Device connection management method, apparatus and communication system

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present application are a device connection management method, an apparatus and a communication system. The apparatus is applied to a first device, and the first device, as an intermediate node for a data reader or an Internet of Things (IOT) device, is connected to a network device. The apparatus comprises a first processing unit, the first processing unit controlling the first device to perform the following operation: a radio resource control (RRC) state of the first device is transparent to the Internet of Things (IOT) device; or when the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, or during radio resource control (RRC) connection reestablishment, the first device performs a first operation related to the Internet of Things (IOT) device served by the first device; or the first device remains in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or the radio resource control (RRC) inactive state.

Description

Device connection management method, apparatus, and communication system TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication technology. BACKGROUND

[0002] From the early era of 2G system to 4G system, the main service object of the cellular mobile communication system is a mobile terminal device type held by a person. With the rapid development of mobile Internet and Internet of Things, since the late era of 4G system, the application scenarios of Internet of Things considered and supported in the evolution process of the cellular mobile communication system are more and more rich, and accordingly more types of Internet of Things device terminal types are supported and landed in actual network deployment and service application, for example, enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) type terminal device, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) type terminal device, reduced capability (RedCap) type terminal device, etc. With the strengthening of the diversity of Internet of Things device terminal types, the cellular mobile system has stronger and stronger service capability for providing services for vertical industries.

[0003] However, in the field of massive Internet of Things devices, the field of a large number of and lower cost Internet of Things devices is still a blank of the cellular mobile communication system. In order to be able to provide more robust, more reliable and more complete Internet of Things application solutions, how to support lower cost Internet of Things devices in the 3GPP cellular mobile system becomes a problem to be solved.

[0004] It should be noted that the above introduction to the technical background is only to facilitate the clear and complete description of the technical solutions of the present application, and to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art. The above technical solutions cannot be considered as known to those skilled in the art merely because they are described in the background section of the present application.

[0005] SUMMARY

[0006] Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems are solutions for the Internet of Things (IOT) device area with large number and lower cost. RFID systems are widely used. RFID systems have the advantages of low cost and cheap price. RFID tags are small in size and have less restrictions on the size and material of the objects to which they are applied, and thus are easily applied to various object management and object tracking scenarios. One disadvantage of RFID systems is that the information reading range of RFID tags (communication range based on wireless signals) is small. Using a manual handheld tag reader solution, labor costs can become the main expense of the use cost. Using a dedicated RFID port or gateway to read and manage RFID tags requires a higher deployment cost. In addition, the simple logical architecture of RFID systems cannot coordinate interference in radio wave transmission well, so the system capacity and spectrum use efficiency are generally low.

[0007] Compared with RFID systems, in the 5G system of 3GPP, tag-type terminal devices can reuse existing base station deployment and support industry applications based on the tag-type terminal through existing cellular mobile communication networks, thereby effectively reducing deployment and use costs. The 5G system of 3GPP can provide reliable authentication, network coordination, and accurate and stable terminal device management mechanisms, and can also optimize the network based on this to improve system capacity and spectrum use efficiency.

[0008] The inventors of the present application have found that, in order to save costs and support scenarios in which both the IOT device and the data reader are indoors, an intermediate node between the IOT device and the network device (e.g., a gNB) is used as the data reader, and the intermediate node is a UE. According to the prior art, the UE supports three radio resource control (RRC) states, i.e., a connected state, an inactive state, or an idle state. In the RRC idle state, the UE cannot communicate with the network device, and in this case, the UE can not be able to communicate with the IOT device as a data reader, thereby limiting the effective use of the UE.

[0009] To address at least one of the above problems or other similar problems, embodiments of the present application provide a device connection management apparatus, method, device, and communication system.

[0010] According to an aspect of embodiments of the present application, a device connection management apparatus is provided. The apparatus is applied to a first device that is connected to a network device as an intermediate node of a data reader or an IOT device. The apparatus includes a first processing unit that controls the first device to perform the following operations:

[0011] The radio resource control (RRC) state of the first device is transparent to the IOT device; or

[0012] When the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, or during radio resource control (RRC) connection reestablishment, the first device performs a first operation related to the IOT device served by the first device; or

[0013] The first device remains in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state.

[0014] According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present application, an apparatus for device connection management is provided, which is applied to a network device, and the apparatus comprises a third processing unit configured to control the network device to perform the following operations:

[0015] The network device keeps a first device in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, wherein the first device is connected to the network device as an intermediate node of a reader or an IOT device; or

[0016] When the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, the network device performs a second operation related to the first device.

[0017] According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present application, an apparatus for device connection is provided, which is applied to an IOT device, and the apparatus comprises a fourth processing unit configured to control the IOT device to perform the following operations:

[0018] When a first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, or during radio resource control (RRC) connection reestablishment, the fourth processing unit controls the IOT device to perform a third operation related to the first device,

[0019] Wherein the first device is connected to the network device as an intermediate node of a reader or the IOT device.

[0020] One of beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present application is that: by the first device performing the first operation related to the Internet of Things (IOT) device served by the first device when the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, or during radio resource control (RRC) connection reestablishment, the first device performs the first operation related to the Internet of Things (IOT) device served by the first device when the first device enters the radio resource control (RRC) idle state, which expands the application of the first device, thereby improving the utilization rate of the first device. By the radio resource control (RRC) state of the first device being transparent to the Internet of Things (IOT) device or the first device remaining in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, the first device can always provide services for the Internet of Things (IOT) device, thereby improving the utilization rate of the first device.

[0021] Specific embodiments of the application are disclosed in detail in the following description and claims, indicating the ways in which the principles of the application can be employed. It should be understood that the application is not limited in scope to the specific embodiments described herein. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to similar or identical elements throughout several views. Embodiments of the application include many alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

[0022] Features described and / or illustrated with respect to one implementation can be used in one or more other implementations in the same or similar way, in combination with or in place of features in other implementations, and / or in combination with or in place of one or more features described and / or illustrated with respect to another implementation.

[0023] It should be emphasized that the term "comprises / comprising" when used in this specification is taken to mean the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] Elements and features of the embodiments of the application described in one or more figures or implementations can be combined with elements and features illustrated in one or more other figures or implementations. Additionally, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate like elements and components throughout the several views, and can be used to indicate corresponding elements or components in more than one implementation.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a topology scenario of the present application;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an architecture or composition of a UE as an intermediate node;

[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an instance of a protocol stack based on a high layer above RRC;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an instance of a protocol stack based on RRC and below;

[0029] Fig. 5 is one schematic diagram of a device connection management method of the embodiment of the first aspect;

[0030] Fig. 6 is another schematic diagram of a device connection management method of the embodiment of the first aspect;

[0031] Fig. 7 is one schematic diagram of a device connection management method of the embodiment of the second aspect;

[0032] Fig. 8 is one schematic diagram of a device connection management method of the embodiment of the third aspect;

[0033] Fig. 9 is one schematic diagram of a device connection management apparatus of the embodiment of the fourth aspect;

[0034] Fig. 10 is one schematic diagram of a device connection management apparatus of the embodiment of the fifth aspect;

[0035] Fig. 11 is one schematic diagram of a device connection management apparatus of the embodiment of the sixth aspect;

[0036] Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device of the embodiment of the seventh aspect. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The foregoing and other features of the present application will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following description of specific embodiments of the application, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the description of embodiments of the application, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the application is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments described, but rather, is intended to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0038] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish different elements from the point of view, but do not indicate the spatial arrangement or time sequence of the elements, and the elements should not be limited by these terms. The term "and / or" includes any one and all combinations of the associated listed terms. The terms "include", "contain", "have", etc. mean the existence of the stated features, elements, elements or components, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, elements, elements or components.

[0039] In the embodiments of the present application, the singular form "one", "the" and the like includes the plural form, should be broadly understood as "one" or "a kind of", and not limited to the meaning of "one"; In addition, the term "said" should be understood to include both singular and plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, the term "according to" should be understood as "at least partially according to", and the term "based on" should be understood as "at least partially based on", unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0040] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "communication network" or "wireless communication network" can refer to a network conforming to any communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), and the like.

[0041] In addition, the communication between devices in the communication system can be performed according to any phase communication protocol, which can include but is not limited to the following communication protocols: 1G (generation), 2G, 2.5G, 2.75G, 3G, 4G, 4.5G, and 5G, New Radio (NR), and the like, and / or other currently known or to be developed in the future communication protocols.

[0042] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "network device" refers to a device that accesses a terminal device to a communication network and provides services for the terminal device in the communication system. The network device can include but is not limited to the following devices: integrated access and backhaul node (IAB-node), base station (BS), access point (AP), transmission reception point (TRP), broadcast transmitter, mobile management entity (MME), gateway, server, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), and the like.

[0043] Among them, the base station can include but is not limited to: Node B (NodeB or NB), evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), and 5G base station (gNB), and the like, in addition to remote radio head (RRH), remote radio unit (RRU), relay or low power node (such as femto, pico, etc.). In addition, the term "base station" can include some or all functions thereof, and each base station can provide communication coverage for a specific geographic area. The term "cell" can refer to a base station and / or its coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used.

[0044] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "user equipment" (UE) or "terminal equipment" (TE) refers to a device that accesses a communication network through a network device and receives network services, for example. The terminal equipment can be fixed or mobile, and can also be referred to as a mobile station (MS), a terminal, a subscriber station (SS), an access terminal (AT), a station, and the like.

[0045] The terminal equipment can include, but is not limited to, the following devices: a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a machine type communication device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a smartphone, a smart watch, a digital camera, and the like.

[0046] For another example, in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario or the like, the terminal equipment can also be a machine or device that performs monitoring or measurement, and can include, but is not limited to, the following devices: a machine type communication (MTC) terminal, a vehicle-mounted communication terminal, a device-to-device (D2D) terminal, a machine-to-machine (M2M) terminal, and the like.

[0047] In addition, the term "network side" or "network device side" refers to a side of the network, which can be a certain base station or can include one or more network devices as described above. The term "user side" or "terminal side" or "terminal equipment side" refers to a side of the user or terminal, which can be a certain UE or can include one or more terminal devices as described above.

[0048] In the following description, the terms "uplink control signal" and "uplink control information (UCI)" or "physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)" can be interchangeable without causing confusion, and the terms "uplink data signal" and "uplink data information" or "physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)" can be interchangeable;

[0049] The terms "downlink control signal" and "downlink control information (DCI)" or "physical downlink control channel (PDCCH)" can be interchangeable, and the terms "downlink data signal" and "downlink data information" or "physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)" can be interchangeable.

[0050] In addition, transmitting or receiving a PUSCH can be understood as transmitting or receiving uplink data carried by the PUSCH, transmitting or receiving a PUCCH can be understood as transmitting or receiving uplink information carried by the PUCCH, and transmitting or receiving a PRACH can be understood as transmitting or receiving a preamble carried by the PRACH; an uplink signal can include an uplink data signal and / or an uplink control signal, etc., and can also be referred to as uplink transmission (UL transmission) or uplink information or an uplink channel. Transmitting an uplink transmission on an uplink resource can be understood as transmitting the uplink transmission using the uplink resource. Similarly, downlink data / signal / channel / information can be understood accordingly.

[0051] In embodiments of the present application, high-layer signaling may, for example, be radio resource control (RRC) signaling; for example, referred to as an RRC message, for example, including an MIB, system information, a dedicated RRC message; or referred to as an RRC IE. High-layer signaling may, for example, also be MAC (Medium Access Control) signaling; or referred to as a MAC CE. However, the present application is not limited thereto.

[0052] The scenarios of embodiments of the present application are described below by way of example, but the present application is not limited thereto.

[0053] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a topology scenario (Topology 2) of the present application. As shown in Figure 1, the intermediate node 3 communicates with both the ambient IoT device 2 and the network device (e.g., base station) 1, where the intermediate node 3 connects with the ambient IoT device 2 through an ambient IoT interface, and the intermediate node 3 communicates with the network device based on radio resource control (RRC), below RRC (e.g., MAC layer), or based on a high layer protocol above RRC (e.g., NAS, application layer). In the topology shown in Figure 1, the intermediate node 3 can be an Ambient IoT capable Relay node, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a user equipment (UE), a repeater, etc. The intermediate node 3 relays data and / or signaling related to ambient IoT traffic between the ambient IoT device 2 and the network device 1. There can be one or more intermediate nodes between one network device 1 and the ambient IoT device 2. There can be single-hop or multi-hop between one network device 1 and the ambient IoT device 2.

[0054] In Topology 2 shown in Figure 1, at least the scenario of indoor intermediate node and ambient IoT device is supported. The node providing carrier wave (CW) for the ambient IoT device can be in the topology shown in Figure 1 or outside the topology. The link between devices / nodes can be unidirectional or bidirectional.

[0055] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture or composition of a UE as an intermediate node. In the architecture or composition shown in Figure 2, the UE as an intermediate node has two components, one is a user equipment (UE) part, e.g., also called mobile termination (MT) part, which communicates with the network (NW), and the other is a data reader part which connects with the ambient IoT device (AIoT device) through an ambient IoT Uu interface (AIoT Uu interface). The user equipment or mobile termination part communicates with the network device based on radio resource control (RRC), below RRC (e.g., MAC layer), or based on a high layer protocol above RRC (e.g., NAS, application layer).

[0056] The interface between the intermediate node and the environmental IoT device is the same as the interface between the environmental IoT device and the network device (e.g. gNB) as data reader in topology 1 (environmental IoT device is directly connected to the network device, the network device is the data reader for the environmental IoT device), i.e. both topology 1 and topology 2 use the environmental IoT Uu interface; the interface protocol stack between the intermediate node and the network device can be RRC based or higher layer based.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, FIG. 3 is an example of a protocol stack based on a higher layer than RRC, e.g. Non-Access Stratum (NAS). FIG. 4 is an example of a protocol stack based on AS, which includes a protocol based on RRC or MAC layer.

[0058] The communication between the environmental IoT device and the reader part of the intermediate node in FIG. 3 includes at least two layers, i.e. the protocol layer (e.g. AIoT layer 2 or MAC) and the physical layer (e.g. AIoT PHY) of the environmental IoT, and the reader part has no RRC state. The user equipment (UE) part of the intermediate node and the network device (e.g. gNB) in FIG. 3 have corresponding radio resource control (RRC) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer and physical (PHY) layer in the control plane respectively, and the user equipment (UE) part has RRC state. The user equipment (UE) part of the intermediate node communicates with the core network (Core network) through the non-access layer. The reader part of the intermediate node also communicates with the non-access layer of the user equipment (UE) part of the intermediate node through the protocol layer.

[0059] The communication between the ambient IoT device and the data reader part of the intermediate node in FIG. 4 includes at least two layers, i.e., the protocol layer (e.g., AIoT layer 2 or MAC) and the physical layer (e.g., AIoT PHY) of the ambient IoT. The UE part of the intermediate node in FIG. 4 communicates with the network device (e.g., gNB) through the Uu interface, for example, the UE part and the network device have corresponding RRC (Radio Resource Control) layer, PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) layer, RLC (Radio Link Control) layer, MAC (Media Access Control) layer and PHY (Physical) layer in the control plane, respectively. The UE part communicates with the network device through the RRC layer or the part below the RRC (e.g., MAC layer) related to the data reader part of the intermediate node, or the data / signaling interaction between the ambient IoT device and the data reader part of the intermediate node.

[0060] In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the UE part has an RRC state, and the UE can be in a connected state, an idle state and an inactive state. When the UE is in the idle state, the UE has no communication with the network device and the core network.

[0061] In embodiments of the present application, Ambient IoT, AIoT, and environmental IoT have the same meaning, and they can be replaced with each other.

[0062] Embodiments of the first aspect

[0063] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present application provide a device connection management method. The method is applied to a first device, as shown in FIG. 5, and the method includes:

[0064] 501, the first device is connected to the network device as a data reader or an intermediate node of an IoT device;

[0065] Wherein the RRC state of the first device is transparent to the IoT device; or

[0066] When the first device enters the RRC idle state or the RRC inactive state, or during the RRC connection reestablishment, the first device performs a first operation related to the IoT device served by the first device; or

[0067] The first device remains in the RRC connected state or the RRC inactive state.

[0068] The reader can also be referred to as a reader device. In some embodiments, the IOT device is an Ambient IOT device.

[0069] The RRC state of the first device being transparent to the IOT device means that the first device provides the same service to the IOT device regardless of the RRC state of the first device.

[0070] In some embodiments, the network device configures (time domain and / or frequency domain) resources for the communication between the first device and the IOT device, and keeps the first device in an RRC connected state or an RRC inactive state. In the RRC connected state or the RRC inactive state, the resources are used for the communication between the first device and the IOT device.

[0071] In some embodiments, the network device comprises a RAN node and / or a CN node.

[0072] The network device is a RAN node. The first device performs the first operation when the first device enters an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state; or

[0073] The network device is a CN node. The first device performs the first operation when the first device enters an RRC idle state.

[0074] Specifically, the first device performing the first operation means that the first device performs the first operation as a reader or an intermediate node of the IOT device.

[0075] In some embodiments, the first device comprises a first unit and a second unit.

[0076] The first unit is connected to the network device, i.e., the RRC state of the first device mentioned above refers to the RRC state of the first unit.

[0077] The second unit is a reader of the IOT device, i.e., the IOT device mentioned above refers to the IOT device served by the second unit.

[0078] In some embodiments, the first device comprises a first part and a second part.

[0079] The first part is connected to the network device, and the second part serves as the data reader for the Internet of Things (IoT) device.

[0080] In some embodiments, when the first device enters a Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle state or a Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state, the first operation includes at least one of the following operations:

[0081] First sub-operation: The first device continues to operate as a data reader, or the first device continues to communicate with an Internet of Things (IoT) device, or the first device continues to perform inventory and / or command operations with an IoT device, or the first device continues to use resources configured or allocated for communication with the IoT device, or the first device continues to consider the resources configured or allocated for communication with the IoT device to be available or active;

[0082] Second sub-operation: The first device stores or reports information reported by the Internet of Things (IoT) devices that provide the service;

[0083] Third sub-operation: Stop acting as a data reader, or suspend or stop communication with an Internet of Things (IoT) device, or stop or suspend inventory and / or commands with an IoT device, or stop using, release or deactivate resources configured or allocated for communication with the IoT device.

[0084] Fourth sub-operation: Performing the operation to restore the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection. In some implementations, performing the operation to restore the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection refers to attempting to restore the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection.

[0085] In some embodiments, the first device performs the first operation when at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0086] Until the first timer started by the first device when entering the Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle state or the Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state times out; or within a first time period after the first device enters the Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle state or the Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state;

[0087] Until the first device fails to find or detect a suitable cell, or until the first device selects a cell different from the first device's previous serving cell;

[0088] until detecting that the first device's communication link quality with the network device and / or the IOT device becomes poor.

[0089] In some embodiments, the first operation performed by the first device includes at least one of the following:

[0090] In some embodiments, the first operation performed by the first device includes at least one of the following:

[0091] In some embodiments, the first device stores or reports the information reported by the IOT device served by the first device, including:

[0092] In some embodiments, the first device stores the information reported by the IOT device served by the first device when the first device is in RRC idle state or RRC inactive state; or

[0093] In some embodiments, the first device reports the information reported by the IOT device served by the first device when the first device is in RRC inactive state.

[0094] In some embodiments, the first device performs the first operation when at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0095] In some embodiments, the first device performs the first operation when at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0096] In some embodiments, the first device performs the first operation when at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0097] when it is detected that the first device and the network device and / or the IOT device have a poor communication link quality.

[0098] When the time of the above condition is met, the first device performs a first operation. Specifically, the first operation here refers to the third sub-operation described above, i.e., stopping being a reader, or suspending or stopping communication with the IOT device, or stopping or suspending inventory and / or command with the IOT device, or stopping using or releasing or deactivating resources configured or allocated for communication with the IOT device.

[0099] In some embodiments, the information reported by the served IOT device includes: an identifier of the IOT device; and a context of the IOT device. The context of the served IOT device includes: a temporary identifier; information related to the core network; information related to the device or service, etc.

[0100] In some embodiments, during the RRC connection re-establishment of the first device, the first operation includes:

[0101] stopping being a reader, or suspending or stopping communication with the IOT device, or stopping or suspending inventory and / or command with the IOT device, or stopping using or releasing or deactivating resources configured or allocated for communication with the IOT device.

[0102] Stopping using or releasing or deactivating resources configured or allocated for communication with the IOT device refers to: stopping using or releasing or deactivating resources configured for communication with the IOT device, or stopping using or releasing or deactivating resources configured or allocated for communication with the IOT device.

[0103] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the method further includes:

[0104] 601. After the first device enters the RRC connected state, the first device reports to the network device information reported by the served IOT device when the first device is in the RRC idle state or the RRC inactive state.

[0105] The information reported by the IOT device is described in the foregoing embodiments and will not be described here.

[0106] In some embodiments, the first device remaining in the RRC connected state comprises:

[0107] The first device does not enter a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state.

[0108] In particular, in some embodiments, the first device does not enter a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state comprises at least one of:

[0109] The network device does not configure a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) for the first device (e.g., a first part of the first device), or changes a condition of the data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer); or

[0110] The network device configures the data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) for the first device as an infinite value, in particular, the network device configures the data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) for a first part of the first device as an infinite value, and the infinite value is as one of enumerated values; or

[0111] The first device does not perform data inactivity listening, in particular, the first device does not perform data inactivity listening comprises that a medium access control (MAC) layer or entity of the first part of the first device does not perform data inactivity listening, for example, a medium access control (MAC) entity of the first device does not start or restart a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) when the medium access control (MAC) entity receives or transmits a medium access control signaling data unit (MAC SDU); or

[0112] The first device does not indicate a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) timeout to an upper layer, in particular, a medium access control (MAC) layer or entity of the first part of the first device does not indicate a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) timeout to an upper layer; or

[0113] The first device does not perform an action of entering a radio resource control idle mode (RRC_IDLE) when receiving a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) timeout from a lower layer, in particular, a radio resource control (RRC) layer or entity of the first part of the first device does not perform an action of entering a radio resource control idle mode (RRC_IDLE) when receiving a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) timeout from a lower layer.

[0114] In some embodiments, the first device remaining in the radio resource control (RRC) connected state further comprises:

[0115] When the first device performs handover or cell change, indicating to a target cell that the first device is an intermediate node of a reader or an Internet of Things (IOT) device.

[0116] In some embodiments, indicating to the target cell that the first device is an intermediate node of a reader or an Internet of Things (IOT) device comprises:

[0117] Indicating to the target cell that the first device is an intermediate node of a reader or an Internet of Things (IOT) device during handover or after handover of the first device is completed.

[0118] Embodiments of the first aspect of the application expand the application of the first device by causing the first device to perform the first operation related to the Internet of Things (IOT) device served by the first device when the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, or during radio resource control (RRC) connection reestablishment, so that the first device performs the first operation related to the Internet of Things (IOT) device served by the first device when the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state, expanding the application of the first device, thereby improving the utilization of the first device. The radio resource control (RRC) state of the first device is transparent to the Internet of Things (IOT) device or the first device remains in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, which enables the first device to always provide services for the Internet of Things (IOT) device, thereby improving the utilization of the first device.

[0119] Embodiments of the second aspect

[0120] Embodiments of the second aspect provide a device connection management method, which is applied to a network device, for example, the network device 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0121] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a device connection management method according to an embodiment of the second aspect, as shown in FIG. 7, the method comprises:

[0122] 701. The network device causes a first device to remain in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, wherein the first device is connected to the network device as an intermediate node of a reader or an Internet of Things (IOT) device; or

[0123] When the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, the network device performs a second operation related to the first device.

[0124] In some embodiments, the second operation includes that the network device receives information reported by the first device; wherein the information reported by the first device includes information reported by an internet of things (IOT) device served by the first device. For example, the first device stores information reported by an internet of things (IOT) device served by the first device when the first device is in a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state. The reported information includes an identifier of the internet of things (IOT) device; a context of the internet of things (IOT) device. Wherein the context of the internet of things (IOT) device includes: a temporary identifier; information related to a core network; information related to a device or a service.

[0125] From the perspective of the network device, the network device receiving the information reported by the first device includes the following possibilities:

[0126] 1) When the first device enters an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state from an RRC connected state and then returns to the RRC connected state, the network receives the information reported by the first device in the RRC connected state;

[0127] 2) When the first device enters an RRC inactive state from an RRC connected state, the network receives the information reported by the first device in the RRC inactive state.

[0128] In some embodiments, the network device includes a radio access network (RAN) node and / or a core network (CN) node.

[0129] Specifically, the RAN node keeps the first device in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, wherein the first device is connected to the RAN node and / or the CN node as an intermediate node of a reader or an internet of things (IOT) device.

[0130] The CN node keeps the first device in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, wherein the first device is connected to the CN node as an intermediate node of a reader or an internet of things (IOT) device.

[0131] In some embodiments, the radio resource control (RRC) state of the first device is transparent to the internet of things (IOT) device.

[0132] In some embodiments, the first device includes a first unit and a second unit;

[0133] The first unit is connected with the network device, and the second unit serves as a reader of the IOT device.

[0134] In some embodiments, after the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) connected state, the network device performs a second operation related to the first device.

[0135] In some embodiments, the first device is kept in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, including:

[0136] The network device does not configure a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) for the first device; or

[0137] The network device configures the data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) for the first device as an infinite value.

[0138] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, the method further includes:

[0139] 702. The network device configures the first device with resources for communicating with the IOT device. In some embodiments, the resources keep the first device in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state.

[0140] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0141] The network device indicates, to a target cell, the first device as a reader or an intermediate node of the IOT device when the first device performs handover or cell change.

[0142] In some embodiments, the network device is, for example, a core network (CN) node, and the network device indicates the first device as a reader or an intermediate node of the IOT device before handover (i.e., during handover preparation) or after completion of the handover.

[0143] In specific implementations, the source cell node can also indicate the first device as a reader or an intermediate node of the IOT device to the target cell.

[0144] The above only describes the steps or processes related to the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto. The method of the embodiments of the present application can also include other steps or processes, and the specific content of these steps or processes can be referred to the related art.

[0145] The above embodiments are only illustrative of the embodiments of the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto, and can be appropriately modified on the basis of the above embodiments. For example, the above embodiments can be used alone or in combination of one or more of the above embodiments.

[0146] Embodiments of the third aspect

[0147] Embodiments of the third aspect provide a device connection management method, which is applied to an Internet of Things (IOT) device, for example, an ambient IOT device shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0148] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the device connection management method of the embodiments of the third aspect, as shown in FIG. 8, the method comprises:

[0149] 801. When the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, or during a radio resource control (RRC) connection reestablishment, the physical network (IOT) device performs a third operation related to the first device,

[0150] Wherein, the first device is connected to a network device as a reader or an intermediate node of the Internet of Things (IOT) device.

[0151] In some embodiments, the Internet of Things (IOT) device is an ambient IOT device.

[0152] In some embodiments, the third operation comprises:

[0153] Continuing to use the first device as a reader, continuing to communicate with the first device, continuing to perform inventory and / or command with the first device, continuing to use the resources configured or allocated for communication with the first device, and continuing to consider that the resources configured or allocated for communication with the first device are at least one of available or active; or

[0154] Stopping to use the first device as a reader, suspending or stopping communication with the first device, stopping or suspending inventory and / or command with the first device, and stopping using or releasing or deactivating the resources configured or allocated for communication with the first device.

[0155] The above only describes the steps or processes related to the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto. The method of the embodiments of the present application can also include other steps or processes, and the specific content of these steps or processes can be referred to the related technology.

[0156] The above embodiments are only illustrative of the embodiments of the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto, and can be appropriately modified on the basis of the above embodiments. For example, the above embodiments can be used alone or one or more of the above embodiments can be combined.

[0157] Embodiments of the fourth aspect

[0158] Embodiments of the fourth aspect provide a device connection management apparatus applied to a first device, which is connected to a network device as an intermediate node of a reader or an Internet of Things (IOT) device. The apparatus corresponds to the method of the first aspect embodiment.

[0159] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a device connection management apparatus in embodiments of the fourth aspect. As shown in FIG. 9, the device connection management apparatus 900 includes a first processing unit 901. The first processing unit 901 controls the communication device to perform the following operations:

[0160] The radio resource control (RRC) state of the first device is transparent to the Internet of Things (IOT) device; or

[0161] When the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, or during radio resource control (RRC) connection reestablishment, the first device performs a first operation related to the Internet of Things (IOT) device served by the first device; or

[0162] The first device remains in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state.

[0163] In some embodiments, the network device includes a radio access network (RAN) node and / or a core network (CN) node.

[0164] In some embodiments, the Internet of Things (IOT) device is an Ambient IOT device.

[0165] In some embodiments, the network device is a radio access network (RAN) node, and when the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, the first device performs the first operation; or

[0166] The network device is a core network (CN) node, and when the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state, the first device performs the first operation.

[0167] In some embodiments, the first device comprises a first unit and a second unit;

[0168] The first unit is connected with the network device, and the second unit is a reader of the IOT device.

[0169] In some embodiments, when the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, the first operation comprises at least one of the following operations:

[0170] The first device continues to work as a reader, or the first device continues to communicate with the IOT device, or the first device continues to perform inventory and / or command with the IOT device, or the first device continues to use the resource configured or allocated for communication with the IOT device, or the first device continues to consider that the resource configured or allocated for communication with the IOT device is available or activated;

[0171] The first device stores or reports the information reported by the served IOT device;

[0172] Stop being a reader, or suspend or stop communicating with the IOT device, or stop performing or suspend inventory and / or command with the IOT device, or stop using or release or deactivate the resource configured or allocated for communication with the IOT device;

[0173] Perform the operation of resuming the radio resource control (RRC) connection.

[0174] In some embodiments, the first processing unit controls the first device to perform the first operation when at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0175] Until the first timer started by the first device when entering the radio resource control (RRC) idle state or the radio resource control (RRC) inactive state expires; or within a first time after the first device enters the radio resource control (RRC) idle state or the radio resource control (RRC) inactive state;

[0176] Until the first device does not find or detect a suitable cell, or until the first device selects a cell different from the last serving cell of the first device;

[0177] Until it is detected that the communication link quality between the first device and the network device and / or the IOT device deteriorates.

[0178] In some embodiments, the first device stores or reports information reported by the Internet of Things (IOT) device served by the first device, including:

[0179] The information reported by the Internet of Things (IOT) device served by the first device and stored by the first device when the first device is in a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state; or

[0180] The information reported by the Internet of Things (IOT) device served by the first device and reported by the first device when the first device is in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state.

[0181] In some embodiments, the first processing unit controls the first device to perform the first operation when at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0182] The first timer started by the first device when entering a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state expires, or a first time after the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state;

[0183] The first device fails to find or detect a suitable cell, or the first device selects a cell different from the last serving cell of the first device;

[0184] When detecting that the communication link quality between the first device and the network device and / or the Internet of Things (IOT) device deteriorates.

[0185] In some embodiments, the information reported by the Internet of Things (IOT) device served by the first device includes:

[0186] An identifier of the Internet of Things (IOT) device;

[0187] A context of the Internet of Things (IOT) device.

[0188] In some embodiments, the context of the Internet of Things (IOT) device served by the first device includes:

[0189] A temporary identifier;

[0190] Information related to a core network;

[0191] Information related to a device or a service.

[0192] In some embodiments, the first operation includes, during a radio resource control (RRC) connection reestablishment of the first device:

[0193] stop being a reader, or suspend or stop communicating with an IOT device, or stop conducting or suspending inventory and / or commands with an IOT device, or stop using or release or deactivate resources configured or allocated for communication with an IOT device.

[0194] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, the apparatus further includes a second processing unit 902 that controls the first device to:

[0195] after the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) connected state, control the first device to report, to the network device, information stored by the first device when in a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, the information being reported by a served IOT device.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first device remaining in the radio resource control (RRC) connected state includes:

[0197] the first device does not enter a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state.

[0198] In some embodiments, the first device not entering a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state includes at least one of:

[0199] the network device does not configure a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) for the first device; or

[0200] the network device configures a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) for the first device to be infinite; or

[0201] the first device does not perform data inactivity listening; or

[0202] the first device does not indicate to an upper layer that a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) has expired; or

[0203] the first device, upon receiving an expiration of a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) from a lower layer, does not perform an action of entering a radio resource control idle mode (RRC_IDLE).

[0204] In some embodiments, the first device not performing data inactivity listening includes:

[0205] The media access control (MAC) entity of the first device does not start or restart a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) when receiving or transmitting a media access control signaling data unit (MAC SDU).

[0206] In some embodiments, the first device remaining in the radio resource control (RRC) connected state further comprises:

[0207] When the first device performs handover or cell change, indicating to a target cell that the first device is an intermediate node of a reader or an Internet of Things (IOT) device.

[0208] In some embodiments, indicating to the target cell that the first device is an intermediate node of a reader or an Internet of Things (IOT) device comprises:

[0209] Indicating to the target cell that the first device is an intermediate node of a reader or an Internet of Things (IOT) device during or after the handover of the first device is complete.

[0210] It is worth noting that the above only describes the components or modules related to the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto. The device connection management apparatus 900 of the embodiments of the present application can also include other components or modules, and the specific content of these components or modules can be referred to the related art.

[0211] In addition, for the sake of simplicity, only the connection relationship or signal path between the components or modules is exemplarily shown in FIG. 9, but it should be clear to those skilled in the art that various related technologies such as bus connection can be used. The above components or modules can be implemented by hardware facilities such as processors, memories, transmitters, receivers, etc.; the present application is not limited thereto.

[0212] The above embodiments only exemplarily describe the embodiments of the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto, and appropriate modifications can be made on the basis of the above embodiments. For example, the above embodiments can be used alone, or one or more of the above embodiments can be combined.

[0213] Embodiments of the fifth aspect

[0214] Embodiments of the fifth aspect provide a device connection management apparatus applied to a network device. The apparatus corresponds to the method of the second aspect embodiment.

[0215] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for device connection management in an embodiment of the fifth aspect. As shown in Figure 10, the apparatus 1000 for device connection management comprises a third processing unit 1001. The third processing unit 1001 controls the network device to:

[0216] The network device maintains the first device in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, wherein the first device is connected to the network device as an intermediate node of a reader or an internet of things (IOT) device; or

[0217] The network device performs a second operation related to the first device when the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state.

[0218] In some embodiments, the network device maintains the first device in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, comprising:

[0219] The network device does not configure a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) for the first device; or

[0220] The network device configures a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) for the first device as an infinite value.

[0221] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a fourth processing unit configured to configure resources for the first device to communicate with the internet of things (IOT) device.

[0222] In some embodiments, the second operation comprises:

[0223] The network device receives information reported by the first device;

[0224] The information reported by the first device comprises information reported by an internet of things (IOT) device served by the first device.

[0225] In some embodiments, the network device comprises a radio access network (RAN) node and / or a core network (CN) node.

[0226] The RAN node maintains the first device in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, wherein the first device is connected to the RAN node and / or the CN node as an intermediate node of a reader or an internet of things (IOT) device

[0227] The CN node keeps the first device in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, and the first device is connected to the CN node as an intermediate node of a reader or an Internet of Things (IOT) device.

[0228] In some embodiments, the third processing unit 1001 further controls the network device to perform the following operations:

[0229] The network device indicates the first device as an intermediate node of a reader or an Internet of Things (IOT) device to a target cell when the first device performs handover or cell change.

[0230] It is worth noting that the above only describes the components or modules related to the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto. The device connection management apparatus 1000 of the embodiments of the present application can also include other components or modules, and the specific content of these components or modules can be referred to the related art.

[0231] In addition, for the sake of simplicity, only the connection relationship or signal path between the components or modules is exemplarily shown in FIG. 10, but it should be clear to those skilled in the art that various related technologies such as bus connection can be used. The above components or modules can be realized by hardware facilities such as processors, memories, transmitters, receivers, etc.; the present application is not limited thereto.

[0232] The above embodiments only exemplarily describe the embodiments of the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto, and appropriate modifications can be made on the basis of the above embodiments. For example, the above embodiments can be used alone, or one or more of the above embodiments can be combined.

[0233] Embodiments of the sixth aspect

[0234] Embodiments of the sixth aspect provide a device connection management apparatus applied to an Internet of Things (IOT) device. The apparatus corresponds to the method of the third aspect.

[0235] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a device connection management apparatus in the embodiments of the sixth aspect, as shown in FIG. 11, the device connection management apparatus includes a fourth processing unit 1101, which controls the Internet of Things (IOT) device to perform the following operations:

[0236] When the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, or during radio resource control (RRC) connection reestablishment, the physical network (IOT) device is controlled to perform a third operation related to the first device,

[0237] The first device is connected to the network device as a reader or an intermediate node of the IOT device.

[0238] In some embodiments, the third operation comprises at least one of:

[0239] continuing to use the resource configured or allocated for the communication with the first device as the reader, continuing to consider the resource configured or allocated for the communication with the first device as available or active, or at least one of the above.

[0240] stopping to use the resource configured or allocated for the communication with the first device as the reader, suspending or deactivating the resource configured or allocated for the communication with the first device as the reader, or at least one of the above.

[0241] It is worth noting that the above only describes the components or modules related to the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto. The device connection management apparatus 1100 of the embodiments of the present application can further include other components or modules, and the specific content of these components or modules can be referred to the related art.

[0242] In addition, for the sake of simplicity, only the connection relationship or signal path between the components or modules is exemplarily shown in FIG. 11, but it should be clear to those skilled in the art that various related technologies such as bus connection can be used. The above components or modules can be implemented by hardware facilities such as processors, memories, transmitters, receivers, etc.; the present application is not limited thereto.

[0243] The above embodiments only exemplarily describe the embodiments of the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto, and appropriate modifications can be made on the basis of the above embodiments. For example, the above embodiments can be used alone, or one or more of the above embodiments can be combined.

[0244] Embodiments of the seventh aspect

[0245] The embodiments of the seventh aspect of the present application provide a communication system, which can include an IOT device, a network device and a first device. In addition, the communication system can further include a core network.

[0246] At least one of the network device and the intermediate node can have the schematic diagram of the electronic device shown in FIG. 12.

[0247] As shown in FIG. 12, the electronic device 1200 can include a processor 1210 and a memory 1220 storing data and programs and coupled to the processor 1210. It is noted that the figure is exemplary; other types of structures can also be used to supplement or replace the structure to implement telecommunication functions or other functions.

[0248] For example, the processor 1210 can be configured to execute programs to implement functions of at least one of a network device, an intermediate node, and an Internet of Things (IOT) device.

[0249] As shown in FIG. 12, the terminal device 1200 can also include a communication module 1230, an input unit 1240, a display 1250, and a power supply 1260. The functions of the above components are similar to those of the prior art, and will not be described here. It is noted that the terminal device 1200 does not necessarily include all the components shown in FIG. 12, and the above components are not essential; in addition, the terminal device 1200 can also include components not shown in FIG. 12, which can be referred to the prior art.

[0250] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program, wherein when the program is executed in at least one of a network device and an intermediate node, the program causes the device to perform a corresponding method to implement a corresponding function.

[0251] The embodiments of the present application also provide a storage medium storing a computer program, wherein when the program is executed in at least one of a network device and an intermediate node, the program causes the device to perform a corresponding method to implement a corresponding function.

[0252] The above apparatus and method of the present application can be implemented by hardware, or by a combination of hardware and software. The present application relates to a computer readable program, which when executed by a logic component, can cause the logic component to implement the above-described apparatus or components, or to implement the above-described various methods or steps. The present application also relates to a storage medium for storing the above program, such as a hard disk, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a DVD, a flash memory, etc.

[0253] The method / apparatus described in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as hardware, a software module executed by a processor, or a combination of the two. For example, one or more of the functional blocks shown in the figure and / or a combination of one or more functional blocks can correspond to each software module of a computer program flow, or to each hardware module. These software modules can correspond to each step shown in the figure, respectively. These hardware modules can be implemented by, for example, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that solidifies the software modules.

[0254] The software module could reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. The storage medium can be coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium could be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The software module can be stored in a memory location that can be accessed by a processor in a mobile terminal, or in a memory location that can be plugged into a mobile terminal. For example, if the device (e.g., mobile terminal) employs a larger capacity MEGA-SIM card or a large capacity flash memory device, the software module can be stored in the MEGA-SIM card or the large capacity flash memory device.

[0255] One or more of the functional blocks described in the accompanying drawings and / or one or more combinations of the functional blocks can be implemented as a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any appropriate combination thereof, for performing the functions described in this disclosure. One or more of the functional blocks described in the accompanying drawings and / or one or more combinations of the functional blocks can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0256] The above description of the application has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the application to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the application be limited not with this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

[0257] With respect to the embodiments including the above embodiments, the following supplementary notes are also disclosed:

[0258] 1. A device connection management method applied to a first device, wherein the method comprises:

[0259] the first device is connected to a network device as an intermediate node of a reader or an Internet of Things (IOT) device;

[0260] wherein a Radio Resource Control (RRC) state of the first device is transparent to the Internet of Things (IOT) device; or

[0261] when the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, or during a radio resource control (RRC) connection reestablishment, the first device performs a first operation related to the internet of things (IOT) device served by the first device; or

[0262] the first device remains in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state.

[0263] 2. The method of Embodiment 1, wherein,

[0264] the network device is a radio access network (RAN) node, the first device performs the first operation when the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state; or

[0265] the network device is a core network (CN) node, the first device performs the first operation when the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state.

[0266] 3. The method of Embodiment 1, wherein the first device comprises a first unit and a second unit.

[0267] the first unit is connected with the network device, and the second unit is a reader of the internet of things (IOT) device.

[0268] 4. The method of Embodiment 1, wherein when the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, the first operation comprises at least one of the following operations:

[0269] the first device continues to work as a reader, or the first device continues to communicate with the internet of things (IOT) device, or the first device continues to perform inventory and / or command with the internet of things (IOT) device, or the first device continues to use resources configured or allocated for communication with the internet of things (IOT) device, or the first device continues to consider that the resources configured or allocated for communication with the internet of things (IOT) device are available or activated;

[0270] the first device stores or reports information reported by the internet of things (IOT) device served;

[0271] stop being a reader, or suspend or stop communicating with an IOT device, or stop performing or suspend inventory and / or commands with an IOT device, or stop using or release or deactivate resources configured or allocated for communication with the IOT device;

[0272] performing an operation of resuming a radio resource control (RRC) connection.

[0273] 5. The method of clause 4, wherein the information reported by the served IOT device comprises:

[0274] an identity of the IOT device;

[0275] a context of the IOT device.

[0276] 6. The method of clause 5, wherein the context of the served IOT device comprises:

[0277] a temporary identity;

[0278] information related to a core network;

[0279] information related to a device or a service.

[0280] 7. A device connection management method applied to an IOT device, wherein the method comprises:

[0281] performing a third operation related to a first device when the first device enters a RRC idle state or a RRC inactive state, or during a RRC connection reestablishment,

[0282] wherein the first device is connected to a network device as a reader or an intermediate node of the IOT device.

[0283] 8. The method of clause 7, wherein the third operation comprises:

[0284] continuing at least one of the first device as a reader, communicating with the first device, performing inventory and / or commands with the first device, using resources configured or allocated for communication with the first device, and considering the resources configured or allocated for communication with the first device as available or active; or

[0285] stopping the first device from being used as a reader, suspending or stopping communication with the first device, stopping or suspending inventory and / or commands with the first device, and at least one of stopping use of, releasing, or deactivating resources configured or allocated for communication with the first device.

Claims

A device connection management apparatus applied to a first device, wherein, The first device is connected to a network device as an intermediate node of a reader or an Internet of Things (IOT) device, the apparatus comprising a first processing unit that controls the first device to: a radio resource control (RRC) state of the first device is transparent to the Internet of Things (IOT) device; or when the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, or during a radio resource control (RRC) connection reestablishment, the first device performs a first operation related to the Internet of Things (IOT) device served by the first device; or the first device remains in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein The network device comprises a radio access network (RAN) node and / or a core network (CN) node. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein The Internet of Things (IOT) device is an Ambient IOT device. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein When the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, the first operation comprises at least one of: the first device continues to operate as a reader, or the first device continues to communicate with the Internet of Things (IOT) device, or the first device continues to perform inventory and / or command with the Internet of Things (IOT) device, or the first device continues to use resources configured or allocated for communication with the Internet of Things (IOT) device, or the first device continues to consider resources configured or allocated for communication with the Internet of Things (IOT) device as available or activated; the first device stores or reports information reported by the served Internet of Things (IOT) device; stop operating as a reader, or suspend or stop communicating with the Internet of Things (IOT) device, or stop performing or suspend inventory and / or command with the Internet of Things (IOT) device, or stop using or release or deactivate resources configured or allocated for communication with the Internet of Things (IOT) device; perform an operation to resume a radio resource control (RRC) connection. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein The first processing unit controls the first device to perform the first operation when at least one of the following conditions is met: until a first timer started by the first device upon entering a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state expires; or a first time after the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state; until the first device does not find or detect a suitable cell, or until the first device selects a cell different from a last serving cell of the first device; until a communication link quality of the first device with the network device and / or the Internet of Things (IOT) device is detected to be poor. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, The first device stores or reports information reported by a served Internet of Things (IOT) device, including: The first device stores information reported by a served Internet of Things (IOT) device when the first device is in a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state; or The first device reports information reported by a served Internet of Things (IOT) device when the first device is in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, The first processing unit controls the first device to perform a first operation when at least one of the following conditions is met: A first timer started by the first device when the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state expires, or a first time after the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state; The first device does not find or detect a suitable cell, or the first device selects a cell different from a last serving cell of the first device; When detecting that a communication link quality between the first device and the network device and / or the Internet of Things (IOT) device deteriorates. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein The first operation includes, during a radio resource control (RRC) connection reestablishment of the first device: Stopping being a reader, or suspending or stopping communication with the Internet of Things (IOT) device, Or stopping performing or suspending inventory and / or command with the Internet of Things (IOT) device, or stopping using or releasing or deactivating resources configured or allocated for communication with the Internet of Things (IOT) device. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein The apparatus further includes a second processing unit, which controls the first device to perform the following operation: After the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) connected state, the first device reports, to the network device, information stored by the first device when the first device is in a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, the information being reported by a served Internet of Things (IOT) device. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein The first device remaining in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state includes: The first device does not enter a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein, The first device not entering a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state includes at least one of the following: The network device does not configure a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) for the first device; or The network device configures an infinite value for a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) for the first device; or The first device does not perform data inactivity listening; or The first device does not indicate data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) expiration to an upper layer; or The first device does not perform an action of entering a radio resource control idle mode (RRC_IDLE) when the first device receives a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) expiry from a lower layer. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein, The first device not performing the data inactivity listening includes: A medium access control (MAC) entity of the first device does not start or restart a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) when the MAC entity receives or transmits a medium access control signaling data unit (MAC SDU). The apparatus of claim 10, wherein, The first device remaining in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state further includes: The first device indicating to a target cell that the first device is an intermediate node for a reader or an internet of things (IOT) device when the first device performs a handover or a cell change. The first device indicating to a target cell that the first device is an intermediate node for a reader or an internet of things (IOT) device includes: The apparatus of claim 13, wherein, The first device indicating to a target cell that the first device is an intermediate node for a reader or an internet of things (IOT) device during or after a handover of the first device. The apparatus includes a third processing unit that controls the network device to: A device connection management apparatus applied to a network device, wherein, The network device causes a first device to remain in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, wherein the first device is connected to the network device as an intermediate node for a reader or an internet of things (IOT) device; or The network device performs a second operation related to the first device when the first device enters a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein: The network device causes a first device to remain in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state includes: The network device does not configure a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) for the first device; or The network device configures a data inactivity timer (dataInactivityTimer) for the first device to be an infinite value. The apparatus further includes a fourth processing unit that configures resources for the first device to communicate with the internet of things (IOT) device. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein, The second operation includes: The apparatus of claim 15, wherein, The network device receives information reported by the first device; The information reported by the first device includes information reported by an internet of things (IOT) device served by the first device. The network device includes a radio access network (RAN) node and / or a core network (CN) node. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein, The operations further include: The apparatus of claim 15, wherein, The network device indicates to a target cell that the first device is an intermediate node for a reader or an internet of things (IOT) device when the first device performs a handover or a cell change. ​

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