Relay mode configuration method, relay communication method, apparatus and device

Abstract

The present application provides a relay mode configuration method, a relay communication method, an apparatus, and a device related to the communication technology field. The relay mode configuration method includes a core network device sending first configuration information to a terminal device, and the first configuration information includes at least one relay mode configured by the core network device for the terminal device. In an embodiment of the present application, the core network device configures a relay mode for a terminal device having a Prose function, so that the terminal device clarifies a connection mode of relay communication and ensures that the terminal device can realize relay communication.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a method for configuring a relay mode, a relay communication method, an apparatus, and a device.

Background Art

[0002] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) introduced the concept of relay communication into the Proximity Service (ProSe) architecture in Release 13 (R13).

[0003] The relay communication system includes at least two terminal devices (UE: User Equipment) with Prose capabilities. These UEs can usually be classified into two types: a UE that provides a relay service and a UE that uses the relay service. A UE with Prose capabilities can establish direct communication with another UE with Prose capabilities via the PC5 interface. When the relay communication system is implemented such that a UE accesses the network via a relay, when one UE not only has the function of connecting to an external data network via a network such as the 5th-Generation (5G) mobile communication technology but also has Prose capabilities, this UE can provide a relay service. That is, this UE functions as a Relay UE (relay terminal device) in the relay communication system. In the relay communication system, other UEs that access the network via this UE use the relay service provided by this UE. That is, the other UEs function as Remote UEs (remote terminal devices) in the relay communication system. When the relay communication system is implemented such that multiple UEs realize service interaction via a relay, when one UE provides communication relay to at least two UEs and establishes direct communication with these at least two UEs via the PC5 interface respectively, this UE can provide a relay service. That is, this UE functions as a Relay UE in the relay communication system. Other UEs that establish direct communication with this UE via the PC5 interface in the relay communication system use the relay service provided by this UE.

[0004] However, further consideration and research are needed on how a UE with Prose capabilities clarifies the connection mode of relay communication in the relay communication process.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments of this application provide a method for configuring a relay mode, a relay communication method, apparatus, and device. The technical solutions are as follows.

[0006] In one aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for configuring a relay mode applicable to a terminal device. The method includes: receiving first configuration information from a core network device, where the first configuration information includes at least one relay mode configured by the core network device for the terminal device, and the terminal device is a device with a Prose function.

[0007] In another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for configuring a relay mode applicable to a core network device. The method includes: transmitting first configuration information to a terminal device, where the first configuration information includes at least one relay mode configured by the core network device for the terminal device, and the terminal device is a device with a Prose function.

[0008] In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a relay communication method applicable to a first terminal device. The method includes: realizing communication with a second terminal device via a relay terminal device based on a first relay mode, where the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device, and the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0009] In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a relay communication method applicable to a relay terminal device. The method includes: realizing communication between a first terminal device and a second terminal device via the relay terminal device based on a first relay mode, where the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device, and the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0010] In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a relay communication method applicable to a second terminal device. The method includes: Based on the first relay mode, it includes realizing communication with a first terminal device via a relay terminal device. The first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device, and the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0011] In yet another aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a configuration device for a relay mode provided in a terminal device, and the device includes: A configuration information receiving module configured to receive first configuration information from a core network device, where the first configuration information includes at least one relay mode configured by the core network device for the terminal device, and the terminal device is a device with Prose function.

[0012] In yet another aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a configuration device for a relay mode provided in a core network device, and the device includes: A configuration information transmitting module configured to transmit first configuration information to a terminal device, where the first configuration information includes at least one relay mode configured by the core network device for the terminal device, and the terminal device is a device with Prose function.

[0013] In yet another aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a relay communication device provided in a first terminal device, and the device includes: A first communication module configured to realize communication with a second terminal device via a relay terminal device based on a first relay mode. The first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device, and the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0014] In yet another aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a relay communication device provided in a relay terminal device, and the device includes: Based on the first relay mode, it is configured with a relay communication module that realizes communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via the relay terminal device. The first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device, and the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0015] In yet another aspect, the embodiment of the present application provides a relay communication device provided in a second terminal device, and the device includes: Based on the first relay mode, it is configured with a second communication module that realizes communication with the first terminal device via a relay terminal device. The first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device, and the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0016] In yet another aspect, the embodiment of the present application provides a terminal device, and the terminal device includes a processor and a transceiver connected to the processor. The transceiver is configured to receive first configuration information from a core network device, and the first configuration information includes at least one relay mode configured by the core network device for the terminal device. The terminal device is a device with a Proximity Services (Prose) function.

[0017] In yet another aspect, the embodiment of the present application provides a core network device, and the core network device includes a processor and a transceiver connected to the processor. The transceiver is configured to transmit first configuration information to a terminal device, and the first configuration information includes at least one relay mode configured by the core network device for the terminal device. The terminal device is a device with a Proximity Services (Prose) function.

[0018] In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first terminal device, where the first terminal device includes a processor and a transceiver connected to the processor, the transceiver is configured to realize communication with a second terminal device via a relay terminal device based on a first relay mode, the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device, and the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0019] In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a relay terminal device, where the relay terminal device includes a processor and a transceiver connected to the processor, the transceiver is configured to realize communication between a first terminal device and a second terminal device via the relay terminal device based on a first relay mode, the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device, and the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0020] In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second terminal device, where the second terminal device includes a processor and a transceiver connected to the processor, the transceiver is configured to realize communication with a first terminal device via a relay terminal device based on a first relay mode, the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device, and the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0021] In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program executed by a processor of a terminal device to implement the above-described method for configuring a relay mode on the terminal device side.

[0022] In yet another aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program executed by a processor of a core network device to implement the above-described method for configuring the relay mode on the core network device side.

[0023] In yet another aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program executed by a processor of a first terminal device to implement the above-described relay communication method on the first terminal device side.

[0024] In yet another aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program executed by a processor of a relay terminal device to implement the above-described relay communication method on the relay terminal device side.

[0025] In yet another aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program executed by a processor of a relay terminal device to implement the above-described relay communication method on the second terminal device side.

[0026] In yet another aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a chip including a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and when the chip operates in a terminal device, it implements the above-described method for configuring the relay mode on the terminal device side.

[0027] In yet another aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a chip including a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and when the chip operates in a core network device, it implements the above-described method for configuring the relay mode on the core network device side.

[0028] In yet another aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a chip including a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and when the chip operates in a first terminal device, it implements the above-described relay communication method on the first terminal device side.

[0029] In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip including a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and when the chip operates in a relay terminal device, the relay communication method on the relay terminal device side described above is realized.

[0030] In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip including a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and when the chip operates in a second terminal device, the relay communication method on the second terminal device side described above is realized.

[0031] In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, and when the computer program product operates in a terminal device, the method for configuring the relay mode on the terminal device side described above is realized.

[0032] In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, and when the computer program product operates in a core network device, the method for configuring the relay mode on the core network device side described above is realized.

[0033] In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, and when the computer program product operates in a first terminal device, the relay communication method on the first terminal device side described above is realized.

[0034] In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, and when the computer program product operates in a relay terminal device, the relay communication method on the relay terminal device side described above is realized.

[0035] In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, and when the computer program product operates in a second terminal device, the relay communication method on the second terminal device side described above is realized.

[0036] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application can include the following beneficial effects.

[0037] By configuring the relay mode for the terminal device with Prose function by the core network device, the terminal device clarifies the connection mode of the relay communication and ensures that the terminal device can realize the relay communication.

[0038] For a relay communication system in which a plurality of terminal devices realize service interaction through relay, each terminal device executes the relay communication process using a consistent relay mode, thereby avoiding the impossibility of establishing a relay connection due to the inconsistency of the relay modes used by the terminal devices and ensuring the normal progress of the relay communication.

[0039] To more clearly explain the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly described below. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can also obtain other related drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0040]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Figure 23

Figure 24

Figure 25

Figure 26

Figure 27

Figure 28

Figure 29

Figure 30

Figure 31

Figure 32

Figure 33

Figure 34

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0041] To more clearly explain the object, technical solution and advantages of the present application, the embodiments of the present application will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0042] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly explaining the technical solution of the embodiments of the present application, and do not limit the technical solution according to the embodiments of the present application. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solution according to the embodiments of the present application is equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the system architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, the system architecture 100 may include a terminal device 10, an access network device 20, and a core network device 30.

[0044] The terminal device 10 may refer to a UE, an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user device. Optionally, the terminal device may also be a mobile phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a handheld device with a wireless communication function, a computing device, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5th-Generation System (5GS), or a terminal device in a future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). The embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0045] The access network device 20 is a device that is arranged in the access network and provides a wireless communication function to the terminal device 10. The access network device 20 can be various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, access points, etc. In systems adopting different radio access technologies, the names of the devices providing the wireless communication function may be different. Exemplarily, in 5G SA, the access network device may be called a gNodeB or gNB, and in the Evolved Packet System (EPS), the access network device may be called an Evolved NodeB (eNodeB). With the evolution of communication technologies, the name of the "access network device" may change. For the convenience of description, in the embodiments of the present application, the above-mentioned device that provides a wireless communication function to the terminal device is collectively referred to as an access network device.

[0046] The core network device 30 is a functional entity that is arranged in the core network and provides functions such as various management and / or authentication to the terminal device 10. In some implementations, the core network device may also be referred to as a core network element. With the evolution of communication technologies, the name of the "core network device" may change. For the convenience of description, in the embodiments of the present application, the functional entity arranged in the core network is collectively referred to as a core network device. In one example, the core network device 30 includes a device responsible for user policy management. Exemplarily, in a 5G SA system, the core network device 30 responsible for user policy management can be implemented as a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0047] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the 5GS system architecture according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2, the system architecture 200 may be composed of a UE, a (radio) access network ((R)AN: (Radio) Access Network), a core network (Core), and a data network (DN: Data Network). Here, the UE, (R)AN, and Core are the main components constituting the system architecture. Logically, they can be divided into two parts: a user plane and a control plane. The control plane is responsible for the management of the mobile network, and the user plane is responsible for the transmission of service data. As shown in Figure 2, the NG2 reference point is located between the (R)AN control plane and the Core control plane, the NG3 reference point is located between the (R)AN user plane and the Core user plane, and the NG6 reference point is located between the Core user plane and the data network. Here, The UE is an entry for mobile users to interact with the network. It provides basic computing capabilities and storage capabilities, displays a service window for the user, and can accept the user's operation input. The UE can use next-generation air interface technology to establish a signal connection and a data connection with the (R)AN, thereby transmitting control signals and service data to the mobile network.

[0048] Similar to the base station of a conventional network, the (R)AN is arranged close to the UE, provides a network access function for authorized users in a specific area, and can transmit user data using transmission tunnels of different qualities according to the user's level, service requirements, etc. The (R)AN manages its own resources, uses them reasonably, provides access services to the UE according to requests, and can transfer control signals and user data between the UE and the core network.

[0049] The Core is responsible for maintaining the contract data of the mobile network and managing the network elements of the mobile network, and provides functions such as session management, mobility management, policy management, and security authentication to the UE. When the UE is in the connected state, it provides network access authentication to the UE. When there is a service request from the UE, it allocates network resources for the UE. When the UE moves, it updates the network resources for the UE. When the UE is in the idle state, it provides a fast recovery mechanism for the UE. When the UE is in the disconnected state, it releases the network resources for the UE. When the UE has service data, it provides the UE with data routing functions such as transferring uplink data to the DN or receiving the UE's downlink data from the DN and transferring it to the (R)AN for transmission to the UE.

[0050] The DN is a data network that provides services to users. Generally, the client is in the UE and the server is in the data network. The data network may be a private network such as a LAN, or an external network not under the operator's management such as the Internet, or a private network jointly deployed by operators to constitute an IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem (IMS) service.

[0051] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the detailed system architecture determined based on Figure 2. Here, the core network user plane includes the User Plane Function (UPF), and the core network control plane includes the Authentication Server Function (AUSF), the Core Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), the Session Management Function (SMF), the Unified Data Management (UDM), the PCF, and the Application Function (AF). The functions of these functional entities are as follows.

[0052] The UPF executes the transfer of user packets according to the routing rules of the SMF. AUSF: Execute the security authentication of the UE. AMF: Manage the access and mobility of the UE. SMF: Manage the UE session. UDM: Manage the user contract context. PCF: Manage the user policy. AF: Manage the user application.

[0053] In the system architecture shown in FIG. 3, the Uu interface is the reference point between the UE and the (R)AN. The UE establishes an access layer connection with the (R)AN via the Uu interface and conducts interaction via access layer messages and wireless data transmission. The N1 interface is the reference point between the UE and the AMF. The UE establishes a non-access stratum (NAS) connection with the AMF via the N1 interface and interacts via NAS messages. The N2 interface is the reference point between the (R)AN and the AMF and is used for transmitting NAS messages, etc. The N3 interface is the reference point between the (R)AN and the UPF and is used for transmitting user plane data. The N4 interface is the reference point between the SMF and the UPF and is used for transmitting information such as tunnel identification information for the N3 connection, data caching instruction information, and downlink data notification messages. The N6 interface is the reference point between the UPF and the DN and is used for transmitting user plane data, etc.

[0054] Note that the names of the interfaces between the network elements in FIGS. 2 and 3 are merely examples. The names of the interfaces in specific implementations may be other names and the embodiments of the present application are not particularly limited thereto. The names of the network elements (such as UPF, PCF, etc.) included in FIGS. 2 and 3 are also merely examples and do not limit the functions of the network elements themselves. In 5G and other future networks, the above network elements may have other names and the embodiments of the present application are not particularly limited thereto. For example, in a 6G network, some or all of the above network elements may use the 5G terms as they are or may use other names. Here, they are uniformly described and will not be repeatedly described below. Also, the names of the messages (or signaling) transmitted between the above network elements are merely examples and do not limit the functions of the messages themselves.

[0055] 3GPP introduced the concept of relay communication into the R13 ProSe architecture. A relay communication system includes at least two terminal devices (UE: User Equipment) with ProSe capabilities. These UEs can usually be classified into two types: a UE that provides relay services and a UE that uses relay services. A UE with ProSe capabilities can establish direct communication with another UE with ProSe capabilities via the PC5 interface.

[0056] When the relay communication system is implemented such that a UE accesses the network via a relay, when one UE not only has the function of connecting to an external data network via a network such as 5G but also has ProSe capabilities, this UE can provide relay services. That is, this UE functions as a Relay UE in the relay communication system. In the relay communication system, other UEs in the network access through this UE and use the relay services provided by this UE. That is, other UEs function as Remote UEs in the relay communication system. Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a relay communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. In this relay communication system, a remote terminal device (Remote UE) accesses the network via a relay terminal device (Relay UE). As shown in FIG. 4, the remote terminal device can establish direct communication with the relay terminal device via the PC5 interface and realize interaction with the external network via the PDU session established between the relay terminal device and a network such as 5G.

[0057] The relay communication process in which a Remote UE accesses the network via a Relay UE can adopt different relay modes. In one example, based on the relay communication system shown in FIG. 4, the relay communication includes a layer 3-based relay mode (also called "Layer-3 UE-to-Network Relays") and a layer 2-based relay mode (also called "Layer 2 UE-to-Network Relays").

[0058] Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a user plane protocol stack for layer 3-based relay according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5, a PDU session is established between the Relay UE and a user plane function entity (UPF) that provides services to the Relay UE. After the data of the Remote UE is transmitted to the Relay UE via the PC5 interface, it is transferred to the external network via the PDU session established between the Relay UE and the UPF by the Relay UE.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a user plane protocol stack for layer 2-based relay according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 6, the Relay UE relays only air interface data between the Remote UE and a network device (gNB) that provides services to the Remote UE, establishes a PDU session between the Remote UE and a user plane function entity (UPF) that provides services to the Remote UE, and the data of the Remote UE is transferred to the external network via the PDU session established between the Remote UE and the UPF.

[0060] When a relay communication system is implemented such that a plurality of UEs perform service interaction via a relay, when one UE provides communication relay for at least two UEs and can establish direct communication with these at least two UEs via a PC5 interface respectively, this UE can provide a relay service, that is, this UE functions as a Relay UE in the relay communication system. In the relay communication system, other UEs that establish direct communication with this UE via a PC5 interface respectively use the relay service provided by this UE. Referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a relay communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. In this relay communication system, on the one hand, the relay terminal device (Relay UE) establishes direct communication with UE1 with Prose function via a PC5 interface, and on the other hand, it establishes direct communication with UE2 with Prose function via a PC5 interface. Thereby, UE1 and UE2 can perform service interaction via the relay terminal device.

[0061] Relay communication processes in which a plurality of UEs realize service interaction by means of a relay can also adopt different relay modes. In one example, based on the relay communication system shown in FIG. 7, relay communication includes a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a user plane protocol stack of layer 3-based relay according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 8, direct communication is established between the Relay UE and UE2 via a PC5 interface. After the data of UE1 is transmitted to the Relay UE via the PC5 interface, it is transferred by the Relay UE to UE2 via the PC5 interface between the Relay UE and UE2.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a user plane protocol stack for layer 2 - based relay according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 9, the Relay UE relays only the data of the protocol layers below the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) between UE1 and UE2. From the perspective of the non - access stratum, UE1 interacts directly with UE2 via the PC5 interface.

[0064] In some implementations, the relay modes available for different UEs with Prose functions in the relay communication process are different. For a relay communication system implemented such that a UE accesses the network via a relay, when the relay modes used by the Remote UE and the Relay UE are different, the relay communication connection cannot be correctly established. For a relay communication system implemented such that multiple UEs realize service interaction via a relay, when the relay modes used by UE1, UE2, and the Relay UE are different, the relay communication connection also cannot be correctly established. Therefore, in the relay communication process, further consideration and research are required on how a UE with Prose function clarifies the connection mode of relay communication (including its own relay mode and / or the relay modes of other UEs).

[0065] Based on this, the embodiments of the present application provide a method for configuring a relay mode and a relay communication method to solve the above - mentioned technical problems. Hereinafter, the technical solutions of the present application will be described with reference to some embodiments.

[0066] Note that the "relay mode" described in the embodiments of the present application refers to the connection mode of relay communication. In some implementations, the "relay mode" may also be referred to as the "relay connection mode" or the "relay communication mode", and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. For the sake of simplicity of description, in the following embodiments, the connection mode of relay communication is collectively referred to as the "relay mode".

[0067] Referring to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method for configuring a relay mode according to an embodiment of the present application. The method can be applied to the communication system shown in FIG. 1 above. The method may include at least a part of the following steps.

[0068] In step 1010, the core network device transmits first configuration information to the terminal device, and the first configuration information includes at least one relay mode configured by the core network device for the terminal device.

[0069] The terminal device is a device with Prose function. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of the terminal device. In one example, the terminal device is a terminal device that provides a relay service. Optionally, the terminal device that provides a relay service can be implemented as a Relay UE. In another example, the terminal device is a terminal device that uses a relay service. Optionally, for the relay communication process in which the UE accesses the network through a relay, the terminal device that uses a relay service can be implemented as a Remote UE. For the communication process in which multiple UEs realize service interaction through a relay, the terminal device that uses a relay service can be implemented as multiple UEs that cannot directly establish communication through the PC5 interface.

[0070] In order to clarify the relay communication mode for a terminal device with Prose function, the core network device transmits first configuration information including at least one relay mode configured by the core network device for the terminal device to the terminal device. Thereby, the terminal device can execute a subsequent relay communication process using the relay mode configured by the core network device for the terminal device. Optionally, the core network device includes a PCF. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the transmission method of the first configuration information. In one example, the first configuration information is independent of other information. For example, the core network device transmits the first configuration information to the terminal device alone. In another example, the first configuration information is carried by other information transmitted by the core network device to the terminal device, thereby avoiding an increase in the number of exchange messages between the core network device and the terminal device. Optionally, when the first configuration information is carried by other information transmitted by the core network device to the terminal device, the first configuration information is carried by Prose configuration information, or the first configuration information is carried by URSP (User Equipment Routing Policy) configuration information.

[0071] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of at least one relay mode included in the first configuration information. Optionally, the at least one relay mode includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode. Of course, the at least one relay mode configured by the core network device for the terminal device may also include other types of relay modes. For example, the at least one relay mode may further include a relay mode based on a Non-3GPP Inter Working Function (N3IWF) (also referred to as "N3IWF-based relay"). With the development of communication technologies, it is also possible to propose new types of relay modes, and all of these are considered to be included in the protection scope of the present application.

[0072] As can be understood from the above description, the first configuration information is configuration information used to configure the relay mode for the terminal device. In the embodiments of the present application, in addition to at least one relay mode, the first configuration information may further include other information related to at least one relay mode, for example, usage condition information corresponding to each relay mode, instruction information corresponding to each relay mode, and the like. Hereinafter, other information that may be included in the first configuration information will be described.

[0073] In one example, the first configuration information further includes a relay service code (RSC) corresponding to at least one relay mode respectively. That is, the core network device configures the mapping relationship between the relay mode and the RSC for the terminal device. Thereby, the terminal device determines the relay mode corresponding to the RSC or determines the RSC corresponding to the relay mode based on the first configuration information. As can be understood from the above description, since the terminal device in the relay communication process needs to use the same relay mode to ensure the normal progress of the relay communication, the terminal device not only needs to clarify its own corresponding relay mode, but also needs to clarify the relay mode corresponding to other terminal devices in the relay communication process to ensure that it can execute the relay communication using the same relay mode.

[0074] Based on this, optionally, as shown in FIG. 11, the method for configuring the relay mode further includes: step 1020 where another terminal device sends a first RSC to the terminal device; and step 1030 where the terminal device determines the relay mode of another terminal device corresponding to the first RSC based on the first configuration information. Here, the relay mode configured by the core network device for another terminal device includes the relay mode corresponding to the first RSC. In order to make the understanding of the relay mode corresponding to the RSC consistent between the terminal device and another terminal device, the core network device needs to keep the mapping relationship between the relay mode configured for different terminal devices and the RSC the same. Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 11, the core network device configures the same mapping relationship between the relay mode and the RSC for multiple terminal devices, and further, different terminal devices can understand the same relay mode for a certain RSC based on the mapping relationship configured by the core network device.

[0075] In the embodiments of the present application, for the solution where the core network device configures the relay mode for different terminal devices, the relay modes configured by the core network device for different terminal devices may be the same. For example, the relay modes configured by the core network device for all terminal devices may all be layer 2 - based relay modes and layer 3 - based relay modes, or the core network device may configure different relay modes for different terminal devices based on the functions of different terminal devices. For example, when a terminal device only supports a layer 2 - based relay mode, the relay mode configured by the core network device for the terminal device is a layer 2 - based relay mode.

[0076] Regarding the solution in which the core network device configures different relay modes for different terminal devices based on the functions of the different terminal devices, the terminal device first needs to report its own function to the core network device. Based on this, optionally, as shown in FIG. 12, before step 1010 above, the method further includes step 1000 in which the terminal device sends relay function information to the core network device, and the relay function information includes the relay modes supported by the terminal device. Optionally, the relay modes supported by the terminal device include at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode. Based on this, optionally, at least one relay mode configured by the core network device for the terminal device belongs to the relay modes supported by the terminal device, that is, the relay mode configured by the core network device for the terminal device conforms to the function of the terminal device.

[0077] In another example, the first configuration information further includes usage condition information respectively corresponding to at least one relay mode, and the usage condition information corresponding to a certain relay mode is used to indicate the conditions for using the relay mode. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the content of the usage condition information. Exemplarily, the usage condition information includes at least one of time information, area information, and service information. Here, the time information is used to indicate the time condition for using the relay mode, the area information is used to indicate the area condition for using the relay mode, and optionally, the area information includes at least one of an identifier corresponding to a PLMN, an identifier corresponding to a Timing Advance (TA), and an identifier corresponding to a geographical area (such as longitude information and / or latitude information), and the service information is used to indicate the service type for using the relay mode, and optionally, the service information includes at least one of a service type identifier and an RSC.

[0078] As described above, in the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application, by configuring the core network device to be in the relay mode for the terminal device with the Prose function, the terminal device can clarify the connection mode of the relay communication and ensure that the terminal device can realize the relay communication. Further, when the core network device configures the relay mode for the terminal device with the Prose function, it can also configure the RSC corresponding to the relay mode for the terminal device. Thereby, based on the configuration information sent from the core network device, the terminal device can determine the relay mode corresponding to the RSC in addition to determining the RSC corresponding to the relay mode. Further, the core network device configures the same mapping relationship between the relay mode and the RSC for a plurality of terminal devices. Thereby, when the terminal device receives the RSC from another terminal device in the subsequent relay communication process, based on the configuration information sent by the core network device, by clarifying the relay mode of the other terminal device corresponding to the RSC, the terminal device can use the same relay mode as the other terminal device to ensure the normal progress of the relay communication.

[0079] In addition, in the embodiments corresponding to FIGS. 10 to 12, the method for configuring the relay mode provided by the embodiments of the present application is described from the perspective of the interaction between the terminal device and the core network device. The steps executed by the above terminal device can be independently realized as a method for configuring the relay mode on the terminal device side, and the steps executed by the above core network device can be independently realized as a method for configuring the relay mode on the core network device side.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 13, FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a relay communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method can be applied to the relay communication system shown in FIG. 7 above. The method may include at least a part of the following steps.

[0081] In step 1310, based on the first relay mode, communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is realized via the relay terminal device. The first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device, and belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0082] The relay communication system in this embodiment includes a first terminal device, a relay terminal device, and a second terminal device. Here, the relay terminal device may directly establish communication with the first terminal device via the PC5 interface, or may directly establish communication with the second terminal device via the PC5 interface. However, the first terminal device and the second terminal device cannot directly establish communication via the PC5 interface. Thus, the service interaction between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is relayed via the relay terminal device.

[0083] As can be seen from the above description, in order to ensure the normal progress of relay communication, in the process of realizing communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via the relay terminal device, it is necessary to make the relay modes used by the first terminal device, the relay terminal device, and the second terminal device consistent. Based on this, the embodiment of the present application realizes communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via the relay terminal device based on the first relay mode. Here, the first relay mode is a relay mode commonly corresponding to the first terminal device, the relay terminal device, and the second terminal device. That is, the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device, and belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device. For the description of the determination process of the first relay mode and the like, reference can be made to the following embodiments, and it will not be repeatedly described here.

[0084] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of relay mode corresponding to each terminal device in the relay communication system. In one example, the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3 - based relay mode and a layer 2 - based relay mode. The relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3 - based relay mode and a layer 2 - based relay mode. The relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3 - based relay mode and a layer 2 - based relay mode. Of course, the relay mode corresponding to each terminal device may further include other types of relay modes, for example, a relay mode based on N3IWF. It should be noted that all of these are included in the protection scope of the present application.

[0085] Exemplarily, when the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device includes a layer 3 - based relay mode, the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device includes a layer 2 - based relay mode and a layer 3 - based relay mode, and the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device includes a layer 2 - based relay mode, a layer 3 - based relay mode, and a relay mode based on N31WF, when realizing the communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via the relay terminal device, it can be determined that the relay mode used by each terminal device is a layer 3 - based relay mode, that is, the above - mentioned first relay mode is a layer 3 - based relay mode.

[0086] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the determination method of the relay mode corresponding to each terminal device in the relay communication system. In one example, the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device includes either the relay mode supported by the first terminal device or the relay mode supported by the first terminal device and configured by the core network device for the first terminal device. The relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device includes either the relay mode supported by the relay terminal device or the relay mode supported by the relay terminal device and configured by the core network device for the relay terminal device. The relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device includes either the relay mode supported by the second terminal device or the relay mode supported by the second terminal device and configured by the core network device for the second terminal device.

[0087] As described above, in the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application, in a relay communication system where a plurality of terminal devices realize service interaction through relay, each terminal device executes the relay communication process using the same relay mode, thereby avoiding the inability to establish a relay connection due to inconsistent relay modes used by the terminal devices and ensuring the normal progress of the relay communication.

[0088] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the entity that determines the first relay mode. In one example, the first relay mode is determined by the first terminal device. For example, the first terminal device can obtain the relay modes corresponding to the relay terminal device and the second terminal device, and combine them with the relay mode corresponding to itself to determine the first relay mode. In another example, the first relay mode is determined by the second terminal device. For example, the second terminal device can obtain the relay modes corresponding to the relay terminal device and the first terminal device, and combine them with the relay mode corresponding to itself to determine the first relay mode. In yet another example, the first relay mode is determined by the relay terminal device. For example, the relay terminal device can obtain the relay modes corresponding to the first terminal device and the second terminal device, and combine them with the relay mode corresponding to itself to determine the first relay mode. In still another example, the first relay mode is directly configured by the core network device. For example, the core network device configures the same and unique relay mode for the first terminal device, the second terminal device, and the relay terminal device. Then, each terminal device can perform relay communication using the relay mode configured by the core network device.

[0089] Hereinafter, the solution in which the first relay mode is determined by the first terminal device and the solution in which the first relay mode is determined by the second terminal device will be described. It should be noted that after those skilled in the art understand the technical solution of the present application, they can easily conceive of the technical solution in which the first relay mode is determined by the relay terminal device, and these are also considered to be included in the protection scope of the present application. In actual applications, considering factors such as the number of interaction messages and processing overhead between each terminal device, the technical solution in which the first terminal device or the second terminal device determines the first relay mode can be adopted.

[0090] First, the technical solution in which the first terminal device determines the first relay mode will be described.

[0091] In a possible embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, before the above step 1310, the following steps are further included.

[0092] In step 1302, the second terminal device transmits second information to the relay terminal device, and the second information is used to indicate the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0093] In this embodiment, since the first relay mode is determined by the first terminal device, the second terminal device needs to transmit the relay mode corresponding to itself to the first terminal device. The second terminal device and the first terminal device cannot directly establish communication via the PC5 interface. Therefore, in order to achieve the purpose of information interaction with the first terminal device, the second terminal device needs to perform relaying via the relay terminal device.

[0094] Based on this, the second terminal device transmits second information to the relay terminal device, and the second information is used to indicate the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device. Regarding the specific transmission method of the second information, reference can be made to the following embodiments, and the description will not be repeated here. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the indication method of the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device. In one example, the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device is clearly indicated by the second information. For example, the second information includes parameter settings of the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device. In another example, the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device is implicitly indicated by the second information. For example, the second information includes the RSC corresponding to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device. When the second information includes the RSC corresponding to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device, the core network device can pre-configure the same mapping relationship between the relay mode and the RSC for each terminal device. For the specific configuration process, reference can be made to the corresponding embodiments in FIGS. 10 to 12, and the description will not be repeated here.

[0095] In step 1304, the relay terminal device transmits first information to the first terminal device, and the first information is used to indicate the second relay mode and is determined based on the second information.

[0096] Since the first relay mode is the relay mode used by each terminal device, the relay terminal device also needs to send the relay mode corresponding to itself to the first terminal device. In the present embodiment, after receiving the second information from the second terminal device, the relay terminal device determines the first information based on the second information and the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device itself, and notifies the first terminal device of the relay modes corresponding to the relay terminal device and the second terminal device by sending the first information to the first terminal device.

[0097] The first information sent by the relay terminal device is used to indicate the second relay mode. In one example, the second relay mode includes the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device. Exemplarily, after receiving the second information from the second terminal device, the relay terminal device obtains the first information by directly adding an instruction of the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device to the second information, and sends the first information to the first terminal device. In another example, the second relay mode includes the common relay mode among the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device. Exemplarily, after receiving the second information from the second terminal device, the relay terminal device determines the common relay mode between the second terminal device and the relay terminal device based on the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device indicated by the second information and the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device itself, and then obtains the first information based on the instruction of the common relay mode and sends the first information to the first terminal device.

[0098] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the indication method of the second relay mode. In one example, the second relay mode is clearly indicated by the first information. For example, the first information includes parameter settings corresponding to the second relay mode, etc. In another example, the second relay mode is implicitly indicated by the first information. For example, the first information includes an RSC corresponding to the second relay mode. When the first information includes an RSC corresponding to the second relay mode, the core network device can pre-configure the mapping relationship between the same relay mode and the RSC for each terminal device. For the specific configuration process, reference can be made to the corresponding embodiments in FIGS. 10 to 12, which will not be repeated here. Since the relay terminal device can directly establish communication with a plurality of second terminal devices via the PC5 interface, in order for the first terminal device to clarify the situation of the relay mode corresponding to each second terminal device and for the first terminal device to select an appropriate second terminal device from the plurality of second terminal devices for relay communication, the relay terminal device can receive the second information from the plurality of second terminal devices. Optionally, the first information further includes the identification information of the second terminal device, and the identification information of the second terminal device is used to identify the second terminal device.

[0099] In step 1306, the first terminal device determines the first relay mode based on the second relay mode and the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0100] After receiving the first information from the relay terminal device, the first terminal device clarifies the second relay mode indicated by the first information, and determines the first relay mode used in the relay communication process based on the second relay mode and the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device itself. Optionally, the first terminal device determines the common relay mode between the second relay mode and the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device as the first relay mode.

[0101] Hereinafter, the information transmission method will be described.

[0102] In one example, as shown in FIG. 15, the above steps 1302 to 1306 are respectively realized as the following steps (step 1302 is realized as step 1302A, step 1304 is realized as step 1304A, and step 1306 is realized as step 1306).

[0103] In step 1302A, the second terminal device broadcasts second broadcast information, the second information is carried by the second broadcast information, or in the process of the second terminal device registering with the relay terminal device, the second terminal device transmits the second information to the relay terminal device, or in the process of the second terminal device establishing a connection with the relay terminal device, the second terminal device transmits the second information to the relay terminal device.

[0104] The second terminal device can broadcast the second information by carrying it in the second broadcast information, so that when the relay terminal device detects the second broadcast information of the second terminal device, it receives the second information. Or, when the second terminal device registers with the relay terminal device, it can transmit the second information to the relay terminal device. Or, in the process of the second terminal device establishing a connection with the relay terminal device, it can transmit the second information to the relay terminal device.

[0105] In step 1304A, the relay terminal device broadcasts first broadcast information, and the first information is carried by the first broadcast information.

[0106] After receiving the second information from the second terminal device, the relay terminal device determines the first information based on the second information and the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device itself, and broadcasts the first information by carrying it in the first broadcast information, so that when the first terminal device detects the first broadcast information of the relay terminal device, it receives the first information.

[0107] In step 1306, the first terminal device determines the first relay mode based on the second relay mode and the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0108] In another example, as shown in FIG. 16, the above steps 1302 and 1304 are respectively realized as the following steps (step 1302 is realized as steps 1302B and 1302C, step 1304 is realized as steps 1304B and 1304C, and step 1306 is realized as step 1306).

[0109] In step 1304B, the first terminal device broadcasts a first discovery request.

[0110] The first terminal device broadcasts a first discovery request during the device discovery process, and the first discovery request is used to request the discovery of the relay terminal device of the corresponding relay service and the second terminal device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the content of the first discovery request. Optionally, the first discovery request may include a service type identifier of the relay service, an RSC of the relay service, a device identifier of the first terminal device, and the like.

[0111] In step 1302B, the relay terminal device broadcasts a second discovery request, and the second discovery request is determined based on the first discovery request.

[0112] When the relay terminal device detects the first discovery request of the first terminal device, it determines a second discovery request based on the first discovery request and broadcasts the second discovery request. Optionally, the relay terminal device can directly transfer the first discovery request of the first terminal device, that is, the second discovery request has the same content as the first discovery request, or the relay terminal device can obtain the second discovery request by increasing, decreasing, and / or formatting the content of the first discovery request, etc., and broadcast the second discovery request. For example, the relay terminal device obtains the second discovery request by adding its own device identifier to the first discovery request.

[0113] In step 1302C, the second terminal device sends a second discovery response to the relay terminal device, and the second information is carried in the second discovery response.

[0114] After the second terminal device detects the second discovery request of the relay terminal device, the second terminal device determines to communicate with the first terminal device through the relay terminal device. If the second terminal device also requests the relay service indicated by the discovery request, the second terminal device responds to the second discovery request of the relay terminal device by sending a second discovery response to the relay terminal device. When the second terminal device returns a second discovery response to the relay terminal device, the second information can be carried in the second discovery response.

[0115] In step 1304C, the relay terminal device sends a first discovery response to the first terminal device, and the first information is carried in the first discovery response.

[0116] After receiving the second discovery response, the relay terminal device analyzes the second information. Next, based on the second information and the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device itself, the relay terminal device determines the first information, carries the first information in the first discovery response, and returns it to the first terminal device, thereby responding to the first discovery request of the first terminal device.

[0117] In step 1306, the first terminal device determines the first relay mode based on the second relay mode and the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0118] Next, a technical solution for determining the first relay mode by the second terminal device will be described.

[0119] In a possible embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, before step 1310 described above, the following several steps are further included.

[0120] In step 1322, the first terminal device sends fourth information to the relay terminal device, and the fourth information is used to indicate the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0121] In this embodiment, in order for the second terminal device to determine the first relay mode, the first terminal device needs to send the relay mode corresponding to itself to the second terminal device. The first terminal device and the second terminal device cannot directly establish communication via the PC5 interface. Therefore, in order to achieve the purpose of information interaction with the second terminal device, the first terminal device needs to perform relay via a relay terminal device.

[0122] Based on this, the first terminal device sends fourth information to the relay terminal device, and the fourth information is used to indicate the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device. Regarding the specific transmission method of the fourth information, reference can be made to the following embodiments, and it will not be repeatedly described here. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the indication method of the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device. In one example, the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device is clearly indicated by the fourth information. For example, the fourth information includes parameter settings of the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device. In another example, the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device is implicitly indicated by the fourth information. For example, the fourth information includes the RSC corresponding to the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device. When the fourth information includes the RSC corresponding to the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the core network device can pre-configure the same mapping relationship between the relay mode and the RSC for each terminal device. For the specific configuration process, reference can be made to the corresponding embodiments in FIGS. 10 to 12, and it will not be repeatedly described here.

[0123] In step 1324, the relay terminal device sends fifth information to the second terminal device, and the fifth information is used to indicate the third relay mode and is determined based on the fourth information.

[0124] Since the first relay mode is the relay mode used by each terminal device, the relay terminal device also needs to send the relay mode corresponding to itself to the second terminal device. In this embodiment, after receiving the fourth information from the first terminal device, the relay terminal device determines the fifth information based on the fourth information and the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device itself, and sends the fifth information to the second terminal device, thereby notifying the second terminal device of the relay modes corresponding to the relay terminal device and the first terminal device.

[0125] The fifth information sent by the relay terminal device is used to indicate the third relay mode. In one example, the third relay mode includes the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device. Exemplarily, after receiving the fourth information of the first terminal device, the relay terminal device obtains the fifth information by directly adding an instruction of the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device to the fourth information, and sends the fifth information to the second terminal device. In another example, the third relay mode includes the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and the common relay mode among the relay modes corresponding to the first terminal device. Exemplarily, after receiving the fourth information from the first terminal device, the relay terminal device determines the common relay mode of the first terminal device and the relay terminal device based on the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device indicated by the fourth information and the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device itself. Next, the fifth information is obtained according to the instruction of the common relay mode, and the fifth information is sent to the second terminal device.

[0126] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the indication method of the third relay mode. In one example, the third relay mode is clearly indicated by the fifth information. For example, the fifth information includes parameter settings corresponding to the third relay mode, etc. In another example, the third relay mode is implicitly indicated by the fifth information. For example, the fifth information includes the RSC corresponding to the third relay mode. When the fifth information includes the RSC corresponding to the third relay mode, the core network device can pre-configure the mapping relationship between the same relay mode and the RSC for each terminal device. The specific configuration process can refer to the corresponding embodiments in FIGS. 10 to 12, and will not be repeated here. Since the relay terminal device can directly establish communication with a plurality of first terminal devices via the PC5 interface, in order for the second terminal device to clarify the relay mode situation corresponding to each first terminal device and for the second terminal device to select an appropriate first terminal device from the plurality of first terminal devices for relay communication, the relay terminal device can receive the fourth information from the plurality of first terminal devices. Optionally, the fifth information further includes the identification information of the first terminal device, and the identification information of the first terminal device is used to identify the first terminal device.

[0127] In step 1326, the second terminal device determines the first relay mode based on the third relay mode and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0128] After receiving the fifth information from the relay terminal device, the second terminal device clarifies the third relay mode indicated by the fifth information, and determines the first relay mode used in the relay communication process based on the third relay mode and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device itself. Optionally, the second terminal device determines the common relay mode among the third relay mode and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device as the first relay mode.

[0129] In step 1328, the second terminal device transmits the third information to the relay terminal device, and the third information is used to indicate the first relay mode.

[0130] After determining the first relay mode, the second terminal device indicates the first relay mode to the first terminal device, so that the first terminal device can subsequently communicate with the second terminal device via the relay terminal device based on the first relay mode. Since the second terminal device and the first terminal device cannot directly establish communication via the PC5 interface, the second terminal device first needs to send the third information to the relay terminal device, and the relay terminal device transfers the third information to the first terminal device.

[0131] Here, the third information is used to indicate the first relay mode. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the indication method of the first relay mode. In one example, the first relay mode is clearly indicated by the third information. For example, the third information includes parameter settings corresponding to the first relay mode, etc. In another example, the first relay mode is implicitly indicated by the third information. For example, the third information includes the RSC corresponding to the first relay mode. When the third information includes the RSC corresponding to the first relay mode, the core network device can pre-configure the same mapping relationship between the relay mode and the RSC for each terminal device. The specific configuration process can refer to the corresponding embodiments in FIGS. 10 to 12 and will not be described repeatedly here.

[0132] In step 1320, the relay terminal device sends the third information to the first terminal device.

[0133] After receiving the third information from the second terminal device, the relay terminal device can indicate the first relay mode by transferring the third information to the first terminal device.

[0134] Below, the information transmission method will be described.

[0135] In one example, as shown in FIG. 18, the above steps 1322 to 1320 are respectively realized as the following steps (step 1322 is realized as step 1322A, step 1324 is realized as step 1324A, step 1326 is realized as step 1326, step 1328 is realized as step 1328A, and step 1320 is realized as step 1320A).

[0136] In step 1322A, the first terminal device broadcasts a third discovery request, and the fourth information is carried by the third discovery request.

[0137] The first terminal device broadcasts a third discovery request during the device discovery process, and the third discovery request is used to request the discovery of the relay terminal device of the corresponding relay service and the second terminal device. Since the first terminal device needs to indicate the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device to the second terminal device, the first terminal device carries the fourth information in the third discovery request, and the fourth information is used to indicate the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0138] In step 1324A, the relay terminal device broadcasts a fourth discovery request, and the fifth information is carried by the fourth discovery request.

[0139] When the relay terminal device detects the third discovery request of the first terminal device, it receives the fourth information, then determines the fifth information based on the fourth information and the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device itself, and broadcasts the fifth information carried by the fourth discovery request.

[0140] In step 1326, the second terminal device determines the first relay mode based on the third relay mode and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0141] When the second terminal device detects the fourth discovery request of the relay terminal device, it receives the fifth information. As a result, the second terminal device determines the first relay mode based on the third relay mode indicated by the fifth information and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device itself.

[0142] In step 1328A, the second terminal device transmits a fourth discovery response to the relay terminal device, and the third information is carried in the fourth discovery response.

[0143] The second terminal device responds to the fourth discovery request of the relay terminal device by carrying the third information indicating the first relay mode in the fourth discovery response and replying the fourth discovery response to the relay terminal device.

[0144] In step 1320A, the relay terminal device transmits a third discovery response to the first terminal device, and the third information is carried in the third discovery response.

[0145] After receiving the fourth discovery response from the second terminal device, the relay terminal device responds to the third discovery request of the first terminal device by transmitting the third discovery response carrying the third information to the first terminal device. Optionally, the relay terminal device directly forwards the fourth discovery response to the first terminal device, that is, the content of the fourth discovery response is the same as that of the third discovery response, or the relay terminal device obtains the third discovery response by increasing, decreasing, and / or formatting the content of the fourth discovery response and transmits the third discovery response to the first terminal device.

[0146] In another example, as shown in FIG. 19, the above steps 1322 to 1320 are respectively realized as the following steps (step 1322 is realized as step 1322B, step 1324 is realized as step 1324B, step 1326 is realized as step 1326, step 1328 is realized as step 1328B, and step 1320 is realized as step 1320B).

[0147] In step 1322B, the first terminal device broadcasts a first connection establishment request, and the fourth information is carried in the first connection establishment request.

[0148] In actual applications, the first terminal device may directly start establishing a connection without executing the device discovery process. When the first terminal device directly starts establishing a connection, the first terminal device can broadcast a first connection establishment request. Since the first relay mode is determined by the second terminal device, the first terminal device needs to indicate the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device to the second terminal device, whereby the first terminal device can carry the fourth information in the broadcast first connection establishment request, and the fourth information is used to indicate the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0149] In step 1324B, the relay terminal device broadcasts a second connection establishment request, and the fifth information is carried in the second connection establishment request.

[0150] When the relay terminal device detects the first connection establishment request from the first terminal device, it analyzes the fourth information, and then determines the third relay mode based on the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device indicated by the fourth information and the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device itself, and broadcasts the fifth information indicating the third relay mode in the second connection establishment request.

[0151] In step 1326, the second terminal device determines the first relay mode based on the third relay mode and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0152] When the second terminal device detects the second connection establishment request from the relay terminal device, it analyzes the fifth information, and then determines the first relay mode based on the third relay mode indicated by the fifth information and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device itself.

[0153] In step 1328B, the second terminal device sends a second connection establishment response to the relay terminal device, and the third information is carried in the second connection establishment request.

[0154] The second terminal device responds to the second connection establishment request of the relay terminal device by carrying the third information indicating the first relay mode in the second connection establishment request and replying the second connection establishment response to the relay terminal device.

[0155] In step 1320B, the relay terminal device transmits a first connection establishment response to the first terminal device, and the third information is carried in the first connection establishment response.

[0156] After receiving the second connection establishment response from the second terminal device, the relay terminal device responds to the first connection establishment request of the first terminal device by transmitting a first connection establishment response carrying the third information to the first terminal device. Optionally, the relay terminal device directly transfers the second connection establishment response to the first terminal device, that is, the contents of the first connection establishment response and the second connection establishment response are the same, or the relay terminal device obtains the first connection establishment response by increasing, decreasing, and / or formatting the content of the second connection establishment response, and transmits the first connection establishment response to the first terminal device.

[0157] In the embodiments corresponding to FIGS. 13 to 19, the relay communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application has been described from the perspective of the interaction among the first terminal device, the relay terminal device, and the second terminal device. The steps executed by the above first terminal device can be independently realized as the relay communication method on the first terminal device side, the steps executed by the above relay terminal device can be independently realized as the relay communication method on the relay terminal device side, and the steps executed by the above second terminal device can be independently realized as the relay communication method on the second terminal device side.

[0158] The following are the device embodiments of the present application, which can be used to execute the method embodiments of the present application. For details not disclosed in the device embodiments of the present application, reference can be made to the method embodiments of the present application.

[0159] Referring to FIG. 20, FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a relay mode configuration device according to an embodiment of the present application. The device has the function of implementing the above method example on the terminal device side, and the function may be implemented by hardware or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The device may be the terminal device described in the embodiment of FIG. 1 or may be provided in the terminal device. As shown in FIG. 20, the device 2000 may include a configuration information receiving module 2010.

[0160] The configuration information receiving module 2010 is configured to receive first configuration information from a core network device, where the first configuration information includes at least one relay mode configured by the core network device for the terminal device, and the terminal device is a device equipped with a Prose (Proximity Services) function.

[0161] In one example, the first configuration information further includes an RSC (Radio Resource Configuration) corresponding to each of the at least one relay mode.

[0162] In one example, as shown in FIG. 21, the device 2000 further includes a service code receiving module 2020 configured to receive a first RSC from another terminal device, and a relay mode determining module 2030 configured to determine the relay mode of the other terminal device corresponding to the first RSC based on the first configuration information.

[0163] In one example, the first configuration information further includes usage condition information corresponding to each of the at least one relay mode.

[0164] In one example, the usage condition information includes at least one of time information, area information, and service information.

[0165] In one example, the area information includes at least one of an identifier corresponding to a PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network), an identifier corresponding to a TA (Tracking Area), and an identifier corresponding to a geographical area.

[0166] In one example, the at least one relay mode includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode.

[0167] In one example, the first configuration information is carried by Prose configuration information, or the first configuration information is carried by URSP configuration information.

[0168] In one example, as shown in FIG. 21, the apparatus 2000 further includes a function information transmission module 2040 configured to transmit relay function information to the core network device, where the relay function information includes the relay modes supported by the terminal device.

[0169] In one example, the relay modes supported by the terminal device include at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode.

[0170] In one example, the at least one relay mode belongs to the relay modes supported by the terminal device.

[0171] In one example, the terminal device is a terminal device that provides a relay service, or the terminal device is a terminal device that uses a relay service.

[0172] In one example, the core network device configures the mapping relationship between the same relay mode and the RSC for a plurality of the terminal devices.

[0173] As described above, in the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application, by configuring the core network device to be in a relay mode for a terminal device with the Prose function, the terminal device can clarify the connection mode of the relay communication and ensure that the terminal device can realize the relay communication. Further, when the core network device configures the relay mode for a terminal device with the Prose function, it can also configure an RSC corresponding to the relay mode for the terminal device. Thereby, based on the configuration information sent by the core network device, the terminal device can determine the relay mode corresponding to the RSC in addition to determining the RSC corresponding to the relay mode. Further, the core network device configures the same mapping relationship between the relay mode and the RSC for a plurality of terminal devices. Thereby, when a terminal device receives the RSC from another terminal device in a subsequent relay communication process, based on the configuration information sent by the core network device, by clarifying the relay mode of the other terminal device corresponding to the RSC, the terminal device can use the same relay mode as the other terminal device to ensure the normal progress of the relay communication.

[0174] Referring to FIG. 22, FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a relay mode configuration device according to an embodiment of the present application. The device has a function of implementing the above method example on the core network device side, and the function may be implemented by hardware or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The device may be the core network device described in the embodiment of FIG. 1 above, or may be provided in the core network device. As shown in FIG. 22, the device 2200 may include a configuration information transmission module 2210.

[0175] The configuration information transmission module 2210 is configured to transmit first configuration information to a terminal device, where the first configuration information includes at least one relay mode configured by the core network device for the terminal device, and the terminal device is a device with the Prose function.

[0176] In one example, the first configuration information further includes RSCs respectively corresponding to the at least one relay mode.

[0177] In one example, the first configuration information further includes usage condition information respectively corresponding to the at least one relay mode.

[0178] In one example, the usage condition information includes at least one of time information, area information, and service information.

[0179] In one example, the area information includes at least one of an identifier corresponding to a PLMN, an identifier corresponding to a TA, and an identifier corresponding to a geographical area.

[0180] In one example, the at least one relay mode includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode.

[0181] In one example, the first configuration information is carried by Prose configuration information, or the first configuration information is carried by URSP configuration information.

[0182] In one example, as shown in FIG. 23, the apparatus 2200 further includes a function information receiving module 2220 configured to receive relay function information from the terminal device, and the relay function information includes a relay mode supported by the terminal device.

[0183] In one example, the relay mode supported by the terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode.

[0184] In one example, the at least one relay mode belongs to the relay mode supported by the terminal device.

[0185] In one example, the terminal device is a terminal device that provides a relay service, or the terminal device is a terminal device that uses a relay service.

[0186] In one example, the core network device configures the mapping relationship between the same relay mode and the RSC for a plurality of the terminal devices.

[0187] As described above, in the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application, by configuring the relay mode for the terminal device with the Prose function by the core network device, the terminal device clarifies the connection mode of the relay communication and ensures that the terminal device can realize the relay communication. Further, when the core network device configures the relay mode for the terminal device with the Prose function, it can also configure the RSC corresponding to the relay mode for the terminal device. Thereby, in addition to determining the relay mode corresponding to the RSC based on the configuration information sent by the core network device, the terminal device can also determine the RSC corresponding to the relay mode. Further, the core network device configures the mapping relationship between the same relay mode and the RSC for a plurality of terminal devices. Thereby, when the terminal device receives the RSC from another terminal device in the subsequent relay communication process, based on the configuration information sent by the core network device, by clarifying the relay mode of the other terminal device corresponding to the RSC, the terminal device can use the same relay mode as the other terminal device to ensure the normal progress of the relay communication.

[0188] Referring to FIG. 24, FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a relay communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The device has a function of implementing the above method example on the first terminal device side, and the function may be implemented by hardware or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The device may be the first terminal device described in the embodiment of FIG. 7 or may be provided in the first terminal device. As shown in FIG. 24, the device 2400 may further include a first communication module 2410.

[0189] The first communication module 2410 is configured to realize communication with a second terminal device via a relay terminal device based on a first relay mode, where the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device, and the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0190] In one example, as shown in FIG. 25, the apparatus 2400 further includes a first information receiving module 2420 configured to receive first information from the relay terminal device, where the first information is used to indicate a second relay mode, the first information receiving module 2420, the second relay mode, and a relay mode determining module 2430 configured to determine the first relay mode based on the second relay mode and the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0191] In one example, the second relay mode includes the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0192] In one example, the second relay mode includes a common relay mode among the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0193] In one example, the first information further includes identification information of the second terminal device, and the identification information of the second terminal device is used to identify the second terminal device.

[0194] In one example, as shown in FIG. 25, the first information receiving module 2420 is configured to receive first broadcast information from the relay terminal device, and the first information is carried by the first broadcast information.

[0195] In one example, as shown in FIG. 25, the first information receiving module 2420 is configured to broadcast a first discovery request and receive a first discovery response from the relay terminal device, and the first information is carried by the first discovery response.

[0196] In one example, the first information includes an RSC corresponding to the second relay mode.

[0197] In one example, as shown in FIG. 25, the apparatus 2400 further includes a fourth information transmission module 2440 configured to transmit fourth information to the relay terminal device, where the fourth information is used to indicate a relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, and a third information reception module 2450 configured to receive third information from the relay terminal device, where the third information is used to indicate the first relay mode.

[0198] In one example, as shown in FIG. 25, the fourth information transmission module 2440 is configured to broadcast a third discovery request, the fourth information is carried by the third discovery request, the third information reception module 2450 is configured to receive a third discovery response from the relay terminal device, and the third information is carried by the third discovery response.

[0199] In one example, as shown in FIG. 25, the fourth information transmission module 2440 is configured to broadcast a first connection establishment request, the fourth information is carried by the first connection establishment request, the third information reception module 2450 is configured to receive a first connection establishment response from the relay terminal device, and the third information is carried by the first connection establishment response.

[0200] In one example, the fourth information includes an RSC corresponding to a relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, and the third information includes an RSC corresponding to the first relay mode.

[0201] In one example, the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3 - based relay mode and a layer 2 - based relay mode. The relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3 - based relay mode and a layer 2 - based relay mode. The relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3 - based relay mode and a layer 2 - based relay mode.

[0202] In one example, the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device includes either the relay mode supported by the first terminal device or the relay mode supported by the first terminal device and configured by the core network device for the first terminal device. The relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device includes either the relay mode supported by the relay terminal device or the relay mode supported by the relay terminal device and configured by the core network device for the relay terminal device. The relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device includes either the relay mode supported by the second terminal device or the relay mode supported by the second terminal device and configured by the core network device for the second terminal device.

[0203] As described above, in the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application, in a relay communication system where a plurality of terminal devices realize service interaction through relay, by each terminal device executing the relay communication process using a matching relay mode, it is avoided that the relay connection cannot be established due to the mismatch of the relay modes used by the terminal devices, and the normal progress of the relay communication is guaranteed.

[0204] Referring to FIG. 26, FIG. 26 is a block diagram of a relay communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The device has a function of implementing the above-described method example on the relay terminal device side, and the function may be implemented by hardware or may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. The device may be the relay terminal device described in the embodiment of FIG. 7 above, or may be provided in the relay terminal device. As shown in FIG. 26, the device 2600 may include a relay communication module 2610.

[0205] The relay communication module 2610 is configured to implement communication between a first terminal device and a second terminal device via the relay terminal device based on a first relay mode. The first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device, and the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0206] In one example, as shown in FIG. 27, the device 2600 further includes a second information receiving module 2620 configured to receive second information from the second terminal device, where the second information is used to indicate the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device, and a first information transmitting module 2630 configured to transmit first information to the first terminal device, where the first information is used to indicate a second relay mode and the first information is determined based on the second information.

[0207] In one example, the second relay mode includes the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0208] In one example, the second relay mode includes a common relay mode among the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0209] In one example, the first information further includes identification information of the second terminal device, and the identification information of the second terminal device is used to identify the second terminal device.

[0210] In one example, the second information is carried by second broadcast information from the second terminal device, or the second information is transmitted by the second terminal device to the relay terminal device in a process of registering with the relay terminal device, or the second information is transmitted by the second terminal device to the relay terminal device in a process of establishing a connection between the second terminal device and the relay terminal device.

[0211] In one example, as shown in FIG. 27, the first information transmission module 2630 is configured to broadcast first broadcast information, and the first information is carried by the first broadcast information.

[0212] In one example, the second information reception module 2620 is configured to receive a first discovery request from the first terminal device, broadcast a second discovery request determined based on the first discovery request, and receive a second discovery response from the second terminal device, the second information is carried by the second discovery response, the first information transmission module 2630 is configured to transmit a first discovery response to the first terminal device, and the first information is carried by the first discovery response.

[0213] In one example, the second information includes an RSC corresponding to a relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device, and the first information includes an RSC corresponding to the second relay mode.

[0214] In one example, as shown in FIG. 27, the apparatus 2600 further includes a fourth information receiving module 2640 configured to receive fourth information from the first terminal device, where the fourth information is used to indicate a relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device; a fifth information transmitting module 2650 configured to transmit fifth information to the second terminal device, where the fifth information is used to indicate a third relay mode and is determined based on the fourth information; a third information receiving module 2660 configured to receive third information from the second terminal device, where the third information is used to indicate the first relay mode; and a third information transmitting module 2670 configured to transmit the third information to the first terminal device.

[0215] In one example, the third relay mode includes a relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and a relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0216] In one example, the third relay mode includes a common relay mode between the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0217] In one example, the fifth information further includes identification information of the first terminal device, and the identification information of the first terminal device is used to identify the first terminal device.

[0218] In one example, as shown in FIG. 27, the fourth information receiving module 2640 is configured to receive a third discovery request from the first terminal device, the fourth information is carried by the third discovery request, the fifth information transmitting module 2650 is configured to broadcast a fourth discovery request, the fifth information is carried by the fourth discovery request, the third information receiving module 2660 is configured to receive a fourth discovery response from the second terminal device, the third information is carried by the fourth discovery response, the third information transmitting module 2670 is configured to transmit a third discovery response to the first terminal device, and the third information is carried by the third discovery response.

[0219] In one example, as shown in FIG. 27, the fourth information receiving module 2640 is configured to receive a first connection establishment request from the first terminal device, the fourth information is carried by the first connection establishment request, the fifth information transmitting module 2650 is configured to broadcast a second connection establishment request, the fifth information is carried by the second connection establishment request, the third information receiving module 2660 is configured to receive a second connection establishment response from the second terminal device, the third information is carried by the second connection establishment response, the third information transmitting module 2670 is configured to transmit a first connection establishment response to the first terminal device, and the third information is carried by the first connection establishment response.

[0220] In one example, the fourth information includes an RSC corresponding to a relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the fifth information includes an RSC corresponding to the third relay mode, and the third information includes an RSC corresponding to the first relay mode.

[0221] In one example, the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode; the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode; and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode.

[0222] In one example, the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device includes either the relay mode supported by the first terminal device or the relay mode supported by the first terminal device and configured by the core network device for the first terminal device; the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device includes either the relay mode supported by the relay terminal device or the relay mode supported by the relay terminal device and configured by the core network device for the relay terminal device; and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device includes either the relay mode supported by the second terminal device or the relay mode supported by the second terminal device and configured by the core network device for the second terminal device.

[0223] As described above, in the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application, in a relay communication system where a plurality of terminal devices realize service interaction through relay, by each terminal device executing a relay communication process using a matching relay mode, it is avoided that a relay connection cannot be established due to a mismatch in the relay mode used by the terminal devices, thereby ensuring the normal progress of relay communication.

[0224] Referring to FIG. 28, FIG. 28 is a block diagram of a relay communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The device has a function of implementing the above-described method example on the second terminal device side, and the function may be implemented by hardware or may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. The device may be the second terminal device described in the embodiment of FIG. 7 above, or may be provided in the second terminal device. As shown in FIG. 28, the device 2800 may include a second communication module 2810.

[0225] The second communication module 2810 is configured to realize communication with the first terminal device via a relay terminal device based on a first relay mode. The first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device, and the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0226] In one example, as shown in FIG. 29, the device 2800 further includes a second information transmission module 2820 configured to transmit second information to the relay terminal device, and the second information is used to indicate the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0227] In one example, as shown in FIG. 29, the second information transmission module 2820 broadcasts second broadcast information carrying the second information, or transmits the second information to the relay terminal device in the process of registering the second terminal device with the relay terminal device, or transmits the second information to the relay terminal device in the process of establishing a connection between the second terminal device and the relay terminal device.

[0228] In one example, as shown in FIG. 29, the second information transmission module 2820 is configured to receive a second discovery request from the relay terminal device and transmit a second discovery response to the relay terminal device, and the second information is carried in the second discovery response.

[0229] In one example, the second information includes an RSC corresponding to a relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0230] In one example, as shown in FIG. 29, the apparatus 2800 further includes a fifth information receiving module 2830 configured to receive fifth information from the relay terminal device, where the fifth information is used to indicate a third relay mode, a relay mode determining module 2840 configured to determine the first relay mode based on the third relay mode and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device, and a third information transmitting module 2850 configured to transmit third information to the relay terminal device, where the third information is used to indicate the first relay mode.

[0231] In one example, the third relay mode includes a relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and a relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0232] In one example, the third relay mode includes a common relay mode between the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0233] In one example, the fifth information further includes identification information of the first terminal device, and the identification information of the first terminal device is used to identify the first terminal device.

[0234] In one example, as shown in FIG. 29, the fifth information receiving module 2830 is configured to receive a fourth discovery request from the relay terminal device, the fifth information is carried in the fourth discovery request, the third information transmitting module 2850 is configured to transmit a fourth discovery response to the relay terminal device, and the third information is carried in the fourth discovery response.

[0235] In one example, as shown in FIG. 29, the fifth information receiving module 2830 is configured to receive a second connection establishment request from the relay terminal device, the fifth information is carried in the second connection establishment request, the third information transmitting module 2850 is configured to transmit a second connection establishment response to the relay terminal device, and the third information is carried in the second connection establishment response.

[0236] In one example, the fifth information includes an RSC corresponding to the third relay mode, and the third information includes an RSC corresponding to the first relay mode.

[0237] In one example, the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode, the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode, and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode.

[0238] In one example, the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device includes either a relay mode supported by the first terminal device or a relay mode supported by the first terminal device and configured by the core network device for the first terminal device. The relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device includes either a relay mode supported by the relay terminal device or a relay mode supported by the relay terminal device and configured by the core network device for the relay terminal device. The relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device includes either a relay mode supported by the second terminal device or a relay mode supported by the second terminal device and configured by the core network device for the second terminal device.

[0239] As described above, in the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application, in a relay communication system where a plurality of terminal devices realize service interaction through relay, each terminal device executes a relay communication process using a matching relay mode, thereby avoiding the inability to establish a relay connection due to a mismatch in the relay mode used by the terminal devices and ensuring the normal progress of relay communication.

[0240] It should be noted that the device provided in the above embodiment is described by taking only the division of the above functional modules as an example. In actual applications, if necessary, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules to be completed, that is, by dividing the internal structure of the device into different functional modules, all or part of the above functions can be completed.

[0241] Regarding the device of the above embodiment, the specific method for each module of the device to execute operations has been described in detail in the embodiments related to the above method, so it will not be described in detail here.

[0242] FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device 300 according to an embodiment of the present application. For example, the terminal device executes the above-described method for configuring the relay mode on the terminal device side. Specifically, the terminal device 300 can include a processor 301 and a transceiver 302 connected to the processor 301. The processor 301 includes one or more processing cores. The processor 301 performs various functional applications and information processing by executing software programs and modules.

[0243] The transceiver 302 includes a receiver and a transmitter. Optionally, the transceiver 302 is a communication chip.

[0244] In one example, the terminal device 300 further includes a memory and a bus. The memory is connected to the processor via the bus. The memory can be used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to implement each step executed by the terminal device in the embodiment of the above method by executing the computer program.

[0245] Also, the memory can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof. The volatile or non-volatile storage device includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other solid-state memory device technologies, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital video disc (DVD) or other optical storage, tape cartridge, tape, disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices.

[0246] The transceiver 302 is configured to receive first configuration information from the core network device. The first configuration information includes at least one relay mode configured by the core network device for the terminal device. The terminal device is a device with a Prose (Proximity Services) function.

[0247] In one example, the first configuration information further includes an RSC corresponding to each of the at least one relay mode.

[0248] In one example, the transceiver 302 is configured to receive a first RSC from another terminal device, and the processor 301 is configured to determine a relay mode of the other terminal device corresponding to the first RSC based on the first configuration information.

[0249] In one example, the first configuration information further includes usage condition information respectively corresponding to the at least one relay mode.

[0250] In one example, the usage condition information includes at least one of time information, area information, and service information.

[0251] In one example, the area information includes at least one of an identifier corresponding to a PLMN, an identifier corresponding to a TA, and an identifier corresponding to a geographical area.

[0252] In one example, the at least one relay mode includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode.

[0253] In one example, the first configuration information is carried by Prose configuration information, or the first configuration information is carried by URSP configuration information.

[0254] In one example, the transceiver 302 is configured to transmit relay function information to the core network device, and the relay function information includes a relay mode supported by the terminal device.

[0255] In one example, the relay mode supported by the terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode.

[0256] In one example, the at least one relay mode belongs to the relay mode supported by the terminal device.

[0257] In one example, the terminal device is a terminal device that provides a relay service, or the terminal device is a terminal device that uses a relay service.

[0258] In one example, the core network device configures a mapping relationship between the same relay mode and the RSC for a plurality of the terminal devices.

[0259] Referring to FIG. 31, FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a core network device 310 according to an embodiment of the present application. For example, the core network device executes the above-described method for configuring the relay mode on the core network device side. Specifically, the core network device 310 can include a processor 311 and a transceiver 312 connected to the processor 311. The processor 311 includes one or more processing cores. The processor 311 performs various functional applications and information processing by executing software programs and modules.

[0260] The transceiver 312 includes a receiver and a transmitter. Optionally, the transceiver 312 is a communication chip.

[0261] In one example, the core network device 310 further includes a memory and a bus. The memory is connected to the processor via the bus. The memory can be used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to implement each step executed by the core network device in the embodiment of the above method by executing the computer program.

[0262] Also, the memory can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof. The volatile or non-volatile storage device includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid-state storage device technologies, CD-ROM, DVD or other optical storage, tape cartridges, tapes, disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices.

[0263] The transceiver 312 is configured to transmit first configuration information to the terminal device, and the first configuration information includes at least one relay mode configured by the core network device for the terminal device, and the terminal device is a device with Prose function.

[0264] In one example, the first configuration information further includes RSCs respectively corresponding to the at least one relay mode.

[0265] In one example, the first configuration information further includes usage condition information respectively corresponding to the at least one relay mode.

[0266] In one example, the usage condition information includes at least one of time information, area information, and service information.

[0267] In one example, the area information includes at least one of an identifier corresponding to a PLMN, an identifier corresponding to a TA, and an identifier corresponding to a geographical area.

[0268] In one example, the at least one relay mode includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode.

[0269] In one example, the first configuration information is carried by Prose configuration information, or the first configuration information is carried by URSP configuration information.

[0270] In one example, the transceiver 312 is further configured to receive relay function information from the terminal device, and the relay function information includes relay modes supported by the terminal device.

[0271] In one example, the relay modes supported by the terminal device include at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode.

[0272] In one example, the at least one relay mode belongs to the relay modes supported by the terminal device.

[0273] In one example, the terminal device is a terminal device that provides a relay service, or the terminal device is a terminal device that uses a relay service.

[0274] In one example, the core network device configures a mapping relationship between the same relay mode and the RSC for a plurality of the terminal devices.

[0275] Referring to FIG. 32, FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a first terminal device 320 according to an embodiment of the present application. For example, the first terminal device executes the relay communication method on the first terminal device side described above. Specifically, the first terminal device 320 can include a processor 321 and a transceiver 322 connected to the processor 321. The processor 321 includes one or more processing cores. The processor 321 performs various functional applications and information processing by executing software programs and modules.

[0276] The transceiver 322 includes a receiver and a transmitter. Optionally, the transceiver 322 is a communication chip.

[0277] In one example, the first terminal device 320 further includes a memory and a bus. The memory is connected to the processor via the bus. The memory can be used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to implement each step executed by the first terminal device in the embodiment of the above method by executing the computer program.

[0278] Also, the memory can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, and the volatile or non-volatile storage device includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid-state memory device technologies, CD-ROM, DVD or other optical storage, tape cartridge, tape, disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices.

[0279] The transceiver 322 is configured to realize communication with a second terminal device via a relay terminal device based on a first relay mode, the first relay mode belongs to a relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the first relay mode belongs to a relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device, and the first relay mode belongs to a relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0280] In one example, the transceiver 322 is configured to receive first information from the relay terminal device, the first information is used to indicate a second relay mode, and the processor 321 is configured to determine the first relay mode based on the second relay mode and a relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0281] In one example, the second relay mode includes a relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and a relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0282] In one example, the second relay mode includes a common relay mode among a relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and a relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0283] In one example, the first information further includes identification information of the second terminal device, and the identification information of the second terminal device is used to identify the second terminal device.

[0284] In one example, the transceiver 322 includes receiving first broadcast information from the relay terminal device, and the first information is conveyed by the first broadcast information.

[0285] In one example, the transceiver 322 is configured to broadcast a first discovery request and receive a first discovery response from the relay terminal device, and the first information is conveyed by the first discovery response.

[0286] In one example, the first information includes an RSC corresponding to the second relay mode.

[0287] In one example, the transceiver 322 is configured to transmit fourth information to the relay terminal device, the fourth information is used to indicate a relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the transceiver 322 is configured to receive third information from the relay terminal device, and the third information is used to indicate the first relay mode.

[0288] In one example, the transceiver 322 is configured to broadcast a third discovery request, the fourth information is conveyed by the third discovery request, the transceiver 322 is configured to receive a third discovery response from the relay terminal device, and the third information is conveyed by the third discovery response.

[0289] In one example, the transceiver 322 is configured to broadcast a first connection establishment request, the fourth information is conveyed by the first connection establishment request, the transceiver 322 is configured to receive a first connection establishment response from the relay terminal device, and the third information is conveyed by the first connection establishment response.

[0290] In one example, the fourth information includes an RSC corresponding to a relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, and the third information includes an RSC corresponding to the first relay mode.

[0291] In one example, the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode, the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode, and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode.

[0292] In one example, the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device includes either the relay mode supported by the first terminal device or the relay mode supported by the first terminal device and configured by the core network device for the first terminal device. The relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device includes either the relay mode supported by the relay terminal device or the relay mode supported by the relay terminal device and configured by the core network device for the relay terminal device. The relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device includes either the relay mode supported by the second terminal device or the relay mode supported by the second terminal device and configured by the core network device for the second terminal device.

[0293] Referring to FIG. 33, FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a relay terminal device 330 according to an embodiment of the present application. For example, the relay terminal device executes the relay communication method on the relay terminal device side described above. Specifically, the relay terminal device 330 can include a processor 331 and a transceiver 332 connected to the processor 331. The processor 331 includes one or more processing cores. By executing software programs and modules, the processor 331 performs various functional applications and information processing.

[0294] The transceiver 332 includes a receiver and a transmitter. Optionally, the transceiver 332 is a communication chip.

[0295] In one example, the relay terminal device 330 further includes a memory and a bus. The memory is connected to the processor via the bus. The memory can be used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to implement each step executed by the relay terminal device in the embodiment of the above method by executing the computer program.

[0296] Also, the memory can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof. The volatile or non-volatile storage device includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid-state memory device technologies, CD-ROM, DVD or other optical storage, tape cartridge, tape, disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices.

[0297] The transceiver 332 is configured to realize communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via the relay terminal device based on the first relay mode. The first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device, and the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0298] In one example, the transceiver 332 is configured to receive second information from the second terminal device. The second information is used to indicate the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device. The transceiver 332 is configured to transmit first information to the first terminal device. The first information is used to indicate a second relay mode, and the first information is determined based on the second information.

[0299] In one example, the second relay mode includes the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0300] In one example, the second relay mode includes a common relay mode among the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0301] In one example, the first information further includes identification information of the second terminal device, and the identification information of the second terminal device is used to identify the second terminal device.

[0302] In one example, the second information is carried by second broadcast information from the second terminal device, or the second information is transmitted to the relay terminal device by the second terminal device in a process of registering with the relay terminal device, or the second information is transmitted to the relay terminal device by the second terminal device in a process of establishing a connection between the second terminal device and the relay terminal device.

[0303] In one example, the transceiver 332 is configured to broadcast first broadcast information, and the first information is carried by the first broadcast information.

[0304] In one example, the transceiver 332 is configured to receive a first discovery request from the first terminal device, broadcast a second discovery request, where the second discovery request is determined based on the first discovery request, and receive a second discovery response from the second terminal device, and the second information is carried by the second discovery response, and the transceiver 332 is configured to transmit a first discovery response to the first terminal device, and the first information is carried by the first discovery response.

[0305] In one example, the second information includes an RSC corresponding to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device, and the first information includes an RSC corresponding to the second relay mode.

[0306] In one example, the transceiver 332 is configured to receive fourth information from the first terminal device, the fourth information is used to indicate a relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the transceiver 332 is configured to transmit fifth information to the second terminal device, the fifth information is used to indicate a third relay mode and is determined based on the fourth information, the transceiver 322 is configured to receive third information from the second terminal device, the third information is used to indicate the first relay mode, and the transceiver 332 is configured to transmit the third information to the first terminal device.

[0307] In one example, the third relay mode includes a relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and a relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0308] In one example, the third relay mode includes a common relay mode between the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0309] In one example, the fifth information further includes identification information of the first terminal device, and the identification information of the first terminal device is used to identify the first terminal device.

[0310] In one example, the transceiver 332 is configured to receive a third discovery request from the first terminal device, the fourth information is carried in the third discovery request, the transceiver 332 is configured to broadcast a fourth discovery request, the fifth information is carried in the fourth discovery request, the transceiver 332 is configured to receive a fourth discovery response from the second terminal device, the third information is carried in the fourth discovery response, and the transceiver 332 is configured to transmit a third discovery response to the first terminal device, and the third information is carried in the third discovery response.

[0311] In one example, the transceiver 332 is configured to receive a first connection establishment request from the first terminal device, the fourth information is carried in the first connection establishment request, the transceiver 332 is configured to broadcast a second connection establishment request, the fifth information is carried in the second connection establishment request, the transceiver 332 is configured to receive a second connection establishment response from the second terminal device, the third information is carried in the second connection establishment response, the transceiver 332 is configured to send a first connection establishment response to the first terminal device, and the third information is carried in the first connection establishment response.

[0312] In one example, the fourth information includes an RSC corresponding to a relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the fifth information includes an RSC corresponding to the third relay mode, and the third information includes an RSC corresponding to the first relay mode.

[0313] In one example, the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode, the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode, and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode.

[0314] In one example, the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device includes either a relay mode supported by the first terminal device or a relay mode supported by the first terminal device and configured by the core network device for the first terminal device. The relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device includes either a relay mode supported by the relay terminal device or a relay mode supported by the relay terminal device and configured by the core network device for the relay terminal device. The relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device includes either a relay mode supported by the second terminal device or a relay mode supported by the second terminal device and configured by the core network device for the second terminal device.

[0315] Referring to FIG. 34, FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the second terminal device 340 according to an embodiment of the present application. For example, the second terminal device can execute the above-described relay communication method on the second terminal device side. Specifically, the second terminal device 340 can include a processor 341 and a transceiver 342 connected to the processor 341, The processor 341 includes one or more processing cores. The processor 341 performs various functional applications and information processing by executing software programs and modules.

[0316] The transceiver 342 includes a receiver and a transmitter. Optionally, the transceiver 342 is a communication chip.

[0317] In one example, the second terminal device 340 further includes a memory and a bus. The memory is connected to the processor via the bus. The memory can be used to store a computer program, and the processor realizes each step executed by the second terminal device in the embodiment of the above method TIFF0007702488000001.tif8170 is used to realize.

[0318] Also, the memory can be realized by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof. The volatile or non-volatile storage device includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid-state storage device technologies, CD-ROM, DVD or other optical storage, tape cartridges, tapes, disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices.

[0319] The transceiver 342 is configured to realize communication with the first terminal device via a relay terminal device based on the first relay mode, The first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device, the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device, and the first relay mode belongs to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0320] In one example, the transceiver 342 is configured to transmit second information to the relay terminal device, and the second information is used to indicate the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0321] In one example, the transceiver 342 broadcasts second broadcast information carrying the second information, or transmits the second information to the relay terminal device in the process of registering the second terminal device with the relay terminal device, or transmits the second information to the relay terminal device in the process of establishing a connection between the second terminal device and the relay terminal device.

[0322] In one example, the transceiver 342 is configured to receive a second discovery request from the relay terminal device and transmit a second discovery response to the relay terminal device, and the second information is carried in the second discovery response.

[0323] In one example, the second information includes an RSC corresponding to the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0324] In one example, the transceiver 342 is configured to receive fifth information from the relay terminal device, the fifth information is used to indicate a third relay mode, the processor 341 is configured to determine the first relay mode based on the third relay mode and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device, and the transceiver 342 is configured to transmit third information to the relay terminal device, and the third information is used to indicate the first relay mode.

[0325] In one example, the third relay mode includes the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0326] In one example, the third relay mode includes a common relay mode among the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0327] In one example, the fifth information further includes identification information of the first terminal device, and the identification information of the first terminal device is used to identify the first terminal device.

[0328] In one example, the transceiver 342 is configured to receive a fourth discovery request from the relay terminal device, the fifth information is carried in the fourth discovery request, the transceiver 342 is configured to transmit a fourth discovery response to the relay terminal device, and the third information is carried in the fourth discovery response.

[0329] In one example, the transceiver 342 is configured to receive a second connection establishment request from the relay terminal device, the fifth information is carried in the second connection establishment request, the transceiver 342 is configured to transmit a second connection establishment response to the relay terminal device, and the third information is carried in the second connection establishment response.

[0330] In one example, the fifth information includes an RSC corresponding to the third relay mode, and the third information includes an RSC corresponding to the first relay mode.

[0331] In one example, the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode, the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode, and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode.

[0332] In one example, the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device includes either the relay mode supported by the first terminal device or the relay mode supported by the first terminal device and configured by the core network device for the first terminal device. The relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device includes either the relay mode supported by the relay terminal device or the relay mode supported by the relay terminal device and configured by the core network device for the relay terminal device. The relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device includes either the relay mode supported by the second terminal device or the relay mode supported by the second terminal device and configured by the core network device for the second terminal device.

[0333] The embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a processor of a terminal device, implements the above-described method for configuring the relay mode on the terminal device side.

[0334] The embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a processor of a core network device, implements the above-described method for configuring the relay mode on the core network device side.

[0335] The embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a processor of a first terminal device, implements the above-described relay communication method on the first terminal device side.

[0336] The embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a processor of a relay terminal device, implements the above-described relay communication method on the relay terminal device side.

[0337] The embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor of a relay terminal device, the relay communication method on the second terminal device side described above is realized.

[0338] The embodiments of the present application provide a chip including a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and when the chip operates in a terminal device, the method for configuring the relay mode on the terminal device side described above is realized.

[0339] The embodiments of the present application provide a chip including a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and when the chip operates in a core network device, the method for configuring the relay mode on the core network device side described above is realized.

[0340] The embodiments of the present application provide a chip including a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and when the chip operates in a first terminal device, the relay communication method on the first terminal device side described above is realized.

[0341] The embodiments of the present application provide a chip including a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and when the chip operates in a relay terminal device, the relay communication method on the relay terminal device side described above is realized.

[0342] The embodiments of the present application provide a chip including a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and when the chip operates in a second terminal device, the relay communication method on the second terminal device side described above is realized.

[0343] The embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product, and when the computer program product operates in a terminal device, the method for configuring the relay mode on the terminal device side described above is realized.

[0344] The embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product, and when the computer program product operates in a core network device, the method for configuring the relay mode on the core network device side described above is realized.

[0345] The embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product, which, when operating on a first terminal device, implements the above-mentioned relay communication method on the first terminal device side.

[0346] The embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product, which, when operating on a relay terminal device, implements the above-mentioned relay communication method on the relay terminal device side.

[0347] The embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product, which, when operating on a second terminal device, implements the above-mentioned relay communication method on the second terminal device side.

[0348] Those skilled in the art should understand that, in the above one or more examples, the functions described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium includes a computer storage medium and a communication medium, and the communication medium includes any medium that facilitates the transmission of a computer program from one place to another. The storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0349] The above are only exemplary embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

A relay communication method applicable to a first terminal device, comprising: receiving first configuration information from a core network device, wherein the first configuration information includes a mapping relationship between a relay mode configured by the core network device and a relay service code (RSC), and the core network device configures the same mapping relationship between the relay mode and the RSC for the first terminal device, the relay terminal device, and the second terminal device, and the first terminal device, the relay terminal device, and the second terminal device are devices equipped with a proximity communication service (Prose) function; the relay communication method further comprises: receiving first information broadcast by the relay terminal device, wherein the first information is used to indicate a second relay mode; determining a first relay mode based on the second relay mode and the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device; and realizing communication with the second terminal device via the relay terminal device based on the first relay mode. Claim 2 The relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode. The relay communication method according to claim 1. Claim 3 The first configuration information is carried by Prose configuration information, or the first configuration information is carried by user equipment routing policy (URSP) configuration information. The relay communication method according to claim 1 or 2. Claim 4 Before receiving the first configuration information from the core network device, the relay communication method further comprises: transmitting relay function information to the core network device, wherein the relay function information includes the relay mode supported by the first terminal device. The relay communication method according to claim 1. Claim 5 The relay mode supported by the first terminal device includes at least one of a layer 3-based relay mode and a layer 2-based relay mode. The relay communication method according to claim 4. Claim 6 The relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the relay mode supported by the first terminal device. The relay communication method according to claim 4 or 5. Claim 7 The relay terminal device is a terminal device providing a relay service, and the first terminal device and the second terminal device are terminal devices using the relay service. The relay communication method according to claim 1. Claim 8. The first information includes an RSC corresponding to the second relay mode. The relay communication method according to claim 1. Claim 9. The second relay mode includes a common relay mode among the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device. The relay communication method according to claim 1. Claim 10. A relay communication method applied to a relay terminal device, comprising: Receiving first configuration information from a core network device, the first configuration information includes a mapping relationship between a relay mode configured by the core network device and a relay service code (RSC), the core network device configures the same mapping relationship between the relay mode and the RSC for the first terminal device, the relay terminal device, and the second terminal device, and the first terminal device, the relay terminal device, and the second terminal device are devices equipped with a proximity communication service (Prose) function. The relay communication method further includes: Broadcasting first information to the first terminal device, where the first information is used to indicate a second relay mode; and Based on the first relay mode, realizing communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via the relay terminal device, where the first relay mode is determined by the first terminal device based on the second relay mode and the relay mode corresponding to the first terminal device. Claim 11. The first configuration information includes a relay service code (RSC) corresponding to the second relay mode. The relay communication method according to claim 10. Claim 12. The second relay mode includes a common relay mode among the relay mode corresponding to the relay terminal device and the relay mode corresponding to the second terminal device. The relay communication method according to claim 10. Claim 13. A first terminal device (UE) comprising a processor and a memory storing a computer program, where the processor is configured to execute the relay communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 when executing the computer program. Claim 14. A relay terminal device comprising a processor and a memory storing a computer program, where the processor is configured to execute the relay communication method according to any one of claims 10 to 12 when executing the computer program.

Images