Communication method, apparatus and device, and medium

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communications, and discloses a communication method, apparatus and device, and a medium. The method is performed by a terminal device, and comprises: receiving first information, the first information being used for instructing the terminal device to perform an inventory service related to an A-IoT device, and / or the first information carrying inventory service information related to the A-IoT device. Inventorying of A-IoT devices is implemented in a remote scenario, the use scenario of the A-IoT devices is widen, and the effect on a traditional communication architecture is small, thereby achieving good forward compatibility.

Description

Communication method, device, equipment and medium Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a communication method, apparatus, device, and medium. Background Art

[0002] The short communication distance of Ambient Power Enabled Internet of Things (A-IoT) devices makes it difficult to implement remote inventory operations, which greatly limits the use cases and inventory efficiency of A-IoT devices.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, device, and medium, the technical solution of which at least includes:

[0005] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided, the method being executed by a terminal device, the method comprising:

[0006] Receive first information, where the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform an inventory service related to the A-IoT device, and / or the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device.

[0007] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided, the method being performed by a network device, the method comprising:

[0008] Sending a first message to a terminal device; the first message is used to instruct the terminal device to perform an inventory service related to the A-IoT device, and / or the first message carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device.

[0009] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided, the method being performed by a first network element, the method including:

[0010] Sending first information to a terminal device, where the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform an inventory service related to an A-IoT device, and / or the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device.

[0011] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a communication device is provided, the device including:

[0012] A receiving module is used to receive first information, where the first information is used to instruct the device to perform an inventory service related to the A-IoT device, and / or the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device.

[0013] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a communication device is provided, the device including:

[0014] A sending module is used to send a first message to a terminal device; the first message is used to instruct the terminal device to perform an inventory service related to the A-IoT device, and / or the first message carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device.

[0015] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a communication device is provided, the device including:

[0016] A sending module is used to send a first message to a terminal device; the first message is used to instruct the terminal device to perform an inventory service related to the A-IoT device, and / or the first message carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device.

[0017] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a terminal device is provided, which includes: a processor; a transceiver connected to the processor; and a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; wherein the processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the communication method as described above.

[0018] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a network device is provided, comprising: a processor; a transceiver connected to the processor; and a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; wherein the processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the communication method described above.

[0019] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a communication device is provided, which includes: a processor; a transceiver connected to the processor; and a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; wherein the processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the communication method as described above.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which executable instructions are stored. The executable instructions are loaded and executed by the processor to implement the communication method as described in the above aspect.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present application, a computer program product is provided, which includes computer instructions, wherein the computer instructions are stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and a processor of a computer device reads the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium, and the processor executes the computer instructions, so that the computer device executes to implement the communication method described in the above aspect.

[0022] According to one aspect of the present application, a chip is provided, which includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and is used to implement the communication method described in the above aspects when the chip is running.

[0023] According to one aspect of the present application, a computer program is provided, which includes computer instructions. A processor of a computer device executes the computer instructions, so that the computer device executes the communication method as described in the above aspect.

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

[0025] Support for inventory management services through terminal devices. Compared with solutions that require A-IoT devices to communicate directly with network devices to implement reading, writing, and inventory management services, the introduction of terminal devices helps widen the communication distance between A-IoT devices and network devices, thereby supporting inventory management of A-IoT devices in remote scenarios, helping to broaden the use cases of A-IoT devices. In addition, there is no need for access network devices to communicate directly with A-IoT devices for inventory management, which has a minimal impact on traditional communication architectures, reduces the impact on current 3GPP networks, and has good forward compatibility. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0027] FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0028] FIG2 shows a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG3 shows a schematic diagram of a low-power communication system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0030] FIG4 shows a flow chart of a communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG5 is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0032] FIG6 shows a flow chart of a communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0033] FIG7 shows a flow chart of a communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0034] FIG8 is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG9 is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0036] FIG10 is a schematic diagram showing an inventory service performed by a terminal device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0037] FIG11 shows a structural block diagram of a communication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0038] FIG12 shows a structural block diagram of a communication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG13 shows a structural block diagram of a communication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0040] FIG14 shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present application more clear, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, with examples shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present application. Instead, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present application, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0042] The terms used in this application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application. As used in this application and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "the," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0043] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used in this application to describe various information, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of this application, first information may also be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "at the time of" or "when" or "in response to determining".

[0044] First, the communication technology involved in the embodiments of this application is introduced:

[0045] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Global System of Mobile communication (GSM) system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) system, Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A) system, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication system, 5G mobile communication system, New Radio (NR) system, NR system evolution system, LTE on unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) system, NR on unlicensed spectrum (NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum) system. Unlicensed spectrum, NR-U) system, terrestrial communication network (Terrestrial Networks, TN) system, non-terrestrial communication network (Non-Terrestrial Networks, NTN) system, wireless local area network (Wireless Local Area Networks, WLAN), wireless fidelity (Wireless Fidelity, Wi-Fi), cellular Internet of Things system, cellular passive Internet of Things system, ambient power Internet of Things (Ambient Power Enabled Internet of Things, Ambient IoT / A-IoT) system, zero power Internet of Things system, can also be applied to the subsequent evolution system of the 5G NR system, and can also be applied to B5G, 6G and subsequent evolution systems. In some embodiments of the present application, "NR" may also be referred to as a 5G NR system or a 5G system.Among them, the 5G mobile communication system may include non-standalone networking (NSA) and / or standalone networking (SA).

[0046] Generally speaking, traditional communication systems support a limited number of connections and are easy to implement. However, with the development of communication technology, mobile communication systems will not only support traditional communications, but will also support machine type communication (MTC), long term evolution-machine (LTE-M), device to device (D2D) networks, machine to machine (M2M) networks, Internet of Things (IoT) networks, or other networks. Among them, IoT networks can include, for example, the Internet of Vehicles. Among them, the communication methods in the Internet of Vehicles system are collectively referred to as vehicle to other devices (V2X, where X can represent anything). For example, V2X can include: vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle to infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle to pedestrian (V2P) communication, or vehicle to network (V2N) communication.

[0047] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 100 provided in some exemplary embodiments of the present application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 may include at least one of the following: a terminal device 101, an access network 103, a core network (CN) 105, and a data network (DN) 107. The terminal device 101, access network device 103, and core network 105 can be logically divided into two parts: a user plane and a control plane. The control plane is responsible for mobile network management, and the user plane is responsible for transmitting service data.

[0048] Terminal device 101 is the entry point for mobile users to interact with the network. It provides basic computing and storage capabilities, displays service windows to users, and accepts user input. Terminal device 101 uses certain air interface technologies to establish signal and data connections with access network 103, thereby transmitting control signals and service data to the mobile network. Terminal device 101 may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. The terminal device 101 can be deployed on land, on water, in the air, etc., including but not limited to: handheld devices, wearable devices, vehicle-mounted devices and Internet of Things devices, such as: electronic tags, mobile phones, tablet computers, e-book readers, laptop computers, desktop computers, televisions, game consoles, mobile Internet devices (MID), augmented reality (AR) terminals, virtual reality (VR) terminals and mixed reality (MR) terminals, wearable devices, handles, controllers, wireless terminals in industrial control (Industrial Control), wireless terminals in self-driving (Self Driving), wireless terminals in remote medical care (Remote Medical), wireless terminals in smart grids (Smart Grid), wireless terminals in transportation safety (Transportation Safety), wireless terminals in smart cities (Smart City), wireless terminals in smart homes (Smart Home), wireless terminals in remote medical surgery (Remote Medical Surgery), cellular phones, cordless phones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), etc. The terminal devices 101 are usually multiple, and one or more terminal devices 101 can be distributed in a cell managed by each access network device 103. In the embodiments of the present application, "terminal device" and "UE" are often used interchangeably, but those skilled in the art will understand their meanings.

[0049] The access network is used to implement access-related functions, and can provide network access functions for authorized users within the coverage area of ​​the cell, and can use transmission tunnels of different qualities to transmit user data according to the user level, business requirements, etc. The access network can manage its own resources, make rational use of them, provide access services to the terminal device 101 on demand, and forward control signals and user data between the terminal device 101 and the core network 105. The access network device 103 is a device deployed in the access network to provide wireless communication functions for the terminal device 101, and can include a radio access network (RAN) device and / or an AN device. RAN devices are mainly wireless network devices in the 3GPP network, and AN devices can be access network devices that are not defined by 3GPP. In systems that use different wireless access technologies, the name of the "access network device" may be different. The access network device 103 includes, but is not limited to, an evolved Node B (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC), a node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., a home evolved Node B or a home node B, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), an access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission point (TP) or a transmission and reception point (TRP), etc. It can also be a next generation node B (Next Generation Node B) in a fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system. The term "access network device" refers to a base station (B, gNB) or transmission point (TRP or TP), or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system. Alternatively, it may be a network node constituting a gNB or transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU) or distributed unit (DU), or a base station in a Beyond Fifth Generation (B5G) or sixth generation (6G) mobile communication system, or a reader / writer in a radio frequency identification (RFID) system. In some embodiments, the access network device may also be referred to as a network device.

[0050] The core network 105 is responsible for maintaining mobile network subscription data, managing mobile network elements, and providing functions such as session management, mobility management, policy management, and security authentication for terminal device 101. For example, when terminal device 101 is attached, it provides network access authentication for terminal device 101; when terminal device 101 has a service request, it allocates network resources for terminal device 101; when terminal device 101 moves, it updates network resources for terminal device 101; when terminal device 101 is idle, it provides a fast recovery mechanism for terminal device 101; when terminal device 101 detaches, it releases network resources for terminal device 101; and when terminal device 101 has service data, it provides data routing functions for terminal device 101, such as forwarding uplink data to data network 107; or receiving downlink data from data network 107 to be sent to terminal device 101 and forwarding it to access network 103, thereby sending the downlink data to terminal device 101. The core network 105 can be deployed in a private network or a public network. The network elements deployed in the core network are called core network elements. Core network elements can also be regarded as functional entities. One or more core network elements can be deployed on a physical device.

[0051] Data network 107 is used to provide business services to users. Data network 107 can be a private network, such as a local area network (LAN); an external network not controlled by the operator, such as the Internet; or a proprietary network jointly deployed by operators, such as the IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem (IMS). Terminal device 101 can access data network 107 through an established Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session.

[0052] For example, there are two communication scenarios in the communication system 100: uplink communication and downlink communication. Uplink communication refers to sending signals in the direction of terminal device 101, access network device 103, core network 105, and data network 107; downlink communication refers to sending signals in the direction of data network 107, core network 105, access network device 103, and terminal device 101.

[0053] Figure 2 shows the detailed architecture based on Figure 1. This architecture includes the UE, (R)AN, core network elements, and DN. Theoretically, this architecture can be divided into two parts: the user plane and the control plane. The control plane is responsible for mobile network management, while the user plane is responsible for service data transmission. In Figure 2, the NG2 reference point is located between the (R)AN control plane and the core network control plane, the NG3 reference point is located between the (R)AN user plane and the core network user plane, and the NG6 reference point is located between the core network user plane and the data network.

[0054] The UE, which is terminal device 101 shown in Figure 1, is the gateway for mobile users to interact with the network. It provides basic computing and storage capabilities, displays service windows to users, and receives user input. The UE uses air interface technologies to establish signal and data connections with the (R)AN, transmitting control signals and service data to the mobile network.

[0055] The (R)AN, also known as access network equipment 103 shown in Figure 1, is deployed close to UEs and provides network access for authorized users in a specific area. It can also transmit user data using tunnels of varying quality, depending on user level and service requirements. The (R)AN manages its own resources, utilizing them effectively, providing access services to UEs on demand, and forwarding control signals and user data between the UE and the core network.

[0056] The core network user plane includes the following core network elements: User Plane Function (UPF).

[0057] The core network control plane includes at least one of the following core network elements: Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Network Repository Function (NRF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Policy Control Function (PCF), and Application Function (AF).

[0058] Among them, UPF is responsible for forwarding and receiving user data and also has the related functions of domain name query. AMF is mainly responsible for mobility management in mobile networks, such as user location update, user registration network, user switching, etc. SMF is mainly responsible for session management in mobile networks, such as session establishment, modification, and release. PCF mainly supports providing a unified policy framework to control network behavior, provides policy rules to the control layer network functions, and is responsible for obtaining user subscription information related to policy decisions. AUSF is used to perform terminal security authentication. NEF is mainly used to support the opening of capabilities and events. NRF is used to provide storage and selection functions of network function entity information for other network elements. UDM is used to store user data, such as subscription data, authentication / authorization data, etc. AF interacts with the core network to provide application layer services, such as providing information about application layer data routing, providing access network capability opening functions, interacting with the policy framework to provide policy control, interacting with IMS, etc.

[0059] In the architecture shown in Figure 2, the N1 interface is the reference point between the UE and the AMF; the N2 interface is the reference point between the RAN and the AMF, used for sending Non-Access Stratum (NAS) messages, etc.; the N3 interface is the reference point between the RAN and the UPF, used for transmitting user plane data, etc.; the N4 interface is the reference point between the SMF and the UPF, used for transmitting information such as tunnel identification information of the N3 connection, data buffer indication information, and downlink data notification messages; the N6 interface is the reference point between the UPF and the DN, used for transmitting user plane data, etc. The NG interface is the interface between the RAN and the CN.

[0060] It should be noted that the interface name between the various network elements in Figures 1 and 2 is only an example. The name of the interface in the specific implementation may be other names, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this. The names of the various network elements (such as SMF, AF, UPF, etc.) included in Figures 1 and 2 are also only examples and do not constitute any limitation on the functions of the network elements themselves. In the networks in the relevant technology and other future networks, the above-mentioned network elements may also have other names, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this. For example, in a 6G network, some or all of the above-mentioned network elements may use the terminology in 5G, or may use other names, etc., which are uniformly explained here and will not be repeated below. In addition, it should be understood that the name of the message (or signaling) transmitted between the above-mentioned network elements is also only an example and does not constitute any limitation on the function of the message itself.

[0061] FIG3 shows a low-power communication system, which includes an A-IoT device 320 and a network device 340 .

[0062] A-IoT devices are Ambient Power Enabled Internet of Things (Ambient IoT / A-IoT) devices. A-IoT devices may also be referred to as at least one of the following: Passive IoT devices, ultra-low power devices, zero power devices, and low power devices. The communication technologies implemented by A-IoT devices may also be referred to as at least one of the following: Ambient IoT / A-IoT technology, passive IoT technology, zero power IoT technology, zero power communication technology, ultra-low power communication technology, and low power communication technology.

[0063] A-IoT devices can harvest energy from the environment (such as radio frequency energy, solar energy, light energy, thermal energy, mechanical energy, kinetic energy, etc.) to obtain energy for communication. Generally speaking, based on the energy source and usage method, low-power devices can be divided into the following three types:

[0064] (1) Passive devices; Passive devices do not require built-in batteries. When a passive device approaches a network device (such as the reader of an RFID system), the passive device is within the near field formed by the radiation of the network device antenna. Therefore, the passive device antenna generates an induced current through electromagnetic induction, and the induced current drives the low-power chip circuit of the passive device. This realizes the demodulation of the forward link signal and the modulation of the backward link signal. For the backscatter link, the passive device can use backscatter or extremely low-power active transmission to transmit the signal. Passive devices do not require built-in batteries to drive either the forward link or the reverse link. Therefore, passive devices can be considered as zero-power devices.

[0065] In addition to not requiring batteries, the RF circuits and baseband circuits of passive devices are also very simple. For example, they do not require components such as LNA, power amplifier (PA), crystal oscillator, analog to digital converter (ADC), etc., which makes passive devices have many advantages such as small size, light weight, very low price, and long service life.

[0066] Passive devices can also support other energy harvesting methods, harvesting energy from the environment (such as solar energy, light energy, thermal energy, kinetic energy, and mechanical energy) to obtain energy to drive circuits and achieve communication. Passive devices can also store a certain amount of energy from the surrounding environment, but the energy is very small, so the functional logic they support is much less than that of ordinary mobile phone terminals.

[0067] Passive devices may also be characterized by: 1) no battery; 2) obtaining energy from the surrounding environment; 3) no Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) card.

[0068] (2) Semi-passive devices: Semi-passive devices do not have conventional batteries installed on them. They can use radio frequency energy harvesting modules to harvest radio wave energy, or use energy harvesting modules to harvest energy from the environment (such as solar energy, light energy, thermal energy, kinetic energy, mechanical energy, etc.), and store the harvested energy in an energy storage unit (such as a capacitor). After the energy storage unit obtains energy, it can drive the low-power chip circuit of the semi-passive device. It can realize the demodulation of the forward link signal and the modulation of the backward link signal. For the backscatter link, the semi-passive device can use backscattering to transmit the signal. The semi-passive device can also have the ability to actively transmit, that is, in addition to communicating through backscattering, the backward link can also use active transmission to communicate.

[0069] Semi-passive devices do not require built-in batteries to drive either the forward link or the reverse link. Although they use energy stored in capacitors, this energy comes from radio energy or ambient energy collected by the energy harvesting module. Therefore, semi-passive devices can be considered zero-power devices.

[0070] Semi-passive devices inherit many advantages of passive devices, such as small size, light weight, very low price, long service life, etc.

[0071] (3) Active devices: Active devices can have built-in batteries. The battery is used to drive the low-power chip circuit of the active device to realize the demodulation of the forward link signal and the modulation of the reverse link signal. The reverse link signal transmission of the active device does not need to consume the active device's own power, and the reverse link transmission is realized by backscattering, thereby achieving the effect of zero power consumption. The active device can also have the ability to actively transmit, that is, in addition to communicating by backscattering, the reverse link can also use active transmission to communicate.

[0072] Despite having built-in batteries, these active devices have extremely low power consumption and complexity, allowing the battery capacity to be set within a narrow range, resulting in lower cost and size. The built-in battery in the active device can also serve as an energy storage unit, storing ambient energy collected by the energy harvesting module. This reduces the maintenance cycle of the active device, or even makes it maintenance-free.

[0073] Active devices use built-in batteries to increase their communication range, for example, by increasing the read / write distance of electronic tags, thereby improving communication reliability. Therefore, active devices are used in scenarios where communication distance and read latency are relatively high.

[0074] In terms of communication methods, low-power devices can support backscatter and / or active transmission communication methods. Generally speaking, based on the transmitter type, low-power devices can be divided into the following three types:

[0075] (1) Low-power devices based on backscattering: These devices use the backscattering method described above for uplink data transmission. These devices do not have an active transmitter for active transmission, but only a backscattering transmitter. Therefore, when these devices transmit uplink data, they need network equipment to provide a carrier. These devices use backscattering based on the carrier to achieve uplink data transmission.

[0076] (2) Low-power devices based on active transmitters: These devices use active transmitters with active transmission capabilities for uplink data transmission. Therefore, when sending uplink data, these devices can use their own active transmitters to send uplink data without the need for network equipment to provide a carrier. Active transmitters suitable for this type of device can be, for example, ultra-low-power ASK transmitters and ultra-low-power FSK transmitters. Based on current implementations, when transmitting a 100-microwatt signal, the overall power consumption of these transmitters can be reduced to 400-600 microwatts.

[0077] (3) Low-power devices with both backscatter and active transmitters: These devices can support both backscatter and active transmitters. They can determine whether to use backscatter or active transmitters based on different situations (such as different power levels, different available environmental energy levels), or based on the scheduling of network devices.

[0078] Optionally, the A-IoT device 320 includes an energy harvesting module 321. Optionally, the A-IoT device 320 includes a backscatter communication module 322. Optionally, the A-IoT device 320 includes a low-power computing module 323. Optionally, the A-IoT device 320 also includes a sensor module 324. Optionally, the A-IoT device 320 also includes a memory 325. Optionally, the A-IoT device 320 includes one or more of the energy harvesting module 321, the backscatter communication module 322, the low-power computing module 323, the sensor module 324, and the memory 325.

[0079] Optionally, the energy collection module 321 can collect energy carried by radio waves in space to provide energy for driving the various modules of the A-IoT device 320. After obtaining energy, the A-IoT device 320 can receive signals from the network device 340, or send data to the network device 340 through the backscatter communication module 322. The data sent by the A-IoT device 320 can be data stored by itself (such as an identity identifier or pre-written information, such as the production date, brand, manufacturer, etc. of the product). The sensor module 324 can include various sensors, and the A-IoT device 320 can report the data collected by various sensors based on a low-power mechanism. The memory 325 is used to store some basic information (such as item identification, etc.) or obtain sensor data such as ambient temperature and ambient humidity.

[0080] Optionally, the A-IoT device 320 uses a low-power computing module 323 to implement simple signal demodulation, decoding or encoding, modulation and other simple computing tasks. The hardware design can be very simple, making the A-IoT device 320 very low in cost and small in size.

[0081] It should be understood that the modules included in the A-IoT device 320 shown in Figure 3 are only examples and are not limiting. For example, the A-IoT device 320 may also include a main receiver and / or a low-power receiver (also referred to as an auxiliary receiver).

[0082] For example, consider the case where the A-IoT device 320 described above is an electronic tag, and the network device 340 is a reader / writer. In an RFID system, a reader / writer is a device that reads or writes information from or to an electronic tag. When an RFID system is operating, the reader / writer transmits radio frequency energy within an area, creating an electromagnetic field. The size of this area depends on the transmission power. Electronic tags within the reader / writer's coverage area are triggered, and the tags transmit their stored data, or the tags modify their stored data according to the reader / writer's instructions. The reader / writer uses wireless radio frequency to conduct contactless, two-way data communication with the electronic tags, reading and writing to the tags, thereby achieving target identification and data exchange. Electronic tags generally consume little power and may not even require a power source or battery. For example, passive electronic tags can receive microwave signals transmitted by the reader / writer and obtain energy through electromagnetic induction coils to temporarily power themselves, thereby completing information exchange.

[0083] RFID systems have a short transmission range and are used for local management and communication of items, such as inventory management within warehouses, file management, access card management, and electronic highway toll payment. The distance between a passive electronic tag and a reader is typically 1 meter, while the distance between an active electronic tag and a reader is only about 100 meters. This makes remote reading, writing, or inventory management of electronic tags difficult, limiting their use cases.

[0084] Based on the above problems, this application proposes a communication method that implements inventory services by introducing terminal devices, which helps to realize inventory of A-IoT devices in remote scenarios and helps to broaden the usage scenarios of A-IoT devices.

[0085] FIG4 shows a flow chart of a communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by a terminal device, which may be the terminal device 101 shown in FIG1 or the UE shown in FIG2 . The method includes:

[0086] Step 420: Receive first information; the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform inventory services related to the A-IoT device, and / or the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device.

[0087] In this application, the terminal device performing an inventory service related to an A-IoT device can be understood as the terminal device performing an inventory of the A-IoT device. The inventory service information related to the A-IoT device can be understood as the information required for the inventory of the A-IoT device.

[0088] In this application, the inventory service may also be referred to as at least one of the following: inventory service, inventory operation, and inventory operation. The inventory service may be implemented through one or more of the following commands: query, repeated query, acknowledgment (ACK), negative acknowledgment (NACK), read, and write. Exemplarily, the inventory service may be understood as: obtaining the identification information of the A-IoT device, and / or obtaining the storage data of the A-IoT device, and / or modifying the storage data of the A-IoT device through one or more of the above commands.

[0089] An A-IoT device may also be referred to as at least one of the following: a passive IoT device, an ultra-low power device, a zero power device, or a low power device. The A-IoT device in the embodiments of the present application may refer to the A-IoT device 320 shown in FIG3 . Exemplarily, the A-IoT device includes an electronic tag.

[0090] Optionally, the electronic tag is composed of a coupling element and a chip, each tag has a unique electronic code, and a high-capacity electronic tag has a user-writable storage space and is attached to an object to identify the target object. In the embodiments of the present application, the type of electronic tag is not limited. The electronic tag can be an electronic tag in an RFID system or other types of electronic tags, such as a passive IoT tag or an ambient IoT tag. Among them, the passive IoT tag or the ambient IoT tag, unlike the electronic tag in the RFID system, is a new type of electronic tag that can also use 3GPP network resources for communication.

[0091] In some embodiments, the terminal device determines whether to perform an inventory based on the received first information. This can also be understood as the terminal device determining whether to participate in an inventory service based on the received first information.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform an inventory, and the terminal device participates in the inventory service according to the received first information. In the embodiment of the present application, instructing the terminal device to perform an inventory can also be understood as allowing the terminal device to perform an inventory.

[0093] In some embodiments, the first information carries inventory business information, and the terminal device participates in the inventory business according to the inventory business information.

[0094] In summary, the method provided in the embodiments of the present application supports the implementation of inventory services through terminal devices. Compared to the solution of directly communicating between A-IoT devices and network devices to implement reading, writing, and inventory services, the introduction of terminal devices helps to widen the communication distance between A-IoT devices and network devices, thereby supporting the inventory of A-IoT devices in remote scenarios, which helps to broaden the use scenarios of A-IoT devices. In addition, there is no need for access network devices to directly communicate with A-IoT devices to perform inventory, which has a smaller impact on traditional communication architecture, reduces the impact on current 3GPP networks, and has good forward compatibility.

[0095] In some embodiments, the first information is sent by the network device to the terminal device, as shown in step 540. Optionally, in addition to step 540, the communication method further includes step 520, where the network device receives the first information from the first network element. In the embodiment of the present application, the network device can be the access network device 103 shown in Figure 1, or the (R)AN shown in Figure 2, or the network device 340 shown in Figure 3, or a reader / writer in an RFID system.

[0096] Please refer to FIG5 , which shows a flow chart of a communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by a network device and includes at least one of the following steps:

[0097] Step 520: Receive first information from the first network element; the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform an inventory service related to the A-IoT device, and / or the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device;

[0098] In the embodiment of the present application, instructing the terminal device to perform an inventory may also be understood as allowing the terminal device to perform an inventory.

[0099] In some embodiments, the first network element includes an AMF.

[0100] Step 540: Send first information to the terminal device; the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform inventory services related to the A-IoT device, and / or the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device.

[0101] In this application, the terminal device performs an inventory, that is, the terminal device performs an inventory of the A-IoT device. The A-IoT device may also be referred to as at least one of the following: a passive IoT device, an ultra-low power device, a zero-power device, or a low-power device. The A-IoT device in the embodiment of this application can refer to the A-IoT device 320 shown in Figure 3. Exemplarily, the A-IoT device includes an electronic tag.

[0102] Optionally, the electronic tag consists of a coupling element and a chip. Each tag has a unique electronic code. High-capacity electronic tags have user-writable storage space and are attached to objects to identify the target object. In the embodiments of this application, the type of electronic tag is not limited. The electronic tag can be an electronic tag in an RFID system or other types of electronic tags, such as passive IoT tags and ambient energy IoT tags.

[0103] In some embodiments, the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform an inventory, supporting the terminal device to participate in the inventory service according to the received first information.

[0104] In some embodiments, the first information carries inventory business information, and the terminal device participates in the inventory business according to the inventory business information.

[0105] In summary, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application supports a network device forwarding a first message from a first network element to a terminal device, thereby implementing an inventory service through the terminal device. Compared to the solution in which an A-IoT device directly communicates with a network device to implement read, write, and inventory services, the introduction of a terminal device helps to widen the communication distance between the A-IoT device and the network device, thereby supporting inventory of A-IoT devices in remote scenarios, which helps to broaden the use scenarios of A-IoT devices. In addition, there is no need for the access network device to directly communicate with the A-IoT device to perform inventory, which has little impact on the traditional communication architecture, reduces the impact on the current 3GPP network, and has good forward compatibility.

[0106] FIG6 shows a flow chart of a communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by a terminal device, a network device, a first network element, and a second network element. The method includes at least one of the following steps:

[0107] Step 610: The second network element sends second information to the first network element.

[0108] In some embodiments, the second information is called inventory service request information.

[0109] In some embodiments, the second information is associated with an inventory taking service.

[0110] In some embodiments, the second information carries a first identifier associated with an inventory check service. Optionally, the first identifier includes: an area identifier (ID) corresponding to the inventory check service, and / or a UE identifier corresponding to the inventory check service.

[0111] The area identifier corresponding to the inventory service can be used to indicate: the area that the second network element expects to inventory, and / or the area that the second network element requests to inventory. The UE identifier corresponding to the inventory service can be used to indicate: the UE that the second network element expects to participate in the inventory service, and / or the UE that the second network element requests to participate in the inventory service, and / or the UE that the second network element expects to perform inventory, and / or the UE that the second network element requests to perform inventory.

[0112] In some embodiments, the area identifier includes at least one of the following identifiers: a geographic area identifier, a cell identifier, a tracking area (Tracking Area) identifier, and a radio access network (Radio Access Network, RAN) domain identifier.

[0113] The geographical area identifier may be an absolute geographical area identifier, such as an identifier of a geographical area divided by longitude and latitude, or a relative geographical area identifier, such as an identifier of a geographical area set relative to a reference point.

[0114] In some embodiments, the second network element includes an AF. Exemplarily, the AF directly sends the inventory service request information to the first network element.

[0115] In some embodiments, the second network element includes an NEF. Exemplarily, the AF first sends the inventory service request information to the NEF, and the NEF then forwards the inventory service request information to the first network element.

[0116] Step 620: The first network element determines the UEs participating in the inventory service.

[0117] For ease of explanation, the embodiment of the present application refers to the UE participating in the inventory service as the target UE.

[0118] In some embodiments, the first network element determines the target UE based on one or more of the following: the second information, a service attribute of the inventory service, and third information, wherein the third information is associated with the terminal device.

[0119] In some embodiments, the second information carries service attributes of the inventory service in addition to the first identifier, or the first network element can obtain the service attributes of the inventory service according to the second information.

[0120] In some embodiments, the service attributes of the inventory service include at least one of the following: a service provider of the inventory service, a service identifier of the inventory service, and an application identifier (Application ID) of the inventory service. Optionally, the service provider of the inventory service is distinguished by a service identifier (Service ID). Optionally, the service identifier of the inventory service is identified by single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) and / or a data network name (DNN).

[0121] In some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following: whether the UE is allowed to perform inventory services, whether the UE is authorized to perform inventory services, the inventory area allowed by the UE, the inventory time allowed by the UE, the inventory services allowed by the UE, the inventory area authorized by the UE, the inventory time authorized by the UE, the inventory services authorized by the UE, the inventory areas supported by the UE, the inventory times supported by the UE, and the inventory services supported by the UE.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first network element determines the target UE based on the second information. Optionally, the second information carries a first identifier, and the first network element determines the target UE based on the first identifier, or the first network element determines the target UE based on the first identifier and the service attributes of the inventory service. Exemplarily, the first network element determines the target UE based on the area identifier corresponding to the inventory service and the service attributes of the inventory service. Exemplarily, the first network element determines the target UE based on the UE identifier corresponding to the inventory service and the service attributes of the inventory service. Exemplarily, the first network element determines the target UE based on the UE identifier corresponding to the inventory service, the area identifier corresponding to the inventory service, and the service attributes of the inventory service.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first network element determines the target UE based on the second information and the third information. Optionally, the second information carries the first identifier, and the first network element determines the target UE based on the first identifier and the third information, or the first network element determines the target UE based on the first identifier, the service attributes of the inventory service, and the third information.

[0124] In some embodiments, the first network element includes an AMF.

[0125] Step 630: The first network element sends first information to the network device.

[0126] In some embodiments, the first network element generates the first information according to at least one of the following: the second information, a service attribute of the inventory service, the third information, and the target UE.

[0127] The first information is used to instruct the target UE to perform an inventory service related to the A-IoT device, and / or the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device. The inventory service information includes one or more of the following information: a service identifier corresponding to the inventory service, an S-NSSAI corresponding to the inventory service, a DNN corresponding to the inventory service, an application identifier corresponding to the inventory service, an area identifier corresponding to the inventory service, a time period corresponding to the inventory service, and a UE identifier corresponding to the inventory service.

[0128] The area identifier corresponding to the inventory counting service can be understood as at least one of the following: an area identifier for performing the inventory counting service, an area identifier for a region permitted to perform the inventory counting service, an area identifier for a target UE, and an area identifier for a region participating in the inventory counting service. It can be understood that the first network element allows the inventory counting service to occur within the area corresponding to the area identifier. In other words, the first network element instructs the inventory counting service to be performed within the area corresponding to the area identifier.

[0129] The time period corresponding to the inventory check service can be understood as at least one of the following: a time period for performing the inventory check service, a time period during which the inventory check service is permitted, a time period during which the target UE performs the inventory check service, and a time period during which the target UE participates in the inventory check service. It can be understood that the first network element allows the inventory check service to occur within the time period, or in other words, the first network element instructs the inventory check service to be performed within the time period.

[0130] The UE identifier corresponding to the inventory service, i.e., the identifier of the UE participating in the inventory service determined by the first network element, is also the identifier of the target UE. Optionally, the UE identifier includes at least one of the following identifiers of the UE: a physical identifier, a hardware identifier, an access identifier (Access ID), or an access group identifier (Access Group ID, AG ID).

[0131] In some embodiments, the first information is called inventory service request information.

[0132] In some embodiments, the first network element further sends third information to the network device.

[0133] Step 640: The network device sends first information to the terminal device.

[0134] The network device forwards the first information from the first network element to the terminal device. Optionally, the network device may be the access network device 103 shown in FIG1 , the (R)AN shown in FIG2 , the network device 340 shown in FIG3 , or a reader / writer in an RFID system. Optionally, the terminal device may be the terminal device 101 shown in FIG1 , or the UE shown in FIG2 .

[0135] In some embodiments, the network device sends first information to all terminal devices connected to itself, and the terminal devices that receive the first information determine whether to perform an inventory service.

[0136] In some embodiments, the network device sends the first information to the target UE, that is, the network device sends the first information to the UE corresponding to the UE identifier corresponding to the inventory service.

[0137] In some embodiments, the first information is NAS information, or access stratum (AS) information.

[0138] In some embodiments, the receiving end of the first information is in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle state or an RRC inactive state, and the first information is a paging information.

[0139] In some embodiments, the network device further sends third information to the terminal device.

[0140] Step 650: The terminal device performs inventory operations.

[0141] The terminal device that receives the first information determines whether to perform an inventory based on the first information. This can also be understood as the terminal device determining whether to participate in the inventory service based on the received first information.

[0142] In some embodiments, the terminal device determines whether to participate in the inventory service based on the received first information and third information.

[0143] In some embodiments, the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform an inventory, and the terminal device participates in the inventory service according to the received first information. In the embodiment of the present application, instructing the terminal device to perform an inventory can also be understood as allowing the terminal device to perform an inventory.

[0144] In some embodiments, the first information carries inventory service information, and the terminal device participates in the inventory service according to the inventory service information. For example, the terminal device participates in the inventory service within the area indicated by the area identifier carried in the inventory service information. For example, the terminal device participates in the inventory service during the time period carried in the inventory service information. For example, the terminal device performs the inventory service corresponding to the service identifier carried in the inventory service information. For example, the terminal device performs the inventory service corresponding to the application identifier carried in the inventory service information. For example, the terminal device performs the inventory service corresponding to the S-NSSAI carried in the inventory service information. For example, the terminal device performs the inventory service corresponding to the DNN carried in the inventory service information. The above examples may be implemented in combination, such as the terminal device participating in the inventory service within the area indicated by the area identifier carried in the inventory service information and within the time period carried in the inventory service information, or performing the inventory service corresponding to the application identifier during the time period carried in the inventory service information, etc. While not listed here, it should be understood that the terminal device may perform inventory based on one or more pieces of information included in the inventory service information.

[0145] In some embodiments, if the first information carries inventory service information related to an A-IoT device, and the third information and the inventory service information share at least some information, an inventory service related to the A-IoT device is performed according to the at least some information that is the same. For example, if the service identifiers carried in the inventory service information include ID1 and ID2, and the service identifiers carried in the third information include ID1 and ID3, the terminal device performs an inventory based on service identifier ID1.

[0146] In some embodiments, when the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device and the third information does not contain the same information as the inventory service information, the inventory service related to the A-IoT device is not performed.

[0147] It should be noted that step 610, step 620, step 630 and step 650 are optional steps.

[0148] In summary, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application supports the network device to forward the first information from the first network element to the terminal device, thereby realizing the inventory service through the terminal device. Compared with the solution in which the A-IoT device directly communicates with the network device to realize the reading, writing and inventory services, the introduction of the terminal device helps to widen the communication distance between the A-IoT device and the network device, thereby supporting the inventory of the A-IoT device in a remote scenario, which helps to broaden the usage scenarios of the A-IoT device. In addition, the terminal device determines whether to perform inventory and how to perform inventory based on the received first information, which helps to execute the inventory service efficiently and accurately, and improves the overall efficiency of the communication system. In addition, there is no need for the access network device to communicate directly with the A-IoT device to perform inventory, which has little impact on the traditional communication architecture, reduces the impact on the current 3GPP network, and has good forward compatibility.

[0149] As mentioned above, when determining the target UE, the first network element may need to consider third information, namely, whether the UE is allowed or authorized to perform an inventory, and what inventory services the UE is allowed or authorized to perform. Furthermore, when determining whether to perform an inventory service, the terminal device also needs to consider whether it is allowed or authorized to perform an inventory, and what inventory services it is allowed or authorized to perform.

[0150] In this application, the third information can be obtained in two ways: (1) through UDM; (2) through PCF. This application provides a practical solution for obtaining the third information and improves the flexibility of obtaining the third information.

[0151] Method (1): Obtain through UDM

[0152] In some embodiments, the third information mentioned in the embodiment shown in FIG6 is obtained through the UE registration process. The third information can be implemented as UE subscription data. In other words, information such as whether the terminal device is allowed or authorized to perform inventory and what inventory services it is allowed or authorized to perform can be obtained through the UE registration process. The registration process is shown in FIG7.

[0153] FIG7 shows a flow chart of a communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by a terminal device, a network device, a first network element, and a third network element. The method includes at least one of the following steps:

[0154] Step 710: The terminal device sends a registration request to the network device.

[0155] In some embodiments, the UE may send an AN message to the RAN, and the AN message carries a registration request. The AN message may also include AN parameters, which may be used by the RAN to select an AMF. The registration request may include at least one of the following: registration type, UE identification information, requested network slice information, inventory services supported by the UE, inventory services expected by the UE, and inventory request. The requested network slice information may include, for example, requested NSSAI.

[0156] Step 720: The network device sends a registration request to the AMF.

[0157] In the embodiment of the present application, a schematic illustration is provided by taking the first network element including the AMF as an example.

[0158] In some embodiments, the RAN may select a suitable AMF for the UE based on the AN message and send the UE's registration request to the AMF.

[0159] Step 730: Perform authentication and security procedures.

[0160] The UE interacts with the AMF and UDM to complete the authentication and security process. The detailed interaction process of the authentication and security process can be referred to the description in the relevant technology, and this application does not elaborate on it.

[0161] It can be understood that step 730 is an optional step.

[0162] Step 740: AMF sends a UE subscription data acquisition request to UDM.

[0163] In the embodiment of the present application, a schematic description is given by taking the third network element including the UDM as an example.

[0164] The UE subscription data in the embodiment of the present application belongs to the third information.

[0165] Step 750: UDM sends a UE subscription data acquisition response to AMF.

[0166] The AMF interacts with the UDM to obtain the UE subscription data.

[0167] Optionally, the UE subscription data includes at least one of the following information: whether the UE is allowed to perform an inventory service, whether the UE supports the inventory service, the service provider of the inventory service allowed by the UE, the service identifier of the inventory service allowed by the UE, the application identifier of the inventory service allowed by the UE, the service provider of the inventory service supported by the UE, the service identifier of the inventory service supported by the UE, the application identifier of the inventory service supported by the UE, the default service provider of the inventory service, the default service identifier of the inventory service, the default application identifier of the inventory service, the service provider of the inventory service required to be performed, the service identifier of the inventory service required to be performed, the application identifier of the inventory service required to be performed, the time when the inventory service is allowed to be performed, the area where the inventory service is allowed to be performed, the default time when the inventory service is performed, the default area when the inventory service is performed, the time when the inventory service is supported, and the area where the inventory service is supported. Optionally, the service providers of the inventory service are distinguished by service identifiers.

[0168] Optionally, the service identifier of the inventory service is identified by S-NSSAI and / or DNN. Optionally, the area where the inventory service is performed is distinguished by the area identifier. For details about the area identifier, please refer to step 610 and will not be repeated here.

[0169] Optionally, the subscription data also includes at least one of the following information: the UE's subscribed NSSAI, the default NSSAI, and the slice that needs to perform the network slice authentication and authorization process (S-NSSAIs subject to Network Slice-Specific Authentication and Authorization).

[0170] It should be noted that steps 740 and 750 are optional steps, that is, the AMF may obtain the UE subscription data without interacting with the UDM. For example, the AMF obtains the UE subscription data from the service provider's database.

[0171] Step 760: The AMF sends a registration acceptance message to the network device.

[0172] In some embodiments, the registration accept message is generated based on the UE subscription data, and / or the registration accept message includes the UE subscription data.

[0173] In some embodiments, the AMF sends a registration accept message to the RAN. The registration accept message includes at least one of the following information: whether the UE is allowed to perform the inventory service, whether the UE is authorized to perform the inventory service, allowed service providers, allowed service identifiers, allowed application identifiers, authorized service providers, authorized service identifiers, authorized application identifiers, time allowed for performing the inventory service, area allowed for performing the inventory service, time authorized for performing the inventory service, and area authorized for performing the inventory service.

[0174] In some embodiments, the inventory service only occurs within the time allowed for the inventory service or the time authorized for the inventory service. It can be understood that after the time allowed for the inventory service or the time authorized for the inventory service is exceeded, the UE does not perform the inventory service; it can also be understood that after the time allowed for the inventory service or the time authorized for the inventory service is exceeded, the UE's inventory function becomes invalid.

[0175] In some embodiments, the inventory service only occurs in the area where the inventory service is allowed or the area where the inventory service is authorized. It can be understood that the UE does not perform the inventory service after exceeding the area where the inventory service is allowed or the area where the inventory service is authorized; it can also be understood that the inventory function of the UE becomes invalid after exceeding the area where the inventory service is allowed or the area where the inventory service is authorized.

[0176] Step 770: The network device sends a registration acceptance message to the terminal device.

[0177] In some embodiments, the RAN forwards the registration accept message sent by the AMF to the UE. Optionally, the RAN forwards the registration accept message to the UE via an RRC message.

[0178] Optionally, the terminal device returns a registration completion message to the network device. Optionally, the network device forwards the registration completion message to the AMF.

[0179] To sum up, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application supports the terminal device to initiate a registration process to obtain the third information, provides a basis for whether to perform inventory services and how to perform inventory services in the future, facilitates improving the efficiency and accuracy of the first network element (such as AMF) in generating the first information, and facilitates the terminal device to improve the efficiency and accuracy of judging whether to perform inventory services and how to perform inventory services, thereby improving the execution efficiency and accuracy of the inventory services.

[0180] In steps 740 and 750, the AMF obtains the UE subscription data through interaction with the UDM. So, how does the UDM obtain the UE subscription data? Please refer to Figure 8 for the specific process.

[0181] FIG8 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by the AF, the NEF, and the UDM. The method includes at least one of the following steps:

[0182] Step 810: The AF sends a service configuration message to the NEF.

[0183] In some embodiments, the service configuration message includes UE subscription data. For details about the UE subscription data, please refer to step 750 and will not be described in detail here.

[0184] Step 820: NEF sends a service configuration message to UDM.

[0185] In some embodiments, the NEF forwards the service configuration message from the AF to the UDM.

[0186] Step 830: UDM sends a response message to NEF.

[0187] In some embodiments, the UDM sends a response message to the NEF to indicate that the service configuration message has been successfully received. Exemplarily, the response message includes an Acknowledgment (ACK).

[0188] In some embodiments, the UDM sends a response message to the NEF to indicate that the service configuration message was not successfully received or failed to be received. Exemplarily, the response message includes a negative acknowledgment (NACK).

[0189] Step 840: The NEF sends a response message to the AF.

[0190] In some embodiments, the NEF forwards a response message from the UDM to the AF. Exemplarily, the response message includes ACK or NACK.

[0191] To sum up, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application supports UDM to obtain UE contract data through AF and NEF, provides a basis for whether to conduct inventory services and how to conduct inventory services in the future, facilitates improving the efficiency and accuracy of the first network element (such as AMF) in generating the first information, and facilitates the terminal device to improve the efficiency and accuracy of judging whether to conduct inventory services and how to conduct inventory services, thereby improving the execution efficiency and accuracy of the inventory services.

[0192] Method (2): Obtain through PCF

[0193] In some embodiments, the third information mentioned in the embodiment shown in Figure 6 can be obtained through an inventory policy message. That is, information such as whether the terminal device is allowed or authorized to perform inventory and what inventory services it is allowed or authorized to perform can be obtained through interaction between the AMF and the PCF. For a detailed process, please refer to Figure 9.

[0194] FIG9 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by a terminal device, a network device, a first network element, and a fourth network element. The method includes at least one of the following steps:

[0195] Step 910: The UE registers with the network.

[0196] The UE registration process may refer to the description in the relevant technology, or may refer to one or more steps in the above steps 710, 720, 730, 760, and 770, which will not be repeated here.

[0197] Step 920: The UE sends an inventory service authorization request to the AMF.

[0198] In the embodiment of the present application, a schematic illustration is provided by taking the first network element including the AMF as an example.

[0199] In some embodiments, the UE sends an inventory service authorization request to the AMF via the N1 interface. Alternatively, the UE sends an inventory service authorization request to the RAN, and the RAN forwards the inventory service authorization request to the AMF via the N2 interface.

[0200] Step 930: The AMF sends an inventory service authorization request to the PCF.

[0201] In the embodiment of the present application, a schematic description is given by taking the fourth network element including the PCF as an example.

[0202] In some embodiments, the AMF forwards the received inventory service authorization request to the PCF.

[0203] Step 940: The PCF sends an inventory service authorization response to the AMF.

[0204] Optionally, the PCF sends a response message to the AMF to indicate authorization of the inventory service. Exemplarily, the response message includes an ACK. Optionally, the PCF sends a response message to the AMF to indicate non-authorization of the inventory service. Exemplarily, the response message includes a NACK.

[0205] Optionally, the response message sent by PCF to AMF includes third information.

[0206] Step 950: The AMF sends inventory policy information to the UE.

[0207] In some embodiments, the AMF sends the inventory policy information to the UE via the N1 interface. Alternatively, the AMF sends the inventory policy information to the RAN, which forwards the inventory policy information to the UE.

[0208] The inventory strategy information in the embodiment of the present application belongs to the third information.

[0209] In some embodiments, the inventory policy information includes at least one of the following information: whether the UE is allowed to perform inventory services, whether the UE is authorized to perform inventory services, allowed service providers, allowed service identifiers, allowed application identifiers, authorized service providers, authorized service identifiers, authorized application identifiers, time when inventory services are allowed, area where inventory services are allowed, time when inventory services are authorized, and area where inventory services are authorized.

[0210] In some embodiments, the inventory service only occurs within the time allowed for the inventory service or the time authorized for the inventory service. It can be understood that after the time allowed for the inventory service or the time authorized for the inventory service is exceeded, the UE does not perform the inventory service; it can also be understood that after the time allowed for the inventory service or the time authorized for the inventory service is exceeded, the UE's inventory function becomes invalid.

[0211] In some embodiments, the inventory service only occurs in the area where the inventory service is allowed or the area where the inventory service is authorized. It can be understood that the UE does not perform the inventory service after exceeding the area where the inventory service is allowed or the area where the inventory service is authorized; it can also be understood that the inventory function of the UE becomes invalid after exceeding the area where the inventory service is allowed or the area where the inventory service is authorized.

[0212] To sum up, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application supports obtaining the third information through PCF, providing a basis for whether to conduct inventory services in the future and how to conduct inventory services, facilitating improving the efficiency and accuracy of the first network element (such as AMF) in generating the first information, and facilitating the terminal device to improve the efficiency and accuracy of judging whether to conduct inventory services and how to conduct inventory services, thereby improving the execution efficiency and accuracy of the inventory services.

[0213] FIG10 shows a schematic diagram of an inventory service performed by a terminal device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0214] UE 120 initiates a registration process to access network device 140 , and UE 120 completes registration with core network 160 .

[0215] Core network 160 sends first information to UE 120 via access network device 140. The first information is used to instruct UE 120 to perform an inventory service and / or carries inventory service information. The first information is generated by the AMF based on the UE participating in the inventory service and / or third information. The third information is obtained by the AMF from the UDM, or from the PCF, or from the service provider's database.

[0216] UE 120 performs an inventory based on the first information, and performs an inventory on A-IoT device 181, A-IoT device 182, and A-IoT device 183. The inventory result is fed back to access network device 140, and access network device 140 can also feed back the inventory result to core network 160.

[0217] Since access network device 140 does not need to directly control A-IoT devices 181, 182, and 183, UE 120 acts as an intermediate node to participate in the inventory service. This makes the communication distance between access network device 140 and A-IoT devices no longer restricted. Access network device 140 can remotely control UE 120 through the Uu interface to perform inventory services, thus realizing remote inventory of A-IoT devices. Furthermore, there is no need for access network device 140 to communicate directly with A-IoT devices, and there is no need to redesign or update the traditional communication structure. Access network device 140 and core network 160 can communicate with UE 120 through the traditional communication architecture, which has a relatively small impact on the traditional communication architecture, reduces the impact on the current 3GPP network, and has good forward compatibility.

[0218] It should be understood that in the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "corresponding" may indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between the two, or an association relationship between the two, or a relationship between indication and being indicated, configuration and being configured, etc.

[0219] In the embodiments of the present application, "agreement" can be implemented by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in a communication device (such as a terminal device, a network device), and the present application does not limit its specific implementation method. The communication protocol agreement can also be understood as a predefined communication protocol.

[0220] Figure 11 shows a block diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The device can be implemented as a terminal device or a portion of a terminal device. The terminal device can be implemented as one or more of the terminal devices shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10. The device includes a receiving module 1110. Optionally, the device also includes at least some of the processing module 1130 and the sending module 1150.

[0221] The receiving module 1110 is configured to receive first information, where the first information is used to instruct the apparatus to perform an inventory service related to the A-IoT device, and / or the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device.

[0222] In some embodiments, the first information is generated based on at least one of the following information: second information, a business attribute of an inventory business, and third information; wherein the second information is associated with the inventory business, and the third information is associated with the device.

[0223] In some embodiments, the second information carries a first identifier, and the first identifier includes: an area identifier corresponding to the inventory service, and / or a UE identifier corresponding to the inventory service.

[0224] In some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following: whether the terminal device is allowed to perform inventory services, whether the terminal device is authorized to perform inventory services, the inventory area allowed for the terminal device, the inventory time allowed for the terminal device, the inventory services allowed for the terminal device, the inventory area authorized for the terminal device, the inventory time authorized for the terminal device, the inventory services authorized for the terminal device, the inventory areas supported by the terminal device, the inventory time supported by the terminal device, and the inventory services supported by the terminal device.

[0225] In some embodiments, the first information is generated by a first network element; the second information is sent by a second network element to the first network element, and / or the third information is sent by a third network element to the first network element.

[0226] In some embodiments, the second network element includes an AF or a NEF.

[0227] In some embodiments, the third network element includes a UDM or a PCF.

[0228] In some embodiments, the third network element includes a UDM, and the third information is carried in a subscription data acquisition response.

[0229] In some embodiments, the third network element includes a PCF, and the third information is carried in an inventory service authorization response.

[0230] In some embodiments, the first network element includes an AMF.

[0231] In some embodiments, the service attributes of the inventory service include at least one of the following: a service provider of the inventory service, a service identifier of the inventory service, and an application identifier of the inventory service.

[0232] In some embodiments, the business attributes of the inventory business are identified by at least one of the following: service identification, S-NSSAI, DNN, and application identification.

[0233] In some embodiments, the inventory service information includes one or more of the following information: a service identifier corresponding to the inventory service, an S-NSSAI corresponding to the inventory service, a DNN corresponding to the inventory service, an application identifier corresponding to the inventory service, an area identifier corresponding to the inventory service, a time period corresponding to the inventory service, and a UE identifier corresponding to the inventory service.

[0234] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a processing module 1130 configured to determine whether to perform the inventory service related to the A-IoT device based on the first information.

[0235] In some embodiments, the processing module 1130 is configured to perform an inventory service related to the A-IoT device when the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform an inventory service related to the A-IoT device.

[0236] In some embodiments, the processing module 1130 is configured to, when the first information carries inventory business information related to the A-IoT device and the third information is at least partially identical to the inventory business information, perform the inventory business related to the A-IoT device according to at least part of the information.

[0237] In some embodiments, the processing module 1130 is configured to not perform the inventory service related to the A-IoT device when the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device and the third information does not contain the same information as the inventory service information.

[0238] In some embodiments, the first information is carried by at least one of the following messages: a NAS message, an AS message, and a paging message.

[0239] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1110 is configured to receive at least one of the following: a registration acceptance message, third information, and inventory policy information.

[0240] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1110 is configured to execute one or more of the following steps: step 420 , step 730 , and step 910 .

[0241] In some embodiments, the processing module 1130 is configured to perform step 650 .

[0242] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a sending module 1150 for sending signals and / or data to a network device.

[0243] In some embodiments, the sending module 1150 is configured to send signals and / or data to the first network element.

[0244] In some embodiments, the sending module 1150 is configured to send at least one of the following: a registration request, an inventory service authorization request.

[0245] In some embodiments, the sending module 1150 is used to perform one or more of the following steps: step 710 , step 730 , step 910 , and step 920 .

[0246] In summary, the apparatus provided in the embodiments of the present application supports inventory services through terminal devices. Compared to solutions where A-IoT devices communicate directly with network devices to implement read, write, and inventory services, the introduction of terminal devices helps widen the communication distance between A-IoT devices and network devices, thereby supporting inventory of A-IoT devices in remote scenarios, which helps broaden the use scenarios of A-IoT devices. Furthermore, there is no need for access network devices to communicate directly with A-IoT devices to perform inventory, which has a minimal impact on traditional communication architectures, reduces the impact on current 3GPP networks, and has good forward compatibility.

[0247] Figure 12 shows a block diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The device may be implemented as a network device or a portion of a network device. The network device may be implemented as one or more of the network devices shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10. The device includes a sending module 1210. Optionally, the device also includes a receiving module 1230.

[0248] The sending module 1210 is used to send first information to the terminal device; the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform an inventory service related to the Ambient Energy Internet of Things (A-IoT) device, and / or the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device.

[0249] In some embodiments, the first information is generated based on at least one of the following information: second information, a business attribute of an inventory business, and third information; wherein the second information is associated with the inventory business, and the third information is associated with the device.

[0250] In some embodiments, the second information carries a first identifier, and the first identifier includes: an area identifier corresponding to the inventory service, and / or a UE identifier corresponding to the inventory service.

[0251] In some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following: whether the terminal device is allowed to perform inventory services, whether the terminal device is authorized to perform inventory services, the inventory area allowed for the terminal device, the inventory time allowed for the terminal device, the inventory services allowed for the terminal device, the inventory area authorized for the terminal device, the inventory time authorized for the terminal device, the inventory services authorized for the terminal device, the inventory areas supported by the terminal device, the inventory time supported by the terminal device, and the inventory services supported by the terminal device.

[0252] In some embodiments, the first information is generated by a first network element; the second information is sent by a second network element to the first network element, and / or the third information is sent by a third network element to the first network element.

[0253] In some embodiments, the second network element includes an AF or a NEF.

[0254] In some embodiments, the third network element includes a UDM or a PCF.

[0255] In some embodiments, the third network element includes a UDM, and the third information is carried in a subscription data acquisition response.

[0256] In some embodiments, the third network element includes a PCF, and the third information is carried in an inventory service authorization response.

[0257] In some embodiments, the first network element includes an AMF.

[0258] In some embodiments, the service attributes of the inventory service include at least one of the following: a service provider of the inventory service, a service identifier of the inventory service, and an application identifier of the inventory service.

[0259] In some embodiments, the business attributes of the inventory business are identified by at least one of the following: service identification, S-NSSAI, DNN, and application identification.

[0260] In some embodiments, the inventory service information includes one or more of the following information: a service identifier corresponding to the inventory service, an S-NSSAI corresponding to the inventory service, a DNN corresponding to the inventory service, an application identifier corresponding to the inventory service, an area identifier corresponding to the inventory service, a time period corresponding to the inventory service, and a UE identifier corresponding to the inventory service.

[0261] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a receiving module 1230 configured to receive the first information from a first network element.

[0262] In some embodiments, the first information is carried by at least one of the following messages: a NAS message, an AS message, and a paging message.

[0263] In some embodiments, the sending module 1210 is further configured to send signals and / or data to the first network element.

[0264] In some embodiments, the sending module 1210 is configured to send at least one of the following: first information, a registration request, a registration acceptance message, an inventory service authorization request, and third information.

[0265] In some embodiments, the sending module 1210 is used to perform one or more of the following steps: step 540 , step 640 , step 720 , and step 770 .

[0266] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1230 is configured to receive at least one of the following: first information, a registration request, a registration acceptance message, an inventory service authorization request, inventory policy information, and third information.

[0267] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1230 is configured to perform step 520 .

[0268] In summary, the device provided in the embodiment of the present application supports forwarding the first information from the first network element to the terminal device, thereby realizing the inventory service through the terminal device. Compared with the solution in which the A-IoT device directly communicates with the present device to realize the reading, writing and inventory services, the introduction of the terminal device helps to widen the communication distance between the A-IoT device and the present device, thereby supporting the inventory of the A-IoT device in a remote scenario, which helps to broaden the usage scenarios of the A-IoT device. In addition, the terminal device determines whether to perform inventory and how to perform inventory based on the received first information, which helps to execute the inventory service efficiently and accurately, and improves the overall efficiency of the communication system. In addition, there is no need for the present device to communicate directly with the A-IoT device to perform inventory, which has little impact on the traditional communication architecture, reduces the impact on the current 3GPP network, and has good forward compatibility.

[0269] FIG13 shows a block diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, which can be implemented as a first network element or a portion of a first network element. The device includes a sending module 1310. Optionally, the device also includes a receiving module 1330 and some modules of a processing module 1350.

[0270] The sending module 1310 is used to send first information to the network device, where the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform an inventory service related to the Ambient Energy Internet of Things (A-IoT) device, and / or the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device.

[0271] In some embodiments, the first information is generated based on at least one of the following information: second information, a business attribute of an inventory business, and third information; wherein the second information is associated with the inventory business, and the third information is associated with the terminal device.

[0272] In some embodiments, the second information carries a first identifier, and the first identifier includes: an area identifier corresponding to the inventory service, and / or a UE identifier corresponding to the inventory service.

[0273] In some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following: whether the terminal device is allowed to perform inventory services, whether the terminal device is authorized to perform inventory services, the inventory area allowed for the terminal device, the inventory time allowed for the terminal device, the inventory services allowed for the terminal device, the inventory area authorized for the terminal device, the inventory time authorized for the terminal device, the inventory services authorized for the terminal device, the inventory areas supported by the terminal device, the inventory time supported by the terminal device, and the inventory services supported by the terminal device.

[0274] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a receiving module 1330, configured to receive the second information from a second network element, and / or configured to receive the third information from a third network element.

[0275] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a processing module 1350 configured to generate the first information.

[0276] In some embodiments, the second network element includes an AF or a NEF.

[0277] In some embodiments, the third network element includes a UDM or a PCF.

[0278] In some embodiments, the third network element includes a UDM, and the third information is carried in a subscription data acquisition response.

[0279] In some embodiments, the sending module 1310 is configured to send a subscription data acquisition request to the third network element.

[0280] In some embodiments, the third network element includes a PCF, and the third information is carried in an inventory service authorization response.

[0281] In some embodiments, the sending module 1310 is configured to send an inventory service authorization request to the third network element.

[0282] In some embodiments, the service attributes of the inventory service include at least one of the following: a service provider of the inventory service, a service identifier of the inventory service, and an application identifier of the inventory service.

[0283] In some embodiments, the business attributes of the inventory business are identified by at least one of the following: service identification, S-NSSAI, DNN, and application identification.

[0284] In some embodiments, the inventory service information includes one or more of the following information: a service identifier corresponding to the inventory service, an S-NSSAI corresponding to the inventory service, a DNN corresponding to the inventory service, an application identifier corresponding to the inventory service, an area identifier corresponding to the inventory service, a time period corresponding to the inventory service, and a UE identifier corresponding to the inventory service.

[0285] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1110 is used to receive at least one of the following: a UE subscription data acquisition response, an inventory service authorization request, an inventory service authorization response, and third information.

[0286] In some embodiments, the processing module 1350 is configured to perform step 620 .

[0287] In some embodiments, the sending module 1310 is used to send signals and / or data to a network device.

[0288] In some embodiments, the sending module 1310 is used to send signals and / or data to a terminal device.

[0289] In some embodiments, the sending module 1310 is used to send signals and / or data to the second network element, the third network element, and the fourth network element.

[0290] In some embodiments, the sending module 1310 is used to send at least one of the following: first information, UE subscription data acquisition request, registration acceptance message, inventory service authorization request, inventory policy information, and third information.

[0291] In some embodiments, the sending module 1310 is used to perform one or more of the following steps: step 630 , step 740 , step 760 , step 930 , and step 950 .

[0292] In summary, the apparatus provided in the embodiments of the present application supports sending first information to a network device, thereby supporting the terminal device to implement inventory services. Compared to the solution where the A-IoT device directly communicates with the network device to implement reading, writing, and inventory services, the introduction of the terminal device helps to widen the communication distance between the A-IoT device and the network device, thereby supporting the inventory of A-IoT devices in remote scenarios, which helps to broaden the use scenarios of A-IoT devices. In addition, there is no need for the access network device to directly communicate with the A-IoT device to perform inventory, which has a smaller impact on the traditional communication architecture, reduces the impact on the current 3GPP network, and has good forward compatibility.

[0293] Figure 14 shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1400 provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application, including a processor 1401, a receiver 1402, a transmitter 1403, a memory 1404, and a bus 1405. The communication device 1400 may be used to execute some or all of the steps executed by the aforementioned terminal device, the communication device 1400 may also be used to execute some or all of the steps executed by the aforementioned network device, and the communication device 1400 may also be used to execute some or all of the steps executed by the aforementioned network elements.

[0294] The processor 1401 includes one or more processing cores, and the processor 1401 executes various functional applications and information processing by running software programs and modules. In some embodiments, the processor 1401 can be used to implement the functions and steps of the processing module 1130 and / or the processing module 1350 described above.

[0295] Receiver 1402 and transmitter 1403 may be implemented as a communication component, which may be a communication chip and referred to as a transceiver. In some embodiments, receiver 1402 may be used to implement the functions and steps of receiving module 1110 and / or receiving module 1230 and / or receiving module 1330 described above, and transmitter 1403 may be used to implement the functions and steps of transmitting module 1150 and / or transmitting module 1210 and / or transmitting module 1310 described above.

[0296] The memory 1404 is connected to the processor 1401 via a bus 1405 .

[0297] The memory 1404 may be used to store at least one instruction, and the processor 1401 may be used to execute the at least one instruction to implement each step in the above method embodiment.

[0298] In addition, the memory 1404 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof. Volatile or non-volatile storage devices include but are not limited to: magnetic disks or optical disks, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, and programmable read-only memory (PROM).

[0299] In some embodiments, the receiver 1402 receives signals / data independently, or the processor 1401 controls the receiver 1402 to receive signals / data, or the processor 1401 requests the receiver 1402 to receive signals / data, or the processor 1401 cooperates with the receiver 1402 to receive signals / data.

[0300] In some embodiments, the transmitter 1403 independently sends signals / data, or the processor 1401 controls the transmitter 1403 to send signals / data, or the processor 1401 requests the transmitter 1403 to send signals / data, or the processor 1401 cooperates with the transmitter 1403 to send signals / data.

[0301] In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is further provided, in which at least one program is stored. The at least one program is loaded and executed by the processor to implement the communication method provided by the above-mentioned various method embodiments.

[0302] In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, a chip is further provided, which includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions. When the chip runs on a communication device, it is used to implement the communication methods provided by the above-mentioned various method embodiments.

[0303] In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, a computer program product is further provided. When the computer program product is executed on a processor of a computer device, the computer device is enabled to execute the above communication method.

[0304] In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, a computer program is further provided. The computer program includes computer instructions. A processor of a computer device executes the computer instructions, so that the computer device executes the above communication method.

[0305] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps to implement the above embodiments may be accomplished by hardware, or may be accomplished by a program instructing the relevant hardware, and the program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and the above-mentioned storage medium may be a read-only memory, a disk, or an optical disk, etc.

[0306] The above are merely optional embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a terminal device, and the method includes: Receiving first information, where the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform an inventory operation related to an Ambient Energy Internet of Things (A-IoT) device, and / or the first information carries inventory operation information related to the A-IoT device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information is generated based on at least one of the following pieces of information: second information, service attributes of the inventory operation, and third information; Wherein, the second information is associated with the inventory operation, and the third information is associated with the terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second information carries a first identifier, and the first identifier includes: a region identifier corresponding to the inventory operation, and / or a terminal device identifier corresponding to the inventory operation.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving third information, where the third information is associated with the terminal device.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The third information includes at least one of the following: whether the terminal device is allowed to perform an inventory operation, whether the terminal device is authorized to perform an inventory operation, the inventory regions allowed for the terminal device, the inventory times allowed for the terminal device, the inventory operations allowed for the terminal device, the inventory regions authorized for the terminal device, the inventory times authorized for the terminal device, the inventory operations authorized for the terminal device, the inventory regions supported by the terminal device, the inventory times supported by the terminal device, and the inventory operations supported by the terminal device.

6. The method according to claim 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that, The first information is generated by a first network element; the second information is sent by a second network element to the first network element, and / or the third information is sent by a third network element to the first network element.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second network element includes an Application Function (AF) or a Network Exposure Function (NEF).

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The third network element includes a Unified Data Management (UDM) or a Policy Control Function (PCF).

9. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The third network element includes a UDM, and the third information is carried in a subscription data acquisition response.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The third network element includes a PCF, and the third information is carried in an inventory operation authorization response.

11. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that, The first network element includes an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The service attributes of the inventory operation include at least one of the following: the service provider of the inventory operation, the service identifier of the inventory operation, and the application identifier of the inventory operation.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The service attributes of the inventory operation are identified by at least one of the following: a service identifier, a Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI), a Data Network Name (DNN), and an application identifier.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, The inventory operation information includes one or more of the following pieces of information: The service identifier corresponding to the inventory operation, the S-NSSAI corresponding to the inventory operation, the DNN corresponding to the inventory operation, the application identifier corresponding to the inventory operation, the region identifier corresponding to the inventory operation, the time period corresponding to the inventory operation, and the terminal device identifier corresponding to the inventory operation.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: determining whether to perform the inventory operation related to the A-IoT device according to the first information.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform an inventory operation related to the A-IoT device, performing the inventory operation related to the A-IoT device.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device and at least part of the third information is the same as the inventory service information, perform the inventory service related to the A-IoT device according to the at least part of the information; Alternatively, when the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device and there is no identical information between the third information and the inventory service information, do not perform the inventory service related to the A-IoT device.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that The first information is carried by at least one of the following messages: Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message, Access Stratum (AS) message, paging message.

19. A communication method, characterized in that The method is executed by a network device, and the method includes: Sending first information to a terminal device; the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform an inventory service related to an Ambient Energy Internet of Things (A-IoT) device, and / or the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The first information is generated according to at least one of the following information: second information, service attributes of the inventory service, third information; Wherein, the second information is associated with the inventory service, and the third information is associated with the terminal device.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The second information carries a first identifier, and the first identifier includes: a regional identifier corresponding to the inventory service, and / or a terminal device identifier corresponding to the inventory service.

22. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The method further includes: Sending third information to the terminal device, and the third information is associated with the terminal device.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The third information includes at least one of the following: whether the terminal device is allowed to perform an inventory service, whether the terminal device is authorized to perform an inventory service, the inventory area allowed for the terminal device, the inventory time allowed for the terminal device, the inventory service allowed for the terminal device, the inventory area authorized for the terminal device, the inventory time authorized for the terminal device, the inventory service authorized for the terminal device, the inventory area supported by the terminal device, the inventory time supported by the terminal device, the inventory service supported by the terminal device.

24. The method according to claim 20 or 21 or 23, characterized in that The first information is generated by a first network element; the second information is sent by a second network element to the first network element, and / or the third information is sent by a third network element to the first network element.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that The second network element includes an Application Function (AF) or a Network Exposure Function (NEF).

26. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that The third network element includes a Unified Data Management (UDM) or a Policy Control Function (PCF).

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that The third network element includes a UDM, and the third information is carried in a subscription data acquisition response.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The third network element includes a PCF, and the third information is carried in an inventory service authorization response.

29. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 28, characterized in that The first network element includes an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

30. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 29, characterized in that The service attributes of the inventory service include at least one of the following: service provider of the inventory service, service identifier of the inventory service, application identifier of the inventory service.

31. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 30, characterized in that The service attributes of the inventory service are identified by at least one of the following: service identifier, Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI), Data Network Name (DNN), application identifier.

32. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 31, characterized in that The inventory service information includes one or more of the following: the service identifier corresponding to the inventory service, the S-NSSAI corresponding to the inventory service, the DNN corresponding to the inventory service, the application identifier corresponding to the inventory service, the area identifier corresponding to the inventory service, the time period corresponding to the inventory service, and the terminal device identifier corresponding to the inventory service.

33. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 32, characterized in that The method further includes: receiving the first information from a first network element.

34. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 32, characterized in that The first information is carried by at least one of the following messages: Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message, Access Stratum (AS) message, paging message.

35. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a first network element, and the method includes: Sending first information to a terminal device, where the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform an inventory service related to an Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) device, and / or the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device.

36. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that, The sending the first information to the terminal device includes: Sending the first information to a network device, and the network device sends the first information to the terminal device.

37. The method according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that, The first information is generated based on at least one of the following information: second information, the service attributes of the inventory service, third information; Wherein, the second information is associated with the inventory service, and the third information is associated with the terminal device.

38. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that, The second information carries a first identifier, and the first identifier includes: the area identifier corresponding to the inventory service, and / or the terminal device identifier corresponding to the inventory service.

39. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that, The third information includes at least one of the following: whether the terminal device is allowed to perform the inventory service, whether the terminal device is authorized to perform the inventory service, the inventory area allowed for the terminal device, the inventory time allowed for the terminal device, the inventory service allowed for the terminal device, the inventory area authorized for the terminal device, the inventory time authorized for the terminal device, the inventory service authorized for the terminal device, the inventory area supported by the terminal device, the inventory time supported by the terminal device, the inventory service supported by the terminal device.

40. The method according to any one of claims 35 to 39, characterized in that, The method further includes at least one of the following steps: Receiving second information from a second network element; Receiving third information from a third network element; Sending the third information to the terminal device; Generating the first information.

41. The method according to claim 40, characterized in that, The second network element includes an AF or a NEF.

42. The method according to claim 40, characterized in that, The third network element includes a UDM or a PCF.

43. The method according to claim 42, characterized in that, The third network element includes a UDM, and the third information is carried in a subscription data acquisition response.

44. The method according to claim 43, characterized in that, The method further includes: sending a subscription data acquisition request to the third network element.

45. The method according to claim 42, characterized in that, The third network element includes a PCF, and the third information is carried in an inventory service authorization response.

46. The method according to claim 45, characterized in that, The method further includes: sending an inventory service authorization request to the third network element.

47. The method according to any one of claims 35 to 46, characterized in that, The service attributes of the inventory service include at least one of the following: the service provider of the inventory service, the service identifier of the inventory service, the application identifier of the inventory service.

48. The method according to any one of claims 35 to 47, characterized in that, The service attributes of the inventory service are identified by at least one of the following: service identifier, Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI), Data Network Name (DNN), application identifier.

49. The method according to any one of claims 35 to 48, characterized in that, The inventory service information includes one or more of the following: the service identifier corresponding to the inventory service, the S-NSSAI corresponding to the inventory service, the DNN corresponding to the inventory service, the application identifier corresponding to the inventory service, the area identifier corresponding to the inventory service, the time period corresponding to the inventory service, and the terminal device identifier corresponding to the inventory service.

50. The method according to any one of claims 35 to 49, characterized in that, The first network element includes an AMF.

51. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes: a receiving module, configured to receive first information, where the first information is used to instruct the device to perform an inventory service related to an ambient energy Internet of Things (A-IoT) device, and / or the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device.

52. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes: a sending module, configured to send first information to a terminal device; the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform an inventory service related to an ambient energy Internet of Things (A-IoT) device, and / or the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device.

53. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes: a sending module, configured to send first information to a terminal device; the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform an inventory service related to an ambient energy Internet of Things (A-IoT) device, and / or the first information carries inventory service information related to the A-IoT device.

54. A terminal device, characterized in that, The terminal device includes: a processor; a transceiver connected to the processor; a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; wherein, the processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

55. A network device, characterized in that, The network device includes: a processor; a transceiver connected to the processor; a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; wherein, the processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 19 to 34.

56. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes: a processor; a transceiver connected to the processor; a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; wherein, the processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 35 to 50.

57. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The readable storage medium stores executable instructions, which are loaded and executed by a processor to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, or any one of claims 19 to 34, or any one of claims 35 to 50.

58. A chip, characterized in that, The chip includes a programmable logic circuit or program, and the chip is used to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, or any one of claims 19 to 34, or any one of claims 35 to 50.

59. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes computer instructions, the computer instructions are stored in a computer-readable storage medium, a processor of a computer device reads the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium, and the processor executes the computer instructions, so that the computer device executes the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, or any one of claims 19 to 34, or any one of claims 35 to 50.

60. A computer program, characterized in that, The computer program includes computer instructions, and a processor of the computer device executes the computer instructions, so that the computer device executes the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, or any one of claims 19 to 34, or any one of claims 35 to 50.

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