some embodiments, only step 1a may be performed. In some embodiments, only step 1b may be performed. In some embodiments, both steps 1a and 1b may be performed in any order.

[0236] Step 2: The relay device sends the location relationship to the network device.

[0237] In some embodiments, when the relay device determines that the positional relationship between the IoT device and the relay device has changed, the relay device sends an indication message indicating a change in the positional relationship between the IoT device and the relay device to the network device, or sends a second positional relationship to the network device. Generally, the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device known by the network device is assumed to be the first positional relationship.

[0238] In some embodiments, when the relay device performs cell switching, the IoT device is disconnected or becomes unresponsive (ie, the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the second positional relationship). For specific steps, refer to steps 1a, 1b, and 2 above.

[0239] In some embodiments, when a certain proportion of IoT devices are offline or unresponsive, the relay device sends a notification message to the network device. For example, as shown in FIG16 , assume that there are three IoT devices, including IoT device 1, IoT device 2, and IoT device 3. The relay device and the network device have pre-set a protocol that when the proportion of IoT devices that are offline or unresponsive is greater than 50%, the relay device sends a notification message to the network device. For example, based on step 1a and / or step 1b, if it is determined that IoT device 2 and IoT device 3 are offline or unresponsive, step 3 is executed, and the relay device sends a notification message to the network device.

[0240] FIG17 shows a block diagram of a device for determining a position relationship according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The device includes:

[0241] The determination module 1710 is configured to determine the positional relationship between the device and the IoT device.

[0242] In some embodiments, the positional relationship between the device and the IoT device includes the following two types:

[0243] First position relationship;

[0244] Second position relationship.

[0245] In some embodiments, the location relationship between the apparatus and the IoT device includes a first location relationship. The first location relationship is used to indicate that there is a geographical binding relationship between the apparatus and the IoT device.

[0246] In some embodiments, a geographically bound relationship exists between the device and the IoT device, meaning that when the device moves, the IoT device follows the device's movement. In other words, when the device and / or the IoT device moves, the relative positions of the device and the IoT device remain substantially unchanged.

[0247] In some embodiments, there is a geographical binding relationship between the apparatus and the IoT device, which can also be understood as the IoT device is always within the signal coverage range of the apparatus.

[0248] In some embodiments, a geographical binding relationship exists between a device and an IoT device. This can also be understood as a connection relationship that always exists between the device and the IoT device, and this connection relationship does not change with the location of the device and / or the IoT device. In other words, even if the device and / or the IoT device moves, the connection relationship between the device and the IoT device remains.

[0249] In some embodiments, a geographically bound relationship exists between the device and the IoT device, which can also be understood as the device and the IoT device being able to communicate, transmit data, or execute a query-response process at all times. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG7 , the query-response process involves the device sending a query message to the IoT device, and the IoT device responding to the query message with a response message to the device based on the received query message.

[0250] It is worth noting that, in general, when there is a geographical binding relationship between the device and the IoT device, the distance between the device and the IoT device is relatively close.

[0251] In some embodiments, the location relationship between the apparatus and the IoT device includes a second location relationship, where the second location relationship indicates that there is no geographical binding relationship between the apparatus and the IoT device.

[0252] In some embodiments, there is no geographic binding relationship between the device and the IoT device. This means that when the device moves, the IoT device does not follow the device's movement. In other words, the device's movement behavior is separate from the movement behavior of the IoT device, and there is no correlation between the device's movement behavior and the movement behavior of the IoT device.

[0253] In some embodiments, there is no geographic binding relationship between the device and the IoT device. Alternatively, the IoT device may be within the device's signal coverage at one moment and outside the device's signal coverage at a second moment. The device may be at a first location at the first moment and at a second location at the second moment. It should be understood that the device's signal coverage is typically a fixed-size range centered on the device.

[0254] In some embodiments, there is no geographical binding relationship between the device and the IoT device. This can also be understood as a connection relationship between the device and the IoT device at a first moment but no connection relationship at a second moment. Alternatively, this can be understood as a historical connection relationship between the device and the IoT device.

[0255] In some embodiments, there is no geographic binding relationship between the device and the IoT device. This can also be understood as the device being able to communicate, transmit data, or execute a query-response process with the IoT device at a first moment, but unable to do so at a second moment. Alternatively, this can be understood as the existence of a history of communication, data transmission, or query-response processes between the device and the IoT device.

[0256] In some embodiments, a method for determining a positional relationship between an apparatus and an IoT device includes at least one of the following:

[0257] Method 1: Determine the location relationship between the device and the IoT device based on the measurement report reported by the IoT device.

[0258] Method 2: Determine the positional relationship between the device and the IoT device based on whether a response message fed back by the IoT device is received.

[0259] For method 1 (measurement report):

[0260] The determination module 1710 is further configured to determine the positional relationship between the apparatus and the IoT device based on the measurement report reported by the IoT device.

[0261] In some embodiments, the measurement report is used to indicate the quality of the wireless signal measured by the IoT device. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the measurement report is used to indicate that the quality of the wireless signal measured by the IoT device is less than a wireless signal quality threshold.

[0262] In some embodiments, the IoT device evaluates the quality of wireless signals in one or more ways. In some embodiments, the IoT device evaluates the quality of wireless signals based on the Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP) of a reference signal. In some embodiments, the IoT device evaluates the quality of wireless signals based on the Reference Signal Receiving Quality (RSRQ) of a reference signal. In some embodiments, the IoT device evaluates the quality of wireless signals based on the Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR) of a reference signal. Optionally, the reference signal is an SSB. Optionally, the reference signal is a CSI-RS.

[0263] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises:

[0264] The receiving module 1720 is configured to receive measurement reports reported by IoT devices.

[0265] The measurement report is used to indicate the quality of the wireless signal:

[0266] The determination module 1710 is further configured to determine a positional relationship between the apparatus and the IoT device based on the first measurement report and the second measurement report reported by the IoT device.

[0267] In some embodiments, the first measurement report and the second measurement report are reported by the IoT device at different times. For example, the first measurement report is reported by the IoT device to the apparatus at a first time, and the second measurement report is reported by the IoT device to the apparatus at a second time.

[0268] In some embodiments, the first measurement report indicates a first wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device at a first moment, and the second measurement report indicates a second wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device at a second moment. It should be understood that the first wireless signal quality and the second wireless signal quality correspond to the same evaluation metric.

[0269] In some embodiments, the evaluation metric is the RSRP of a reference signal. In some embodiments, the first measurement report indicates a first RSRP measured by the IoT device at a first moment, and the second measurement report indicates a second RSRP measured by the IoT device at a second moment. The first RSRP and the second RSRP may be the same or different.

[0270] In some embodiments, the evaluation metric is the RSRQ of the reference signal. In some embodiments, the first measurement report is used to indicate a first RSRQ measured by the IoT device at a first moment, and the second measurement report is used to indicate a second RSRQ measured by the IoT device at a second moment. The first RSRQ and the second RSRQ may be the same or different.

[0271] In some embodiments, the evaluation metric is a reference signal SINR. In some embodiments, the first measurement report indicates a first SINR measured by the IoT device at a first moment, and the second measurement report indicates a second SINR measured by the IoT device at a second moment. The first SINR and the second SINR may be the same or different.

[0272] In some embodiments, if the absolute difference between the first wireless signal quality and the second wireless signal quality is less than a first wireless signal quality threshold, the positional relationship between the apparatus and the IoT device is determined to be a first positional relationship. If the absolute difference between the first wireless signal quality and the second wireless signal quality is greater than or equal to the first wireless signal quality threshold, the positional relationship between the apparatus and the IoT device is determined to be a second positional relationship.

[0273] In some embodiments, the first wireless signal quality threshold indicates the maximum allowable difference in wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device at different times. If the absolute difference in wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device at different times is below the maximum difference, the positional relationship between the IoT device and the device is a first positional relationship. If the absolute difference in wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device at different times is equal to or exceeds the maximum difference, the positional relationship between the IoT device and the device is a second positional relationship.

[0274] For example, assuming that the first wireless signal quality is -30dbm, the second wireless signal quality is -35dbm, and the first wireless signal quality threshold is 10dbm, the absolute difference between the first wireless signal quality and the second wireless signal quality is 5dbm. Since 5dbm is less than 10dbm, it can be determined that the position relationship between the device and the IoT device is the first position relationship.

[0275] For example, assuming that the first wireless signal quality is -30dbm, the second wireless signal quality is -80dbm, and the first wireless signal quality threshold is 10dbm, the absolute difference between the first wireless signal quality and the second wireless signal quality is 50dbm. Since 50dbm is greater than 10dbm, it can be determined that the position relationship between the device and the IoT device is the second position relationship.

[0276] In some embodiments, the measurement time of the IoT device and / or the first wireless signal quality threshold are preconfigured by the network device. In some embodiments, at least one of the first time, the second time, and the first wireless signal quality threshold is preconfigured by the network device.

[0277] The receiving module 1720 is further configured to receive a first measurement report and a second measurement report reported by an IoT device.

[0278] In some embodiments, a first measurement report reported by an IoT device is received at a first receiving time. It should be understood that, in general, the first receiving time is slightly later than the first time, which is the time when the IoT device reports the first measurement report.

[0279] In some embodiments, a second measurement report reported by the IoT device is received at a second receiving time. It should be understood that, in general, the second receiving time is slightly later than the second time, which is the time when the IoT device reports the second measurement report.

[0280] The measurement report is used to indicate that the wireless signal quality is less than the wireless signal quality threshold:

[0281] The determination module 1710 is further configured to determine a positional relationship between the apparatus and the IoT device based on a third measurement report reported by the IoT device.

[0282] In some embodiments, the third measurement report is used to indicate that the third wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device is less than the second wireless signal quality threshold. In some embodiments, the third measurement report is sent when the third wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device is less than the second wireless signal quality threshold. In some embodiments, the IoT device measures the third wireless signal quality and only reports the third measurement report when the third wireless signal quality is less than the second wireless signal quality threshold. If the third wireless signal quality is greater than or equal to the second wireless signal quality threshold, the IoT device does not report the third measurement report.

[0283] In some embodiments, the second wireless signal quality threshold is used to indicate a minimum value allowed for wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device. If the wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device is less than the minimum value, the IoT device reports a measurement report to the apparatus; if the wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device is greater than or equal to the minimum value, the IoT device does not report a measurement report to the apparatus.

[0284] Exemplarily, assuming that the third wireless signal quality is -80 dBm and the wireless signal quality threshold is -40 dBm, since -80 dBm is less than -40 dBm, the IoT device reports a measurement report to the apparatus.

[0285] For example, assuming that the third wireless signal quality is -35dbm and the wireless signal quality threshold is -40dbm, since -35dbm is greater than -40dbm, the IoT device does not report the measurement report to the apparatus.

[0286] In some embodiments, upon receiving the third measurement report, the positional relationship between the apparatus and the IoT device is determined to be the second positional relationship. It should be understood that if the IoT device does not report the third measurement report to the apparatus, i.e., if the apparatus does not receive the third measurement report, the positional relationship between the IoT device and the apparatus is determined to be the first positional relationship.

[0287] The receiving module 1720 is further configured to receive a third measurement report reported by the IoT device.

[0288] For method 2 (response message):

[0289] The determination module 1710 is further configured to determine the positional relationship between the apparatus and the IoT device based on whether a response message fed back by the IoT device is received or successfully decoded.

[0290] In some embodiments, the IoT device is a device that has historically communicated with the device. In some embodiments, the IoT device is the device that the device historically communicated with, or the IoT device is the device that the device historically transmitted data with, or the IoT device is the device that historically received a response message with.

[0291] In some embodiments, the response message is fed back by the IoT device to the device that sent the query message based on the received query message. In some embodiments, the response message is used to indicate that the IoT device has received the query message.

[0292] It should be understood that the IoT device in the embodiments of this application is a device that has historically fed back a response message to the device based on a query message sent by the device. That is, the IoT device in the embodiments of this application and the device have historically executed a query-response process. In some embodiments, the IoT device fed back a response message to the device at the first feedback moment.

[0293] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises:

[0294] The sending module 1730 is configured to send a query message.

[0295] In some embodiments, the query message is sent by the device in a broadcast format. In some embodiments, the query message is used to query IoT devices within a signal coverage range of the device.

[0296] The sending module 1730 is further configured to send a query message when the query condition is met.

[0297] In some embodiments, the query condition is used to indicate the timing for the device to send the query message. In some embodiments, the query message is sent when a triggering event occurs. The triggering event is used to trigger the device to send the query message. In some embodiments, the triggering event is preconfigured by the network device, and the network device pre-configures information related to the triggering event to the device. In some embodiments, the triggering event includes at least one of the following:

[0298] First triggering event;

[0299] Second trigger event;

[0300] The third triggering event;

[0301] The fourth triggering event.

[0302] In some embodiments, the first trigger event is used to indicate that the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is less than a third wireless signal quality threshold. The serving cell is the cell in which the device is currently residing. In some embodiments, the third wireless signal quality threshold is used to indicate the minimum value allowed for the wireless signal quality of the serving cell. If the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is less than the minimum value, it is considered that the first trigger event has occurred, and the device is triggered to send a query message; if the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is greater than or equal to the minimum value, it is considered that the first trigger event has not occurred. Optionally, the first trigger event is an A1 event (Event A1).

[0303] For example, assuming that the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is -80dbm and the third wireless signal quality threshold is -40dbm, since -80dbm is less than -40dbm, it is considered that the first trigger event occurs, and the trigger device sends a query message.

[0304] For example, assuming that the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is -30 dBm and the third wireless signal quality threshold is -40 dBm, since -30 dBm is less than -40 dBm, it is considered that the first triggering event has not occurred.

[0305] In some embodiments, the second trigger event is used to indicate that the radio signal quality of the target cell is greater than the sum of the radio signal quality of the serving cell and the offset value. The target cell is a neighboring cell of the serving cell. In some embodiments, when the radio signal quality of the target cell is greater than the sum of the radio signal quality of the serving cell and the offset value, it is considered that the second trigger event has occurred, and the triggering device sends a query message. When the radio signal quality of the target cell is less than or equal to the sum of the radio signal quality of the serving cell and the offset value, it is considered that the second trigger event has not occurred. Optionally, the second trigger event is an A3 event (Event A3).

[0306] For example, assuming that the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is -80dbm, the offset value is 10dbm, and the wireless signal quality of the target cell is -40dbm, since -40dbm is greater than -70dbm (-80dbm+10dbm), it is considered that a second trigger event has occurred, and the trigger device sends a query message.

[0307] In some embodiments, the third trigger event is used to indicate that the wireless signal quality of the target cell is greater than a fourth wireless signal quality threshold. In some embodiments, the fourth wireless signal quality threshold is used to indicate the maximum value allowed for the wireless signal quality of the target cell. If the wireless signal quality of the target cell is greater than the maximum value, the third trigger event is considered to have occurred, and the triggering device sends a query message. If the wireless signal quality of the target cell is less than or equal to the maximum value, the third trigger event is considered not to have occurred. Optionally, the third trigger event is Event A4.

[0308] For example, assuming that the wireless signal quality of the target cell is -10dBm and the fourth wireless signal quality threshold is -30dBm, since -10dBm is greater than -30dBm, it is considered that the third trigger event occurs, and the device is triggered to send a query message.

[0309] In some embodiments, the fourth trigger event is used to indicate that the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth wireless signal quality threshold, and the wireless signal quality of the target cell is greater than the fifth wireless signal quality threshold. When the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth wireless signal quality threshold, and the wireless signal quality of the target cell is greater than the fifth wireless signal quality threshold, it is considered that the fourth trigger event has occurred, and the trigger device sends a query message. When the wireless signal quality of the serving cell is greater than or equal to the fifth wireless signal quality threshold, and / or the wireless signal quality of the target cell is less than or equal to the fifth wireless signal quality threshold, it is considered that the fourth trigger event has not occurred. Optionally, the fourth trigger event is an A5 event (Event A5).

[0310] In some embodiments, after sending the query message, the device waits to receive a response message fed back by the IoT device.

[0311] In some embodiments, the device receives a response message fed back by the IoT device. That is, the IoT device receives a query message sent by the device; and based on the received query message, the IoT device sends a response message to the device; and the response message is received by the device.

[0312] At this point, upon receiving a response message from the IoT device, the positional relationship between the device and the IoT device is determined to be the first positional relationship. This response message was provided by the IoT device to the device at a second feedback time, which is after the first feedback time. Since the IoT device provided response messages to the device at both the first and second feedback times, the positional relationship between the device and the IoT device can be determined to be the first positional relationship.

[0313] In some embodiments, when the relay device receives a response message fed back by the IoT device and successfully decodes the response message, it is determined that the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is a first positional relationship.

[0314] In some embodiments, when the relay device receives a response message fed back by the IoT device but fails to successfully decode the response message, it is determined that the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is a second positional relationship.

[0315] In some embodiments, the device does not receive a response message from the IoT device. This includes the following situations:

[0316] Case 1: If the IoT device does not receive the query message sent by the device, the IoT device will not send a response message to the device.

[0317] Case 2: The IoT device receives a query message sent by the device, and based on the received query message, the IoT device sends a response message to the device; but the device does not receive the response message sent by the IoT device.

[0318] At this time, if no response message is received from the IoT device, the positional relationship between the device and the IoT device is determined to be the second positional relationship. Since the IoT device only fed back a response message to the device at the first feedback time, the positional relationship between the device and the IoT device can be determined to be the first positional relationship.

[0319] For example, as shown in FIG12 , assuming that the IoT devices that have historical communications with the device include IoT device 1, IoT device 2, and IoT device 3, the device sends a query message.

[0320] The IoT device 1 receives the query message and feeds back a response message 1 to the apparatus. When the apparatus receives the response message 1 fed back by the IoT device 1, it determines that the positional relationship between the IoT device 1 and the apparatus is a first positional relationship.

[0321] IoT device 2 receives the query message and feeds back a response message 2 to the apparatus. The apparatus fails to receive the response message 2 fed back by IoT device 2, and therefore determines that the positional relationship between IoT device 2 and the apparatus is the second positional relationship.

[0322] The IoT device 3 fails to receive the query message and therefore does not feed back a response message. The device is also unable to receive the response message 3 fed back by the IoT device 3. Therefore, it is determined that the positional relationship between the IoT device 3 and the device is the second positional relationship.

[0323] The sending module 1730 is further configured to send notification information to the network device when the proportion of the first IoT device in the IoT devices is greater than a proportion threshold.

[0324] In some embodiments, the first IoT device is a device whose positional relationship with the apparatus is the second positional relationship. For example, as shown in FIG12 , the first IoT device is IoT device 2 and IoT device 3.

[0325] In some embodiments, the ratio threshold is used to indicate the maximum proportion of first IoT devices allowed among IoT devices. In some embodiments, the ratio threshold is pre-set by the network device. Alternatively, the ratio threshold is configured by the network device through signaling. Alternatively, the ratio threshold is configured by the network device through broadcasting.

[0326] The determining module 1710 is further configured to determine a proportion of the first IoT device in the IoT devices, and if the proportion of the first IoT device in the IoT devices is less than or equal to a proportion threshold, no notification information is sent to the network device.

[0327] For example, assuming that the number of IoT devices is 10, the number of first IoT devices is 3, and the ratio threshold is 50%, the first IoT devices account for 30% of the IoT devices. Since 30% is less than 50%, no notification information is sent to the network device.

[0328] For example, assuming that the number of IoT devices is 10, the number of first IoT devices is 7, and the ratio threshold is 50%, the proportion of first IoT devices in the IoT devices is 70%. Since 70% is greater than 50%, a notification message is sent to the network device.

[0329] In some embodiments, the notification information is sent by the device to the network device, and is used to inform the network device of information related to the first Internet of Things device, including at least one of the device identification of the first Internet of Things device, the number of the first Internet of Things devices, and the location relationship information between the first Internet of Things device and the device.

[0330] The receiving module 1720 is further configured to receive a response message.

[0331] In some embodiments, the response message includes a first response message fed back by an IoT device that has a history of communication with the apparatus.

[0332] In some embodiments, the response message includes a second response message fed back by a second IoT device. The second IoT device is a device that sends a response message to the apparatus based on the query message. It should be understood that the second IoT device is a device that is communicating with the apparatus for the first time, or that the second IoT device is a device that is establishing a connection with the apparatus for the first time, or that the second IoT device is a device that is performing a query-response process with the apparatus for the first time, or that the second IoT device is a device that is feeding back a response message to the apparatus for the first time.

[0333] The determining module 1710 is further configured to determine connection information corresponding to the second IoT device upon receiving the second response information fed back by the second network device. The connection information is used to indicate that a connection relationship has been established between the second IoT device and the apparatus, or to indicate that the second IoT device and the apparatus have communicated.

[0334] The sending module 1730 is further configured to send connection information corresponding to the second IoT device to the network device.

[0335] The sending module 1730 is further configured to send the location relationship to the network device.

[0336] In some embodiments, the location relationship is carried in uplink RRC signaling or NAS signaling related to the target event. In some embodiments, the target event includes a measurement event corresponding to the device. When the device reports a measurement report corresponding to the measurement event to the network device, the location relationship is carried in the relevant uplink RRC signaling or Non-Access-Stratum (NAS) signaling.

[0337] In some embodiments, the manner of sending the location relationship to the network device includes the following two methods:

[0338] Method 1: reporting the first position relationship and reporting the second position relationship;

[0339] In some embodiments, when it is determined that the positional relationship between the device and the IoT device is a first positional relationship, the first positional relationship is sent to the network device; and when it is determined that the positional relationship between the device and the IoT device is a second positional relationship, the second positional relationship is sent to the network device.

[0340] Method 2: Only report the second position relationship.

[0341] In some embodiments, when it is determined that the positional relationship between the apparatus and the IoT device is a second positional relationship, the second positional relationship is sent to the network device.

[0342] FIG18 shows a block diagram of a device for determining a position relationship according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The device includes:

[0343] The receiving module 1810 is configured to receive a position relationship.

[0344] In some embodiments, the location relationship is sent by a relay device. In some embodiments, the location relationship is a location relationship between the relay device and the IoT device. In some embodiments, the location relationship includes a first location relationship or a second location relationship, wherein the first location relationship indicates that a geographical binding relationship exists between the relay device and the IoT device, and the second location relationship indicates that no geographical binding relationship exists between the relay device and the IoT device.

[0345] In some embodiments, a geographically bound relationship exists between the relay device and the IoT device, meaning that when the relay device moves, the IoT device follows the movement of the relay device. That is, when the relay device and / or the IoT device moves, the relative positions of the relay device and the IoT device remain substantially unchanged. For example, as shown in FIG6 , assuming that the relay device 120 is at a first position at a first moment, and the IoT device 130, which is geographically bound to the relay device 120, is at a first following position at the first moment, then when the relay device 120 moves from the first position to the second position at a second moment, the IoT device 130 also moves from the first following position to the second following position at the second moment. It should be understood that the first relative position between the relay device 120 and the IoT device 130 at the first moment (the relative position between the first position and the first following position) is substantially the same as the second relative position between the relay device 120 and the IoT device 130 at the second moment (the relative position between the second position and the second following position).

[0346] In some embodiments, there is a geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device, which can also be understood as the IoT device is always within the signal coverage range of the relay device.

[0347] In some embodiments, a geographical binding relationship exists between the relay device and the IoT device. This can also be understood as a constant connection between the relay device and the IoT device, and this connection does not change with the location of the relay device and / or the IoT device. In other words, even if the relay device and / or the IoT device moves, the connection between the relay device and the IoT device remains.

[0348] In some embodiments, a geographically bound relationship exists between the relay device and the IoT device, which can also be understood as ensuring that communication, data transmission, or query-response processes can always be performed between the relay device and the IoT device. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG7 , the query-response process involves the relay device sending a query message to the IoT device, and the IoT device responding to the query message with a response message to the relay device based on the received query message.

[0349] It is worth noting that, in general, when there is a geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device, the distance between the relay device and the IoT device is relatively close.

[0350] In some embodiments, the position relationship between the relay device and the IoT device includes a second position relationship. The second position relationship is used to indicate that there is no geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device.

[0351] In some embodiments, there is no geographic binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device. This means that when the relay device moves, the IoT device does not follow the movement of the relay device. In other words, the movement of the relay device and the movement of the IoT device are separate and uncorrelated.

[0352] In some embodiments, there is no geographic binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device. Alternatively, the IoT device may be within the relay device's signal coverage at a first moment and outside the relay device's signal coverage at a second moment. The relay device may be at a first location at a first moment and at a second location at a second moment. It should be understood that the relay device's signal coverage is typically a fixed-size range centered on the relay device. For example, as shown in FIG6 , assuming the signal coverage of relay device 120 is a circular range centered on relay device 120, after relay device 120 moves from a first location to a second location, the signal coverage of relay device 120 remains a circular range centered on relay device 120. The position of the center of the circle changes, meaning the position of relay device 120 changes, but the size and shape of the circular range remain unchanged. Alternatively, the IoT device may be within the relay device's historical signal coverage at a historical moment but outside the relay device's current signal coverage at the current moment.

[0353] In some embodiments, there is no geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device. This can also be understood as a connection relationship between the relay device and the IoT device at a first moment but no connection relationship at a second moment. Alternatively, this can be understood as a historical connection relationship between the relay device and the IoT device.

[0354] In some embodiments, there is no geographic binding relationship between the relay device and the IoT device. This can also be understood as the relay device being able to communicate, transmit data, or execute a query-response process with the IoT device at a first moment, but unable to do so at a second moment. Alternatively, this can be understood as the existence of a history of communication, data transmission, or query-response processes between the relay device and the IoT device.

[0355] In some embodiments, the relay device reports both the first position relationship and the second position relationship. If the relay device determines that the position relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the first position relationship, the relay device receives the first position relationship; and if the relay device determines that the position relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the second position relationship, the relay device receives the second position relationship.

[0356] In some embodiments, the relay device only reports the second position relationship. When the relay device determines that the position relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the second position relationship, the relay device receives the second position relationship.

[0357] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises:

[0358] The sending module 1820 is configured to send at least one of the first moment, the second moment, the wireless signal threshold, and the ratio threshold.

[0359] FIG19 is a block diagram of a communication device (terminal device or network device) according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may include: a processor 1901 , a receiver 1902 , a transmitter 1903 , a memory 1904 , and a bus 1905 .

[0360] The processor 1901 includes one or more processing cores. The processor 1901 executes various functional applications and information processing by running software programs and modules.

[0361] The receiver 1902 and the transmitter 1903 may be implemented as a transceiver 1906 , which may be a communication chip.

[0362] The memory 1904 is connected to the processor 1901 via a bus 1905. The memory 1904 can be used to store computer programs, and the processor 1901 is used to execute the computer programs to implement the various steps performed by the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiment.

[0363] In addition, the memory 1904 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, including but not limited to: random-access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other solid-state storage technology, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), high-density digital video disc (DVD) or other optical storage, tape cassettes, magnetic tape, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices.

[0364] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program. The computer program is executed by a processor of a terminal device or a network device to implement each step in the above-mentioned method for determining the position relationship.

[0365] In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may include: ROM, RAM, solid state drives (SSDs), or optical disks, etc. Among them, the random access memory may include resistance random access memory (ReRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

[0366] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip comprising a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, which, when running on a terminal or network device, is used to implement each step in the above-mentioned method for determining the position relationship.

[0367] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product or computer program, which includes computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The processor of the terminal device or network device reads and executes the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium to implement each step in the above-mentioned method for determining the position relationship.

[0368] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in one or more of the above examples, the functions described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media and communication media, wherein communication media include any media that facilitates the transmission of computer programs from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0369] The above is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for determining a positional relationship, characterized in that: The method is performed by a relay device, and includes: Determining a positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device; Among them, the position relationship includes a first position relationship or a second position relationship, the first position relationship is used to indicate that there is a geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device, and the second position relationship is used to indicate that there is no geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Determining the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device includes: Based on the measurement report reported by the IoT device, the position relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is determined.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The determining the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device based on the measurement report reported by the IoT device includes: Determining the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device based on the first measurement report and the second measurement report reported by the IoT device; The first measurement report and the second measurement report are reported by the IoT device at different times, the first measurement report is used to indicate the first wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device at the first time, and the second measurement report is used to indicate the second wireless signal quality measured by the IoT device at the second time.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The determining the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device based on the first measurement report and the second measurement report reported by the IoT device includes: When the absolute difference between the first wireless signal quality and the second wireless signal quality is less than a first wireless signal quality threshold, determining that the positional relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device is the first positional relationship; When the absolute difference between the first wireless signal quality and the second wireless signal quality is greater than or equal to the first wireless signal quality threshold, the positional relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device is determined to be the second positional relationship.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that At least one of the first time, the second time, and the first wireless signal quality threshold is preconfigured by a network device.

6. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The determining the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device based on the measurement report reported by the IoT device includes: Determining the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device based on the third measurement report reported by the IoT device; The third measurement report is used to indicate that the third wireless signal quality measured by the Internet of Things device is less than the second wireless signal quality threshold, or is sent when the third wireless signal quality measured by the Internet of Things device is less than the second wireless signal quality threshold.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The determining the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device based on the third measurement report reported by the IoT device includes: Upon receiving the third measurement report, it is determined that the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the second positional relationship.

8. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receive the measurement report reported by the IoT device.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Determining the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device includes: Determining the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device based on whether a response message fed back by the IoT device is received or successfully decoded; The IoT device is a device that has communicated with the relay device at a historical time.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The Internet of Things device is the device corresponding to the historical communication of the relay device, or the Internet of Things device is the device corresponding to the historical data transmission of the relay device, or the Internet of Things device is the device corresponding to the historical reception of the response message.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The determining the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device based on whether a response message fed back by the IoT device is received or successfully decoded includes: Upon receiving the response message fed back by the IoT device, determining that the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the first positional relationship; When the response message fed back by the IoT device is received and successfully decoded, determining that the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the first positional relationship; In a case where the response message fed back by the IoT device is received but not successfully decoded, determining that the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the second positional relationship; In a case where the response message fed back by the IoT device is not received, it is determined that the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the second positional relationship.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Send a query message.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The sending of the query message includes: If the query condition is met, the query message is sent.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The sending of the query message when the query condition is met includes: The query message is sent when a triggering event occurs, where the triggering event is used to trigger the relay device to send the query message.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The trigger event is pre-configured by the network device.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The triggering event includes at least one of the following: a first triggering event, where the first triggering event is used to indicate that the radio signal quality of the serving cell is less than a third radio signal quality threshold; A second trigger event, where the second trigger event is used to indicate that the radio signal quality of the target cell is greater than the sum of the radio signal quality of the serving cell and the offset value; a third trigger event, where the third trigger event is used to indicate that the radio signal quality of the target cell is greater than a fourth no-signal quality threshold; a fourth trigger event, where the fourth trigger event is used to indicate that the radio signal quality of the serving cell is less than a fifth radio signal quality threshold, and the radio signal quality of the target cell is greater than the fifth radio signal quality threshold; The serving cell is the cell where the relay device currently resides, and the target cell is a neighboring cell of the serving cell.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that: The method further comprises: When the proportion of the first IoT device in the IoT devices is greater than a proportion threshold, sending notification information to the network device; The first IoT device is a device whose positional relationship with the relay device is the second positional relationship.

18. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 17, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Send connection information corresponding to a second Internet of Things device to the network device, where the second Internet of Things device is a device that sends the response message to the relay device based on the query message.

19. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that The method further comprises: The location relationship is sent to a network device.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The location relationship is carried in uplink radio resource control RRC signaling or non-access stratum NAS signaling related to the target event.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The sending the location relationship to the network device includes: When it is determined that the position relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the first position relationship, The network device sends the first position relationship; and when it is determined that the position relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device is the second position relationship, the second position relationship is sent to the network device; or, When it is determined that the position relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the second position relationship, the second position relationship is sent to the network device.

22. A method for determining a positional relationship, characterized in that: The method is performed by a network device, and includes: A location relationship is received, where the location relationship includes a first location relationship or a second location relationship, where the first location relationship is used to indicate that a geographical binding relationship exists between the relay device and the Internet of Things device, and the second location relationship is used to indicate that the geographical binding relationship does not exist between the relay device and the Internet of Things device.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The receiving position relationship includes: When the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is determined to be the first positional relationship, the first positional relationship is received; and when the positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is determined to be the second positional relationship, the second positional relationship is received; or, When the relay device determines that the position relationship between the relay device and the IoT device is the second position relationship, the second position relationship is received.

24. A device for determining a positional relationship, characterized in that: The device comprises: A determination module, configured to determine a positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device; Among them, the position relationship includes a first position relationship or a second position relationship, the first position relationship is used to indicate that there is a geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device, and the second position relationship is used to indicate that there is no geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device.

25. A device for determining a positional relationship, characterized in that: The device comprises: A receiving module is used to receive a position relationship, where the position relationship includes a first position relationship or a second position relationship, where the first position relationship is used to indicate that a geographical binding relationship exists between the relay device and the Internet of Things device, and the second position relationship is used to indicate that the geographical binding relationship does not exist between the relay device and the Internet of Things device.

26. A relay device, characterized in that: The relay device includes a processor; wherein: The processor is configured to determine a positional relationship between the relay device and the IoT device; Among them, the position relationship includes a first position relationship or a second position relationship, the first position relationship is used to indicate that there is a geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device, and the second position relationship is used to indicate that there is no geographical binding relationship between the relay device and the Internet of Things device.

27. A network device, characterized in that: The network device includes a processor and a transceiver connected to the processor; wherein: The transceiver is used to receive a position relationship, where the position relationship includes a first position relationship or a second position relationship, where the first position relationship is used to indicate that a geographical binding relationship exists between the relay device and the Internet of Things device, and the second position relationship is used to indicate that the geographical binding relationship does not exist between the relay device and the Internet of Things device.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The storage medium stores a computer program, which is used to be executed by a processor to implement the method for determining the positional relationship described in any one of claims 1 to 23.

29. A chip, characterized in that: The chip includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and when the chip is run on a terminal or a network device, it is used to implement the method for determining the position relationship as described in any one of claims 1 to 23 above.

30. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product includes computer instructions, which are stored in a computer-readable storage medium; the processor of the communication device reads the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium and executes the computer instructions, so that the communication device implements the method for determining the positional relationship described in any one of claims 1 to 23 above.

31. A computer program, characterized in that The computer program is executed by a processor of a communication device to implement the method for determining a positional relationship as described in any one of claims 1 to 23.

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