Message transmission method and apparatus

Abstract

A message transmission method and an apparatus. In the message transmission method, a first device subscribes to a relay service, wherein the relay service is used for enabling a second device to communicate with an access network device by means of the first device, and the second device is a device that is not paired with the first device; and the first device broadcasts a first message and / or searches for a second message broadcast by the second device, wherein the first message is used for indicating that the first device has the capability of providing the relay service, and the second message is used for requesting to provide the relay service for the second device. Hence, the first device has the capability of providing the relay service for the second device that is not paired with the first device, such that the second device that is not paired with the first device can communicate with the access network device by means of the first device. The method can be applied to a scenario in which the second device is a non-cellular terminal, such that by means of the first device and the access network device, the non-cellular terminal can feed back collected data and / or position information to a user device on which the non-cellular terminal is deployed.

Description

Message transmission method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on September 13, 2023, with application number 202311182001.8 and application name “Message Transmission Method and Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a message transmission method and device. Background Art

[0003] A non-cellular terminal is a terminal device that does not communicate using the cellular air interface deployed by the operator. It can use air interfaces of wireless standards such as, but not limited to, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, and ZigBee for short-range communication. The data and / or location information collected by the non-cellular terminal needs to be fed back to the user equipment where the non-cellular terminal is deployed. However, when the non-cellular terminal and the user equipment are far apart, the non-cellular terminal and the user equipment may not be able to connect via the non-cellular air interface, and thus the non-cellular terminal may not be able to feed back the collected data and / or location information to the user equipment.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a message transmission method and apparatus, which facilitates the data and / or location information collected by a non-cellular terminal to be fed back to a user device.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a message transmission method, which can be applied to a first device, a chip in the first device, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first device. The following description takes the first device as an example. The method includes: the first device activates a relay service, and the relay service is used for communication between a second device and an access network device through the first device, and the second device is a device that is not paired with the first device; the first device broadcasts a first message, and / or searches for a second message broadcast by a second device; wherein the first message is used to indicate that the first device has the ability to provide a relay service, and the second message is used to request that the relay service be provided to the second device.

[0007] As can be seen, the first device is capable of providing relay services for a second device that is not paired with the first device, facilitating communication between the second device and the access network device through the first device. This method can be applied to scenarios where the second device is a non-cellular terminal, facilitating the non-cellular terminal to feed back collected data and / or location information to the user equipment deployed with the non-cellular terminal through the first device and the access network device.

[0008] Furthermore, the first device actively broadcasts the first message, which facilitates the second device to discover the first device and adaptively access the first device, thereby facilitating communication between the second device and the access network device through the first device. The first device actively searches for the second message broadcast by the second device, which facilitates providing relay services to the second device when the first device finds the first message broadcast by the second device, thereby facilitating communication between the second device and the access network device through the first device.

[0009] In addition, the method can also be applied to the scenario where the second device is disconnected from the paired device. The method is beneficial for the second device to no longer be restricted to communicating only with the paired device. After the second device is disconnected from the paired device, it can still adaptively access the first device, thereby realizing communication with the access network device through the first device, thereby expanding the communication range of the second device.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the first device has broadcast a first message. The method further includes: the first device receiving a second message from the second device, the second message specifically requesting the first device to provide a relay service for the second device; the first device sending a third message to the second device, the third message indicating that the second device is permitted to access the first device; and the first device connecting to the second device. Thus, the first device is able to connect to the second device, thereby facilitating communication between the second device and the access network device through the first device.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the first device searches for a second message broadcast by the second device. The method further includes: the first device sending a third message to the second device, the third message being used to indicate that the second device is permitted to access the first device; and the first device connecting to the second device. Thus, the first device is able to connect to the second device, thereby facilitating communication between the second device and the access network device through the first device.

[0012] In an optional implementation, after the first device is connected to the second device, the method further includes: the first device sending an identifier of the second device and / or status information of the second device to the access network device.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, after the first device is connected to the second device, the method further includes: the first device receives a fourth message from the access network device, the fourth message being used to request the location information of the second device; the first device sends a fourth message to the second device; the first device receives a fifth message from the second device, the fifth message being used to indicate the location information of the second device, or the fifth message being used to indicate that the second device cannot obtain the location information. The first device sends the fifth message to the access network device, or sends the fifth message and the location information of the first device to the access network device. It can be seen that after the first device is connected to the second device, the access network device can request the location information of the second device through the first device, and the second device can feedback the location information or the message that the location information cannot be obtained to the access network device through the first device.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the first device receiving a sixth message from the access network device, the sixth message being used to instruct the first device to activate a relay service. The first device activating the relay service includes: activating the relay service according to the sixth message.

[0015] Optionally, the sixth message is further used to indicate a service type of the relay service, where the service type includes a data transmission service and / or a location service.

[0016] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the first device receiving a seventh message from the access network device, the seventh message being used to indicate one or more second devices permitted to access the first device. This embodiment facilitates the first device to identify second devices that can access itself.

[0017] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the first device receiving an eighth message from the access network device, the eighth message being used to instruct the first device to shut down the relay service; and the first device shutting down the relay service according to the eighth message.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present application provides a message transmission method, which can be applied to a second device that is not paired with a first device, can also be applied to a chip in the second device, and can also be applied to a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second device. The following description takes the second device as an example. The method includes: the second device receives a first message broadcast by the first device, the first message is used to indicate that the first device has the ability to provide relay services, and the relay service is used for communication between the second device and the access network device through the first device; the second device sends a second message to the first device, the second message is used to request the first device to provide relay services for the second device; the second device receives a third message from the first device, the third message is used to indicate that the second device is allowed to access the first device; the second device is connected to the first device.

[0019] As can be seen, through the first message broadcast by the first device, the second device can discover the first device capable of providing relay services for the second device, thereby enabling it to adaptively access the first device and, based on the relay service provided by the first device, communicate with the access network device through the first device. This method can be applied to scenarios where the second device is a non-cellular terminal, facilitating the non-cellular terminal to feed back collected data and / or location information to the user device deployed with the non-cellular terminal via the first device and the access network device.

[0020] In addition, the method can also be applied to the scenario where the second device is disconnected from the paired device. The method enables the second device to no longer be restricted to communicating only with the paired device. After the second device is disconnected from the paired device, it can also adaptively access the first device that is not paired with it, thereby realizing communication with the access network device through the first device, thereby expanding the communication range of the second device.

[0021] In an optional embodiment, after the second device is connected to the first device, the method further includes: the second device receives a fourth message from the first device, the fourth message is used to request the location information of the second device; the second device sends a fifth message to the first device, the fifth message is used to indicate the location information of the second device, or the fifth message is used to indicate that the second device cannot obtain the location information.

[0022] In a third aspect, the present application provides a message transmission method that can be applied to a second device that is not paired with a first device, can also be applied to a chip in the second device, and can also be applied to a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second device. The following description takes the second device as an example. The method includes: the second device broadcasts a second message, the second message is used to request the provision of a relay service for the second device; the second device receives a third message from the first device, the third message is used to indicate that the second device is allowed to access the first device, the first device has the ability to provide a relay service, and the relay service is used for the second device to communicate with the access network device through the first device; the second device connects to the first device.

[0023] It can be seen that the second device can actively broadcast a second message requesting the provision of relay services for the second device to actively search for the first device capable of providing relay services. This is conducive to enabling the first device capable of providing relay services for the second device to discover the second device, thereby facilitating the second device to adaptively access the first device and then communicate with the access network device through the first device based on the relay service provided by the first device. This method can be applied to scenarios where the second device is a non-cellular terminal, and is conducive to enabling the non-cellular terminal to feed back collected data and / or location information to the user device deployed with the non-cellular terminal through the first device and the access network device.

[0024] In addition, the method can also be applied to the scenario where the second device is disconnected from the paired device. The method enables the second device to no longer be restricted to communicating only with the paired device. After the second device is disconnected from the paired device, it can also adaptively access the first device that is not paired with it, thereby realizing communication with the access network device through the first device, thereby expanding the communication range of the second device.

[0025] In an optional embodiment, after the second device is connected to the first device, the method further includes: the second device receives a fourth message from the first device, the fourth message is used to request the location information of the second device; the second device sends a fifth message to the first device, the fifth message is used to indicate the location information of the second device, or the fifth message is used to indicate that the second device cannot obtain the location information.

[0026] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a message transmission method, which can be applied to a core network device, a chip in a core network device, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the core network device functions. The following description takes the core network device as an example. The method includes: the core network device sends a ninth message to the access network device, and the ninth message is used to instruct each of one or more first devices to activate a relay service; the relay service activated by each first device is used for communication between a second device and the access network device through the first device, and the second device is a device that is not paired with the first device.

[0027] As can be seen, the core network device can proactively authorize one or more first devices to activate relay services, enabling each of the one or more first devices to provide relay services to a second device that is not paired with the first device, thereby facilitating communication between the second device that is not paired with the first device and the access network device through the first device. This method can be applied to scenarios where the second device is a non-cellular terminal, facilitating the non-cellular terminal to feed back collected data and / or location information to the user device deployed with the non-cellular terminal through the first device and the access network device.

[0028] In addition, the method can also be applied to the scenario where the second device is disconnected from the paired device. The method is beneficial for the second device to no longer be restricted to communicating only with the paired device. After the second device is disconnected from the paired device, it can also adaptively access the first device that is not paired with it, thereby realizing communication with the access network device through the first device, thereby expanding the communication range of the second device.

[0029] In an optional implementation, the ninth message is further used to indicate a service type of the relay service, where the service type includes a data transmission service and / or a location service.

[0030] In an optional implementation, the ninth message includes: a group identifier corresponding to the multiple first devices, and an identifier of each first device in the multiple first devices.

[0031] In an optional implementation manner, the multiple first devices all belong to the first cell, or the multiple first devices all are located in the first geographical area, or the multiple first devices all correspond to the same access network device.

[0032] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the core network device receiving an identification of a second device and / or status information of the second device from the access network device, where the second device is connected to one of the one or more first devices.

[0033] In an optional embodiment, the method also includes: the core network device sends a fourth message to the access network device, the fourth message is used to request the location information of the second device; the core network device receives a fifth message from the access network device; or, receives the fifth message from the access network device and the location information of a first device connected to the second device; wherein the fifth message is used to indicate the location information of the second device, or the fifth message is used to indicate that the second device cannot obtain the location information.

[0034] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the core network device sending a tenth message to the access network device, the tenth message being used to indicate one or more second devices permitted to access each of the one or more first devices. Thus, the core network device can configure each first device with the second devices permitted to access the first device, thereby facilitating each first device's identification of second devices that can access the first device.

[0035] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the core network device sending an eleventh message to the access network device, the eleventh message being used to instruct the one or more first devices to disable the relay service. It can be seen that the core network device can proactively authorize the one or more first devices to disable the relay service.

[0036] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a message transmission method, which can be applied to an access network device, a chip in an access network device, or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the access network device. The following description is taken as an example of an access network device. The method includes: the access network device receives a ninth message from a core network device, the ninth message is used to instruct each of one or more first devices to activate a relay service; the relay service activated by each first device is used for communication between a second device and the access network device through the first device, and the second device is a device that is not paired with the first device; the access network device sends a sixth message to one or more first devices, and the sixth message sent to each first device is used to instruct the first device to activate the relay service.

[0037] As can be seen, the access network device can instruct one or more first devices to activate the relay service based on the relay service activation authorization from the core network device, so that each of the one or more first devices is capable of providing relay services to a second device that is not paired with the first device, which is conducive to enabling the second device that is not paired with the first device to communicate with the access network device through the first device. This method can be applied to scenarios where the second device is a non-cellular terminal, which is conducive to enabling the non-cellular terminal to feedback collected data and / or location information to the user device deployed with the non-cellular terminal through the first device and the access network device.

[0038] In addition, the method can also be applied to the scenario where the second device is disconnected from the paired device. The method is beneficial for the second device to no longer be restricted to communicating only with the paired device. After the second device is disconnected from the paired device, it can also adaptively access the first device that is not paired with it, thereby realizing communication with the access network device through the first device, thereby expanding the communication range of the second device.

[0039] In an optional implementation, the ninth message is further used to indicate the service type of the relay service, where the service type includes a data transmission service and / or a location service; and the sixth message is further used to indicate the service type.

[0040] In an optional implementation, the ninth message includes: a group identifier corresponding to the multiple first devices, and an identifier of each first device in the multiple first devices.

[0041] In an optional implementation manner, the multiple first devices all belong to the first cell, or the multiple first devices all are located in the first geographical area, or the multiple first devices all correspond to the same access network device.

[0042] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: for a first device among one or more first devices, the access network device receives the identification of a second device and / or the status information of the second device from the first device, and the second device is connected to the first device; the access network device sends the identification of the second device and / or the status information of the second device to the core network device.

[0043] Optionally, the method also includes: the access network device receives a fourth message from the core network device, the fourth message is used to request the location information of the second device; the access network device sends the fourth message to a first device; the access network device receives a fifth message from a first device, and sends the fifth message to the core network device; or, receives the fifth message from the access network device and the location information of a first device, and sends the fifth message and the location information of the first device to the core network device; wherein the fifth message is used to indicate the location information of the second device, or the fifth message is used to indicate that the second device cannot obtain the location information.

[0044] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the access network device receiving a tenth message from the core network device, the tenth message being used to indicate one or more second devices permitted to access each of the one or more first devices; and the access network device sending a seventh message to the one or more first devices, the seventh message being sent to each first device being used to indicate one or more second devices permitted to access the first device. This embodiment facilitates each first device in identifying second devices that can access itself.

[0045] In an optional embodiment, the method also includes: the access network device receives an eleventh message from the core network device, the eleventh message is used to instruct one or more first devices to shut down the relay service; the access network device sends an eighth message to one or more first devices, and the eighth message sent to each first device is used to instruct the first device to shut down the relay service.

[0046] In a sixth aspect, the present application also provides a communication device. The communication device can be a first device or a second device or a core network device or an access network device, or a chip in the first device or the second device or the core network device or the access network device, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first device or the second device or the core network device or the access network device. The communication device has the function of implementing part or all of the implementation methods described in any one of the first to sixth aspects above. The functions can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0047] In one possible design, the communication device may include a processing unit and a communication unit. The processing unit is configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions in the above method. The communication unit is configured to support communication between the communication device and other communication devices. The communication device may also include a storage unit, which is coupled to the processing unit and the communication unit and stores program instructions and data necessary for the communication device.

[0048] In one embodiment, the communication device includes: a processing unit and a communication unit, and the processing unit is used to control the communication unit to send and receive data / signaling.

[0049] The processing unit is used to activate a relay service, where the relay service is used for communication between a second device and an access network device via a communication device, where the second device is a device that is not paired with the communication device.

[0050] The communication unit is configured to broadcast a first message indicating that the communication device has the capability to provide a relay service. The processing unit is further configured to search for a second message broadcast by a second device, the second message requesting the provision of a relay service for the second device.

[0051] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the first aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0052] In another embodiment, the communication device includes: a processing unit and a communication unit, and the processing unit is used to control the communication unit to send and receive data / signaling.

[0053] The communication unit is used to receive a first message broadcast by a first device, where the first message is used to indicate that the first device has the ability to provide a relay service, and the relay service is used for communication between a communication device and an access network device through the first device.

[0054] The communication unit is further configured to send a second message to the first device, where the second message is configured to request the first device to provide a relay service for the communication apparatus.

[0055] The communication unit is further configured to receive a third message from the first device, where the third message is used to indicate that the communication apparatus is allowed to access the first device.

[0056] The processing unit is configured to connect to the first device.

[0057] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the second aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0058] In another embodiment, the communication device includes: a processing unit and a communication unit, and the processing unit is used to control the communication unit to send and receive data / signaling.

[0059] The communication unit is used to broadcast a second message, where the second message is used to request a relay service to be provided for the communication device.

[0060] The communication unit is also used to receive a third message from the first device, the third message is used to indicate that the communication device is allowed to access the first device, the first device has the ability to provide relay services, and the relay service is used for communication between the communication device and the access network device through the first device.

[0061] The processing unit is configured to connect to the first device.

[0062] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the third aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0063] In another embodiment, the communication device includes: a processing unit and a communication unit, and the processing unit is used to control the communication unit to send and receive data / signaling.

[0064] A communication unit is used to send a ninth message to the access network device, where the ninth message is used to instruct each of one or more first devices to activate a relay service; the relay service activated by each first device is used for communication between a second device and the access network device through the first device, and the second device is a device that is not paired with the first device.

[0065] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the fourth aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0066] In another embodiment, the communication device includes: a processing unit and a communication unit, and the processing unit is used to control the communication unit to send and receive data / signaling.

[0067] A communication unit is used to receive a ninth message from a core network device, where the ninth message is used to instruct each of one or more first devices to activate a relay service; the relay service activated by each first device is used for communication between a second device and a communication device through the first device, where the second device is a device that is not paired with the first device.

[0068] The communication unit is further configured to send a sixth message to one or more first devices, where the sixth message sent to each first device is used to instruct the first device to activate the relay service.

[0069] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the fifth aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0070] As an example, the communication unit may be a transceiver or a communication interface, the storage unit may be a memory, and the processing unit may be a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory, the memory being used to store programs or instructions to the processor. The processor may be configured to cause the communication device to perform the method described in any one of the first to fifth aspects above when the programs or instructions are executed by the processor. The transceiver or communication interface may be configured to transmit and receive signals and / or data.

[0071] In another embodiment, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. The processing unit may also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit; and the transceiver unit may be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin, or a related circuit on the chip or chip system.

[0072] During implementation, the processor can be used to perform, for example, but not limited to, baseband-related processing, and the transceiver or communication interface can be used to perform, for example, but not limited to, radio frequency transceiver. The above-mentioned devices can be provided on separate chips, or at least partially or entirely on the same chip. For example, the processor can be further divided into an analog baseband processor and a digital baseband processor. The analog baseband processor can be integrated with the transceiver (or communication interface) on the same chip, while the digital baseband processor can be provided on a separate chip. With the continuous development of integrated circuit technology, more and more devices can be integrated on the same chip. For example, a digital baseband processor can be integrated with multiple application processors (such as, but not limited to, a graphics processor, a multimedia processor, etc.) on the same chip. Such a chip can be called a system on a chip (SoC). Whether each device is provided independently on different chips or integrated on one or more chips often depends on the needs of the product design. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the implementation form of the above-mentioned devices.

[0073] In the seventh aspect, the present application also provides a processor for executing the above-mentioned various methods. In the process of executing these methods, the process of sending the above-mentioned signal and receiving the above-mentioned signal in the above-mentioned method can be understood as the process of outputting the above-mentioned signal by the processor, and the process of the above-mentioned signal input by the processor. When outputting the above-mentioned signal, the processor outputs the above-mentioned signal to the transceiver so that it is transmitted by the transceiver (or communication interface). After being output by the processor, the above-mentioned signal may also need to be processed otherwise before it reaches the transceiver (or communication interface). Similarly, when the processor receives the above-mentioned input signal, the transceiver (or communication interface) receives the above-mentioned signal and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver (or communication interface) receives the above-mentioned signal, the above-mentioned signal may need to be processed otherwise before it is input into the processor.

[0074] For the sending and receiving operations involved in the processor, unless otherwise specified, or unless they conflict with their actual functions or internal logic in the relevant descriptions, they can be more generally understood as processor output, reception, input and other operations, rather than sending and receiving operations directly performed by the RF circuit and antenna.

[0075] During implementation, the processor may be a processor specifically configured to execute these methods, or may be a processor that executes computer instructions in a memory to execute these methods, such as a general-purpose processor. The memory may be a non-transitory memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), which may be integrated with the processor on the same chip or disposed on separate chips. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of memory or the configuration of the memory and the processor.

[0076] In an eighth aspect, the present application further provides a communication system, comprising at least one first device and at least one second device according to the above aspects. In another possible design, the system may further include other devices that interact with the first device and / or the second device in the solution provided by the present application.

[0077] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed, the method described in any one of the first to fifth aspects is executed.

[0078] In a tenth aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product comprising instructions, the computer program product comprising: computer program code, which, when the computer program code is run, enables the method described in any one of the above-mentioned first to fifth aspects to be executed.

[0079] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a chip system, comprising a processor and an interface, wherein the interface is used to obtain a program or instruction, and the processor is used to call the program or instruction to implement the functions involved in any one of the first to fifth aspects. In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory, which is used to store program instructions and data necessary for the terminal. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0080] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] FIG5 is a flow chart of a message transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of another communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] 7 is a schematic diagram of a core network device authorizing a first device to activate a relay service according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of another message transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of another message transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a position information feedback provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] FIG12 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0092] The embodiments of the present application are described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0093] First, in order to better understand the message transmission method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application, a communication system to which the embodiment of the present application is applicable is described.

[0094] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems. For example, global mobile communication systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, universal mobile communication systems, fourth generation mobile communication technology (4G) systems, next generation radio access networks (NG-RAN), new radio, NR systems, fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) systems, and with the continuous development of communication technology, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can also be used for subsequent evolved communication systems, such as sixth generation mobile communication technology (6G) systems, seventh generation mobile communication technology (7G) systems, and so on. The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to other mobile networks or mobile cellular networks that carry services, without limitation.

[0095] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a structural diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication system may include a second device, a first device, an access network (AN) device, and a core network (CN) device. Among them, the second device has the ability to communicate directly with the first device through the air interface, but does not have the ability to communicate directly with the access network device through the air interface. The first device has both the ability to communicate directly with the second device through the air interface and the ability to communicate directly with the access network device through the air interface. In addition, the number and form of the devices shown in Figure 1 are for example only and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0096] In an optional manner, the communication system shown in Figure 1 may further include a user device that deploys a second device (for example, the user device may be managed by an individual, company, or organization). Exemplarily, as shown in Figure 2, the user device may communicate with the access network device through an air interface. Based on the message transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application, after the second device is connected to the first device, the second device and the user device may communicate through the first device and the access network device. For example, the second device may feed back the collected data and / or the location information of the second device to the user device through the first device and the access network device. Exemplarily, as shown in Figure 3, the user device may be connected to the data network (DN) through a fixed network, and the DN may communicate with the core network device. Based on the message transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application, after the second device is connected to the first device, the second device and the user device may communicate through the first device, the access network device, the core network device, and the DN. For example, the second device may feed back the collected data and / or the location information of the second device to the user device through the first device, the access network device, the core network device, and the DN. In addition, the DN in Figure 3 can also be replaced by an Internet of Things (IoT) application server. The IOT application server can communicate with the core network and with the user device. After the second device is connected to the first device, the second device and the user device can communicate through the first device, the access network device, the core network device and the IOT application server.

[0097] In an embodiment of the present application, the second device may be, for example, a non-cellular terminal. The non-cellular terminal does not use the cellular air interface deployed by the operator for communication. The non-cellular terminal may use, for example, an unlicensed spectrum for communication. The non-cellular terminal may use non-cellular air interfaces including but not limited to wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, ZigBee and other wireless standards for short-range communication. For example, in a 5G system, non-3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) (i.e., non3GPP) may be used to represent non-cellular, the cellular air interface may also be referred to as a 3GPP air interface or a 5G air interface, the non-cellular air interface may also be referred to as a non3GPP air interface, and the non-cellular terminal may also be referred to as a non3GPP terminal. In addition, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the form of the second device. For example, the second device may be an IoT terminal widely used in areas such as residential life, industrial production, and environmental monitoring. The second device may be a wearable device such as a Bluetooth bracelet, Bluetooth watch, or Bluetooth headset. The second device may also be a sensor device such as a ZigBee temperature sensor, ZigBee humidity sensor, or ZigBee pressure sensor. The second device may also be a tag device such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The data collected by the second device may include, for example, environmental monitoring data, human body monitoring data, and device status information.

[0098] The first device can also be called a gateway or a relay. For example, the first device can be a cellular device that has both the access capability of supporting non-cellular air interfaces and the access capability of supporting cellular air interfaces. The first device and the second device can communicate through the non-cellular air interface, and the first device and the access network device can communicate through the cellular air interface. It is understandable that the first device has a relay capability. Exemplarily, the first device may include: a non3GPP access point (AP), user equipment (UE) / customer premise equipment (CPE), wherein the non3GPP AP can be used for the first device to implement communication using a non-cellular air interface, and the UE / CPE can be used for the first device to implement communication using a cellular air interface. In addition, the embodiments of the present application do not limit the form of the first device. For example, the first device can be a mobile phone with Bluetooth, WiFi, ZigBee and other functions, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a head mounted display (HMD), a VR terminal device (such as VR glasses), an augmented reality (AR) terminal device (such as AR glasses), a mixed reality (MR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a tactile terminal device, a vehicle-mounted terminal device, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, and the like.

[0099] The access network device may be responsible for enabling the first device to access a wireless network. For example, the access network device may be a radio access network (RAN) device responsible for enabling the first device to access a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network through wireless communication. In addition, access network equipment includes but is not limited to: evolved node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home network equipment (for example, home evolved Node B, or home Node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), access point (AP) in wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission and reception point (TRP or transmission point, TP), etc. It can also be equipment used in 4G, 5G or even 6G systems, such as evolved base station (NodeB or eNB or e-NodeB, evolutional Node B) in LTE, next-generation LTE base station (next-generation eNodeB, ng-eNB), next-generation base station (next-generation A base station (BS) is a network node that includes a gNB (gNodeB, gNB), a transceiver point (TRP), or a transmission point (TP). Alternatively, it can be a network node that constitutes a gNB or transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU), a distributed unit (DU), a picocell (Picocell), a femtocell (Femtocell), or a roadside unit (RSU) in smart driving scenarios. A base station can be a macro base station, a micro base station, a pico base station, a small cell, a relay station, or a balloon base station.

[0100] The core network device is a device in the core network, and the core network can be used to provide services such as user access control, mobility management, session management, user authentication, and billing. In addition, the core network device used in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to always being the same device. The specific device in the core network can be determined based on the requirements and device capabilities, and the requirements may also be jointly implemented by multiple devices in the core network. For example, the core network device includes but is not limited to an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, a session management function (SMF) entity, a user plane function (UPF) entity, an application function (AF) entity, a unified data management function (UDM) entity, and the like.

[0101] A DN can be used to provide data transmission services. A DN can be a public data network (PDN), such as the internet, or a local access data network (LADN), such as the network of mobile edge computing (MEC) nodes.

[0102] For example, taking the 5G system, the second device being a non3GPP terminal, the first device being a 5G gateway, and the access network device being a base station as an example, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to the communication system shown in Figure 4. In the communication system shown in Figure 4, the non3GPP terminal and the non3GPP AP in the 5G gateway can communicate through the non3GPP air interface, and the UE / CPE in the 5G gateway and the base station can communicate through the 3GPP air interface. In addition, the communication system shown in Figure 4 can also include a user device on which a non3GPP terminal is deployed. The user device can communicate with the base station through the 3GPP air interface. Based on the message transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application, after the non3GPP terminal is connected to the 5G gateway, the non3GPP terminal can feed back the collected data and / or the location information of the non3GPP terminal to the user device through the 5G gateway and the base station. Alternatively, the user device can be connected to the DN through a fixed network (for example, the user device can access the fixed network through the non3GPP air interface). Based on the message transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application, after the non3GPP terminal is connected to the 5G gateway, the non3GPP terminal can feed back the collected data and / or the location information of the non3GPP terminal to the user device through the 5G gateway, base station, core network equipment and DN.

[0103] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The flowchart in this application uses the first device, the second device, the access network device, and the core network device as examples of the execution subjects of the interaction diagram to illustrate the corresponding method, but this application does not limit the execution subjects of the interaction diagram. For example, any device in the figure can also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the device to implement the corresponding method, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the device.

[0104] Please refer to Figure 5, which is a flow chart of a message transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The message transmission method includes the following steps.

[0105] S101: A first device activates a relay service. The relay service is used for a second device to communicate with an access network device through the first device. The second device is a device that is not paired with the first device.

[0106] In an optional embodiment, the service type of the relay service includes a data transmission service and / or a location service. The data transmission service can be used to transmit data between the second device and the access network device through the first device; for example, the second device can send the collected data to the first device, and the first device sends the data collected by the second device to the access network device, which is conducive to the access network device feeding back the data collected by the second device to the user device where the second device is deployed (for example, corresponding to the communication system shown in Figure 2), or, it is conducive to the access network device feeding back the data collected by the second device to the user device where the second device is deployed through the core network device and the DN (for example, corresponding to the communication system shown in Figure 3). The location service can be used to transmit location information between the second device and the access network device through the first device; for example, the second device can send a fifth message to the first device, and the fifth message is used to indicate the location information of the second device or to indicate that the second device cannot obtain the location information. The first device sends the fifth message to the access network device, which is conducive to the access network device to feedback the fifth message to the user device where the second device is deployed (for example, corresponding to the communication system shown in Figure 2), or, it is conducive to the access network device to feedback the fifth message to the user device where the second device is deployed through the core network device and DN (for example, corresponding to the communication system shown in Figure 3).

[0107] In addition, the service type of the relay service can be other service types in addition to data transmission service and location service. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the service type of the relay service. For example, the service type of the relay service can also be a communication service, and the communication service can be used for communication between the second device and other second devices. For example, the first device #1 provides a relay service with a service type of communication service to the second device #1, and the first device #2 provides a relay service with a service type of communication service to the second device #2. The second device #1 and the second device #2 can communicate through the first device #1, the access network device #1 corresponding to the first device #1, the access network device #2 corresponding to the first device #2, and the first device #2, as shown in Figure 6.

[0108] In an optional embodiment, the method may further include: the access network device sends a sixth message to the first device, the sixth message being used to instruct the first device to activate the relay service; accordingly, the first device receives the sixth message from the access network device. The first device activating the relay service may include: the first device activating the relay service according to the sixth message. It can be seen that the access network device may instruct the first device to activate the relay service. Optionally, the sixth message may include relevant information of the first device (for example, an identifier of the first device) and information for indicating the activation of the relay service. Optionally, the sixth message may also include information for indicating the service type of the relay service. Optionally, after receiving the sixth message from the access network device, the first device may also process the sixth message and feed back the processing result to the access network device, wherein the processing result may include whether the first device agrees to activate the relay service.

[0109] Optionally, in combination with Figure 7, before the access network device sends the sixth message to the first device, the method may further include: the core network device sends a ninth message to the access network device, and the ninth message is used to instruct each of the one or more first devices to activate the relay service. Then, the access network device can send the sixth message to one or more first devices, and the sixth message sent to each first device is used to instruct the first device to activate the relay service. It is understandable that the core network device can actively authorize a single first device (for example, a designated first device) or multiple first devices (for example, a designated group of first devices) with relay capability to activate the relay service by displaying authorization. Optionally, the ninth message can also be used to indicate the service type of the relay service, and then the sixth message can also be used to indicate the service type. Optionally, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 7, after the access network device receives the processing result from the first device, it also feeds back the processing result to the core network device.

[0110] The following describes two cases respectively: the ninth message is used to instruct one first device to activate the relay service; the ninth message is used to instruct each first device in multiple first devices to activate the relay service, as described in the following optional implementation 1.1 and implementation 1.2.

[0111] In implementation 1.1, the ninth message is used to indicate that a first device has activated a relay service. In this case, the sixth message sent by the access network device to the first device may be the same as the ninth message received by the access network device from the core network device.

[0112] Optionally, the ninth message may include relevant information of the first device (eg, an identifier of the first device) and information indicating activation of the relay service. Optionally, the ninth message may also include information indicating a service type of the relay service.

[0113] For example, an access network device receives a ninth message from a core network device, the ninth message being used to instruct first device #1 to activate a relay service. The ninth message includes an identifier of first device #1, information indicating activation of the relay service, and information indicating that the service type of the relay service is a data transmission service. The access network device sends a sixth message to first device #1 (the sixth message is the same as the ninth message). Based on the sixth message received from the access network device, first device #1 may activate the relay service with a service type of data transmission service.

[0114] In implementation 1.2, the ninth message is used to indicate that multiple first devices have activated the relay service.

[0115] Optionally, multiple first devices all belong to the first cell, or multiple first devices are all located in the first geographical area, or multiple first devices all correspond to the same access network device. It is understandable that the core network device can proactively authorize the first device in the designated cell to activate the relay service, or authorize the first device in the designated geographical area to activate the relay service, or authorize the first device managed by the designated access network device to activate the relay service. In particular, in the case where multiple first devices all correspond to the same access network device, the core network device can send a ninth message to the access network device corresponding to the multiple first devices, and the access network device instructs the multiple first devices to activate the relay service.

[0116] Optionally, in implementation 1.2, the ninth message may include relevant information of each first device in the multiple first devices (for example, the identifier of the first device) and information for indicating the activation of the relay service. Optionally, the ninth message may also include information for indicating the service type of the relay service. Optionally, the ninth message may also include group identifiers corresponding to the multiple first devices. Exemplarily, if the multiple first devices all belong to the first cell, the group identifier corresponding to the multiple first devices may be the identifier of the first cell. If the multiple first devices are all located in the first geographical area, the group identifier corresponding to the multiple first devices may be the identifier of the first geographical area. If the multiple first devices all correspond to the same access network device, the group identifier corresponding to the multiple first devices may be the identifier of the access network device corresponding to the multiple first devices.

[0117] In an optional manner, in implementation 1.2, the sixth message sent by the access network device to each of the multiple first devices may be the same as the ninth message. The access network device may send the sixth message to each of the multiple first devices in a point-to-point manner, or the access network device may send the sixth message to the multiple first devices in a point-to-multipoint manner (e.g., multicast).

[0118] For example, the core network device authorizes the first device in cell #1 to activate the relay service, and the first devices in cell #1 are the first device #1 and the first device #2. The ninth message sent by the core network device to the access network device includes the identifier of cell #1, the identifier of the first device #1, the identifier of the first device #2, information for indicating the activation of the relay service, and information for indicating that the service type of the relay service is a data transmission service. The access network device can send the sixth message (the sixth message is the same as the ninth message) to the first device #1 and the second device #1 respectively in a point-to-point manner, or the access network device can send the sixth message (the sixth message is the same as the ninth message) to the first device #1 and the second device #1 in a point-to-multipoint manner. The first device #1 can activate the relay service with a service type of data transmission service based on the sixth message from the access network device. The first device #2 can activate the relay service with a service type of data transmission service based on the sixth message from the access network device.

[0119] In another optional manner, in implementation 1.2, the sixth message sent by the access network device to each first device among the multiple first devices may be different from the ninth message. Exemplarily, the sixth message sent by the access network device to each first device is used to instruct the first device to activate the relay service, and may not be used to instruct other first devices among the multiple first devices except the first device to activate the relay service. For example, the ninth message includes a group identifier, an identifier of each first device among the multiple first devices, information for indicating the activation of the relay service, and information for indicating the service type of the relay service. The sixth message sent by the access network device to each first device includes the identifier of the first device, information for indicating the activation of the relay service, and information for indicating the service type of the relay service, and may not include a group identifier and an identifier of other first devices among the multiple first devices except the first device.

[0120] For example, the core network device authorizes the activation of a relay service for the first device in cell #1, where the first devices in cell #1 are first device #1 and first device #2. The ninth message sent by the core network device to the access network device includes the identifier of cell #1, the identifier of first device #1, the identifier of first device #2, information indicating the activation of the relay service, and information indicating that the service type of the relay service is a data transmission service. The access network device may send a sixth message #1 to the first device #1 and a sixth message #2 to the second device #2, wherein both the sixth message #1 and the sixth message #2 include information indicating the activation of the relay service and information indicating that the service type of the relay service is a data transmission service, the sixth message #1 also includes the identifier of the first device #1, and the sixth message #2 also includes the identifier of the first device #2. The first device #1 activates the relay service with the service type of the data transmission service based on the sixth message #1, and the first device #2 activates the relay service with the service type of the data transmission service based on the sixth message #2.

[0121] In addition, optionally, in implementation 1.1 or implementation 1.2, in the case where the first device includes a non3GPP AP and a UE / CPE, the UE / CPE may configure a relay service for the non3GPP AP through an internal interface according to the sixth message.

[0122] In an optional embodiment, the method may further include: the access network device sends a seventh message to the first device, the seventh message being used to indicate one or more second devices that are permitted to access the first device; and correspondingly, the first device receives the seventh message from the access network device.

[0123] Optionally, before the access network device sends the seventh message to the first device, the method may further include: the core network device sends a tenth message to the access network device, the tenth message being used to indicate one or more second devices that are allowed to access each of the one or more first devices. Then, the access network device may send the seventh message to each of the one or more first devices, and the seventh message sent to each first device is used to indicate one or more second devices that are allowed to access the first device. It can be seen that the core network device can configure the first device to identify through the tenth message: a second device that can be allowed to access the first device to enjoy the relay service. For example, the multiple first devices are the first device #1 and the first device #2, and the tenth message is used to indicate the one or more second devices that are allowed to access the first device #1 and the one or more second devices that are allowed to access the first device #2.

[0124] In addition, the seventh message and the tenth message sent by the access network device to each of the multiple first devices may be the same or different. Exemplarily, in the case where the seventh message and the tenth message sent by the access network device to each of the multiple first devices are the same, the access network device may send the seventh message to each of the multiple first devices in a point-to-point manner, or the access network device may send the seventh message to the multiple first devices in a point-to-multipoint manner (for example, multicast). In the case where the seventh message and the tenth message sent by the access network device to each of the multiple first devices are different, the seventh message sent by the access network device to each of the multiple first devices is used to indicate one or more second devices that are allowed to access the first device, and may not be used to indicate second devices that are allowed to access other first devices among the multiple first devices except the first device.

[0125] For example, the multiple first devices are first device #1 and first device #2, and the tenth message is used to indicate one or more second devices permitted to access first device #1 and one or more second devices permitted to access first device #2. The access network device sends a seventh message to first device #1 and first device #2, where the seventh message is identical to the tenth message. Alternatively, the access network device sends a seventh message #1 to first device #1 and a seventh message #2 to first device #2, where the seventh message #1 indicates one or more second devices permitted to access first device #1, and the seventh message #2 indicates one or more second devices permitted to access first device #2.

[0126] S102: The first device broadcasts a first message, and / or the first device searches for a second message broadcast by a second device, wherein the first message indicates that the first device has the capability to provide a relay service, and the second message requests the second device to provide a relay service.

[0127] In an optional embodiment, the first message may also be used to indicate the service type of the relay service that the first device can provide. It is understandable that the first message may specifically be used to indicate which service type(s) of relay service the first device is capable of providing. In this way, the second device can learn the service type of the relay service that the first device can provide, and thus determine whether to request the first device to provide the relay service based on its needs.

[0128] For example, the first device #1 activates a relay service with a service type of data transmission service. The first message #1 broadcast by the first device #1 is used to indicate that the first device #1 has the ability to provide a relay service with a service type of data transmission service. The first device #2 activates a relay service with a service type of location service. The first message #2 broadcast by the first device #2 is used to indicate that the first device #2 has the ability to provide a relay service with a service type of location service. The second device #1 searches for the first message #1 and the first message #2. If the second device #1 needs to perform data transmission, the second device #1 can request the first device #1 to provide it with a relay service. If the second device #1 needs to perform location information transmission, the second device #1 can request the first device #2 to provide it with a relay service.

[0129] In an optional embodiment, the second message can also be used to indicate the service type of the relay service requested to be provided to the second device. It is understandable that the second message can be specifically used to request which service type (or types) of relay service to be provided to the second device. In this way, the first device can learn the service type of the relay service requested by the second device, and thus determine whether it can provide the relay service to the second device based on the service type of the relay service it has activated. For example, the first device #1 has activated a relay service with a service type of data transmission service. The second message #1 broadcast by the second device #1 is used to request the provision of a relay service with a service type of data transmission service to the second device #1, and the second message #2 broadcast by the second device #2 is used to request the provision of a relay service with a service type of location service to the second device #2. Then, after the first device #1 searches for the second message #1, it can determine that it can provide the relay service with a service type of data transmission service to the second device #1. After the first device #1 searches for the second message #2, it can determine that it cannot provide the relay service with a service type of location service to the second device #1. Optionally, the first device may further feed back to the second device a result of whether the relay service can be provided to the second device, determined according to the service type of the relay service opened by the first device.

[0130] In an optional embodiment, the method may further include: connecting the first device to the second device. It is understood that the second device can access the first device, so that the first device can provide a relay service for the second device. The following describes three scenarios: the first device broadcasts a first message, the first device searches for a second message broadcast by a second device, and the first device broadcasts a first message and searches for a second message broadcast by a second device, as described in optional embodiments 2.1 to 2.3 below.

[0131] Implementation 2.1, the case where the first device broadcasts the first message. In this case, the first message can be detected by the second device, and can be parsed by the second device and know the first device that can provide relay service. In conjunction with Figure 8, the second device can search for the first message broadcast by the first device. After the second device searches for the first message broadcast by the first device, it can process the first message to know the first device that broadcast the first message. The second device sends a second message to the first device, and the second message is specifically used to request the first device to provide relay service for the second device. The first device determines that the second device is allowed to access the first device; the first device sends a third message to the second device, and the third message is used to indicate that the second device is allowed to access the first device; after the second device receives the third message from the first device, it can connect with the first device. It can be understood that the first device broadcasting the first message can indicate that the first device can actively provide relay service, which is conducive to enabling the second device to access the first device.

[0132] Optionally, if there are multiple first devices that all broadcast the first message, the second device can send the second message to the first device corresponding to the first message received first. This shows that the second device can adaptively select the first device it wants to access based on proximity. For example, first device #1 broadcasts first message #1, and first device #2 broadcasts first message #2. The distance between second device #1 and first device #1 is smaller than the distance between second device #1 and first device #2. Second device #1 receives first message #1 first. By parsing first message #1, second device #1 can learn about first device #1 and thus send a second message to first device #1. The second message is used to request first device #1 to provide relay services for second device #1.

[0133] In addition, it is understandable that any third device can detect the first message broadcast by the first device, and the third device has the ability to communicate directly with the first device through the air interface, but does not have the ability to communicate directly with the access network device through the air interface. The third device is similar to the second device, and the difference between the two is that the second device is allowed to access the first device, while the third device may be allowed to access the first device, or the third device may not be allowed to access the first device. If the third device is allowed to access the first device, the third device can also serve as the second device. It is understandable that the second device is a third device that is allowed to access the first device, for example, the third device is a non-cellular terminal, and the second device is a non-cellular terminal that is allowed to access the first device.

[0134] After receiving the first message broadcast by the first device, the third device may send a second message to the first device, where the second message is used to request the first device to provide relay services for the third device. The first device determines whether the third device is allowed to access the first device. If the first device determines that the third device is allowed to access the first device, it can be understood that the third device also serves as the second device. The first device may send a third message to the third device, where the third message is used to indicate that the third device is allowed to access the first device. After receiving the third message from the first device, the third device may connect to the first device. If the first device determines that the third device is not allowed to access the first device, the first device may send a message to the third device indicating that the third device is not allowed to access the first device, or it may not send a message to the third device indicating that the third device is not allowed to access the first device.

[0135] For example, taking the third device as a non-cellular terminal, after the non-cellular terminal #1 (i.e., the third device) receives the first message #1 broadcast by the first device #1 (the first message #1 is used to indicate that the first device #1 has the ability to provide relay services), it can send a second message #1 to the first device #1, where the second message #1 is used to request that the first device #1 provide relay services for the non-cellular terminal #1. The first device #1 determines whether the non-cellular terminal #1 is permitted to access the first device #1. If the first device #1 determines that the non-cellular terminal #1 is permitted to access the first device #1, it can be considered that the non-cellular terminal #1 is the second device. The first device can send a third message #1 to the non-cellular terminal #1, where the third message #1 is used to indicate that the non-cellular terminal #1 is permitted to access the first device #1. After receiving the third message #1, the non-cellular terminal #1 can connect to the first device #1.

[0136] Implementation 2.2, a case where the first device searches for the second message broadcast by the second device. In this case, in conjunction with Figure 9, the second device can actively broadcast the second message. In this way, after the first device searches for the second message broadcast by the second device, it can be determined that the second device is allowed to access the first device. The first device sends a third message to the second device, and the third message is used to indicate that the second device is allowed to access the first device. After the second device receives the third message from the first device, it can connect to the first device. It is understandable that the second device broadcasting the second message can indicate that the second device can actively search for the first device that can provide relay services, which is conducive to the second device accessing the first device.

[0137] Optionally, if there are multiple first devices that have searched for the second message broadcast by the second device and have sent a third message to the second device, the second device can connect to the first device corresponding to the third message received first. It can be seen that the second device can adaptively select the first device to access nearby. For example, the first device #1 and the first device #2 both search for the second message #1 broadcast by the second device #1 (the second message #1 is used to request the provision of relay service for the second device #1), the first device #1 sends the third message #1 to the second device #1, and the first device #2 sends the third message #2 to the second device #1. The distance between the second device #1 and the first device #1 is less than the distance between the second device #1 and the first device #2. The second device #1 receives the third message #1 first. The second device #1 parses the third message #1 to know the first device #1, and thus connects to the first device #1.

[0138] In addition, it is understandable that any third device can broadcast a second message, and the second message broadcast by the third device is used to request that a relay service be provided for the third device. After searching for the second message broadcast by the third device, the first device can determine whether the third device is allowed to access the first device. If the first device determines that the third device is allowed to access the first device, it can be understood that the third device also serves as a second device. Then, the first device can send a third message to the third device, and the third message is used to indicate that the third device is allowed to access the first device; after the third device receives the third message from the first device, it can connect with the first device. If the first device determines that the third device is not allowed to access the first device, the first device can send a message to the third device to indicate that the third device is not allowed to access the first device, or it can not send a message to the third device to indicate that the third device is not allowed to access the first device. For a specific description of the third device, please refer to the relevant description in Implementation 2.1, which will not be repeated here.

[0139] For example, assuming the third device is a non-cellular terminal, non-cellular terminal #1 can broadcast a second message #1 requesting relay service for non-cellular terminal #1. First device #1 searches for the second message #1 broadcast by non-cellular terminal #1 and determines whether non-cellular terminal #1 is permitted to access first device #1. If first device #1 determines that non-cellular terminal #1 is permitted to access first device #1, it sends a third message #1 to non-cellular terminal #1, indicating that non-cellular terminal #1 is permitted to access first device #1. After receiving the third message #1, non-cellular terminal #1 can connect to first device #1.

[0140] Implementation 2.3, a situation where the first device broadcasts a first message and searches for a second message broadcast by a second device. It is understandable that the first device can actively broadcast the first message and actively search for the second message broadcast by the second device. Correspondingly, the second device can search for the first message broadcast by the first device, and / or the second device broadcasts the second message. In this case, the second device can be connected to the first device based on the method described in Implementation 2.1, or the second device can be connected to the first device based on the method described in Implementation 2.2. For specific explanations, please refer to the relevant explanations in Implementation 2.1 and Implementation 2.2, which will not be repeated here. In addition, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the order of the operation of the first device broadcasting the first message and the operation of the first device searching for the second message broadcast by the second device.

[0141] In addition, optionally, in any of the above-mentioned embodiments 2.1 to 2.3, in the case where the access network device sends a seventh message to the first device (the seventh message is used to indicate one or more second devices that are allowed to access the first device), the first device can learn through the seventh message: which (or which) third devices are the second devices that are allowed to access the first device, so that the first device can determine whether the third device is allowed to access the first device.

[0142] In an optional embodiment, the operation of the second device searching for the first message broadcast by the first device and / or the operation of the second device broadcasting the second message may be performed by the second device after disconnecting from the paired fourth device. The fourth device may communicate with the second device via the air interface, and the fourth device may also communicate with the access network device via the air interface. The fourth device may, for example, be a device that has both the access capability to support non-cellular air interfaces and the access capability to support cellular air interfaces. The fourth device is similar to the first device, and the difference between the two is that the fourth device has been paired with the second device, and the first device has not been paired with the second device. For example, the fourth device and the second device may be paired via Bluetooth. In addition, the fourth device may also be referred to as the home device of the second device or the host of the second device.

[0143] It is understandable that since the second device has been paired with the fourth device, the second device can access the fourth device when / after discovering the fourth device, thereby communicating with the access network device through the fourth device. If the fourth device changes (such as position movement or device damage) and cannot be discovered by the second device, the second device will not be able to access the fourth device, and thus the second device cannot communicate with the access network device through the fourth device. In addition, if the second device often changes position, it is easy to lose contact with the paired fourth device due to its own movement, and thus the second device cannot communicate with the access network device through the fourth device. After the second device is disconnected from the fourth device, the second device can search for the first message broadcast by the first device and / or the second message broadcast by the second device, which is conducive to the second device being able to adaptively select the first device and access the first device, and then communicate with the access network device through the first device.

[0144] For example, if the second device is a non-cellular terminal and the first device and the fourth device are both gateways, the non-cellular terminal #1 can communicate with the paired gateway #1, and thus the non-cellular terminal #1 can communicate with the access network device through gateway #1.

[0145] In the scenario where non-cellular terminal #1 is disconnected from gateway #1 and non-cellular terminal #1 cannot find gateway #1, non-cellular terminal #1 searches for a first message #1 broadcasted by gateway #2, which is not paired with it (first message #1 is used to indicate that gateway #2 has the ability to provide relay services). Non-cellular terminal #1 can send a second message #1 to gateway #2 (second message #1 is used to request gateway #2 to provide relay services for non-cellular terminal #1). Gateway #2 determines that non-cellular terminal #1 is allowed to access gateway #2. Gateway #2 can send a third message #1 to non-cellular terminal #1 (third message #1 is used to indicate that non-cellular terminal #1 is allowed to access gateway #2), and non-cellular terminal #1 is connected to gateway #2.

[0146] Alternatively, in a scenario where non-cellular terminal #1 is disconnected from gateway #1 and non-cellular terminal #1 cannot detect gateway #1, non-cellular terminal #1 broadcasts a second message #2 (second message #2 is used to request that a relay service be provided to non-cellular terminal #1). Gateway #2 searches for the second message #2 broadcast by non-cellular terminal #1 and determines that non-cellular terminal #1 is permitted to access gateway #2. Gateway #2 may then send a third message #1 to non-cellular terminal #1 (third message #1 is used to indicate that non-cellular terminal #1 is permitted to access gateway #2), and non-cellular terminal #1 is connected to gateway #2.

[0147] In an optional embodiment, after the first device and the second device are connected, the method may further include: the first device sending the second device's identifier and / or the second device's status information to the access network device. Optionally, the method may further include: the access network device sending the second device's identifier and / or the second device's status information to the core network device. Furthermore, in addition to the second device's identifier and the second device's status information, the first device may also send other information related to the second device's access to the first device to the access network device, without limitation.

[0148] In an optional embodiment, after the first device is connected to the second device, the method may further include: the second device sends the collected data to the first device, and the first device sends the data collected by the second device to the access network device. This embodiment can be applied to a scenario where the service type of the relay service opened by the first device includes a data transmission service. In addition, exemplarily, if the user device where the second device is deployed can communicate with the access network device through the air interface, the access network device can send the data collected by the second device to the user device. If the user device where the second device is deployed is connected to the DN, the access network device can send the data collected by the second device to the core network device, the core network device sends the data collected by the second device to the DN, and the DN sends the data collected by the second device to the user device.

[0149] In an optional embodiment, in conjunction with Figure 10, after the first device is connected to the second device, the method may further include: the access network device sends a fourth message to the first device, and the first device sends a fourth message to the second device, where the fourth message is used to request the location information of the second device. The second device sends a fifth message to the first device, where the fifth message is used to indicate the location information of the second device, or the fifth message is used to indicate that the second device cannot obtain the location information. The first device sends the fifth message to the access network device, or sends the fifth message and the location information of the first device to the access network device. This embodiment can be applied to a scenario where the service type of the relay service activated by the first device includes a location service. Optionally, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 10, if the fourth message is sent by the core network device to the access network device, the access network device further sends the fifth message to the core network device after receiving the fifth message from the first device, or the access network device further sends the fifth message and the location information of the first device to the core network device after receiving the fifth message from the first device and the location information of the first device.

[0150] For example, in a case where a user equipment deploying a second device wants to know the location of the second device, if the user equipment and the access network device can communicate over the air interface, the access network device may receive a fourth message from the user equipment before sending a fourth message to the first device. After receiving the fifth message from the first device, the access network device may send a fifth message to the user equipment. Alternatively, after receiving the fifth message from the first device and the location information of the first device, the access network device may send the fifth message and the location information of the first device to the user equipment.

[0151] For example, a user device that deploys a second device wants to know the location of the second device. If the user device that deploys the second device is connected to a DN, the user device can send a fourth message to the core network device through the DN, and the access network device can receive the fourth message from the core network device before sending the fourth message to the first device. After receiving the fifth message from the first device, the access network device can send a fifth message to the core network device, and the core network device sends the fifth message to the user device through the DN; or, after receiving the fifth message from the first device and the location information of the first device, the access network device can send the fifth message and the location information of the first device to the core network device, and the core network device sends the fifth message and the location information of the first device to the user device through the DN.

[0152] In an optional embodiment, after the first device is connected to the second device, the method may further include: the first device releasing the connection with the second device, or the second device releasing the connection with the first device.

[0153] In an optional embodiment, the method may further include: the first device shuts down the relay service. Optionally, the method may further include: the access network device sends an eighth message to the first device, the eighth message is used to instruct the first device to shut down the relay service, and the first device performs the operation of shutting down the relay service when / after receiving the eighth message from the access network device. This method can be applied to the situation where the access network device sends the sixth message to the first device (the sixth message is used to instruct the first device to activate the relay service), and the access network device instructs the first device to activate / close the relay service. Optionally, the eighth message is also used to indicate the service type of the relay service to be shut down, then, when / after the first device receives the eighth message from the access network device, it can shut down the relay service of this service type.

[0154] For example, the first device has activated the relay service with the service type of data transmission service and location service. The eighth message sent by the access network device to the first device is used to instruct the first device to turn off the relay service with the service type of location service. Then, when / after the first device receives the eighth message from the access network device, it can turn off the relay service with the service type of location service, and the first device still has the ability to provide the relay service with the service type of location service.

[0155] Optionally, before the access network device sends the eighth message to the first device, the method may further include: the core network device sending an eleventh message to the access network device, the eleventh message being used to instruct one or more first devices to deactivate the relay service. Then, after receiving the eleventh message from the core network device, the access network device may send the eighth message to the one or more first devices. Furthermore, the eighth message and the eleventh message may be the same. In the case where the eleventh message is used to instruct multiple first devices to deactivate the relay service, the access network device may send the eighth message to the multiple first devices using a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint method. Alternatively, the eighth message and the eleventh message may be different. In the case where the eleventh message is used to instruct multiple first devices to deactivate the relay service, the eighth message sent by the access network device to each first device is used to instruct that first device to deactivate the relay service, and may not be used to instruct other first devices in the multiple first devices to deactivate the relay service. Optionally, the eleventh message may also be used to indicate the service type of the deactivated relay service. In this case, the eighth message may also be used to indicate the service type.

[0156] In summary, in this message transmission method, a first device activates a relay service, which is used for communication between a second device and an access network device through the first device. The second device is a device that is not paired with the first device. The first device broadcasts a first message and / or searches for a second message broadcast by a second device. The first message indicates that the first device has the capability to provide the relay service, and the second message requests the provision of the relay service for the second device.

[0157] It can be seen that the first device is capable of providing relay services for the second device that is not paired with the first device, which is conducive to the second device that is not paired with the first device and the access network device to communicate through the first device. This method can be applied to the scenario where the second device is a non-cellular terminal and the first device is a cellular terminal, which is conducive to the non-cellular terminal being able to feed back the collected data and / or location information to the user device where the non-cellular terminal is deployed through the cellular terminal and the access network device. For this scenario, the method fully utilizes the advantages of the wide-area coverage of the cellular network, the widespread existence of cellular devices under the coverage of the cellular network, and the non-cellular air interfaces commonly configured in cellular devices, so that the cellular terminal is able to provide relay services for the non-cellular terminal, so that the non-cellular terminal can return the collected data and report the location to the user device within a wide area.

[0158] In addition, the first device actively broadcasts the first message, which facilitates the second device to discover the first device and adaptively access the first device, thereby facilitating communication between the second device and the access network device through the first device. The first device actively searches for the second message broadcast by the second device, which facilitates providing relay services to the second device when the first device searches for the first message broadcast by the second device, thereby facilitating communication between the second device and the access network device through the first device.

[0159] In addition, the method can also be applied to the scenario where the second device is disconnected from the paired device. The method is beneficial for the second device to no longer be restricted to communicating only with the paired device. After the second device is disconnected from the paired device, it can still adaptively access the first device, thereby realizing communication with the access network device through the first device, thereby expanding the communication range of the second device.

[0160] To implement the various functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application, the first device or the second device or the core network device or the access network device may include hardware structures and / or software modules, and implement the aforementioned functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular one of the aforementioned functions is implemented in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0161] As shown in Figure 11, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 1100. The communication device 1100 can be a first device or a second device or a core network device or an access network device, or can be a component of the first device (for example, an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.), or can be a component of the second device (for example, an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.), or can be a component of the core network device (for example, an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.), or can be a component of the access network device (for example, an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.). The communication device 1100 can also be other communication units for implementing the method in the method embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1100 may include a processing unit 1101. Optionally, the communication device 1100 may further include a communication unit 1102, the processing unit 1101 is used to control the communication unit 1102 to send and receive data / signaling, and the communication unit 1102 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit. Optionally, the communication unit 1102 may include a sending unit and a receiving unit, the sending unit may be used to send data / signaling, and the receiving unit may be used to receive data / signaling. Optionally, the communication device 1100 may further include a storage unit 1103 , which may be used to store information and / or data and / or instructions, etc. The storage unit 1103 may interact with the processing unit 1101 and may also interact with the communication unit 1102 .

[0162] In one possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 1100 is used to implement the function of the first device in the above method embodiment:

[0163] The processing unit 1101 is configured to activate a relay service, where the relay service is used for communication between a second device and an access network device via the communication apparatus 1100 . The second device is a device that is not paired with the communication apparatus 1100 .

[0164] The communication unit 1102 is configured to broadcast a first message indicating that the communication apparatus 1100 has the capability to provide a relay service. Alternatively, the processing unit 1101 is configured to search for a second message broadcast by a second device requesting that a relay service be provided to the second device.

[0165] In an optional embodiment, communication apparatus 1100 has broadcast a first message. Communication unit 1102 is further configured to receive a second message from a second device, the second message specifically requesting communication apparatus 1100 to provide a relay service for the second device. Communication unit 1102 is further configured to send a third message to the second device, the third message indicating that the second device is permitted to access communication apparatus 1100. Processing unit 1101 is further configured to establish a connection with the second device.

[0166] In an optional embodiment, the communication apparatus 1100 searches for a second message broadcast by the second device. The communication unit 1102 is further configured to send a third message to the second device, the third message being used to indicate that the second device is permitted to access the communication apparatus 1100. The processing unit 1101 is further configured to connect to the second device.

[0167] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1102 is further configured to send an identifier of the second device and / or status information of the second device to the access network device after the communication apparatus 1100 is connected to the second device.

[0168] In an optional embodiment, the communication unit 1102 is further configured to receive a fourth message from the access network device after the communication apparatus 1100 is connected to the second device, the fourth message being used to request the location information of the second device. The communication unit 1102 is further configured to send the fourth message to the second device. The communication unit 1102 is further configured to receive a fifth message from the second device, the fifth message being used to indicate the location information of the second device, or the fifth message being used to indicate that the second device cannot obtain the location information. The communication unit 1102 is further configured to send the fifth message to the access network device, or to send the fifth message and the location information of the communication apparatus 1100 to the access network device.

[0169] In an optional embodiment, the communication unit 1102 is further configured to receive a sixth message from the access network device, the sixth message being used to instruct the communication apparatus 1100 to activate the relay service. The processing unit 1101 activates the relay service, specifically to activate the relay service according to the sixth message.

[0170] Optionally, the sixth message is further used to indicate a service type of the relay service, where the service type includes a data transmission service and / or a location service.

[0171] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1102 is further configured to receive a seventh message from the access network device, where the seventh message is used to indicate one or more second devices that are allowed to access the communication apparatus 1100 .

[0172] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1102 is further configured to receive an eighth message from the access network device, the eighth message being used to instruct the communication apparatus 1100 to shut down the relay service. The processing unit 1101 is further configured to shut down the relay service according to the eighth message.

[0173] In another possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 1100 is used to implement the function of the second device in the above method embodiment:

[0174] The communication unit 1102 is used to receive a first message broadcast by a first device, where the first message is used to indicate that the first device has the capability of providing a relay service, and the relay service is used for communication between the communication apparatus 1100 and the access network device through the first device.

[0175] The communication unit 1102 is further configured to send a second message to the first device, where the second message is configured to request the first device to provide a relay service for the communication apparatus 1100 .

[0176] The communication unit 1102 is further configured to receive a third message from the first device, where the third message is used to indicate that the communication apparatus 1100 is permitted to access the first device.

[0177] The processing unit 1101 is configured to connect to the first device.

[0178] In an optional embodiment, the communication unit 1102 is further configured to receive a fourth message from the first device after the communication apparatus 1100 is connected to the first device, the fourth message being used to request obtaining location information of the communication apparatus 1100. The communication unit 1102 is further configured to send a fifth message to the first device, the fifth message being used to indicate the location information of the communication apparatus 1100, or the fifth message being used to indicate that the communication apparatus 1100 is unable to obtain the location information.

[0179] In another possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 1100 is used to implement the function of the second device in the above method embodiment:

[0180] The communication unit 1102 is configured to broadcast a second message, where the second message is used to request a relay service to be provided for the communication device 1100 .

[0181] The communication unit 1102 is also used to receive a third message from the first device, where the third message is used to indicate that the communication apparatus 1100 is allowed to access the first device, and the first device has the ability to provide relay services, which are used for communication between the communication apparatus 1100 and the access network device through the first device.

[0182] The processing unit 1101 is configured to connect to the first device.

[0183] In an optional embodiment, the communication unit 1102 is further configured to receive a fourth message from the first device after the communication apparatus 1100 is connected to the first device, the fourth message being used to request obtaining location information of the communication apparatus 1100. The communication unit 1102 is further configured to send a fifth message to the first device, the fifth message being used to indicate the location information of the communication apparatus 1100, or the fifth message being used to indicate that the communication apparatus 1100 is unable to obtain the location information.

[0184] In another possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 1100 is used to implement the functions of the core network device in the above method embodiment:

[0185] Communication unit 1102 is used to send a ninth message to the access network device, where the ninth message is used to instruct each of one or more first devices to activate a relay service; the relay service activated by each first device is used for communication between a second device and the access network device through the first device, where the second device is a device that is not paired with the first device.

[0186] In an optional implementation, the ninth message is further used to indicate a service type of the relay service, where the service type includes a data transmission service and / or a location service.

[0187] In an optional implementation, the ninth message includes: a group identifier corresponding to the multiple first devices, and an identifier of each first device in the multiple first devices.

[0188] In an optional implementation manner, the multiple first devices all belong to the first cell, or the multiple first devices all are located in the first geographical area, or the multiple first devices all correspond to the same access network device.

[0189] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1102 is further configured to receive an identification of a second device and / or status information of the second device from the access network device, where the second device is connected to one of the one or more first devices.

[0190] In an optional embodiment, the communication unit 1102 is further configured to send a fourth message to the access network device, the fourth message being used to request the location information of the second device. The communication unit 1102 is further configured to receive a fifth message from the access network device, or to receive the fifth message from the access network device and the location information of a first device connected to the second device. The fifth message is used to indicate the location information of the second device, or the fifth message is used to indicate that the second device cannot obtain the location information.

[0191] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1102 is further configured to send a tenth message to the access network device, where the tenth message is used to indicate one or more second devices that are permitted to access each of the one or more first devices.

[0192] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1102 is further configured to send an eleventh message to the access network device, where the eleventh message is used to instruct one or more first devices to shut down the relay service.

[0193] In another possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 1100 is used to implement the functions of the access network device in the above method embodiment:

[0194] Communication unit 1102 is used to receive a ninth message from a core network device, where the ninth message is used to instruct each of one or more first devices to activate a relay service; the relay service activated by each first device is used for communication between a second device and the communication apparatus 1100 through the first device, where the second device is a device that is not paired with the first device.

[0195] The communication unit 1102 is further configured to send a sixth message to one or more first devices, where the sixth message sent to each first device is used to instruct the first device to activate the relay service.

[0196] In an optional implementation, the ninth message is further used to indicate the service type of the relay service, where the service type includes a data transmission service and / or a location service; and the sixth message is further used to indicate the service type.

[0197] In an optional implementation, the ninth message includes: a group identifier corresponding to the multiple first devices, and an identifier of each first device in the multiple first devices.

[0198] In an optional implementation, the multiple first devices all belong to the first cell, or the multiple first devices all are located in the first geographical area, or the multiple first devices all correspond to the same communication apparatus 1100 .

[0199] In an optional embodiment, the communication unit 1102 is further configured to receive, from a first device among the one or more first devices, an identifier of a second device and / or status information of the second device, the second device being connected to the first device. The communication unit 1102 is further configured to send the identifier of the second device and / or status information of the second device to the core network device.

[0200] Optionally, the communication unit 1102 is further used to receive a fourth message from the core network device, and the fourth message is used to request the location information of the second device. The communication unit 1102 is further used to send a fourth message to a first device. The communication unit 1102 is further used to receive a fifth message from a first device and send the fifth message to the core network device; or, the communication unit 1102 is further used to receive a fifth message from the communication device 1100 and the location information of a first device, and send the fifth message and the location information of the first device to the core network device. The fifth message is used to indicate the location information of the second device, or the fifth message is used to indicate that the second device cannot obtain the location information.

[0201] In an optional embodiment, the communication unit 1102 is further configured to receive a tenth message from the core network device, the tenth message being used to indicate one or more second devices permitted to access each of the one or more first devices. The communication unit 1102 is further configured to send a seventh message to the one or more first devices, the seventh message sent to each first device being used to indicate one or more second devices permitted to access the first device.

[0202] In an optional embodiment, the communication unit 1102 is further configured to receive an eleventh message from a core network device, the eleventh message being used to instruct one or more first devices to disable a relay service. The communication unit 1102 is further configured to send an eighth message to the one or more first devices, the eighth message being sent to each first device being used to instruct the first device to disable a relay service.

[0203] The embodiments of the present application and the method embodiments shown above are based on the same concept, and the technical effects they bring are also the same. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of the embodiments shown above, and no further details will be given.

[0204] The embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device 1200, as shown in Figure 12. The communication device 1200 can be a first device or a second device or a core network device or an access network device, or can be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the first device to implement the above method, or can be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the second device to implement the above method, or can be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the core network device to implement the above method, or can be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the access network device to implement the above method. The device can be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment, and for details, please refer to the description in the above method embodiment.

[0205] The communication device 1200 may include one or more processors 1201. The processor 1201 may be used to implement some or all of the functions of the first device or the second device through logic circuits or running computer programs. The processor 1201 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it may be a baseband processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control the communication device, execute software programs, and process data of the software programs, wherein the communication device is, for example, a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal, a terminal chip, a distributed unit (DU) or a distributed unit (CU), etc.

[0206] Optionally, the communication device 1200 may include one or more memories 1202, on which instructions 1204 may be stored. The instructions may be executed on the processor 1201, causing the communication device 1200 to perform the method described in the above method embodiment. Optionally, the memory 1202 may also store data. The processor 1201 and the memory 1202 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0207] The memory 1202 may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), ROM or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc.

[0208] Optionally, the communication device 1200 may further include a transceiver 1205 and an antenna 1206. The transceiver 1205 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc., and is configured to implement transceiver functions. The transceiver 1205 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be referred to as a receiver or a receiving circuit, etc., and is configured to implement a receiving function; the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or a transmitting circuit, etc., and is configured to implement a transmitting function.

[0209] In one possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 1200 is used to implement the function of the first device in the above method embodiment:

[0210] The processor 1201 is configured to activate a relay service, where the relay service is used for communication between a second device and an access network device via the communication apparatus 1200 . The second device is a device that is not paired with the communication apparatus 1200 .

[0211] The transceiver 1205 is configured to broadcast a first message indicating that the communication apparatus 1200 has the capability to provide a relay service. Alternatively, the processor 1201 is further configured to search for a second message broadcast by a second device, the second message requesting the provision of a relay service for the second device.

[0212] In an optional embodiment, communication apparatus 1200 has broadcast a first message. Transceiver 1205 is further configured to receive a second message from a second device, the second message specifically requesting communication apparatus 1200 to provide a relay service for the second device. Transceiver 1205 is further configured to send a third message to the second device, the third message indicating that the second device is permitted to access communication apparatus 1200. Processor 1201 is further configured to establish a connection with the second device.

[0213] In an optional embodiment, the communication apparatus 1200 searches for a second message broadcast by the second device. The transceiver 1205 is further configured to send a third message to the second device, the third message being used to indicate that the second device is permitted to access the communication apparatus 1200. The processor 1201 is further configured to connect to the second device.

[0214] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 1205 is further configured to send an identifier of the second device and / or status information of the second device to the access network device after the communication apparatus 1200 is connected to the second device.

[0215] In an optional embodiment, transceiver 1205 is further configured to receive a fourth message from the access network device after communication apparatus 1200 is connected to the second device, the fourth message being used to request the location information of the second device. Transceiver 1205 is further configured to send the fourth message to the second device. Transceiver 1205 is further configured to receive a fifth message from the second device, the fifth message being used to indicate the location information of the second device, or the fifth message being used to indicate that the second device cannot obtain location information. Transceiver 1205 is further configured to send the fifth message to the access network device, or to send the fifth message and the location information of communication apparatus 1200 to the access network device.

[0216] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 1205 is further configured to receive a sixth message from the access network device, the sixth message being used to instruct the communication apparatus 1200 to activate a relay service. The processor 1201 activates the relay service, specifically to activate the relay service according to the sixth message.

[0217] Optionally, the sixth message is further used to indicate a service type of the relay service, where the service type includes a data transmission service and / or a location service.

[0218] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 1205 is further configured to receive a seventh message from the access network device, where the seventh message is used to indicate one or more second devices that are allowed to access the communication apparatus 1200 .

[0219] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 1205 is further configured to receive an eighth message from the access network device, the eighth message being used to instruct the communication apparatus 1200 to shut down the relay service. The processor 1201 is further configured to shut down the relay service according to the eighth message.

[0220] In another possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 1200 is used to implement the function of the second device in the above method embodiment:

[0221] The transceiver 1205 is used to receive a first message broadcast by the first device, where the first message is used to indicate that the first device has the capability of providing a relay service, and the relay service is used for communication between the communication apparatus 1200 and the access network device through the first device.

[0222] The transceiver 1205 is further configured to send a second message to the first device, where the second message is configured to request the first device to provide a relay service for the communication apparatus 1200 .

[0223] The transceiver 1205 is further configured to receive a third message from the first device, where the third message is used to indicate that the communication apparatus 1200 is permitted to access the first device.

[0224] The processor 1201 is configured to connect to a first device.

[0225] In an optional embodiment, the transceiver 1205 is further configured to receive a fourth message from the first device after the communication apparatus 1200 is connected to the first device, where the fourth message is used to request the location information of the communication apparatus 1200. The transceiver 1205 is further configured to send a fifth message to the first device, where the fifth message is used to indicate the location information of the communication apparatus 1200, or the fifth message is used to indicate that the communication apparatus 1200 is unable to obtain the location information.

[0226] In another possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 1200 is used to implement the function of the second device in the above method embodiment:

[0227] The transceiver 1205 is configured to broadcast a second message, where the second message is used to request a relay service to be provided for the communication device 1200 .

[0228] The transceiver 1205 is also used to receive a third message from the first device, where the third message is used to indicate that the communication device 1200 is allowed to access the first device, and the first device has the ability to provide relay services. The relay services are used for communication between the communication device 1200 and the access network device through the first device.

[0229] The processor 1201 is configured to connect to a first device.

[0230] In an optional embodiment, the transceiver 1205 is further configured to receive a fourth message from the first device after the communication apparatus 1200 is connected to the first device, where the fourth message is used to request the location information of the communication apparatus 1200. The transceiver 1205 is further configured to send a fifth message to the first device, where the fifth message is used to indicate the location information of the communication apparatus 1200, or the fifth message is used to indicate that the communication apparatus 1200 is unable to obtain the location information.

[0231] In another possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 1200 is used to implement the functions of the core network device in the above method embodiment:

[0232] Transceiver 1205 is used to send a ninth message to the access network device, where the ninth message is used to instruct each of one or more first devices to activate a relay service; the relay service activated by each first device is used for communication between a second device and the access network device through the first device, where the second device is a device that is not paired with the first device.

[0233] In an optional implementation, the ninth message is further used to indicate a service type of the relay service, where the service type includes a data transmission service and / or a location service.

[0234] In an optional implementation, the ninth message includes: a group identifier corresponding to the multiple first devices, and an identifier of each first device in the multiple first devices.

[0235] In an optional implementation manner, the multiple first devices all belong to the first cell, or the multiple first devices all are located in the first geographical area, or the multiple first devices all correspond to the same access network device.

[0236] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 1205 is further configured to receive an identifier of a second device and / or status information of the second device from the access network device, where the second device is connected to one of the one or more first devices.

[0237] In an optional embodiment, transceiver 1205 is further configured to send a fourth message to the access network device, the fourth message being used to request the location information of the second device. Transceiver 1205 is further configured to receive a fifth message from the access network device, or to receive the fifth message from the access network device and the location information of a first device connected to the second device. The fifth message is used to indicate the location information of the second device, or the fifth message is used to indicate that the second device is unable to obtain the location information.

[0238] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 1205 is further configured to send a tenth message to the access network device, where the tenth message is used to indicate one or more second devices that are permitted to access each of the one or more first devices.

[0239] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 1205 is further configured to send an eleventh message to the access network device, where the eleventh message is configured to instruct one or more first devices to shut down the relay service.

[0240] In another possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 1200 is used to implement the functions of the access network device in the above method embodiment:

[0241] Transceiver 1205 is used to receive a ninth message from a core network device, where the ninth message is used to instruct each of one or more first devices to activate a relay service; the relay service activated by each first device is used for communication between a second device and the communication apparatus 1200 through the first device, where the second device is a device that is not paired with the first device.

[0242] The transceiver 1205 is further configured to send a sixth message to one or more first devices, where the sixth message sent to each first device is used to instruct the first device to activate the relay service.

[0243] In an optional implementation, the ninth message is further used to indicate the service type of the relay service, where the service type includes a data transmission service and / or a location service; and the sixth message is further used to indicate the service type.

[0244] In an optional implementation, the ninth message includes: a group identifier corresponding to the multiple first devices, and an identifier of each first device in the multiple first devices.

[0245] In an optional implementation, the multiple first devices all belong to the first cell, or the multiple first devices all are located in the first geographical area, or the multiple first devices all correspond to the same communication apparatus 1200 .

[0246] In an optional embodiment, transceiver 1205 is further configured to receive, from a first device among the one or more first devices, an identifier of a second device and / or status information of the second device, the second device being connected to the first device. Transceiver 1205 is further configured to send the identifier of the second device and / or status information of the second device to a core network device.

[0247] Optionally, the transceiver 1205 is further used to receive a fourth message from the core network device, where the fourth message is used to request the location information of the second device. The transceiver 1205 is further used to send a fourth message to a first device. The transceiver 1205 is further used to receive a fifth message from a first device and send the fifth message to the core network device; or, the transceiver 1205 is further used to receive a fifth message from the communication device 1200 and the location information of a first device, and send the fifth message and the location information of the first device to the core network device. The fifth message is used to indicate the location information of the second device, or the fifth message is used to indicate that the second device cannot obtain the location information.

[0248] In an optional embodiment, the transceiver 1205 is further configured to receive a tenth message from the core network device, the tenth message being used to indicate one or more second devices permitted to access each of the one or more first devices. The transceiver 1205 is further configured to send a seventh message to the one or more first devices, the seventh message being sent to each first device being used to indicate one or more second devices permitted to access the first device.

[0249] In an optional embodiment, the transceiver 1205 is further configured to receive an eleventh message from the core network device, the eleventh message being used to instruct one or more first devices to disable the relay service. The transceiver 1205 is further configured to send an eighth message to the one or more first devices, the eighth message being sent to each first device being used to instruct the first device to disable the relay service.

[0250] In another possible design, processor 1201 may include a transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing the receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code / data, or the transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for transmitting or delivering signals.

[0251] In another possible design, processor 1201 may optionally store instructions 1203. Instructions 1203, when executed on processor 1201, may cause communication device 1200 to perform the method described in the above method embodiment. Instructions 1203 may be fixed in processor 1201. In this case, processor 1201 may be implemented by hardware.

[0252] In another possible design, the communication device 1200 may include a circuit that can implement the functions of sending, receiving, or communicating in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a mixed signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), N-type metal oxide semiconductor (nMetal-oxide-semiconductor, NMOS), P-type metal oxide semiconductor (positive channel metal oxide semiconductor, PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (bipolar junction transistor, BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0253] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. Whether such functions are implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design requirements of the entire system. Those skilled in the art may use various methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be construed as exceeding the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application.

[0254] The embodiments of the present application and the above-mentioned method embodiments are based on the same concept, and the technical effects they bring are also the same. For the specific principles, please refer to the description in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and no further details will be given.

[0255] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer software instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0256] The present application also provides a computer program product for storing computer software instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0257] The present application also provides a computer program that, when executed on a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0258] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, an SSD).

[0259] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A message transmission method, characterized in that: Applied to a first device, the method includes: Activate a relay service, where the relay service is used for a second device to communicate with an access network device through the first device, where the second device is a device that is not paired with the first device; broadcasting a first message, and / or searching for a second message broadcasted by the second device; The first message is used to indicate that the first device has the capability of providing the relay service, and the second message is used to request to provide the relay service for the second device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first device has broadcast the first message, and the method further includes: receiving a second message from the second device, where the second message is specifically used to request the first device to provide the relay service for the second device; Sending a third message to the second device, where the third message is used to indicate that the second device is allowed to access the first device; Connect with the second device.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first device searches for the second message broadcast by the second device; and the method further includes: Sending a third message to the second device, where the third message is used to indicate that the second device is allowed to access the first device; Connect with the second device.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: After the connection with the second device is established, the method further includes: Sending the identifier of the second device and / or the status information of the second device to the access network device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: After the connection with the second device is established, the method further includes: receiving a fourth message from the access network device, where the fourth message is used to request obtaining location information of the second device; Sending the fourth message to the second device; receiving a fifth message from the second device, where the fifth message is used to indicate the location information of the second device, or the fifth message is used to indicate that the second device cannot obtain the location information; Sending the fifth message to the access network device; or sending the fifth message and the location information of the first device to the access network device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving a sixth message from the access network device, where the sixth message is used to instruct the first device to activate the relay service; The enabling of the relay service includes: enabling the relay service according to the sixth message.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The sixth message is further used to indicate a service type of the relay service, where the service type includes a data transmission service and / or a location service.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A seventh message is received from the access network device, where the seventh message is used to indicate one or more of the second devices that are permitted to access the first device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving an eighth message from the access network device, where the eighth message is used to instruct the first device to shut down the relay service; The relay service is closed according to the eighth message.

10. A message transmission method, characterized in that: Applied to a second device that is not paired with a first device, the method includes: receiving a first message broadcast by the first device, where the first message is used to indicate that the first device has the capability of providing a relay service, The relay service is used for the second device to communicate with the access network device through the first device; Sending a second message to the first device, where the second message is used to request the first device to provide the relay service for the second device; receiving a third message from the first device, where the third message is used to indicate that the second device is allowed to access the first device; Connecting with the first device.

11. A message transmission method, characterized in that: Applied to a second device that is not paired with a first device, the method includes: broadcasting a second message, where the second message is used to request providing a relay service for the second device; receiving a third message from the first device, the third message being used to indicate that the second device is permitted to access the first device; the first device has the ability to provide a relay service, the relay service being used for the second device to communicate with an access network device through the first device; Connecting with the first device.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: After the connection with the first device is established, the method further includes: receiving a fourth message from the first device, where the fourth message is used to request obtaining location information of the second device; A fifth message is sent to the first device, where the fifth message is used to indicate the location information of the second device, or the fifth message is used to indicate that the second device cannot obtain the location information.

13. A message transmission method, characterized in that: Applied to a core network device, the method comprises: Sending a ninth message to the access network device, where the ninth message is used to instruct each of the one or more first devices to activate a relay service; The relay service activated by each first device is used for communication between a second device and the access network device through the first device, and the second device is a device that is not paired with the first device.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The ninth message is further used to indicate a service type of the relay service, where the service type includes a data transmission service and / or a location service.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The ninth message includes: a group identifier corresponding to the multiple first devices and an identifier of each first device in the multiple first devices.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that The multiple first devices all belong to the first cell, or the multiple first devices are all located in the first geographical area, or the multiple first devices all correspond to the same access network device.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that The method further comprises: An identification of the second device and / or status information of the second device is received from the access network device, where the second device is connected to a first device among the one or more first devices.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending a fourth message to the access network device, where the fourth message is used to request obtaining location information of the second device; receiving a fifth message from the access network device; or receiving a fifth message from the access network device and location information of the first device connected to the second device; The fifth message is used to indicate the location information of the second device, or the fifth message is used to indicate that the second device cannot obtain the location information.

19. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that The method further comprises: A tenth message is sent to the access network device, where the tenth message is used to indicate one or more of the second devices that are permitted to access each of the one or more first devices.

20. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, characterized in that The method further comprises: An eleventh message is sent to the access network device, where the eleventh message is used to instruct the one or more first devices to shut down the relay service.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: The device includes a module or unit for implementing the method described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or the device includes a module or unit for implementing the method described in claim 10 or 12, or the device includes a module or unit for implementing the method described in claim 11 or 12, or the device includes a module or unit for implementing the method described in any one of claims 13 to 20.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: Including processors; The processor is used to execute a computer program or instruction in the memory so that the communication device performs the method described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or the communication device performs the method described in claim 10 or 12, or the communication device performs the method described in claim 11 or 12, or the communication device performs the method described in any one of claims 13 to 20.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, which, when executed, implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or implements the method according to claim 10 or 12, or implements the method according to claim 11 or 12, or implements the method according to any one of claims 13 to 20.

24. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises: a computer program code, which, when executed, implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or implements the method according to claim 10 or 12, or implements the method according to claim 11 or 12, or implements the method according to any one of claims 13 to 20.

25. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system comprises a first device and a second device, the first device being used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and the second device being used to execute the method according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

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