Power state transition

Abstract

An apparatus - e.g. a user device (131, 132, 133, 135, figure 1) - operating in a first power state may, based on an energy level of the device, determine to stay in the first state or transition to a

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This description relates to wireless communications. BACKGROUND

[0002] A communication system may be a facility that enables communication between two or more nodes or devices, such as fixed or mobile communication devices. Signals can be carried on wired or wireless carriers.

[0003] An example of a cellular communication system is an architecture that is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). A recent development in this field is often referred to as the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology. EUTRA (evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access) is the air interface of 3GPP's Long Term Evolution (LTE) upgrade path for mobile networks. In LTE, base stations or access points (APs), which are referred to as enhanced Node AP (eNBs), provide wireless access within a coverage area or cell. In LTE, mobile devices, or mobile stations are referred to as user equipments (UE). LTE has included a number of improvements or developments. Aspects of LTE are also continuing to improve.

[0004] 5GNew Radio (NR) development is part of a continued mobile broadband evolution process to meet the requirements of 5G, similar to earlier evolution of 3G and 4G wireless networks. In addition, 5G is also targeted at the new emerging use cases in addition to mobile broadband. A goal of 5G is to provide significant improvement in wireless performance, which may include new levels of data rate, latency, reliability, and security. 5G NR may also scale to efficiently connect the massive Internet of Things (loT) and may offer new types of mission-critical services. For example, ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC) devices may require high reliability and very low latency. 6G and other networks are also being developed. SUMMARY

[0005] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus including: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state is a power-ON state; determining, based on an energy level of the apparatus, to: transition to a second power state, wherein the second power state includes at least one of: a power-SLEEP state based on the energy level being below a first threshold value; or a power-OFF state based on the energy level being below a second threshold value; and transmit to a network node, while in the power-ON state, an indication of the second power state of the apparatus after the transmit; and determining to stay in the power-ON state.

[0006] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus including: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining: a first threshold value of an energy level of a user device, wherein the first threshold value is associated with transition of a power state of the user device to a power-SLEEP state; and a second threshold value of the energy level of the user device, wherein the second threshold value is associated with transition of the power state of the user device to a power-OFF state; transmitting, to the user device, configuration information including at least one of: the first threshold value; or the second threshold value; and receiving an indication of the power state of the user device.

[0007] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method including: determining by a user device to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state is a power-ON state; determining, based on an energy level of the user device, to: transition to a second power state, wherein the second power state includes at least one of: a power-SLEEP state based on the energy level being below a first threshold value; or a power-OFF state based on the energy level being below a second threshold value; and transmit to a network node, while in the power-ON state, an indication of the second power state of the user device after the transmit; and determining to stay in the power-ON state.

[0008] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method including: determining, by a network node: a first threshold value of an energy level of a user device, wherein the first threshold value is associated with transition of a power state of the user device to a power-SLEEP state; and a second threshold value of the energy level of the user device, wherein the second threshold value is associated with transition of the power state of the user device to a power-OFF state; transmitting, to the user device, configuration information including at least one of: the first threshold value; or the second threshold value; and receiving an indication of the power state of the user device.

[0009] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus including: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state is a power-SLEEP state; determining, based on an energy level of the apparatus: a transition to a second power state, wherein the second power state includes a power-OFF state; and to transmit to a network node, while in a power-ON state, an indication of the power-OFF state of the apparatus after the transmit; and determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state.

[0010] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus including: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining: a first threshold value of an energy level of a user device, wherein the first threshold value is associated with transition of a power state of the user device to a power-SLEEP state; and a second threshold value of the energy level of the user device, wherein the second threshold value is associated with transition of the power state of the user device to a power-OFF state; transmitting, to the user device, configuration information including at least one of: the first threshold value; or the second threshold value; and receiving an indication of the power state of the user device, wherein the power state is the power-SLEEP state.

[0011] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method including: determining by a user device to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state is a power-SLEEP state; determining, based on an energy level of the user device: a transition to a second power state, wherein the second power state includes a power-OFF state; and to transmit to a network node, while in a power-ON state, an indication of the power-OFF state of the user device after the transmit; and determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state.

[0012] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method including: determining, by a network node: a first threshold value of an energy level of a user device, wherein the first threshold value is associated with transition of a power state of the user device to a power-SLEEP state; and a second threshold value of the energy level of the user device, wherein the second threshold value is associated with transition of the power state of the user device to a power-OFF state; transmitting, to the user device, configuration information including at least one of: the first threshold value; or the second threshold value; and receiving an indication of the power state of the user device, wherein the power state is the power-SLEEP state.

[0013] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus including: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state is a power-OFF state; determining, based on an energy level of the apparatus, that a transition to a second power state including a power-SLEEP state is allowed, and based on the determining: transmitting, to a network node, while in a power-ON state, an indication that the transition to the power-SLEEP state is allowed; receiving a command from the network node indicating a request for transitioning to the power-SLEEP state; and transitioning to the power-SLEEP state; and determining, to stay in the power-OFF state.

[0014] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus including: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining: a first threshold value of an energy level of a user device, wherein the first threshold value is associated with transition of a power state of the user device to a power-SLEEP state; and a second threshold value of the energy level of the user device, wherein the second threshold value is associated with transition of the power state of the user device to a power-OFF state; transmitting, to the user device, configuration information including at least one of: the first threshold value; or the second threshold value; receiving an indication that transition of the power state of the user device to the power-SLEEP state is allowed; and transmitting a command to the user device indicating a request for transitioning to the power-SLEEP state.

[0015] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method including: determining by a user device to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state is a power-OFF state; determining, based on an energy level of the user device, that a transition to a second power state including a power-SLEEP state is allowed, and based on the determining: transmitting, to a network node, while in a power-ON state, an indication that the transition to the power-SLEEP state is allowed; receiving a command from the network node indicating a request for transitioning to the power-SLEEP state; and transitioning to the power-SLEEP state; and determining, to stay in the power-OFF state.

[0016] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method including: determining, by a network node: a first threshold value of an energy level of a user device, wherein the first threshold value is associated with transition of a power state of the user device to a power-SLEEP state; and a second threshold value of the energy level of the user device, wherein the second threshold value is associated with transition of the power state of the user device to a power-OFF state; transmitting, to the user device, configuration information including at least one of: the first threshold value; or the second threshold value; receiving an indication that transition of the power state of the user device to the power-SLEEP state is allowed; and transmitting a command to the user device indicating a request for transitioning to the power-SLEEP state.

[0017] Other example embodiments are provided or described for each of the example methods, including: means for performing any of the example methods; a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processor, are configured to cause a computing system to perform any of the example methods; and an apparatus including at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform any of the example methods.

[0018] The details of one or more examples of embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network 130.

[0020] FIG. 2a is a diagram illustrating an ambient loT direct network communication mode.

[0021] FIG. 2b is a diagram illustrating an ambient loT indirect network communication mode.

[0022] FIG. 2c is a diagram illustrating an ambient loT device-to-device communication mode.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating ambient loT device activation and response sessions with possible ambient loT device power states.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating triggering conditions for transition of power states of the ambient loT device.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an ambient loT device behaviour when a default power state is a power-ON state.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the ambient loT device behaviour when a default power state is a power-SLEEP state.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the ambient loT device behaviour when a default power state is the power-OFF state.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating operation of an apparatus (e.g., which may be a UE or user device, or other apparatus) according to an example embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating operation of an apparatus (e.g., which may be a network node, eNB, gNB, or other apparatus) according to an example embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating operation of an apparatus (e.g., which may be a UE or user device, or other apparatus) according to an example embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating operation of an apparatus (e.g., which may be a network node, eNB, gNB, or other apparatus) according to an example embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating operation of an apparatus (e.g., which may be a UE or user device, or other apparatus) according to an example embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating operation of an apparatus (e.g., which may be a network node, eNB, gNB, or other apparatus) according to an example embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., UE, user device, AP, BS, eNB, gNB, RAN node, network node, TRP, or other node) 1300 according to an example embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] It shall be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,”... etc., in front of noun(s) and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another, and they do not limit the order of the noun(s). For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0036] As used herein, unless stated explicitly, performing a step “in response to A” does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after “A” occurs and one or more intervening steps may be included.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network 130. In the wireless network 130 of FIG. 1, user devices 131, 132, 133 and 135, which may also be referred to as mobile stations (MSs) or user equipment (UEs), may be connected (and in communication) with a base station (BS) 134, which may also be referred to as an access point (AP), an enhanced Node B (eNB), a gNB or a network node. The terms user device and user equipment (UE) may be used interchangeably. A BS may also include or may be referred to as a RAN (radio access network) node, and may include a portion of a BS or a portion of a RAN node, such as e.g., such as a centralized unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU) in the case of a split BS or split gNB. At least part of the functionalities of a BS (e.g., access point (AP), base station (BS) or (e)Node B (eNB), gNB, RAN node) may also be carried out by any node, server or host which may be operably coupled to a transceiver, such as a remote radio head. BS (or AP) 134 provides wireless coverage within a cell 136, including to user devices (or UEs) 131, 132, 133 and 135. Although only four user devices (or UEs) are shown as being connected or attached to BS 134, any number of user devices may be provided. BS 134 is also connected to a core network 150 via a SI interface 151. This is merely one simple example of a wireless network, and others may be used.

[0038] A base station (e.g., such as BS 134) is an example of a radio access network (RAN) node within a wireless network. A BS (or a RAN node) may be or may include (or may alternatively be referred to as), e.g., an access point (AP), a gNB, an eNB, or portion thereof (such as a centralized unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU) in the case of a split BS or split gNB), or other network node.

[0039] Some functionalities of the communication network may be carried out, at least partly, in a central / centralized unit, CU, (e.g., server, host or node) operationally coupled to distributed unit, DU, (e.g., a radio head / node). Thus, 5G networks architecture may be based on a so-called CU-DU split. The gNB-CU (central node) may control a plurality of spatially separated gNB-DUs, acting at least as transmit / receive (Tx / Rx) nodes. In some embodiments, however, the gNB-DUs (also called DU) may comprise e.g., a radio link control (RLC), medium access control (MAC) layer and a physical (PHY) layer, whereas the gNB-CU (also called a CU) may comprise the layers above RLC layer, such as a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio resource control (RRC) and an internet protocol (IP) layer. Other functional splits are possible too.

[0040] According to an illustrative example, a BS node (e g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, ...) or a radio access network (RAN) may be part of a mobile telecommunication system. A RAN (radio access network) may include one or more BSs or RAN nodes that implement a radio access technology, e.g., to allow one or more UEs to have access to a network or core network (CN). Thus, for example, the RAN (RAN nodes, such as BSs or gNBs) may reside between one or more user devices or UEs and a core network. According to an example embodiment, each RAN node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, ...) or BS may provide one or more wireless communication services for one or more UEs or user devices, e.g., to allow the UEs to have wireless access to a network, via the RAN node. Each RAN node or BS may perform or provide wireless communication services, e.g., such as allowing UEs or user devices to establish a wireless connection to the RAN node, and sending data to and / or receiving data from one or more of the UEs. For example, after establishing a connection to a UE, a RAN node or network node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, ...) may forward data to the UE that is received from a network or the core network, and / or forward data received from the UE to the network or core network. RAN nodes or network nodes (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, ...) may perform a wide variety of other wireless functions or services, e.g., such as broadcasting control information (e.g., such as system information or on-demand system information) to UEs, paging UEs when there is data to be delivered to the UE, assisting in handover of a UE between cells, scheduling of resources for uplink data transmission from the UE(s) and downlink data transmission to UE(s), sending control information to configure one or more UEs, and the like. These are a few examples of one or more functions that a RAN node or BS may perform.

[0041] A user device or user node (user terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile terminal, handheld wireless device, etc.) may refer to a portable computing device that includes wireless mobile communication devices operating either with or without a subscriber identification module (SIM), including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: a mobile station (MS), a mobile phone, a cell phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handset, a device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), a laptop and / or touch screen computer, a tablet, a phablet, a game console, a notebook, a vehicle, a sensor, and a multimedia device, as examples, or any other wireless device. It should be appreciated that a user device may also be (or may include) a nearly exclusive uplink only device, of which an example is a camera or video camera loading images or video clips to a network. Also, a user node may include a user equipment (UE), a user device, a user terminal, a mobile terminal, a mobile station, a mobile node, a subscriber device, a subscriber node, a subscriber terminal, or other user node. For example, a user node may be used for wireless communications with one or more network nodes (e.g., gNB, eNB, BS, AP, CU, DU, CU / DU) and / or with one or more other user nodes, regardless of the technology or radio access technology (RAT). In LTE (as an illustrative example), core network 150 may be referred to as Evolved Packet Core (EPC), which may include a mobility management entity (MME) which may handle or assist with mobility / handover of user devices between BSs, one or more gateways that may forward data and control signals between the BSs and packet data networks or the Internet, and other control functions or blocks. Other types of wireless networks, such as 5G (which may be referred to as New Radio (NR)) may also include a core network.

[0042] In addition, the techniques described herein may be applied to various types of user devices or data service types, or may apply to user devices that may have multiple applications running thereon that may be of different data service types. New Radio (5G) development may support a number of different applications or a number of different data service types, such as for example: machine type communications (MTC), enhanced machine type communication (eMTC), Internet of Things (loT), and / or narrowband loT user devices, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), and ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC). Many of these new 5G (NR) - related applications may require generally higher performance than previous wireless networks.

[0043] loT may refer to an ever-growing group of objects that may have Internet or network connectivity, so that these objects may send information to and receive information from other network devices. For example, many sensor type applications or devices may monitor a physical condition or a status and may send a report to a server or other network device, e.g., when an event occurs. Machine Type Communications (MTC, or Machine to Machine communications) may, for example, be characterized by fully automatic data generation, exchange, processing and actuation among intelligent machines, with or without intervention of humans. Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) may support much higher data rates than currently available in LTE.

[0044] Ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC) is a new data service type, or new usage scenario, which may be supported for New Radio (5G) systems. This enables emerging new applications and services, such as industrial automations, autonomous driving, vehicular safety, e-health services, and so on. 3GPP targets in providing connectivity with reliability corresponding to block error rate (BLER) of 10-5 and up to 1 ms U-Plane (user / data plane) latency, by way of illustrative example. Thus, for example, URLLC user devices / UEs may require a significantly lower block error rate than other types of user devices / UEs as well as low latency (with or without requirement for simultaneous high reliability). Thus, for example, a URLLC UE (or URLLC application on a UE) may require much shorter latency, as compared to an eMBB UE (or an eMBB application running on a UE).

[0045] The techniques described herein may be applied to a wide variety of wireless technologies or wireless networks, such as 5G (New Radio (NR)), cmWave, and / or mmWave band networks, loT, MTC, eMTC, eMBB, URLLC, 6G, etc., or any other wireless network or wireless technology. These example networks, technologies or data service types are provided only as illustrative examples.

[0046] A user device (or UE) may measure various signals and may transmit one or more measurement reports to the network. For example, a UE may measure reference signals received from one or more network nodes (e.g., gNBs or DUs), including channel state information-reference signals (CSI-RSs) and / or synchronization signal block (SSB) reference signals, demodulation references signals, and / or other reference signals. Based on received reference signals, the UE may measure various signal parameters, e.g., such as reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), or other signal parameter.

[0047] The PHY (physical) layer may refer to layer 1 (LI) and MAC (media access control) may refer to layer 2 (L2). RSRP, RSRQ, SINR and RSSI are signal quantities measured at layer 1 (LI). The UE may send LI measurement reports (e.g., CSLRS reports, which include measurements of one or more signal parameters for one or more cells) to a gNB, source DU or serving cell. These LI measurement reports may be sent periodically, for example, or aperiodically. L1 / L2 measurement reports may include no averaging or filtering of measurement values or may include less averaging or filtering than what is performed for L3 measurement reports. LI (or L1 / L2) measurement reports may be transmitted by a UE to a serving network node or source DU and may cause the network node to trigger or initiate a L1 / L2 triggered mobility (LTM) handover of the UE to another cell. LI measurements (e g., RSRP RSRQ, RSSI) may be provided or reported periodically to the DU (MAC / PHY).

[0048] In an example embodiment, an ambient Internet of things (AIoT) device (or ambient loT device) may be an loT device powered by energy harvesting, being either battery-less or with limited energy storage capability (e.g., using a capacitor). Energy may be provided through harvesting of radio waves, light, motion, heat, and / or any other suitable power source. In an example the ambient loT devices may not always have enough power to initiate or receive communication. In an example, the ambient loT devices may be lower complexity, smaller size, reduced capabilities and with lower power consumption than previously defined 3GPP loT devices (e.g. NB-IoT / eMTC devices). In an example, ambient loT data transmissions may contain a low amount of data.

[0049] In an example, the ambient loT devices may have a variety of communication characteristics, different from other loT devices, based on how the ambient loT devices are powered by energy harvesting and whether / how the harvested energy may be stored. In an example, the ambient loT devices may only be able to communicate when they have enough power. A problem may arise especially when communication is initiated towards the ambient loT device, while it is not known whether the ambient loT device has enough power to receive the communication. For communications initiated by the ambient loT device, the ambient loT device may not transmit data until it has harvested I stored enough energy. In an example, some ambient loT devices may be powered on demand when they need to communicate. In an example, some ambient loT devices may be able to communicate on a regular basis and have communication characteristics similar to regular loT devices.

[0050] In an example, the ambient loT devices may communicate with 3GPP communication systems such as the 5G network (e.g., base station (BS)), and / or an ambient loT capable UE using the one or more of the following communication topologies or communication modes: ambient loT direct network communication, ambient loT indirect network communication, and / or ambient loT device to UE direct communication. In an example, the links in each mode or topology may be bidirectional or unidirectional. For example, the topologies may include multiple network nodes, base stations, ambient loT capable UEs, assisting nodes, or intermediate nodes.

[0051] In an example, the communication between the ambient loT device and the BS or the ambient loT capable UE may be referred to as reader to device (R2D) or device to reader (D2R). For example, in the R2D or the D2R, the reader may be the BS or the ambient loT capable UE (e.g., an intermediate node). For another example, in the R2D or the D2R, the device may be the ambient loT device, e.g., a user device, a UE, and / or the like.

[0052] FIG. 2a is a diagram illustrating an ambient loT direct network communication mode. In an example, communication between the ambient loT device and 5G network, e.g., a base station (BS), may occur with no UE conveying information between the ambient loT device and the BS. In an example, the ambient loT device may communicate directly and bidirectionally with the BS. The communication between the base station and the ambient loT device may include ambient loT data and / or signaling. In an example, the ambient loT device may receive communication from a BS that is different from the BS to which the ambient loT device transmitted to.

[0053] FIG. 2b is a diagram illustrating an ambient loT indirect network communication mode. In an example, communication between the ambient loT device and the 5G network may occur via a UE that acts as a relay. The UE may be an ambient loT capable UE. In an example, the ambient loT capable UE may help in conveying information between the ambient loT device and the 5G network, e.g., by relaying data packets. In an example, the ambient loT device may communicate bidirectionally with an intermediate node, e.g., the ambient loT capable UE. The intermediate node may communicate bidirectionally with the 5G network, e.g., the BS. In an example, the ambient loT capable UE or the intermediate node may be a relay, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a UE, a repeater, and / or the like that may be capable of ambient loT functionality. The intermediate node may transfer or relay the information between the BS and the ambient loT device.

[0054] FIG. 2c is a diagram illustrating an ambient loT device-to-device communication mode. In an example, communication between the ambient loT device and the ambient loT capable UE may occur with no network entity in the middle. As an example, the communication may be a device-to-device communication.

[0055] In an example embodiment, an ambient loT device may be categorized by types (e.g., device type 1, device type 2a / 2b, and / or the like). In an example, ambient loT devices may have power states, wherein the power states are either ON or OFF, e.g., power-ON, or power-OFF. In an example, ambient loT devices may have three power states, e.g., power-ON, power-OFF, and power- SLEEP. In an example, power-ON state may support at least one of transmission, and / or reception for communication. In an example, the ambient loT device while in the power-OFF state may not support transmission, and / or reception for communication. In an example, the ambient loT device while in the power-OFF state may support at least energy harvesting. In an example, the ambient loT device while in the power-SLEEP state may support at least one of maintaining a memory content from the power-ON state. In an example, the ambient loT device while in the power-SLEEP state may not support transmission and / or reception of communication to / from the network node.

[0056] In an example, the ambient loT devices (types 1, 2a and 2b) may require preservation of memory states between certain transmission sessions. For example, registration procedures, authentication procedures, mobility procedures, and / or the like may include multiple steps. For example, during some procedures, the ambient loT device may be required to maintain information related to a state of the procedure until a completion of the procedure. For example, the information to be maintained may include temporary identifications, timer states, and / or the like. In an example, to accommodate the preservation of memory states for performing certain procedures, the power-SLEEP state of ambient loT devices may be employed. Therefore, when the ambient loT device is in the power-SLEEP state, the ambient loT device may be able to preserve memory at low power consumption.

[0057] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating ambient loT device activation and response sessions with possible ambient loT device power states. In an example, the ambient loT device may always be in power-ON state in between reception of reader to device (R2D) signal and transmission of the corresponding device to reader (D2R) response signal. In an example the power state of the ambient-IoT device between the R2D and the corresponding D2R may be power-ON. As an example, when R2D#1 is received by the ambient loT device, the power state of the ambient loT device may be power-ON until transmission of the D2R#1. In an example, the power state of the ambient loT device may be power-ON, power-OFF or power-SLEEP before a second pair of R2D and D2R. For example, after the first pair of R2D#1 and D2R#1, the power state of the ambient loT device may be one of the power-ON, the power-OFF or the power-SLEEP state before the R2D#2 is received. Similarly, the power state of the ambient loT device between the reception of R2D#2 and transmission of D2R#2 may be the power-ON state.

[0058] In an example, power state transitions may occur based on activation from the R2D / D2R pair (signal pair) or based on the ambient loT device energy level. In other words, when the energy level is no longer sufficient to stay in power-ON, the ambient loT device may transition to power-OFF state. For example, in existing technologies, the transition between the power states of the ambient loT device may occur without knowledge of the reader or the network node. Therefore, a problem may arise when an unpredicted change or loss of energy level or power level of the ambient loT device may occur. In an example, the power state of the ambient loT device may change without any command from the reader or the network node. Therefore, the current state of the ambient loT device may not be known to the reader (e.g., a reader entity, the network node, the BS, intermediate node, or the ambient loT capable UE). In other words, the power state of the ambient loT device may change to the power-SLEEP state or to the power-OFF state without any R2D activation signal from the network node or the reader. Therefore, the network node may not be aware of the current power state of the ambient loT device and hence not synchronized with the ambient loT device. As a result, the network node may determine to read information from the ambient loT device while the ambient loT device may not be able to respond and as a result a communication failure may occur. For example, the network node may assume (e.g., based on a previous R2D command sent by the network node) that the ambient loT device is in a power state that can support reception and / or transmission, but the ambient loT device was forced to a power state (such as the power-OFF state) that does not allow the reception and / or the transmission.

[0059] In other words, the network node may not be able to predict the power state of the ambient loT device based on the R2D and / or the D2R commands. For example, the network node may not be able to predict the power state of the ambient loT device when the power state of the ambient loT device has changed from a power-ON state or a power-SLEEP state to a power-OFF state due to changes of energy level of the ambient loT device.

[0060] Example embodiments are directed to enhancement of power state management in the ambient loT device as well as signaling between the ambient loT device and the network node (or reader) to assist in synchronization of the network node and the ambient loT device. The ambient loT devices may operate in different modes or default operations (e.g., default power states). For each mode or default operation, novel techniques are proposed to enhance the performance of the system.

[0061] In an example embodiment, low complexity reporting mechanisms are employed to notify the network node (or the reader) of a current state of the ambient loT device, as well as an expected power state for a time duration. The reporting mechanism may also be used to notify any change of power state that may require an action from the reader such as reinstating of memory states, re-initiation of a procedure, and / or the like. In an example, the reporting mechanism may assist the reader to determine the power state of the ambient loT device after the most recent R2D signals or activation messages.

[0062] Therefore, when example embodiments are implemented, the ambient loT devices may operate more efficiently without direct or explicit signaling commands from the reader. As a result, the ambient loT devices may be able to preserve power while meeting the requirements of memory state preservation.

[0063] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating triggering conditions for transition of power states of the ambient loT device. In an example, the ambient loT device may be in one of the three power states of the power-ON, the power-SLEEP, and the power-OFF state. In an example, the ambient loT device may transition from the power-ON state to the power-SLEEP state when the network node sends a R2D command indicating a command to transition to power-SLEEP state. In an example, the ambient loT device may transition from the power-ON state to the power-SLEEP state when an energy level of the ambient loT device is below a first threshold value. Similarly, the ambient loT device may transition from the power-SLEEP state to the power-ON state when the energy level of the ambient loT device is above (or equal to) the first threshold value. In an example, the ambient loT device may transition from the power-SLEEP state to the power-OFF state when the energy level of the ambient loT device is below a second threshold value. In an example, the ambient loT device may transition from the power-ON state to the power-OFF state when the network node sends a R2D command indicating a command to transition to the power-OFF state. In an example, the ambient loT device may transition from the power-ON state to the power-SLEEP state when the energy level of the ambient loT device is below the second threshold value. Similarly, the ambient loT device may transition from the power-OFF state to the power-ON state when the energy level of the ambient loT device is above (or equal to) the second threshold value. In an example embodiment, the transition from the power-SLEEP state to the power-OFF state may be caused by the device energy storage being significantly lower than the first threshold value, and the transition from the power-ON state to the power-OFF state may be caused by the device energy storage being significantly lower than the second threshold value. In an example, the state transitions based on the first threshold value and / or the second threshold value may be determined by the ambient loT device after a R2D data request is completed.

[0064] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an ambient loT device behaviour when a default power state is a power-ON state. In an example embodiment, an ambient loT device may determine to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state may be a power-ON state. In an example, the first power state may be a default power state of the ambient loT device. In an example, the ambient loT device may monitor the energy level and may determine, based on the energy level of the ambient loT device, to transition to a second power state. For example, the second power state of the ambient loT device may include at least one of a power-SLEEP state or a power-OFF state. In an example, the transition to the power-SLEEP state may be based on the energy level of the ambient loT device being below a first threshold value. In an example, the transition to the power-OFF state may be based on the energy level of the ambient loT device being below a second threshold value. In an example, the ambient loT device (while in the power-ON state) may transmit to a network node (or the reader), an indication of the second power state of the ambient loT device after the transmission (FIG. 5, D2R#1, or D2R#2). In an example, the indication may be the indication of the power-SLEEP state, or the indication of the power-OFF state. In an example, the ambient loT device may transition to the second power state, e.g., the power-SLEEP state or the power-OFF state. In an example, (when the ambient loT device determines not to transition to the second power state), the ambient loT device may determine to stay in the power-ON state, based on the energy level of the user device being above the first threshold value. In an example, the ambient loT device may determine to stay in the power-ON state because of a default configuration of the ambient loT device to stay in the power-ON state and / or determining not to transition to the second power state. In an example, the ambient loT device may then transition to or stay in the power-ON state (e.g., may fall back or return to the default power-ON state).

[0065] In an example, transitioning to the power-SLEEP state or the power-OFF state may be based on at least one of the first threshold value, the second threshold value, a command from the network node (or the reader) such as the R2D command, and / or the like.

[0066] In an example embodiment, after transitioning to the second power state, the ambient loT device may transition back to the power-ON state in a next cycle based on at least one of: the energy level being greater than or equal to the first threshold value, or a sequence of power state cycles indicating a cycle of the power-ON state and the energy level being greater than or equal to the first threshold value. In other words, the ambient loT device may operate in cycles such as equal or regular time intervals to transition to the power-ON state. For example, during the cycle that the ambient loT device should transition to power-ON state, if the energy level is less than the first threshold value, the ambient loT device may not transition to the power-ON state.

[0067] In an example embodiment, the second power state may include the power-SLEEP state and therefore, the ambient loT device may transition to the power-SLEEP state. The ambient loT device may then transmit to the network node, (via a D2R signal) the indication of the power-SLEEP state of the ambient loT device (FIG. 5, D2R#2).

[0068] In an example embodiment, the second power state may be the power-OFF state. Therefore, the ambient loT device may transition to the power-OFF state. Then the ambient loT device may transmit to the network node, the indication of the power-OFF state of the ambient loT device (FIG. 5, D2R#4).

[0069] In an example, the ambient loT device may monitor the energy level of the ambient loT device. For example, the ambient loT device may determine to transition to the power-SLEEP state based on the monitoring, measurements, and / or the like. For example, based on the monitoring, if the energy level of the ambient loT device becomes less than the first threshold value, the ambient loT device may transition to the power-SLEEP state. Then the ambient loT device may transmit (e.g., via a D2R signal) the indication of the second power state that may include the indication of the power-SLEEP state (FIG. 5, D2R#2).

[0070] In another example, based on the monitoring and / or measurements of the energy level, the ambient loT device may determine to transition to the power-OFF state, e.g., when the energy level of the ambient loT device becomes less than the second threshold value. Then the ambient loT device may transmit (e.g., via the D2R signal) the indication of the second power state, e.g., the indication of the power-OFF state (FIG. 5, D2R#4).

[0071] In an example embodiment, the ambient loT device may transmit or send a report to the network node (e.g., via the D2R signal). For example, the report may be a low complexity message such as a vector of flags or bits. In an example, the report may include an indication that the ambient loT device will stay in the power-ON state upon transmission of the report, after transmission of the report. In an example, the report may include an indication that the user device will transition to the power-SLEEP state upon the transmission of the report in response to (or based on) the energy level of the ambient loT device being below the first threshold value. In an example, the report may include an indication of a time period for which the ambient loT device will be in the power-SLEEP state. In an example, the report may include an indication that the ambient loT device will transition to the power-OFF state upon the transmission of the report in response to the energy level of the ambient loT device being below the second threshold value.

[0072] In an example, when the ambient loT device is in the power-SLEEP state, the ambient loT device may transition back to the power-ON state. Then the ambient loT device may transmit to the network node a report (e.g., via the D2R signal) For example, the report may include an indication that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to the power-ON state (FIG. 5, D2R#3). For example, the report may include a vector of bits where a corresponding bit may be set, wherein the corresponding bit indicates that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to the power-ON state.

[0073] In another example, the ambient loT device may transition to the power-ON state from the power-OFF state. Then the ambient loT device may transmit (FIG. 5, D2R#5) to the network node a report that may include at least one of: an indication that the ambient loT device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to the power-ON state, an indication that a re-establishment of a memory state may be required. For example, the report may include the vector of bits, wherein a corresponding bit is set. For example, the corresponding bit may be designated for the indication that the ambient loT device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to the power-ON state and the reestablishment of the memory state may be required.

[0074] In an example embodiment, the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be configured by the network node dynamically, e.g., updated on a regular basis, periodically, or configured based on a request from the ambient loT device.

[0075] In an example embodiment, the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be pre-configured by the network node or a manufacturer of the ambient loT device to be static. For example, the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be pre-configured or hardcoded in the ambient loT device.

[0076] In an example embodiment, the ambient loT device may stay in the power-ON state always unless prevented to do so by low energy level that may require the device to transition to either the power-SLEEP state with preserved state information between activation sessions or the power-OFF state that may lead to losing memory information. As shown in FIG. 5, the ambient loT device may remain in power-ON state by default after each D2R response unless low energy level mandates change of power states to either the power-SLEEP state or the power-OFF state. The ambient loT device may evaluate and indicate the need to transition to the power-SLEEP state or the power-OFF state in a D2R report or signal as shown in FIG. 5. In an example, the ambient loT device may have reported in a D2R signal that power-ON state is ok / allowed but then due to loss of energy before a next R2D signal or activation, the ambient loT device determines to transition to the power-SLEEP state or the power-OFF state. To ensure proper operation of the ambient loT device based on available energy, the ambient loT device may transmit a report to the network node. The report may include a D2R signal. For example, the report may include a low complexity information report (e.g., a flag) that is communicated from the ambient loT device to the reader, R2D / D2R pair, network node, and / or the like (while the ambient loT device is in power-ON state). The payload of the report in the D2R signal may include an indication that the energy available at the ambient loT device is at or above a (preconfigured) first threshold value, indicating that if there is no decreased energy support from the reader, R2D / D2R pair, network node, and / or the like, then the ambient loT device will be able to remain in the power-ON state after transmission of the report (e.g., D2R transmission). In an example, the report may also include an indication that the energy level of the ambient loT device is below the first threshold value, indicating that if there is no increased energy support from the network node, then the ambient loT device will not be able to maintain the power-ON state and will transition to the power-SLEEP state after transmitting the report (or D2R transmission). In an example, the ambient loT device may also report the expected sustainable power-SLEEP time at present energy level. Therefore, the network node may configure an upcoming power-SLEEP period accordingly. In an example, the report may include an indication that the energy level available at the ambient loT device may be below a second threshold value, indicating that if there is no increased energy support from the network node, then the ambient loT device will not be able to maintain the power-ON state or the power-SLEEP state. Therefore, the ambient loT device may transition to the power-OFF state after transmitting the report. To enhance the procedure, a report may be sent by the ambient loT device to the network node that may indicate (due energy shortage of the ambient loT device) the ambient loT device was forced to shut down (transition to the power-OFF state) and that a memory state is lost, and a (memory) state re-establishment may be required. In an example, the report may also indicate that (due to energy shortage of the ambient loT device,) the ambient loT device was forced to transition to the power-SLEEP state indicating that energy source conditions may have changed since a last (a recent, or a previous) D2R transmission. For both cases, the ambient loT device may require significant energy storage to comply with the requested state and the device may transition to the requested state indicating a cold boot, meaning that the R2D / D2R pair (e.g., the ambient loT device and the network node) may need to reestablish memory configurations or memory state.

[0077] In an example embodiment, the methods may be directed to enhancement of ambient loT device, the network node and associated signaling procedures when energy storage and preservation of information or data may be required. In such cases, the default behaviour of the ambient loT device may be to stay in the power-SLEEP state unless the energy level falls below certain thresholds e.g., the second threshold value.

[0078] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the ambient loT device behaviour when a default power state is a power-SLEEP state. Therefore, according to an example embodiment, the ambient loT device may determine to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state may be a power-SLEEP state. For example, the first power state may be a default power state. In an example, the ambient loT device may determine, based on an energy level of the ambient loT device, a transition to a second power state, wherein the second power state may include a power-OFF state. Then the ambient loT device may transmit to a network node, while in a power-ON state, an indication of the power-OFF state of the ambient loT device after the transmit (FIG. 6, D2R#2). In an example, the ambient loT device may determine to stay in the power-SLEEP state. For example, if the energy level of the ambient loT device allows the power-SLEEP state, the ambient loT device may return to the default power state of the power-SLEEP state. In other words, the ambient loT device may stay in the power-SLEEP state based on at least one of determining, based on the energy level of the user device, not to transition to the second power state, the energy level of the user device being below a first threshold value, and / or determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-SLEEP state.

[0079] In an example, the ambient loT device may monitor the energy level of the ambient loT device. For example, the determining to transition to the power-OFF state may be based on the energy level of the user device being less than a second threshold value. In an example, the ambient loT device may transition to the power-OFF state.

[0080] In an example, the ambient loT device may transmit a report to the network node or the reader. In an example, the report may include at least one of: an indication that the ambient loT device will stay in the power-SLEEP state after the transmitting of the report (FIG. 6, D2R#1), in response to the energy level of the user device being greater than or equal to a second threshold value, an indication of a time period for which the ambient loT device will be in the power-SLEEP state, and / or an indication that the ambient loT device will transition to the power-OFF state after transmission of the report (FIG. 6, D2R#2), in response to the energy level of the ambient loT device being less than the second threshold value. In an example, the report may include a vector of bits or flags. For example, a bit or a flag may correspond to at least one element of the report. Therefore, when the corresponding bit or flag is set, the report may indicate the indication that the ambient loT device will stay in the power-SLEEP state after the transmitting of the report (FIG. 6, D2R#1), in response to the energy level of the user device being greater than or equal to the second threshold value, the indication of the time period for which the ambient loT device will be in the power-SLEEP state, and / or the indication that the ambient loT device will transition to the power-OFF state after transmission of the report (FIG. 6, D2R#2), in response to the energy level of the ambient loT device being less than the second threshold value. For example, each indication of the report may correspond to a bit or a flag of the vector.

[0081] In an example, the ambient loT device may transition to the power-ON state from the power-OFF state. The ambient loT device may then transmit to the network node, a report that may include at least one of: an indication that the ambient loT device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to the power-ON state (FIG. 6, D2R#3), or an indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required. Then the network node may send to the ambient loT device, R2D#4 (as in FIG. 6) indicating a state reestablishment to re-establish the connection and synchronize a state of a procedure that was paused or terminated due to the transitioning to the power-OFF state. In an example, the report may include a vector of bits wherein each bit corresponds to an element of the report. For example, one bit (when set) may correspond to the indication that the user device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to the power-ON state, and another bit (when set) may correspond to the indication that the re-establishment of the memory state is required. In an example, the ambient loT device may receive from the network node (FIG. 6, R2D#4) a R2 signal indicating a state re-establishment, that may include a re-establishment of connection, a re-establishment of a memory state, a synchronization of connection state, and / or the like.

[0082] In an example, the ambient loT device may receive at least one instruction from the network node indicating an instruction to transition to the power-OFF state after receiving the at least one instruction. In response to receiving the instruction, the ambient loT device may transition to the power-OFF state.

[0083] In an example, the ambient loT device may receive at least one instruction from the network node indicating an instruction to transition to the power-SLEEP state after receiving the at least one instruction. In response to receiving the instruction, the ambient loT device may transition to the power-SLEEP state.

[0084] In an example embodiment, the ambient loT device may transition to the power-SLEEP state after the power-ON state (e.g., by default or after a D2R response is completed), unless prevented to do so by low energy level requiring the ambient loT device to transition to power-OFF state and thereby losing its memory state. As shown in FIG. 6, the ambient loT device may transition to the power-SLEEP state by default after a D2R response unless low energy level mandates change of power state to the power-OFF state. The ambient loT device may evaluate (monitor) the energy level and may indicate a need to transition to the power-OFF state in a D2R report. In an example, the ambient loT device may have reported in a D2R signal or report that the power-SLEEP state is allowed but due to a loss of energy before a next R2D activation, the ambient loT device determined to tum OFF or transition to the power-OFF state.

[0085] In an example, the report from the ambient loT device to the network node may be a D2R signal. In an example, the report may be a low complexity information report (e.g., a flag) that is sent or transmitted from the ambient loT device to the network node (while the ambient loT device is in ON state). The report may include a payload that may include an indication that the energy available at the ambient loT device is greater than or equal to a first threshold value and indicating that if there is no decreased energy support from the network node, then the ambient loT device may be able to support or maintain power-SLEEP state after transmitting the report (or D2R transmission). In an example, the payload may include the expected sustainable power-SLEEP time at present energy level of the ambient loT device. Therefore, the network node may configure upcoming period(s) of the power-SLEEP state accordingly. In an example, the payload may include an indication that the energy available at the ambient loT device is below a second threshold, and indicating that if there is no increased energy support from the network node, then the ambient loT device may not be able to support or maintain the power-SLEEP state and therefore the ambient loT device may transition to the power-OFF state after the D2R transmission.

[0086] To improve the operation of the ambient loT device, when the ambient loT device reported that power-SLEEP state is allowed but lost energy and is no longer capable of maintaining the power-SLEEP state, the report or the payload may include an indication indicating that (due energy shortage of the ambient loT device,) it was forced to shut down (transition to the power-OFF state). The payload may further indicate that memory state is lost, and state re-establishment may be required.

[0087] In an example, the ambient loT device may require significant energy storage to comply with the requested power state. When the ambient loT device transitions to the power-OFF state, a cold boot may be required. For example, the cold boot may include a re-establishment of memory configurations.

[0088] Example embodiments are further directed to enhancements of the ambient loT device, the network node and associated signaling procedures for cases where power preservation is critical. Therefore, the ambient loT device may be in power-OFF state by default unless the network node sends a command to request a transition to a different power state. In other words, after every power-ON cycle, the ambient loT device may return to the power-OFF state.

[0089] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the ambient loT device behaviour when a default power state is the power-OFF state. Therefore, according to an example embodiment, the ambient loT device may determine to operate in a first power state. In an example, the first power state may be the power-OFF state. In an example, the first power state may be a default power state of the ambient loT device. In an example the determining to operate in the first power state may be based on a command such as R2D#1 of FIG. 7. In an example, the ambient loT device may determine, based on an energy level of the ambient loT device, that a transition to a second power state may be allowed. In an example, the second power state may be the power-SLEEP state. In an example, based on the determining that the transition to the power-SLEEP state is allowed, the ambient loT device may transmit to a network node or a reader, while in a power-ON state, an indication that the transition to the power-SLEEP state is allowed (e.g., FIG. 7, D2R#1). In an example, the ambient loT device may receive a command (R2D#2) from the network node. In an example, the command may indicate a request for transitioning to the power-SLEEP state. In an example, the ambient loT device may transition to the power-SLEEP state when (or after) the command is received. The command may be a R2D signal or command. In an example, the ambient loT device may determine, to stay in the power-OFF state. For example, the determining to stay in the power-OFF state may be based on at least one of: the energy level of the ambient loT device indicating not to transition to the second power state, and / or determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-OFF state.

[0090] In an example, the ambient loT device may monitor the energy level of the ambient loT device and may determine to transition to the power-ON state. For example, the determining to transition to the power-ON state may be based on the energy level of the ambient loT device being greater than or equal to the first threshold value. In an example, the ambient loT device may determine to transition back to the power-OFF state after transitioning to the power-ON state. For example, the determining to transition back to the power-OFF state may be based on the energy level of the ambient loT device being less than the second threshold value.

[0091] In an example, the ambient loT device may send or transmit a report to the network node or the reader. In an example, the report may include a vector or a set of bits / flags where each bit or flag corresponds to an indication.

[0092] In an example, the report may include an indication that the ambient loT device will transition to the power-OFF state after a next cycle of the power-ON state followed by transmission of the report. For example, the transition to the power-OFF state may be based on the energy level being below the second threshold value. Then the report may include the vector, wherein the corresponding bit / flag of the indication is set.

[0093] In an example, the report may include an indication that the ambient loT device will stay in the power-SLEEP state after the next cycle of the power-ON state followed by the transmission of the report. For example, the determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state may be based on the energy level being greater than or equal to the second threshold value. Then the report may include the vector, wherein the corresponding bit / flag of the indication is set.

[0094] In an example, the report may include an indication of a time period for which the ambient loT device will be in the power-SLEEP state. Then the report may include the vector, wherein the corresponding bit / flag of the indication is set. In combination with vector, a value may be transmitted. The network node may interpret the value as the time period when the corresponding flag is set. The value may be an integer, a real number, and / or the like.

[0095] In an example, the ambient loT device may transmit to the network node while in the power-ON state, an indication that the transitioning to the power-ON state may be allowed. The ambient loT device may determine, based on the energy level of the ambient loT device being less than the second threshold value, to transition to the power-OFF state. In an example, the ambient loT device may transition to the power-ON state, based on the energy level being greater than or equal to the first threshold value. The ambient loT device may then transmit to the network node a report. The report may include an indication that the ambient loT device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to the power-ON state. In an example, the report may include an indication that a reestablishment of a memory state may be required.

[0096] In another example, the ambient loT device may transmit to the network node, while in the power-ON state, an indication that the transitioning to the power-ON state is allowed. The ambient loT device may determine, based on the energy level of the ambient loT device being less than the first threshold value, to transition to the power-SLEEP state. In an example, the ambient loT device may transition to the power-ON state, based on the energy level being greater than or equal to the first threshold value. In an example, the ambient loT device may transmit to the network node, a report. The report may include an indication that the ambient loT device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to the power-ON state. In an example, the report may include an indication that a source of energy has changed since a previous cycle of the power-ON state.

[0097] In an example, the ambient loT device may receive at least one instruction from the network node indicating an instruction to transition to the power-OFF state (FIG. 7, R2D#3) after receiving the at least one instruction. In response to receiving the instruction, the ambient loT device may transition to the power-OFF state.

[0098] In an example, the ambient loT device may receive at least one instruction from the network node indicating an instruction to transition to the power-SLEEP state after receiving the at least one instruction (FIG. 7, R2D#4). In response to receiving the instruction, the ambient loT device may transition to the power-SLEEP state.

[0099] In an example, for a case where preservation of power is important, the power-OFF state may be the most appropriate option as the default operation. Therefore, the ambient loT device may transition to power-OFF state by default after the power-ON state (or after the D2R response is completed) unless commanded otherwise via the R2D signal. For certain ambient loT device types, there may be no need to always preserve memory state between ambient loT device activation cycles by going to the power-SLEEP state. As shown in FIG. 7, the ambient loT device may return to the power-OFF state by default unless there is a specific need / request for preserved device state between two power-ON cycles configured via the R2D signal.

[0100] In an example, the report may be via the R2D signal. The report may be a low complexity request (e.g., a flag) indicating that the ambient loT device should go to power-SLEEP state or power-OFF state after the D2R response transmission. In an example, the power-OFF state may be the default state. The report may include a capability indication or a capability report indicating weather a power-SLEEP state is feasible, supported, and / or allowed by the ambient loT device. In an example, the ambient loT device may send the report or a request for power-SLEEP state transition when the ambient loT device memory state preservation between two power-ON cycles is required.

[0101] In an example, the report may be sent from the ambient loT device to the network node. The report may be a low complexity information report (e.g., a flag) that is communicated or transmitted from the ambient loT device to the network node (while the ambient loT device is in power-ON state). The report may include a payload. The payload may include an indication that the energy available at the ambient loT device is below the second threshold, and indicating that if there is no increased energy support from the reader, R2D / D2R pair, the network node, and / or the like, then the ambient loT device will not be able to support the power-SLEEP state request after a next cycle of the power-ON state. Therefore, the ambient loT device may transition to the power-OFF state. In an example, the payload may include an indication that the energy available at the ambient loT device is above (or equal to) the second threshold value, and indicating that at present energy level, the ambient loT device may be able to support the power-SLEEP state request after a next cycle of the power-ON state. In an example, the payload may include the expected sustainable power-SLEEP state time at present energy level. Therefore, the reader, R2D / D2R pair, the network node, and / or the like, may configure upcoming period(s) of the power-SLEEP state accordingly.

[0102] To improve the operation of the ambient loT device, the report or an additional low complexity D2R report (e.g., a flag) may be transmitted when the ambient loT device is once again in the power-ON state. The report or the D2R report may indicate that due to an energy shortage, the ambient loT device was forced to shut down (transition to power-OFF state). In an example, the report may indicate that memory state is lost, and state reestablishment may be required. In an example, the report or the D2R report may indicate that due to an energy shortage, the ambient loT device was forced to go to the power-SLEEP state indicating that energy source conditions may have changed since the last D2R transmission.

[0103] In an example, the ambient loT device may require significant energy storage to comply with the requested power states and the ambient loT device may subsequently transition to the requested power state indicating a cold boot. In an example, the cold boot may include a re-establishment of the memory state or memory configurations.

[0104] In an example, the configuration of the device memory may be related to security, authentication and / or mobility parameters.

[0105] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating operation of an apparatus (e.g., which may be a UE or user device, or other apparatus) according to an example embodiment. At step 810, the method may include determining by a user device to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state is a power-ON state. At step 820, the method may include determining, based on an energy level of the user device, to: transition to a second power state, wherein the second power state comprises at least one of: a power-SLEEP state based on the energy level being below a first threshold value; or a power-OFF state based on the energy level being below a second threshold value; and transmit to a network node, while in the power-ON state, an indication of the second power state of the user device after the transmit. At step 830, the method may include determining to stay in the power-ON state.

[0106] With respect to the method of FIG. 8, the method may further include wherein: the determining to operate in the first power state being the power-ON state includes determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-ON state; and the determining to stay in the power-ON state is based on at least one of: determining, based on the energy level of the user device, not to transition to the second power state; or the energy level of the user device being greater than or equal to the first threshold value.

[0107] With respect to the method of FIG. 8, the method may further include: after transitioning to the second power state, the user device transitioning back to the power-ON state in a next cycle based on at least one of: the energy level being greater than or equal to the first threshold value; or a sequence of power state cycles indicating a cycle of the power-ON state and the energy level being greater than or equal to the first threshold value.

[0108] With respect to the method of FIG. 8, the method may further include: the second power state includes the power-SLEEP state; transitioning to the second power state includes transitioning to the power-SLEEP state; and the indication of the second power state of the user device after the transmitting includes the indication of the power-SLEEP state.

[0109] With respect to the method of FIG. 8, the method may further include: the second power state includes the power-OFF state; transitioning to the second power state includes transitioning to the power-OFF state; and the indication of the second power state of the user device after the transmit includes the indication of the power-OFF state.

[0110] With respect to the method of FIG. 8, the method may further include monitoring the energy level of the user device, and, wherein: the determining to transition to the power-SLEEP state is based on the energy level of the user device being less than the first threshold value; and wherein the indication of the second power state includes the indication of the power-SLEEP state.

[0111] With respect to the method of FIG. 8, the method may further include monitoring the energy level of the user device, and, wherein: the determining to transition to the power-OFF state is based on the energy level of the user device being less than the second threshold value; and wherein the indication of the second power state includes the indication of the power-OFF state.

[0112] With respect to the method of FIG. 8, the method may further include transmitting a report to the network node, wherein the report includes at least one of: an indication that the user device will stay in the power-ON state upon transmission of the report; an indication that the user device will transition to the power-SLEEP state upon the transmission of the report in response to the energy level of the user device is below the first threshold value; an indication of a time period for which the user device will be in the power-SLEEP state; or an indication that the user device will transition to the power-OFF state upon the transmission of the report in response to the energy level of the user device is below the second threshold value.

[0113] With respect to the method of FIG. 8, the method may further include: transitioning to the power-ON state from the power-SLEEP state; and transmitting to the network node a report including an indication that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to the power-ON state.

[0114] With respect to the method of FIG. 8, the method may further include: transitioning to the power-ON state from the power-OFF state; and transmitting to the network node a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to the power-ON state; or an indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required.

[0115] With respect to the method of FIG. 8, the method may further include receiving configuration information of determining the second power state, wherein the configuration information includes at least one of: the first threshold value associated with the determining to transition the user device to the power-SLEEP state; or the second threshold value associated with the determining to transition the user device to the power-OFF state.

[0116] With respect to the method of FIG. 8, the method may further include wherein the user device is pre-configured with at least one of: the first threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-SLEEP state; or the second threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-OFF state.

[0117] With respect to the method of FIG. 8, the method may further include wherein the user device is an ambient internet of things (AIoT) user device; and the network node is at least one of: an ambient internet of things (AIoT) reader device; a base station; a relay node; or an intermediate user device in a relay mode of operation.

[0118] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating operation of an apparatus (e.g., which may be a network node, eNB, gNB, or other apparatus) according to an example embodiment. At step 910, the method may include determining, by a network node: a first threshold value of an energy level of a user device, wherein the first threshold value is associated with transition of a power state of the user device to a power-SLEEP state; and a second threshold value of the energy level of the user device, wherein the second threshold value is associated with transition of the power state of the user device to a power-OFF state. At step 920, the method may include transmitting, to the user device, configuration information comprising at least one of: the first threshold value; or the second threshold value. At step 930, the method may include receiving an indication of the power state of the user device.

[0119] With respect to the method of FIG. 9, the method may further include wherein: the power state of the user device includes at least one of: the power-SLEEP state; or the power-OFF state; and the method further including receiving a report from the user device, wherein the report includes at least one of: an indication that the user device will stay in a power-ON state upon transmission of the report; an indication that the user device will transition to the power-SLEEP state upon the transmission of the report in response to the energy level of the user device being below the first threshold value; an indication of a time period for which the user device will be in the power-SLEEP state; or an indication that the user device will transition to the power-OFF state upon the transmission of the report in response to the energy level of the user device being below the second threshold value.

[0120] With respect to the method of FIG. 9, the method may further include receiving from the user device, a report including an indication that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to a power-ON state.

[0121] With respect to the method of FIG. 9, the method may further include receiving from the user device, a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to a power-ON state; or an indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required.

[0122] FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating operation of an apparatus (e.g., which may be a UE or user device, or other apparatus) according to an example embodiment. At step 1010, the method may include determining by a user device to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state is a power-SLEEP state. At step 1020, the method may include determining, based on an energy level of the user device: a transition to a second power state, wherein the second power state comprises a power-OFF state; and to transmit to a network node, while in a power-ON state, an indication of the power-OFF state of the user device after the transmit. At step 1030, the method may include determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state.

[0123] With respect to the method of FIG. 10, the method may further include wherein the determining to operate in the first power state being the power-SLEEP state includes determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-SLEEP state.

[0124] With respect to the method of FIG. 10, the method may further include wherein the determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state includes determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state based on at least one of: determining, based on the energy level of the user device, not to transition to the second power state; the energy level of the user device being below a first threshold value; or determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-SLEEP state.

[0125] With respect to the method of FIG. 10, the method may further include transitioning to the power-ON state based on the energy level of the user device being greater than or equal to a first threshold value.

[0126] With respect to the method of FIG. 10, the method may further include: monitoring the energy level of the user device; wherein the determining to transition to the power-OFF state is based on the energy level of the user device being less than a second threshold value; and transitioning to the power-OFF state.

[0127] With respect to the method of FIG. 10, the method may further include transmitting a report to the network node, wherein the report includes at least one of: an indication that the user device will stay in the power-SLEEP state after the transmitting of the report, in response to the energy level of the user device being greater than or equal to a second threshold value; an indication of a time period for which the user device will be in the power-SLEEP state; or an indication that the user device will transition to the power-OFF state after transmission of the report, in response to the energy level of the user device being less than the second threshold value.

[0128] With respect to the method of FIG. 10, the method may further include: transitioning to the power-ON state from the power-OFF state; and transmitting to the network node a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to the power-ON state; or an indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required.

[0129] With respect to the method of FIG. 10, the method may further include receiving at least one instruction from the network node indicating at least one of: an instruction to transition to the power-OFF state after receiving the at least one instruction; or an instruction to transition to the power-SLEEP state after receiving the at least one instruction.

[0130] With respect to the method of FIG. 10, the method may further include receiving configuration information of determining the second power state, wherein the configuration information includes at least one of: a first threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-SLEEP state; or a second threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-OFF state.

[0131] With respect to the method of FIG. 10, the method may further include wherein the user device is pre-configured with at least one of: a first threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-SLEEP state; or a second threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-OFF state.

[0132] With respect to the method of FIG. 10, the method may further include: the user device transitions to the power-SLEEP state if the energy level is less than the first threshold value; or the user device transitions to the power-OFF state if the energy level is less than the second threshold value.

[0133] With respect to the method of FIG. 10, the method may further include wherein the user device is an ambient internet of things (AIoT) user device; and the network node is at least one of: an ambient internet of things (AIoT) reader device; a base station; a relay node; or an intermediate user device in a relay mode of operation.

[0134] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating operation of an apparatus (e.g., which may be a network node, eNB, gNB, or other apparatus) according to an example embodiment. At step 1110, the method may include determining, by a network node: a first threshold value of an energy level of a user device, wherein the first threshold value is associated with transition of a power state of the user device to a power-SLEEP state; and a second threshold value of the energy level of the user device, wherein the second threshold value is associated with transition of the power state of the user device to a power-OFF state. At step 1120, the method may include transmitting, to the user device, configuration information comprising at least one of: the first threshold value; or the second threshold value. At step 1130, the method may include receiving an indication of the power state of the user device, wherein the power state is the power-SLEEP state.

[0135] With respect to the method of FIG. 11, the method may further include receiving a report, from the user device, wherein the report includes at least one of: an indication that the user device will stay in the power-SLEEP state after transmitting of the report, in response to the energy level of the user device being greater than or equal to the second threshold value; an indication of a time period for which the user device will be in the power-SLEEP state; or an indication that the user device will transition to the power-OFF state after transmission of the report, in response to the energy level of the user device being less than the second threshold value.

[0136] With respect to the method of FIG. 11, the method may further include receiving from the user device, a report including an indication that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to a power-ON state.

[0137] With respect to the method of FIG. 11, the method may further include: receiving from the user device, a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to a power-ON state; or an indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required.

[0138] With respect to the method of FIG. 11, the method may further include transmitting at least one instruction to the user device indicating at least one of: an instruction to transition to the power-OFF state after receiving the at least one instruction; or an instruction to transition to the power-SLEEP state after receiving the at least one instruction.

[0139] FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating operation of an apparatus (e.g., which may be a UE or user device, or other apparatus) according to an example embodiment. At step 1210, the method may include determining by a user device to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state is a power-OFF state. At step 1220, the method may include determining, based on an energy level of the user device, that a transition to a second power state comprising a power-SLEEP state is allowed, and based on the determining: transmitting, to a network node, while in a power-ON state, an indication that the transition to the power-SLEEP state is allowed, receiving a command from the network node indicating a request for transitioning to the power-SLEEP state; and transitioning to the power-SLEEP state. At step 1230, the method may include determining, to stay in the power-OFF state.

[0140] With respect to the method of FIG. 12, the method may further include wherein the determining to operate in the first power state includes at least one of: determining to operate in the first power state based on receiving from the network node a first message indicating a request to operate in the first power state; or determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-OFF state.

[0141] With respect to the method of FIG. 12, the method may further include wherein the determining to stay in the power-OFF state is based on at least one of: the energy level of the user device indicating not to transition to the second power state; or determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-OFF state.

[0142] With respect to the method of FIG. 12, the method may further include: monitoring the energy level of the user device; determining to transition to the power-ON state, wherein the determining to transition to the power-ON state is based on the energy level of the user device being greater than or equal to a first threshold value; or determining to transition back to the power-OFF state after transitioning to the power-ON state, wherein the determining to transition back to the power-OFF state is based on the energy level of the user device being less than a second threshold value.

[0143] With respect to the method of FIG. 12, the method may further include transmitting a report to the network node, wherein the report includes at least one of: an indication that the user device will transition to the power-OFF state after a next cycle of the power-ON state followed by transmission of the report, wherein the transition to the power-OFF state is based on the energy level being below a second threshold value; an indication that the user device will stay in the power-SLEEP state after the next cycle of the power-ON state followed by the transmission of the report, wherein the stay in the power-SLEEP state is determined based on the energy level being greater than or equal to the second threshold value; or an indication of a time period for which the user device will be in the power-SLEEP state.

[0144] With respect to the method of FIG. 12, the method may further include: transmitting, to the network node while in the power-ON state, an indication that the transitioning to the power-ON state is allowed; determining, based on the energy level of the user device being less than a second threshold value, to transition to the power-OFF state; transitioning to the power-ON state, based on the energy level being greater than or equal to a first threshold value; and transmitting to the network node a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to the power-ON state; or an indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required.

[0145] With respect to the method of FIG. 12, the method may further include: transmitting, to the network node while in the power-ON state, an indication that the transitioning to the power-ON state is allowed; determining, based on the energy level of the user device being less than a first threshold value, to transition to the power-SLEEP state; transitioning to the power-ON state, based on the energy level being greater than or equal to the first threshold value; and transmitting to the network node a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to the power-ON state; or an indication that a source of energy has changed since a previous cycle of the power-ON state.

[0146] With respect to the method of FIG. 12, the method may further include receiving at least one instruction from the network node indicating at least one of: an instruction to transition to the power-OFF state after receiving the at least one instruction; or an instruction to transition to the power-SLEEP state after receiving the at least one instruction.

[0147] With respect to the method of FIG. 12, the method may further include receiving configuration information of determining the second power state, wherein the configuration information includes at least one of: a first threshold value associated with a determining to transition the user device to the power-SLEEP state; or a second threshold value associated with a determining to transition the user device to the power-OFF state.

[0148] With respect to the method of FIG. 12, the method may further include wherein the user device is pre-configured with at least one of: a first threshold value associated with a determining to transition to the power-SLEEP state; or a second threshold value associated with a determining to transition to the power-OFF state.

[0149] With respect to the method of FIG. 12, the method may further include wherein the transitioning to the power-ON state is based on at least one of: the energy level being greater than or equal to a first threshold value; or a sequence of power state cycles indicating a power-ON cycle and the energy level being greater than or equal to the first threshold value.

[0150] With respect to the method of FIG. 12, the method may further include wherein the user device is an ambient internet of things (AIoT) user device; and the network node is at least one of: an ambient internet of things (AIoT) reader device; a base station; a relay node; or an intermediate user device in a relay mode of operation.

[0151] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating operation of an apparatus (e.g., which may be a network node, eNB, gNB, or other apparatus) according to an example embodiment. At step 1310, the method may include determining, by a network node: a first threshold value of an energy level of a user device, wherein the first threshold value is associated with transition of a power state of the user device to a power-SLEEP state; and a second threshold value of the energy level of the user device, wherein the second threshold value is associated with transition of the power state of the user device to a power-OFF state. At step 1320, the method may include transmitting, to the user device, configuration information comprising at least one of: the first threshold value; or the second threshold value. At step 1330, the method may include receiving an indication that transition of the power state of the user device to the power-SLEEP state is allowed. At step 1340, the method may include transmitting a command to the user device indicating a request for transitioning to the power-SLEEP state.

[0152] With respect to the method of FIG. 13, the method may further include receiving a report, from the user device, wherein the report includes at least one of: an indication that the user device will transition to the power-OFF state after a next cycle of a power-ON state followed by transmission of the report, wherein the transition to the power-OFF state is based on the energy level being below the second threshold value; an indication that the user device will stay in the power-SLEEP state after the next cycle of the power-ON state followed by the transmission of the report, wherein the stay in the power-SLEEP state is determined based on the energy level being greater than or equal to the second threshold value; or an indication of a time period for which the user device will be in the power-SLEEP state.

[0153] With respect to the method of FIG. 13, the method may further include receiving from the user device, a report including an indication that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to a power-ON state.

[0154] With respect to the method of FIG. 13, the method may further include: receiving from the user device, a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to a power-ON state; or an indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required.

[0155] With respect to the method of FIG. 13, the method may further include receiving, from the user device, an indication that transitioning to a power-ON state is allowed.

[0156] With respect to the method of FIG. 13, the method may further include: receiving from the user device, a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to a power-ON state; or an indication that a source of energy has changed since a previous cycle of the power-ON state.

[0157] With respect to the method of FIG. 13, the method may further include transmitting at least one instruction to the user device indicating at least one of: an instruction to transition to the power-OFF state after receiving the at least one instruction; or an instruction to transition to the power-SLEEP state after receiving the at least one instruction.

[0158] Some examples will now be described, based on the description and figures provided herein.

[0159] Example 1. An apparatus including: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state is a power-ON state; determining, based on an energy level of the apparatus, to: transition to a second power state, wherein the second power state includes at least one of: a power-SLEEP state based on the energy level being below a first threshold value; or a power-OFF state based on the energy level being below a second threshold value; and transmit to a network node, while in the power-ON state, an indication of the second power state of the apparatus after the transmit; and determining to stay in the power-ON state.

[0160] Example 2. The apparatus of Example 1, wherein: the determining to operate in the first power state being the power-ON state includes determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-ON state; and the determining to stay in the power-ON state is based on at least one of: determining, based on the energy level of the apparatus, not to transition to the second power state; or the energy level of the apparatus being greater than or equal to the first threshold value.

[0161] Example 3. The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: after transitioning to the second power state, the apparatus transitioning back to the power-ON state in a next cycle based on at least one of: the energy level being greater than or equal to the first threshold value; or a sequence of power state cycles indicating a cycle of the power-ON state and the energy level being greater than or equal to the first threshold value.

[0162] Example 4. The apparatus of Example 1, wherein: the second power state includes the power-SLEEP state; transitioning to the second power state includes transitioning to the power-SLEEP state; and the indication of the second power state of the apparatus after the transmitting includes the indication of the power-SLEEP state.

[0163] Example 5. The apparatus of Example 1, wherein: the second power state includes the power-OFF state; transitioning to the second power state includes transitioning to the power-OFF state; and the indication of the second power state of the apparatus after the transmit includes the indication of the power-OFF state.

[0164] Example 6. The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform monitoring the energy level of the apparatus, and, wherein: the determining to transition to the power-SLEEP state is based on the energy level of the apparatus being less than the first threshold value; and wherein the indication of the second power state includes the indication of the power-SLEEP state.

[0165] Example 7. The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform monitoring the energy level of the apparatus, and, wherein: the determining to transition to the power-OFF state is based on the energy level of the apparatus being less than the second threshold value; and wherein the indication of the second power state includes the indication of the power-OFF state.

[0166] Example 8. The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform transmitting a report to the network node, wherein the report includes at least one of: an indication that the apparatus will stay in the power-ON state upon transmission of the report; an indication that the apparatus will transition to the power-SLEEP state upon the transmission of the report in response to the energy level of the apparatus is below the first threshold value; an indication of a time period for which the apparatus will be in the power-SLEEP state; or an indication that the apparatus will transition to the power-OFF state upon the transmission of the report in response to the energy level of the apparatus is below the second threshold value.

[0167] Example 9. The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: transitioning to the power-ON state from the power-SLEEP state; and transmitting to the network node a report including an indication that the apparatus was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to the power-ON state.

[0168] Example 10. The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: transitioning to the power-ON state from the power-OFF state; and transmitting to the network node a report including at least one of: an indication that the apparatus was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to the power-ON state; or an indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required.

[0169] Example 11. The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform receiving configuration information of determining the second power state, wherein the configuration information includes at least one of: the first threshold value associated with the determining to transition the apparatus to the power-SLEEP state; or the second threshold value associated with the determining to transition the apparatus to the power-OFF state.

[0170] Example 12. The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the apparatus is preconfigured with at least one of: the first threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-SLEEP state; or the second threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-OFF state.

[0171] Example 13. The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the apparatus is an ambient internet of things (AIoT) user device; and the network node is at least one of: an ambient internet of things (AIoT) reader device; a base station; a relay node; or an intermediate user device in a relay mode of operation.

[0172] Example 14. An apparatus including: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining: a first threshold value of an energy level of a user device, wherein the first threshold value is associated with transition of a power state of the user device to a power-SLEEP state; and a second threshold value of the energy level of the user device, wherein the second threshold value is associated with transition of the power state of the user device to a power-OFF state; transmitting, to the user device, configuration information including at least one of: the first threshold value; or the second threshold value; and receiving an indication of the power state of the user device.

[0173] Example 15. The apparatus of Example 14, wherein: the power state of the user device includes at least one of: the power-SLEEP state; or the power-OFF state; and wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform receiving a report from the user device, wherein the report includes at least one of: an indication that the user device will stay in a power-ON state upon transmission of the report; an indication that the user device will transition to the power-SLEEP state upon the transmission of the report in response to the energy level of the user device being below the first threshold value; an indication of a time period for which the user device will be in the power-SLEEP state; or an indication that the user device will transition to the power-OFF state upon the transmission of the report in response to the energy level of the user device being below the second threshold value.

[0174] Example 16. The apparatus of Example 14, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform receiving from the user device, a report including an indication that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to a power-ON state.

[0175] Example 17. The apparatus of Example 14, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform receiving from the user device, a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to a power-ON state; or an indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required.

[0176] Example 18. A method including: determining by a user device to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state is a power-ON state; determining, based on an energy level of the user device, to: transition to a second power state, wherein the second power state includes at least one of: a power-SLEEP state based on the energy level being below a first threshold value; or a power-OFF state based on the energy level being below a second threshold value; and transmit to a network node, while in the power-ON state, an indication of the second power state of the user device after the transmit; and determining to stay in the power-ON state.

[0177] Example 19. The method of Example 18, wherein: the determining to operate in the first power state being the power-ON state includes determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-ON state; and the determining to stay in the power-ON state is based on at least one of: determining, based on the energy level of the user device, not to transition to the second power state; or the energy level of the user device being greater than or equal to the first threshold value.

[0178] Example 20. The method of Example 18, further including: after transitioning to the second power state, the user device transitioning back to the power-ON state in a next cycle based on at least one of: the energy level being greater than or equal to the first threshold value; or a sequence of power state cycles indicating a cycle of the power-ON state and the energy level being greater than or equal to the first threshold value.

[0179] Example 21. The method of Example 18, wherein: the second power state includes the power-SLEEP state; transitioning to the second power state includes transitioning to the power-SLEEP state; and the indication of the second power state of the user device after the transmitting includes the indication of the power-SLEEP state.

[0180] Example 22. The method of Example 18, wherein: the second power state includes the power-OFF state; transitioning to the second power state includes transitioning to the power-OFF state; and the indication of the second power state of the user device after the transmit includes the indication of the power-OFF state.

[0181] Example 23. The method of Example 18, further including monitoring the energy level of the user device, and, wherein: the determining to transition to the power-SLEEP state is based on the energy level of the user device being less than the first threshold value; and wherein the indication of the second power state includes the indication of the power-SLEEP state.

[0182] Example 24. The method of Example 18, further including monitoring the energy level of the user device, and, wherein: the determining to transition to the power-OFF state is based on the energy level of the user device being less than the second threshold value; and wherein the indication of the second power state includes the indication of the power-OFF state.

[0183] Example 25. The method of Example 18, further including transmitting a report to the network node, wherein the report includes at least one of: an indication that the user device will stay in the power-ON state upon transmission of the report; an indication that the user device will transition to the power-SLEEP state upon the transmission of the report in response to the energy level of the user device is below the first threshold value; an indication of a time period for which the user device will be in the power-SLEEP state; or an indication that the user device will transition to the power-OFF state upon the transmission of the report in response to the energy level of the user device is below the second threshold value.

[0184] Example 26. The method of example 18, further including: transitioning to the power-ON state from the power-SLEEP state; and transmitting to the network node a report including an indication that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to the power-ON state.

[0185] Example 27. The method of Example 18, further including: transitioning to the power-ON state from the power-OFF state; and transmitting to the network node a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to the power-ON state; or an indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required.

[0186] Example 28. The method of Example 18, further including receiving configuration information of determining the second power state, wherein the configuration information includes at least one of: the first threshold value associated with the determining to transition the user device to the power-SLEEP state; or the second threshold value associated with the determining to transition the user device to the power-OFF state.

[0187] Example 29. The method of Example 18, wherein the user device is preconfigured with at least one of: the first threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-SLEEP state; or the second threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-OFF state.

[0188] Example 30. The method of Example 18, wherein the user device is an ambient internet of things (AIoT) user device; and the network node is at least one of: an ambient internet of things (AIoT) reader device; a base station; a relay node; or an intermediate user device in a relay mode of operation.

[0189] Example 31. A method including: determining, by a network node: a first threshold value of an energy level of a user device, wherein the first threshold value is associated with transition of a power state of the user device to a power-SLEEP state; and a second threshold value of the energy level of the user device, wherein the second threshold value is associated with transition of the power state of the user device to a power-OFF state; transmitting, to the user device, configuration information including at least one of: the first threshold value; or the second threshold value; and receiving an indication of the power state of the user device.

[0190] Example 32. The method of Example 31, wherein: the power state of the user device includes at least one of: the power-SLEEP state; or the power-OFF state; and the method further including receiving a report from the user device, wherein the report includes at least one of: an indication that the user device will stay in a power-ON state upon transmission of the report; an indication that the user device will transition to the power-SLEEP state upon the transmission of the report in response to the energy level of the user device being below the first threshold value; an indication of a time period for which the user device will be in the power-SLEEP state; or an indication that the user device will transition to the power-OFF state upon the transmission of the report in response to the energy level of the user device being below the second threshold value.

[0191] Example 33. The method of Example 31, further including receiving from the user device, a report including an indication that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to a power-ON state.

[0192] Example 34. The method of Example 31, further including receiving from the user device, a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to a power-ON state; or an indication that a reestablishment of a memory state is required.

[0193] Example 35. An apparatus including: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state is a power-SLEEP state; determining, based on an energy level of the apparatus: a transition to a second power state, wherein the second power state includes a power-OFF state; and to transmit to a network node, while in a power-ON state, an indication of the power-OFF state of the apparatus after the transmit; and determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state.

[0194] Example 36. The apparatus of Example 35, wherein the determining to operate in the first power state being the power-SLEEP state includes determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-SLEEP state.

[0195] Example 37. The apparatus of Example 35, wherein the determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state includes determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state based on at least one of: determining, based on the energy level of the apparatus, not to transition to the second power state; the energy level of the apparatus being below a first threshold value; or determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-SLEEP state.

[0196] Example 38. The apparatus of Example 35, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform transitioning to the power-ON state based on the energy level of the apparatus being greater than or equal to a first threshold value.

[0197] Example 39. The apparatus of Example 35, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: monitoring the energy level of the apparatus; wherein the determining to transition to the power-OFF state is based on the energy level of the apparatus being less than a second threshold value; and transitioning to the power-OFF state.

[0198] Example 40. The apparatus of Example 35, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform transmitting a report to the network node, wherein the report includes at least one of: an indication that the apparatus will stay in the power-SLEEP state after the transmitting of the report, in response to the energy level of the apparatus being greater than or equal to a second threshold value; an indication of a time period for which the apparatus will be in the power-SLEEP state; or an indication that the apparatus will transition to the power-OFF state after transmission of the report, in response to the energy level of the apparatus being less than the second threshold value.

[0199] Example 41. The apparatus of Example 35, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: transitioning to the power-ON state from the power-OFF state; and transmitting to the network node a report including at least one of: an indication that the apparatus was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to the power-ON state; or an indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required.

[0200] Example 42. The apparatus of Example 41, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform receiving at least one instruction from the network node indicating at least one of: an instruction to transition to the power-OFF state after receiving the at least one instruction; or an instruction to transition to the power-SLEEP state after receiving the at least one instruction.

[0201] Example 43. The apparatus of Example 35, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform receiving configuration information of determining the second power state, wherein the configuration information includes at least one of: a first threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-SLEEP state; or a second threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-OFF state.

[0202] Example 44. The apparatus of Example 35, wherein the apparatus is preconfigured with at least one of: a first threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-SLEEP state; or a second threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-OFF state.

[0203] Example 45. The apparatus of any of Examples 43 to 44, wherein: the apparatus transitions to the power-SLEEP state if the energy level is less than the first threshold value; or the apparatus transitions to the power-OFF state if the energy level is less than the second threshold value.

[0204] Example 46. The apparatus of Example 35, wherein the apparatus is an ambient internet of things (AIoT) user device; and the network node is at least one of: an ambient internet of things (AIoT) reader device; a base station; a relay node; or an intermediate user device in a relay mode of operation.

[0205] Example 47. An apparatus including: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining: a first threshold value of an energy level of a user device, wherein the first threshold value is associated with transition of a power state of the user device to a power-SLEEP state; and a second threshold value of the energy level of the user device, wherein the second threshold value is associated with transition of the power state of the user device to a power-OFF state; transmitting, to the user device, configuration information including at least one of: the first threshold value; or the second threshold value; and receiving an indication of the power state of the user device, wherein the power state is the power-SLEEP state.

[0206] Example 48. The apparatus of Example 47, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform receiving a report, from the user device, wherein the report includes at least one of: an indication that the user device will stay in the power-SLEEP state after transmitting of the report, in response to the energy level of the user device being greater than or equal to the second threshold value; an indication of a time period for which the user device will be in the power-SLEEP state; or an indication that the user device will transition to the power-OFF state after transmission of the report, in response to the energy level of the user device being less than the second threshold value.

[0207] Example 49. The apparatus of Example 47, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform receiving from the user device, a report including an indication that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to a power-ON state.

[0208] Example 50. The apparatus of Example 47, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: receiving from the user device, a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to a power-ON state; or an indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required.

[0209] Example 51. The apparatus of Example 47, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform transmitting at least one instruction to the user device indicating at least one of: an instruction to transition to the power-OFF state after receiving the at least one instruction; or an instruction to transition to the power-SLEEP state after receiving the at least one instruction.

[0210] Example 52. A method including: determining by a user device to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state is a power-SLEEP state; determining, based on an energy level of the user device: a transition to a second power state, wherein the second power state includes a power-OFF state; and to transmit to a network node, while in a power-ON state, an indication of the power-OFF state of the user device after the transmit; and determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state.

[0211] Example 53. The method of Example 52, wherein the determining to operate in the first power state being the power-SLEEP state includes determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-SLEEP state.

[0212] Example 54. The method of Example 52, wherein the determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state includes determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state based on at least one of: determining, based on the energy level of the user device, not to transition to the second power state; the energy level of the user device being below a first threshold value; or determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-SLEEP state.

[0213] Example 55. The method of Example 52, further including transitioning to the power-ON state based on the energy level of the user device being greater than or equal to a first threshold value.

[0214] Example 56. The method of Example 52, further including: monitoring the energy level of the user device; wherein the determining to transition to the power-OFF state is based on the energy level of the user device being less than a second threshold value; and transitioning to the power-OFF state.

[0215] Example 57. The method of Example 52, further including transmitting a report to the network node, wherein the report includes at least one of: an indication that the user device will stay in the power-SLEEP state after the transmitting of the report, in response to the energy level of the user device being greater than or equal to a second threshold value; an indication of a time period for which the user device will be in the power-SLEEP state; or an indication that the user device will transition to the power-OFF state after transmission of the report, in response to the energy level of the user device being less than the second threshold value.

[0216] Example 58. The method of Example 52, further including: transitioning to the power-ON state from the power-OFF state; and transmitting to the network node a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to the power-ON state; or an indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required.

[0217] Example 59. The method of Example 58, further including receiving at least one instruction from the network node indicating at least one of an instruction to transition to the power-OFF state after receiving the at least one instruction; or an instruction to transition to the power-SLEEP state after receiving the at least one instruction.

[0218] Example 60. The method of Example 52, further including receiving configuration information of determining the second power state, wherein the configuration information includes at least one of: a first threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-SLEEP state; or a second threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-OFF state.

[0219] Example 61. The method of Example 52, wherein the user device is preconfigured with at least one of: a first threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-SLEEP state; or a second threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-OFF state.

[0220] Example 62. The method of any of Examples 60 to 61, wherein: the user device transitions to the power-SLEEP state if the energy level is less than the first threshold value; or the user device transitions to the power-OFF state if the energy level is less than the second threshold value.

[0221] Example 63. The method of Example 52, wherein the user device is an ambient internet of things (AIoT) user device; and the network node is at least one of: an ambient internet of things (AIoT) reader device; a base station; a relay node; or an intermediate user device in a relay mode of operation.

[0222] Example 64. A method including: determining, by a network node: a first threshold value of an energy level of a user device, wherein the first threshold value is associated with transition of a power state of the user device to a power-SLEEP state; and a second threshold value of the energy level of the user device, wherein the second threshold value is associated with transition of the power state of the user device to a power-OFF state; transmitting, to the user device, configuration information including at least one of: the first threshold value; or the second threshold value; and receiving an indication of the power state of the user device, wherein the power state is the power-SLEEP state.

[0223] Example 65. The method of Example 64, further including receiving a report, from the user device, wherein the report includes at least one of: an indication that the user device will stay in the power-SLEEP state after transmitting of the report, in response to the energy level of the user device being greater than or equal to the second threshold value; an indication of a time period for which the user device will be in the power-SLEEP state; or an indication that the user device will transition to the power-OFF state after transmission of the report, in response to the energy level of the user device being less than the second threshold value.

[0224] Example 66. The method of Example 64, further including receiving from the user device, a report including an indication that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to a power-ON state.

[0225] Example 67. The method of Example 64, further including: receiving from the user device, a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to a power-ON state; or an indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required.

[0226] Example 68. The method of Example 64, further including transmitting at least one instruction to the user device indicating at least one of: an instruction to transition to the power-OFF state after receiving the at least one instruction; or an instruction to transition to the power-SLEEP state after receiving the at least one instruction.

[0227] Example 69. An apparatus including: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state is a power-OFF state; determining, based on an energy level of the apparatus, that a transition to a second power state including a power-SLEEP state is allowed, and based on the determining: transmitting, to a network node, while in a power-ON state, an indication that the transition to the power-SLEEP state is allowed; receiving a command from the network node indicating a request for transitioning to the power-SLEEP state; and transitioning to the power-SLEEP state; and determining, to stay in the power-OFF state.

[0228] Example 70. The apparatus of Example 69, wherein the determining to operate in the first power state includes at least one of: determining to operate in the first power state based on receiving from the network node a first message indicating a request to operate in the first power state; or determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-OFF state.

[0229] Example 71. The apparatus of Example 70, wherein the determining to stay in the power-OFF state is based on at least one of: the energy level of the apparatus indicating not to transition to the second power state; or determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-OFF state.

[0230] Example 72. The apparatus of Example 69, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: monitoring the energy level of the apparatus; determining to transition to the power-ON state, wherein the determining to transition to the power-ON state is based on the energy level of the apparatus being greater than or equal to a first threshold value; or determining to transition back to the power-OFF state after transitioning to the power-ON state, wherein the determining to transition back to the power-OFF state is based on the energy level of the apparatus being less than a second threshold value.

[0231] Example 73. The apparatus of Example 69, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform transmitting a report to the network node, wherein the report includes at least one of: an indication that the apparatus will transition to the power-OFF state after a next cycle of the power-ON state followed by transmission of the report, wherein the transition to the power-OFF state is based on the energy level being below a second threshold value; an indication that the apparatus will stay in the power-SLEEP state after the next cycle of the power-ON state followed by the transmission of the report, wherein the stay in the power-SLEEP state is determined based on the energy level being greater than or equal to the second threshold value; or an indication of a time period for which the apparatus will be in the power-SLEEP state.

[0232] Example 74. The apparatus of Example 73, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: transmitting, to the network node while in the power-ON state, an indication that the transitioning to the power-ON state is allowed; determining, based on the energy level of the apparatus being less than a second threshold value, to transition to the power-OFF state; transitioning to the power-ON state, based on the energy level being greater than or equal to a first threshold value; and transmitting to the network node a report including at least one of: an indication that the apparatus was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to the power-ON state; or an indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required.

[0233] Example 75. The apparatus of Example 73, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: transmitting, to the network node while in the power-ON state, an indication that the transitioning to the power-ON state is allowed; determining, based on the energy level of the apparatus being less than a first threshold value, to transition to the power-SLEEP state; transitioning to the power-ON state, based on the energy level being greater than or equal to the first threshold value; and transmitting to the network node a report including at least one of: an indication that the apparatus was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to the power-ON state; or an indication that a source of energy has changed since a previous cycle of the power-ON state.

[0234] Example 76. The apparatus of Example 75, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform receiving at least one instruction from the network node indicating at least one of an instruction to transition to the power-OFF state after receiving the at least one instruction; or an instruction to transition to the power-SLEEP state after receiving the at least one instruction.

[0235] Example 77. The apparatus of Example 69, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform receiving configuration information of determining the second power state, wherein the configuration information includes at least one of a first threshold value associated with a determining to transition the apparatus to the power-SLEEP state; or a second threshold value associated with a determining to transition the apparatus to the power-OFF state.

[0236] Example 78. The apparatus of Example 69, wherein the apparatus is preconfigured with at least one of: a first threshold value associated with a determining to transition to the power-SLEEP state; or a second threshold value associated with a determining to transition to the power-OFF state.

[0237] Example 79. The apparatus of Example 69, wherein the transitioning to the power-ON state is based on at least one of the energy level being greater than or equal to a first threshold value; or a sequence of power state cycles indicating a power-ON cycle and the energy level being greater than or equal to the first threshold value.

[0238] Example 80. The apparatus of Example 69, wherein the apparatus is an ambient internet of things (AIoT) user device; and the network node is at least one of an ambient internet of things (AIoT) reader device; a base station; a relay node; or an intermediate user device in a relay mode of operation.

[0239] Example 81. An apparatus including: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining: a first threshold value of an energy level of a user device, wherein the first threshold value is associated with transition of a power state of the user device to a power-SLEEP state; and a second threshold value of the energy level of the user device, wherein the second threshold value is associated with transition of the power state of the user device to a power-OFF state; transmitting, to the user device, configuration information including at least one of: the first threshold value; or the second threshold value; receiving an indication that transition of the power state of the user device to the power-SLEEP state is allowed; and transmitting a command to the user device indicating a request for transitioning to the power-SLEEP state.

[0240] Example 82. The apparatus of Example 81, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform receiving a report, from the user device, wherein the report includes at least one of: an indication that the user device will transition to the power-OFF state after a next cycle of a power-ON state followed by transmission of the report, wherein the transition to the power-OFF state is based on the energy level being below the second threshold value; an indication that the user device will stay in the power-SLEEP state after the next cycle of the power-ON state followed by the transmission of the report, wherein the stay in the power-SLEEP state is determined based on the energy level being greater than or equal to the second threshold value; or an indication of a time period for which the user device will be in the power-SLEEP state.

[0241] Example 83. The apparatus of Example 81, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform receiving from the user device, a report including an indication that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to a power-ON state.

[0242] Example 84. The apparatus of example 81, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: receiving from the user device, a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to a power-ON state; or an indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required.

[0243] Example 85. The apparatus of Example 81, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform receiving, from the user device, an indication that transitioning to a power-ON state is allowed.

[0244] Example 86. The apparatus of Example 81, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: receiving from the user device, a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to a power-ON state; or an indication that a source of energy has changed since a previous cycle of the power-ON state.

[0245] Example 87. The apparatus of Example 81, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform transmitting at least one instruction to the user device indicating at least one of: an instruction to transition to the power-OFF state after receiving the at least one instruction; or an instruction to transition to the power-SLEEP state after receiving the at least one instruction.

[0246] Example 88. A method including: determining by a user device to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state is a power-OFF state; determining, based on an energy level of the user device, that a transition to a second power state including a power-SLEEP state is allowed, and based on the determining: transmitting, to a network node, while in a power-ON state, an indication that the transition to the power-SLEEP state is allowed; receiving a command from the network node indicating a request for transitioning to the power-SLEEP state; and transitioning to the power-SLEEP state; and determining, to stay in the power-OFF state.

[0247] Example 89. The method of Example 88, wherein the determining to operate in the first power state includes at least one of: determining to operate in the first power state based on receiving from the network node a first message indicating a request to operate in the first power state; or determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-OFF state.

[0248] Example 90. The method of Example 89, wherein the determining to stay in the power-OFF state is based on at least one of: the energy level of the user device indicating not to transition to the second power state; or determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-OFF state.

[0249] Example 91. The method of Example 88, further including: monitoring the energy level of the user device; determining to transition to the power-ON state, wherein the determining to transition to the power-ON state is based on the energy level of the user device being greater than or equal to a first threshold value; or determining to transition back to the power-OFF state after transitioning to the power-ON state, wherein the determining to transition back to the power-OFF state is based on the energy level of the user device being less than a second threshold value.

[0250] Example 92. The method of Example 88, further including transmitting a report to the network node, wherein the report includes at least one of: an indication that the user device will transition to the power-OFF state after a next cycle of the power-ON state followed by transmission of the report, wherein the transition to the power-OFF state is based on the energy level being below a second threshold value; an indication that the user device will stay in the power-SLEEP state after the next cycle of the power-ON state followed by the transmission of the report, wherein the stay in the power-SLEEP state is determined based on the energy level being greater than or equal to the second threshold value; or an indication of a time period for which the user device will be in the power-SLEEP state.

[0251] Example 93. The method of Example 92, further including: transmitting, to the network node while in the power-ON state, an indication that the transitioning to the power-ON state is allowed; determining, based on the energy level of the user device being less than a second threshold value, to transition to the power-OFF state; transitioning to the power-ON state, based on the energy level being greater than or equal to a first threshold value; and transmitting to the network node a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to the power-ON state; or an indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required.

[0252] Example 94. The method of Example 92, further including: transmitting, to the network node while in the power-ON state, an indication that the transitioning to the power-ON state is allowed; determining, based on the energy level of the user device being less than a first threshold value, to transition to the power-SLEEP state; transitioning to the power-ON state, based on the energy level being greater than or equal to the first threshold value; and transmitting to the network node a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to the power-ON state; or an indication that a source of energy has changed since a previous cycle of the power-ON state.

[0253] Example 95. The method of Example 94, further including receiving at least one instruction from the network node indicating at least one of: an instruction to transition to the power-OFF state after receiving the at least one instruction; or an instruction to transition to the power-SLEEP state after receiving the at least one instruction.

[0254] Example 96. The method of Example 88, further including receiving configuration information of determining the second power state, wherein the configuration information includes at least one of: a first threshold value associated with a determining to transition the user device to the power-SLEEP state; or a second threshold value associated with a determining to transition the user device to the power-OFF state.

[0255] Example 97. The method of Example 88, wherein the user device is preconfigured with at least one of: a first threshold value associated with a determining to transition to the power-SLEEP state; or a second threshold value associated with a determining to transition to the power-OFF state.

[0256] Example 98. The method of Example 88, wherein the transitioning to the power-ON state is based on at least one of: the energy level being greater than or equal to a first threshold value; or a sequence of power state cycles indicating a power-ON cycle and the energy level being greater than or equal to the first threshold value.

[0257] Example 99. The method of Example 88, wherein the user device is an ambient internet of things (AIoT) user device; and the network node is at least one of: an ambient internet of things (AIoT) reader device; a base station; a relay node; or an intermediate user device in a relay mode of operation.

[0258] Example 100. A method including: determining, by a network node: a first threshold value of an energy level of a user device, wherein the first threshold value is associated with transition of a power state of the user device to a power-SLEEP state; and a second threshold value of the energy level of the user device, wherein the second threshold value is associated with transition of the power state of the user device to a power-OFF state; transmitting, to the user device, configuration information including at least one of: the first threshold value; or the second threshold value; receiving an indication that transition of the power state of the user device to the power-SLEEP state is allowed; and transmitting a command to the user device indicating a request for transitioning to the power-SLEEP state.

[0259] Example 101. The method of Example 100, further including receiving a report, from the user device, wherein the report includes at least one of: an indication that the user device will transition to the power-OFF state after a next cycle of a power-ON state followed by transmission of the report, wherein the transition to the power-OFF state is based on the energy level being below the second threshold value; an indication that the user device will stay in the power-SLEEP state after the next cycle of the power-ON state followed by the transmission of the report, wherein the stay in the power-SLEEP state is determined based on the energy level being greater than or equal to the second threshold value; or an indication of a time period for which the user device will be in the power-SLEEP state.

[0260] Example 102. The method of Example 100, further including receiving from the user device, a report including an indication that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to a power-ON state.

[0261] Example 103. The method of Example 100, further including: receiving from the user device, a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to a power-ON state; or an indication that a reestablishment of a memory state is required.

[0262] Example 104. The method of Example 100, further including receiving, from the user device, an indication that transitioning to a power-ON state is allowed.

[0263] Example 105. The method of Example 100, further including: receiving from the user device, a report including at least one of: an indication that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to a power-ON state; or an indication that a source of energy has changed since a previous cycle of the power-ON state.

[0264] Example 106. The method of Example 100, further including transmitting at least one instruction to the user device indicating at least one of: an instruction to transition to the power-OFF state after receiving the at least one instruction; or an instruction to transition to the power-SLEEP state after receiving the at least one instruction.

[0265] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., UE, user device, AP, BS, eNB, gNB, RAN node, network node, TRP, or other node) 1300 according to an example embodiment. The wireless station 1300 may include, for example, one or more (e.g., two as shown in FIG. 14) RF (radio frequency) or wireless transceivers 1302A, 1302B, where each wireless transceiver includes a transmitter to transmit signals and a receiver to receive signals. The wireless station also includes a processor or control unit / entity (controller) 1304 to execute instructions or software and control transmission and receptions of signals, and a memory 1306 to store data and / or instructions.

[0266] Processor 1304 may also make decisions or determinations, generate frames, packets or messages for transmission, decode received frames or messages for further processing, and other tasks or functions described herein. Processor 1304, which may be a baseband processor, for example, may generate messages, packets, frames or other signals for transmission via wireless transceiver 1302 (1302A or 1302B). Processor 1304 may control transmission of signals or messages over a wireless network, and may control the reception of signals or messages, etc., via a wireless network (e.g., after being down-converted by wireless transceiver 1302, for example). Processor 1304 may be programmable and capable of executing software or other instructions stored in memory or on other computer media to perform the various tasks and functions described above, such as one or more of the tasks or methods described above. Processor 1304 may be (or may include), for example, hardware, programmable logic, a programmable processor that executes software or firmware, and / or any combination of these. Using other terminology, processor 1304 and transceiver 1302 together may be considered as a wireless transmitter / receiver system, for example.

[0267] In addition, referring to FIG. 14, a controller (or processor) 1308 may execute software and instructions, and may provide overall control for the station 1300, and may provide control for other systems not shown in FIG. 14, such as controlling input / output devices (e.g., display, keypad), and / or may execute software for one or more applications that may be provided on wireless station 1300, such as, for example, an email program, audio / video applications, a word processor, a Voice over IP application, or other application or software.

[0268] In addition, a storage medium may be provided that includes stored instructions, which when executed by a controller or processor may result in the processor 1304, or other controller or processor, performing one or more of the functions or tasks described above.

[0269] According to another example embodiment, RF or wireless transceiver(s) 1302A / 1302B may receive signals or data and / or transmit or send signals or data. Processor 1304 (and possibly transceivers 1302A / 1302B) may control the RF or wireless transceiver 1302A or 1302B to receive, send, broadcast or transmit signals or data.

[0270] Example embodiments are provided or described for each of the example methods, including: An apparatus (e.g., 1300, FIG. 14) including means (e.g., processor 1304, RF transceivers 1302A and / or 1302B, and / or memory 1306, in FIG. 14) for carrying out any of the methods; a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., memory 1306, FIG. 14) comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processor (processor 1304, FIG. 14), are configured to cause a computing system (e.g., 1300, FIG. 14) to perform any of the example methods; and an apparatus (e.g., 1300, FIG. 14) including at least one processor (e.g., processor 1304, FIG. 14), and at least one memory (e.g., memory 1306, FIG. 14) including computer program code, the at least one memory (1306) and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor (1304), cause the apparatus (e.g., 1300) at least to perform any of the example methods.

[0271] Embodiments of the various techniques described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. Embodiments may be implemented as a computer program product, i.e., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a machine- readable storage device or in a propagated signal, for execution by, or to control the operation of, a data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers. Embodiments may also be provided on a computer readable medium or computer readable storage medium, which may be a non-transitory medium. Embodiments of the various techniques may also include embodiments provided via transitory signals or media, and / or programs and / or software embodiments that are downloadable via the Internet or other network(s), either wired networks and / or wireless networks. In addition, embodiments may be provided via machine type communications (MTC), and also via an Internet of Things (IOT).

[0272] As used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ or “circuit” refers to all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations, such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry, and (b) combinations of circuits and soft-ware (and / or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of processor(s) or (ii) portions of processor(s) / software including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus to perform various functions, and (c) circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term in this application. As a further example, as used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term ‘circuitry’ would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or another network device.

[0273] The computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some sort of carrier, distribution medium, or computer readable medium, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. Such carriers include a record medium, computer memory, read-only memory, photoelectrical and / or electrical carrier signal, telecommunications signal, and software distribution package, for example. Depending on the processing power needed, the computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer, or it may be distributed amongst a number of computers.

[0274] Furthermore, embodiments of the various techniques described herein may use a cyber-physical system (CPS) (a system of collaborating computational elements controlling physical entities). CPS may enable the embodiment and exploitation of massive amounts of interconnected ICT devices (sensors, actuators, processors microcontrollers, ...) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile cyber physical systems, in which the physical system in question has inherent mobility, are a subcategory of cyberphysical systems. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robotics and electronics transported by humans or animals. The rise in popularity of smartphones has increased interest in the area of mobile cyber-physical systems. Therefore, various embodiments of techniques described herein may be provided via one or more of these technologies.

[0275] A computer program, such as the computer program(s) described above, can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and can be deployed in any form, including as a standalone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit or part of it suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

[0276] Method steps may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing a computer program or computer program portions to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. Method steps also may be performed by, and an apparatus may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).

[0277] Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer, chip or chipset. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. Elements of a computer may include at least one processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer also may include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magnetooptical disks, or optical disks. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0278] To provide for interaction with a user, embodiments may be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor, for displaying information to the user and a user interface, such as a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

[0279] Embodiments may be implemented in a computing system that includes a backend component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a frontend component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an embodiment, or any combination of such backend, middleware, or frontend components. Components may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN), e.g., the Internet.

[0280] While certain features of the described embodiments have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the various embodiments.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memorystoring instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform:determining to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state is a power-SLEEP state;determining, based on an energy level of the apparatus:a transition to a second power state, wherein the second power state comprises a power-OFF state; andto transmit to a network node, while in a power-ON state, an indication of the power-OFF state of the apparatus after the transmit; and determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the determining to operate in the first power state being the power-SLEEP state comprises determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-SLEEP state.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state comprises determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state based on at least one of: determining, based on the energy level of the apparatus, not to transition to the second power state;the energy level of the apparatus being below a first threshold value; or determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-SLEEP state.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform transitioning to the power-ON state based on the energy level of the apparatus being greater than or equal to a first threshold value.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: monitoring the energy level of the apparatus;wherein the determining to transition to the power-OFF state is based on the energy level of the apparatus being less than a second threshold value; andtransitioning to the power-OFF state.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform transmitting a report to the network node, wherein the report comprises at least one of:an indication that the apparatus will stay in the power-SLEEP state after the transmitting of the report, in response to the energy level of the apparatus being greater than or equal to a second threshold value;an indication of a time period for which the apparatus will be in the power-SLEEP state; oran indication that the apparatus will transition to the power-OFF state after transmission of the report, in response to the energy level of the apparatus being less than the second threshold value.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: transitioning to the power-ON state from the power-OFF state; and transmitting to the network node a report comprising at least one of:an indication that the apparatus was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to the power-ON state; oran indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform receiving at least one instruction from the network node indicating at least one of:an instruction to transition to the power-OFF state after receiving the at least one instruction; oran instruction to transition to the power-SLEEP state after receiving the at least one instruction.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform receiving configuration information of determining the second power state, wherein the configuration information comprises at least one of:a first threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-SLEEP state; ora second threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-OFF state.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is pre-configured with at least one of:a first threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-SLEEP state; ora second threshold value associated with the determining to transition to the power-OFF state.

11. The apparatus of any of claims 9 to 10, wherein:the apparatus transitions to the power-SLEEP state if the energy level is less than the first threshold value; orthe apparatus transitions to the power-OFF state if the energy level is less than the second threshold value.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is an ambient internet of things (AIoT) user device; and the network node is at least one of:an ambient internet of things (AIoT) reader device;a base station;a relay node; oran intermediate user device in a relay mode of operation.

13. An apparatus comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memorystoring instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform:determining:a first threshold value of an energy level of a user device, wherein the first threshold value is associated with transition of a power state of the user device to a power-SLEEP state; anda second threshold value of the energy level of the user device, wherein the second threshold value is associated with transition of the power state of the user device to a power-OFF state;transmitting, to the user device, configuration information comprising at least one of:the first threshold value; orthe second threshold value; andreceiving an indication of the power state of the user device, wherein the power state is the power-SLEEP state.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform receiving a report, from the user device, wherein the report comprises at least one of: an indication that the user device will stay in the power-SLEEP state after transmitting of the report, in response to the energy level of the user device being greater than or equal to the second threshold value;an indication of a time period for which the user device will be in the power-SLEEP state; oran indication that the user device will transition to the power-OFF state after transmission of the report, in response to the energy level of the user device being less than the second threshold value.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform receiving from the user device, a report comprising an indication that the user device was in the power-SLEEP state before transitioning to a power-ON state.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform: receiving from the user device, a report comprising at least one of:an indication that the user device was in the power-OFF state before transitioning to a power-ON state; oran indication that a re-establishment of a memory state is required.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform transmitting at least one instruction to the user device indicating at least one of:an instruction to transition to the power-OFF state after receiving the at least one instruction; oran instruction to transition to the power-SLEEP state after receiving the at least one instruction.

18. An apparatus comprising:means for determining to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state is a power-SLEEP state;means for determining, based on an energy level:a transition to a second power state, wherein the second power state comprises a power-OFF state; andto transmit to a network node, while in a power-ON state, an indication of the power-OFF state after the transmit; andmeans for determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state.

19. An apparatus comprising:means for determining:a first threshold value of an energy level of a user device, wherein the first threshold value is associated with transition of a power state of the user device to a power-SLEEP state; anda second threshold value of the energy level of the user device, wherein the second threshold value is associated with transition of the power state of the user device to a power-OFF state;means for transmitting, to the user device, configuration information comprising at least one of:the first threshold value; orthe second threshold value; andmeans for receiving an indication of the power state of the user device, wherein the power state is the power-SLEEP state.

20. A method comprising:determining by a user device to operate in a first power state, wherein the first power state is a power-SLEEP state;determining, based on an energy level of the user device:a transition to a second power state, wherein the second power state comprises a power-OFF state; andto transmit to a network node, while in a power-ON state, an indication of the power-OFF state of the user device after the transmit; and determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the determining to operate in the first power state being the power-SLEEP state comprises determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-SLEEP state.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state comprises determining to stay in the power-SLEEP state based on at least one of: determining, based on the energy level of the user device, not to transition to the second power state;the energy level of the user device being below a first threshold value; or determining to operate in a default power state, wherein the default power state is the power-SLEEP state.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising transitioning to the power-ON state based on the energy level of the user device being greater than or equal to a first threshold value.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising:monitoring the energy level of the user device;wherein the determining to transition to the power-OFF state is based on the energy level of the user device being less than a second threshold value; andtransitioning to the power-OFF state.

25. A method comprising:determining, by a network node:a first threshold value of an energy level of a user device, wherein the first5 threshold value is associated with transition of a power state of the user device to apower-SLEEP state; anda second threshold value of the energy level of the user device, wherein the second threshold value is associated with transition of the power state of the user device to a power-OFF state;10 transmitting, to the user device, configuration information comprising at least oneof:the first threshold value; orthe second threshold value; andreceiving an indication of the power state of the user device, wherein the power15 state is the power-SLEEP state.Application No: GB2412406.7Examiner:Gareth EdwardsClaims searched: 1-25Date of search: 20 December 2024Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance X X X X X 1-25 1-25 1-25 1-25 1-25 WO 2023 / 055820 Al (INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS INC), paragraphs [0075] - [0178], figures 1A-10 WO 2024 / 171144 Al (ERICSSON TELEFON AB L M), paragraphs [0046] - [0204], figures 1-15 WO 2022 / 164357 Al (ERICSSON TELEFON AB L M), pages 2-26, figures 1-6 US 2024 / 0098648 Al (TAYYAB et al.), paragraphs [0003] - [0095], figures 1-6 US 2021 / 0014795 Al (YONEYAMA et al.), paragraphs [0032] - [0083], figures 1-10Categories: X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive A Document indicating technological background and / or state step of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of same category. before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB, EP. WO &US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKCX :Worldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC____________H04B; H04W_____________________________________________The following online and other databases have been used in the preparation of this search reportSEARCH - PATENTInternational Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From H04W 0052 / 02 01 / 01 / 2009 H04B 0005 / 72 01 / 01 / 2024 H04W 0004 / 30 01 / 01 / 2018 H04W 0004 / 38 01 / 01 / 2018 H04W 0004 / 80 01 / 01 / 2018

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