Communication methods, communication device and communication system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communications, and provides communication methods, a communication device and a communication system. A method comprises: a terminal receiving first information sent by a network device; and, on the basis of the first information, storing first data, such that the terminal can store the first data of a communication behavior on the basis of a data storage rule indicated by the first information. By applying the technical solution of the present disclosure, the terminal can store the specific first data of the communication behavior on the basis of the data storage rule indicated by the network device by means of the first information, such that the network device can reasonably configure for the terminal related information of the specific data needing to be stored.

Description

A communication method, communication device and communication system Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, communication device and communication system. Background Technology

[0002] Machine learning algorithms are currently one of the most important methods for implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. Machine learning can obtain AI models through large amounts of training data, and these AI models can then predict events. In many fields, AI models trained using machine learning can achieve very accurate prediction results.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure proposes a communication method, communication device, and communication system. A terminal can store first data specific to the communication behavior according to data storage rules indicated by the network device through first information, enabling the network device to reasonably configure relevant information for the specific data to be stored on the terminal.

[0005] A first aspect of this disclosure provides a communication method executed by a terminal, the method comprising: receiving first information sent by a network device, the first information being used to instruct the terminal to store first data; and the terminal storing the first data of communication behavior according to data storage rules indicated by the first information.

[0006] A second aspect of this disclosure provides a communication method executed by a network device, the method comprising: sending first information to a terminal; wherein the first information is used to instruct the terminal to store first data, specifically the first information being used to instruct the terminal to store first data of communication behavior according to data storage rules.

[0007] A third aspect of this disclosure provides a terminal, including: a transceiver module configured to receive first information sent by a network device, the first information being used to instruct the terminal to store first data; and a processing module configured to store the first data of communication behavior according to data storage rules indicated by the first information.

[0008] A fourth aspect of this disclosure provides a network device, the network device comprising: a transceiver module configured to send first information to a terminal; wherein the first information is used to instruct the terminal to store first data, specifically instructing the terminal to store first data of communication behavior according to data storage rules.

[0009] A fifth aspect of this disclosure provides a communication device, including: one or more processors; wherein the processors are configured to perform the method as described in the first aspect embodiment, or to perform the method as described in the second aspect embodiment.

[0010] A sixth aspect of this disclosure provides a communication system, including: a terminal and a network device; the terminal performs the method as described in the first aspect embodiment, and the network device performs the method as described in the second aspect embodiment.

[0011] A seventh aspect embodiment of this disclosure provides a communication method, comprising: a network device sending first information to a terminal; the terminal receiving the first information and storing first data based on the first information.

[0012] An eighth aspect embodiment of this disclosure provides a computer storage medium storing computer-executable instructions; when executed by a processor, the computer-executable instructions can implement the methods described in the first aspect embodiment or the second aspect embodiment.

[0013] A ninth aspect embodiment of this disclosure provides a computer program product, wherein the computer program product stores a computer program; when the computer program is executed by a processor, it is able to implement the methods described in the first aspect embodiment or the second aspect embodiment.

[0014] Additional aspects and advantages of this disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 5 is a structural block diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 6 is a structural block diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The embodiments of this disclosure are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this disclosure, and should not be construed as limiting this disclosure. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments of this disclosure and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0025] For ease of understanding, the terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure will be introduced first.

[0026] Artificial Intelligence (AI) models (or AI functions, AI modules, etc.)

[0027] Wireless communication networks can use AI models for inference (or prediction) to improve system performance. Training AI models requires collecting a large amount of data, and the data requirements vary depending on the application scenario. Application scenarios can include beam management, Channel State Information (CSI) reporting, CSI compression, positioning, handover, mobility management, radio resource management, and other mobile communication system processes.

[0028] During beam management, the terminal can reduce the number of beams measured. The terminal or network device uses an AI model to infer the optimal beam. Beam prediction includes spatial beam prediction and temporal beam prediction. In spatial beam prediction, the terminal measures a small number of beams and predicts the measurement results of the other beams. In temporal beam prediction, the terminal predicts future beam measurement results based on historical beam measurement results. The data used to train the AI ​​model can include beam measurement results, beam identifiers, the K strongest beam measurement results and their identifiers, and the acquisition time of the beam measurement results. The measured beams can be configured by the network device.

[0029] During CSI reporting, the terminal can compress CSI measurement results using an AI model and report the compressed CSI measurement results to the network device. The network device then uses the AI ​​model to reconstruct the original CSI measurement results. This reduces the number of signaling bits required during the reporting process. The network device can also predict future CSI based on historical CSI measurement results reported by the terminal.

[0030] During the localization process, the terminal can predict its precise location based on limited measurement results. The data used for model training can include channel impulse response measurements, the terminal's location information, and positioning reference signal (PRS) measurements.

[0031] During mobility management, terminals can predict cell measurement results, handover target cells, or mobility events. Predicting future cell measurement results can be termed temporal prediction. Alternatively, predicting the measurement results of cells not yet measured can be termed spatial prediction. Mobility events include met measurement reporting conditions, handover failures, cell dwell time, and radio link failures. Data used to train AI models can include measurement results from the serving cell, the target cell, time, terminal location, source cell, and target cell.

[0032] In CSI compression, the data used to train the AI ​​model can include CSI measurement results, the time when the CSI measurement results were acquired, and so on.

[0033] This disclosure presents a communication method, communication device, and communication system.

[0034] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure propose a communication method executed by a terminal, the method comprising: receiving first information sent by a network device, the first information being used to instruct the terminal to store first data; and the terminal storing the first data of communication behavior according to data storage rules indicated by the first information.

[0035] The terminal can store first data specific to the communication behavior according to the data storage rules indicated by the network device through the first information, which enables the network device to reasonably configure the relevant information of the specific data that needs to be stored for the terminal.

[0036] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the first data is used for training the AI ​​model.

[0037] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending second information to the network device; wherein the second information is used to determine the terminal's ability to store the first data.

[0038] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the capability is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0039] The terminal supports application scenario types for storing the first data; the terminal supports the amount of the first data to be stored; the terminal supports the data types for storing the first data; and the terminal supports the storage space for storing the first data.

[0040] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the data type includes at least one of the following:

[0041] Feedback codebook type; beam identifier; beam measurement results; positioning signal measurement results; cell identifier; cell measurement results.

[0042] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the amount of data corresponds to the data type.

[0043] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0044] The network device indicates the data type of the first data stored by the terminal; the network device indicates the amount of the first data stored by the terminal; the network device indicates the storage space for the first data stored by the terminal.

[0045] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending the first data to the network device; wherein the storage space occupied by the first data in the terminal reaches the maximum storage space, and / or the storage amount of the first data in the terminal reaches the maximum data amount.

[0046] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving configuration information sent by the network device; and configuring the maximum storage space and / or the maximum data volume according to the configuration information.

[0047] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure propose a communication method executed by a network device, the method comprising: sending first information to a terminal; wherein the first information is used to instruct the terminal to store first data.

[0048] The terminal can store first data specific to the communication behavior according to the data storage rules indicated by the network device through the first information, which enables the network device to reasonably configure the relevant information of the specific data that needs to be stored for the terminal.

[0049] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the first data is used for training the AI ​​model.

[0050] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving second information sent by the terminal; and determining the terminal's ability to store the first data based on the second information.

[0051] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the capability is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0052] The terminal supports application scenario types for storing the first data; the terminal supports the amount of the first data to be stored; the terminal supports the data types for storing the first data; and the terminal supports the storage space for storing the first data.

[0053] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the data type includes at least one of the following:

[0054] Feedback codebook type; beam identifier; beam measurement results; positioning signal measurement results; cell identifier; cell measurement results.

[0055] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the amount of data corresponds to the data type.

[0056] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0057] The network device indicates the data type of the first data stored by the terminal; the network device indicates the amount of the first data stored by the terminal; the network device indicates the storage space for the first data stored by the terminal.

[0058] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving the first data sent by the terminal; wherein the storage space occupied by the first data in the terminal reaches the maximum storage space, and / or the storage amount of the first data in the terminal reaches the maximum data amount.

[0059] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending configuration information to the terminal; wherein the configuration information is used to configure the maximum storage space and / or the maximum data volume.

[0060] Thirdly, this disclosure provides a terminal comprising: a transceiver module configured to receive first information sent by a network device; and a processing module configured to store first data of communication behavior according to data storage rules indicated by the first information.

[0061] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a network device, the network device comprising: a transceiver module configured to send first information to a terminal; wherein the first information is used to instruct the terminal to store first data of communication behavior according to data storage rules.

[0062] Fifthly, this disclosure provides a communication device, specifically a terminal or a network device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor of the terminal is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect embodiment, and the processor of the network device is configured to execute the method described in the second aspect embodiment.

[0063] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system comprising: a terminal and a network device; the terminal performing the method as described in the first aspect embodiment, and the network device performing the method as described in the second aspect embodiment.

[0064] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, comprising: a network device sending first information to a terminal; the terminal receiving the first information and storing first data of communication behavior according to data storage rules indicated by the first information.

[0065] Eighthly, this disclosure provides a computer storage medium storing computer-executable instructions; when executed by a processor, the computer-executable instructions can implement the methods described in the first aspect embodiment or the second aspect embodiment.

[0066] In a ninth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, can implement the methods described in the first aspect embodiment or the second aspect embodiment.

[0067] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in the first aspect embodiment or the second aspect embodiment.

[0068] Eleventhly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the methods described above as in the first aspect embodiment or as in the second aspect embodiment.

[0069] It is understood that the aforementioned terminals, network devices, communication systems, and storage media are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0070] This disclosure provides a communication method, terminal, network device, and communication system. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" can be substituted for "information processing method," "information sending method," and "information receiving method," and the terms "communication device" can be substituted for "information processing device," "information sending device," and "information receiving device," and the terms "information processing system," "communication system," "information sending system," and "information receiving system" can be substituted for each other.

[0071] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0072] In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0073] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0074] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0075] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0076] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “at least one of”, “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0077] The descriptions in this disclosure, such as "at least one of A, B, C..." or "A and / or B and / or C...", include the case where any one of A, B, C... exists alone, as well as the case where any combination of any of A, B, C... exists alone. Each case can exist alone. For example, "at least one of A, B, C" includes the cases of A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B combination, A and C combination, B and C combination, and A and B and C combination. For example, A and / or B includes the cases of A alone, B alone, and A and B combination.

[0078] In some embodiments, the notation "in one case A, in another case B" or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: A is executed regardless of B, i.e., A is executed in some embodiments; B is executed regardless of A, i.e., B is executed in some embodiments; A and B are selectively executed, i.e., A and B are selected for execution in some embodiments; A and B are both executed, i.e., A and B are executed in some embodiments. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0079] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0080] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0081] In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0082] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0083] In some embodiments, devices, etc., can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as “device”, “equipment”, “circuit”, “network element”, “node”, “function”, “unit”, “section”, “system”, “network”, “chip”, “chip system”, “entity”, and “subject” can be used interchangeably.

[0084] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0085] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0086] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "subscriber station", "mobile unit", "subscriber unit", "wireless unit", "remote unit", "mobile device", "wireless device", "wireless communication device", "remote device", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "mobile terminal", "wireless terminal", "remote terminal", "handset", "user agent", "mobile client", "client", and "narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device" can be used interchangeably.

[0087] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced by terminals. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures that replace communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals with communication between multiple terminals (e.g., also referred to as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the structure can also be configured such that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, uplink link, downlink link, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0088] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0089] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0090] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0091] In some embodiments, the threshold mentioned in this embodiment may be a numerical value, a constant, or some fixed value.

[0092] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0093] The correspondences shown in the tables of this disclosure can be configured or predefined. The values ​​of the information in each table are merely examples and can be configured to other values; this disclosure is not limiting. When configuring the correspondences between information and parameters, it is not necessarily required to configure all the correspondences shown in each table. For example, the correspondences shown in some rows of the tables in this disclosure may not be configured. Furthermore, appropriate modifications and adjustments can be made based on the above tables, such as splitting, merging, etc. The names of the parameters shown in the headers of the above tables can also use other names that the communication device can understand, and the values ​​or representations of the parameters can also be other values ​​or representations that the communication device can understand. In the implementation of the above tables, other data structures can also be used, such as arrays, queues, containers, stacks, linear lists, pointers, linked lists, trees, graphs, structures, classes, heaps, hash tables, or hash tables, etc.

[0094] The predefined terms in this disclosure can be understood as defined, predefined, stored, pre-stored, pre-negotiated, pre-configured, solidified, or pre-burned.

[0095] The communication methods, terminals, network devices, and communication systems provided in this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0096] Figure 1 shows a structural diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, the system architecture may include a network device 11 and a terminal 12.

[0097] In some examples, network device 11 can be an entity on the network side used to transmit or receive signals. For example, network device 11 can be a communication satellite, an evolved NodeB (eNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in an NR system, a base station in other future mobile communication systems, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. The embodiments of this disclosure do not limit the specific technology or device form used in network device 11. The network device 11 provided in the embodiments of this disclosure can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU can also be called a control unit. Using a CU-DU structure allows the protocol layer of a network device, such as a base station, to be separated. Some protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU.

[0098] In some examples, terminal 12 may be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal device (MT), NB-IoT terminal, etc. Terminal 12 can also be a car with communication capabilities, a smart car, a mobile phone, a wearable device, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality device, an augmented reality device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, a wireless terminal device in a smart home, etc. The embodiments of this disclosure do not limit the specific technology or device form adopted by terminal 12.

[0099] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0100] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system shown in FIG1, or some of the subjects, but are not limited thereto. The subjects shown in FIG1 are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the subjects in FIG1, or may include other subjects other than those in FIG1. ​​The number and form of each subject are arbitrary. The connection relationship between the subjects is illustrative. The subjects may not be connected to each other or may be connected in any way. The connection may be direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0101] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to satellite communications, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G NR, Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New Radio Access (NX), Future Generation Radio Access (FX), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (a registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems built upon them, etc. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0102] AI model training can take place on either the terminal or the network device. If the training is on the network device, the terminal needs to report the collected data to the network device. To avoid frequently reporting the terminal's collected data to the network device, the terminal can store the collected data locally multiple times and send all the stored data to the network device in a single report. However, storing data locally consumes storage space, and different terminals may store different data types. The network device requires the terminal to report specific amounts and types of data; currently, the network device is unaware of this data on the terminal side and cannot reasonably configure the amount and type of data reported by the terminal.

[0103] To address the aforementioned issues, in this embodiment, the terminal can store first data specific to the communication behavior according to the data storage rules indicated by the network device through the first information. This allows the network device to reasonably configure the terminal with relevant information about the specific data that needs to be stored. Consequently, the network device can reasonably configure the amount and type of data to be stored for the terminal.

[0104] Furthermore, to illustrate the specific execution process of the above-described communication system, Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The method, applied to the above-described communication system, as shown in Figure 2, may include the following steps:

[0105] Step S201: The network device sends the first information to the terminal.

[0106] In some embodiments, the terminal receives first information sent by the network device, which may be indication information or signaling messages, etc.

[0107] In some embodiments, the first information is carried by at least one of the following:

[0108] Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages; Downlink Control Information (DCI); Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE); Master Information Block (MIB); System Information Block (SIB).

[0109] In some embodiments, the first information is used to instruct the terminal to store first data. For example, the first information can be used to instruct the terminal to store the first data of communication behavior according to data storage rules. These data storage rules are rules that instruct the terminal on how to store the first data, such as the amount of data, data type, etc., of the first data stored. The network device can instruct the terminal on these data storage rules through the first information. As some examples, communication behavior can be the behavior generated by communication interaction between the terminal and the network device, such as the terminal's behavior during beam management, positioning, mobility management, CSI feedback, etc.

[0110] In some embodiments, the first data can be used to train the AI ​​model. The first data may be communication behavior data, such as data generated on the terminal side by beam management, positioning, mobility management, etc., which can be used to train the AI ​​model, facilitating better communication performance based on the inference results of the AI ​​model.

[0111] As an example, if the AI ​​model training is located on the network device side, the network device can indicate to the terminal, through the first information, the amount and type of data to be stored. Subsequently, the terminal can send this stored data (i.e., the first data) to the network device, and the network device uses this data to train the AI ​​model. As another example, the first data can be relevant performance data after the AI ​​model has performed inference, such as performance data generated from beam management based on beam measurement results predicted by the AI ​​model, or relevant performance data generated from CSI reporting based on compressed CSI measurement results from the AI ​​model. The network device uses the first information to instruct the terminal on how to store this data, including the amount and type of data (i.e., data storage rules). Subsequently, the terminal can send this stored data to the network device, thereby updating and training the corresponding AI model in the network device, making the AI ​​model's inference more accurate and complete.

[0112] In some embodiments, the network device may be a base station, a server, or a core network node, such as a Location Management Function (LMF) network element.

[0113] In some embodiments, in order for the network device to accurately instruct the terminal on how to store the first data, it may refer to the terminal's ability to store the first data or information such as the terminal's type and location, and then the network device may send the first information to the terminal based on this information.

[0114] In some examples, the terminal may send second information to the network device, which can be used to determine the terminal's ability to store the first data; this second information may be a signaling message, etc. In some examples, the network device may receive the second information sent by the terminal and determine its ability to store the first data based on that second information.

[0115] In some embodiments, this capability can be used to indicate at least one of the following A1 to D1:

[0116] A1. The application scenario types that the terminal supports storing the first data for. For example, the terminal supports storing data from different application scenarios. These application scenario types may include beam management, beam timing prediction, beam spatial prediction, terminal positioning, Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurement prediction, cell handover failure prediction, radio link failure prediction, measurement reporting event prediction, and CSI compression prediction. For instance, if the terminal supports storing the first data for these application scenario types and reports its relevant capabilities to the network device, the network device, based on these capabilities and actual needs, can instruct the terminal to store the corresponding first data if it determines that the terminal can support storing data from the target application scenario type.

[0117] B1. The amount of data the terminal supports storing for the first data; such as the amount of data the terminal supports storing. As an example, the smallest unit of the first data is a set of sample data from the training data of the AI ​​model. A sample data may include one or more input data and / or a label data, which can be obtained through measurement.

[0118] C1. The terminal supports data types for storing primary data.

[0119] D1. The storage space supported by the terminal for storing the first data. For example, the size of the storage space used in the terminal to store the first data.

[0120] In some embodiments, the data type supported by the terminal for storing the first data may include at least one of the following A2 to F2:

[0121] A2. Feedback codebook type. As an example, the feedback codebook type can be eType-II format (up to ~1000 bits), eType-II-like format (~a few 1000 bits), and float32 format (up to ~150K bits).

[0122] B2. Beam identification.

[0123] C2. Beam Measurement Results. As an example, beam measurement results may include Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), and / or Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), and / or Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR), etc.

[0124] D2. Measurement results of the positioning signal. As an example, the measurement results of the positioning signal can be the Channel Impulse Response (CIR), and / or Power Delay Profile (PDP), and / or Delay Profile (DP), etc.

[0125] E2, Community signage.

[0126] F2. Cell measurement results. As an example, cell measurement results may include RSRP, and / or RSRQ, and / or SINR, etc.

[0127] In some embodiments, the amount of data in B1 corresponds to the data type in C1. As an example, the amount of data stored can correspond to the data type; different data types can store different amounts of data.

[0128] In some embodiments, the first information sent by the network device to the terminal may include at least one of the following A3 to C3:

[0129] A3. The network device instructs the terminal on the type of data to be stored for the first data. For example, based on the data types of the first data that the terminal supports storing (A2 to F2) and in accordance with actual needs, the network device instructs the terminal on the type of data to be stored for the first data.

[0130] B3. The network device instructs the terminal on the amount of data to store the first data. For example, based on the amount of data the terminal supports storing in B1, and in conjunction with actual needs, the network device instructs the terminal on the amount of data to store the first data.

[0131] C3. The network device instructs the terminal on the storage space for storing the first data. For example, based on the storage space supported by the terminal for storing the first data in C1, and combined with actual needs, the network device instructs the terminal on the storage space for storing the first data.

[0132] Step S202: The terminal stores the first data according to the first information.

[0133] In some embodiments, the terminal stores first data of communication behavior according to the data storage rules indicated by the first information.

[0134] For example, the terminal stores first data according to at least one of A3 to C3 as instructed by the network device, and the stored first data can be uploaded to the network device to facilitate the network device to train an AI model based on the first data.

[0135] In some embodiments, the terminal sends first data to the network device; wherein the first data occupies a maximum storage space in the terminal, and / or the amount of the first data stored in the terminal reaches a maximum data volume. For example, during the process of the terminal collecting and storing the first data, if the first data occupies a maximum storage space in the terminal, and / or the amount of the first data stored in the terminal reaches a maximum data volume, the terminal may send the stored first data to the network device.

[0136] In some embodiments, the terminal receives configuration information sent by the network device; the terminal configures the maximum storage space and / or maximum data volume according to the configuration information. For example, during the process of the terminal collecting and storing first data, the timing of reporting this stored first data to the network device can be determined based on the maximum storage space occupied by the first data collected by the terminal and / or the maximum data volume reached. The maximum storage space and / or maximum data volume can be determined by the network device configuration, based on the terminal's capabilities, or predefined by the protocol, etc.

[0137] In this embodiment, the terminal can store first data specific to the communication behavior according to the data storage rules indicated by the network device through the first information. This allows the network device to reasonably configure the terminal with relevant information about the specific data that needs to be stored. Consequently, the network device can reasonably configure the amount and type of data to be stored for the terminal.

[0138] To illustrate the specific execution process of the terminal, Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure. When applied to the terminal side, the method may include the following steps.

[0139] Step S301: The terminal receives the first information sent by the network device.

[0140] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to instruct the terminal to store the first data.

[0141] In some embodiments, the first data is used for training an AI model.

[0142] In some embodiments, the terminal sends second information to the network device; wherein the second information is used to determine the terminal's ability to store the first data.

[0143] In some embodiments, the capability is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0144] The terminal supports application scenario types for storing the first data; the terminal supports the amount of the first data to be stored; the terminal supports the data types for storing the first data; and the terminal supports the storage space for storing the first data.

[0145] In some embodiments, the data type includes at least one of the following:

[0146] Feedback codebook type; beam identifier; beam measurement results; positioning signal measurement results; cell identifier; cell measurement results.

[0147] In some embodiments, the data volume corresponds to the data type.

[0148] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to instruct the terminal to store first data of communication behavior according to data storage rules, wherein the data storage rules include at least one of the following:

[0149] The network device indicates the data type of the first data stored by the terminal; the network device indicates the amount of the first data stored by the terminal; the network device indicates the storage space for the first data stored by the terminal.

[0150] Step S302: The terminal stores the first data of communication behavior according to the data storage rules indicated by the first information.

[0151] In some embodiments, the terminal sends the first data to the network device; wherein the storage space occupied by the first data in the terminal reaches the maximum storage space, and / or the storage amount of the first data in the terminal reaches the maximum data amount.

[0152] In some embodiments, the terminal receives configuration information sent by the network device; the terminal configures the maximum storage space and / or the maximum data volume according to the configuration information.

[0153] For a detailed description of the specific examples in this embodiment, please refer to the corresponding descriptions of the embodiments in Figures 1 and 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0154] In this embodiment, the terminal can store first data specific to the communication behavior according to the data storage rules indicated by the network device through the first information. This allows the network device to reasonably configure the terminal with relevant information about the specific data that needs to be stored. Consequently, the network device can reasonably configure the amount and type of data to be stored for the terminal.

[0155] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, the method is applied to the network device side and may include the following steps.

[0156] Step S401: The network device sends the first information to the terminal.

[0157] In some embodiments, the first information is used to instruct the terminal to store the first data.

[0158] In some embodiments, the first information is used to instruct the terminal to store first data of communication behavior according to data storage rules.

[0159] In some embodiments, the first data is used for training an AI model.

[0160] In some embodiments, the network device receives second information sent by the terminal; the network device determines the terminal's ability to store the first data based on the second information.

[0161] In some embodiments, the capability is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0162] The terminal supports application scenario types for storing the first data; the terminal supports the amount of the first data to be stored; the terminal supports the data types for storing the first data; and the terminal supports the storage space for storing the first data.

[0163] In some embodiments, the data type includes at least one of the following:

[0164] Feedback codebook type; beam identifier; beam measurement results; positioning signal measurement results; cell identifier; cell measurement results.

[0165] In some embodiments, the data volume corresponds to the data type.

[0166] In some embodiments, the data storage rules include at least one of the following:

[0167] The network device indicates the data type of the first data stored by the terminal; the network device indicates the amount of the first data stored by the terminal; the network device indicates the storage space for the first data stored by the terminal.

[0168] In some embodiments, the network device receives the first data sent by the terminal; wherein the storage space occupied by the first data in the terminal reaches the maximum storage space, and / or the storage amount of the first data in the terminal reaches the maximum data amount.

[0169] In some embodiments, the network device sends configuration information to the terminal; wherein the configuration information is used to configure the maximum storage space and / or the maximum data volume.

[0170] For specific examples in this embodiment, please refer to the corresponding descriptions of the embodiments in Figures 1 to 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0171] In this embodiment, the terminal can store first data specific to the communication behavior according to the data storage rules indicated by the network device through the first information. This allows the network device to reasonably configure the terminal with relevant information about the specific data that needs to be stored. Consequently, the network device can reasonably configure the amount and type of data to be stored for the terminal.

[0172] This disclosure also provides an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Alternatively, another apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0173] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0174] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0175] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 5, the terminal may include a transceiver module 51 and a processing module 52. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 51 and the processing module 52 are used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S301 to S302, but not limited thereto) performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0176] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 6, the network device may include a transceiver module 61. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 61 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., step S401, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0177] In some embodiments, the processing module 52 may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules may each perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module 52 may be interchangeable with a processor.

[0178] In some embodiments, transceiver module 51 or transceiver module 61 may be separate or integrated together, such as including a receiving module and / or a transmitting module. Optionally, transceiver module 51 or transceiver module 61 may be interchangeable with a transceiver.

[0179] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 8100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 8100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 8100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0180] As shown in Figure 7, the communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control the communication device (e.g., base station, baseband chip, terminal device, terminal device chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 8100 can be used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 8101 can be used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 8100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0181] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8102. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8102, the transceivers 8102 perform the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method, and the processor 8101 performs at least one of the other steps. In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, sending unit, transmitter, sending circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0182] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8103 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 8103 may be located outside the communication device 8100. In an optional embodiment, the communication device 8100 may include one or more interface circuits 8104. Optionally, the interface circuits 8104 are connected to the memories 8102, and the interface circuits 8104 can be used to receive data from the memories 8102 or other devices, and can be used to send data to the memories 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 8104 can read data stored in the memories 8102 and send the data to the processor 8101.

[0183] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 may not be limited by FIG. 7. The communication device may be a standalone device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0184] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of chip 8200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 8100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of chip 8200 shown in Figure 8, but it is not limited thereto.

[0185] Chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201. Chip 8200 is used to perform any of the above methods.

[0186] In some embodiments, chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 8203 may be located outside of chip 8200. Optionally, interface circuit 8202 is connected to memory 8203, and interface circuit 8202 can be used to receive data from memory 8203 or other devices, and interface circuit 8202 can be used to send data to memory 8203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 8202 can read data stored in memory 8203 and send the data to processor 8201.

[0187] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 8202 performs at least one of the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, in the above-described method. For example, the interface circuit 8202 performing the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, in the above-described method refers to the interface circuit 8202 performing data interaction between the processor 8201, the chip 8200, the memory 8203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 8201 performs at least one of the communication method steps described above.

[0188] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0189] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device 8100, cause the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0190] This disclosure also provides a program product that, when executed by the communication device 8100, causes the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0191] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method, executed by a terminal, includes: The terminal receives first information sent by a network device, the first information being used to instruct the terminal to store first data.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first data is used for training an artificial intelligence (AI) model.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the second information to the network device; The second information is used to determine the terminal's ability to store the first data.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The capability is used to indicate at least one of the following: The terminal supports application scenario types for storing the first data; The terminal supports storing the amount of data in the first data. The terminal supports data types for storing the first data; The terminal supports storage space for storing the first data.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The data type includes at least one of the following: Feedback codebook type; Beam identification; Beam measurement results; Measurement results of the positioning signal; Community signage; Measurement results for the community.

6. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that, The amount of data corresponds to the data type.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of the following: The network device indicates to the terminal the data type of the first data stored; The network device instructs the terminal to store the amount of the first data; The network device instructs the terminal to store the storage space for the first data.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the first data to the network device; Wherein, the storage space occupied by the first data in the terminal reaches the maximum storage space, and / or the storage amount of the first data in the terminal reaches the maximum data amount.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive configuration information sent by the network device; Configure the maximum storage space and / or the maximum data volume according to the configuration information.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, Performed by a network device, the method includes: Send the first message to the terminal; The first information is used to instruct the terminal to store the first data.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first data is used for training an artificial intelligence (AI) model.

12. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the second information sent by the terminal; The terminal's ability to store the first data is determined based on the second information.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The capability is used to indicate at least one of the following: The terminal supports application scenario types for storing the first data; The terminal supports storing the amount of data in the first data. The terminal supports data types for storing the first data; The terminal supports storage space for storing the first data.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The data type includes at least one of the following: Feedback codebook type; Beam identification; Beam measurement results; Measurement results of the positioning signal; Community signage; Measurement results for the community.

15. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 14, characterized in that, The amount of data corresponds to the data type.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of the following: The network device indicates to the terminal the data type of the first data stored; The network device instructs the terminal to store the amount of the first data; The network device instructs the terminal to store the storage space for the first data.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the first data sent by the terminal; Wherein, the storage space occupied by the first data in the terminal reaches the maximum storage space, and / or the storage amount of the first data in the terminal reaches the maximum data amount.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send configuration information to the terminal; The configuration information is used to configure the maximum storage space and / or the maximum data volume.

19. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The network device sends the first information to the terminal; The terminal receives the first information and stores the first data based on the first information.

20. A terminal, characterized in that, include: The transceiver module is configured to receive first information sent by the network device, the first information being used to instruct the terminal to store first data.

21. A network device, characterized in that, include: The transceiver module is configured to send first information to the terminal; wherein the first information is used to instruct the terminal to store first data.

22. A communication system, characterized in that, The device includes a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 9, and the network device is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 10 to 18.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, include: One or more processors; The processor is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

24. A computer storage medium, wherein, The computer storage medium stores computer-executable instructions; when executed by a processor, the computer-executable instructions can implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 18.

25. A computer program product comprising a computer program that, when executed by a processor, enables the implementation of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

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