Communication method, device and system

Abstract

The present application is applied to the technical field of communications, and provides a communication method, device and system. The communication method provided by the present application can enable a communication device supporting multi-connection not to miss signaling from other networks when performing monitoring on one network. The communication method comprises: before a first time period, a first communication device receives first indication information in a first network, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating whether a paging message or a scheduling message of a second network for the first communication device is present during a second time period; and on the basis of the first indication information, the first communication device determines whether to monitor the paging message or the scheduling message in the second network during the second time period.

Description

Communication method, device and system

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on March 22, 2024, with application number 202410341216.8 and application name “Communication Methods, Devices and Systems”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to communication methods, devices, and systems. Background Art

[0003] To save power, terminal devices can be configured with discontinuous reception (DRX). When in idle state, DRX-configured terminal devices can periodically monitor paging from the network within a monitoring window. For terminal devices that support multiple connections (meaning that the terminal device can establish connections with multiple networks and obtain services from multiple networks at the same time), the terminal device may need to monitor paging from different networks under different DRX configurations. However, in actual applications, in some cases, the terminal device may miss paging from a certain network. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, apparatus, and system that enable a terminal device supporting multiple connections to perform monitoring on one of the networks without missing signaling from other networks.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of the present application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a first communication device, wherein the first communication device is registered in a first network and a second network. The first communication device can be a terminal device or a module (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) applied to the terminal device. The method includes: the first communication device receives first indication information in the first network before a first time period, and the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a paging message or scheduling message from the second network for the first communication device in a second time period. The first communication device determines, based on the first indication information, whether to monitor the paging message or scheduling message in the second network in the second time period.

[0007] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, in a scenario where the first communication device supports multiple connections, a network registered by the first communication device can indicate to the first communication device whether there is a paging message or scheduling message from another network. The first communication device can then decide whether to switch to the other network to monitor the paging based on the indication, thereby avoiding the first communication device from missing the paging or scheduling of the other network, so that the first communication device can obtain the signaling of the other network in a timely manner.

[0008] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in one possible design, the first indication information is used to indicate that there is a paging message or scheduling message from the second network for the first communication device during the second time period. The method also includes: the first communication device receives the second indication information in the first network before the first time period, and the second indication information is used to indicate the start time of the second time period and the interval between the start time of the first time period.

[0009] Based on this solution, the first communication device can determine when it should start monitoring the paging message or scheduling message from the second network according to the time domain position of the first time period and the interval indicated by the second indication information.

[0010] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible design, the starting time of the first time period is earlier than the starting time of the second time period, and the first time period and the second time period overlap.

[0011] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in one possible design, the first communication device is in an idle state or an inactive state in the second network, and the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a paging message from the second network to the first communication device within the second time period; or, the first communication device is in a connected state in the second network, and the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a scheduling message from the second network to the first communication device within the second time period.

[0012] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a first communication device, which is registered in a first network and a second network. The first communication device can be a terminal device or a module (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system) applied to the terminal device. The method includes: the first communication device receives third indication information in the first network or the second network, the third indication information being used to instruct the first communication device to monitor the second network for paging messages or scheduling messages for the first communication device within a third time period in the first network.

[0013] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, in a scenario where the first communication device supports multiple connections, a network registered by the first communication device can associate the paging message or scheduling message of the network with the corresponding monitoring time period of another network, that is, to realize cross-network monitoring, so that the first communication device will not miss the paging or scheduling of another network when monitoring one network, and can obtain the signaling of the other network in a timely manner.

[0014] In combination with the above-mentioned second aspect, in a possible design, the method also includes: the first communication device receives a first paging message or a first scheduling message and fourth indication information in the first network within a third time period, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the first paging message or the first scheduling message corresponds to the second network.

[0015] Based on this solution, when monitoring in the first network, the first communication device can determine whether the monitored paging message or scheduling message comes from the second network through the fourth indication information, that is, it can confirm the source network of the paging message or scheduling message.

[0016] In combination with the above-mentioned second aspect, in a possible design, the fourth indication information is carried in the downlink control information DCI that schedules the first paging message; or, the fourth indication information is carried in the first paging message.

[0017] In combination with the above-mentioned second aspect, in a possible design, the method also includes: the first communication device receives fifth indication information in the first network, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first network supports cross-network paging or scheduling.

[0018] In combination with the above-mentioned second aspect, in one possible design, the third indication information is carried in a radio resource control RRC message or an RRC release message.

[0019] In combination with the above-mentioned second aspect, in one possible design, the method also includes: the first communication device receives a non-access layer NAS message in the first network or the second network, the NAS message includes discontinuous reception DRX configuration information corresponding to the second network, and the DRX configuration information corresponding to the second network is used by the first communication device to monitor the paging message corresponding to the second network in the third time period.

[0020] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a second communication device. The second communication device can be an access network device or a module (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) applied to the access network device. The method includes: before a first time period, the second communication device sends first indication information to the first communication device in a first network, where the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a paging message or scheduling message from the second network for the first communication device during the second time period.

[0021] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, in a scenario where the first communication device supports multiple connections, a network registered by the first communication device can indicate to the first communication device whether there is a paging message or scheduling message from another network. The first communication device can then decide, based on the indication, whether to switch to the other network to monitor the paging or scheduling, thereby avoiding the first communication device from missing the paging or scheduling of the other network, so that the first communication device can obtain the signaling of the other network in a timely manner.

[0022] In combination with the above-mentioned third aspect, in one possible design, the first indication information is used to indicate that there is a paging message or scheduling message from the second network to the first communication device during the second time period. The method also includes: the second communication device sends a second indication information in the first network before the first time period, and the second indication information is used to indicate the starting time of the second time period and the interval between the starting time of the first time period.

[0023] Based on this solution, the first communication device can determine when it should start monitoring the paging message or scheduling message from the second network according to the time domain position of the first time period and the interval indicated by the second indication information.

[0024] In combination with the third aspect above, in one possible design, the starting time of the first time period is earlier than the starting time of the second time period, and the first time period overlaps with the second time period.

[0025] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a second communication device. The second communication device can be an access network device or a module (such as a processor, chip, or chip system) applied to the access network device. The method includes: the second communication device sends third indication information to the first communication device in the first network, where the third indication information is used to instruct the first communication device to monitor the second network for paging messages or scheduling messages for the first communication device within a third time period in the first network.

[0026] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, in a scenario where the first communication device supports multiple connections, a network registered by the first communication device can associate the paging message or scheduling message of the network with the corresponding monitoring time period of another network, that is, to realize cross-network monitoring, so that the first communication device will not miss the paging or scheduling of another network when monitoring one network, and can obtain the signaling of the other network in a timely manner.

[0027] In combination with the above-mentioned fourth aspect, in a possible design, the method also includes: the second communication device sends a first paging message or a first scheduling message, and fourth indication information to the first communication device in the first network within a third time period, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the first paging message or the first scheduling message corresponds to the second network.

[0028] Based on this solution, the second communication device can indicate through the fourth indication information that the paging message or scheduling message corresponds to the second network, so that when the first communication device monitors within the first network, it can determine the source network of the monitored paging message or scheduling message through the fourth indication information.

[0029] In combination with the above-mentioned fourth aspect, in one possible design, the fourth indication information is carried in the downlink control information DCI that schedules the first paging message; or, the fourth indication information is carried in the first paging message.

[0030] In combination with the above-mentioned fourth aspect, in a possible design, the method also includes: the second communication device sends fifth indication information to the first communication device in the first network, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first network supports cross-network paging.

[0031] In combination with the above-mentioned fourth aspect, in a possible design, the third indication information is carried in a radio resource control RRC message or an RRC release message.

[0032] In combination with the above-mentioned fourth aspect, in one possible design, the method also includes: the second communication device sends a non-access layer NAS message to the first communication device in the first network, the NAS message including discontinuous reception DRX configuration information corresponding to the second network, and the DRX configuration information corresponding to the second network is used by the first communication device to monitor the paging message corresponding to the second network in the third time period.

[0033] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the method described in the first aspect.

[0034] The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-mentioned method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or hardware executing corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

[0035] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible design, a communication device includes a processing module and a transceiver module; the transceiver module is configured to receive first indication information in a first network before a first time period, the first indication information being configured to indicate whether a paging message or a scheduling message for the communication device is received from the second network during a second time period. The processing module is configured to determine, based on the first indication information, whether to monitor for paging messages or scheduling messages in the second network during the second time period.

[0036] In combination with the above-mentioned fifth aspect, in a possible design, the transceiver module is also used to receive second indication information in the first network before the first time period, and the second indication information is used to indicate the start time of the second time period and the interval between the start time of the first time period.

[0037] In combination with the fifth aspect above, in one possible design, the starting time of the first time period is earlier than the starting time of the second time period, and the first time period and the second time period overlap.

[0038] In combination with the above-mentioned fifth aspect, in one possible design, the communication device is in an idle state or an inactive state in the second network, and the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a paging message from the second network to the communication device within the second time period; or, the communication device is in a connected state in the second network, and the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a scheduling message from the second network to the communication device within the second time period.

[0039] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the method described in the second aspect.

[0040] The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-mentioned method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or hardware executing corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

[0041] In combination with the above-mentioned sixth aspect, in one possible design, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module; the transceiver module is used to receive third indication information in the first network or the second network, and the third indication information is used to instruct the communication device to monitor the paging message or scheduling message of the second network for the communication device in the first network within a third time period; the processing module is used to determine, based on the third indication information, to monitor the paging message or scheduling message of the second network for the communication device in the first network within the third time period.

[0042] In combination with the above-mentioned sixth aspect, in a possible design, the transceiver module is also used to receive a first paging message or a first scheduling message, as well as fourth indication information in the first network within a third time period, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the first paging message or the first scheduling message corresponds to the second network.

[0043] In combination with the above-mentioned sixth aspect, in a possible design, the fourth indication information is carried in the downlink control information DCI that schedules the first paging message; or, the fourth indication information is carried in the first paging message.

[0044] In combination with the above-mentioned sixth aspect, in a possible design, the transceiver module is also used to receive fifth indication information in the first network, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first network supports cross-network paging.

[0045] In combination with the above-mentioned sixth aspect, in a possible design, the third indication information is carried in a radio resource control RRC message or an RRC release message.

[0046] In combination with the above-mentioned sixth aspect, in one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to receive a non-access layer NAS message in the first network or the second network, the NAS message including the discontinuous reception DRX configuration information corresponding to the second network, and the DRX configuration information corresponding to the second network is used by the first communication device to monitor the paging message corresponding to the second network in the third time period.

[0047] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the method described in the third aspect.

[0048] The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-mentioned method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or hardware executing corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

[0049] In combination with the above-mentioned seventh aspect, in one possible design, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module; the processing module is used to determine that the second network needs to page or schedule the first communication device; the transceiver module is used to send first indication information to the first communication device in the first network before the first time period, and the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a paging message or scheduling message from the second network to the first communication device within the second time period.

[0050] In combination with the above-mentioned seventh aspect, in a possible design, the transceiver module is also used to send second indication information in the first network before the first time period, and the second indication information is used to indicate the start time of the second time period and the interval between the start time of the first time period.

[0051] In combination with the seventh aspect above, in one possible design, the starting time of the first time period is earlier than the starting time of the second time period, and the first time period and the second time period overlap.

[0052] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the method described in the fourth aspect.

[0053] The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-mentioned method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or hardware executing corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

[0054] In combination with the above-mentioned eighth aspect, in one possible design, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module; the processing module is used to determine that a paging message or scheduling message from the second network to the first communication device needs to be sent in the first network; the transceiver module is used to send third indication information to the first communication device in the first network, and the third indication information is used to instruct the first communication device to monitor the paging message or scheduling message from the second network to the first communication device in the first network within a third time period.

[0055] In combination with the above-mentioned eighth aspect, in a possible design, the transceiver module is also used to send a first paging message or a first scheduling message, and fourth indication information to the first communication device in the first network within a third time period, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the first paging message or the first scheduling message corresponds to the second network.

[0056] In combination with the above-mentioned eighth aspect, in a possible design, the fourth indication information is carried in the downlink control information DCI that schedules the first paging message; or, the fourth indication information is carried in the first paging message.

[0057] In combination with the above-mentioned eighth aspect, in a possible design, the transceiver module is also used to send fifth indication information to the first communication device in the first network, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first network supports cross-network paging.

[0058] In combination with the above-mentioned eighth aspect, in a possible design, the third indication information is carried in a radio resource control RRC message or an RRC release message.

[0059] In combination with the above-mentioned eighth aspect, in one possible design, the transceiver module is used to send a non-access layer NAS message to the first communication device in the first network, where the NAS message includes discontinuous reception DRX configuration information corresponding to the second network, and the DRX configuration information corresponding to the second network is used by the first communication device to monitor the paging message corresponding to the second network in the third time period.

[0060] In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, wherein when the processor executes the instructions, the communication device executes the method described in any one of the above aspects. The communication device may be the first aspect, or a possible design in the first aspect, or the second aspect, or a first communication device in a possible design in the second aspect, or a module (e.g., a chip) applied to the first communication device. Alternatively, the communication device may be the third aspect, or a possible design in the third aspect, or the fourth aspect, or a second communication device in a possible design in the fourth aspect, or a module (e.g., a chip) applied to the second communication device.

[0061] In one possible design, the communication device further includes a memory for storing computer instructions. Optionally, the processor and the memory are integrated together, or the processor and the memory are separately provided.

[0062] In one possible design, the memory is coupled to the processor and is external to the communication device.

[0063] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to communicate with a module outside the communication device; the processor being used to execute the method described in any of the above aspects through a logic circuit, or by running a computer program or instruction. The communication device can be the first aspect, or a possible design in the first aspect, or the second aspect, or a first communication device in a possible design in the second aspect, or a module (e.g., a chip) applied to the first communication device. Alternatively, the communication device can be the third aspect, or a possible design in the third aspect, or the fourth aspect, or a second communication device in a possible design in the fourth aspect, or a module (e.g., a chip) applied to the second communication device.

[0064] Alternatively, the interface circuit can be a code / data read / write interface circuit, which is used to receive computer execution instructions (the computer execution instructions are stored in the memory, may be read directly from the memory, or may pass through other devices) and transmit them to the processor so that the processor runs the computer execution instructions to execute the method described in any of the above aspects.

[0065] In one possible design, the communication device further includes a memory for storing computer programs or instructions. Optionally, the processor and the memory are integrated together, or the processor and the memory are separately provided.

[0066] In one possible design, the memory is coupled to the processor and is external to the communication device.

[0067] In some possible designs, the communication device may be a chip or a chip system.

[0068] In the eleventh aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer can execute the method executed by the first communication device in the above-mentioned first aspect, or the possible design in the first aspect, or the second aspect, or the possible design in the second aspect, or the computer can execute the method executed by the second communication device in the above-mentioned third aspect, or the possible design in the third aspect, or the fourth aspect, or the possible design in the fourth aspect.

[0069] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method executed by the first communication device in the above-mentioned first aspect, or a possible design in the first aspect, or the second aspect, or a possible design in the second aspect, or enables the computer to execute the method executed by the second communication device in the above-mentioned third aspect, or a possible design in the third aspect, or the fourth aspect, or a possible design in the fourth aspect.

[0070] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication device (e.g., a chip or a system on a chip) is provided, wherein the communication device includes a processor for implementing the functions described in any of the above aspects. In one possible design, the communication device also includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data. When the communication device is a system on a chip, it can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete components.

[0071] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device is configured to implement the method described in the first aspect, and the second communication device is configured to implement the method described in the third aspect. Alternatively, the first communication device is configured to implement the method described in the second aspect, and the second communication device is configured to implement the method described in the fourth aspect.

[0072] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the fifth to fourteenth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by the different design methods in the above-mentioned first to fourth aspects, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a terminal device connected to both TN and NTN;

[0074] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] FIG3 is an interactive diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a first time period and a second time period provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG5 is an interactive diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG6 is an interactive diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] In order to facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, a brief introduction to the relevant technologies of the present application is first given as follows.

[0082] 1. Multi-connection:

[0083] Terminal devices that support multiple connections can access multiple networks simultaneously, complete network registration and other operations, and obtain services from multiple networks. For example, terminal devices can support simultaneous access to terrestrial networks (TN) and non-terrestrial networks (NTN). When terrestrial network coverage or wireless conditions are poor, the wide coverage of non-terrestrial networks can be used to ensure communication availability. For another example, terminal devices can support simultaneous access to fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication networks and fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication networks.

[0084] Figure 1 illustrates a terminal device connected to both the TN and NTN. As shown in Figure 1, the terminal device can communicate with both the satellite (or, in other words, with the access network equipment on the satellite) and with the terrestrial access network equipment. Furthermore, in the NTN, the core network (CN) 1 communicates with the satellite via a ground station and, in turn, with the terminal device via the satellite. In the TN, CN2 communicates with the terminal device via the terrestrial access network equipment.

[0085] 2. Discontinuous reception:

[0086] In order to save power consumption, the terminal device can be configured with discontinuous transmission (DTX), discontinuous transmission and reception (DT&RX), discontinuous communication, discontinuous transmission, DRX and other communication states. In these power-saving communication states, the terminal device can wake up and monitor the network channel during periodic time periods, and sleep during other time periods. In the embodiment of the present application, when the terminal device is in the above-mentioned power-saving communication state, the period used to monitor the network channel can be called the activation period.

[0087] Taking DRX as an example, a terminal device may monitor the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) of the network during the active period of the DRX cycle, and sleep during other periods without monitoring the PDCCH to reduce power consumption.

[0088] The following is introduced using DRX as an example. It can be understood that if the terminal device is configured with other communication states similar to DRX, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can also be applied.

[0089] Based on the state of the terminal device, DRX can also be divided into two categories: DRX configured for terminal devices in idle or inactive state, and DRX configured for terminal devices in connected state. Among them, DRX configured for terminal devices in connected state can also be called connected discontinuous reception (C-DRX).

[0090] For DRX in idle or inactive state, the active period within the DRX cycle can be called a paging occasion (also called a paging window, etc.) (paging occasion, PO). The network side can page the terminal device within the PO. Correspondingly, the terminal device can monitor the PDCCH within the PO to monitor whether there is a paging message from the network. Among them, if the terminal device is in idle state, the paging of the terminal device by the network side is generally the paging of the terminal device by the core network. If the terminal device is in inactive state, the paging of the terminal device by the network side is generally the paging of the terminal device by the access network.

[0091] For C-DRX, the activation period within the C-DRX cycle can be called on duration. The network side can schedule data transmission of the terminal device within the on duration. Correspondingly, the terminal device can monitor PDCCH within the on duration to monitor whether there is a scheduling message from the network.

[0092] In addition, in order to further save power consumption, for DRX in idle or inactive state, the network side can also send a paging early indication (PEI) to the terminal device before the PO to inform the terminal device in advance whether there is a paging message in the PO. After the terminal device receives the PEI, it can decide whether to monitor the paging message in the PO based on the PEI. Similarly, for C-DRX, the network side can send a wake-up signal (also called a wake-up message) (wake-up signal, WUS) before the on duration to inform the terminal device in advance whether there is a scheduling message in the on duration. After the terminal device receives the wake-up signal, it can decide whether to monitor the scheduling message in the on duration based on the wake-up signal. Among them, PEI or wake-up signal can be carried in downlink control information (DCI), or PEI or wake-up signal can be considered to be a special DCI.

[0093] Terminal devices that support multiple connections may have different DRX configurations for different networks they access. However, in actual applications, in some cases, the terminal device may miss the paging message or scheduling message of a certain network. After research, it was found that this is because the terminal device is affected by some factors. For example, in order to save power or due to the limitation of the terminal device's capabilities, the terminal device may select the monitoring frequency on the configured frequency of one of the networks, or switch between the configured frequencies of multiple networks at intervals. In this case, the terminal device cannot monitor different networks at the same time. Therefore, if different networks send paging messages or scheduling messages to the terminal device during the corresponding activation period, the terminal device may miss the paging message or scheduling message of a certain network. For example, the terminal device accesses network A and network B at the same time, and network A and network B correspond to different DRX configurations. The terminal device selects the monitoring frequency on the configured frequency of network A. When the paging opportunities corresponding to networks A and B overlap, if both networks A and B page the terminal device during the corresponding paging opportunities, the terminal device can only monitor the paging message from network A during the paging opportunity corresponding to network A, and miss the paging message from network B.

[0094] Based on the above problems, the embodiments of the present application provide communication methods, devices and systems, which can enable terminal devices supporting multiple connections to perform monitoring in one network without missing paging messages or scheduling messages from other networks, and can obtain signaling from each network in a timely manner.

[0095] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Among them, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in the present application is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In addition, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" refers to two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or 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 can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, c can be single or multiple. In addition, in order to facilitate the clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish between identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art will understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit differences. At the same time, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete way for easy understanding.

[0096] In the embodiment of the present application, "indication" may include direct indication and indirect indication, and may also include explicit indication and implicit indication. The information indicated by a certain information (such as the first indication information below) is called information to be indicated. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be indicated, such as but not limited to, the information to be indicated can be directly indicated, such as the information to be indicated itself or the index of the information to be indicated. The information to be indicated can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, wherein the other information and the information to be indicated have an association relationship. It is also possible to indicate only a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts of the information to be indicated are known or agreed in advance. For example, the indication of specific information can be achieved by means of the arrangement order of each piece of information agreed in advance (such as specified in the protocol), thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent. At the same time, the common parts of each piece of information can also be identified and indicated uniformly to reduce the indication overhead caused by indicating the same information separately.

[0097] In addition, the specific indication method can also be various existing indication methods, such as but not limited to the above-mentioned indication methods and various combinations thereof. The specific details of the various indication methods can be referred to the prior art and will not be repeated herein. As can be seen from the above, for example, when it is necessary to indicate multiple information of the same type, there may be a situation where the indication methods for different information are different. In the specific implementation process, the required indication method can be selected according to specific needs. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the selected indication method. In this way, the indication method involved in the embodiment of the present application should be understood to cover various methods that can enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated.

[0098] It should be understood that the information to be indicated can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information and sent separately, and the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be the same or different. The specific sending method is not limited in the embodiments of this application. The sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be predefined, for example, predefined according to a protocol, or can be configured by the transmitting device by sending configuration information to the receiving device.

[0099] In the embodiment of the present application, "sending information to... (taking the first communication device as an example)" can be understood as the destination end of the information being the first communication device. It can include sending information to the first communication device directly or indirectly. "Receiving information from... (taking the second communication device as an example)" or "receiving information from... (taking the second communication device as an example)" can be understood as the source end of the information being the second communication device, which can include receiving information from the second communication device directly or indirectly. The information may be processed as necessary between the source end and the destination end of the information transmission, such as format changes, etc., but the destination end can understand the valid information from the source end. Similar expressions in this application can be understood similarly and will not be repeated here.

[0100] In an embodiment of the present application, "pre-definition", "pre-defined", "pre-configured" or "pre-configured" can be implemented by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device. For example, it can be burned into the device when the device leaves the factory. The embodiment of the present application does not limit its specific implementation method. Among them, "saving" can mean saving in one or more memories. The one or more memories can be set separately or integrated in an encoder or decoder, a processor, or a communication device. The one or more memories can also be partially set separately and partially integrated in a decoder, a processor, or a communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, which is not limited by the embodiment of the present application.

[0101] The "protocol" involved in the embodiments of the present application may refer to a protocol family in the communication field, a standard protocol with a similar protocol family frame structure, or a related protocol used in future communication systems. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0102] In the embodiments of the present application, descriptions such as "when...", "in the case of...", "if" and "if" all mean that the device will perform corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances. It does not limit the time, nor does it require the device to perform judgment actions when implemented, nor does it mean that there are other limitations.

[0103] The technical solutions provided in this application can be used in various communication systems, for example, they can be applied to 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) communication systems, such as 4G mobile communication systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems and their evolution systems, NTN systems, vehicle to everything (V2X) systems, LTE and new radio (NR) hybrid networking systems, or device to device (D2D) systems, machine to machine (M2M) communication systems, Internet of Things (IoT), wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, and other next generation communication systems, such as future mobile communication systems. In addition, the term "system" and "network" can be used interchangeably.

[0104] It should be noted that the network architecture 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. Ordinary technicians in this field can know 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.

[0105] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a possible, non-limiting communication system applicable to embodiments of the present application. As shown in Figure 2, in the communication system, a first communication device is a terminal device that supports multiple connections and can simultaneously access a first network and a second network. A second communication device is an access network device in the first network and can communicate with the first communication device via an air interface.

[0106] The first network and the second network are different networks. For example, the first network may be a TN network, and the second network may be an NTN network. For another example, the first network may be a 5G network, and the second network may be a 4G network.

[0107] Optionally, if the first communication device also communicates with an access network device in the second network via an air interface, the access network device in the first network and the access network device in the second network may be the same access network device or different access network devices. In other words, the second communication device may also communicate with the first communication device via an air interface in the second network, or another communication device different from the second communication device may communicate with the first communication device via an air interface in the second network.

[0108] Optionally, the first network and / or the second network may further include a core network. Logically, the core network can be divided into two parts: the user plane and the control plane. The control plane is responsible for mobile network management, and the user plane is responsible for service data transmission. In the core network, different network elements can be responsible for different functions.

[0109] In the embodiment of the present application, a network element may also be referred to as an entity or a functional entity.

[0110] Optionally, the communication system may further include a third communication device, which may be a network device such as a core network element or access network device in the second network. The third communication device may communicate with the second communication device.

[0111] Optionally, in addition to the first network and the second network, the first communication device may also access one or more other networks.

[0112] In the communication system, the air interface between the first communication device and the second communication device, or the air interface between the first communication device and the access network device in the second network, can be an air interface in various communication systems. For example, it can be an air interface in a 3GPP communication system, such as an air interface in a 4G or 5G communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system. Alternatively, it can be an air interface in an open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN) or a cloud radio access network (CRAN). Alternatively, it can be an air interface in a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0113] In the communication system, the main network elements are described as follows:

[0114] A terminal device may be a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, and may also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal device, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as D2D, V2X communication, machine-type communication (MTC), IOT, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, remote medical, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, smart city, etc. Terminal devices may be mobile phones, tablet computers, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal device.

[0115] Access network equipment, also known as RAN node or access node, is used to help terminal equipment achieve wireless access. In one possible scenario, the access network equipment may be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. The access network equipment may be a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay node or a master node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. All or part of the functions of the access network equipment in this application may also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). The access network equipment in this application may also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network equipment.

[0116] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, and different access network devices respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the access network device can be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU can be set separately, or they can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0117] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, CU may also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU may also be called O-DU, CU-CP may also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be called O-CU-UP, and RU may also be called O-RU. For the convenience of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU as examples for description. Any unit of CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0118] The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to FIG2 .

[0119] It should be noted that the message names between network elements or the names of parameters in the messages in the following embodiments of the present application are only examples, and other names may be used in specific implementations. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0120] As shown in Figure 3, a communication method is provided for an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 illustrates the method by taking the first communication device and the second communication device as the execution subjects of the interaction diagram as an example, but the present application does not limit the execution subjects of the interaction diagram. For example, the first communication device in Figure 3 may also be a module applied to the first communication device, such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor, or a logical node, a logical module, or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first communication device. The second communication device in Figure 3 may also be a module applied to the second communication device, such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor, or a logical node, a logical module, or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second communication device. The communication method includes the following steps S301-S302:

[0121] S301: Before a first time period, a second communication device sends first indication information to a first communication device on a first network. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the first indication information on the first network before the first time period. The first indication information indicates whether a paging message or scheduling message from the second network is sent to the first communication device during a second time period.

[0122] S302: The first communication device determines, based on the first indication information, whether to monitor a paging message or a scheduling message in the second network within a second time period.

[0123] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, in a scenario where the first communication device supports multiple connections, a network registered by the first communication device can indicate to the first communication device whether there is a paging message or scheduling message from another network. The first communication device can then decide whether to switch to the other network to monitor the paging based on the indication, thereby avoiding the first communication device from missing the paging or scheduling of the other network, so that the first communication device can obtain the signaling of the other network in a timely manner.

[0124] The following is an introduction to S301.

[0125] In S301, a first communication device may monitor a channel of the first network in accordance with a DRX configuration corresponding to the first network and during an activation period corresponding to the first network in accordance with a DRX configuration corresponding to the first network. If the first communication device is in an idle state or an inactive state on the first network, the first communication device may monitor paging messages from the first network in accordance with the DRX configuration corresponding to the first network in accordance with the DRX configuration corresponding to the first network. If the first communication device is in a connected state on the first network, the first communication device may monitor scheduling messages from the first network in accordance with the DRX configuration corresponding to the first network in accordance with the DRX configuration corresponding to the first network.

[0126] In the embodiments of the present application, expressions such as "the first communication device monitors paging messages from a network..." indicate that the first communication device monitors paging messages generated by the network, or in other words, the first communication device monitors paging messages sent by the network to the first communication device. Similarly, "the first communication device monitors scheduling messages from a network..." can also be understood in the same way.

[0127] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the unit of "time period", which can be a communication time unit such as a subframe, a system frame, or an absolute time unit such as a second or a minute.

[0128] In addition to the DRX configuration corresponding to the first network, the first communication device also has a DRX configuration corresponding to the second network. However, when the first communication device monitors the channels of the first network in the first network, the first communication device may not monitor according to the DRX configuration corresponding to the second network in the second network. For example, the first communication device is affected by some factors, such as wanting to save power consumption or insufficient capacity, etc., and the first communication device selects the monitoring frequency in the configured frequency of the first network but does not select the monitoring frequency in the configured frequency of the second network. In this case, the first communication device can monitor the channels of the first network in the first network, but cannot monitor the channels of the second network in the second network. For another example, the first communication device switches the monitoring frequency on the configured frequencies of the first network and the second network at intervals. When the first communication device switches to the configured frequency of the first network to monitor the channels of the first network, it cannot monitor the channels of the second network.

[0129] In order to prevent the first communication device from missing signaling from the second network, the second communication device may, before the first time period, indicate through first indication information whether there is any signaling from the second network to the first terminal device during the second time period, such as a paging message or a scheduling message. If the first communication device is in an idle or inactive state on the second network, the first indication information may indicate whether there is any paging message from the second network to the first terminal device during the second time period. If the first communication device is in a connected state on the second network, the first indication information may indicate whether there is any scheduling message from the second network to the first terminal device during the second time period.

[0130] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific message that carries the first indication information. For example, the first indication information can be carried in the DCI. For example, if the first indication information indicates whether there is a paging message from the second network for the first terminal device within the second time period, the first indication information can be carried in the PEI. If the first indication information indicates whether there is a scheduling message from the second network for the first terminal device within the second time period, the first indication information can be carried in the WUS.

[0131] In this embodiment of the present application, the first time period may be an activation time period corresponding to the first network. For example, when the first communication device is in an idle or inactive state in the first network, the first time period may be a PO corresponding to the first network. When the first communication device is in a connected state in the first network, the first time period may be an on duration corresponding to the first network. The second time period may be an activation time period corresponding to the second network. For example, when the first communication device is in an idle or inactive state in the second network, the second time period may be a PO corresponding to the second network. When the first communication device is in a connected state in the second network, the second time period may be an on duration corresponding to the second network.

[0132] In the embodiment of the present application, the start time of the first time period is earlier than the start time of the second time period. The second time period may overlap with the first time period or may not overlap.

[0133] Exemplarily, as shown in FIG4 , according to the DRX configurations corresponding to the first network and the second network, the activation period corresponding to the first network is earlier than the activation period corresponding to the second network, and the activation period corresponding to the first network partially overlaps with the activation period corresponding to the second network. The first period may be the first activation period corresponding to the first network in FIG4 , and the second period may be the first activation period corresponding to the second network in FIG4 .

[0134] The following describes how the second communication device determines the first indication information in different scenarios.

[0135] Scenario 1: The first communication device is in an idle or inactive state in the second network. In this scenario, before the first time period, if the second network needs to page the first communication device, the second network can notify the first network of the need to page the first communication device. Specifically, a third communication device in the second network can notify the second communication device in the first network of the need to page the first communication device.

[0136] In one possible implementation, the third communication device may be a core network element in the second network. In this implementation, the third communication device may send a notification message to the core network element in the first network, indicating that the second network needs to page the first communication device. After receiving the notification message, the core network element in the first network notifies the second communication device in the first network that the second network needs to page the first communication device.

[0137] For example, the access and mobility management function (AMF) network element in the second network can send a notification message indicating that the second network needs to page the first communication device to the AMF network element in the first network through a core network interface, such as a service-based architecture (SBA) interface. The AMF network element in the first network then notifies the access network device in the first network that the second network needs to page the first communication device.

[0138] In another possible implementation, the third communication device may be an access network device in the second network. The third communication device may send a notification message to the access network device in the first network (including the second communication device), indicating that the second network needs to page the first communication device. For example, the access network device in the second network may send a notification message to the second communication device in the first network via an inter-RAN interface, such as an Xn interface, indicating that the second network needs to page the first communication device.

[0139] Optionally, when the second network notifies the first network that it needs to page the first communication device, it may instruct the second network to page the first communication device during a second time period, for example, by indicating the starting time domain position of the second time period. Alternatively, the first network and the second network may pre-agreed upon the time period during which one network will page the first communication device when the other network notifies the other network that it needs to page the first communication device. For example, the first network and the second network may pre-agreed upon the time period during which one network will page the first communication device when the other network notifies the other network that it needs to page the first communication device. For example, the first network and the second network may pre-agreed upon the time period during which one network notifies the other network that it needs to page the first communication device, for example, the network will page the first communication device during the first activation time period after the most recent activation time period of the network.

[0140] Furthermore, after determining that the second network needs to page the first communication device, the second communication device may indicate to the first communication device through first indication information before the first time period that there is a paging message from the second network for the first communication device in the second time period.

[0141] In addition, before the first time period, if the second network does not need to page the first communication device, the second network does not notify the first network that the second network needs to page the first communication device, or the second network may notify the first network that the second network does not need to page the first communication device. Furthermore, after the second communication device determines that the second network will not page the first communication device, it may, before the first time period, use first indication information to indicate to the first communication device that there will be no paging messages from the second network to the first communication device during the second time period.

[0142] Scenario 2: The first communications device is in a connected state on the second network. In this scenario, before the first time period, if the second network has a schedule for the first communications device, the second network may notify the first network of the schedule. If the second network does not have a schedule for the first communications device, the second network does not notify the first network of the schedule. Alternatively, the second network may notify the first network of the schedule. For details, please refer to the above description of Scenario 1.

[0143] Furthermore, after the second communication device determines that the second network has a schedule for the first communication device, the second communication device may, before the first time period, use first indication information to indicate to the first communication device that a scheduling message from the second network for the first communication device exists in the second time period. After the second communication device does not have a schedule for the first communication device on the second network, the second communication device may, before the first time period, use first indication information to indicate to the first communication device that no scheduling message from the second network for the first communication device exists in the second time period.

[0144] Optionally, the first indication information may further indicate whether there is a paging message or a scheduling message from the first network to the first communication device within the first time period.

[0145] Optionally, if the first communication device is registered with other networks in addition to the first network and the second network, and the first communication device has a DRX configuration corresponding to the other network, the first indication information may further indicate whether there are paging messages or scheduling messages from other networks for the first communication device during other time periods. Similar to the second time period, the other time period may be an activation time period corresponding to the other network. The start time of the other time period is later than the start time of the first time period and may or may not overlap with the first time period. For example, the first indication information may indicate whether there are paging messages or scheduling messages for the first communication device during the next activation time period corresponding to the other network after the first time period.

[0146] For example, assuming that the first communication device is registered with three networks: the first network, the second network and the third network, and all three networks have corresponding DRX configurations, when the first communication device monitors the channel of the first network in the first network according to the DRX configuration corresponding to the first network, the second communication device can, before the first time period, use the first indication information to indicate whether there is a paging message or scheduling message from the first network to the first communication device within the first time period, and indicate whether there is a paging message or scheduling message from the second network to the first communication device within the second time period, and indicate whether there is a paging message or scheduling message from the third network to the first communication device within a certain activation time period corresponding to the third network.

[0147] The embodiment of the present application does not limit how the first indication information is specifically indicated. In one possible implementation, the first indication information may indicate, through a specific bit, whether there is a paging message or a scheduling message from the second network for the first communication device within the second time period.

[0148] For example, the first indication information may include: bits, where N RAT N represents the number of networks indicated by the first indication information. For example, in the example in which the first communication device registers three networks, N RAT is 3. Indicates the number of bits required to indicate a single network. For example, in the example above where the first communication device registers three networks, The number of bits required to indicate whether there is a paging message or scheduling message from the first network to the first communication device within the first time period, or the number of bits required to indicate whether there is a paging message from the second network to the first communication device within the second time period, or the number of bits required to indicate whether there is a paging message from the third network to the first communication device within a certain activation time period corresponding to the third network.

[0149] Optionally, if the first indication information indicates that a paging message or scheduling message from the second network to the first communication device exists during the second time period, the second communication device may further send second indication information to the first communication device during the first time period. The second indication information is used to indicate the interval between the start time of the second time period and the start time of the first time period, or the second indication information is used to indicate the interval between the start time of the second time period and the start time of the DRX cycle in which the first time period occurs. After receiving the second indication information, the first communication device may determine the start time of the second time period, i.e., the time when monitoring is initiated in the second network, using the second indication information and the start time of the first time period.

[0150] The second indication information and the first indication information may be carried in the same message.

[0151] In addition, if the time of the first communication device in the first network is aligned with the time of the first communication device in the second network, the first communication device can directly determine the start time of the second time period based on the start time of the first time period, that is, determine the time to start monitoring in the second network.

[0152] The following is a detailed introduction to S302.

[0153] In S302, after the first communication device receives the first indication information, if the first indication information indicates that there is a paging message or scheduling message from the second network for the first communication device within the second time period, the first communication device may determine, based on the first indication information, to monitor the second network for the paging message or scheduling message within the second time period. If the first indication information indicates that there is no paging message or scheduling message from the second network for the first communication device within the second time period, the first communication device may determine that it is not necessary to monitor the second network for the paging message or scheduling message within the second time period.

[0154] Optionally, if the first communication device detects a paging message from the second network targeting the first communication device in the second network within the second time period, the first communication device may initiate random access in the second network to establish an air interface connection with the second network.

[0155] Optionally, if the first indication information received by the first communication device further indicates that there are paging messages or scheduling messages from other networks targeting the first communication device during other time periods, the first communication device may select a time period between the second time period and the other time period, and monitor the corresponding network for paging messages from the network during the time period. Alternatively, the first communication device may monitor the second network for paging messages not only during the second time period, but also during other time periods, for paging messages from other networks.

[0156] In addition, an embodiment of the present application also provides another communication method, as shown in Figure 5, which is a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 takes the first communication device, the second communication device and the third communication device as examples of the execution subjects of the interaction diagram to illustrate the method, but the present application does not limit the execution subjects of the interaction diagram. For example, the first communication device in Figure 5 can also be a module applied to the first communication device, such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor, or a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first communication device. The second communication device in Figure 5 can also be a module applied to the second communication device, such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor, or a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second communication device. The third communication device in Figure 5 can also be a module applied to the third communication device, such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor, or a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second communication device. The communication method includes the following steps S501-S502:

[0157] S501: A third communication device sends a first paging message or a first scheduling message to a second communication device in a second network. Accordingly, the second communication device receives the first paging message or the first scheduling message in the first network. The first paging message is a paging message from the second network to the first communication device, and the first scheduling message is a scheduling message from the second network to the first communication device.

[0158] S502: The second communication device sends a first paging message or a first scheduling message and fourth indication information to the first communication device in the first network. In response, the first communication device receives the first paging message or the first scheduling message and the fourth indication information in the first network. The fourth indication information is used to indicate that the first paging message corresponds to the second network or to indicate that the first scheduling message corresponds to the second network.

[0159] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, in a scenario where the first communication device supports multiple connections, a network registered by the first communication device can send a paging message or scheduling message of another network to the first communication device, thereby realizing cross-network paging or scheduling, so that the first communication device does not miss the paging or scheduling of another network while monitoring one network, and can obtain the signaling of the other network in a timely manner.

[0160] The following is an introduction to S501.

[0161] In S501, the first communications device may monitor a channel of the first network during an activation period corresponding to the first network according to the DRX configuration corresponding to the first network. The first communications device may monitor different channels in the first network based on different states of the first communications device in the first network. For details, please refer to the above description of S301.

[0162] In addition to the DRX configuration corresponding to the first network, the first communication device also has a DRX configuration corresponding to the second network. However, when the first communication device monitors the channel of the first network in the first network, the first communication device may not monitor according to the DRX configuration corresponding to the second network in the second network. In order to avoid the first communication device missing signaling from the second network, such as paging messages or scheduling messages. The third communication device in the second network can forward the paging message or scheduling message of the second network for the first communication device (hereinafter referred to as the first paging message, and the scheduling message as the first scheduling message) to the first network, and the second communication device in the first network sends the first paging message or the first scheduling message to the first communication device.

[0163] Regarding the forwarding of the first paging message by the third communication device in the second network to the first network, the third communication device may optionally be a core network element in the second network, such as an AMF element. The third communication device may forward the first paging message or first scheduling message from the second network to the core network element in the first network via an interface between core networks, such as an SBA interface. The core network element in the first network then forwards the first paging message or first scheduling message to the second communication device.

[0164] Alternatively, the third communication device may be an access network device in the second network. The third communication device may forward the first paging message or the first scheduling message to the second communication device in the second network via an interface between RANs, such as an Xn interface.

[0165] Optionally, in addition to the first network and the second network, the first communication device may also be registered on one or more other networks. If the first communication device has a DRX configuration corresponding to the other network, the other network may also forward a paging message or scheduling message for the first communication device to the first network, and the second communication device in the first network may send the paging message or scheduling message for the first communication device from the other network to the first communication device.

[0166] The following is a detailed introduction to S502.

[0167] In S502, after receiving the first paging message or the first scheduling message, the second communication device generates fourth indication information to indicate that the first paging message corresponds to the second network (which may also be understood as meaning that the first paging message comes from the second network, the first paging message is generated by the second network, etc., and similar expressions below may be understood in this manner), or the fourth indication information indicates that the first scheduling message corresponds to the second network. The second communication device may send the first paging message or the first scheduling message and the fourth indication information to the first communication device within an activation period corresponding to the second network.

[0168] Correspondingly, after receiving the first paging message and the fourth indication information in the first network, the first communication device can determine, according to the fourth indication information, that the first paging message corresponds to the second network.

[0169] The fourth indication information may be carried in the DCI that schedules the first paging message, or may be carried in the first paging message. Alternatively, the fourth indication information may be carried in the first scheduling message.

[0170] Optionally, after receiving the first paging message in the first network, the first communication device may initiate random access in the second network to establish an air interface connection with the second network.

[0171] Optionally, before S502, the second communication device may send fifth indication information to the first communication device in the first network. Accordingly, the first communication device may receive the fifth indication information in the first network. The fifth indication information is used to indicate whether the first network supports cross-network paging or scheduling. If the fifth indication information indicates that the first network supports cross-network paging or scheduling, the second communication device may forward the first paging message or first scheduling message of the second network for the first communication device to the first communication device. If the fifth indication information indicates that the first network does not support cross-network paging or scheduling, the second communication device cannot forward the first paging message or first scheduling of the second network for the first communication device to the first communication device.

[0172] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific message that carries the fifth indication information. For example, the fifth indication information can be carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0173] In addition, in a scenario where a first communication device is simultaneously connected to a first network and a second network, if the system information of the second network changes, the second network can notify the first network of the change in the system information of the second network. Based on the notification from the second network, the first network can send an indication message to the terminal device indicating that the system information of the second network has changed. After receiving the indication message, the first communication device can initiate random access in the second network to obtain the updated system information of the second network. For details, please refer to the embodiment described in S501-S502 above.

[0174] In addition, an embodiment of the present application also provides another communication method, as shown in Figure 6, which is a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 takes the first communication device and the second communication device as an example of the execution subject of the interaction diagram to illustrate the method, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction diagram. For example, the first communication device in Figure 6 can also be a module applied to the first communication device, such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor, and can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first communication device. The second communication device in Figure 6 can also be a module applied to the second communication device, such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor, and can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second communication device. The communication method includes the following steps S601:

[0175] S601: A second communication device sends third indication information to a first communication device in a first network. Accordingly, the first communication device receives the third indication information in the first network. The third indication information instructs the first communication device to monitor a paging message or scheduling message from a second network for the first communication device within a third time period in the first network.

[0176] Alternatively, S601 may be: the third communication device sends third indication information to the first communication device in the second network. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the third indication information in the second network. (This implementation is not shown in FIG6 ).

[0177] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, in a scenario where the first communication device supports multiple connections, a network registered by the first communication device can associate the paging message or scheduling message of the network with the corresponding monitoring time period of another network, that is, to realize cross-network monitoring, so that the first communication device will not miss the paging or scheduling of another network when monitoring one network, and can obtain the signaling of the other network in a timely manner.

[0178] The following is an introduction to S601.

[0179] In S601, the first communications device may monitor a channel of the first network during an activation period corresponding to the first network according to the DRX configuration corresponding to the first network. The first communications device may monitor different situations in the first network based on different states of the first communications device in the first network. For details, please refer to the above description of S301.

[0180] Optionally, before receiving the third indication information, the first communication device may continuously monitor the channel of the second network in the second network. Alternatively, the first communication device may monitor the channel of the second network in the second network according to the DRX configuration corresponding to the second network.

[0181] After receiving the third indication information, the first communication device may cease monitoring in the second network. For example, the first communication device may enter a power saving mode (PSM) or a mobile initiated connection only (MICO) mode in the second network, thereby no longer monitoring for paging messages. Alternatively, after receiving the third indication information, the first communication device may continue monitoring in the second network.

[0182] In S601, the third time period indicated by the third indication information may be an activation time period corresponding to the first network. The third indication information may indicate one or more third time periods. For example, the third indication information may indicate a starting time domain position of the third time period.

[0183] Optionally, when the first communication device monitors the paging message or scheduling message of the second network for the first communication device within the third time period, it may simultaneously monitor the paging message or scheduling message of the first network for the first communication device, or may stop monitoring the paging message or scheduling message of the first network for the first communication device. For example, assuming that 10 DRX cycles are pre-divided into a large cycle, and the third indication information indicates that the third time period is the first activation period and the second activation period in the large cycle corresponding to the first network, the first communication device may monitor the paging message of the second network for the first communication device and the paging message of the first network for the first communication device within the first activation period and the second activation period of the large cycle, and monitor the paging message of the first network for the first communication device within the other activation periods of the large cycle. Alternatively, the first communication device may monitor the paging message of the second network for the first communication device within the first activation period and the second activation period of the large cycle, and monitor the paging message of the first network for the first communication device within the other activation periods of the large cycle.

[0184] If the second communication device sends the third indication information to the first communication device in the first network, in one possible implementation, before S601, the second network may notify the first network that the first communication device needs to monitor the second network for paging messages or scheduling messages from the first communication device within a third time period. For details on how the second network notifies the first network, please refer to the above description of the third communication device notifying the second communication device in S301 that the second network needs to page the first communication device.

[0185] Accordingly, after the second communication device in the first network determines that the second network will subsequently page or schedule the terminal device in the first network within the third time period, the second communication device may generate third indication information and send the third indication information to the first communication device. For example, the third indication information may be carried in DCI and sent to the first communication device within a certain activation period corresponding to the first network.

[0186] If the third communication device sends the third indication information to the first communication device in the second network, the third communication device may send the third indication information to the first communication device through the air interface connection between the second network and the first communication device. For example, the third indication information may be carried in a message such as an RRC message or an RRC release message. Alternatively, if the first communication device monitors the second network according to the DRX configuration corresponding to the second network, the third communication device may send the third indication information to the first communication device during the activation period corresponding to the second network. For example, the third indication information may be carried in a DCI.

[0187] Optionally, the third indication information and the information for configuring DRX may be carried in the same message. For example, the third indication information may be carried in an RRC release message together with a RAN-Paging parameter, where the RAN-Paging parameter is used to configure DRX configuration in an activated state.

[0188] The embodiment of the present application does not limit how the third indication information specifically indicates. For example, the third indication information may include a Target_Monitoring_Network field and a PO_bitmap_in_Targetnetwork field. Target_Monitoring_Network is used to indicate in which network the first communication device performs monitoring, and PO_bitmap_in_Targetnetwork is used to indicate on which PO or POs the first communication device performs monitoring.

[0189] Optionally, the first network may further configure a DRX configuration for the first communications device with respect to the second network, so that the first communications device can monitor paging messages from the second network to the first communications device in the first network. For example, the first network may configure DRX parameters for the second network for the first communications device via a non-access stratum (NAS) message. Alternatively, the second network may configure the DRX configuration for the second network for the first communications device. For example, the second network may configure DRX parameters for the second network for the first communications device via a NAS message.

[0190] After S601, if the second network needs to page or schedule the first communication device, the second network may forward the paging message or scheduling message for the first communication device to the first network, and the first network may send the paging message or scheduling message for the first communication device from the second network to the first communication device within the third time period. For details, please refer to the above description of the third communication device forwarding the first paging message or first scheduling message to the second communication device in S501, which will not be elaborated here.

[0191] Optionally, the embodiment shown in S501-S502 above can be combined with the embodiment shown in S601-S602 above. In this case, the first communication device may first receive the third indication information in the first network or the second network. Based on the third indication information, the first communication device may monitor the first paging message or the first scheduling message and the fourth indication information when monitoring the paging message or the scheduling message in the first network during the third time period.

[0192] The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. Accordingly, the embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which is used to implement the above various methods. The communication device can be the first communication device in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above first communication device, or a component that can be used for the first communication device; or, the communication device can be the second communication device in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above second communication device, or a component that can be used for the second communication device. Alternatively, the communication device can be the third communication device in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above third communication device, or a component that can be used for the third communication device.

[0193] It is understandable that, in order to realize the above functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. It should be easily appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, 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 the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware 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.

[0194] In the embodiment of the present application, the functional modules of the communication device can be divided according to the above method embodiment. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0195] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 700. The communication device 700 includes a transceiver module 701 and a processing module 702. The transceiver module 701, also known as a transceiver unit, implements transceiver functions and may be, for example, a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface. The processing module 702, also known as a processing unit 702, implements processing functions. Optionally, the communication device 700 may also include a storage module 703.

[0196] Taking communication device 700 as the first communication device in the above method embodiment as an example, in one possible design, the transceiver module 701 is configured to receive first indication information in the first network before the first time period, where the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a paging message or scheduling message from the second network for the communication device 700 in the second time period. The processing module 702 is configured to determine, based on the first indication information, whether to monitor for paging messages or scheduling messages in the second network in the second time period.

[0197] Taking the communication device 700 as the first communication device in the above method embodiment as an example, in another possible design, the transceiver module 701 is used to receive third indication information in the first network or the second network, and the third indication information is used to instruct the communication device 700 to monitor the paging message or scheduling message of the second network for the communication device 700 in the first network within a third time period.

[0198] Taking the communication device 700 as the second communication device in the above method embodiment as an example, in one possible design, the processing module 702 is used to determine that the second network needs to page or schedule the first communication device; the transceiver module 701 is used to send first indication information to the first communication device in the first network before the first time period, and the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a paging message or scheduling message from the second network for the first communication device in the second time period.

[0199] Taking the communication device 700 as the second communication device in the above method embodiment as an example, in another possible design, the processing module 702 is used to determine that the paging message or scheduling message of the second network for the first communication device needs to be sent in the first network; the transceiver module 701 is used to send third indication information to the first communication device in the first network, and the third indication information is used to instruct the first communication device to monitor the paging message or scheduling message of the second network for the first communication device in the first network within a third time period.

[0200] Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module and will not be repeated here.

[0201] Optionally, in the communication device shown in FIG7 , the names of the modules may not be the names shown in the figure. For example, the transceiver module may also be called a communication module or a communication unit.

[0202] If the various units in Figure 7 are implemented in the form of software function modules and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor (processor) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The storage medium for storing computer software products includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0203] In the embodiment of the present application, the communication device 700 is presented in the form of various functional modules divided in an integrated manner. The "module" here can refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a circuit, a processor and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0204] In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art may appreciate that the communication device 700 may take the form of the communication device 800 shown in FIG. 8 .

[0205] As shown in Figure 8, the communication device 800 includes one or more processors 801, a communication line 802, and at least one communication interface (Figure 8 is only an example of including a communication interface 804 and a processor 801 for illustration), and may optionally also include a memory 803.

[0206] The processor 801 may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the present application.

[0207] The communication line 802 may include a path for connecting different components.

[0208] The communication interface 804 may be a transceiver module for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, RAN, terminals, and wireless local area networks (WLANs). For example, the transceiver module may be a device such as a transceiver or a transceiver. Alternatively, the communication interface 804 may be a transceiver circuit or input / output interface within the processor 801, for implementing signal input and output to the processor.

[0209] The memory 803 may be a device having a storage function. For example, it may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), 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, but is not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently and be connected to the processor via a communication line 802. The memory may also be integrated with the processor.

[0210] The memory 803 is used to store computer-executable instructions for executing the solution of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 801. The processor 801 is used to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 803, thereby implementing the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0211] Alternatively, optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the processor 801 may also perform processing-related functions in the communication method provided in the above embodiment of the present application, and the communication interface 804 is responsible for communicating with other devices or communication networks, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0212] Optionally, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as application code, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0213] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 801 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG8 .

[0214] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 800 may include multiple processors, such as the processor 801 and the processor 807 in FIG8 . Each of these processors may be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. The processors herein may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: a CPU, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or an artificial intelligence processor, and other types of computing devices that run software. Each computing device may include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform calculations or processing.

[0215] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 800 may further include an output device 805 and an input device 806. The output device 805 communicates with the processor 801 and can display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 805 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector. The input device 806 communicates with the processor 801 and can receive user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device 806 can be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensor device.

[0216] The communication device 800 described above may sometimes also be referred to as a communication device, which may be a general-purpose device or a dedicated device. For example, the communication device 800 may be the first communication device, the second communication device, or the third communication device described above, or a device having a similar structure as shown in FIG8 . The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of the communication device 800.

[0217] In addition, the composition structure shown in Figure 8 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device. In addition to the components shown in Figure 8, the communication device 800 may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently.

[0218] Optionally, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 701 and the processing module 702 in FIG7 may be implemented by the processor 801 in the communication device 800 shown in FIG8 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 803. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing module 702 in FIG7 may be implemented by the processor 801 in the communication device 800 shown in FIG8 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 803, and the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 701 in FIG7 may be implemented by the communication interface 804 in the communication device 800 shown in FIG8.

[0219] It should be understood that one or more of the above modules or units can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of the two. When any of the above modules or units is implemented in software, the software exists in the form of computer program instructions and is stored in a memory, and a processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow. The processor can be built into an SoC or ASIC, or it can be an independent semiconductor chip. In addition to the core used to execute software instructions to perform calculations or processing within the processor, it can further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as FPGAs, programmable logic devices (PLDs), or logic circuits that implement dedicated logic operations.

[0220] When the above modules or units are implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of a CPU, a microprocessor, a DSP chip, an MCU, an artificial intelligence processor, an ASIC, a SoC, an FPGA, a PLD, a dedicated digital circuit, a hardware accelerator or a non-integrated discrete device, which can run the necessary software or not rely on the software to execute the above method flow.

[0221] Optionally, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device (for example, the communication device may be a chip or a chip system), which includes a processor for implementing the method in any of the above method embodiments. In one possible design, the communication device also includes a memory. The memory is used to store necessary program instructions and data, and the processor can call the program code stored in the memory to instruct the communication device to execute the method in any of the above method embodiments. Of course, the memory may not be in the communication device. When the communication device is a chip system, it may be composed of a chip, or it may include a chip and other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0222] Optionally, an embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is run on a communication device, the communication device can execute the method described in any of the above method embodiments or any of its implementation methods.

[0223] Optionally, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which stores a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are run on a communication device, the communication device can execute the method described in any of the above method embodiments or any of its implementation methods.

[0224] Optionally, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which includes the first communication device described in the above method embodiment and the second communication device described in the above method embodiment. Optionally, the communication system may also include the third communication device described in the above method embodiment.

[0225] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more media integrated therein. The available media may be magnetic media (eg, floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (eg, DVDs), or semiconductor media (eg, solid state drives (SSDs)).

[0226] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art may understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments by reviewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit may implement several functions listed in the claims. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0227] Although the present application has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments thereof, it is apparent that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely illustrative of the present application as defined by the appended claims and are deemed to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, the present application is intended to encompass such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Before a first time period, a first communication device receives first indication information in a first network, where the first indication information is used to indicate whether a paging message or a scheduling message from a second network for the first communication device exists in a second time period; wherein the first communication device is registered in the first network and the second network; The first communication device determines, according to the first indication information, whether to monitor a paging message or a scheduling message in the second network within the second time period.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first indication information is used to indicate that there is a paging message or a scheduling message from the second network for the first communication device within the second time period. The method further includes: The first communication device receives second indication information in the first network before the first time period, where the second indication information is used to indicate the interval between a start time of the second time period and a start time of the first time period.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The start time of the first time period is earlier than the start time of the second time period, and the first time period overlaps with the second time period.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first communication device is in an idle state or an inactive state in the second network, and the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a paging message from the second network to the first communication device within the second time period; or, The first communication device is in a connected state in the second network, and the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a scheduling message from the second network for the first communication device within the second time period.

5. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: A first communication device receives third indication information in a first network or a second network, where the third indication information is used to instruct the first communication device to monitor a paging message or a scheduling message from the second network for the first communication device within a third time period in the first network; wherein the first communication device is registered in the first network and the second network.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first communication device receives a first paging message or a first scheduling message and fourth indication information in the first network within the third time period, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the first paging message or the first scheduling message corresponds to the second network.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The fourth indication information is carried in the downlink control information DCI that schedules the first paging message; or, the fourth indication information is carried in the first paging message; or, the fourth indication information is carried in the first scheduling message.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first communication device receives fifth indication information in the first network, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first network supports cross-network paging or scheduling.

9. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that: The third indication information is carried in a radio resource control RRC message or an RRC release message.

10. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first communication device receives a non-access stratum NAS message in the first network or the second network, where the NAS message includes discontinuous reception DRX configuration information corresponding to the second network, and the DRX configuration information corresponding to the second network is used by the first communication device to monitor the paging message or scheduling message corresponding to the second network during the third time period.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Before the first time period, the second communication device sends first indication information to the first communication device in the first network, where the first indication information is used to indicate whether there is a paging message or scheduling message from the second network for the first communication device in the second time period.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The first indication information is used to indicate that there is a paging message or a scheduling message from the second network for the first communication device within the second time period. The method further includes: The second communication device sends second indication information in the first network before the first time period, where the second indication information is used to indicate the interval between a start time of the second time period and a start time of the first time period.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The start time of the first time period is earlier than the start time of the second time period, and the first time period overlaps with the second time period.

14. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The second communication device sends third indication information to the first communication device in the first network, where the third indication information is used to instruct the first communication device to monitor a paging message or a scheduling message from the second network for the first communication device within a third time period in the first network.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second communication device sends a first paging message or a first scheduling message and fourth indication information to the first communication device in the first network within the third time period, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the first paging message or the first scheduling message corresponds to the second network.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The fourth indication information is carried in downlink control information DCI that schedules the first paging message; or, the fourth indication information is carried in the first paging message.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The second communication device sends fifth indication information to the first communication device in the first network, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first network supports cross-network paging or scheduling.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that: The third indication information is carried in a radio resource control RRC message or an RRC release message.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that: The method further comprises: In the first network, the second communication device sends a non-access layer NAS message to the first communication device, where the NAS message includes discontinuous reception DRX configuration information corresponding to the second network, and the DRX configuration information corresponding to the second network is used by the first communication device to monitor the paging message or scheduling message corresponding to the second network during the third time period.

20. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes a module or unit for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10; or, the communication device includes a module or unit for implementing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

21. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that The communication device is a chip or a chip system.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes: a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit is used to communicate with a device outside the communication device, and the processor is used to execute instructions stored in a memory; when the instructions are executed by the processor, the communication device executes the method described in any one of claims 1-10, or the communication device executes the method described in any one of claims 11-19.

23. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that The communication device further includes the memory.

24. The device according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that The communication device is a chip or a chip system.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that Instructions are stored thereon, and when the instructions are executed by a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is executed; or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19 is executed.

26. A computer program product, characterized in that Instructions are stored thereon, and when the instructions are executed by a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is executed; or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19 is executed.

27. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system includes a first communication device and a second communication device; the first communication device is used to execute the method of any one of claims 1-4, and the second communication device is used to execute the method of any one of claims 11-13; or, the first communication device is used to execute the method of any one of claims 5-10, and the second communication device is used to execute the method of any one of claims 14-19.

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