Communication method, apparatus, and system

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and discloses a communication method, an apparatus, and a system. The method comprises: a first communication apparatus sends first identification information of the first communication apparatus, a value of a counter of the first communication apparatus being 0; receives a first message, the first message comprising first information and second information, the first information being used for indicating that the first identification information of the first communication apparatus has been correctly received, the second information being used for subtracting 1 from values of counters of one or more communication apparatuses, and the values of the counters of the one or more communication apparatuses being greater than 0; and sends a second message, the second message comprising second identification information of the first communication apparatus. By adopting the described method, since the first message comprises the first information and the second information, reducing the time of uplink and downlink conversion is facilitated, and the efficiency in taking inventory is improved.

Description

Communication method, device and system

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on February 8, 2024, with application number 202410178293.6 and application name "A Communication Method, Device and System", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, device, and system. Background Art

[0004] In the development of communications, the introduction of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology into communication networks has been proposed to reduce power consumption in terminal devices. In RFID technology, tags convert radio frequency signals emitted by readers into energy, using this energy to power themselves, thereby completing data transmission by responding to these signals. RFID technology has the potential for large-scale deployment and application. For example, in logistics and warehousing scenarios, tags can be used for inventory and tracking of goods; in industrial manufacturing scenarios, tags can be used for environmental and equipment status monitoring.

[0005] However, how to improve the efficiency of inventorying tags still needs further research. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a communication method, device, and system for improving the efficiency of inventorying tags.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a first communication device, where the first communication device can be a first tag or a component of the first tag (such as a chip or circuit). For example, in this method, the first communication device sends first identification information of the first communication device, and the value of the counter of the first communication device is 0; receives a first message, where the first message includes first information and second information, where the first information is used to indicate that the first identification information of the first communication device has been correctly received, and the second information is used to reduce the value of the counter of one or more communication devices by 1, where the value of the counter of the one or more communication devices is greater than 0; and sends a second message, where the second message includes the second identification information of the first communication device.

[0008] With the above method, since the first message includes the first information and the second information, it is convenient to reduce the uplink and downlink switching time, improve the efficiency of inventory. Optionally, it is also convenient to reduce the number of times the preamble and postamble are sent, further improving the efficiency of inventory.

[0009] In one possible design, the method further includes: determining a delay in sending the second message based on the first message; and determining a start time of the second message based on a first delay offset.

[0010] In this way, by delaying the sending of the second message, the second message and the third message sent by other tags (such as the second tag) (the third message includes the first identification information of the second tag) can be avoided from overlapping in the time domain, which facilitates the reader to correctly receive the second message.

[0011] In one possible design, the start time of the second message is determined based on the first delay offset, including: determining the start time of the second message based on the end time of the first message, a first duration and the first delay offset, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

[0012] In one possible design, based on the first message, determining to delay sending the second message includes: if the first information in the first message is located after the second information in the time domain, determining to delay sending the second message.

[0013] In this way, since the second message is a message sent in response to the first message, if the first message is located after the second message in the time domain, the sending of the second message can be delayed accordingly.

[0014] In one possible design, the first delay offset is determined based on at least one of the following: the length of the first identification information; the length of the preamble; the length of the postamble; the configured code rate; the configured coverage level; and the configured link rate.

[0015] In one possible design, the method further includes: determining the start time of the second message based on the end time of the first message and a first duration, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

[0016] In one possible design, the method further includes: determining that the first information in the first message is located before the second information in the time domain.

[0017] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a second communication device, and the second communication device can be a second tag or a component in the second tag (such as a chip or circuit). For example, in this method, the second communication device receives a first message, and the first message includes first information and second information, the first information is used to indicate that the first identification information of the first communication device has been correctly received, and the second information is used to reduce the value of the counter of one or more communication devices by 1, the value of the counter of the one or more communication devices is greater than 0, and the one or more communication devices include the second communication device; if the value of the counter of the second communication device is reduced to 0, a third message is sent, and the third message includes the first identification information of the second communication device.

[0018] With the above method, since the first message includes the first information and the second information, it is convenient to reduce the uplink and downlink switching time, improve the efficiency of inventory. Optionally, it is also convenient to reduce the number of times the preamble and postamble are sent, further improving the efficiency of inventory.

[0019] In one possible design, the method further includes: determining a delay in sending the third message based on the first message; and determining a start time of the third message based on a second delay offset.

[0020] In one possible design, the start time of the third message is determined based on the second delay offset, including: determining the start time of the third message based on the end time of the first message, the first duration and the second delay offset, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

[0021] In one possible design, based on the first message, determining to delay sending the second message includes: if the first information in the first message is located before the second information in the time domain, determining to delay sending the third message.

[0022] In one possible design, the second delay offset is determined based on at least one of the following: the length of the second identification information of the first communication device; the length of the preamble; the length of the postamble; the configured code rate; the configured coverage level; and the configured link rate.

[0023] In one possible design, the method further includes: determining the start time of the third message based on the end time of the first message and a first duration, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

[0024] In one possible design, the method further includes: determining that the first information in the first message is located after the second information in the time domain.

[0025] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a third communication device, and the third communication device can be a reader or a component in the reader (such as a chip or circuit). For example, in this method, the third communication device receives the first identification information of the first communication device, and the value of the counter of the first communication device is 0; sends a first message, the first message includes first information and second information, the first information is used to indicate that the first identification information of the first communication device has been correctly received, and the second information is used to reduce the value of the counter of one or more communication devices by 1, the value of the counter of the one or more communication devices is greater than 0, and the one or more communication devices include the second communication device; receives a second message, the second message includes the second identification information of the first communication device; receives a third message, the third message includes the first identification information of the second communication device, and the value of the counter of the second communication device is reduced to 0; wherein the second message and the third message do not overlap in the time domain.

[0026] Using this method, the first message sent by the reader includes the first information and the second information. After receiving the first message, the first tag and the second tag respectively send the second message and the third message to the reader, thereby reducing uplink and downlink switching time and improving inventory efficiency. Optionally, the number of preamble and postamble transmissions is also reduced, further improving inventory efficiency.

[0027] In one possible design, the method further includes: determining a delay in receiving the second message based on the first message; and determining a start time of the second message based on a first delay offset.

[0028] In one possible design, the start time of the second message is determined based on the first delay offset, including: determining the start time of the second message based on the end time of the first message, a first duration and the first delay offset, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

[0029] In one possible design, based on the first message, determining to delay receiving the second message includes: if the first information in the first message is located after the second information in the time domain, determining to delay receiving the second message.

[0030] In one possible design, the first delay offset is determined based on at least one of the following: the length of the first identification information; the length of the preamble; the length of the postamble; the configured code rate; the configured coverage level; and the configured link rate.

[0031] In one possible design, the method further includes: determining the start time of the third message based on the end time of the first message and a first duration, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

[0032] In one possible design, the method further includes: determining a delay in receiving the third message based on the first message; and determining a start time of the third message according to a second delay offset.

[0033] In one possible design, the start time of the third message is determined based on the second delay offset, including: determining the start time of the third message based on the end time of the first message, the first duration and the second delay offset, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

[0034] In one possible design, based on the first message, determining to delay receiving the second message includes: if the first information in the first message is located before the second information in the time domain, determining to delay receiving the third message.

[0035] In one possible design, the second delay offset is determined based on at least one of the following: the length of the second identification information of the first communication device; the length of the preamble; the length of the postamble; the configured code rate; the configured coverage level; and the configured link rate.

[0036] In one possible design, the method further includes: determining the start time of the second message based on the end time of the first message and a first duration, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

[0037] It can be understood that the communication methods provided in the second and third aspects correspond to the first aspect, and the beneficial effects of the relevant technical features in the second and third aspects can be referred to the description of the first aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0038] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a first communication device, where the first communication device can be a first tag or a component (such as a chip or circuit) in the first tag. For example, in this method, the first communication device sends first identification information of the first communication device, and the value of the counter of the first communication device is 0; receives a first message, where the first message includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate that the first identification information of the first communication device has been correctly received; determines whether to delay sending a second message based on the first message; and sends the second message, where the second message includes the second identification information of the first communication device.

[0039] In one possible design, based on the first message, determining whether to delay sending the second message includes: if the first message also includes second information, determining to delay sending the second message; wherein the second information is used to reduce the value of the counter of one or more communication devices by 1, and the value of the counter of the one or more communication devices is greater than 0.

[0040] In one possible design, based on the first message, determining whether to delay sending the second message includes: if the first message also includes second information, and the first information is located after the second information in the time domain, then determining to delay sending the second message; wherein the second information is used to reduce the value of the counter of one or more communication devices by 1, and the value of the counter of the one or more communication devices is greater than 0.

[0041] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a second communication device, which can be a second tag or a component in the second tag (such as a chip or circuit). For example, in this method, the second communication device receives a first message, the first message includes second information, the second information is used to reduce the value of a counter of one or more communication devices by 1, the value of the counter of the one or more communication devices is greater than 0, and the one or more communication devices include the second communication device; if the value of the counter of the second communication device is reduced to 0, based on the first message, it is determined whether to delay sending a third message; the third message is sent, and the third message includes the first identification information of the first communication device.

[0042] In one possible design, based on the first message, determining whether to delay sending the third message includes: if the first message also includes first information, determining to delay sending the third message; wherein the first information is used to indicate that the first identification information of the first communication device has been correctly received.

[0043] In one possible design, based on the first message, determining whether to delay sending the third message includes: if the first message also includes first information, and the first information is located before the second information in the time domain, then determining to delay sending the third message; wherein the first information is used to indicate that the first identification information of the first communication device has been correctly received.

[0044] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a third communication device, which can be a reader or a component in the reader (such as a chip or circuit). For example, in this method, the third communication device determines whether the first identification information of the first communication device has been received and whether it is necessary to continue inventorying; based on the judgment result, it is determined that the first message includes first information and / or second information, the first information is used to indicate that the first identification information of the first communication device has been correctly received, and the second information is used to reduce the value of the counter of one or more communication devices by 1, and the value of the counter of the one or more communication devices is greater than 0; and the first message is sent.

[0045] In one possible design, determining whether the first identification information of the first communication device is received includes: determining whether the first identification information of the first communication device is received after the second information is previously sent;

[0046] In one possible design, based on the judgment result, it is determined that the first message includes the first information and / or the second information, including: if the judgment result is that the first identification information of the first communication device is not received and further inquiry is required, then it is determined that the first message includes the second information; or, if the judgment result is that the first identification information of the first communication device is received and further inquiry is not required, then it is determined that the first message includes the first information; or, if the judgment result is that the first identification information of the first communication device is received and further inquiry is required, then it is determined that the first message includes the first information and the second information.

[0047] It can be understood that the specific implementation of the above-mentioned fourth to sixth aspects can refer to the description of the first to third aspects.

[0048] In the seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which has the ability to implement the functions involved in any one of the first to sixth aspects above. For example, the communication device includes modules or units or means corresponding to the operations involved in any one of the first to sixth aspects above. The functions or units or means can be implemented through software, or through hardware, or the corresponding software can be implemented through hardware.

[0049] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit. The communication unit can be used to send and receive signals to enable communication between the communication device and other devices; the processing unit can be used to perform certain internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the communication unit can correspond to the operations described in any of the first to sixth aspects above.

[0050] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor, which can be coupled to a memory. The memory can store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions of any of the first to sixth aspects. The processor can execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method of any possible design or implementation of the first to sixth aspects.

[0051] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, and the memory may store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions of any of the first to sixth aspects described above. The processor may execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method of any possible design or implementation of the first to sixth aspects described above.

[0052] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method in any possible design or implementation of the first to sixth aspects above.

[0053] It can be understood that in the seventh aspect above, the processor can be implemented by hardware or by software. When implemented by hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc.; when implemented by software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, which is implemented by reading the software code stored in the memory. In addition, the above processors can be one or more, and the memories can be one or more. The memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory and the processor can be set separately. In the specific implementation process, the memory can be integrated with the processor on the same chip, or can be set on different chips respectively. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of memory and the setting method of the memory and the processor.

[0054] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, comprising a first communication device and a third communication device, and optionally, further comprising a second communication device; or, the communication system comprises a first communication device and a third communication device, and optionally, further comprising the first communication device. The first communication device is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect, the second communication device is configured to execute the method described in the second aspect, and the third communication device is configured to execute the method described in the third aspect; or, the first communication device is configured to execute the method described in the fourth aspect, the second communication device is configured to execute the method described in the fifth aspect, and the third communication device is configured to execute the method described in the sixth aspect.

[0055] In the ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer-readable instructions are stored. When a computer reads and executes the computer-readable instructions, the computer executes the method in any possible design of the first to sixth aspects above.

[0056] Exemplarily, a computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, a computer-readable medium can include a non-transitory computer-readable medium, a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer.

[0057] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which, when read and executed by a computer, enables the computer to execute the method in any possible design of the first to sixth aspects above.

[0058] In the eleventh aspect, the present application provides a chip (or chip system), which includes a processor, and the processor is coupled to a memory, and is used to read and execute a software program stored in the memory to implement the method in any possible design of the first to sixth aspects above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG2A is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of inventory steps provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG2B is a timing diagram of an inventory provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a message structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG4 is a flow chart of the communication method according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first message provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of delaying sending a second message according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of delaying sending a third message according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG8 is a flow chart of the communication method according to the second embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG9 is a possible exemplary block diagram of a device involved in an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, 4th generation (4G) mobile communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems, such as new radio (NR) systems, and future evolved communication systems, such as 6th generation (6G) mobile communication systems.

[0071] In particular, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to communication systems such as the Internet of Things (IoT), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) or passive Internet of Things.

[0072] This application will present various aspects, embodiments or features around a system that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that each system may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In addition, combinations of these schemes may also be used. In addition, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplarily" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described in this application as an "example" should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of the word "example" is intended to present concepts in a concrete way. In the embodiments of this application, "of", "corresponding, relevant" and "corresponding" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the distinction is not emphasized, the meanings to be expressed are consistent.

[0073] The communication system and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0074] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application will first be described in detail using the communication system shown in FIG1 as an example. As shown in FIG1 , the communication system 10 includes a reader 11 and a tag 12. The reader 11 and the tag 12 can communicate via radio frequency (RF) signals. For example, the reader 11 can transmit an RF signal, and the tag 12 located near the reader 11 can receive the RF signal sent by the reader 11 and return a response RF signal to the reader 11. The response RF signal can carry relevant information about the tag 12, and the reader 11 can then receive and parse the response RF signal.

[0075] (1) Reader

[0076] The reader can also be called a reader / writer, or an RFID reader, or an interface device (IFD), or an interrogator. A reader is a device or apparatus that can obtain and process the data of a tag. It can be used as a separate device or embedded in other devices or systems. The reader can send a radio frequency signal to the tag through the reader antenna to query data or write data to the tag. The reader can also be connected to other devices (such as a computer) through a communication interface to transmit data stored locally in the reader or data obtained from the tag to other devices. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific form of the reader. For example, the reader can be a terminal device, or a network device (such as an access network device), or a device with the function of reading and writing to a tag, or other possible forms of devices.

[0077] (2) Tags

[0078] A tag is also called an electronic tag or RFID tag. A tag is a miniature wireless transceiver consisting primarily of a built-in tag antenna, a coupling element, and a chip. The chip contains storage space that allows a reader to read or write tag data. After receiving the RF signal from the reader via the tag antenna, the tag couples the RF signal through the coupling element. This coupling channel then provides power to the tag chip and transmits the tag data stored in the chip back to the reader via the tag antenna. Tags can be active, passive, or semi-active. Passive tags are also called passive IoT devices.

[0079] In one possible scenario, the tag can be considered a terminal device, and the reader can be considered an access network device (or the reader is integrated into the access network device). The access network device (i.e., the reader) operates the tag (i.e., the terminal device) according to the instructions of the core network element. The tag and reader can communicate uplink and downlink via the air interface (i.e., the Uu interface). In other words, the tag sending information to the reader is called uplink communication, and the reader sending information to the tag is called downlink communication.

[0080] It will be understood that FIG1 above exemplarily illustrates one reader and one tag. In a communication system, one reader can communicate with multiple tags, and the communication system may include multiple readers / writers. The present embodiment of the application does not limit the number of readers or tags included in the communication system. In addition to readers and tags, the communication system may also include other devices or network elements, such as core network elements, which are not limited in the present embodiment.

[0081] Based on the communication system shown in Figure 1, Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of the inventory process, and Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of the inventory sequence. Among them, inventory can also be called inventory counting. Through the inventory process, the reader can obtain the identification information of one or more tags. As shown in Figure 2A, the process includes:

[0082] S200: A reader sends a query message; correspondingly, multiple tags receive the query message.

[0083] For example, the inquiry message may include a Q value and other possible information, such as tag screening condition information. Accordingly, after receiving the inquiry message, if the tag determines that the tag screening condition is met, it generates a random number as the initial value of the counter based on the Q value. The value range of the random number is 0 to 2. Q-1. Subsequently, each time a QueryRep message is received, the tag's counter value is reduced by 1. When the tag's counter value reaches 0, the tag enters the reply state and sends a temporary identification information to the reader. The temporary identification information can be a 16-bit random number (RN16).

[0084] S201: A reader sends a QueryRep message 1; correspondingly, multiple tags receive the QueryRep message.

[0085] Illustratively, there may be a certain time interval between the query message and the QueryRep message 1, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0086] S202 , tag 1 sends a response message 1 to the reader, where the response message 1 includes temporary identification information of tag 1 (ie, RN16 ); accordingly, the reader receives the response message 1 .

[0087] It is assumed here that the value of the counter of tag 1 is 0, so tag 1 sends a response message 1 to reader 1. Response message 1 may also be called an RN16 message.

[0088] S203 , the reader sends an acknowledgment (ACK) message 1 , where the ACK message 1 includes temporary identification information of the tag 1 ; correspondingly, the tag 1 receives the ACK message 1 .

[0089] S204 , tag 1 sends an electronic product code (EPC) message 1 to the reader; correspondingly, the reader receives the EPC message 1 .

[0090] For example, after receiving ACK message 1, tag 1 determines that the RN16 carried in the ACK message is the same as the RN16 previously responded by tag 1, and then sends EPC message 1 to the reader. EPC message 1 includes the identification information of tag 1 (different from the temporary identification information), and the identification information of tag 1 may include a complete EPC (for example, a complete EPC with an actual length of 96 bits) or a part of the EPC.

[0091] S205 , the reader sends a QueryRep message 2 ; correspondingly, multiple tags receive the QueryRep message 2 .

[0092] S206 , tag 2 sends a response message 2 to the reader, where the response message 2 includes temporary identification information of tag 2 (ie, RN16 ); accordingly, the reader receives the response message 2 .

[0093] It is assumed here that the value of the counter of tag 2 is 0, so tag 2 sends response message 2 to reader 2.

[0094] S207 , the reader sends an acknowledgment (ACK) message 2 , where the ACK message 2 includes temporary identification information of the tag 1 ; correspondingly, the tag 1 receives the ACK message 2 .

[0095] S208 , tag 1 sends an electronic product code (EPC) message 2 to the reader, where EPC message 2 includes identification information of tag 2 ; accordingly, the reader receives EPC message 2 .

[0096] It is understandable that the inventory process shown in FIG2A may be a partial process, and other tags may send EPC messages to the reader subsequently, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0097] The timing sequence illustrated in FIG2B corresponds to the steps illustrated in FIG2A , and FIG2B can be referred to in the description of FIG2A . T1 illustrated in FIG2B is the time interval between the reader's signaling completion and the tag's signaling start; T2 illustrated in FIG2B is the time interval between the tag's signaling completion and the reader's signaling start.

[0098] Optionally, the message sent by the reader or tag includes a preamble and / or postamble, which are used to determine the starting and ending positions of the message. For example, when a tag receives a preamble, it confirms that it will receive data from the reader, and when the tag receives a postamble, it indicates that the transmission has ended. In addition, because tags are low-cost devices and may have poor timing accuracy, preambles and postambles can also be used to assist tags in synchronization, improving the performance of data reception and transmission.

[0099] Taking the example of a message sent by a reader or tag including a preamble and a postamble, as shown in Figure 3, a QueryRep message includes a preamble, QueryRep information, and a postamble; an ACK message includes a preamble, ACK information, and a postamble; an RN16 message includes a preamble, RN16, and a postamble; and an EPC message includes a preamble, EPC, and a postamble. Taking the QueryRep message as an example, the preamble precedes the QueryRep information in the time domain, and the QueryRep information precedes the postamble in the time domain. The same can be said for other messages.

[0100] As can be seen from Figures 2A and 2B above, during the inventory process, the reader needs to complete two message transmissions (QueryRep message and ACK message) for each tag, and the tag also needs to complete two message transmissions (RN16 message and EPC message), resulting in low efficiency in inventorying tags.

[0101] Based on this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method for improving the efficiency of inventorying tags. The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application involves multiple communication devices (such as a first communication device, a second communication device, and a third communication device), wherein the first communication device or the second communication device can be a tag, or can also be a component of a tag, such as a chip set in a terminal, etc.; the third communication device can be a reader, or can also be a component of a reader, such as a chip set in a reader, etc. In the embodiment of the present application, "the first communication device is a first tag, the second communication device is a second tag, and the third communication device is a reader" will be described as an example.

[0102] Here, the relevant terms involved in the embodiments of the present application are explained.

[0103] (1) First identification information: temporary identification information of the tag, such as RN16 or other information used to temporarily identify the tag, without specific limitation. In the embodiment of the present application, the first identification information of different tags has the same number of bits, for example, the first identification information of the first tag and the second tag are both 16-bit random numbers.

[0104] (2) Second identification information: This is the EPC of the tag or a portion of the EPC, or may be other information used to identify the tag, without limitation. In the embodiment of the present application, the second identification information of different tags has the same number of bits, for example, the second identification information of the first tag and the second tag both have a 96-bit EPC.

[0105] (3) Message start time: The time or instant at which the message begins transmission (sending / receiving), or the rising edge time of the first bit of the message. If the message includes a preamble, the message start time is the time or instant at which the preamble begins transmission.

[0106] (4) Message end time: The time or moment when the message transmission ends, or the rising edge time of the last bit of the message. If the message includes a postamble, the message end time is the time or moment when the postamble transmission ends.

[0107] (5) Code rate: refers to the ratio of effective information bits (including check bits) to the total transmitted bits.

[0108] (6) Coverage level: Different coverage levels correspond to different channel conditions, such as signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR). The number of repetitions and code rate corresponding to the transmission can be determined based on the different coverage levels, thereby adjusting the transmission performance under different channel conditions.

[0109] (7) Link rate: refers to the time required to transmit a unit number of bits. Link rate can be replaced by other descriptions, such as "RF pulse width (indicates the time width of a square wave)", "link frequency", "division ratio", or "reference time interval".

[0110] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application is described in detail below in combination with Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2.

[0111] Example 1

[0112] FIG4 is a flow chart of the communication method according to the first embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG4 , the flow may include:

[0113] S401: A first tag sends first identification information of the first tag to a reader, and the value of a counter of the first tag is 0; accordingly, the reader receives the first identification information of the first tag.

[0114] For example, before S301, the first tag receives message a sent by the reader. Message a includes QueryRep information, and the value of the first tag's counter is decremented by 1. If the value of the first tag's counter is 0 after decrement, the first tag enters a reply state and sends the first tag's identification information to the reader. For example, the first tag sends the first tag's identification information to the reader via an RN16 message, where message a is a QueryRep message.

[0115] The "counter" in the embodiment of the present application can also be replaced by other possible names, without specific limitation.

[0116] S402: The reader sends a first message, which includes first information and second information. The first information is used to indicate that the first identification information of the first tag has been correctly received, and the second information is used to reduce the value of the counter of one or more tags by 1.

[0117] (1) Introduce the content of the first message.

[0118] Exemplarily, the first information is an ACK message, e.g., the first information includes first identification information of a first tag; and the second information is a QueryRep message. The first information precedes the second information in the time domain, as shown in (a) or (c) in FIG5 ; or the first information follows the second information in the time domain, as shown in (b) or (d) in FIG5 .

[0119] Optionally, the first message also includes third information, and the third information is used to indicate that the first message includes the first information and the second information. Further optionally, the third information is also used to indicate the positional relationship between the first information and the second information in the time domain, for example, the third information indicates that the first information is located before the second information in the time domain, or the first information is located after the second information in the time domain. As a possible implementation, the third information is located before the first information and the second information in the time domain, see (c) or (d) in Figure 5.

[0120] In addition, the first message may also include other possible information, such as a preamble and / or a postamble, which is not specifically limited.

[0121] (2) Introduce one or more tags.

[0122] Illustratively, the value of the counter of one or more tags is greater than 0. After receiving the first message, the one or more tags may decrement the value of the counter by 1 based on the second information in the first message. For example, the one or more tags include a second tag, and the second tag decrements the value of the counter by 1 based on the second information in the first message. After the decrement, the value of the counter of the second tag becomes 0 (i.e., the value of the counter of the second tag is decremented to 0).

[0123] The present embodiment describes the situation where the counter value of a second tag among one or more tags is reduced to 0, while the counter values ​​of the other tags are still greater than 0 after being decremented by 1. It is understood that if a third tag among the one or more tags also has its counter value reduced to 0, the third tag can refer to the description of the second tag. Alternatively, if the counter values ​​of one or more tags are all still greater than 0 after being decremented by 1, no tag will send an RN16 message to the reader.

[0124] S403: The first tag sends a second message to the reader, where the second message includes second identification information of the first tag; accordingly, the reader receives the second message.

[0125] For example, after the first tag receives the first message, if it is determined that the identification information included in the first message is the same as the first identification information previously sent by the first tag, it indicates that the reader has correctly received the first identification information of the first tag, and then the first tag can send a second message to the reader, such as the second message is an EPC message.

[0126] S404: The second tag sends a third message to the reader, where the third message includes the first identification information of the second tag; accordingly, the reader receives the third message.

[0127] Exemplarily, when the value of the counter of the second tag is reduced to 0, the second tag may send a third message to the reader, for example, the third message is an RN16 message.

[0128] The second and third messages described above do not overlap in the time domain, thereby avoiding interference between the different messages and facilitating correct reception of the second and third messages by the reader. There are multiple ways to implement "the second and third messages do not overlap in the time domain." The following describes two possible methods, combining Implementation Methods 1 and 2.

[0129] (1) Implementation method 1

[0130] In implementation 1, the RN16 message (e.g., the third message) precedes the EPC message (the second message) in the time domain, as shown in Figure 6. The following description is from the perspectives of the first tag, the second tag, and the reader, respectively. The first tag is a tag that has already sent the first identification information to the reader (i.e., the tag that sent the first identification information to the reader after the reader last sent the QueryRep message), and the second tag is a tag whose counter value has been reduced to 0 (i.e., the counter value is 0 after being decremented by 1 based on the second information in the first message).

[0131] (1.1) Description from the perspective of the first label

[0132] The first tag determines to delay sending the second message based on the first message; and determines the start time of the second message according to the first delay offset; and then, the first tag sends the second message at the start time of the second message.

[0133] The following describes a specific implementation of "the first tag determining to delay sending the second message based on the first message."

[0134] As a possible implementation, if the first tag determines that the first message includes the first information and the second information, it determines to delay sending the second message. There are multiple implementations of the first tag determining that the first message includes the first information and the second information. For example, referring to (a) or (b) in Figure 5, the first tag determines that the first message includes the first information and the second information by parsing the first message. For another example, referring to (c) or (d) in Figure 5, the first message includes third information (the third information is used to indicate that the first message includes the first information and the second information), and then the first tag determines that the first message includes the first information and the second information based on the third information in the first message.

[0135] As another possible implementation, after the first tag determines that the first message includes the first information and the second information, it further determines the positional relationship between the first information and the second information in the time domain. If the first information is located after the second information in the time domain, it determines to delay sending the second message. There are multiple implementations of the first tag determining the positional relationship between the first information and the second information in the time domain. For example, referring to (b) in Figure 5, the first tag determines that the first information is located after the second information in the time domain by parsing the first message. For another example, referring to (d) in Figure 5, the first message includes third information (the third information is used to indicate that the first information is located after the second information in the time domain), and then the first tag determines that the first information is located after the second information in the time domain based on the third information.

[0136] As another possible implementation, the first message further includes fourth information, which is used to indicate a delay in sending the second message, and the first tag determines to delay sending the second message based on the fourth information. Optionally, the fourth information is also used to indicate a delay offset (i.e., a first delay offset).

[0137] The following describes a specific implementation of "the first tag determining the start time of the second message according to the first delay offset."

[0138] As a possible implementation, the first tag determines the start time of the second message based on the end time, the first duration, and the first delay offset of the first message. For example, the start time of the second message is Ta, Ta = the end time of the first message + the first duration + the first delay offset. In a specific implementation, considering that there may be additional processing time or errors, it can be considered that the end time, the first duration, and the first delay offset of the first message are the main parameters for determining the start time of the second message, rather than all the parameters, that is, the start time of the second message can be further determined in combination with other possible parameters, which is not specifically limited, and other similarities can be handled.

[0139] The first duration is predefined or preconfigured and may be equal to T1 mentioned above. For example, if a fixed value, such as 100 microseconds (µs), is predefined or preconfigured, the first duration is equal to 100 µs. For another example, if a value range, such as 95 µs to 105 µs, is predefined or preconfigured, the first tag may select a value from the range as the first duration.

[0140] In one example, the first delay offset is predefined or preconfigured, refer to the description of the “first duration” above.

[0141] In yet another example, the first message includes fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate a delay in sending the second message and is further used to indicate a first delay offset, so that the first tag directly obtains the first delay offset from the first message.

[0142] In another example, the first tag determines the first delay offset based on at least one of the following ①②③④⑤⑥; in other words, the first tag determines the transmission duration of the third message based on at least one of the following ①②③④⑤⑥, and then determines the first delay offset based on the transmission duration of the third message. It is understandable that the first tag does not know whether other tags will definitely send the third message (i.e., RN16 message), but because other tags may send the third message, the first tag needs to estimate the transmission duration of the third message, and the offset for delaying the sending of the second message (i.e., the first delay offset) is greater than or equal to the transmission duration of the third message, thereby avoiding overlap of the second message and the third message in the time domain.

[0143] The transmission duration of the third message is related to at least one of the number of bits of the third message, the code rate of the third message, the coverage level, or the link rate of transmitting the third message. The code rate, coverage level, and link rate may be configured by the reader to the first tag. For example, the reader indicates the code rate, coverage level, and link rate to the terminal through a query message. The reader may directly indicate the code rate, coverage level, or link rate, or the first tag may determine or calculate the code rate, coverage level, or link rate based on the configuration information sent by the reader. Therefore, the parameters used to determine the first delay offset may include: ① the length of the first identification information; ② the length of the preamble; ③ the length of the postamble; ④ the configured code rate; ⑤ the configured coverage level; ⑥ the configured link rate. "Length" may be replaced by "transmission duration" or "number of bits."

[0144] For example, if the third message includes a preamble, the first identification information of the second tag, and a postamble, the first delay offset is determined according to ①②③④⑤⑥ above. If the third message includes the first identification information of the second tag (excluding the preamble and postamble), the first delay offset is determined according to ①④⑤⑥ above. Details are not repeated here.

[0145] (1.2) Description from the perspective of the second label

[0146] Based on the first message, the second tag determines that the third message should be sent without delay. If the third message is not delayed, the second tag can determine the start time of the third message based on the end time of the first message and the first duration, and then send the third message at the start time of the third message. For example, the start time of the third message is Tb, where Tb = the end time of the first message + the first duration.

[0147] For example, the second tag, based on the first message, determines not to delay sending the third message, specifically, if the second tag determines that the first message includes the first and second information, then determines not to delay sending the third message. Alternatively, after determining that the first message includes the first and second information, the second tag further determines the temporal relationship between the first and second information. If the first information is temporally later than the second information, then the third message is determined not to be delayed. For details, please refer to the description of the first tag above.

[0148] (1.3) Description from the reader's perspective

[0149] After sending the first message, the reader can determine the start time of the second message and the start time of the third message, and then receive the second message at the start time of the second message, and receive the third message at the start time of the third message.

[0150] Specifically, based on the first message, the reader determines to delay receiving the second message and not to delay receiving the third message. For example, if the reader determines that the first message includes the first information and the second information, it determines to delay receiving the second message and not to delay receiving the third message. For another example, after the reader determines that the first message includes the first information and the second information, it further determines the positional relationship between the first information and the second information in the time domain. If the first information is located after the second information in the time domain, it determines to delay sending the second message and not to delay receiving the third message. Furthermore, the reader determines the start time of the second message based on the end time, the first duration and the first delay offset of the first message; and determines the start time of the third message based on the end time and the first duration of the first message. The implementation on the reader side can refer to the above description of the first tag and the second tag.

[0151] It can be understood that the above-mentioned implementation method 1 is described by taking "if the first information is located after the second information in the time domain, the second message is sent delayed and the third message is not delayed" as an example. In other embodiments, it can also be "if the first information is located before the second information in the time domain, the second message is sent delayed and the third message is not delayed". It will not be repeated here.

[0152] (2) Implementation method 2

[0153] In implementation mode 1, the RN16 message (such as the third message) is located after the EPC message (the second message) in the time domain, as shown in FIG7 .

[0154] (2.1) Description from the perspective of the first label

[0155] Because the first tag has already sent the first identification information to the reader, the first tag can directly determine not to delay sending the second message; alternatively, the first tag can determine not to delay sending the second message based on the first message. If it is determined not to delay sending the second message, the first tag can determine the start time of the second message based on the end time of the first message and the first duration, and then send the second message at the start time of the second message. For example, the start time of the second message is Tb, where Tb = the end time of the first message + the first duration.

[0156] Exemplarily, the specific implementation of "the first tag determines that the second message is not sent delayed based on the first message" is: after the first tag determines that the first message includes the first information and the second information, it further judges the positional relationship between the first information and the second information in the time domain. If the first information is located before the second information in the time domain, it is determined that the second message is not sent delayed.

[0157] (2.2) Description from the perspective of the second label

[0158] The second tag determines to delay sending of the third message based on the first message; and determines the start time of the third message according to the second delay offset; and then, the second tag sends the third message at the start time of the third message.

[0159] The following describes a specific implementation of "the first tag determining to delay sending the second message based on the first message."

[0160] As a possible implementation, if the second tag determines that the first message includes the first information and the second information, it determines to delay sending the third message.

[0161] As another possible implementation, after the second tag determines that the first message includes the first information and the second information, it further determines the positional relationship between the first information and the second information in the time domain. If the first information is located before the second information in the time domain, it determines to delay sending the third message.

[0162] As another possible implementation, the first message further includes fifth information, the fifth information being used to indicate a delay in sending the third message, and the second tag then determines to delay sending the third message based on the fifth information. Optionally, the fifth information is also used to indicate a delay offset (i.e., a second delay offset).

[0163] The following describes a specific implementation of "the second tag determining the start time of the third message according to the second delay offset."

[0164] As a possible implementation, the second tag determines the start time of the third message based on the end time of the first message, the first duration, and the second delay offset. For example, the start time of the third message is Tc, where Tc = the end time of the first message + the first duration + the second delay offset.

[0165] In one example, the second delay offset is predefined or preconfigured, refer to the description of the “first duration” above.

[0166] In yet another example, the first message includes fifth information, where the fifth information is used to indicate a delay in sending the third message and is further used to indicate a second delay offset, so that the second tag directly obtains the second delay offset from the first message.

[0167] In another example, the second tag determines the second delay offset based on at least one of the following ①②③④⑤⑥; in other words, the second tag determines the transmission duration of the second message based on at least one of the following ①②③④⑤⑥, and then determines the second delay offset based on the transmission duration of the second message. It is understandable that the second tag needs to estimate the transmission duration of the second message, and the offset for delaying the sending of the third message (i.e., the second delay offset) is greater than or equal to the transmission duration of the second message, thereby avoiding overlap of the second and third messages in the time domain.

[0168] The transmission duration of the second message is related to at least one of the number of bits in the second message, the code rate of the second message, the coverage level, or the link rate of the second message. Therefore, the parameters used to determine the second delay offset may include: ① the length of the second identification information; ② the length of the preamble; ③ the length of the postamble; ④ the configured code rate; ⑤ the configured coverage level; and ⑥ the configured link rate.

[0169] (2.3) Description from the reader's perspective

[0170] After sending the first message, the reader can determine the start time of the second message and the start time of the third message, and then receive the second message at the start time of the second message, and receive the third message at the start time of the third message.

[0171] Specifically, based on the first message, the reader determines not to delay receiving the second message, and to delay receiving the third message. For example, if the reader determines that the first message includes the first information and the second information, it determines not to delay receiving the second message, and to delay receiving the third message. For another example, after the reader determines that the first message includes the first information and the second information, it further determines the positional relationship between the first information and the second information in the time domain. If the first information is located before the second information in the time domain, it determines not to delay sending the second message, and to delay receiving the third message. Furthermore, the reader determines the start time of the second message based on the end time and the first duration of the first message; and determines the start time of the third message based on the end time, the first duration, and the second delay offset of the first message. The implementation on the reader side can refer to the above description of the first tag and the second tag.

[0172] It can be understood that the above-mentioned implementation method 2 is described by taking "if the first information is before the second information in the time domain, the second message is not delayed, and the third message is delayed" as an example. In other embodiments, it can also be "if the first information is after the second information in the time domain, the second message is not delayed, and the third message is delayed". It will not be repeated here.

[0173] Optionally, after S404, the reader sends a fourth message, which includes fourth information (i.e., ACK information) indicating that the first identification information of the second tag has been correctly received. Optionally, the fourth message also includes QueryRep information. Subsequent implementation can refer to the description of the embodiments of this application.

[0174] Using the above method, the first message sent by the reader includes the first information and the second information (that is, the QueryRep information and the ACK information are combined into one message). After receiving the first message, the first tag and the second tag respectively send the second message (EPC message) and the third message (RN16 message) to the reader. In this way, referring to Figure 6 or Figure 7, after the reader receives the RN16 message from the first tag, it performs two uplink and downlink conversions to receive the EPC message from the first tag and the RN16 message from the second tag; and referring to Figure 2B, after the reader receives the RN16 message from tag 1, it performs four uplink and downlink conversions to receive the EPC message from tag 1 and the RN16 message from tag 2. Therefore, the method in the embodiment of the present application can effectively reduce the number of uplink and downlink conversions in the inventory process and improve the efficiency of the inventory.

[0175] Optionally, in Figure 2B, when the QueryRep message includes a preamble, QueryRep information and a postamble, and the ACK message includes a preamble, ACK information and a postamble, the reader sends the QueryRep message and the ACK message respectively, then it is necessary to send the preamble twice and the postamble twice; whereas in the embodiment of the present application, the reader combines the QueryRep information and the ACK information into one message, therefore, it is only necessary to send the preamble once and the postamble once, thereby effectively reducing the number of times the preamble and the postamble are sent, further improving the inventory efficiency.

[0176] The first embodiment described above focuses on the implementation of "a first message sent by a reader includes first information and second information." During the inventory process, the reader may send the first message multiple times. Some first messages include the first information and the second information, some include the first information (but not the second information), and some include the second information (but not the first information). Therefore, the second embodiment describes how the reader determines the content of the first message and how the tag responds after receiving the first message. If, in the second embodiment, the reader determines that the first message includes the first information and the second information, the subsequent implementation can refer to the first embodiment.

[0177] Example 2

[0178] FIG8 is a flow chart of the communication method according to the second embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG8 , the flow may include:

[0179] S801, a reader determines the content of a first message and sends the first message; accordingly, one or more tags receive the first message, the one or more tags including a first tag and a second tag.

[0180] For example, the reader can determine the content of the first message based on whether the first identification information of the tag is received (i.e., whether the first identification information of the tag is received after the reader previously sent a QueryRep message) and whether the inventory needs to be continued. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation of the reader determining whether an inventory needs to be performed.

[0181] For example, if the reader determines that it has received the first identification information of the first tag and needs to perform an inventory, it determines that the first message includes the first information and the second information (i.e., ACK+QueryRep, QueryRep+ACK). The first information and the second information are described in Example 1. In this case, S802 to S805 can be executed subsequently.

[0182] Alternatively, if the reader determines that the first identification information of the first tag has been received and that no inventory is required, it determines that the first message includes the first information (excluding the second information, ie, ACK only). In this case, S802 and S803 may be performed subsequently.

[0183] Alternatively, if the reader determines that the first identification information of the tag has not been received and an inventory is required, it determines that the first message includes the second information (excluding the first information, ie, QueryRep only). In this case, S804 and S805 can be executed subsequently.

[0184] Optionally, the first message also includes indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate that the first message includes the first information and / or the second information, or the indication information is used to indicate the type of the first message, for example, the type of the first message is ACK+QueryRep, or QueryRep+ACK, or ACK only, or QueryRep only.

[0185] S802: Based on the first message, the first tag determines whether to delay sending the second message.

[0186] S803: The first tag sends a second message, where the second message includes second identification information of the first tag; accordingly, the reader receives the second message.

[0187] Specifically, if the first message includes the first information and the second information, the specific implementation of the first tag determining whether to delay sending the second message is as described in the first embodiment.

[0188] Alternatively, if the first message includes the first information (e.g., ACK only), the first tag determines not to delay sending the second message. For example, the first tag determines the start time of the second message based on the end time of the first message and the first duration, and sends the second message at the start time of the second message. Furthermore, from the reader's perspective, if the first message includes the first information, the reader determines not to delay receiving the second message.

[0189] S804: Based on the first message, the second tag determines whether to delay sending the third message.

[0190] S805: The second tag sends a third message, where the third message includes the first identification information of the second tag.

[0191] Specifically, if the first message includes the first information and the second information, the specific implementation of the second tag determining whether to delay sending the third message is as described in the first embodiment.

[0192] Alternatively, if the first message includes the second information (e.g., QueryRep only), the second tag may decrement the counter by 1. If the counter value is 0 after decrement, the second tag determines that the third message should not be delayed. For example, the second tag determines the start time of the third message based on the end time of the first message and the first duration, and sends the third message at the start time of the third message. Furthermore, from the reader's perspective, if the first message includes the second information, the reader determines that the third message should not be delayed.

[0193] With respect to the above two embodiments, it can be understood that:

[0194] (1) The above-mentioned embodiments 1 and 2 are described using the example of "combining the QueryRep message and the ACK message into a single message." The QueryRep message may be replaced with other possible messages, such as QueryAdjust information, that is, the QueryAdjust message and the ACK message may be combined into a single message. In other embodiments, other possible two messages in the inventory process may be combined into a single message and sent. For specific implementations, please refer to the description in the embodiments of this application.

[0195] (2) The above description focuses on the differences between Example 1 and Example 2. Except for the differences, the two can refer to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships. In addition, in the same embodiment, different implementations or different examples can also be referenced or referred to each other.

[0196] (3) The various numerical numbers involved in this application are only for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of this application. The step numbers of the above-mentioned flowcharts are only an example of the execution process and do not constitute a restriction on the order of execution of the steps. That is, the size of the step numbers does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each step should be determined by its function and internal logic. In addition, not all the steps shown in the flowcharts are required to be executed. Some steps can be added or deleted based on actual needs.

[0197] The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of the interaction between the tag and the reader. It is understandable that in order to achieve the above functions, the tag and the reader may include hardware structures and / or software modules that perform the corresponding functions. Those skilled in the art should easily appreciate that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in a hardware or computer software driven hardware manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0198] In the embodiments of the present application, the tags and readers can be divided into functional units according to the above method examples. For example, different functional units can be divided according to different functions, or two or more functions can be integrated into one unit. The above integrated units can be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0199] In the case of adopting an integrated unit, Figure 9 shows a possible exemplary block diagram of the device involved in the embodiments of the present application. As shown in Figure 9, the device 900 may include: a processing unit 902 and a communication unit 903. The processing unit 902 is used to control and manage the actions of the device 900. The communication unit 903 is used to support the communication between the device 900 and other devices. The communication unit 903 is also called a transceiver unit, and may include a receiving unit and / or a sending unit, which are used to perform receiving and sending operations respectively. Optionally, the device 900 also includes a storage unit 901 for storing program code and / or data of the device 900.

[0200] (1) The apparatus 900 may be the first communication apparatus (e.g., the first tag) in the above-described embodiments. The processing unit 902 may support the apparatus 900 in executing the actions of the first tag in each of the above-described method examples. Alternatively, the processing unit 902 primarily executes the internal actions of the first tag in the method examples, and the communication unit 903 may support communication between the apparatus 900 and other devices.

[0201] In one embodiment, the communication unit 903 is used to: send first identification information of the first communication device, and the value of the counter of the first communication device is 0; receive a first message, the first message includes first information and second information, the first information is used to indicate that the first identification information of the first communication device has been correctly received, and the second information is used to reduce the value of the counter of one or more communication devices by 1, and the value of the counter of the one or more communication devices is greater than 0; send a second message, the second message includes the second identification information of the first communication device.

[0202] In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is used to: determine the delay in sending the second message based on the first message; and determine the start time of the second message according to the first delay offset.

[0203] In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is specifically used to determine the start time of the second message based on the end time, first duration and first delay offset of the first message, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

[0204] In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is specifically used to: if the first information in the first message is located after the second information in the time domain, determine to delay sending the second message.

[0205] In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is used to determine the start time of the second message based on the end time of the first message and a first duration, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

[0206] In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is further used to determine whether the first information in the first message is located before the second information in the time domain.

[0207] (2) The apparatus 900 may be the second communication apparatus (e.g., a second tag) in the above-described embodiments. The processing unit 902 may support the apparatus 900 in executing the actions of the second tag in each of the above-described method examples. Alternatively, the processing unit 902 primarily executes the internal actions of the second tag in the method examples, and the communication unit 903 may support communication between the apparatus 900 and other devices.

[0208] In one embodiment, the communication unit 903 is used to: receive a first message, the first message including first information and second information, the first information being used to indicate that the first identification information of the first communication device has been correctly received, and the second information being used to reduce the value of a counter of one or more communication devices by 1, the value of the counter of the one or more communication devices being greater than 0, and the one or more communication devices including the second communication device; if the value of the counter of the second communication device is reduced to 0, a third message is sent, the third message including the first identification information of the second communication device.

[0209] In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is used to: determine the delay in sending the third message based on the first message; and determine the start time of the third message according to the second delay offset.

[0210] In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is specifically used to determine the start time of the third message based on the end time of the first message, the first duration and the second delay offset, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

[0211] In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is specifically used to: if the first information in the first message is located before the second information in the time domain, determine to delay sending the third message.

[0212] In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is used to determine the start time of the third message based on the end time and the first duration of the first message, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

[0213] In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is further used to determine that the first information in the first message is located after the second information in the time domain.

[0214] (3) The apparatus 900 may be the third communication apparatus (e.g., a reader) in the above-described embodiments. The processing unit 902 may support the apparatus 900 in executing the reader actions described in the above-described method examples. Alternatively, the processing unit 902 may primarily execute the internal actions of the reader described in the method examples, while the communication unit 903 may support communication between the apparatus 900 and other devices.

[0215] In one embodiment, the communication unit 903 is used to: receive first identification information of a first communication device, the value of the counter of the first communication device is 0; send a first message, the first message includes first information and second information, the first information is used to indicate that the first identification information of the first communication device has been correctly received, and the second information is used to reduce the value of the counter of one or more communication devices by 1, the value of the counter of the one or more communication devices is greater than 0, and the one or more communication devices include a second communication device; receive a second message, the second message includes the second identification information of the first communication device; receive a third message, the third message includes the first identification information of the second communication device, and the value of the counter of the second communication device is reduced to 0; wherein the second message and the third message do not overlap in the time domain.

[0216] In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is used to: determine the delay in receiving the second message based on the first message; and determine the start time of the second message according to the first delay offset.

[0217] In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is specifically used to determine the start time of the second message based on the end time, first duration and first delay offset of the first message, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

[0218] In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is specifically used to: if the first information in the first message is located after the second information in the time domain, determine to delay receiving the second message.

[0219] In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is further used to determine the start time of the third message based on the end time and the first duration of the first message, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

[0220] In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is used to: determine the delay in receiving the third message based on the first message; and determine the start time of the third message according to the second delay offset.

[0221] In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is specifically used to determine the start time of the third message based on the end time of the first message, the first duration and the second delay offset, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

[0222] In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is specifically used to: if the first information in the first message is located before the second information in the time domain, determine to delay receiving the third message.

[0223] In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is further used to determine the start time of the second message based on the end time and a first duration of the first message, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

[0224] It should be understood that the division of units in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into one physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Moreover, the units in the device can all be implemented in the form of software calling through processing elements; or they can all be implemented in the form of hardware; or some units can be implemented in the form of software calling through processing elements, and some units can be implemented in the form of hardware. For example, each unit can be a separately established processing element, or it can be integrated into a certain chip of the device. In addition, it can also be stored in the memory in the form of a program, called by a certain processing element of the device and execute the function of the unit. In addition, all or part of these units can be integrated together, or they can be implemented independently. The processing element described here can also be a processor, which can be an integrated circuit with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each operation of the above method or each unit above can be implemented by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor element or in the form of software calling through the processing element.

[0225] In one example, the unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method, such as one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more digital singnal processors (DSPs), or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. For another example, when the unit in the device can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler, the processing element can be a processor, such as a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), or other processor that can call a program. For another example, these units can be integrated together and implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0226] The above-mentioned receiving unit is an interface circuit of the device, which is used to receive signals from other devices. For example, when the device is implemented as a chip, the receiving unit is the interface circuit of the chip used to receive signals from other chips or devices. The above-mentioned sending unit is an interface circuit of the device, which is used to send signals to other devices. For example, when the device is implemented as a chip, the sending unit is the interface circuit of the chip used to send signals to other chips or devices.

[0227] Based on the same technical concept, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device. Referring to FIG10 , the communication device 1000 may include a transceiver 1001 and a processor 1002. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a memory 1003. The memory 1003 may be disposed inside the communication device 1000 or outside the communication device 1000. The processor 1002 may control the transceiver 1001 to receive and send messages, etc.

[0228] Specifically, the processor 1002 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of a CPU and an NP. The processor 1002 may further include a hardware chip. The hardware chip may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The PLD may be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof.

[0229] The transceiver 1001, the processor 1002, and the memory 1003 are interconnected. Optionally, the transceiver 1001, the processor 1002, and the memory 1003 are interconnected via a bus 1004; the bus 1004 may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like. For ease of representation, FIG10 shows only one thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0230] In an optional embodiment, the memory 1003 is used to store programs, etc. Specifically, the programs may include program code, which includes computer operating instructions. The memory 1003 may include RAM, or may also include non-volatile memory (non-volatile memory), such as one or more disk storage devices. The processor 1002 executes the application program stored in the memory 1003 to implement the above functions, thereby realizing the functions of the communication device 1000.

[0231] Exemplarily, the communication device 1000 may be the first communication device (such as the first tag) in the above embodiment, or may be the second communication device (such as the second tag) in the above embodiment.

[0232] When the communication device 1000 implements the functions of the first tag in the above method embodiment, the transceiver 1001 can implement the transceiver operations performed by the first tag in the above method embodiment; the processor 1002 can implement other operations performed by the first tag in the above method embodiment in addition to the transceiver operations. For detailed descriptions, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments and will not be described in detail here.

[0233] When the communication device 1000 implements the functions of the second tag in the above method embodiment, the transceiver 1001 can implement the transceiver operations performed by the second tag in the above method embodiment; the processor 1002 can implement other operations performed by the second tag in the above method embodiment in addition to the transceiver operations. For detailed descriptions, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments and will not be described in detail here.

[0234] When the communication device 1000 implements the reader function in the above method embodiment, the transceiver 1001 can implement the transceiver operations performed by the reader in the above method embodiment; the processor 1002 can implement other operations performed by the reader in the above method embodiment in addition to the transceiver operations. For detailed descriptions, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0235] The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application can be used interchangeably. "Multiple" refers to two or more, and "and / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: the situation where A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or its similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, "at least one of A, B or C" includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC or ABC, and "at least one of A, B and C" can also be understood to include A, B, C, AB, AC, BC or ABC. And, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, timing, priority or importance of multiple objects.

[0236] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application can adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0237] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the flow chart and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more flow charts and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0238] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a product including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0239] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a first communication device, and the method includes: Sending first identification information of the first communication device, where the value of a counter of the first communication device is 0; receiving a first message, the first message including first information and second information, the first information being used to indicate that first identification information of the first communication device has been correctly received, and the second information being used to decrement a value of a counter of one or more communication devices by 1, the value of the counter of the one or more communication devices being greater than 0; A second message is sent, where the second message includes second identification information of the first communication device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determining, based on the first message, to delay sending the second message; A start time of the second message is determined according to the first delay offset.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that Determining a start time of the second message according to the first delay offset includes: The start time of the second message is determined according to the end time of the first message, a first duration and the first delay offset, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that Determining, based on the first message, to delay sending the second message includes: If the first information in the first message is located after the second information in the time domain, it is determined to delay sending the second message.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The first delay offset is determined according to at least one of the following: The length of the first identification information; the length of the preamble; the length of the postamble; the configured code rate; the configured coverage level; and the configured link rate.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further comprises: The start time of the second message is determined according to the end time of the first message and a first duration, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determine that the first information in the first message is located before the second information in the time domain.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a second communication device, and the method includes: receiving a first message, the first message including first information and second information, the first information being used to indicate that first identification information of the first communication device has been correctly received, and the second information being used to decrement a value of a counter of one or more communication devices by 1, the value of the counter of the one or more communication devices being greater than 0, and the one or more communication devices including the second communication device; If the value of the counter of the second communication device is reduced to 0, a third message is sent, where the third message includes the first identification information of the second communication device.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determining, based on the first message, to delay sending the third message; The starting time of the third message is determined according to the second delay offset.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that Determining a start time of the third message according to the second delay offset includes: The start time of the third message is determined according to the end time of the first message, a first duration and the second delay offset, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that Determining, based on the first message, to delay sending the second message includes: If the first information in the first message is located before the second information in the time domain, it is determined to delay sending the third message.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that The second delay offset is determined according to at least one of the following: The length of the second identification information of the first communication device; the length of the preamble; the length of the postamble; the configured code rate; the configured coverage level; and the configured link rate.

13. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: The start time of the third message is determined according to the end time of the first message and a first duration, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determine that the first information in the first message is located after the second information in the time domain.

15. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a third communication device, and the method includes: receiving first identification information of a first communication device, wherein a value of a counter of the first communication device is 0; Sending a first message, the first message including first information and second information, the first information being used to indicate that first identification information of the first communication device has been correctly received, and the second information being used to decrement a value of a counter of one or more communication devices by 1, the value of the counter of the one or more communication devices being greater than 0, and the one or more communication devices including the second communication device; receiving a second message, where the second message includes second identification information of the first communication device; receiving a third message, the third message including the first identification information of the second communication device, and reducing the value of the counter of the second communication device to 0; The second message and the third message do not overlap in the time domain.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determining, based on the first message, to delay receiving the second message; A start time of the second message is determined according to the first delay offset.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that Determining a start time of the second message according to the first delay offset includes: The start time of the second message is determined according to the end time of the first message, a first duration and the first delay offset, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that Determining, based on the first message, to delay receiving the second message includes: If the first information in the first message is located after the second information in the time domain, it is determined that the second message is received delayed.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that The method further comprises: The start time of the third message is determined according to the end time of the first message and a first duration, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein The method further comprises: Determining, based on the first message, to delay receiving the third message; The starting time of the third message is determined according to the second delay offset.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that Determining a start time of the third message according to the second delay offset includes: The start time of the third message is determined according to the end time of the first message, a first duration and the second delay offset, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that Determining, based on the first message, to delay receiving the second message includes: If the first information in the first message is located before the second information in the time domain, it is determined to delay receiving the third message.

23. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that The method further comprises: The start time of the second message is determined according to the end time of the first message and a first duration, where the first duration is predefined or preconfigured.

24. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor coupled to a memory, wherein a computer program is stored in the memory; the processor is used to call the computer program in the memory so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14, or the method according to any one of claims 15 to 23.

25. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system includes a first communication device, a second communication device and a third communication device; wherein the first communication device is used to execute the method described in any one of claims 1 to 7, the second communication device is used to execute the method described in any one of claims 8 to 14, and the third communication device is used to execute the method described in any one of claims 15 to 23.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed by a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 15 to 23 is executed.

27. A computer program product, characterized in that When a computer reads and executes the computer program product, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 15 to 23 is executed.

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