Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: after receiving a first service request from a second apparatus, a first apparatus sending first information of at least one first device to the second apparatus on the basis of the first service request, wherein the first information comprises an identifier of the first device, and the first device is located within a first range of the first apparatus. On the basis of the solution, the first apparatus can selectively report information of a first device located within the first range, thereby improving the data interaction efficiency and reducing invalid data and redundant data.

Description

Communication methods and devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410574470.2, filed on May 9, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to communication methods and apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is a non-contact automatic identification technology. An RFID system typically includes a reader and a tag. The reader can send continuous wave (CW) signals to power the tag or provide a carrier wave, and can also send signaling to page the tag, instruct the tag to initiate random access, and other operations.

[0004] With the development of communication technology, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defined the Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) technology. A-IoT is based on cellular network communication infrastructure and consists of readers (e.g., base stations) and passive / semi-passive / active tags. The tags can be terminals within the cellular network, such as ultra-low power, ultra-low complexity IoT terminals. The main functions of A-IoT include inventory management, positioning, sensing, and command processing, with typical application scenarios including logistics, warehousing, industrial manufacturing, identification, and environmental monitoring.

[0005] For A-IoT technology, in the current inventory management scheme, the reader typically reports information about all tags stored within its coverage area. However, not all tag information can be used in subsequent business operations. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that enables selective data reporting of tags within a specific range, thereby improving data interaction efficiency in business processes, reducing redundant data and total data volume in business processes, and reducing resource consumption.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first device, by a module applied to the first device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first device. The method includes: receiving a first service request from a second device; and, based on the first service request, sending first information about at least one first device to the second device, the first information including an identifier of the first device, wherein the first device is located within a first range of the first device.

[0008] Based on this method, after receiving a first service request, the first device sends the first information of at least one first device within a first range to the second device. That is, the first device selectively sends the first information of devices that are within a specific range from itself or whose positional relationship with itself meets specific requirements to the second device, reducing the total amount of first information sent to the second device and improving the sending efficiency of the first information. The first information contains the identifier of the first device, enabling the second device to accurately identify the identity of the first device. In subsequent service processes, the first device and the second device can accurately exchange relevant data of the first device, reducing redundant or invalid data in the service process, improving the efficiency of service data interaction, and reducing resource consumption.

[0009] In one possible design, the first range is a first distance, a first area, a first coverage area, or a first coverage level.

[0010] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: receiving at least one of the following from the second device: a first transmission parameter, second information, a first identifier, or a second identifier; wherein the first transmission parameter includes at least one of the following: bit / block / information repetition count, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth, or transmission power; the second information is used to indicate / request reporting the identifier of a device within a first range, or to indicate / request inventory of devices within the first range, or to indicate / request measurement / reporting of devices within the first range, or to indicate / request execution of proximity determination or proximity service, or the second information is a proximity request; the first identifier is used to identify the first range, or the first identifier is used to identify inventory of devices within the first range, or to identify measurement / reporting of devices within the first range, or the first identifier is used to identify proximity determination service, or proximity determination request; the second identifier includes at least one of a first task identifier, a first session identifier, or a first service identifier, and the second identifier corresponds to the first range.

[0011] Based on this possible design, the first device can directly and accurately send the first information of at least one first device to the second device according to the instruction information issued by the second device.

[0012] In one possible design, the first scope includes multiple sub-scopes; the second information corresponds to the first scope and / or multiple sub-scopes within the first scope; or, the second identifier corresponds to the first scope and / or multiple sub-scopes within the first scope; or, the first identifier corresponds to the first scope and / or multiple sub-scopes within the first scope.

[0013] Based on this possible design, the first device can selectively report first information of the first device belonging to different sub-ranges.

[0014] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: sending third information to the second device, the third information indicating any one of the following: the distance between the first device and the first apparatus is a second distance, the first device is located in a second area, the first device is located within a second coverage area, or the first device is located within a range corresponding to a second coverage level; or, the third information indicates the distance level or proximity between the first device and the first apparatus.

[0015] Based on this possible design, the first device can enable the second device to obtain the positional relationship or interval relationship between the first device and the second device by sending third information.

[0016] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: receiving first information from a first device; sending fourth information to a second device, the fourth information including transmission parameters of the first device sending the first information, the transmission parameters including at least one of the following: number of bit / block / information repetitions, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth or transmission power.

[0017] In one possible design, the first device is a distributed unit (DU) and the second device is a centralized unit (CU); or, the first device is an access network device and the second device is a core network device or network element.

[0018] Secondly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a second device, a module applied to the second device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second device. The method includes: sending a first service request to a first device; and receiving first information of at least one first device reported by the first device based on the first service request. The first information includes an identifier of the first device, and the first device is located within a first range of the first device. The technical effects of the second aspect are analogous to those of the first aspect and will not be elaborated further here.

[0019] In one possible design, the first range is a first distance, a first area, a first coverage area, or a first coverage level.

[0020] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: sending at least one of the following to the first device: a first transmission parameter, second information, a first identifier, or a second identifier; wherein the first transmission parameter includes at least one of the following: bit / block / information repetition count, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth, or transmission power; the second information is used to instruct / request reporting of the identifier of a device within a first range, or to instruct / request inventory of devices within the first range, or to instruct / request measurement / reporting of devices within the first range, or to instruct / request execution of proximity determination or proximity service, or the second information is a proximity request; the first identifier is used to identify the first range, or the first identifier is used to identify inventory of devices within the first range, or to identify measurement / reporting of devices within the first range, or the first identifier is used to identify proximity determination service or proximity determination request; the second identifier includes at least one of a first task identifier, a first session identifier, or a first service identifier, and the second identifier corresponds to the first range.

[0021] In one possible design, the first scope includes multiple sub-scopes; the second information corresponds to one first scope and / or multiple sub-scopes within the first scope; or, the first identifier corresponds to the first scope and / or multiple sub-scopes within the first scope; or, the second identifier corresponds to the first scope and / or multiple sub-scopes within the first scope.

[0022] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: receiving third information from the first device, the third information indicating any one of the following: the distance between the first device and the first apparatus is a second distance, the first device is located in a second area, the first device is located within a second coverage area, or the first device is located within a range corresponding to a second coverage level; or, the third information indicating the distance level or proximity between the first device and the first apparatus.

[0023] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: receiving fourth information from the first device, the fourth information including transmission parameters of the first device sending the first information, the transmission parameters including at least one of the following: number of bit / block / information repetitions, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth or transmission power.

[0024] In one possible design, the first device is a distributed unit (DU) and the second device is a centralized unit (CU); or, the first device is an access network device and the second device is a core network device.

[0025] Thirdly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a terminal, by a module applied to the terminal (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal's functions. The method includes: receiving a first service request from an access network device; and based on the first service request, sending first information about at least one first device to the access network device, the first information including an identifier of the first device, wherein the first device is located within a first range of the terminal.

[0026] Based on this method, after receiving the first service request, the terminal sends the first information of at least one first device within the first range to the access network device. In other words, the terminal selectively sends the first information of devices that are within a specific range from itself or whose location relationship with itself meets specific requirements to the access network device, reducing the total amount of first information sent to the access network device and improving the transmission efficiency of the first information. The first information contains the identifier of the first device, enabling the access network device to accurately identify the identity of the first device. In subsequent service processes, the terminal and the access network device can accurately exchange relevant data of the first device, reducing redundant or invalid data in the service process, improving the efficiency of service data interaction, and reducing resource consumption.

[0027] In one possible design, the first range is a first distance, a first area, a first coverage area, or a first coverage level.

[0028] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: receiving at least one of the following from the access network device: a first transmission parameter, second information, a first identifier, or a second identifier; wherein the first transmission parameter includes at least one of the following: bit / block / information repetition count, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth, or transmission power; the second information is used to indicate / request reporting of the identifier of a device within a first range, or to indicate / request inventory of devices within the first range, or to indicate / request measurement / reporting of devices within the first range, or to indicate / request execution of proximity determination or proximity service, or the second information is a proximity request; the first identifier is used to identify the first range, or the first identifier is used to identify inventory of devices within the first range, or to identify measurement / reporting of devices within the first range, or the first identifier is used to identify proximity determination service or proximity determination request; the second identifier includes at least one of a first task identifier, a first session identifier, or a first service identifier, and the second identifier corresponds to the first range.

[0029] Based on this possible design, the terminal can directly and accurately send the first information of at least one first device to the access network device according to the instruction information issued by the access network device.

[0030] In one possible design, the first scope includes multiple sub-scopes; the second information corresponds to the first scope and / or multiple sub-scopes within the first scope; or, the first identifier corresponds to the first scope and / or multiple sub-scopes within the first scope; or, the second identifier corresponds to the first scope and / or multiple sub-scopes within the first scope.

[0031] Based on this possible design, the terminal can selectively report the first information of the first device belonging to different sub-ranges.

[0032] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: sending third information to the access network device, the third information indicating any one of the following: the distance between the first device and the terminal is a second distance, the first device is located in a second area, the first device is located within a second coverage area, or the first device is located within a range corresponding to a second coverage level; or, the third information indicates the distance level or proximity between the first device and the terminal.

[0033] Based on this possible design, the terminal can enable the access network device to obtain the location relationship between the first device and the terminal by sending third information.

[0034] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: receiving first information from a first device; sending fourth information to an access network device, the fourth information including transmission parameters for the first device to send the first information, the transmission parameters including at least one of the following: number of bit / block / information repetitions, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth, or transmission power.

[0035] Fourthly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by an access network device, a module applied to the access network device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the access network device. The method includes: sending a first service request to a terminal; and receiving first information of at least one first device reported by the terminal based on the first service request. The first information includes an identifier of the first device, and the first device is located within a first range of the terminal. The technical effects of the second aspect are analogous to those of the first aspect and will not be elaborated further here.

[0036] In one possible design, the first range is a first distance, a first area, a first coverage area, or a first coverage level.

[0037] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: sending at least one of the following information to the terminal: a first transmission parameter, a second information, a first identifier, or a second identifier; wherein the first transmission parameter includes at least one of the following: bit / block / information repetition count, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth, or transmission power; the second information is used to indicate / request reporting the identifier of a device within a first range, or, or, to indicate / request inventory of devices within the first range, or, to indicate / request measurement / reporting of devices within the first range, or to indicate / request execution of proximity determination or proximity service, or the second information is a proximity request; the first identifier is used to identify the first range, or, the first identifier is used to identify inventory of devices within the first range, or, to identify measurement / reporting of devices within the first range, or the first identifier is used to identify proximity determination service or proximity determination request; the second identifier includes at least one of a first task identifier, a first session identifier, or a first service identifier, and the second identifier corresponds to the first range.

[0038] In one possible design, the first scope includes multiple sub-scopes; the second information corresponds to the first scope and / or multiple sub-scopes within the first scope; or, the first identifier corresponds to the first scope and / or multiple sub-scopes within the first scope; or, the second identifier corresponds to the first scope and / or multiple sub-scopes within the first scope.

[0039] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: receiving third information from the terminal, the third information indicating any one of the following: the distance between the first device and the terminal is a second distance, the first device is located in a second area, the first device is located within a second coverage area, or the first device is located within a range corresponding to a second coverage level; or, the third information indicates the distance level or proximity between the first device and the terminal.

[0040] In one possible design, the communication method further includes receiving fourth information from the terminal, the fourth information including transmission parameters of the first device, the transmission parameters including at least one of the following: number of bit / block / information repetitions, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth or transmission power.

[0041] Fifthly, a communication device is provided for implementing various methods. The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the implementation of the methods, which can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions.

[0042] In some possible designs, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module can be used to implement the processing functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof. The transceiver module may include a receiving module and a transmitting module, respectively used to implement the receiving function and the transmitting function in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof.

[0043] In some possible designs, the transceiver module can consist of transceiver circuits, transceivers, transceivers, or communication interfaces.

[0044] A sixth aspect provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory being used to store computer instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the communication device to perform the method described in either aspect.

[0045] A seventh aspect provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface being used to communicate with a module outside the communication device; the processor being used to execute a computer program or instructions to cause the communication device to perform the method described in any aspect.

[0046] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor; said processor being configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in a memory to cause the communication device to perform the method described in any of the aspects. The memory may be coupled to the processor, or may be independent of the processor.

[0047] A ninth aspect provides a communication device (e.g., the communication device may be a chip or a chip system), the communication device including a processor for implementing the functions involved in any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0048] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data.

[0049] In some possible designs, when the device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or contain chips and other discrete components.

[0050] It is understood that the communication device provided in the fifth to ninth aspects may be the first device in the first aspect, or a module or unit (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) corresponding to the first device performing the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect, or a module or unit that can be used in conjunction with the first device, or a logic node, logic module, or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first device; or the communication device may be the terminal in the third aspect, or a module or unit (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) corresponding to the terminal performing the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the third aspect, or a module or unit that can be used in conjunction with the terminal, or a logic node, logic module, or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the terminal. Alternatively, the communication device may be the second device in the second aspect, or a module or unit (e.g., a chip, chip system, or circuit) in the second device that performs the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second aspect, or a module or unit that can be used in conjunction with the second device, or a logic node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second device; or, the communication device may be the access network device in the fourth aspect, or a module or unit (e.g., a chip, chip system, or circuit) in the access network device that performs the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the fourth aspect, or a module or unit that can be used in conjunction with the access network device, or a logic node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device.

[0051] It is understandable that when the communication device provided in any of the fifth to ninth aspects is a chip, the sending action / function of the communication device can be understood as outputting information, and the receiving action / function of the communication device can be understood as inputting information.

[0052] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to perform the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0053] Eleventhly, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when run on a communication device, enables the communication device to perform the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0054] In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a first device and a second device, or comprising a terminal and an access network device. The first device is configured to perform the method described in the first aspect and any possible design thereof; the second device is configured to perform the method described in the second aspect and any possible design thereof; the terminal is configured to perform the method described in the third aspect and any possible design thereof; and the access network device is configured to perform the method described in the fourth aspect and any possible design thereof.

[0055] The technical effects of any of the design methods in aspects five through twelfth can be found in the technical effects of different design methods in aspects one through four, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0056] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the working principle of a label provided in this application;

[0057] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the working principle of another label provided in this application;

[0058] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an RFID business process provided in this application;

[0059] Figure 4 is a timing diagram of an inventory access method provided in this application;

[0060] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a network topology provided in this application;

[0061] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a proximity determination use case provided in this application;

[0062] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in this application;

[0063] Figure 8 is a structural schematic diagram of an access network device provided in this application;

[0064] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of an O-RAN architecture provided in this application;

[0065] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in this application;

[0066] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in this application;

[0067] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in this application;

[0068] Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in this application;

[0069] Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this application;

[0070] Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this application;

[0071] Figure 16 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this application;

[0072] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in this application;

[0073] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in this application;

[0074] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0075] In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " indicates that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this application is merely a description of the relationship between the related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. A and B can be singular or plural.

[0076] In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of a single item or a plurality of items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0077] Furthermore, to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish identical or similar items with substantially the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and the terms "first" and "second" are not necessarily different.

[0078] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner to facilitate understanding.

[0079] It is understood that the term "embodiment" used throughout the specification means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic related to an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of this application. Therefore, various embodiments throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, these specific features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It is understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0080] It is understood that in this application, "...when" and "if" both refer to the corresponding processing that will be carried out under certain objective circumstances, and are not limited to a specific time, nor do they require a judgment action to be performed during implementation, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0081] It is understood that some optional features in the embodiments of this application can be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the current solution on which they are based, to solve the corresponding technical problems and achieve the corresponding effects. Alternatively, they can be combined with other features as needed in certain scenarios. Correspondingly, the apparatus given in the embodiments of this application can also implement these features or functions, which will not be elaborated here.

[0082] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships. The following descriptions of the embodiments of this application do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0083] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, a brief introduction to the relevant technologies of this application is given below.

[0084] 1. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology;

[0085] RFID technology is a non-contact automatic identification technology. RFID system communication includes a reader and a tag. The tag can also be called an RFID tag or an RFID terminal.

[0086] A reader / writer is a device with read / write capabilities, capable of reading or writing tag information. In other words, a reader / writer can read information stored in a tag or write information that the tag needs to store. Communication between the reader / writer and the tag is contactless.

[0087] The tags have the following characteristics: simple functionality, with application layer and air interface signaling integrated into a single design; low power consumption, supporting microwatt or even hundreds of microwatts; they do not support complex designs or measurements; when communicating with multiple tags, they use time-division multiplexing, and multiple tags are read serially. They do not support the distinction between frequency domain and code domain, resulting in poor parallel performance.

[0088] Tags can be categorized into passive tags, semi-passive tags, and active tags. Passive tags consume microwatts (μW) of power and lack energy storage capabilities. The energy for receiving and transmitting signals comes entirely from the reader's radio frequency (RF) energy; the tag converts the wireless signal emitted by the reader into energy, which powers its operation. Uplink transmission for passive tags relies on reflection communication. The reader sends a carrier signal to trigger the passive tag to send reflected information, using RF energy to transmit the uplink signal back to the reader. For example, part of the energy from the continuous wave (CW) transmitted by the reader is used for internal processing such as tag encoding / decoding and modulation / demodulation. Furthermore, this continuous wave also serves as a carrier wave to carry the tag's uplink information.

[0089] For semi-passive tags, power consumption is in the 100μW range. They can store some energy (e.g., using capacitors). Internally, they may include a battery. Internal processing such as encoding / decoding and modulation / demodulation can be achieved using the stored energy. Therefore, their transmission power consumption and communication capabilities (e.g., transmission rate) can be greater than passive tags. However, the uplink transmission of semi-passive tags relies on backscatter communication, requiring the reader's continuous wave as the carrier. In other words, both passive and semi-passive tags communicate based on a backscatter carrier. For example, as shown in Figure 1, after the reader sends a carrier wave, the tag modulates and reflects the carrier wave sent by the reader for transmission.

[0090] For active tags, the power consumption is in the 50 milliwatt (mW) range. Active tags have their own batteries, so they have the ability to actively generate carrier waves and send signals, and do not rely on reflected signals for communication, resulting in stronger communication capabilities.

[0091] For example, in a split architecture, as shown in Figure 2, the reader / writer can include a helper and a receiver. The link from the helper to the tag can be called a forward link or downlink, the link from the tag to the receiver can be called a reverse link or uplink, the link from the receiver to the helper can be called a forward downlink, and the link from the helper to the receiver can be called a forward uplink. The receiver and helper can transmit data over an air interface or via a wired connection.

[0092] For example, the helper is mainly used to send continuous waves to the tag on the forward link, and the signal sent by the tag is received by the receiver on the reverse link. In addition, the receiver can generate RFID signaling, send it to the helper through the forward downlink, and then the helper forwards it to the tag through the forward link.

[0093] For example, the helper can be a terminal, a base station, or a small station. The helper only communicates with the tag via downlink, but communicates with the reader via uplink and downlink data transmission, which may be through an air interface or a wired connection.

[0094] 2. RFID Workflow:

[0095] In RFID technology, readers can perform operations such as select, inventory, and access on tags. The select operation is used to choose one or a group of tags for inventory and access. The inventory operation can be understood as the process of the reader identifying the tag. The access operation can be understood as the process of the reader interacting with the tag. A tag needs to be identified by the reader before it can be accessed.

[0096] With the diversification of communication needs and the development of communication technologies, the application of RFID technology in cellular networks has become an important research direction. In this scenario, the reader's tag selection operation can be understood as a paging operation. The reader's tag inventory operation can be understood as a random access process. The reader's tag access operation can be understood as a data transmission process, and so on.

[0097] For example, the process of a reader selecting (paging), storing (random access), and accessing (data transmission) tags can be illustrated in Figure 3. Referring to Figure 3, this process includes the following steps:

[0098] S301, The reader sends a paging message. This paging message is used to select one or a group of tags.

[0099] Optionally, the paging message may include a select command. For example, the select command may include memory information, where the label in the memory information indicating the storage area whose data matches the Mask value is the label selected by the select command (or paging message). The Mask value may be indicated in the select command.

[0100] For example, the select command may include the following fields: Command field, Target field, Action field, MemBank field, Pointer field, Length field, Mask field, Truncate field, and Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) field. Among them:

[0101] Command field: When its value is 1010, it indicates that the command is the select command.

[0102] The Target field indicates whether the select command changes the state of the select flag (SL) bit or the inventory flag bit.

[0103] The inventory flag has four types (or sessions), each corresponding to two states: state A and state B. The state of the inventory flag is flipped when a tag has been inventoried, preventing the same tag from being identified multiple times in a single inventory cycle. SL includes both declared and undeclared states.

[0104] The Action field indicates the strategy for changing the state of the SL or inventory flags. The tag being paged by the reader can change the state of the SL or inventory flags according to this strategy.

[0105] The MemBank, Pointer, and Length fields together indicate the aforementioned memory information.

[0106] The Mask field indicates the Mask value.

[0107] The Truncate field indicates that the label returns part or all of the electronic product code (EPC).

[0108] CRC field: Used to carry the CRC.

[0109] It should be noted that step S301 is an optional step, meaning that step S301 may not be performed.

[0110] S302, Reader triggers random access (RA).

[0111] Optionally, the reader can send a Query command to trigger random access. The Query command can indicate a certain type of disk flag (i.e., Sx, where x can be 0, 1, 2, or 3) and its state X (X can be A or B), indicating that the reader selects the tag with the state X of disk flag Sx for access. In addition, the Query command can also indicate a parameter Q, which can indicate the maximum access time slot range.

[0112] Optionally, a time slot can refer to a continuous period of time triggered (or activated) by a Query / QueryRep command. The duration of a time slot is determined by the Query / QueryRep command that triggers the time slot and the next Query / QueryRep command following it. Tags can initiate random access within a time slot. Furthermore, data transmission can also occur within a time slot.

[0113] For multiple tags selected by the reader, disk access is performed using time-division multiplexing; that is, the reader starts disk access for the next tag only after finishing disk access for one tag. The following steps are illustrated using disk access for a single tag as an example.

[0114] S303. The tag sends a random number (RN) A. For example, the random number A can be a 16-bit random number (RN16).

[0115] If a tag matches the reader's selection, or is the tag selected by the reader, and the state of the tag's storage flag Sx is consistent with the state of the storage flag Sx indicated by the Query command, then after receiving the Query command, the tag can, according to the parameter Q indicated by the Query command, operate within the range [0, 2]. Q Choose a value from [-1] as the initial value of the counter. This initial value can be understood as the time slot number selected by the tag. The time slot can be determined by the Query command. After each QueryRep command received by the tag, the counter is decremented by 1. When the counter reaches 0, the tag sends a random number A.

[0116] Optionally, the random number A can be sent in message A, which can be compared to or understood as message 3 (Msg3) in the random access procedure in a cellular network.

[0117] It should be noted that after the reader sends the Query command in step S302, it can trigger time slot 0. Therefore, if a tag selects 0 as the initial value of the counter within the range [0, 2^Q-1], the tag can execute step S303 after receiving the Query command.

[0118] S304. If the reader successfully receives the random number A, it sends an acknowledgment (ACK) message. This message includes the random number A.

[0119] After receiving the random number A, if the reader detects no collision, that is, it only received RN16 (random number A) sent by one tag, it will send back an ACK message. The ACK message contains the received random number A, indicating that the contention was successfully resolved.

[0120] Optionally, the ACK message can be compared to or understood as message 4 (Msg4) in the random access procedure in a cellular network, or the ACK message can be understood as a random access response message or a contention resolution message.

[0121] Once the tag receives an acknowledgment message carrying the random number A it sent within a specified time, it can execute the following step S305.

[0122] S305. Labels send electronic product codes (EPC).

[0123] After steps S306-S307 and S305, the reader / writer may optionally send instructions to the tag to perform read or write operations, thus interacting with the tag. The tag can respond to the instructions received.

[0124] After the current tag's inventory access is completed, the reader can send a QueryRep command to begin inventory access for the next tag. Upon receiving the QueryRep command, the current tag needs to toggle the state of its inventory flag Sx. For example, if X is B, the current tag will toggle the state of its inventory flag Sx from B to A to avoid duplicate inventory access. Other tags, upon receiving the QueryRep command, will execute steps S303-S307 if their counters have decremented to 0.

[0125] For example, taking the reader / writer selecting three tags (tag 1, tag 2, and tag 3) via the select command and indicating a time slot number of 4 via the Query command (i.e., Q equals 2), as shown in Figure 4, the Query command sent by the reader / writer triggers time slot 0, QueryRep#1 triggers time slot 1, Query#2 triggers time slot 2, and Query#3 triggers time slot 3. Assuming the initial value of the counter selected by tag 1 is 0, tag 1 can execute the above steps S303-S305 after receiving the Query command (i.e., in time slot 0). Assuming the initial value of the counter selected by tag 2 is 2, after receiving QueryRep#1, the counter value of tag 2 decreases to 1, and after receiving QueryRep#2, the counter value decreases to 0. Therefore, tag 2 will access the network in time slot 2.

[0126] The main application scenario of RFID technology is identification. It can also be used for data reading and writing. When RFID technology is applied to mobile communication systems, access network devices in the mobile communication system, such as base stations, can act as readers to perform reader functions, using other access network devices or terminals as tags, and using radio frequency identification technology to identify, exchange information, and manage information between different tags.

[0127] 3. Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT)

[0128] With the development of communication technology, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defined A-IoT technology. In A-IoT, the functions of readers and tags can both be implemented based on the infrastructure in cellular networks; in other words, readers and tags can both be devices in cellular networks.

[0129] For example, the functionality of a reader can be implemented by a terminal in a cellular network or an access network device (such as a base station), or in other words, the reader can be a terminal in a cellular network or an access network device. The functionality of a tag can be implemented by a terminal in a cellular network. For example, the terminal can be an IoT terminal with extremely low power consumption and extremely low complexity. In this scenario, the terminal can also be an A-IoT device or an A-IoT terminal.

[0130] In A-IoT, terminals that implement tag functionality can be divided into three categories: Device A, Device B, and Device C. Device A has no energy storage and cannot generate signals independently; it uses backscattering to transmit signals, similar to passive tags in RFID technology. Device B has energy storage but cannot generate signals independently; it also uses backscattering to transmit signals, and its stored energy can amplify the reflected signal, similar to semi-passive tags in RFID technology. Device C has energy storage, can generate signals independently, and has active radio frequency components for transmission, similar to active tags in RFID technology.

[0131] A-IoT technology can be understood as an extremely low-power, low-complexity Internet of Things (IoT) technology defined by the 3GPP plenary meeting, or as an extension of RFID technology within 3GPP. Although A-IoT and RFID technologies share some similarities or mechanisms, such as similar inventory management processes, A-IoT introduces more value-added scenarios. Typical applications of A-IoT include warehousing, logistics, industrial manufacturing, identification, and environmental monitoring. A-IoT technology can be used to achieve at least one of the following functions: inventory management, location tracking, sensing, or command processing.

[0132] For example, in A-IoT technology, inventory management, also known as a check-up operation, involves obtaining the unique identifier of a tag. For instance, a reader can use commands such as query and acknowledge (ACK) to obtain the tag's unique identifier information. This unique identifier must be recognizable by the reader. The mechanism of inventory management is to use the reader to connect to tags within its coverage area. A successfully connected tag needs to send its unique identifier to the reader; this unique identifier is similar to the EPC (Engineering Processing) of a tag in RFID technology.

[0133] To facilitate inventory management, tags include four session identifiers, each corresponding to two inventory states: A and B. The inventory state is indicated by a sessInventoried flag. When a reader selects a tag, it sends a select command to the selected tag carrying a session identifier, which the tag stores. When the reader performs inventory management on the tag, it sends a query command to the tag including the session identifier from the select command. At this time, the tag flips the inventory state corresponding to that session identifier from A to B. Thus, if the reader sends a query command again to perform inventory management, since the tag's inventory state is B, the tag will not respond to the reader again, preventing the same tag from being inventoryed multiple times in a single inventory cycle. The implementation of inventory management in A-IoT technology is similar to that in RFID technology; for detailed implementation procedures, please refer to the implementation procedures for inventory management in RFID technology, which will not be repeated here.

[0134] Similar to the corresponding services in RFID technology, in the positioning service of A-IoT technology, the reader uses positioning signals to locate the position of the tag; in the sensing service of A-IoT technology, the reader receives sensing data reported by the tag, such as temperature data, humidity data, or wind speed; the command service of A-IoT technology can include at least one of the following: read service, write service, kill service, or lock service.

[0135] The reading operation can be understood as the reader reading the EPC, tag identifier (TID), and content stored in the tag's reserved area or user storage area from the tag's storage area. The writing operation can be understood as the reader writing data to the tag's storage area; that is, the reader sends downlink commands and data to the tag, instructing it to write data into the storage area. The killing operation can be understood as the reader instructing the tag to stop working via downlink commands, or it can be understood as the reader instructing the tag to permanently disable itself. The locking operation can be understood as the reader locking the tag's information via downlink commands; that is, by instructing the tag to latch the stored information or prohibiting the tag from operating on the storage area, it can prevent read or write operations on the tag.

[0136] It should be noted that the above services are just examples. In A-IoT technology, tags and readers can also perform other services or operations, which will not be illustrated here.

[0137] Optionally, 3GPP technical report TR 22.840 introduces four typical topologies between readers and tags (also referred to as A-IoT devices) in A-IoT technology. Referring to Figure 5(a), the reader can be a base station, with direct bidirectional communication between the A-IoT device and the base station to exchange data and / or signaling. Alternatively, referring to Figure 5(b), the reader can be a base station, with an intermediate node between the A-IoT device and the reader. Both the A-IoT device and the base station communicate bidirectionally with the intermediate node, which performs data and / or signaling interaction between the base station and the A-IoT device. The intermediate node includes relay nodes or integrated access and backhaul nodes. Backhaul (IAB) nodes, etc.; or, referring to Figure 5(c), the reader can be a base station. The interaction between the A-IoT device and the base station requires the assistance of an auxiliary node. During the data and / or signaling interaction, as shown in the left figure, the downlink data flow is base station → tag → auxiliary node, and the uplink data flow is A-IoT device → base station; as shown in the right figure, the downlink data flow is base station → A-IoT device, and the uplink data flow is A-IoT device → auxiliary node → base station; or, referring to Figure 5(d), the reader can be a terminal. The terminal and the A-IoT device directly communicate bidirectionally, exchanging data and / or signaling.

[0138] 4. Proximity determination

[0139] Referring to Figure 6, 3GPP Technical Report TR 22.840 describes a use case for proximity determination. Taking a user-used terminal, such as a mobile phone or tablet, as a reader / writer, and an IoT device or other terminal capable of communicating with the terminal via A-IoT technology as a tag (also referred to here as an A-IoT device), as an example, the proximity determination use case includes at least the following:

[0140] 1. When a user arrives at the museum's exhibition hall, they open the mobile application to obtain information about the exhibits. The user authorizes their phone to use communication and location services within AIoT technology to obtain the relative location results of nearby A-IoT devices.

[0141] 2. The user's mobile phone continuously or intermittently sends one or more continuous wave signals to wake up and trigger A-IoT devices located near the user's mobile phone. Each A-IoT device is pre-attached to the glass of the display case where the corresponding exhibit is located, or is placed in the display case together with the corresponding exhibit.

[0142] 3. One or more A-IoT devices in the exhibition hall that are close to the user's mobile phone receive the continuous wave signal and are activated. The activated A-IoT devices then respond to the user's mobile phone with their device IDs.

[0143] 4. The user's mobile phone receives response signals from one or more A-IoT devices. The response signals contain the device IDs of the A-IoT devices. The user's mobile phone can also use the response signals to determine the relative positioning results between each A-IoT device and the user's mobile phone.

[0144] 5. The user's mobile phone sends the relative positioning results and the device IDs of each A-IoT device to the application server through the 5G network.

[0145] 6. The application server sends the exhibit description information corresponding to the device ID of the A-IoT device to the user's mobile phone. The user's mobile phone can prioritize the description information according to the relative positioning results between each A-IoT device and the user's mobile phone in step 4, and display the description information of the exhibit closest to the user's mobile phone at the top of the user's mobile phone screen.

[0146] 7. When the user moves, other A-IoT devices will be activated by the signal sent by the user's mobile phone and send response information to the user's mobile phone, which includes their device ID. Based on the newly received response information, the user's mobile phone obtains a new list of relative positioning results. Through information interaction with the application server, the user's mobile phone automatically updates the sorting and content of the exhibit information displayed on the screen.

[0147] In other words, in the near-confirmation use case, the user's mobile phone activates the surrounding A-IoT devices. After reporting the identifiers of the activated A-IoT devices, the exhibit information corresponding to different A-IoT devices is displayed in an orderly manner according to the relative positioning results of the activated A-IoT devices and the user's mobile phone.

[0148] In the near-confirmation use case, the user's mobile phone and the application server exchange information about the exhibits corresponding to all activated A-IoT devices. However, the user's mobile phone mainly displays information about the exhibits corresponding to the one or a few A-IoT devices closest to the user's phone on the screen. In other words, the user's mobile phone only needs to exchange information about the exhibits corresponding to the one or a few A-IoT devices closest to the user's phone with the application server. There is a lot of redundant data in the data exchanged between the user's mobile phone and the application server. How the reader can report at least one tag that meets specific conditions among the activated tags needs to be solved.

[0149] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. After receiving a first service request, a first device acting as a reader / writer reports the device identifier of a first device to a second device based on the first service request. The first device refers to a device within a first range of the first device, where the first range is less than or equal to the maximum coverage range of the first device. This enables selective reporting of devices within the first range of the first device's coverage area, which significantly reduces the amount of information that needs to be transmitted in subsequent service processes, reduces invalid or redundant data in the service data interaction process, improves the data transmission efficiency of the service data interaction process, and reduces resource consumption.

[0150] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be used in various communication systems, including third-generation partnership project (3GPP) communication systems such as fourth-generation (4G) systems like Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5G systems like New Radio (NR), LTE and 5G hybrid networking systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Internet of Things (IoT), Passive IoT (PIoT), and other next-generation communication systems such as sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication systems. Alternatively, the communication system can also be a non-3GPP communication system, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN), without limitation.

[0151] The communication systems described above are merely illustrative examples, and are not limited to those described herein. The communication systems provided in this application do not impose any limitations on the solutions described herein. This will be explained uniformly here and will not be repeated below.

[0152] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a possible, non-limiting system. As shown in Figure 7, the communication system includes a first device, a second device, and at least one device with tag functionality.

[0153] Optionally, the coverage area provided by the first device may include at least one device with tag functionality. Each device with tag functionality may be located at different positions within the coverage area provided by the first device. A downlink data connection may exist between the device with tag functionality and the first device; alternatively, both an uplink data connection and a downlink data connection may exist between the device with tag functionality and the first device. Downlink refers to the transmission direction from the first device to the device with tag functionality, and uplink refers to the transmission direction from the device with tag functionality to the first device.

[0154] Optionally, a device with tagging functionality can also be understood as a device capable of implementing tagging functionality. A device with tagging functionality can act as a tag, or it can be a device including a tag, or it can implement tagging functionality. For example, a device with tagging functionality can be a terminal, such as a low-power terminal, for instance, a terminal using a low-power, low-complexity mid-to-low frequency ring oscillator or a terminal using a completely oscillator-free downlink signal receiver, or it can be in other forms without limitation. A device with tagging functionality can also be called a terminal, an IoT device, or an A-IoT device, etc. Of course, the first device can also have other names, and this application does not specifically limit this.

[0155] Optionally, the first device can be a reader / writer, or it can be a device including a reader / writer, or it can implement some or all of the functions of a reader / writer. For example, the first device can be an access network device or a terminal, without limitation.

[0156] Optionally, the second device can serve as a node for information interaction with the reader / writer, and the second device has data interaction capabilities. The form of the second device can be a core network device or an access network device, etc.

[0157] For example, core network equipment can be a collective term for various functional entities used on the network side to manage users, data transmission, and base station configuration. Core network equipment can be: access and mobility management function (AMF), user port function (UPF), session management function (SMF), tag management function (TMF), etc.

[0158] The AMF (Activity Management Element) is primarily responsible for signaling processing, including functions such as access control, mobility management, attach and detach, and gateway selection. When the mobility management element provides services to a session in a terminal, it can provide control plane storage resources for that session to store the session identifier and the session management element identifier associated with the session identifier.

[0159] Among them, UPF is mainly responsible for analog-to-digital conversion, signaling conversion, terminal access for extended functions, activation / deactivation of extended functions, and management and maintenance of extended functions.

[0160] SMF is primarily responsible for tunnel maintenance, Internet Protocol address allocation and management, policy implementation, and the collection and roaming of control and billing data in QoS.

[0161] Among them, TMF can be a network element used for tags, which can manage tag inventory and other related processes. It can connect to the terminal through the transparent transmission of AMF, or it can connect directly to the terminal (equivalent to replacing the mobility management network element).

[0162] Optionally, in this embodiment, the terminal is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, also referred to as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), terminal device, access terminal, user unit, user station, user terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device, etc. A terminal refers to a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user. For example, it may be a handheld device or a vehicle-mounted device with wireless connectivity. Terminals can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water (such as on ships); and they can also be deployed in the air (such as on airplanes, balloons, and satellites).

[0163] For example, the terminal can be a wireless terminal in IoT, V2X, D2D, M2M, 5G networks, or a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN). For instance, the terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, PDA, mobile internet device (MID), wearable device, virtual reality (VR) device, augmented reality (AR) device, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, wireless terminal in smart home, vehicle-mounted terminal, vehicle with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication capability, intelligent connected vehicle, drone with drone-to-drone (U2U) communication capability, etc. This application does not impose any restrictions on the form of the terminal.

[0164] Optionally, in this embodiment, the access network device is a device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. It can be an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE or evolved LTE system (LTE-Advanced, LTE-A), such as a traditional macro base station (eNB) or a micro base station (eNB) in a heterogeneous network scenario; or it can be a next-generation node B (gNodeB or gNB) in a 5G system; or it can be a transmission reception point (TRP); or it can be a radio network controller (RNC); or it can be a base station controller (BSC); or it can be a base transceiver station (BTS); or it can be a home base station (e.g., a home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB); or it can be a base band unit (BBU); or it can be a base station in a future evolved PLMN; or it can be a broadband network gateway (BNG), aggregation switch, or non-3GPP access device; or it can be a cloud radio access network. The device can be a wireless controller in a network (CRAN); or a wireless fidelity access point (Wi-Fi AP); or a wireless relay node or IAB node; or a device that implements base station functions in IoT, V2X, D2D, or M2M. The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0165] For example, the base station in the embodiments of this application may include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, access points or smart repeaters, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit them.

[0166] For example, access network equipment can also be modules or units capable of implementing some or all of the functions of a base station. For instance, access network equipment can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. In Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, the CU and DU split the protocol layers of the eNB. Some protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining or all protocol layer functions are distributed and implemented in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU. The CU and DU can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as in a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning.

[0167] Optionally, referring to Figure 8, the access network equipment may include a BBU and a RU. The BBU is connected to the core network equipment via a backhaul link and to the RU via a fronthaul link. The BBU contains CUs and DUs. The BBU in the network equipment communicates with the core network equipment via the backhaul link, the RU communicates with the user terminal via air interface communication, the BBU and RU communicate via the fronthaul link, and the CUs and DUs in the BBU communicate via the midhaul link. The BBU and RU may be co-located or non-co-located.

[0168] Optionally, the access network equipment can also be an open radio access network (O-RAN) system, or a module within an O-RAN system. Figure 9 illustrates a system architecture for an O-RAN system, which mainly includes a service management and orchestration framework (SMO), a non-real-time RAN intelligent controller (Non-RT RIC), a near-real-time RAN intelligent controller (Near-RT RIC), an O-RAN central unit (O-CU), an O-RAN central unit control plane (O-CU-CP), an O-RAN central unit user plane (O-CU-UP), an O-RAN distributed unit (O-DU), an O-RAN radio unit (O-RU), and an O-RAN cloud (O-Cloud).

[0169] The SMO (System Management Center) functions similarly to network management, responsible for the use, integration, and coordination of hardware and software resources to monitor, test, configure, analyze, evaluate, and control network resources. The Non-RT RIC (Near-RT Resource Identifier) ​​resides within the SMO and is used to implement non-real-time intelligent management of RAN functions. For example, it implements AI or machine learning workflows including model training and updates, and guides applications or functions within the Near-RT RIC based on policies. The Near-RT RIC enables near real-time intelligent management of the RAN, achieving near real-time control and optimization of O-RAN modules and resources through data collection and related operations on the E2 interface.

[0170] The O-CU (Outer Cube) is used to implement the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, and other control functions in the 3GPP standard. The O-CU includes O-CU-UP and O-CU-CP. O-CU-CP, similar to CU-CP, implements the functions of the RRC layer and the control plane functions of the PDCP layer. O-CU-UP, similar to CU-UP, implements the functions of the SDAP layer and the user plane functions of the PDCP layer.

[0171] O-DU is used to implement the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and Higher Physical Layer (PHY) in the 3GPP standard. The functions of the Higher Physical Layer include one or more of the following: forward error correction (FEC), encoding / decoding, scrambling / descrambling, or modulation / demodulation.

[0172] The O-RU is used to implement lower physical layer (PHY) functions and radio frequency (RF) functions in the 3GPP standard. These PHY functions include one or more of the following: Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) / Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (iFFT), digital beamforming, or extraction and filtering of the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH). The O-RU functions similarly to a Transmission Reception Point (TRP) or Remote Radio Head (RRH) in 3GPP, but it includes PHY functions such as FFT / iFFT or PRACH extraction.

[0173] O-Cloud, as a cloud computing platform, includes physical infrastructure nodes for hosting O-RAN functions such as RIC or O-DU; O-Cloud also supports software component functions (such as operating systems, virtual machine monitoring or container runtimes), management functions and orchestration functions.

[0174] For an O-RAN system, the main interfaces include: A1 interface, E2 interface, O1 interface, O2 interface, and Open Fronthaul CUS-Plane interface. The A1 interface connects the Non-RT RIC and Near-RT RIC, enabling intelligent and dynamic control of radio resources within the O-RAN. The Non-RT RIC provides policies, rich information, and machine learning model updates to the Near-RT RIC via the A1 interface, while the Near-RT RIC provides policy feedback to the Non-RT RIC via the A1 interface. The E2 interface is an open interface between two endpoints, connecting the Near-RT RIC and RAN nodes. RAN nodes include, for example, CUs and DUs in 5G, O-RAN compatible eNBs in 4G, O-CUs (O-CU-CP and / or O-CU-UP) in O-RAN, and / or O-DUs, etc. The RIC can obtain RAN node data collection and feedback through the E2 node, and the RAN node can obtain control feedback from the Near-RT RIC through the E2 node. The O1 interface is the interface between the management entity in the SMO and the O-RAN module, used for operation management. It enables FCAPS management, software management, and file management. The O2 interface is the interface between the SMO and the infrastructure management framework that supports O-RAN virtual network functions. The Open Fronthaul CUS-Plane interface comprises the control plane C-Plane, user plane U-Plane, and synchronization plane S-Plane. On the control plane, it supports real-time control between O-DUs and O-RUs, such as transmitting beamforming weights from the O-DU to the O-RU or performing power control from the O-DU to the O-RU. On the user plane, it supports the transmission of communication data between access network devices and terminals between the DU and RU. On the synchronization plane, it supports clock synchronization between the O-DU and O-RU.

[0175] In addition, the O-RAN system includes several other interfaces. The NG interface is the interface between NR RAN equipment (such as base stations, CUs, CU-CPs, or CU-UPs) and the NR core network; NG-u is the user plane NG interface, and NG-c is the control plane NG interface. The Xn interface is the interface between NR RAN equipment (such as base stations, CUs, CU-CPs, or CU-UPs); Xn-u is the user plane Xn interface, and Xn-c is the control plane Xn interface. The X2 interface is the interface between LTE RAN equipment; X2-u is the user plane X2 interface, and X2-c is the control plane X2 interface. In NR, the X2 interface is mainly used in E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity (EN-DC) scenarios, where the master station is an LTE RAN equipment connected to the LTE core network via the X2 interface. The E1 interface is the interface between CU-CPs and CU-UPs; the F1-C interface is the interface between CU-CPs and DUs; and the F1-U interface is the interface between CU-UPs and DUs.

[0176] In an O-RAN system, a CU can also be called an O-CU, a DU can also be called an O-DU, a CU-CP can also be called an O-CU-CP, a CU-UP can also be called an O-CU-UP, and a RU can also be called an O-RU. Any of the units among the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0177] Optionally, in the communication system, the possible network architectures between the first device and the first apparatus include a direct connection architecture and a decoupled architecture. In the decoupled architecture, the uplink and downlink data links of the first device are decoupled, where downlink refers to the transmission direction from the first apparatus to the first device, and uplink refers to the transmission direction from the first apparatus to the first apparatus. The decoupled architecture further includes a decoupled auxiliary uplink architecture and a decoupled auxiliary downlink architecture.

[0178] For example, the first device can be a tag, and the first apparatus can be a base station. Referring to Figure 10(a), the direct-connect architecture can include a base station, a tag, and a terminal. In the direct-connect architecture, the terminal can provide a carrier for the tag; that is, the terminal acts as an excitation source, sending a continuous wave as a carrier for the tag. Data is transmitted and interacted between the tag and the base station through a direct link. Alternatively, referring to Figure 10(b), in the split-assisted downlink architecture, either the base station or the terminal can provide a carrier for the tag. The base station transmits downlink data to the tag through the terminal; that is, the terminal acts as an intermediate node to forward the downlink data from the base station, and then the tag transmits uplink data to the base station. Alternatively, referring to Figure 10(c), in the split-assisted uplink architecture, either the base station or the terminal can provide a carrier for the tag. The base station transmits downlink data to the tag, and the tag transmits uplink data to the base station through the terminal. The base station and the terminal can communicate directly over the air via the UU interface.

[0179] Optionally, referring to Figure 11(a), the first device can be an access network device. The communication method between the first device and the first device includes: the first device can communicate with the first device over the air via an uplink (UL) or a downlink (DL). For example, the first device can send uplink data to the first device via a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) in the UL direction; the first device can send downlink data to the first device via a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) in the DL direction. Alternatively, referring to Figure 11(b), the first device can be a terminal. The communication method between the first device and the first device also includes: the communication between the first device and the first device can be regarded as communication between terminals, and the two can communicate via a sidelink (SL). Alternatively, referring to Figure 11(c), the first device can be an access network device, and there is an intermediate node between the first device and the first device. The first device can communicate with the IAB node, which is the intermediate node, via a uu interface, and the IAB node can then communicate with the first device via a uu interface.

[0180] Optionally, in a split architecture, as shown in Figures 12(a) and (b), the first device can be in the form of a terminal. As shown in Figures 12(c) and (d), the first device can be in the form of a base station.

[0181] As shown in Figures 12(a) and (b), the first device and the terminal (i.e., the first apparatus) have a downlink data connection, and the terminal and base station 1 have an uplink data connection. The terminal communicates with base station 1 and base station 2 via a Uu interface. In the architecture of Figure 12(a), base station 1 provides carrier or power to the first device, and in the architecture of Figure 12(b), the terminal provides carrier or power to the first device.

[0182] As shown in Figures 12(c) and (d), the first device has a downlink data connection with base station 1 (i.e., the first apparatus) and an uplink data connection with the terminal. The terminal communicates with base station 1 and base station 2 via the Uu interface. In the architecture of Figure 12(c), the terminal provides carrier or power to the first device, and in the architecture of Figure 12(d), base station 1 provides carrier or power to the first device.

[0183] In other words, in a split architecture, the first device and the first equipment only have an uplink connection or only a downlink connection. In Figure 12, co-station refers to the terminal establishing a UU interface connection with the serving base station of the first equipment, and inter-station refers to the terminal establishing a UU interface connection with a base station that is not the serving base station of the first equipment. The UU interface is the interface between the base station and the terminal.

[0184] It should be noted that the communication system described in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0185] The communication method provided in this application will be described below with reference to the communication system shown in Figure 7, taking the interaction between the first device and the second device as an example. It should be noted that in the following embodiments of this application, the message names, parameter names, or information names between the first device and the second device are just examples, and other names may be used in other embodiments. The method provided in this application does not specifically limit these names.

[0186] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the first device or the second device may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples, and the embodiments of this application may also perform other operations or variations thereof. Furthermore, the steps may be performed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessary to perform all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

[0187] It is understood that this application uses the first device and the second device as examples to illustrate the execution of the interaction, but this application does not limit the execution of the interaction. For example, the method executed by the first device in this application can also be executed by a module applied to the first device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a processor), or by a logic node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first device; similarly, the method executed by the second device in this application can also be executed by a module applied to the second device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a processor), or by a logic node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second device.

[0188] Furthermore, in this application, "sending information" can be understood as one device sending information to another device, or it can also be understood as one logic module within a device sending information to another logic module. For example, "the first device sending information" can be understood as the first device sending information to another device (such as the second device), or it can be understood as logic module 1 (such as the processing module) in the first device sending information to logic module 2 (such as the transceiver module) in the first device.

[0189] In this application, "receiving information" can be understood as one device receiving information from another device, or it can also be understood as a logic module within a device receiving information from another logic module. For example, "the second device receiving information" can be understood as the second device receiving information from another device (such as the first device), or it can be understood as logic module 1 (such as a processing module) in the second device receiving information from logic module 2 (such as a transceiver module) in the second device.

[0190] In this application, the phrase "sending information to... (e.g., a second device)" or the related illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as the destination of the information being the second device. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to the second device. Similarly, the phrases "receiving information from... (e.g., a first device)," "receiving information from... (e.g., a first device)," or "receiving information sent (e.g., by a first device)," or the related illustrations in the accompanying drawings, can be understood as the source of the information being the first device. This can include receiving information directly or indirectly from the first device. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be interpreted similarly, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0191] Referring to Figure 13, which is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, the method may include the following steps:

[0192] S1301, the second device sends a first service request to the first device. Correspondingly, the first device receives the first service request from the second device.

[0193] Optionally, the first service request may be generated by the second device after receiving an external service request, or the first service request may be a service request from the core network device forwarded by the second device.

[0194] Optionally, the first service request can be used to trigger the service process of the first device. The service process that the first service request can trigger includes at least one of the following: inventory, sensing, positioning service, read / write, latching, or deactivation.

[0195] Optionally, the first service request may be a service request for a device that is adjacent to the first device among the devices within the coverage area of ​​the first device, or the first service request may be a service request for a device that is adjacent to the first device, or the first service request may be a service request to report specific information of the device that is adjacent to the first device through inventory service, or the first service request may be a proximity confirmation request for the first device, or the first service request may be used to instruct or request the first device to measure or report the devices within the first range.

[0196] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, in the following embodiments of this application, the device refers to a device capable of implementing tag function or a device containing tags, which may be a terminal or an AIoT device, etc.

[0197] S1302, the first device sends first information from at least one first device to the second device. Correspondingly, the second device receives the first information from at least one first device from the first device.

[0198] The first information includes the identifier of the first device, which can be used to uniquely identify the first device. For example, the identifier of the first device can be a device identification code or a device identifier.

[0199] The first device is located within a first range. This can be understood as the distance between the first device and the first apparatus falling within a first distance range, or the maximum distance between the device and the first apparatus within the first range not exceeding a preset threshold, or the first device being located within an area having a specific positional relationship with the first apparatus. The first range is less than or equal to the maximum coverage area of ​​the first apparatus.

[0200] Optionally, after receiving the first service request, the first device may trigger a service process corresponding to the first service request. Based on this service process, at least one first device can be identified among the devices within the coverage area of ​​the first device, and first information of the first device can be obtained. The method for identifying the first device within the first range will be described in detail in subsequent embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0201] For example, if the first range is an area 0 to 5 meters away from the first device, the first device will identify devices located at a distance of less than or equal to 5 meters from the first device as the first device; or, if the first range is an area 5 to 10 meters away from the first device, the first device will identify devices located at a distance greater than or equal to 5 meters and less than or equal to 10 meters from the first device as the first device. The first range may also be an area 0 to 10 meters away from the first device, an area 0 to 15 meters away, or an area 10 to 15 meters away, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0202] Optionally, the first information may also include at least one of the following: sensor data, positioning data, or stored data. For example, sensor data may include temperature sensor data, humidity sensor data, or wind sensor data; positioning data may include global positioning system (GPS) positioning data or latitude and longitude data.

[0203] Optionally, the first range can be a first distance, a first area, a first coverage area, or a first coverage level. The first distance can include both a maximum distance and a minimum distance. In this case, "first range as first distance" can be understood as the area between the maximum and minimum distances. For example, the minimum distance can be 0; in this case, the first range can be understood as a circle where the distance to the first device is less than the maximum distance. The maximum distance can be 15 meters, and the minimum distance can be 10 meters; in this case, the first range can be understood as an annulus with the distance to the first devices ranging from 10 meters to 15 meters. "First range as first coverage level" can be understood as the range corresponding to the first coverage level.

[0204] In other words, the first device being within the first range can mean that the first device is located within the area indicated by the first distance, the first device is located within the first area, the first device is located within the first coverage area, or the first device is located within the range corresponding to the first coverage level.

[0205] Using the method described above, after receiving a first service request from the second device, the first device triggers a service process corresponding to the first service request and sends the first information of at least one first device within a first range that is accessing the service process to the second device. In other words, the first device sends the first information of devices accessing the service process that are within a specific distance from itself or located within an area with a specific positional relationship to itself to the second device. This selective reporting of the first information of accessing devices reduces the total amount of first information reported and the resources required for reporting. Since the first information contains the identifier of the first device, the second device can directly obtain the identity of the first device. In subsequent service processes, the first and second devices can accurately interact with relevant information of the first device, reducing the total amount of data transmission between the first and second devices, minimizing invalid or redundant data during service data interaction, improving data transmission efficiency during service data interaction, and reducing resource consumption.

[0206] In a proximity determination scenario, the first device can act as a reader / writer, the first device can act as a tag, and the second device can act as an application server. Based on the above method, the second device can send a proximity determination request to the first device. Based on the received proximity determination request, the first device can report the identifiers of one or more first devices closest to the first device to the second device, thereby obtaining the introduction information of one or more exhibits closest to the first device from the second device. This allows for accurate and efficient display of the introduction information of one or more exhibits closest to the first device to the user, greatly reducing invalid interaction or redundant transmission of exhibit information.

[0207] The overall flow of the communication method in the embodiments of this application has been described above. The application flow of the above method is described below. Referring to Figure 14, the application flow may include the following steps:

[0208] S1400, the third device sends a service request to the second device. Correspondingly, the second device receives the service request from the third device.

[0209] As one possible implementation, the service request can be a request to trigger a first business request, or a request to trigger a business process between the second device and the first device. For example, the service request may include at least one of the following: inventory, sensing, reading, writing, location services, latching, or deactivation.

[0210] For example, a service request can be for one of several services such as inventory, sensing, reading, writing, or location services, or it can be for a combination of several services such as inventory, sensing, reading, writing, or location services, for example, (inventory plus location service), (inventory plus reading), or (inventory plus writing).

[0211] As another possible implementation, the service request can be a proximity request, or in other words, a service request that triggers the second device to send a first service request to the first device, enabling the first device to selectively report first information about devices within a first range. For example, the service request could be a proximity request for devices within 0 to 10 meters, or for devices within 5 to 10 meters. That is, the service request is an inventory request for devices within 0 to 10 meters of the first device, or an inventory request for devices within 5 to 10 meters of the first device.

[0212] S1401, the second device sends a first service request to the first device. Correspondingly, the first device receives the first service request from the second device. Step S1401 is similar to step S1301 described above, and can be found in the relevant description of step S1301, which will not be repeated here.

[0213] S1402, the second device sends at least one of the following to the first device: second information, first transmission parameters, first identifier, or second identifier. Correspondingly, the first device receives at least one of the following from the second device: second information, first transmission parameters, first identifier, or second identifier.

[0214] Optionally, step S1402 can also be understood as the second device sending information associated with the first service request to the first device, including at least one of the second information, the first transmission parameters, the first identifier, or the second identifier.

[0215] Optionally, the second information, the first transmission parameter, the first identifier, and the second identifier can be parameters indicating the first range, or parameters corresponding to the first range. The second device can also identify the first range corresponding to the first service request by sending information associated with the first service request to the first device, or in other words, allow the first device to determine the first range; so that when the first device reports the first information, it can accurately send the first information of the first device within the first range to the second device, effectively controlling the total amount of service data between the first device and the second device.

[0216] Optionally, the information associated with the first service request may include only one of the second information, the first transmission parameters, the first identifier, and the second identifier, or it may include two, three, or four of the second information, the first transmission parameters, the first identifier, and the second identifier.

[0217] The first transmission parameter may include at least one of the following: number of bit / block / information repetitions, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth, or transmission power.

[0218] As one possible implementation, the first transmission parameter can be the transmission parameter used when the first device sends information during the process of executing the service process triggered by the first service request.

[0219] For example, the first range corresponding to the first transmission parameter may be the range that the information can reach, the range covered by the information, or the range that the information can be successfully received or demodulated when the first device uses the first transmission parameter to send information (such as data and / or signaling).

[0220] For example, the first transmission parameter may include transmission power, which is less than the maximum transmission power of the first device. When the first device uses the maximum transmission power to transmit information, devices located at the edge of the first device's coverage area can be covered by the information, or in other words, can receive the information. Correspondingly, the first range is the range that the information transmitted using this transmission power can reach. Furthermore, the higher the transmission power, the larger the corresponding first range.

[0221] For example, if the transmission power included in the first transmission parameter is 2.5W, the first device will limit its own transmission power to within 2.5W during the information transmission process, so that devices at a distance of 0 to 5 meters from the first device can receive the information sent by the first device; if the transmission power included in the first transmission parameter is 5W, the first device will limit its own transmission power to within 5W during the information transmission process, so that devices at a distance of 0 to 10 meters from the first device can receive the information sent by the first device.

[0222] For example, the first transmission parameter may include a modulation and coding scheme, which may be binary phase shift keying (BPS), quadrature phase shift keying (QPS), octet phase shift keying (OCP), 16 quadrature amplitude phase modulation (QAP), or 64 quadrature amplitude phase modulation (QAP), etc. For instance, if the modulation and coding scheme included in the first transmission parameter is 16 quadrature amplitude phase modulation, then the first device will encode the information using 16 quadrature amplitude phase modulation during the information transmission process.

[0223] As another possible implementation, the first device may also send the first information to the first device according to the first transmission parameters, based on the parameter configuration of the first device.

[0224] As one possible implementation, if the second device does not send the first transmission parameters to the first device, the first transmission parameters can be determined by the first device based on the first service request. A predefined correspondence between service requests and transmission parameters can be established. After receiving the first service request, the first device determines the first transmission parameters corresponding to the first service request based on this correspondence.

[0225] Optionally, the second device sending the first transmission parameter to the first device can be understood as the second device sending an indication message or parameter identifier to the first device, the indication message / parameter identifier being used to indicate the first transmission parameter; or, it can be understood as the second device sending a storage address to the first device, the first device using the transmission parameter stored in the storage address as the first transmission parameter; or, the second device directly sending the content of the first transmission parameter to the first device.

[0226] The second information can be request / instruction information, or it can be used to instruct / request the reporting of the identifier of a device within a first range; or it can be used to instruct / request the execution of proximity determination or proximity service; or the second information can be a proximity request; or the second information can be used to instruct that the first service request is for a device whose distance from the first device is within a first distance range; or it can instruct / request inventory of devices within the first range; or it can instruct / request measurement / reporting of devices within the first range. The first distance range corresponds to a first range, and the lower limit of the first distance range can be the minimum distance between a device within the first range and the first device, while the upper limit of the first distance range can be the maximum distance between a device within the first range and the first device.

[0227] For example, the second information may include information about the first range. For instance, the second information may include 5 meters to 10 meters or 0 to 10 meters. After receiving the second information, the first device will take 5 meters to 10 meters or 0 to 10 meters as the first distance range, or take the area that is 5 meters to 10 meters or 0 to 10 meters away from itself as the first range. In the business process triggered by the first business request, the first device will report the first information of the first device that is 5 meters to 10 meters away from itself or 0 to 10 meters away.

[0228] Alternatively, the first device and the second device may pre-agree, or the protocol may pre-define, a first range or a first distance range corresponding to proximity determination / proximity service / proximity determination service / proximity determination request. For example, the area with a distance of 0 to 10 meters or 5 to 15 meters from the first device may be defined as the first range, or 0 to 10 meters or 5 to 15 meters may be defined as the first distance range. After receiving the second information, the first device, according to the agreement, reports the first information of the first device with a distance of 0 to 10 meters or 5 to 15 meters from itself in the business process triggered by the first service request.

[0229] Furthermore, the meaning of the second information used to request / instruct the measurement / reporting of devices within the first range, and the second information used to instruct / request inventory of devices within the first range, is similar to that of the second information used to instruct / request a near-term determination service or a near-term determination request. Refer to the description of the second information used to instruct / request a near-term determination service or a near-term determination request above. The difference is that when the second information is used to identify inventory of devices within the first range, the first device may send the identifier of the first device (such as EPC, product identification code, or communication address, etc.) to the second device; when the second information is used to identify measurement / reporting of devices within the first range, the first device may send the identifier of the first device and the data stored in the first device to the second device.

[0230] For example, the second information may correspond to the first range and / or multiple sub-ranges within the first range, or the second information may include information about the first range and multiple sub-ranges within the first range, wherein the multiple sub-ranges may not overlap, and there may be at least two sub-ranges with overlapping areas among the multiple sub-ranges, without limitation.

[0231] The first identifier can be used to identify a first range, or to identify inventory of devices within the first range, or to identify measurement / reporting of devices within the first range, or to identify a near-confirmation service or near-confirmation request, or to identify the service type identifier of the first service request, indicating that the first service request is a near-confirmation request or near-confirmation service, or to identify that the first service request is a request or service for devices within a first distance range from the first device, or to identify that the first service request is first information of the first device within the first range. For example, the first identifier can be used to identify the first range, and the first identifier includes A1, A2, A3…A n-1 Or A n In this context, n is a positive integer. The first device and the second device can be pre-agreed upon or pre-defined by the communication protocol. Different first identifiers correspond to different first ranges. For example, A1 can correspond to a range of 0 to 10 meters from the first device, and A2 can correspond to a range of 0 to 5 meters from the first device. After receiving the first identifier A1, the first device, according to the agreement, reports the first information of the first device within a distance of 0 to 10 meters from itself in the business process triggered by the first business request.

[0232] For example, the first identifier can be used to identify a near-term determination service or a near-term determination request. Different near-term determination services or near-term determination requests can have different identifiers. The first identifier includes B1, B2, B3...B n-1 Or B nLet n be a positive integer. B1 corresponds to the proximity confirmation service for reporting the first information of devices within a range of 0 to 10 meters, and B2 corresponds to the proximity confirmation service for reporting the first information of devices within a range of 0 to 5 meters. After receiving the first identifier B2, the first device, according to the agreement, reports the first information of the first device within a range of 0 to 5 meters from itself in the service process triggered by the first service request.

[0233] Furthermore, the first identifier is used to identify whether the equipment within the first range is being inventoried, or to identify whether the equipment within the first range is being measured / reported. Similar to the first identifier being used to identify the first range, the description of the first identifier being used to identify the first range in the above embodiments can be referred to. The difference is that when the first identifier is used to identify whether the equipment within the first range is being inventoried, the first device may send the identifier of the first device (such as EPC, product identification code, or communication address, etc.) to the second device; when the first identifier is used to identify whether the equipment within the first range is being measured / reported, the first device may send the identifier of the first device and the data stored by the first device to the second device.

[0234] For example, the first identifier may correspond to a first range and multiple sub-ranges within the first range, or the first identifier may be used to indicate information about the first range and multiple sub-ranges within the first range, wherein the multiple sub-ranges do not overlap.

[0235] The second identifier may include at least one of the first task identifier, the first session identifier, or the first service identifier; or, the second identifier may indicate at least one of the session type, transaction type, or task type of the first service request, and may also indicate the first scope.

[0236] For example, the first service request may include at least one of a task identification (task ID), a session identification (Session ID), or a transaction identification (transaction ID), where the task ID, session ID, and transaction ID are used to identify the service instance corresponding to the first service request. There can be multiple task IDs, session IDs, and transaction IDs. The second device can assign a corresponding first range to each task ID, session ID, and transaction ID, or predefine the first range corresponding to each task ID, session ID, and transaction ID.

[0237] For example, the first range corresponding to task 1, session 1 and transaction 1 is an area with a distance of 0 to 5 meters from the first device, and the first range corresponding to task 2, session 2 and transaction 2 is an area with a distance of 0 to 10 meters from the first device. After receiving the second identifier task 1, the first device, according to the agreement, reports the first information of the first device with a distance of 0 to 5 meters from itself in the business process triggered by the first business request.

[0238] It should be noted that the above are merely examples for ease of understanding. Task ID, Session ID, and Transaction ID with the same number may correspond to the same first range or different first ranges. This application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0239] For example, the second identifier may correspond to a first range and multiple sub-ranges within the first range, or the second identifier may indicate information about a first range and multiple sub-ranges within the first range, wherein the multiple sub-ranges do not overlap.

[0240] For example, the first range can be an area with a distance of 0 to 10 meters from the first device. The first range can include a first sub-range and a second sub-range. The first sub-range can be an area with a distance of 0 to 5 meters from the first device, and the second sub-range can be an area with a distance of 5 to 10 meters from the first device; or, the first sub-range can be an area with a distance of 0 to 5 meters from the first device, and the second sub-range can be an area with a distance of 3 to 10 meters from the first device. The number of sub-ranges included in the first range and the corresponding first distance ranges can be adjusted as needed and are not limited.

[0241] Optionally, after the first device receives multiple pieces of information from the second device, such as receiving second information, first transmission parameters, first identifier, and second identifier from the second device, or receiving first identifier, second identifier, and first transmission parameters from the second device, since each piece of information corresponds to a first range, the first device can, according to a pre-set first range determination method, take the intersection of each first range corresponding to each piece of information as the first range in the process of executing the first service request triggered by the first service request, or, according to the priority order pre-set for each piece of information, take the first range corresponding to the highest priority piece of information as the first range in the process of executing the first service request triggered by the first service request, or take the largest first range corresponding to each piece of information as the first range in the process of executing the first service request triggered by the first service request. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0242] Optionally, step S1402 can be executed after step S1401 or simultaneously with step S1401. That is, steps S1401 and S1402 can be two separate steps or combined into one step. The information in step S1402 and the first business request in step S1401 can be carried in the same message or in different messages, without restriction.

[0243] S1403, The first device executes the business process triggered by the first business.

[0244] For example, the business process includes the following steps:

[0245] a. The first device sends paging messages or selection messages to multiple devices within its coverage area. The meaning of each field in the message can be referred to the relevant description of the meaning of each field in the aforementioned RFID technology. The device sets the flag bit of the selected device. After receiving the message, each device determines whether it matches the mask and then sets the flag bit according to the flag position rules of the action.

[0246] b. The first device sends a Query command to multiple devices, including the first device, within the coverage area;

[0247] c. The first device sends QueryRep commands to multiple devices, including the first device, within the coverage area. There is an access time slot between Query commands and QueryRep commands, and an access time slot between each QueryRep command, triggering at least one device to access in different time slots.

[0248] d. The selected device selects a time slot for access and sends a random number (such as RN) to the first device;

[0249] e. The first device detects collisions. Taking the example that one device is allowed to access in one time slot, if more than one device sends a random number in the same time slot, it is determined that a collision has occurred and waits for the next time slot. If only one device sends a random number, it is determined that the collision has been resolved and an ACK message is sent to the successfully accessed device, carrying the received random number.

[0250] f. When the device that receives the ACk message receives a random number that matches the random number it sent, it sends uplink data (such as EPC, storage area information, sensor information, positioning data, or response messages) to the first device. The first device receives the first information sent by the multiple connected devices.

[0251] The business process triggered by the first business request is similar to the information interaction process between the tag and the reader in the RFID technology mentioned in the previous embodiments. You can refer to the relevant description of the information interaction between the tag and the reader in RFID technology, which will not be repeated here.

[0252] Optionally, the uplink data received by the first device may not be limited to one. For example, after receiving uplink data, the first device may send other messages or data to the device and receive new uplink data from the device.

[0253] Optionally, when the service is completed, or in other words, the first device has no other downlink data transmission and the accessed device has no uplink data transmission, the first device can send an ACK / feedback to confirm successful data transmission / service completion and trigger the next access time slot, i.e., send a QueryRep, or directly send a QueryRep to both confirm successful data transmission / service completion and trigger the next access time slot. In the case of service completion failure, or data transmission failure, a NACK can be sent to the accessed device to trigger it to retransmit uplink data. If the maximum number of retransmissions fails, an indication message can be sent to the accessed device, instructing it to wait for the next round of inventory or access time slot; that is, instructing the accessed device to continue listening for Query or Select / paging.

[0254] Optionally, if the first transmission parameters are determined before step S1403, in the service process triggered by the first service, the first device uses the first transmission parameters to send information to multiple devices within the coverage area.

[0255] S1404, The first device determines at least one first device from at least one device participating in the above-mentioned business process.

[0256] Optionally, the first device can be all or some of the multiple devices accessed through paging messages or selection messages in the above business process. That is, when the first device sends the first information to the second device, it sends the first information of all or some of the multiple accessed devices to the second device.

[0257] As a first possible implementation, in the case where the first device has sent information to multiple devices within the coverage area through the first transmission parameter in the above-mentioned business process, at least one first device is all the devices participating in the above-mentioned business process.

[0258] Based on the above possible implementations, during the service process triggered by the first service request, the first device sends information to multiple devices using the first transmission parameters, and the first device only interacts with devices within a first range. This allows the first device to simply and efficiently selectively report the first information from the first device based on existing protocols, and it has good compatibility with existing communication protocols and service processes.

[0259] As a second possible implementation, in step S1402, if the second device sends the second information, the first identifier, or the second identifier to the first device, the first device determines at least one first device from at least one device participating in the above-mentioned business process, including:

[0260] The uplink transmission of at least one device participating in the uplink service process is measured. For example, the transmission parameters (referred to as second transmission parameters) when at least one device sends first information to a first device are measured. Based on the second transmission parameters, it is determined whether each device is within a first range, thereby identifying at least one first device. The second transmission parameters include at least one of the following: bit / block / information repetition count, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth, or transmission power.

[0261] For example, after receiving first information sent by multiple devices, the first device can calculate and measure the transmission parameters of each device sending the first information based on the resources occupied by the multiple devices sending the first information or the data characteristics of each device sending the first information, and determine the transmission parameters used by each device in the process of sending the first information.

[0262] For example, the first device may determine the first range based on the service type identification result of the first service request or based on the obtained indication information of the first range. The specific range of the first range determined by the first device has been explained in the preceding content and will not be repeated here. Then, the first device determines the distance between each device and the first device, or determines the positional relationship between each device and the first device, based on the second transmission parameters of the multiple devices, and then determines the device within the first range among the multiple devices as at least one first device.

[0263] Optionally, if the first information carries the device's positioning data or positioning information, the first device can also determine the positional relationship between each device and the first device based on the positioning data or positioning information of each device.

[0264] S1405, the first device sends first information of at least one first device to the second device, the first information including the identifier of the first device. Correspondingly, the second device receives first information of at least one first device from the first device, the first information including the identifier of the first device.

[0265] Step S1405 is similar to step S1302 in the above embodiments, and can be referred to the relevant description in step S1302, which will not be repeated here. S1406: The second device sends at least one identifier of the first device to the third device. The corresponding third device receives at least one identifier of the first device from the second device.

[0266] S1406, the second device sends the identifier of at least one first device to the third device. Correspondingly, the second device receives the identifier of at least one first device from the second device.

[0267] For example, after receiving first information from at least one first device from the first device, the second device can extract the identifier of the first device contained in each piece of first information and send it to the third device. Alternatively, the second device can directly send the first information of at least one first device to the third device.

[0268] Optionally, it may also include the following steps S1407a to S1408a, or the following steps S1407b to S1408b.

[0269] S1407a, the first device sends third information to the second device. Correspondingly, the second device receives the third information from the first device.

[0270] The third piece of information can indicate the positional relationship between the first device and the first apparatus.

[0271] As one implementation, the third information may indicate that the distance between the first device and the first apparatus is a second distance, the first device is located within a second area, the first device is located within a second coverage area, or the first device is within the range corresponding to a second coverage level. The meanings of the second distance, the second area, the second coverage area, and the second coverage level can be referred to the first distance, the first area, the first coverage area, and the first coverage level in the foregoing embodiments, respectively.

[0272] Optionally, the second distance can be the same as the first distance or a subset of the first distance; the second region can be the same region as the first region or a sub-region of the first region; the second coverage area can be the same coverage area as the first coverage area or a sub-area of ​​the first coverage area; the second coverage level can be the same coverage level as the first coverage area corresponding to the first coverage level or the coverage level of the corresponding first coverage area is smaller than the coverage level of the first coverage area corresponding to the first coverage level. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0273] When the first device determines the third information of the first device, it can determine the sub-range corresponding to each first device in the first range based on the transmission parameters of the first information sent by the first device to the first device or the positioning data of the first device, and then use the sub-range of the first device in the first range as the third information of the first device, or use the identifier of the sub-range of the first device in the first range as the third information of the first device.

[0274] As another implementation, the third information may indicate the distance level or proximity between the first device and the first apparatus, or the third information may indicate the size or proximity of the distance between the first device and the first apparatus, or the third information may indicate the distance between the first device and the first apparatus.

[0275] For example, the distance between the first device and the second device can be pre-defined, either by agreement or pre-arrangement, into three categories: far, medium, and near. Near refers to a distance of less than 5 meters, medium refers to a distance between 5 and 10 meters, and far refers to a distance greater than 10 meters. Before sending third information to the second device, the first device determines whether its relationship with each other is far, medium, or near based on the distance and agreement, and uses the identifier or information indicating far, medium, or near as its third information. For example, if the distance between the first device M and the first device is 3 meters, then the third information of the first device M is the identifier or information indicating near.

[0276] Optionally, the representation of the third information can be represented by bits. For example, when the distance level or degree of proximity is divided into three levels: far, medium, and near, 01 can be used to represent near, 10 to represent medium, and 11 to represent far; or when the distance level or degree of proximity is divided into two levels: far and near, 0 can be used to represent near and 1 to represent far.

[0277] Optionally, the representation of the third information can also be achieved through specific identifiers. For example, by setting the identifier distance level or degree of proximity corresponding to R1, R2, and R3 in the extended fields to far, medium, and near, respectively, or by setting the identifier distance level or degree of proximity corresponding to R0 and R1 in the extended fields to far and near, respectively.

[0278] Optionally, steps S1407a and S1405 can be two separate steps or the same step. Alternatively, the third information and the first information of at least one device can be sent through the same message or through different messages.

[0279] S1408a, the second device sends third information to the third device. Correspondingly, the third device receives the third information from the second device.

[0280] Optionally, step S1408a is an optional step, that is, the second device may send third information to the third device, or the second device may not send third information to the third device.

[0281] Optionally, when the second device sends third information to the third device, steps S408a and S1406 can be two separate steps or the same step. Alternatively, the third information and the first identifier of at least one device can be sent through the same message or through different messages.

[0282] In step S1047b, the first device sends fourth information to the second device. Correspondingly, the second device receives the fourth information from the first device.

[0283] The fourth information may include the transmission parameters used by the first device when sending the first information to the first apparatus. The transmission parameters include at least one of the following: number of bit / block / information repetitions, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth, or transmission power.

[0284] As one possible implementation, after determining at least one first device, the first device may also measure the uplink transmission of each first device, for example, by measuring the transmission parameters (referred to as third transmission parameters) used by the first device when sending first information to the first device. The third transmission parameters include at least one of the following: bit / block / information repetition count, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth, or transmission power.

[0285] Optionally, the fourth information may also include the positioning data of the first device, such as GPS positioning data or latitude and longitude data. The fourth information may also include the coordinate parameters of the first device relative to the first apparatus, such as the coordinates of the first device in a Cartesian coordinate system established with the first apparatus as the origin.

[0286] Optionally, steps S1407b and S1405 can be two separate steps or the same step. Alternatively, the fourth information and the first identifier of at least one device can be sent through the same message or through different messages.

[0287] In step S1048b, the second device sends third information to the third device. Correspondingly, the third device receives the third information from the second device.

[0288] As one possible implementation, after receiving the fourth information, the second device can calculate the third information of each first device based on the fourth information of each first device, and then send the third information of the first device to the third device. The meaning of the third information can be found in the description in step S1407a, and will not be repeated here.

[0289] Optionally, step S1408b can be an optional step. After receiving the fourth information, the second device can directly send the fourth information of the first device to the third device. Alternatively, after receiving the fourth information, the second device can calculate the third information of each first device based on the fourth information of each first device and send at least one first identifier of the first device to the third device.

[0290] Optionally, steps S1407b and S1405 can be two separate steps or the same step. Alternatively, the third information and the first identifier of at least one device can be sent through the same message or through different messages.

[0291] Optionally, before step S1404, the first device may also send a service response to the first service request to the second device.

[0292] For example, taking the first device as an access network device and the second device as a core network device, after receiving the first service request sent by the second device, the first device can send back a response message to the second device indicating that the first service request has been received or a response message indicating that the first service request triggers subsequent service processes. For example, the first device sends a response message to the second device, which includes an identifier assigned by the second device to the first service request, and this identifier is used to indicate the service instance corresponding to the first service request.

[0293] For example, the first device sends a response message to the second device. The response message includes the first device assigning a radio network layer protocol (NBR) ID or application protocol ID to the first service request on the CN-RAN interface. This ID is used to identify / recognize the first service request on the CN-RAN interface. For example, the interface could be an NG interface, and the NBR or application protocol of this interface could be NGAP or a simplified version of NGAP. Alternatively, the interface could be an S1 interface, and the NBR or application protocol could be the protocol corresponding to the S1 interface. Or, the interface could be an interface XXAP defined by the application protocol or NBR protocol of the interface between the first and second devices, where the NBR or application protocol could be NGAP, a simplified version of NGAP, or XXAP.

[0294] Optionally, the first service request sent by the second device to the first device may further include a non-device-associated radio network layer protocol ID or application protocol ID assigned by the second device on the CN-RAN interface, used by the second device to identify / identify the first service request on the CN-RAN interface. The interface between the second device and the first device is the first interface. The first service request and the radio network layer protocol ID or application protocol ID can be sent through the same message or through different messages.

[0295] For example, if the second device is an AMF, then the interface between the AMF and the first device is an NG interface, meaning the first interface can be an NG interface. In this scenario, the wireless network layer protocol or application protocol of the first interface can be NGAP, a simplified NGAP, or XXAP, where XXAP refers to the interface defined for the application protocol or wireless network layer protocol of the interface between the first and second devices.

[0296] For example, the second device can be other network elements / functions / devices / nodes that support AIoT, such as TMF, A-IoT management function (AIOTMF), A-IoT function (AIOTF), AIoT-aware core network (AIoT-aware CN) elements, or other core network elements / functions / devices / nodes that support / enable AIoT. The first interface can be an NG interface, or it can be a second interface defined for the first and second devices. The wireless network layer protocol (or application protocol) of the second interface can be NGAP, a simplified NGAP, or XXAP. Accordingly, the second device can assign a non-device-associated XXAP ID on this interface, such as an AIoT-associated XXAP ID.

[0297] Optionally, the first device may also send at least one of the first identifier, the second identifier, and location information to the second device. The second device may also send the location information of the first device to the third device, or may not send the location information of the first device to the third device.

[0298] The location information of the first device can indicate its actual location, or in other words, its position relative to the second device. For example, the location information may include the first device's unique device identifier, IP address, storage area information, GPS positioning data, or latitude and longitude coordinates.

[0299] The meanings of the first identifier and the second identifier can be referred to in the aforementioned embodiments. The first device sends the first identifier or the second identifier to the second device, and the second device can determine the first service request corresponding to the first device or the first scope to which the first device belongs based on the received first identifier or the second identifier.

[0300] Optionally, at least one of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the location information can be sent synchronously through step S1405, or sent through a separate step. That is, at least one of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the location information can be sent with the first identifier through the same message or through different messages.

[0301] Optionally, the second device may also send the location information of the first device to the third device. The meaning of the location information of the first device has been described in the foregoing embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0302] It should be understood that the first device may also send at least one of the first identifier, the second identifier, and location information to the second device; the first device may send a service response to the second device; and the second device may send the location information of the first device to the third device. These are all optional steps that can be performed or not, and are not restricted.

[0303] As one possible implementation, the first device can be an access network device; the second device is a core network device / element / function, for example, the core network element / function / device can be an AMF, a tag management function (TMF) network element, an AIoTF network element, an AIoTMF network element, an AIoT-aware CN network element / function / device, or a core network element / function / device that supports / enables AIoT. This application does not limit the specific name of the core network element; the third device is an external server.

[0304] In this case, the core network device (second device) can send a first service request and related information to the access network device (first device) via NGAP messages based on the communication interface between the radio access network device and the core network device, such as the NG interface or the S1 interface; the access network device can send the first information of the first device and other related information to the core network device based on the same communication interface.

[0305] Optionally, when the access network device interacts with the first device based on the first transmission parameters, since the access network device does not need to process the first information of the first device, the first information of the first device can be carried by a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol and transparently transmitted to the core network device via the access network device. When the access network device does not interact with the first device based on the first transmission parameters, since the access network device needs to selectively report the first information of the accessed devices, the access network device can receive the first information sent by each device via air interface communication. After identifying at least one first device, the access network device can send the identifier of the first device and other optional information to the core network device via an NGAP message. As another possible implementation, the first device can be a DU, the second device can be a CU, and the third device can be a core network device.

[0306] In this scenario, the communication system may also include an external server. Referring to Figure 15, the application process of the communication method shown in Figure 13 or Figure 14 above may include the following steps:

[0307] S1500: An external server sends a service request to the core network equipment. Correspondingly, the core network equipment receives the service request from the external server.

[0308] S1501, The core network device sends a first service request to the CU. Correspondingly, the CU receives the first service request from the core network device.

[0309] S1502, the core network device sends at least one of the following to the CU: second information, first transmission parameters, first identifier, or second identifier. Correspondingly, the CU receives at least one of the following from the core network device: second information, first transmission parameters, first identifier, or second identifier.

[0310] S1503, CU sends the first service request to DU. Correspondingly, DU receives the first service request from CU.

[0311] S1504, the CU sends at least one of the following to the DU: second information, first transmission parameters, first identifier, and / or second identifier. Correspondingly, the DU receives at least one of the following from the CU: second information, first transmission parameters, first identifier, or second identifier.

[0312] S1505, DU executes the business process triggered by the first business request.

[0313] S1506, DU determines at least one first device from at least one device participating in the above-mentioned business process.

[0314] S1507, DU sends first information of at least one first device to CU, the first information including the identifier of the first device. Correspondingly, CU receives first information of at least one first device from DU, the first information including the identifier of the first device.

[0315] S1508, the CU sends at least one first device's first information to the core network equipment. Correspondingly, the core network equipment receives at least one first device's first information from the CU.

[0316] S1509, The core network sends the identifier of at least one first device to an external server.

[0317] In the above steps, step S1500 is similar to step S1400 in the previous embodiment, and the relevant description of step S1400 can be referred to; steps S1501 and S1502 are similar to steps S1401 and S1402 in the previous embodiment, respectively, and the relevant descriptions of steps S1401 and S1402 can be referred to; steps S1505, S1506, S1508 and S1509 are similar to steps S1403, S1404 and S1405 and S1406 in the previous embodiment, respectively, and the descriptions of steps S1403, S1404 and S1405 and S1406 can be referred to. The above steps will not be repeated.

[0318] Steps S1503 and S1504 are similar to steps S1401 and S1402 in the aforementioned embodiments, and can be referred to the descriptions of steps S1401 and S1402; Step S1507 is similar to step S1405 in the aforementioned embodiments, and can be referred to the description of step S1405. The difference is that the information interaction between CU and DU is realized through the F1 interface between CU and DU, and the information interaction between CU and core network equipment is realized through the NG interface or S1 interface. The information interaction between CU and DU will not be described in detail here.

[0319] Optionally, the application process shown in Figure 15 may also include the following steps S1510a, S1511a and S1512a, or the following steps S1510b, S1511c and S1512b, or the following steps S1510c, S1511c and S1512c.

[0320] S1510a, DU sends third information to CU. Correspondingly, CU receives the third information from DU.

[0321] S1511a, the CU sends third information to the core network equipment. Correspondingly, the core network equipment receives the third information from the CU.

[0322] S1512a: The core network device sends third information to the external server. Correspondingly, the external server receives the third information from the core network device.

[0323] Steps S1511a and S1512a are similar to steps S1407a and S1408a in the previous embodiments, and can be referred to the descriptions of steps S1407a and S1408a, which will not be repeated here. Step S1510a is also similar to step S1407a in the previous embodiments, and can be referred to the description of step S1407a. The difference is that in step S1510a, the third information of the first device is determined by the DU. The DU and CU directly interact with each other through the F1 interface. The specific method of determining the third information of the first device can be referred to the description in the previous embodiments. The information interaction between the CU and the DU will not be repeated here.

[0324] S1510b, DU sends the fourth message to CU. Correspondingly, CU receives the fourth message from DU.

[0325] S1511b, the CU sends third information to the core network equipment. Correspondingly, the core network equipment receives the third information from the CU.

[0326] S1512b: The core network device sends third-party information to the external server. Correspondingly, the external server receives the third-party information from the core network device.

[0327] Steps S1511b and S1512b are similar to steps S1407a and S1408a in the previous embodiments, and can be referred to the descriptions of steps S1407a and S1408a, which will not be repeated here. Step S1510b is similar to step S1407b in the previous embodiments, and can be referred to the description of step S1407b. The difference is that in step S1510b, DU and CU directly interact with each other through the F1 interface. The information interaction between CU and DU will not be repeated here. In addition, CU determines the third information of the first device based on the fourth information. The specific method of determining the third information of the first device can be referred to the descriptions in the previous embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0328] S1510c, DU sends the fourth message to CU. Correspondingly, CU receives the fourth message from DU.

[0329] S1511c and CU send the fourth message to the core network equipment. Correspondingly, the core network equipment receives the fourth message from the CU.

[0330] S1512c: The core network device sends third-party information to an external server. Correspondingly, the external server receives the third-party information from the core network device.

[0331] Steps S1511c and S1512c are similar to steps S1407b and S1408b in the previous embodiments, and can be referred to the descriptions of steps S1407b and S1408b, which will not be repeated here. Step S1510c is similar to step S1407b in the previous embodiments, and can be referred to the description of step S1407b. The difference is that in step S1510c, DU and CU directly interact with each other through the F1 interface. The information interaction between CU and DU will not be repeated here.

[0332] Optionally, before step S1505, the CU may also send a service response to the first service request to the core network device. This step is similar to the previous embodiment in which the first device may also send a service response to the first service request to the second device. Refer to the previous embodiment for the relevant description of the first device also sending a service response to the first service request to the second device, which will not be repeated here.

[0333] Optionally, before step S1507, DU may also send a service response to the first service request to CU.

[0334] For example, during the process of sending the first service request to the DU, the CU can send a service instance identifier of the F1 interface (also referred to as the AIoT association F1AP ID) to the DU through the same message. This identifier is assigned by the CU for the first service request. After receiving the first service request from the CU, the DU can send a service response to the CU, and the response message can include the AIoT association F1AP ID assigned by the DU for the first service request, indicating that the DU has received the first service request and triggering subsequent service processes.

[0335] For example, the DU may send the business response of the first business request to the CU before the execution of the business process triggered by the first business request, or the DU may send the business response of the first business request to the CU during the execution of the business process triggered by the first business request, or the DU may send the business response of the first business request to the CU after the execution of the business process triggered by the first business request.

[0336] Optionally, the CU may also send at least one of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the location information to the DU. The CU may also send at least one of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the location information of the DU to the core network device. The core network device may send the location information of the DU to the external server or not send the location information of the DU to the external server.

[0337] The CU can also send at least one of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the location information of the DU to the core network device, similar to the first device sending at least one of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the location information of the first device to the second device in the previous embodiment. The core network device sending the location information of the DU to an external server is similar to the second device sending the location information of the first device to the third device in the previous embodiment; the description in the previous embodiments can be referred to, and will not be repeated here. The DU sending at least one of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the location information to the CU is similar to the first device sending at least one of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the location information of the first device to the second device in the previous embodiment, the difference being that the CU and DU can communicate through the F1 interface; the information interaction between the CU and DU will not be repeated here.

[0338] Based on the communication method in the above embodiments, under the O-RAN architecture, the CU and DU can cooperate to send the identifier and related information of the device that is within a first range from the DU to the core network device. This enables the core network device to accurately respond with the information of the first device corresponding to the service request when it receives a service request for one or a group of devices of a nearby DU, thereby reducing invalid and redundant data.

[0339] Optionally, the communication method in this embodiment can also be applied in scenarios where the intermediate node acts as a reader / writer. For example, the intermediate node can be a terminal, or it can be in other forms, without limitation. The following description uses the intermediate node as a terminal as an example.

[0340] Referring to Figure 16, the communication system may include at least one device with tag functionality, a terminal, an access network device, and a core network device. The communication system may also include an external server. The application flow of the communication method in this embodiment may include the following steps:

[0341] S1601. The access network device sends a first service request to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the first service request from the access network device.

[0342] S1602, the terminal sends first information of at least one first device to the access network device, the first information including the identifier of the first device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first information of at least one first device from the terminal, the first information including the identifier of the first device.

[0343] Steps S1601 and S1602 are similar to steps S1301 and S1302 in the above embodiments, respectively. Please refer to the description of steps S1301 and S1302. The difference is that the access network device and the terminal can exchange information through the interface (such as the air interface) specified by the protocol. The specific method of information exchange between the access network device and the terminal will not be described in detail.

[0344] Optionally, the communication method application flow shown in Figure 16 may also include the following steps:

[0345] S1600a: An external server sends a service request to the core network equipment. Correspondingly, the core network equipment receives the service request from the external server.

[0346] S1600b: The core network device sends a first service request to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first service request from the core network device.

[0347] S1603. The core network device sends at least one of the following to the access network device: second information, first transmission parameters, first identifier, and / or second identifier. Correspondingly, the access network device receives at least one of the following from the core network device: second information, first transmission parameters, first identifier, or second identifier.

[0348] S1604. The access network device sends at least one of the following to the terminal: second information, first transmission parameters, first identifier, and / or second identifier. Correspondingly, the terminal receives at least one of the following from the access network device: second information, first transmission parameters, first identifier, and / or second identifier.

[0349] S1605, The terminal executes the business process triggered by the first business request.

[0350] S1606. The terminal determines at least one first device from at least one device participating in the above-mentioned business process.

[0351] S1607. The access network device sends at least one first device's first information to the core network device. Correspondingly, the core network device receives at least one first device's first information from the access network device.

[0352] S1608, The core network equipment sends the identifier of at least one first device to an external server.

[0353] Step S1600a is similar to step S1500 in the above embodiments; step S1600b is similar to step S1501 in the above embodiments; step S1603 is similar to step S1402 in the above embodiments; step S1605 is similar to step S1403 in the above embodiments; step S1606 is similar to step S1404 in the above embodiments; step S1607 is similar to step S1405 in the above embodiments; step S1608 is similar to step S1406 in the above embodiments; similar steps can be described with reference to the description in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0354] Step S1604 is similar to step S1504 in the previous embodiment, and can be referred to the description of step S1504. The difference is that the information interaction between the terminal and the access network device in step S1604 can be achieved through air interface communication. The information interaction process between the terminal and the access network device will not be described again.

[0355] Optionally, the above application process may also include the following steps S1609a, S1610a and S1611a, or the following steps S1609b, S1610b and S1611b, or the following steps S1609c, S1610c and S1611c.

[0356] S1609a, The terminal sends third information to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the third information from the terminal.

[0357] S1610a, The access network device sends third information to the core network device. Correspondingly, the core network device receives the third information from the access network device.

[0358] S1611a. The core network device sends third information to the external server. Correspondingly, the external server receives the third information from the core network device.

[0359] Steps S1610a and S1611a are similar to steps S1407a and S1408a in the aforementioned embodiments, respectively, and can be referred to the descriptions of steps S1407a and S1408a, respectively, and will not be repeated here. Step S1609a is also similar to step S1407a in the aforementioned embodiments, and can be referred to the description of step S1407a. The difference is that in step S1609a, the terminal determines the third information of the first device. The access network device and the terminal can exchange information through air interface communication. The specific method of determining the third information of the first device can be referred to the description in the aforementioned embodiments. The information exchange between the terminal and the access network device will not be repeated here.

[0360] Optionally, when the access network device does not need to process the third information or does not need to calculate the third information, the third information can be transmitted to the core network device via NAS during the process of the access network device sending the third information to the core network device. That is, the access network device can transparently transmit the third information from the terminal to the core network device, or the core network device can first receive the third information through air interface communication and then transmit the third information to the core network device through the NG interface or S1 interface message.

[0361] S1609b: The terminal sends fourth information to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the fourth information from the terminal.

[0362] S1610b: The access network device sends third information to the core network device. Correspondingly, the core network device receives the third information from the access network device.

[0363] S1611b: The core network device sends third-party information to an external server. Correspondingly, the external server receives the third-party information from the core network device.

[0364] Steps S1610b and S1611b are similar to steps S1407a and S1408a in the aforementioned embodiments, respectively, and can be referred to the descriptions of steps S1407a and S1408a, respectively, and will not be repeated here. Step S1609b is also similar to step S1407b in the aforementioned embodiments, and can be referred to the description of step S1407b. The difference is that in step S1609b, the access network device and the terminal can exchange information through air interface communication. The information exchange between the terminal and the access network device will not be repeated here. In addition, the third information is determined by the access network device based on the received fourth information. The specific method for determining the third information of the first device can be referred to the description in the aforementioned embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0365] S1609c: The terminal sends fourth information to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the fourth information from the terminal.

[0366] S1610c: The access network device sends the fourth information to the core network device. Correspondingly, the core network device receives the fourth information from the access network device.

[0367] S1611c: The core network device sends third-party information to an external server. Correspondingly, the external server receives the third-party information from the core network device.

[0368] Steps S1610c and S1611c are similar to steps S1407b and S1408b in the aforementioned embodiments, and can be referred to the descriptions of steps S1407b and S1408b, which will not be repeated here. Step S1609c is similar to step S1407b in the aforementioned embodiments, and can be referred to the description of step S1407b, except that in step S1609c, the access network device and the terminal exchange information through air interface communication. The information exchange between the access network device and the terminal will not be repeated here.

[0369] Optionally, when the access network device does not need to process the fourth information, during the process of sending the fourth information to the core network device, the access network device can transmit the fourth information to the core network device through NAS. That is, the access network device can transparently transmit the fourth information from the terminal to the core network device. Alternatively, the access network device can first obtain the first information through the air interface communication message, and then transmit the fourth information to the core network device through the NG interface or S1 interface message.

[0370] Optionally, before step S1602, the terminal may send a service response message to the access network device, enabling the access network device to determine that the first service request has been received and trigger subsequent service processes. The terminal may send the service response to the first service request to the access network device before the execution of the service process triggered by the first service request, or the terminal may send the service response to the first service request to the access network device during the execution of the service process triggered by the first service request, or the terminal may send the service response to the first service request to the access network device after the execution of the service process triggered by the first service request.

[0371] Optionally, before step S1605, the access network device may send a service response to the first service request to the core network device. This step is similar to the previous embodiment in which the first device may also send a service response to the first service request to the second device. Refer to the previous embodiment for the description of the first device also sending a service response to the first service request to the second device; it will not be repeated here.

[0372] Optionally, the terminal may also send at least one of the first identifier, the second identifier, and location information to the access network device, and the access network device may also send at least one of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the terminal's location information to the core network device; the core network device may send the terminal's location information to an external server or not send the terminal's location information to an external server.

[0373] The access network device can also send at least one of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the terminal's location information to the core network device, similar to the first device sending at least one of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the first device's location information to the second device in the previous embodiment. The core network device sends the terminal's location information to an external server, similar to the second device sending the first device's location information to the third device in the previous embodiment; these details can be found in the descriptions in the previous embodiments and will not be repeated here. The terminal sending at least one of the first identifier, the second identifier, and location information to the access network device is similar to the first device sending at least one of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the first device's location information to the second device in the previous embodiment. The difference is that the terminal and the access network device can exchange information via air interface communication; the information exchange between the terminal and the access network device will not be described in detail here.

[0374] Based on the communication method in the above embodiments, in an architecture that uses intermediate nodes such as terminals as readers, the access network device and the terminal can cooperate to send the identifier and related information of devices within a first range from the terminal to the core network device. This enables the core network device to accurately feed back the information of the first device corresponding to the service request when it receives a service request for one or a group of devices near the terminal, thereby reducing invalid and redundant data.

[0375] The method provided in this application has been described above. In addition, this application also provides a communication device for implementing the functions described in the above method embodiments.

[0376] It is understood that, in order to achieve the aforementioned functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0377] This application embodiment can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiment. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0378] Figure 17 shows a schematic diagram of a communication device 1700. The communication device 1700 includes a processing module 1701 and a transceiver module 1702. The communication device 1700 can be used to implement the functions of the first device or the second device described above.

[0379] In some embodiments, the communication device 1700 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG17) for storing program instructions and data.

[0380] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1702, also referred to as a transceiver unit, is used to implement sending and / or receiving functions. The transceiver module 1702 may consist of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver unit, or a communication interface.

[0381] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1702 may include a receiving module and a sending module, respectively configured to perform receiving and sending steps performed by the first or second device in the above method embodiments, and / or other processes to support the technology described herein; the processing module 1701 may be configured to perform processing steps performed by the first or second device in the above method embodiments, and / or other processes to support the technology described herein.

[0382] When the communication device 1700 is used to implement the function of the first device, in one possible implementation: the transceiver module 1702 is used to receive a first service request from the second device; the transceiver module 1702 is also used to send first information of at least one first device to the second device based on the first service request, the first information including the identifier of the first device, the first device being located within a first range, and the distance between the device within the first range and the first device belonging to a first distance range.

[0383] Optionally, the transceiver module 1702 is further configured to receive at least one of the following information from the second device: a first transmission parameter, a second information, a first identifier, or a second identifier; wherein, the first transmission parameter includes at least one of the following: bit / block / information repetition count, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth, or transmission power; the second information is used to indicate the identification of the device within the first range, or to indicate the execution of proximity determination or proximity service; or, the second information is a proximity request; the first identifier is the identifier of the first range, or the first identifier is used to indicate the execution of proximity determination or proximity service; the second identifier includes at least one of a first task identifier, a first session identifier, or a first service identifier, and the second identifier corresponds to the first range.

[0384] Optionally, the transceiver module 1702 is further configured to send third information to the second device, the third information indicating any one of the following: the distance between the first device and the first apparatus is a second distance, the first device is located in a second area, the first device is located within a second coverage area, or the first device is located within a range corresponding to a second coverage level; or, the third information indicates the distance level or proximity between the first device and the first apparatus.

[0385] Optionally, the transceiver module 1702 is further configured to receive first information from the first device and send fourth information to the second device, the fourth information including transmission parameters used by the first device, the transmission parameters including at least one of the following: number of bit / block / information repetitions, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth or transmission power.

[0386] Optionally, the processing module 1701 is further configured to determine a first device among the multiple accessed devices that falls within a first range.

[0387] Optionally, the processing module 1701 is further configured to measure the transmission parameters used by the device connected to the first device to send the first information, or the processing module 1701 is further configured to determine the fourth information of the first device.

[0388] Optionally, the processing module 1701 is further configured to determine the third information of the first device based on the measurement results of the first information transmission parameters.

[0389] When the communication device 1700 is used to implement the function of the second device, in one possible implementation: the transceiver module 1702 is used to send a first service request to the first device; the transceiver module 1702 also receives first information of at least one first device reported by the first device based on the first service request, the first information including the identifier of the first device, the first device being located within a first range, and the distance between the device within the first range and the first device belonging to a first distance range.

[0390] Optionally, the transceiver module 1702 is further configured to send at least one of the following information to the first device: first transmission parameters, second information, first identifier, or second identifier; wherein, the first transmission parameters include at least one of the following: bit / block / information repetition count, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth, or transmission power; the second information is used to indicate the identifier of the device within the first range, or to indicate the execution of proximity determination or proximity service; or, the second information is a proximity request; the first identifier is the identifier of the first range, or the first identifier is used to indicate the execution of proximity determination or proximity service; the second identifier includes at least one of the first task identifier, first session identifier, or first service identifier, and the second identifier corresponds to the first range.

[0391] Optionally, the transceiver module 1702 is further configured to receive third information from the first device, the third information indicating any one of the following: the distance between the first device and the first apparatus is a second distance, the first device is located in a second area, the first device is located within a second coverage area, or the first device is located within a range corresponding to a second coverage level; or, the third information indicates the distance level or degree of proximity between the first device and the first apparatus.

[0392] Optionally, the transceiver module 1702 is also used to receive fourth information from the first device, the fourth information including transmission parameters used by the first device, the transmission parameters including at least one of the following: number of bit / block / information repetitions, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth or transmission power.

[0393] Optionally, the processing module 1701 is used to determine the fourth information of the first device.

[0394] When the communication device 1700 is used to implement the functions of a terminal, in one possible implementation: the transceiver module 1702 is used to receive a first service request from the access network device; the transceiver module 1702 is also used to send first information of at least one first device to the access network device based on the first service request, the first information including the identifier of the first device, the first device being located within a first range, and the distance between the device within the first range and the terminal belonging to a first distance range.

[0395] Optionally, the transceiver module 1702 is further configured to receive at least one of the following information from the access network device: a first transmission parameter, a second information, a first identifier, or a second identifier; wherein, the first transmission parameter includes at least one of the following: bit / block / information repetition count, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth, or transmission power; the second information is used to indicate the identification of the device within the first range, or to indicate the execution of proximity determination or proximity service; or, the second information is a proximity request; the first identifier is the identifier of the first range, or the first identifier is used to indicate the execution of proximity determination or proximity service; the second identifier includes at least one of a first task identifier, a first session identifier, or a first service identifier, and the second identifier corresponds to the first range.

[0396] Optionally, the transceiver module 1702 is further configured to send third information to the access network device, the third information indicating any one of the following: the distance between the first device and the terminal is a second distance, the first device is located in a second area, the first device is located within a second coverage area, or the first device is located within the range corresponding to a second coverage level; or, the third information indicates the distance level or proximity between the first device and the terminal.

[0397] Optionally, the transceiver module 1702 is also used to receive first information from the first device; and send fourth information to the access network device, the fourth information including transmission parameters used by the first device, the transmission parameters including at least one of the following: number of bit / block / information repetitions, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth or transmission power.

[0398] Optionally, the processing module 1701 is further configured to determine a first device among the multiple accessed devices that falls within a first range.

[0399] Optionally, the processing module 1701 is further configured to measure the transmission parameters used by the device connected to the first device to send the first information, or the processing module 1701 is further configured to determine the fourth information of the first device.

[0400] Optionally, the processing module 1701 is further configured to determine the third information of the first device based on the measurement results of the first information transmission parameters.

[0401] When the communication device 1700 is used to implement the functions of an access network device, in one possible implementation: the transceiver module 1702 is used to send a first service request to the terminal; the transceiver module 1702 is also used to receive first information of at least one first device reported by the terminal based on the first service request, the first information including the identifier of the first device, the first device being located within a first range, and the distance between the device within the first range and the terminal belonging to a first distance range. Optionally, the transceiver module 1702 is also used to send at least one of the following information to the terminal: first transmission parameters, second information, first identifier, or second identifier; wherein, the first transmission parameters include at least one of the following: bit / block / information repetition count, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth, or transmission power; the second information is used to indicate the identifier of the device within the first range, or to indicate the execution of proximity determination or proximity service; or, the second information is a proximity request; the first identifier is the identifier of the first range, or the first identifier is used to indicate the execution of proximity determination or proximity service; the second identifier includes at least one of a first task identifier, a first session identifier, or a first service identifier, and the second identifier corresponds to the first range.

[0402] Optionally, the transceiver module 1702 is further configured to receive third information from the terminal, the third information indicating any one of the following: the distance between the first device and the terminal is a second distance, the first device is located in a second area, the first device is located within a second coverage area, or the first device is located within a range corresponding to a second coverage level; or, the third information indicates the distance level or proximity between the first device and the terminal.

[0403] Optionally, the transceiver module 1702 is also used to receive fourth information from the terminal, the fourth information including transmission parameters used by the first device, the transmission parameters including at least one of the following: number of bit / block / information repetitions, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth or transmission power.

[0404] Optionally, the processing module 1701 is used to determine the fourth information of the first device.

[0405] All relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0406] In this application, the communication device 1700 can be presented in an integrated manner by dividing it into various functional modules. Here, "module" can refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a circuit, a processor and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuits, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0407] In some embodiments, when the communication device 1700 in FIG17 is a chip or chip system, the function / implementation process of the transceiver module 1702 can be implemented through the input / output interface (or communication interface) of the chip or chip system, and the function / implementation process of the processing module 1701 can be implemented through the processor (or processing circuit) of the chip or chip system.

[0408] Since the communication device 1700 provided in this embodiment can execute the above method, the technical effects it can obtain can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0409] As a possible product form, the terminal, first device, second device, or access network device described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented using one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits capable of performing the various functions described throughout this application.

[0410] As another possible product form, the terminal, first device, second device, or access network device described in this application embodiment can be implemented using a general bus architecture. For ease of explanation, refer to FIG18, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1800 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1800 includes a processor 1801 and a transceiver 1802. The communication device 1800 can be a terminal, or a chip or chip system therein; or, the communication device 1800 can be an access network device, or a chip or module therein; or, the communication device 1800 can be a first device, or a chip or chip system therein; or, the communication device 1800 can be a second device, or a chip or chip system therein. FIG18 only shows the main components of the communication device 1800. In addition to the processor 1801 and transceiver 1802, the communication device may further include a memory 1803 and input / output devices (not shown in the figure).

[0411] Optionally, the processor 1801 is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process the data of the software programs, thereby implementing the methods provided in the above-described method embodiments. The memory 1803 is mainly used to store software programs and data. The transceiver 1802 may include radio frequency (RF) circuitry and an antenna. The RF circuitry is mainly used for converting baseband signals to RF signals and processing RF signals. The antenna is mainly used for transmitting and receiving RF signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are mainly used to receive user input data and output data to the user.

[0412] Optionally, the processor 1801, transceiver 1802, and memory 1803 can be connected via a communication bus.

[0413] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1801 can read the software program in the memory 1803, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 1801 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit processes the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1801. The processor 1801 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0414] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be set up independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be arranged remotely, independent of the communication device.

[0415] In some embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the above-described communication device 1700 can be implemented in the form of the communication device 1800 shown in FIG18.

[0416] As an example, the function / implementation of the processing module 1701 in Figure 17 can be achieved by the processor 1801 in the communication device 1800 shown in Figure 18 calling computer execution instructions stored in the memory 1803. The function / implementation of the transceiver module 1702 in Figure 17 can be achieved by the transceiver 1802 in the communication device 1800 shown in Figure 18.

[0417] As another possible product form, the terminal, first device, second device, or access network equipment in this application may adopt the composition structure shown in FIG19, or include the components shown in FIG19. FIG19 is a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device 1900 provided in this application. The communication device 1900 may be a terminal or a chip or system-on-a-chip in a terminal; or it may be an access network equipment or a module, chip, or system-on-a-chip in an access network equipment; or it may be a first device or a chip or system-on-a-chip in a first device; or it may be a second device or a chip or system-on-a-chip on a second device.

[0418] As shown in Figure 19, the communication device 1900 includes at least one processor 1901 and at least one communication interface (Figure 19 is merely an example illustrating the inclusion of a communication interface 1904 and a processor 1901). Optionally, the communication device 1900 may also include a communication bus 1902 and a memory 1903.

[0419] Processor 1901 can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a PLD, or any combination thereof. Processor 1901 can also be other devices with processing capabilities, such as circuits, devices, or software modules, without limitation.

[0420] Communication bus 1902 is used to connect different components in communication device 1900, enabling communication between them. Communication bus 1102 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. This bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 19, but this does not indicate that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0421] Communication interface 1904 is used for communicating with other devices or communication networks. Exemplarily, communication interface 1904 can be a module, circuit, transceiver, or any device capable of communication. Optionally, communication interface 1904 can also be an input / output interface located within processor 1901, used to implement signal input and signal output for the processor.

[0422] The memory 1903 can be a device with storage function, used to store instructions and / or data. The instructions can be computer programs.

[0423] For example, the memory 1903 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and / or instructions; it may also be a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and / or instructions; it may also be 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 compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, etc., without limitation.

[0424] It should be noted that the memory 1903 can exist independently of the processor 1901, or it can be integrated with the processor 1901. The memory 1903 can be located inside or outside the communication device 1900, without limitation. The processor 1901 can be used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 1903 to implement the methods provided in the following embodiments of this application.

[0425] As an optional implementation, the communication device 1900 may also include an output device 1905 and an input device 1906. The output device 1905 communicates with the processor 1901 and can display information in various ways. For example, the output device 1905 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector, etc. The input device 1906 communicates with the processor 1901 and can receive user input in various ways. For example, the input device 1906 may be a mouse, keyboard, touchscreen device, or sensing device, etc.

[0426] In some embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the communication device 1700 shown in FIG17 can be implemented in the form of the communication device 1900 shown in FIG19.

[0427] As an example, the function / implementation of the processing module 1701 in Figure 17 can be achieved by the processor 1901 in the communication device 1900 shown in Figure 19 calling computer execution instructions stored in the memory 1903. The function / implementation of the transceiver module 1702 in Figure 17 can be achieved by the communication interface 1904 in the communication device 1900 shown in Figure 19.

[0428] It should be noted that the structure shown in Figure 19 does not constitute a specific limitation on the terminal, access network device, first device, or second device. For example, in other embodiments of this application, the terminal, access network device, first device, or second device may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine some components, or split some components, or have different component arrangements. The components shown in the figure may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0429] In some embodiments, this application also provides a communication device, which includes a processor for implementing the methods in any of the above method embodiments.

[0430] As one possible implementation, the communication device also includes a memory. This memory stores necessary computer programs and data. The computer program may include instructions, which a processor can invoke to instruct the communication device to execute the methods described in any of the above method embodiments. Alternatively, the memory may not be present in the communication device.

[0431] As another possible implementation, the communication device also includes an interface circuit, which is a code / data read / write interface circuit, used to receive computer execution instructions (which are stored in memory and may be read directly from memory or may be transmitted through other devices) and transmit them to the processor.

[0432] As another possible implementation, the communication device also includes a communication interface for communicating with modules outside the communication device.

[0433] It is understood that the communication device can be a chip or a chip system. When the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. This application does not specifically limit this.

[0434] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any of the above-described method embodiments.

[0435] This application also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0436] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0437] It is understood that the systems, apparatuses, and methods described in this application can also be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the couplings or direct couplings or communication connections shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0438] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment, depending on actual needs.

[0439] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0440] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software programs, implementation can be, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This 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 described in the embodiments of this 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. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device containing one or more servers, data centers, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state drive (SSD)). In this embodiment, the computer may include the aforementioned apparatus.

[0441] Although this application has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, those skilled in the art, by reviewing the accompanying drawings, disclosure, and appended claims, will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in carrying out the claimed application. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. While different dependent claims may recite certain measures, this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0442] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are merely illustrative descriptions of the application as defined by the appended claims, and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Clearly, those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Thus, if such modifications and modifications of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application is also intended to include such modifications and modifications.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first device, and the method includes: Receive the first service request from the second device; Based on the first service request, at least one first device information is sent to the second device. The first information includes the identifier of the first device, and the first device is located within a first range of the first device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first range is a first distance, a first area, a first coverage area, or a first coverage level.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive at least one of the following from the second device: a first transmission parameter, second information, a first identifier, or a second identifier; The first transmission parameter includes at least one of the following: number of bit / block / information repetitions, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth, or transmission power; The second information is used to instruct / request the reporting of the identification of the device within the first range, or to instruct / request inventory of the device within the first range, or to instruct / request measurement / reporting of the device within the first range, or to instruct / request the execution of proximity determination or proximity service, or the second information is a proximity request; The first identifier is used to identify the first range, or the first identifier is used to identify inventory of devices within the first range, or to identify measurement / reporting of devices within the first range, or the first identifier is used to identify a near-determination service, or a near-determination request; The second identifier includes at least one of a first task identifier, a first session identifier, or a first service identifier, and the second identifier corresponds to the first range.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first range includes multiple sub-ranges; The second information corresponds to the first range and / or the plurality of sub-ranges within the first range; Alternatively, the second identifier may correspond to the first range and / or the plurality of sub-ranges within the first range; Alternatively, the first identifier may correspond to the first range and / or the plurality of sub-ranges within the first range.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a third message to the second device, the third message indicating any one of the following: the distance between the first device and the first apparatus is a second distance, the first device is located in a second area, the first device is located within a second coverage area, or the first device is located within a range corresponding to a second coverage level; Alternatively, the third information may be used to indicate the distance level or proximity between the first device and the first apparatus.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the first information from the first device; Send a fourth message to the second device, the fourth message including the transmission parameters of the first device sending the first message, the transmission parameters including at least one of the following: number of bit / block / information repetitions, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth or transmission power.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first device is a distributed unit (DU), and the second device is a centralized unit (CU). Alternatively, the first device may be an access network device, and the second device may be a core network device.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a second device, and the method includes: Send a first service request to the first device; The device receives first information of at least one first device reported by the first device based on the first service request. The first information includes the identifier of the first device, and the first device is located within a first range of the first device.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first range is a first distance, a first area, a first coverage area, or a first coverage level.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send at least one of the following to the first device: a first transmission parameter, a second information, a first identifier, or a second identifier; The first transmission parameter includes at least one of the following: number of bit / block / information repetitions, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth, or transmission power; The second information is used to instruct / request the reporting of the identification of the device within the first range, or to instruct / request inventory of the device within the first range, or to instruct / request measurement / reporting of the device within the first range, or to instruct / request the execution of proximity determination or proximity service, or the second information is a proximity request; The first identifier is used to identify a first range, or the first identifier is used to identify inventory of devices within the first range, or to identify measurement / reporting of devices within the first range, or the first identifier is used to identify a near-determined service or near-determined request; The second identifier includes at least one of a first task identifier, a first session identifier, or a first service identifier, and the second identifier corresponds to the first range.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first range includes multiple sub-ranges; The second information corresponds to a first range and / or multiple sub-ranges within the first range; Alternatively, the first identifier may correspond to the first range and / or the plurality of sub-ranges within the first range; Alternatively, the second identifier may correspond to the first range and / or the plurality of sub-ranges within the first range.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive third information from the first device, the third information being used to indicate any of the following: the distance between the first device and the first apparatus is a second distance, the first device is located in a second area, the first device is located within a second coverage area, or the first device is located within an area corresponding to a second coverage level; Alternatively, the third information may be used to indicate the distance level or proximity between the first device and the first apparatus.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: The device receives fourth information from the first device, the fourth information including transmission parameters from which the first device sent the first information, the transmission parameters including at least one of the following: number of bit / block / information repetitions, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth or transmission power.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that, The first device is a distributed unit (DU), and the second device is a centralized unit (CU). Alternatively, the first device may be an access network device, and the second device may be a core network device or a network element.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a terminal, and the method includes: Receive the first service request from the access network device; Based on the first service request, at least one first device information is sent to the access network device, the first information including the identifier of the first device, and the first device is located within the first range of the terminal.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first range is a first distance, a first area, a first coverage area, or a first coverage level.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive at least one of the following from the access network device: a first transmission parameter, a second information, a first identifier, or a second identifier; The first transmission parameter includes at least one of the following: number of bit / block / information repetitions, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth, or transmission power; The second information is used to instruct / request the reporting of the identification of the device within the first range, or to instruct / request inventory of the device within the first range, or to instruct / request measurement / reporting of the device within the first range, or to instruct / request the execution of proximity determination or proximity service, or the second information is a proximity request; The first identifier is used to identify the first range, or the first identifier is used to identify inventory of devices within the first range, or to identify measurement / reporting of devices within the first range, or the first identifier is used to identify a near-determination service or a near-determination request. The second identifier includes at least one of a first task identifier, a first session identifier, or a first service identifier, and the second identifier corresponds to the first range.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first range includes multiple sub-ranges; The second information corresponds to the first range and / or the plurality of sub-ranges within the first range; Alternatively, the first identifier may correspond to the first range and / or the plurality of sub-ranges within the first range; Alternatively, the second identifier may correspond to the first range and / or the plurality of sub-ranges within the first range.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send third information to the access network device, the third information being used to indicate any one of the following: the distance between the first device and the terminal is a second distance, the first device is located in a second area, the first device is located within a second coverage area, or the first device is located within the area corresponding to a second coverage level; Alternatively, the third information may be used to indicate the distance level or proximity between the first device and the terminal.

20. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the first information from the first device; Send a fourth message to the access network device. The fourth message includes the transmission parameters for the first message sent by the first device. The transmission parameters include at least one of the following: number of bit / block / information repetitions, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth, or transmission power.

21. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to an access network device, and the method includes: Send the first service request to the terminal; The terminal receives first information of at least one first device reported by the terminal based on the first service request. The first information includes the identifier of the first device, and the first device is located within a first range of the terminal.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The first range is a first distance, a first area, a first coverage area, or a first coverage level.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send at least one of the following information to the terminal: a first transmission parameter, a second information, a first identifier, or a second identifier; The first transmission parameter includes at least one of the following: number of bit / block / information repetitions, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth, or transmission power; The second information is used to instruct / request the reporting of the identification of the device within the first range, or, or, to instruct / request inventory of the device within the first range, or, to instruct / request measurement / reporting of the device within the first range, or to instruct / request the execution of proximity determination or proximity service, or, the second information is a proximity request; The first identifier is used to identify the first range, or the first identifier is used to identify inventory of devices within the first range, or to identify measurement / reporting of devices within the first range, or the first identifier is used to identify a near-determination service or a near-determination request. The second identifier includes at least one of a first task identifier, a first session identifier, or a first service identifier, and the second identifier corresponds to the first range.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The first range includes multiple sub-ranges; The second information corresponds to the first range and / or the plurality of sub-ranges within the first range; Alternatively, the first identifier may correspond to the first range and / or the plurality of sub-ranges within the first range; Alternatively, the second identifier may correspond to the first range and / or the plurality of sub-ranges within the first range.

25. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive third information from the terminal, the third information being used to indicate any one of the following: the distance between the first device and the terminal is a second distance, the first device is located in a second area, the first device is located within a second coverage area, or the first device is located within a range corresponding to a second coverage level; Alternatively, the third information may be used to indicate the distance level or proximity between the first device and the terminal.

26. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 25, characterized in that, The method further includes: The device receives fourth information from the terminal, the fourth information including transmission parameters for the first device to send the first information, the transmission parameters including at least one of the following: number of bit / block / information repetitions, modulation and coding scheme, transmission bandwidth or transmission power.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor; the processor is configured to run a computer program or instructions to cause the communication device to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-7, or to cause the communication device to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 8-14, or to cause the communication device to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 15-20, or to cause the communication device to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 21-26.

28. A chip or chip system, characterized in that, The chip or chip system includes a processor coupled to a memory for storing programs or instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the method of any one of claims 1-7 to be executed, or cause the method of any one of claims 8-14 to be executed, or cause the method of any one of claims 15-20 to be executed, or cause the method of any one of claims 21-26 to be executed.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs that, when executed on a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1-7 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 8-14 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 15-20 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 21-26 to be performed.

30. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes computer instructions; when some or all of the computer instructions are executed on a computer, they cause the method of any one of claims 1-7 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 8-14 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 15-20 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 21-26 to be performed.

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