Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus. A first terminal receives a first paging message, wherein the first paging message is used for paging the first terminal, the first terminal is in an RRC non-connected state, the first paging message further comprises first indication information, and the first indication information is used for indicating an AIoT service; and the first terminal sends first information in response to the first paging message, wherein the first information is used for indicating that the execution of the AIoT service is rejected. A network can indicate an AIoT service by means of a first paging message, or it is understood that the network can instruct or request, by means of the first paging message, a first terminal to execute the AIoT service. However, the first terminal can refuse to execute the AIoT service, thereby reducing the power consumption resulting from the first terminal executing the AIoT service.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411357581.4, filed on September 26, 2024, and entitled “A communication method and apparatus”, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0004] With the development of communication technology, the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) defines ambient internet of things (A-IoT or AIoT) technology.

[0005] The AIoT device can perform a service with a corresponding device, which can be referred to as a reader, such as a network device or a terminal, which can act as a reader. When the terminal acts as a reader, the terminal not only performs AIoT services as a reader, but also performs other communication services, such as data transmission services, etc., which leads to high power consumption of the terminal. SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus for reducing the power consumption of a terminal.

[0007] In a first aspect, a first communication method is provided, which can be applied to a first device. The first device is, for example, a terminal-side device, which is also referred to as a terminal device or a terminal. The terminal device is, for example, a terminal apparatus, or another apparatus including a terminal apparatus function, or a circuit, or a chip system (or a chip, such as a modem chip, also referred to as a baseband chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip or a system in package (SIP) chip containing a modem core) or another functional module capable of realizing the function of a terminal apparatus, which is, for example, arranged in a terminal apparatus. The method comprises: receiving a first paging message, the first paging message being used for paging a first terminal, the first terminal being in an RRC non-connected state, the first paging message further comprising first indication information, the first indication information being used for indicating an AIoT service; and in response to the first paging message, sending first information, the first information being used for indicating rejection of performing the AIoT service.

[0008] In the embodiments of the present application, the network can indicate the AIoT service through the first paging message, or it can be understood that the network can indicate or request the first terminal to perform the AIoT service through the first paging message. However, the first terminal can reject to perform the AIoT service, thereby saving the power consumption of the first terminal due to the performance of the AIoT service.

[0009] In an optional implementation, the first indication information used for indicating the AIoT service comprises: the first indication information being used for indicating that the first terminal performs the AIoT service as a reader. The first indication information can indicate the identity of the first terminal when performing the AIoT service, so that the first terminal can determine whether the first terminal can perform the AIoT service as a reader.

[0010] In an optional implementation, the first indication information is included in a first paging record field corresponding to the first terminal. Alternatively, the first indication information can also be included in another field of the first paging message, which is not limited.

[0011] In an optional implementation, the sending of the first information comprises: sending the first information in the RRC non-connected state; or entering an RRC connected state and sending the first information in the RRC connected state. The first terminal can send the first information in the RRC connected state to improve the success rate of sending the first information; or the first terminal can also send the first information in the RRC non-connected state without entering the RRC connected state, thereby saving the transmission overhead due to entering the RRC connected state and saving the power consumption of the first terminal.

[0012] In an optional implementation, the first information is transmitted in the RRC non-connected state, including: transmitting an RRC connection resume request message and the first information in the RRC non-connected state.

[0013] In an optional implementation, the radio bearer used for transmitting the first information is a radio bearer for small packet transmission. For example, the first terminal can transmit the first information by using a radio bearer for small packet transmission, so as to transmit the first information even in the RRC non-connected state.

[0014] In an optional implementation, the first information is included in a NAS message, or the first information is included in an AS message, or the first information is included in a user plane core network message. The first information can be transmitted by different signaling, which is more flexible.

[0015] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: receiving a release message, the release message being used for releasing the first terminal to the RRC non-connected state.

[0016] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: transmitting second information, the second information being used for indicating that the first terminal supports receiving a paging message including the first indication information. The second information can be regarded as a capability information of the first terminal, for example, the capability indicated by the second information is referred to as a first capability. The first access network device can obtain the capability (for example, the first capability) of the first terminal by the second information, so that the first access network device can transmit the paging message including the first indication information only to the terminal with the first capability, or the first access network device can carry the first indication information in the paging message for the terminal with the first capability.

[0017] In an optional implementation, the first paging message further includes third information, the third information being used for indicating information of transmitting the AIoT service by using a small packet transmission process, or being used for indicating small packet transmission, or being used for indicating initiating a small packet transmission process. The third information can be associated with the AIoT service, for example, the third information indicates information of transmitting the AIoT service by using a small packet transmission process, so that the first terminal can determine the information of transmitting the AIoT service by using a small packet transmission process according to the received third information. Alternatively, the third information can not be associated with the AIoT service, for example, the third information indicates small packet transmission, or is used for indicating initiating a small packet transmission process, so that the first terminal can determine the information of transmitting the AIoT service by using a small packet transmission process according to the received third information and the first indication information. The indication manner of the third information is more flexible.

[0018] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: receiving third information, the third information being used for enabling the terminal to transmit AIoT service related information through the small packet transmission procedure, or being used for indicating that the first access network device or the first cell supports the terminal to transmit AIoT service related information through the small packet transmission procedure, the first cell being a cell in which the third information is received. For example, the third information can not correspond to a certain terminal, but can be directed to all or part of the terminals covered by the first access network device or the first cell, so that the first access network device can not have to send the third information to each terminal respectively, thereby being able to save transmission overhead.

[0019] In an optional implementation, receiving the third information includes: receiving a system message including the third information. The third information is included in the system message, or included in other broadcast messages, for example.

[0020] In a second aspect, a second communication method is provided, which can be applied to a second device. The second device is a network side device, for example, also referred to as a network device. The network device is a network equipment, or other equipment including the function of the network equipment, or a circuit, or a chip system (or chip) or other functional module capable of implementing the function of the network equipment, which is arranged in the network equipment, for example. The network equipment can be a non-ORAN architecture or an ORAN architecture; or the network equipment can be a CU, a DU or a RU under the ORAN architecture. The network equipment is located on the ground, for example, or is a non-ground device such as a satellite or an air vehicle, or is located on a non-ground device such as a satellite or an air vehicle. The network device is a first access network device, for example. The method includes: sending a first paging message, the first paging message being used for paging a first terminal, the first terminal being in an RRC non-connected state, the first paging message further including first indication information, the first indication information being used for indicating an AIoT service; and receiving first information, the first information being used for indicating rejection of performing the AIoT service.

[0021] In an optional implementation, the first indication information is included in a first paging record field corresponding to the first terminal.

[0022] In an optional implementation, receiving the first information includes: receiving an RRC connection resume request message and the first information.

[0023] In an optional implementation, the first information is included in a NAS message, or is included in an AS message, or is included in a user plane core network message.

[0024] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: sending a release message, the release message being used for releasing the first terminal to the RRC non-connected state.

[0025] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: receiving seventh information, the seventh information being used for indicating to release the first terminal, or indicating that the first terminal does not need to perform the AIoT service.

[0026] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: receiving second information, the second information being used for indicating that the first terminal supports receiving a paging message including the first indication information.

[0027] In an optional implementation, the first paging message further includes third information, the third information being used for indicating to use a small packet transmission procedure to transmit information of the AIoT service, or used for indicating small packet transmission, or used for indicating to initiate a small packet transmission procedure.

[0028] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: sending third information, the third information being used for enabling a terminal to transmit AIoT service related information through a small packet transmission procedure, or used for indicating that a first access network device or a first cell supports a terminal to transmit AIoT service related information through a small packet transmission procedure, the first cell being a cell transmitting the third information.

[0029] In an optional implementation, sending the third information includes: sending a system message including the third information.

[0030] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: receiving a second paging message; wherein the second paging message is used for paging the first terminal, or the first terminal is determined by a first access network device. The second paging message is for example from a first core network device, and the first access network device receives the second paging message, and then the first access network device can send the first paging message. The first terminal can be determined by the first core network device, and then the second paging message can be used for paging the first terminal; or the first terminal can also be determined by the first access network device.

[0031] In an optional implementation, the second paging message further includes fifth information; or the method further includes: receiving fifth information; wherein the fifth information is used for indicating one or more of the following: the first indication information, the first indication information being used for indicating the AIoT service; whether the number of devices needing to perform the AIoT service is greater than 1; the number of devices needing to perform the AIoT service; the type of the AIoT service; or the data volume corresponding to the AIoT service.

[0032] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: determining, according to the fifth information, that the second paging message is related to the AIoT service; and / or the fifth information is used to determine whether to initiate a small packet transmission procedure for the AIoT service.

[0033] Through the fifth information, the first access network device can determine that the second paging message is related to the AIoT service, so that the first access network device can send the first paging message carrying the first indication information, so that the first terminal can determine that the first paging message is related to the AIoT service, so that the first terminal can consider whether to perform the AIoT service according to the corresponding factors; and / or the first access network device can determine whether to initiate a small packet transmission procedure for the AIoT service according to the fifth information, so that the transmission mode of the information related to the AIoT service is more reasonable.

[0034] In an optional implementation, the second paging message further includes sixth information, the sixth information being used to indicate a data amount corresponding to downlink data, wherein the downlink data does not belong to the AIoT service. Through this way, the first access network device can perceive the current service situation, the first access network device can determine whether to initiate a small packet transmission procedure based on the service, and power consumption caused by the terminal entering the RRC connected state to perform the AIoT service can be avoided as much as possible.

[0035] For the technical effects brought by the second aspect or the optional implementation of the second aspect, refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the first aspect or the corresponding implementation.

[0036] The third aspect provides a third communication method, which can be applied to a third device. The third device is, for example, a terminal-side device, which is also referred to as a terminal device or a terminal. For the introduction of the terminal device, refer to the first aspect. The method includes: receiving a first paging message, the first paging message being used to page a first terminal, the first terminal being in an RRC non-connected state, the first paging message further including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate an AIoT service; wherein the first paging message further includes third information, the third information being used to indicate information of the AIoT service transmitted by using a small packet transmission procedure, or being used to indicate small packet transmission, or being used to indicate initiation of a small packet transmission procedure; or sending the third information, the third information being used to enable the terminal to transmit information related to the AIoT service by using a small packet transmission procedure, or being used to indicate that the first access network device or a first cell supports the terminal to transmit information related to the AIoT service by using a small packet transmission procedure, the first cell being a cell sending the third information; and transmitting the information of the AIoT service by using the small packet transmission procedure.

[0037] In the embodiments of the present application, the network can indicate the AIoT service through the first paging message, or it can be understood that the network can indicate or request the first terminal to perform the AIoT service through the first paging message. The first terminal can transmit information related to the AIoT service through the small packet transmission process, so as not to enter the RRC connected state, thereby saving the power consumption of the first terminal. In addition, since the first terminal can timely inform the network device that the first terminal refuses to perform the AIoT service, the network device can avoid continuously paging the terminal, thereby saving resources for the network device.

[0038] In an optional implementation, the information of the AIoT service is transmitted through the small packet transmission process, including: sending an RRC connection resume request message to transmit the information of the AIoT service through the small packet transmission process. The first terminal can initiate the small packet transmission process through the RRC connection resume request message.

[0039] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: starting a first timer when the RRC connection resume request message is sent, the first timer being used to detect whether the small packet transmission process related to the AIoT service fails; stopping the first timer if a response message to the RRC connection resume request message is received during the running of the first timer; and determining that the small packet transmission process fails if the response message to the RRC connection resume request message is still not received when the first timer expires. The first terminal can detect whether the small packet transmission process related to the AIoT service fails through the first timer, so as to determine the state of the small packet transmission process in time.

[0040] In an optional implementation, the timing duration of the first timer is greater than the timing duration of an SDT failure detection timer used to detect whether the small packet transmission process fails. For example, the timing duration of the SDT failure detection timer is short, and the first terminal needs to perform the AIoT service with the AIoT device, so the first terminal needs a timer with a longer timing duration. Therefore, the present application provides a first timer, and the timing duration of the first timer is greater than the timing duration of the SDT failure detection timer, thereby ensuring that the first terminal can successfully complete the AIoT service.

[0041] In an optional implementation, the method further comprises: determining that the signal quality of the first cell is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first cell being a cell receiving the first paging message. The first terminal can determine whether to transmit the information of the AIoT service through the small packet transmission procedure according to the signal quality of the first cell. For example, if the signal quality of the first cell is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it indicates that the signal quality of the first cell is good, and the first terminal can transmit the information of the AIoT service well even if it does not enter the RRC connected state, the first terminal can transmit the information of the AIoT service related to the small packet transmission procedure; or if the signal quality of the first cell is less than the first threshold, it indicates that the signal quality of the first cell is poor, and the first terminal can not transmit the information of the AIoT service well or even can not transmit the information of the AIoT service in the RRC non-connected state, therefore the first terminal can not transmit the information of the AIoT service related to the small packet transmission procedure, for example, the first terminal can enter the RRC connected state to transmit the information of the AIoT service related.

[0042] In an optional implementation, the radio bearer used for transmitting the AIoT service is a radio bearer used for small packet transmission.

[0043] In an optional implementation, the first indication information is included in a first paging record field corresponding to the first terminal.

[0044] In an optional implementation, the method further comprises: sending second information, the second information being used to indicate that the first terminal supports receiving a paging message including the first indication information.

[0045] In an optional implementation, receiving the third information comprises: receiving a system message including the third information.

[0046] The technical effects brought by the optional implementations of the third aspect can be referred to the introduction of the technical effects of the first aspect or the corresponding implementations.

[0047] In a fourth aspect, a fourth communication method is provided, which can be applied to a fourth device. The fourth device is, for example, a network side device, which is also referred to as a network device. The network device can be introduced with reference to the second aspect. Optionally, the fourth device is, for example, a first access network device. The method comprises: sending a first paging message, the first paging message being used for paging a first terminal, the first terminal being in an RRC non-connected state, the first paging message further comprising first indication information, the first indication information being used for indicating an AIoT service; wherein the first paging message further comprises third information, the third information being used for indicating information of using a small packet transmission procedure to transmit the AIoT service, or being used for indicating small packet transmission, or being used for indicating initiating the small packet transmission procedure; or sending third information, the third information being used for enabling the terminal to transmit information of the AIoT service through the small packet transmission procedure, or being used for indicating that the first access network device or a first cell supports the terminal to transmit information of the AIoT service through the small packet transmission procedure, the first cell being a cell sending the third information; and transmitting the information of the AIoT service through the small packet transmission procedure with the first terminal.

[0048] In an optional implementation, the transmitting the information of the AIoT service through the small packet transmission procedure with the first terminal comprises: receiving an RRC connection resume request message to transmit the information of the AIoT service through the small packet transmission procedure with the first terminal.

[0049] In an optional implementation, the first indication information is included in a first paging record field corresponding to the first terminal.

[0050] In an optional implementation, the method further comprises: receiving second information, the second information being used for indicating that the first terminal supports receiving a paging message comprising the first indication information.

[0051] In an optional implementation, the sending the third information comprises: sending a system message comprising the third information.

[0052] In an optional implementation, the method further comprises: receiving a second paging message; wherein the second paging message is used for paging the first terminal, or the first terminal is determined by the first access network device.

[0053] In an optional implementation, the second paging message further comprises fifth information; or, the method further comprises: receiving fifth information; wherein the fifth information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate the AIoT service; whether the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service is greater than 1; the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service; the type of the AIoT service; or, the data volume corresponding to the AIoT service.

[0054] In an optional implementation, the method further comprises: determining, according to the fifth information, that the second paging message is related to the AIoT service; and / or, the fifth information is used to determine whether to initiate a small packet transmission process for the AIoT service.

[0055] In an optional implementation, the second paging message further comprises sixth information, the sixth information is used to indicate the data volume corresponding to the downlink data, wherein the downlink data does not belong to the AIoT service.

[0056] As to the technical effects brought by the fourth aspect or the various optional implementations of the fourth aspect, reference can be made to the introduction of the technical effects of the third aspect or the corresponding implementation, and / or the introduction of the technical effects of the second aspect or the corresponding implementation.

[0057] In a fifth aspect, a fifth communication method is provided, which can be applied to a fifth device. The fifth device is, for example, a network side device, which is also referred to as a network device. For the introduction of the network device, reference can be made to the second aspect. Optionally, the fifth device is, for example, an anchor access network equipment, or a first core network equipment. The method comprises: sending, to a first access network equipment, a second paging message, the second paging message is used to page at least one terminal, the at least one terminal comprises a first terminal.

[0058] In an optional implementation, the method further comprises: receiving first information, the first information is used to indicate that the AIoT service is rejected. The first information is, for example, from the first terminal, or from a second core network equipment (for example, the first terminal can send the first information to the second core network equipment, and the second core network equipment sends the first information to the first core network equipment).

[0059] In an optional implementation, the second paging message further comprises fifth information; or, the method further comprises: sending the fifth information; wherein the fifth information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate the AIoT service; whether the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service is greater than 1; the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service; the type of the AIoT service; or, the data volume corresponding to the AIoT service.

[0060] In an optional implementation, the second paging message further comprises sixth information, the sixth information is used to indicate the data volume corresponding to the downlink data, wherein the downlink data does not belong to the AIoT service.

[0061] In an optional implementation, the method further comprises: receiving seventh information, the seventh information is used to indicate to release the first terminal, or to indicate that the first terminal does not need to perform the AIoT service; and sending third information to the first access network device, the third information is used to indicate to release the first terminal, or to indicate that the first terminal does not need to perform the AIoT service. For example, the fifth device is an anchor access network device, and the seventh information is from the first core network device, then the anchor access network device can send the third information to the first access network device, so that the first access network device can release the first terminal, or the first access network device can explicitly indicate that the first terminal does not need to perform the AIoT service.

[0062] In an optional implementation, the method further comprises: sending seventh information, the seventh information is used to indicate to release the first terminal, or to indicate that the first terminal does not need to perform the AIoT service. For example, the fifth device is the first core network device, then the first core network device can send the seventh information, so that the first access network device can release the first terminal, or the first access network device can explicitly indicate that the first terminal does not need to perform the AIoT service.

[0063] As to the technical effects brought by the fifth aspect or various optional implementations of the fifth aspect, reference can be made to one or more of the following: the introduction of the technical effects of the first aspect or the corresponding implementation, the introduction of the technical effects of the second aspect or the corresponding implementation, the introduction of the technical effects of the third aspect or the corresponding implementation, or, the introduction of the technical effects of the fourth aspect or the corresponding implementation.

[0064] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication apparatus can be the terminal-side apparatus of the first aspect or the third aspect. The communication apparatus has the functions of the terminal-side apparatus. For example, the communication apparatus has the functions of the first aspect or the third aspect. For example, the communication apparatus includes modules or units or means corresponding to the operations of the first aspect or the third aspect. The modules or units or means can be implemented in software, or in hardware, or in a combination of software and hardware. The communication apparatus can be a terminal device, or another device with functions of the terminal device, or a chip system (or a chip or circuit) or another functional module that has functions of the terminal device. The chip system or functional module can be in the terminal device. In an optional implementation, the communication apparatus includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication apparatus includes a processing unit (also referred to as a processing module) and a transceiver unit (also referred to as a transceiver module). The transceiver unit can implement the sending function and the receiving function. When the transceiver unit implements the sending function, the transceiver unit can be referred to as a sending unit (also referred to as a sending module). When the transceiver unit implements the receiving function, the transceiver unit can be referred to as a receiving unit (also referred to as a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is referred to as the transceiver unit and can implement the sending function and the receiving function. Alternatively, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit refers to the two functional modules.

[0065] In an optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive a first paging message. The first paging message is used for paging a first terminal. The first terminal is in an RRC non-connected state. The first paging message further includes first indication information. The first indication information is used for indicating an AIoT service. The transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is configured to send first information in response to the first paging message. The first information is used for indicating that the AIoT service is rejected.

[0066] In an optional implementation, the transceiver (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive a first paging message, the first paging message being used for paging a first terminal, the first terminal being in an RRC non-connected state, the first paging message further comprising first indication information, the first indication information being used for indicating an AIoT service; wherein the first paging message further comprises third information, the third information being used for indicating information of the AIoT service transmitted by using a small packet transmission procedure, or being used for indicating small packet transmission, or being used for indicating initiation of the small packet transmission procedure; or the transceiver (or the receiving unit) is further configured to receive third information, the third information being used for enabling the terminal to transmit information of the AIoT service by using the small packet transmission procedure, or being used for indicating that the first access network device or a first cell supports the terminal to transmit information of the AIoT service by using the small packet transmission procedure, the first cell being a cell sending the third information; and the transceiver is configured to transmit the information of the AIoT service by using the small packet transmission procedure.

[0067] In an optional implementation, the communication apparatus further comprises a storage unit (sometimes also referred to as a storage module), and the processing unit is coupled with the storage unit and executes programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication apparatus to perform the functions of the terminal-side apparatus in the first aspect or the third aspect.

[0068] In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication apparatus can be the network-side apparatus in the second aspect or the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect. The communication apparatus has the functions of the network-side apparatus. For example, the communication apparatus has the functions of the second aspect or the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, e.g., the communication apparatus comprises modules or units or means corresponding to the operations in the second aspect or the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, which can be implemented in software, or implemented in hardware, or implemented in a combination of software and hardware. The communication apparatus is, for example, a network device, or another device having the functions of the network device, or a chip system (or a chip or a circuit) or another functional module, which can implement the functions of the network device, and is, for example, arranged in the network device. In an optional implementation, the communication apparatus comprises a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication apparatus comprises a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a transceiver (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module). For the implementation of the transceiver, refer to the description of the fifth aspect.

[0069] In an optional implementation, the transceiver (or the sending unit) is configured to send a first paging message, the first paging message being used to page a first terminal, the first terminal being in an RRC non-connected state, the first paging message further comprising first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate an AIoT service; and the transceiver (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive first information, the first information being used to indicate a refusal to perform the AIoT service.

[0070] In an optional implementation, the transceiver (or the sending unit) is configured to send a first paging message, the first paging message being used to page a first terminal, the first terminal being in an RRC non-connected state, the first paging message further comprising first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate an AIoT service; and the transceiver (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive first information, the first information being used to indicate a refusal to perform the AIoT service.

[0071] In an optional implementation, the transceiver (or the sending unit) is configured to send a first paging message, the first paging message being used to page a first terminal, the first terminal being in an RRC non-connected state, the first paging message further comprising first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate an AIoT service; and the transceiver (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive first information, the first information being used to indicate a refusal to perform the AIoT service.

[0072] In an optional implementation, the communication apparatus further comprises a storage unit (also referred to as a storage module), and the processing unit is coupled to the storage unit and executes programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication apparatus to perform the functions of the network-side apparatus described in the second aspect or the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect.

[0073] In an eighth aspect, an apparatus includes a memory and one or more processors. The memory is configured to store part or all of the computer programs or instructions necessary to implement the functions related to the first aspect or the third aspect described above. The one or more processors are configured to execute the computer programs or instructions, which, when executed, cause the apparatus to implement the method in any possible design or implementation manner of the first aspect or the third aspect described above.

[0074] In a possible design, the apparatus can further include an interface circuit, where the processor is configured to communicate with other apparatuses or components through the interface circuit.

[0075] In a possible design, the apparatus can further include the memory.

[0076] The apparatus described above can be a terminal, or a communication module in the terminal, or a chip responsible for communication functions in the terminal, such as a modem chip (also referred to as a baseband chip) or an SoC or SIP chip including a modem module.

[0077] In a ninth aspect, an apparatus includes a memory and one or more processors. The memory is configured to store part or all of the computer programs or instructions necessary to implement the functions related to the second aspect or the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect described above. The one or more processors are configured to execute the computer programs or instructions, which, when executed, cause the apparatus to implement the method in any possible design or implementation manner of the second aspect or the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect described above.

[0078] In a possible design, the apparatus can further include an interface circuit, where the processor is configured to communicate with other apparatuses or components through the interface circuit.

[0079] In a possible design, the apparatus can further include the memory.

[0080] The apparatus described above can be a network device, or a communication module in the network device, or a chip responsible for communication functions in the network device, such as a modem chip (also referred to as a baseband chip) or an SoC or SIP chip including a modem module.

[0081] In a tenth aspect, a communication system includes a first access network device, where the first access network device is configured to perform the method performed by the network-side apparatus in the second aspect described above. For example, the first access network device can be implemented by the apparatus in the seventh aspect or the ninth aspect.

[0082] Optionally, the communication system further comprises a first core network device, wherein the first core network device is configured to perform the method executed by the network-side device according to the fifth aspect. For example, the first core network device can be implemented by the device according to the seventh aspect or the ninth aspect.

[0083] Optionally, the communication system further comprises a terminal device, wherein the terminal device is configured to perform the method executed by the terminal device according to the first aspect. For example, the terminal device can be implemented by the device according to the sixth aspect or the eighth aspect.

[0084] According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided a communication system comprising a first access network device, wherein the first access network device is configured to perform the method executed by the network-side device according to the fourth aspect. For example, the first access network device can be implemented by the device according to the seventh aspect or the ninth aspect.

[0085] Optionally, the communication system further comprises a first core network device, wherein the first core network device is configured to perform the method executed by the network-side device according to the fifth aspect. For example, the first core network device can be implemented by the device according to the seventh aspect or the ninth aspect.

[0086] Optionally, the communication system further comprises a terminal device, wherein the terminal device is configured to perform the method executed by the terminal device according to the third aspect. For example, the terminal device can be implemented by the device according to the sixth aspect or the eighth aspect.

[0087] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium configured to store a computer program or instructions, which, when executed, cause the method executed by the network-side device or the terminal-side device according to the aspects to be implemented.

[0088] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the method according to the aspects to be implemented.

[0089] According to a fourteenth aspect, there is provided a chip system comprising a processor and an interface, wherein the processor is configured to call and execute instructions from the interface, so that the chip system implements the method according to the aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0090] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are schematic diagrams of two structures of an access network device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a working mode of a reader and a tag;

[0092] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system to which an embodiment of the present application is applied;

[0093] FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 are flowcharts of several communication methods provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0094] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0095] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of another apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0096] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0097] In the embodiments of the present application, the number of a noun, unless otherwise specified, represents "a singular noun or a plural noun", i.e. "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent the following three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects. For example, A / B means A or B. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions means any combination of these items, including any combination of single item or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0098] The ordinal numbers "first", "second", etc. mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, time sequence, priority or importance of the multiple objects. In addition, the numbering of steps in each embodiment introduced in the present application is only used to distinguish different steps, and is not used to limit the order of the steps.

[0099] In the following, some terms or concepts in the embodiments of the present application are explained and described, so as to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art.

[0100] (1) In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device is a device with wireless transceiving function, which can be a fixed device, a mobile device, a handheld device (such as a mobile phone), a wearable device, a vehicle-mounted device, or a wireless device (such as a communication module, a modem, or a chip system, etc.) built in the above devices. The terminal device is used to connect people, things, machines, etc., and can be widely used in various scenarios, such as but not limited to the following scenarios: sensing scenarios, cellular communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC), internet of things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self driving, remote medical, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, unmanned aerial vehicle, robot, indoor commercial scenarios (such as mobile phone screen projection, file sharing, mobile phone video transmission to VR glasses), etc. When the terminal device is applied to V2X, it can also be referred to as a V2X device, such as a smart car, a digital car, an unmanned car, a self-driving car, a pure EV, a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a range extended EV (REEV), a plug-in HEV (PHEV), a new energy vehicle, a road site unit (RSU), etc. The terminal device can also be a device in D2D communication, such as a water meter, a power meter, etc.

[0101] In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an internet of things (IoT) system. The IoT is an important part of future information technology development. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to a network through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-object interconnection.

[0102] As introduced above, various terminal devices can be considered as vehicle-mounted terminal devices if they are located on a vehicle (e.g., placed in or installed in a vehicle), which are also called on-board units (OBU). The terminal device of the present application can also be an on-board module, on-board module group, on-board component, on-board chip or on-board unit built in a vehicle as one or more components or units, and the vehicle can implement the method of the present application through the built-in on-board module, on-board module group, on-board component, on-board chip or on-board unit.

[0103] The terminal device can also be referred to as a UE, terminal, access station, UE station, remote station, wireless communication device, user equipment, etc.

[0104] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the terminal device can be a terminal device, which can be a terminal device or a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement the function, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the terminal device. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the terminal device is taken as an example to describe the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0105] (2) The network device in the embodiments of the present application, for example, includes an access network device (or an access network network element) and / or a core network device (or a core network network element). The access network device is a device with wireless transceiving function, used for communicating with the terminal device. The access network device includes but is not limited to a base station (a base transceiver station (BTS), a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNodeB) / eNB, or a next generation Node B (gNodeB) / gNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a base station evolved in the future of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), an access node in a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, and the like. The base station can be a macro base station, a micro base station, a pico base station, a micro base station, a relay station, and the like. A plurality of base stations can support a network of the same access technology or a network of different access technologies. A base station can include one or more co-sited or non-co-sited transmission reception points. The access network device can also be a wireless controller, a centralized unit (CU), and / or a distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The access network device can also be a server and the like. For example, the network device in the V2X technology can be a road side unit (RSU). The access network device is described below by taking a base station as an example. The base station can communicate with the terminal device or communicate with the terminal device through a relay station. The terminal device can communicate with a plurality of base stations in different access technologies. The core network device is used to implement mobile management, data processing, session management, policy and charging, and the like. The names of devices implementing core network functions in systems of different access technologies can be different, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.Taking a 5th generation (5G) system as an example, the core network device includes, for example, an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a policy control function (PCF), a user plane function (UPF), and the like.

[0106] In the CU-DU architecture, or in an open RAN (ORAN) system, the access network device can include one or more of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), and the like. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). For a structure of the access network device, refer to FIG. 1. The core network device and the access network device can communicate through a backhaul link; the CU and the DU in the access network device can communicate through a middlehaul link, and the DU and the RU can communicate through a front-haul link.

[0107] Alternatively, another structure of the access network device can refer to FIG. 2, which takes an example of the access network device being implemented by a chip, for example, referred to as a RAN chip. The RAN chip can include a CU, a DU, and a RU. The CU can perform L2 functions, L3 functions, and the like. The DU can perform L1 functions, part of L2 functions, and the like. The RU can perform calculation of L1 and radio frequency (RF) digital part functions, and the like. The CU communicates with the core network device through a backhaul interface, which carries traffic between the CU and the core network device. The CU can include a central processing unit (CPU) of an X86 architecture or an ARM architecture, and an accelerator including a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or other accelerators, and the like. The CPU and the FPGA, GPU, or other accelerators can communicate through a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) interface.

[0108] The CU communicates with the DU through a midhaul interface, which carries traffic between the CU and the DU. The DU can include a CPU of an X86 architecture or an ARM architecture, and an accelerator including an FPGA, a GPU, or other accelerators, and the like. The CPU and the FPGA, GPU, or other accelerators can communicate through a PCIe interface.

[0109] The DU communicates with the RU through a fronthaul interface, which carries traffic between the DU and the RU. If the access network device adopts an integrated DU, the integrated DU can include the functions of the DU and the RU described above, and the RAN can no longer separately include the RU. The RU can include a RAN fronthaul processing unit (RAN FH processing unit), a digital processing unit, and a radio frequency processing unit (RF processing unit). The RAN FH processing unit is implemented by, for example, an FPGA or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The digital processing unit is implemented by, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC.

[0110] The RU can be connected with an antenna to communicate with the UE through the antenna.

[0111] The CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names in different systems, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an open CU (O-CU), the DU can also be referred to as an open DU (O-DU), the CU-CP can also be referred to as an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), the CU-UP can also be referred to as an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and the RU can also be referred to as an open RU (O-RU). For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU are taken as examples for description in the embodiments of the present application. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0112] The CU and the DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement. For example, the CU is configured to implement the functions of the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer and the protocol layers above the PDCP layer (such as the radio resource control (RRC) layer and / or the service data adaption protocol (SDAP) layer, etc.); the DU is configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as one or more of the radio link control (RLC) layer, the media access control (MAC) layer, or the physical (PHY) layer). For another example, the CU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer and the protocol layers above the PDCP layer (such as the RRC layer and / or the SDAP layer), and the DU is configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as one or more of the RLC layer, the MAC layer, or the PHY layer).

[0113] The above configuration of the CU and the DU is merely an example, and the CU and the DU can be configured to have functions as needed. For example, the CU or the DU can be configured to have functions of more protocol layers, or the CU or the DU can be configured to have partial processing functions of the protocol layers. For example, partial functions of the RLC layer and functions of protocol layers above the RLC layer are arranged in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and functions of protocol layers below the RLC layer are arranged in the DU. For another example, the functions of the CU or the DU can be divided according to a service type or other system requirements, for example, according to a delay requirement. For example, functions that require a shorter delay requirement in processing time are arranged in the DU, and functions that do not require the delay requirement are arranged in the CU.

[0114] The DU and the RU can cooperate to jointly implement functions of the PHY layer. One DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of the DU and the RU can be configured in various manners according to design. For example, the DU is configured to implement baseband functions, and the RU is configured to implement intermediate radio frequency functions. For another example, the DU is configured to implement high-layer functions in the PHY layer, and the RU is configured to implement low-layer functions in the PHY layer or implement the low-layer functions and radio frequency functions. The high-layer functions in the PHY layer can include a part of functions of the PHY layer that are closer to the MAC layer, and the low-layer functions in the PHY layer can include another part of functions of the PHY layer that are closer to the intermediate radio frequency side.

[0115] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the network device can be referred to as a network device, which can be a network element or a network device, or a device capable of supporting the network device or the network element to implement the function, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the network device. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the network device is taken as an example (for example, the device for implementing the function of the access network device is the access network device, and the device for implementing the function of the core network device is the core network device), and the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are described.

[0116] (3) A device in an Internet of Things (IoT) system.

[0117] IoT is currently attracting much attention. For IoT scenarios, by reducing the size of devices and reducing the complexity of devices, it is expected to increase the number of devices that can be accommodated in an Internet of Things scenario. Among them, IoT devices can include AIOT devices. For example, the peak power consumption of AIOT devices can be between 1 μW and several hundred μW; the uplink signal of AIoT devices can be generated internally by AIoT devices, or AIoT devices need to backscatter based on externally provided carrier waves to achieve uplink transmission. In some implementations, AIoT devices with a peak power consumption of about 1 μW (referred to as device1) do not have uplink or downlink amplification functions; AIoT devices with a peak power consumption of several hundred μW (referred to as device2) have uplink and / or downlink amplification functions.

[0118] AIoT devices can perform business with corresponding devices, at which time the AIoT device can act as a device. The corresponding device can be referred to as a reader, such as a network device or a UE, which can act as a reader. Among them, "device" can also be replaced by UE, tag, or AIoT tag, and other IoT devices; the reader can also be replaced by an interrogator, and other network devices or UEs.

[0119] The tag can also be referred to as an electronic tag or a tag device, etc. For example, a tag is implemented through an AIoT device, which can also be referred to as an AIoT tag. In the embodiments of the present application, the tag can act as a kind of terminal device to communicate with the network device. Among them, "tag" is only an optional name, and the name can also be changed, for example, "AIoT tag" can also be changed to other names, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit the name. For the convenience of description, hereinafter, continue to take "tag" as an example.

[0120] In the classification method 1, the tag can be divided into three categories, namely passive tag, semi-passive tag and active tag. Among them, passive tags and semi-passive tags can adopt a communication method based on reflection, and active tags adopt a communication method of actively generating a carrier wave.

[0121] In the classification mode 2, the tags can also be classified into three categories, namely, device A, device B and device C. Among them, device A has no energy storage and cannot independently generate signals, and uses backscatter to transmit signals; device B has energy storage but cannot independently generate signals, and uses backscatter to transmit signals, wherein the energy stored by device B can amplify the reflected signals; and device C has energy storage and can independently generate signals, and has active radio frequency elements for transmission.

[0122] The AIoT tag in the embodiment of the present application can be classified according to the classification mode 1 or the classification mode 2, and the embodiment of the present application is applicable to any category of AIoT tag under the classification mode 1 or the classification mode 2. Alternatively, the AIoT tag in the embodiment of the present application is not classified according to the two classification modes, but is classified according to the aforementioned classification mode of AIoT device, and the embodiment of the present application is applicable to any category of AIoT tag under the classification mode. Alternatively, the AIoT tag in the embodiment of the present application can also have other classification modes or not be classified, which is not limited.

[0123] The tag uses a low-precision, low-power mid-low frequency ring oscillator or completely receives the downlink signal without local oscillator. When the tag is working, the energy and / or carrier of the communication can come from the reader / writer or other devices, and the communication is based on the reflected carrier. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the reader / writer can send a carrier signal to the tag, and the tag receives the carrier signal through the antenna. The solid line in the figure represents the carrier signal sent by the reader / writer, and the dashed line represents the reflected signal transmitted by the tag based on the carrier signal. The tag can adjust the information to be transmitted in the reflected signal. Through the above-mentioned manner, the tag uses a low-precision, low-power mid-low frequency ring oscillator or completely receives the downlink signal without local oscillator, which can further reduce the power consumption of the tag in the downlink reception. Optionally, the carrier can also be understood as an excitation signal, and the carrier can be sent by other devices except the reader / writer. At this time, the reader in FIG. 3 can be replaced by other devices capable of serving as an excitation source, such as a carrier wave node.

[0124] The tag is a miniature wireless transceiver device, mainly including a built-in tag device antenna, a coupling element and a chip. The tag has a storage space in the chip that can support the reader / writer to read or write tag data. After the tag receives the radio frequency signal sent by the reader / writer through the antenna, the coupling element can be used to couple the radio frequency signal, so as to provide energy to the chip of the tag in the coupling channel, and feed back the data stored in the chip to the reader / writer through the antenna. A communication network based on a cellular network infrastructure, including a reader / writer and a tag, can be referred to as a passive IOT network or AIoT.

[0125] The AIoT can be applied to various scenarios. For example, in a logistics and warehousing scenario, goods can be inventoried and tracked by tags (e.g., AIoT tags), and the status of the goods can be monitored during transportation of the goods. For another example, in an industrial manufacturing scenario, the environment and device status can be monitored by tags. For yet another example, the AIoT can also be considered for other consumer-oriented businesses, such as managing assets of a user, locating a tag through an inventory process or other similar processes, determining whether an item of the user is lost and in which area, and thus enabling the AIoT-based lost-and-found.

[0126] In the AIoT, the tag (e.g., an AIoT tag) and the reader can perform at least one of the following operations: an inventory operation, a read operation, a write operation, a kill or disable operation, or a lock operation.

[0127] The inventory operation, which can also be referred to as an inventorying operation, can obtain an identifier of the tag. For example, the reader can obtain the identifier of the tag through a query, an acknowledgment (ACK), or the like. The inventory operation can be used to confirm whether the tag is currently located in an inventory area. For example, to facilitate inventorying of the tag, the tag can include a total of four session identifiers S0-S3, each of which corresponds to two inventory states A and B, which are indicated by an inventory flag (sessInventoried flag). When the reader selects a tag, a select command sent to the tag can carry a session identifier, which the tag can store. When the reader performs an inventory operation on the tag, a query command sent to the tag includes the session identifier, and the tag can flip the inventory state corresponding to the session identifier from A to B. If the reader sends a query command again to perform an inventory operation, the tag will not respond to the reader because the inventory state in the tag is B, thereby avoiding the same tag being inventoried multiple times in one inventory cycle.

[0128] The read operation can read an electronic product code (EPC) or a tag identifier (TID) in a memory area of the tag, or read content stored in a reserved area of the tag or content stored in a user memory area.

[0129] The write operation can perform a write operation on the memory area of the tag.

[0130] Inactivation operation, which can make the tag never work.

[0131] Lock operation, which can lock the information of the tag to prevent read operation or write operation on the tag. Alternatively, the lock operation can also lock the storage area of the tag to prohibit read operation or write operation on the storage area.

[0132] The above are only examples, and other operations can be performed between the tag and the reader, which are not enumerated one by one here.

[0133] For example, the inventory operation can include one or more of the following steps.

[0134] Step 1, the server sends an inventory request to the core network device, for requesting the core network device to trigger the inventory process.

[0135] The server is, for example, a server corresponding to the AIoT service. The core network device is a core network device capable of performing the AIoT service, for example, an AMF with AIoT function, or an AIoT management function (MF) or a thing management function (TMF), or other core network devices with AIoT function.

[0136] Step 2, the core network device sends the inventory request to the reader. Correspondingly, the reader receives the inventory request.

[0137] The inventory request can be used to request the reader to trigger the air interface access process of the AIoT service, so as to obtain the information of the tag. The reader can be a network device or a UE.

[0138] In some embodiments, if the reader is a UE, the core network device can directly send the inventory request to the reader; or the core network can also indirectly send the inventory request to the reader, for example, the core network device can send the inventory request to the access network device where the reader is located, and the access network device sends the inventory request to the reader.

[0139] Step 3, the reader triggers the tag to perform the AIoT air interface access process. If the tag responds and successfully accesses, the reader can send the information of the tag to the core network device through the inventory report. The information of the tag includes, for example, the identification of the tag, such as the identifier (ID), EPC or TID, etc.

[0140] Step 4, the core network device sends an inventory report to the server. Correspondingly, the server receives the inventory report. Thus, the server can confirm whether the tag is currently in the inventory area or confirm which tags are in the inventory area according to the inventory report.

[0141] When the UE is the reader, the UE needs to perform other communication services, such as data transmission services, in addition to performing the AIoT service as the reader, which leads to large power consumption of the UE.

[0142] Therefore, in the embodiments of the present application, the network can indicate the AIoT service through the first paging message, or in other words, the network can indicate or request the first UE to perform the AIoT service through the first paging message. However, the first UE can refuse to perform the AIoT service, thereby saving the power consumption of the first UE due to the performance of the AIoT service.

[0143] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a fourth generation (4G) communication system, such as a long term evolution (LTE) communication system, and can also be applied to a fifth generation (5G) communication system, such as a 5G new radio (NR) communication system, or to various communication systems evolved after 5G, such as a future communication system. The method provided in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied in a bluetooth system, a wireless fidelity (Wifi) system, a long range radio (LoRa) system, or a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) system. The method provided in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to a terrestrial network (TN), and can also be applied to a non-terrestrial network (NTN), such as a satellite communication system, such as a transparent satellite architecture, a backhaul satellite architecture, or a regenerative satellite architecture, and the like, without limitation.

[0144] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 4, the communication system includes a network device, a relay node and an AIoT device. The network device includes, for example, an access network device and / or a core network device. The relay node forwards information between the network device and the AIoT device. FIG. 5 takes the UE as an example of the relay node, or the relay node can also be other devices in addition to the UE, such as the network device. For example, the network device is located outdoors, and the UE and the AIoT device are located indoors, which means that the network device outdoors communicates with the AIoT device indoors through the relay node indoors. Optionally, the relay node can be referred to as an intermediate UE. The network device can be referred to as a reader, and the AIoT device can be referred to as a device; or the relay node can be referred to as a reader, and the AIoT device can be referred to as a device.

[0145] The network architecture and the communication process described in the embodiments of the present application are used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems as the network architecture evolves and new business scenarios appear.

[0146] The method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the corresponding drawings of the embodiments of the present application, the steps represented by dashed lines are optional steps. In the embodiments of the present application, the AIoT service includes, for example, one or more of the following: inventory operation (or inventory service), read operation (or read service), write operation (or write service), deactivate operation (or deactivate service), or lock operation (or lock service).

[0147] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to the network architecture shown in FIG. 4. For example, the first UE described in the embodiments of the present application can be a reader, which can be the UE shown in FIG. 4, and the first access network device described in the embodiments of the present application can be an access network device currently serving the UE, for example, the network device shown in FIG. 4 includes the first access network device. In the embodiments of the present application, the reader can be referred to as a reader or a reader-writer.

[0148] The embodiments of the present application provide a first communication method, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the method.

[0149] S501, the first access network device sends a first paging message. Correspondingly, the first UE receives the first paging message.

[0150] The first UE can be in a radio resource control (RRC) non-connected state, for example, the RRC non-connected state in the embodiments of the present application is an RRC idle state. The first paging message can be used to page the first UE, for example, the first paging message includes an identifier of the first UE. The first paging message can also include first indication information, which can indicate an AIoT service or indicate that the first UE is a reader. Optionally, the first indication information indicates an AIoT service or indicates that the first UE is a reader, which can also be replaced by the first indication information being related to an AIoT service, or the first indication information being AIoT service indication information, and the like. According to the first indication information, the first UE can determine that the service corresponding to the first paging message is an AIoT service.

[0151] The first indication information indicates an AIoT service, for example, including that the first indication information indicates that the first UE performs an AIoT service, or indicates that the first UE performs an AIoT service as a reader, or indicates that the first UE is a reader of the AIoT service. The first indication information indicates that the first UE is a reader, for example, including that the first indication information indicates that the first UE performs an AIoT service as a reader, or indicates that the first UE is a reader of an AIoT service. The first indication information can also be referred to as AIoT indication (AIoT indication), or can also have other names, which are not limited.

[0152] Optionally, the first indication information can be included in a first paging record (paging record) field of the first paging message, and the first paging record can correspond to the first UE. The first paging message can be used to page M UEs, M is a positive integer, and the first UE is one of the UEs, for example. The first paging message can include M paging record fields, and the first paging record is one of the paging record fields, for example. The M paging record fields can correspond one by one to the M UEs paged by the first paging message. Optionally, one way for the first paging message to include M paging record fields is that the first paging message includes a paging record list, which can include M paging record fields. Alternatively, the first indication information can also be included in other fields of the first paging message. The field can be an original field in the first paging message, or a newly defined field, which is not limited.

[0153] Alternatively, the first indication information can also be included in the paging control information, and the first paging message in S501 can be replaced by the paging control information. The paging control information is, for example, paging downlink control information (DCI), or can also be other information. The paging control information can be used to schedule the paging message, for example, to schedule the first paging message. For example, the paging control information can indicate the transmission resource of the first paging message, and the UE can receive the first paging message according to the resource indicated by the paging control information.

[0154] Optionally, the method can further include S502, the first core network device sends a second paging message, and correspondingly, the first access network device receives the second paging message. The second paging message can be used to page at least one UE, for example, the M UEs paged by the first paging message, and the M UEs include the first UE. S502 occurs before S501, for example, the first access network device receives the second paging message, and then the first paging message can be sent. The first core network device is, for example, an AMF, or an AIoT-MF or a TMF, or other core network devices with AIoT function. The AMF can be a legacy AMF, or can also be an AMF supporting AIoT services. The AIoT-MF or the TMF can be a core network element for supporting AIoT services. The AIoT-MF or the TMF can be an independently set network element. For example, the first access network device can be connected with the AMF, and the AMF is connected with the AIoT-MF or the TMF; or the first access network device can be connected with the AMF, and the first access network device is also connected with the AIoT-MF or the TMF.

[0155] Optionally, the second paging message can further comprise fifth information. Optionally, the fifth information can indicate one or more of the following: the first indication information, whether the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service is greater than 1, the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service, the type of the AIoT service, or the data volume corresponding to the AIoT service. Optionally, it can be understood that the fifth information comprises the first indication information and / or auxiliary information (or AIoT auxiliary information, etc.), and the auxiliary information can comprise one or more of the following: whether the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service is greater than 1, the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service, the type of the AIoT service, or the data volume corresponding to the AIoT service. Alternatively, it can also be considered that the fifth information is auxiliary information or AIoT auxiliary information. Through the fifth information, the first access network device can determine that the second paging message is related to the AIoT service, so that the first access network device can send the first paging message carrying the first indication information, so that the first UE can determine that the first paging message is related to the AIoT service, and the first UE can consider whether to perform the AIoT service according to the corresponding factors.

[0156] The type of the AIoT service may, for example, comprise one or more of the following: inventory service, read service, write service, invalidate service, or lock service, or may further comprise other types. The data volume corresponding to the AIoT service may, for example, be the data volume that needs to be transmitted for the AIoT service. For example, the first access network device can determine that the second paging message corresponds to the AIoT service according to the fifth information, and thus determine that the first paging message corresponds to the AIoT service.

[0157] The number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service may be an actual number or an estimated number. The data volume corresponding to the AIoT service may be an actual data volume or an estimated data volume.

[0158] The first paging message can be used to page M UEs, which can be UEs expected to be readers. The M UEs can be determined by the first access network device and / or by the first core network device. If the M UEs are determined by the first access network device, the at least one UE paged by the second paging message can comprise the M UEs, and in addition can further comprise other UEs, or can not comprise other UEs. The first access network device receives the second paging message, can determine the M UEs from the at least one UE, and then sends the first paging message to page the M UEs.

[0159] Alternatively, if the M UEs are determined by the first core network device, the at least one UE paged by the second paging message can specifically be the M UEs.

[0160] Or, if the M UEs are determined by the first core network device and the first access network device together, for example, both can negotiate to determine, then the at least one UE paged by the second paging message can include the M UEs, in addition to which other UEs can also be included, or can also not include other UEs. The first access network device receives the second paging message, and can negotiate with the first core network device through one or more signaling to finally determine the M UEs, and page the M UEs through the first paging message. Or, after the first access network device and the first core network device negotiate to determine the M UEs through one or more signaling, the first access network device receives the second paging message, and then the first access network device pages the M UEs through the first paging message. For example, an application scenario is that the server corresponding to the AIoT service determines that there is a need to perform the AIoT service, and the server can send an AIoT service request (such as a service request, or an inventory request, etc.) to the first core network device to request to perform the AIoT service. The first core network device receives the service request and can send the second paging message to the first access network device. Wherein, the first core network device can determine the execution range corresponding to the AIoT service, and the execution range can include one or more UEs. Taking the AIoT service as an inventory service as an example, the inventory service can correspond to an inventory area, and the inventory area is the execution range of the inventory service, and the inventory area can include one or more UEs.

[0161] If the UE expected to be a reader is determined by the first core network device, the first core network device can determine that the M UEs of the one or more UEs can be a reader, and the first core network device can page the M UEs through the second paging message.

[0162] Or, if the UE expected to be a reader is determined by the first access network device, the first core network device can page the one or more UEs (the one or more UEs are the at least one UE described above) through the second paging message, and the first access network device determines that the M UEs of the one or more UEs can be a reader.

[0163] Or, if the UE expected to be a reader is determined by the first core network device and the first access network device together, the first core network device can page the one or more UEs (the one or more UEs are the at least one UE described above) through the second paging message. The first access network device receives the second paging message and can negotiate with the first core network device to finally determine the M UEs. Or, the first access network device and the first core network device can first negotiate to determine the M UEs, and then the first access network device receives the second paging message.

[0164] In some optional embodiments, the first paging message can not include the identity of the specific UE, for example, the first paging message can be used to page all UEs under the coverage of the first access network device, or all UEs under the coverage of the first access network device supporting AIoT service, or part of UEs under the coverage of the first access network device, or part of UEs under the coverage of the first access network device supporting AIoT service. Or it can be understood that the M UEs paged by the first paging message can include all UEs under the coverage of the first access network device, or all UEs under the coverage of the first access network device supporting AIoT service, or part of UEs under the coverage of the first access network device, or part of UEs under the coverage of the first access network device supporting AIoT service. For example, for the scenario of finding a thing, the first access network device can request all UEs under the coverage of the first access network device, or request all UEs under the coverage of the first access network device supporting AIoT service, or request part of UEs under the coverage of the first access network device, or request part of UEs under the coverage of the first access network device supporting AIoT service to perform the current AIoT service, for example, the AIoT service is to find a certain device. Optionally, the second paging message in this case can also not include the identity of the UE. Optionally, the first access network device can determine that the current AIoT service (for example, the AIoT service corresponding to the second paging message) does not specify a specific UE as a reader, but expects part or all of the UEs under the coverage of the first access network device to perform the AIoT service. For example, the first access network device can determine from the second paging message that the AIoT service does not specify a specific UE as a reader, but expects the UEs under the coverage of the first access network device to perform the AIoT service. Optionally, this case can also be understood as a case where the first access network device determines the UE (for example, the M UEs) expected to be a reader.

[0165] In some optional embodiments, the second paging message can not include the identity of the specific UE, for example, the second paging message indicates the information related to the AIoT service without including the identity of the specific UE. At this time, the first access network device can determine that the AIoT service does not specify the specific UE as the reader, but expects part or all of the UEs under the coverage of the first access network device to perform the AIoT service. At this time, the first paging message can also not include the identity of the specific UE, and the first paging message can be used to page all the UEs under the coverage of the first access network device, or all the UEs under the coverage of the first access network device that support the AIoT service, or part of the UEs under the coverage of the first access network device, or part of the UEs under the coverage of the first access network device that support the AIoT service. For example, for the scenario of finding a thing, the first access network device can request all the UEs under the coverage of the first access network device, or request all the UEs under the coverage of the first access network device that support the AIoT service, or request part of the UEs under the coverage of the first access network device, or request part of the UEs under the coverage of the first access network device that support the AIoT service to perform the current AIoT service, for example, the AIoT service is to find a certain device. Optionally, this case can also be understood as a case where the first access network device determines to expect the UEs (for example, M UEs) as the reader.

[0166] Optionally, in S502, the first core network device can send a second paging message, or can also send other messages, for example, send a service request, etc., and the "second paging message" in the embodiments of the present application can also be replaced by "service request" or other messages, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0167] Optionally, the method can further include S503, the first UE sends second information, and correspondingly, the first access network device receives the second information. S503 occurs before S501, for example. S503 occurs before S502, or occurs after S502, or occurs simultaneously with S502, and FIG. 5 takes S503 occurring before S502 as an example. The second information can indicate one or more of the following: the first UE supports receiving a paging message including the first indication information, the first UE supports refusing to be a reader, the first UE supports refusing the AIoT service, the first UE supports refusing to perform the AIoT service as a reader, or the first UE supports refusing to be a reader of the AIoT service. The second information can be included in an access stratum (AS) message, for example, an RRC message, or can also be a message of other protocol layers.

[0168] The second information can be regarded as a capability information of the first UE, for example, the capability indicated by the second information is referred to as a first capability. The first access network device can learn the capability (for example, the first capability) of the first UE through the second information, so that the first access network device can send the paging message including the first indication information only to the UE with the first capability, or the first access network device can carry the first indication information for the UE with the first capability in the paging message. For example, the first paging message is used to page three UEs, and optionally, the first paging message can include a first list, and the first list can include the identities of the three UEs. Optionally, the first list can be a pagingrecord list, for example, the first list includes three pagingrecord fields, and the three pagingrecord fields respectively carry the identities of the three UEs. For example, the first list is [UE1 ID, UE2 ID, UE3 ID]. UE1 and UE3 of the three UEs support the capability, and UE2 does not support the capability, so the first access network device can carry the first indication information for UE1 and the first indication information for UE3 in the first paging message, but will not carry the first indication information for UE2 in the first paging message. For example, the first indication information is carried through the pagingrecord field, and the first paging message can include a second list, which can also be referred to as a pagingrecord list, and the second list can also include three pagingrecord fields, which are one-to-one corresponding to the three UEs as above, for example, the three pagingrecord fields are one-to-one corresponding to the three UE identities in the first list. Among them, the pagingrecord field corresponding to UE1 in the second list can be set to "AIoT", the pagingrecord field corresponding to UE3 in the second list can be set to "AIoT", and the pagingrecord field corresponding to UE2 in the second list is not set to "AIoT", for example, it is set to other values, or can be set to null, or does not exist.

[0169] Optionally, there can be some UEs that do not need to send the second information, for example, for some specific environment (for example, a factory or a home, etc.), part or all of the UEs in the environment can be fixed to perform AIoT business, or fixed as a reader, so such UEs have no energy saving demand. Therefore, the first access network device will not send the paging message including the first indication information to such UEs, and such UEs do not need to send the second information.

[0170] Optionally, if the UE does not send the second information, it indicates that the UE does not support the first capability. For example, for some UEs that are not fixed to perform AIoT service, or UEs that are not fixed as readers, such UEs can have the first capability, or can not have the first capability. Therefore, if such UEs have the first capability, the second information can be sent; if such UEs do not have the first capability, the second information can not be sent. If the first access network device receives the second information from such UEs, the first access network device can send the paging message including the first indication information to such UEs; or if the first access network device does not receive the second information from such UEs, the first access network device can not send the paging message including the first indication information to such UEs. For example, if the first access network device needs to page such UEs, the first indication information can not be sent. For example, in a scenario, in a certain public place, it is hoped to find an article by means of the mobile phones of some users present, and these mobile phones are not UEs fixed to perform AIoT service (the AIoT service is the service of finding the article), nor are they UEs fixed as readers, therefore, if some of these mobile phones do not report the second information, the first access network device can not send the first indication information to these UEs.

[0171] In an optional implementation, the second information can indicate whether the first UE supports one or more of the following: whether to support receiving the paging message including the first indication information, whether to support refusing to be a reader, whether to support refusing to perform AIoT service, whether to support refusing to perform AIoT service as a reader, or whether to support refusing to be a reader of the AIoT service.

[0172] For example, the UE sends the second information to indicate that the UE does not support one or more of the above. For example, for some UEs that are not fixed to perform AIoT service, or UEs that are not fixed as readers, such UEs can indicate through the second information that the UE does not support one or more of the above capabilities. Therefore, such UEs can send the second information to indicate that the UE does not support the capability. If the first access network device receives the second information from such UEs for indicating that the UE does not support the capability, the first access network device can not send the paging message including the first indication information to such UEs.

[0173] For example, the UE sends the second information to indicate that the UE supports one or more of the above. For example, for some UE that is not fixed to perform AIoT service, or is not fixed as a reader, such UE can indicate that the UE supports one or more of the above through the second information. Therefore, such UE can send the second information to indicate that the UE supports the capability. If the first access network device receives the second information from such UE to indicate the support of the capability, the first access network device can send the paging message including the first indication information to such UE.

[0174] S504, the first UE sends the first information in response to the first paging message. Correspondingly, the first access network device or the first core network device or the second core network device receives the first information. Wherein, if the first indication information is included in the paging control information, S504 can also be replaced by that the first UE sends the first information in response to the paging control information, and no limitation is made to this.

[0175] The first information can indicate to reject to perform AIoT service or to reject to be a reader. The first information indicating to reject to perform AIoT service or to reject to be a reader, for example, includes that the first information indicates to reject to perform AIoT service as a reader, or indicates to reject to be a reader of the AIoT service. The first information can also be referred to as reject information or AIoT reject information or reader reject information, and no limitation is made to the name. For example, the first UE can determine whether the first UE can perform AIoT service or can be a reader, and if the first UE cannot perform AIoT service or cannot be a reader, the first UE can send the first information; or if the first UE can perform AIoT service or can be a reader, the first UE can not send the first information. How the first UE determines whether the first UE can perform AIoT service or can be a reader can be implemented internally by the first UE, for example, according to one or more of the following factors: current service situation of the first UE, capability information of the first UE, or current remaining power of the first UE. For example, if the current service of the first UE is more, the first UE can not perform AIoT service or cannot be a reader; if the current service of the first UE is less, the first UE can perform AIoT service or can be a reader. For example, if the current remaining power of the first UE is less, the first UE can not perform AIoT service or cannot be a reader; if the current remaining power of the first UE is more, the first UE can perform AIoT service or can be a reader.

[0176] The first UE performs the AIoT service, for example, including information related to transmission of the AIoT service with the device, and / or including information related to transmission of the AIoT service with a network device (for example, an access network device and / or a core network device). The first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service, for example, including refusing to transmit information related to the AIoT service with the device, and / or including refusing to transmit information related to the AIoT service with the network device. For example, taking the AIoT service as an inventory service, the information related to the AIoT service transmitted between the first UE and the device includes one or more of a paging message or a select message related to the AIoT service, a query message related to the AIoT service, a query repetition (QueryRep) message related to the AIoT service, a random number related to the AIoT service, an identifier of the device, or data related to the AIoT service, and the like; the information related to the AIoT service transmitted between the first UE and the network device includes an inventory request corresponding to the AIoT service and / or an inventory report corresponding to the AIoT service, and the like. For example, taking the AIoT service as a read service, the information related to the AIoT service transmitted between the first UE and the device includes data to be read into the device, and the like; the information related to the AIoT service transmitted between the first UE and the network device includes one or more of a read request, data to be read into the device, and a response of the first UE to the read request, and the like.

[0177] The first information can be sent through different messages. As one possible implementation for the message used to send the first information, the message can be a non-access stratum (NAS) message, or the first information can be included in a NAS message, then the first core network device can receive the first information in S503. The NAS message is, for example, a service reject message, and taking the AIoT service as an inventory service as an example, the NAS message can be specifically an inventory reject message if the NAS message is a service reject message. Optionally, the first UE sends an inventory reject message in response to the first paging message, and the inventory reject message includes the first information; or the first paging message carries an inventory request message, and the UE sends an inventory reject message in response to the inventory request message, and the inventory reject message includes the first information. Or the NAS message is, for example, a service request (service request), for example, the UE sends a service request in response to the first paging message, and the service request includes the first information. Optionally, the service request can be used for the UE to initiate a connection with the core network, and the first information is sent through the connection. Wherein if the first information is sent through the NAS message, the first access network device is responsible for transparently transmitting the NAS message, and the first access network device can not know the content of the NAS message. Therefore, optionally, if the M UEs as readers are determined by the first core network device, the first information can be sent by using the NAS message. Because the first core network device determines the M UEs, the first UE can send the first information to the first core network device through the NAS message, which is equivalent to sending feedback to the first core network device, so that the first core network device can determine whether the M UEs can be used as readers. Wherein for the first UE, it can not be aware of which network element decides that the first UE is a reader, and the first UE specifically sends the first information through which message, can be configured by the first access network device and / or the first core network device, or predefined by a protocol.

[0178] As another possible implementation for the message for sending the first information, the message can be a user plane core network message, or the first information can be included in a user plane core network message (or referred to as a user plane message), then the first information can be received by the second core network device in S504. Optionally, since the access or paging of the UE is responsible by the first core network device, the second core network device can also send the first information to the first core network device. Or, since the first information is an indication of rejection, the second core network device can also send a ninth information to the first core network device, which can indicate to release the first UE, or to not need or not to perform the AIoT service through the first UE. Wherein, the user plane core network message is, for example, a message transmitted through a protocol data unit (PDU) session. The second core network device is, for example, an application function (AF) or a UPF, etc. Wherein, if the first information is sent through the user plane core network message, the first access network device is responsible for transparently transmitting the user plane core network message, and the first access network device can not know the content of the user plane core network message. Therefore, optionally, if the M UEs as the reader are determined by the first core network device, the first information can be sent by using the user plane core network message. Because the first core network device determines the M UEs, the first UE can send the first information to the second core network device through a NAS message, and the second core network device also sends the first information or the ninth information to the first core network device, which is equivalent to that the first core network device receives feedback, so that the first core network device can determine whether the M UEs can be the reader. Wherein, for the first UE, it can not be aware of which network element decides that the first UE is the reader, and the first UE specifically sends the first information through which message can be configured by the first access network device and / or the first core network device, or predefined by a protocol.

[0179] As another possible implementation for the message used to send the first information, the message can be an access stratum (AS) message, or the first information can be included in the AS message, then the first information can be received by the first access network device in S504. Optionally, the AS message can be, for example, an RRC message, or can be another access stratum message. In this case, if the first information is sent through the AS message, the first access network device can know the content of the AS message. Therefore, optionally, if the M UEs as the readers are determined by the first access network device, or are determined by the first access network device and the first core network device together, the first information can be sent by using the AS message. Because the first access network device participates in determining the M UEs, the first UE can send the first information to the first access network device through the AS message, which is equivalent to that the first access network device receives the feedback, so that the first access network device can determine whether the M UEs can be the readers. In this case, if the M UEs are determined by the first access network device and the first core network device together, the first access network device can also send the first information to the first core network device, so that the first core network device can also receive the feedback. In this case, for the first UE, it can not be aware of which network element decides that the first UE is the reader, and the first UE specifically sends the first information by using which message, which can be configured by the first access network device and / or the first core network device, or can be predefined by a protocol.

[0180] In addition, the first UE sends the first information can be based on different protocol stacks. For example, the first UE can send the first information based on RRC (or based on an RRC protocol stack). For this approach, it can be understood that the first UE sends the first information, the first access network device can receive the first information, and the first access network device can know the content of the first information. Optionally, the first UE sends the first information based on RRC, which can be applicable to one or more of the following schemes: the first access network device determines the M UEs as the readers, the first access network device and the first core network device together determine the M UEs as the readers. Optionally, the first UE sends the first information based on RRC, which can be applicable to that the first UE sends the first information through the AS message.

[0181] For example, the first UE can send the first information based on NAS (or, based on NAS protocol stack). For this way, it can be understood that the first UE sends the first information, and a control plane network element (e.g., the first core network device) of the core network can receive the first information. The first access network device transmits the first information transparently, and cannot know the content of the first information. Optionally, the first UE sends the first information based on NAS, which can be applicable to the scheme that the first core network device determines the M UEs as readers. Optionally, the first UE sends the first information based on NAS, which can be applicable to the scheme that the first UE sends the first information through the NAS message.

[0182] For another example, the first UE can send the first information based on a PDU session (or, based on a PDU session protocol stack). For this way, it can be understood that the first UE sends the first information, and a user plane network element (e.g., the second core network device) of the core network can receive the first information. The first access network device transmits the first information transparently, and cannot know the content of the first information. Optionally, the first UE sends the first information based on the PDU session, which can be applicable to the scheme that the first core network device determines the M UEs as readers. Optionally, the first UE sends the first information based on the PDU session, which can be applicable to the scheme that the first UE sends the first information through the user plane core network message.

[0183] Optionally, the first UE is originally in an RRC idle state, and the first UE can enter an RRC connected state to send the first information. For example, the first UE in the RRC idle state can initiate an RRC connection establishment process to enter the RRC connected state, and the first UE can send the first information in the RRC connected state. The first UE initiates the RRC connection establishment process, for example, including that the first UE sends an RRC connection establishment request message through a message 3 (Msg3) in a four-step random access (4step RA) process or through a message A (MsgA) in a two-step random access (2step RA) process. The first access network device receives the RRC connection establishment request message, and can send an RRC connection establishment message to the first UE, so that the UE can enter the RRC connected state.

[0184] Optionally, the method can further include S505, the first access network device sends a release message, and correspondingly, the first UE receives the release message. The release message can be used to release the first UE, for example, release the first UE to the RRC idle state. The release message is, for example, an RRC release message.

[0185] Several sending manners of the first information are introduced in S504. Corresponding to different sending manners of the first information, the release message also has different implementations, which are introduced as examples as follows.

[0186] 1. The first information is sent through a NAS message, which is referred to as case 1 in FIG. 5.

[0187] At this time, the first core network device learns from the first information that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be a reader, and then the first core network device can not perform the AIoT service through the first UE or use the first UE as a reader. For example, if M UEs serving as readers are determined by the first core network device, the first information can be sent to the first core network device through a NAS message, and the first core network device can learn from the first information that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be a reader.

[0188] Optionally, the method can further include S506, the first core network device sends seventh information to the first access network device, and correspondingly, the first access network device receives the seventh information. The seventh information can indicate to release the first UE or not to perform the AIoT service through the first UE. S506 occurs, for example, before S505. After the first access network device receives the seventh information, the first access network device can send a release message.

[0189] Alternatively, the method can not include S506, and then the first access network device can determine whether to release the first UE by itself. For example, the first access network device does not receive service data corresponding to the first UE within a first time length, and then the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. For example, the first access network device does not receive data or signaling of the core network device to the first UE within a first time length, and then the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. The first time length can be determined by the first access network device, or be configured by the core network, or be predefined by a protocol.

[0190] 2. The first information is sent through an AS message, which is referred to as case 2 in FIG. 5.

[0191] At this time, the first access network device can learn from the first information that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be the reader, and then the first access network device can not perform the AIoT service through the first UE or not use the first UE as the reader. For example, if the M UEs as the reader are determined by the first access network device, the first information can be sent to the first access network device through the AS message, and the first access network device can learn from the first information that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be the reader.

[0192] For example, the first access network device can send the release message in response to the first information.

[0193] 3. The first information is sent through a user plane core network message, which is referred to as case 3 in FIG. 5.

[0194] At this time, the first UE can send the first information to the second core network device through a user plane core network message, so that the second core network device can determine that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be the reader. For example, the M UEs as the reader are determined by the second core network device, and since the access or paging of the UE is responsible by the first core network device as the control plane network element, optionally, the method can further include S507, the second core network device sends the first information or the ninth information to the first core network device, and correspondingly, the first core network device receives the first information or the ninth information. For this, please refer to the foregoing description. S507 can occur before S505 and after S504.

[0195] Optionally, the method can further include S508, the first core network device sends the seventh information to the first access network device, and correspondingly, the first access network device receives the seventh information. For example, the first core network device can send the seventh information after receiving the first information or the ninth information, for example, the first core network device can send the seventh information in response to the first information or the ninth information, that is, S508 can occur after S507. The seventh information can indicate to release the first UE or not to perform the AIoT service through the first UE. The first access network device receives the seventh information, and then can send a release message, that is, S508 can occur before S505.

[0196] Or, the method can also not include S508, and the first access network device can determine whether to release the first UE by itself. For example, the first access network device does not receive service data corresponding to the first UE within a first time length, and can send a release message to release the first UE. For example, the first access network device does not receive data or signaling of the core network device to the first UE within a first time length, and the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. The first time length can be determined by the first access network device, or configured by the core network, or predefined by a protocol.

[0197] As introduced above, the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be a reader. Or, the first UE can also accept to perform the AIoT service or accept to be a reader. For example, if the first UE determines that it can perform the AIoT service or can be a reader, it can accept to perform the AIoT service or accept to be a reader. In this case, the first UE can not send the first information, for example, does not perform S504-S508, but performs the AIoT service or is a reader. For example, the first UE can initiate an RRC connection establishment process and enter an RRC connected state to perform the AIoT service as a reader in the RRC connected state.

[0198] Wherein, after the first UE enters the RRC connected state, it can receive AIoT service related information from the first access network device, such as receiving a service request corresponding to the AIoT service, or receiving part or all of the information in the service request, etc., and then the first UE performs the AIoT service with the corresponding AIoT device (such as a device). Taking the AIoT service as an inventory service as an example, the service request is, for example, an inventory request, which can include information such as Q value and / or mask value corresponding to the inventory service. Wherein, the Q value can be used to determine the access opportunity of the device; the mask value can be used to determine the device information to be inventoried.

[0199] Alternatively, the service request or part or all of the information in the service request is included in the first paging message, the first access network device does not have to send the service request or part or all of the information in the service request to the first UE again after the first UE enters the RRC connected state. Optionally, in this case, the first UE can send the AIoT service related information to the first access network device after entering the RRC connected state, for example, send confirmation information indicating that the first UE accepts to perform the AIoT service or accepts to be a reader, or indicating that the first UE has received the AIoT service related information, and the like. In addition, the first UE performs the AIoT service with the corresponding AIoT device (for example, device) in the RRC connected state.

[0200] In the embodiment of the application, the network can indicate the AIoT service through the first paging message, or it can be understood that the network can indicate or request the first UE to perform the AIoT service through the first paging message. However, the first UE can refuse to perform the AIoT service, thereby saving the power consumption of the first UE due to the performance of the AIoT service. The first UE in the embodiment of the application can be originally in the RRC idle state, which is equivalent to providing a scheme for the UE in the RRC idle state to refuse to perform the AIoT. In addition, since the first UE can timely inform the network device that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service, the network device can be prevented from continuously paging the UE, thereby saving resources for the network device.

[0201] The embodiment of the application provides a second communication method, please refer to FIG. 6, which is a flowchart of the method.

[0202] S601, the first access network device sends a first paging message. Correspondingly, the first UE receives the first paging message.

[0203] The first UE can be in an RRC non-connected state, for example, the RRC non-connected state in the embodiment of the application is the RRC inactive state. The first paging message can be used to page the first UE, for example, the first paging message includes the identifier of the first UE. The first paging message can also include first indication information, and the related description of the first indication information can refer to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. Optionally, in the embodiment of the application, the first UE is in a core network connected state, and the RRC inactive state is taken as the RRC non-connected state in the embodiment of the application for example, which is not actually limited to the RRC state of the first UE.

[0204] In the embodiments of the present application, the first access network device can be an access network device in which the first UE currently resides. Wherein, after the first UE is released to the RRC inactive state, the first UE can have moved or can not have moved. If the first UE has not moved, or although the first UE has moved, the first UE has not moved out of the coverage of an anchor access network device, the first access network device is the anchor access network device of the first UE. Or, if the first UE has moved and moved out of the coverage of the anchor access network device, the first access network device can not be the anchor access network device. Wherein, the anchor access network device refers to an access network device that releases the first UE to the RRC inactive state, or the anchor access network device can also be understood as an access network device that saves the context of the first UE. The anchor access network device can also be referred to as an old station, or referred to as a last serving base station, etc.; the first access network device can also be referred to as a new station, or referred to as a receiving base station, etc.

[0205] If the anchor access network device and the first access network device are the same device, optionally, the first access network device can also receive the first message, and then the first access network device sends the first paging message.

[0206] Or, if the anchor access network device and the first access network device are different devices, optionally, the method can further include S603, the anchor access network device sends a second paging message to the first access network device, and correspondingly, the first access network device receives the second paging message. The second paging message is sent through an Xn interface between the anchor access network device and the first access network device, for example. The second paging message can be used to page the at least one UE.

[0207] Optionally, the second paging message can further comprise fifth information. Optionally, the fifth information can indicate one or more of the following: the first indication information, whether the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service is greater than 1, the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service, the type of the AIoT service, or the data volume corresponding to the AIoT service. Optionally, it can be understood that the fifth information comprises the first indication information and / or auxiliary information (or AIoT auxiliary information, etc.), and the auxiliary information can comprise one or more of the following: whether the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service is greater than 1, the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service, the type of the AIoT service, or the data volume corresponding to the AIoT service. Alternatively, the fifth information can also be considered as auxiliary information or AIoT auxiliary information. The type of the AIoT service may, for example, comprise one or more of the following: inventory service, read service, write service, inactivation service, or lock service, or can also comprise other types. The data volume corresponding to the AIoT service may, for example, be the data volume that needs to be transmitted for the AIoT service. The number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service can be the actual number or an estimated number. The data volume corresponding to the AIoT service can be the actual data volume or an estimated data volume.

[0208] Alternatively, the second paging message does not comprise the fifth information, for example, the first core network device does not send the fifth information. Alternatively, the first core network device sends the fifth information, and the anchor access network device can receive the fifth information, which can be included in the first message or other messages; but the second paging message sent by the anchor access network device in S603 does not comprise the fifth information, for example, the anchor access network device sends the fifth information through other messages.

[0209] For example, the first access network device can determine, according to the fifth information, that the second paging message corresponds to the AIoT service, so that the first paging message corresponds to the AIoT service. Through the fifth information, the first access network device can determine that the second paging message is related to the AIoT service, so that the first access network device can send the first paging message carrying the first indication information to the UE, so that the UE can determine that the first paging message is related to the AIoT service, so that the UE can consider whether to perform the AIoT service according to the corresponding factors.

[0210] Optionally, in S603, the anchor access network device can send the second paging message, or can also send other messages, for example, send a service request, etc., for example, called a second service request, and the "second paging message" in the embodiments of the present application can also be replaced by "second service request", and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0211] Optionally, the method can further include S602, the first core network device sends a first message, and correspondingly, the anchor access network device receives the first message. The first message can be used to indicate information of at least one UE (hereinafter taken as an example of paging at least one UE), which includes, for example, M UEs paged by the first paging message, and the M UEs include the first UE. S602 occurs, for example, before S601. For the introduction of the first core network device, reference can be made to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0212] Optionally, the first message can further include the fifth information. Optionally, the fifth information can indicate one or more of the following: the first indication information, whether the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service is greater than 1, the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service, the type of the AIoT service, or the data volume corresponding to the AIoT service. Optionally, it can be understood that the fifth information includes the first indication information and / or auxiliary information (or AIoT auxiliary information, etc.), which can include one or more of the following: whether the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service is greater than 1, the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service, the type of the AIoT service, or the data volume corresponding to the AIoT service. Alternatively, it can also be considered that the fifth information is auxiliary information or AIoT auxiliary information. The type of the AIoT service includes, for example, one or more of the following: inventory service, read service, write service, inactivation service, or lock service, or can also include other types. The data volume corresponding to the AIoT service is, for example, the data volume that needs to be transmitted for the AIoT service. The number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service can be the actual number or the estimated number. The data volume corresponding to the AIoT service can be the actual data volume or the estimated data volume.

[0213] Alternatively, the first message does not include the fifth information, for example, the first core network device can not send the fifth information. Alternatively, the first core network device sends the fifth information, but the first message does not include the fifth information, and the first core network device can send the fifth information through other messages.

[0214] Optionally, in S602, the first core network device can send the first message, which can indicate information of the AIoT service (for example, the information of the at least one UE described above). Optionally, the first message is, for example, a service request message, an AIoT service request message, an AIoT inventory request message, an inventory request message, an AIoT command service request message, or a command service request message, etc. Alternatively, the first message can be used to page at least one UE related to the AIoT service.

[0215] The first paging message can be used to page M UEs, which can be the UEs expected to be the reader. The M UEs can be determined by the access network device, and / or determined by the first core network device. For details, please refer to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0216] If the UEs expected to be the reader are determined by the first core network device, the first core network device can determine that M UEs in the one or more UEs can be the reader, and the first core network device can indicate the information of the M UEs through the first message. The anchor access network device pages the M UEs through the second paging message, and the first access network device pages the M UEs through the first paging message. Optionally, the anchor access network device can also page the M UEs through the first paging message at the same time.

[0217] Or, if the UEs expected to be the reader are determined by the anchor access network device, the first core network device can indicate the information of the one or more UEs (the one or more UEs are the at least one UE described above) through the first message. After the anchor access network device determines that M UEs in the one or more UEs can be the reader, the anchor access network device pages the M UEs through the second paging message, and the first access network device pages the M UEs through the first paging message. In addition, the anchor access network device can also page the M UEs through the first paging message at the same time. It can be understood that, since the anchor access network device saves the UE context, the UE context includes the AIoT related context, such as whether the UE supports being the UE reader, etc., therefore the anchor access network device can be responsible for determining the UEs expected to be the reader (such as the M UEs).

[0218] Or, if the UEs expected to be the reader are determined by the first access network device, the first core network device can indicate the information of the one or more UEs (the one or more UEs are the at least one UE described above) through the first message, and the anchor access network device also pages the one or more UEs through the second paging message. The first access network device determines that M UEs in the one or more UEs can be the reader, and pages the M UEs through the first paging message.

[0219] Or, if the UE expected to be the reader is determined by the first core network device and the first access network device together, the first core network device can indicate the one or more UEs (the one or more UEs are the at least one UE described above) to the anchor access network device through the first message, and the anchor access network device also pages the one or more UEs through the second paging message. The first access network device receiving the second paging message can negotiate with the first core network device to finally determine the M UEs and page the M UEs through the first paging message. Or, the first access network device and the first core network device can also negotiate to determine the M UEs first, and then the first access network device receives the second paging message.

[0220] In some optional embodiments, the first message can not include the information of the specific UE, and the second paging message can not include the identifier of the specific UE, for example, the first message only indicates the AIoT service related information, and the second paging message also only indicates the AIoT service related information. In this case, the first access network device can determine that the current AIoT service does not specify a specific UE as a reader, but expects the UE under the coverage of the first access network device to perform the AIoT service. Optionally, at this time, the first paging message can also not include the identifier of the specific UE, and the first access network device sending the first paging message can be used to page all UEs under the coverage of the first access network device, or all UEs under the coverage of the first access network device supporting the AIoT service, or part of the UEs under the coverage of the first access network device, or part of the UEs under the coverage of the first access network device supporting the AIoT service. For example, for the scene of finding a thing, the first access network device can request all UEs under the coverage of the first access network device, or request all UEs under the coverage of the first access network device supporting the AIoT service, or request part of the UEs under the coverage of the first access network device, or request part of the UEs under the coverage of the first access network device supporting the AIoT service to perform the current AIoT service, for example, the AIoT service is to find a certain device. Optionally, this case can also be understood as a case where the first access network device determines the UE (for example, the M UEs) expected to be the reader.

[0221] Optionally, the method can further include S604, the first UE sends the second information, and correspondingly, the first access network device receives the second information. For more information about S604, please refer to S503 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0222] S605, the first UE sends the first information in response to the first paging message. Correspondingly, the first access network device or the first core network device or the second core network device receives the first information. If the first indication information is included in the paging control information, S604 can also be replaced by the first UE sending the first information in response to the paging control information, which is not limited.

[0223] The content indicated by the first information, and how the first information is sent by which message, can refer to S504 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0224] Optionally, if the UE (e.g., M UEs) expected to be a reader is determined by the anchor access network device, after the first access network device receives the first information, the first access network device can forward the first information to the anchor access network device, or send the anchor access network device an indication information A, and the anchor access network device determines that the first UE refuses to perform AIoT service or refuses to be a reader according to the first information or the indication information A.

[0225] Optionally, the first UE is originally in an RRC inactive state, and the first UE can enter an RRC connected state before sending the first information. For example, the first UE in the RRC inactive state can initiate an RRC connection resume procedure to enter the RRC connected state, and the first UE can send the first information in the RRC connected state. The first UE initiates the RRC connection resume procedure, for example, including that the first UE sends an RRC connection resume request message through Msg3 in the 4-step RA or sends the RRC connection resume request message through MsgA in the 2-step RA. After the first access network device receives the RRC connection resume request message, the first access network device can send an RRC connection resume message to the first UE, so that the UE can enter the RRC connected state.

[0226] Alternatively, the first UE can also keep sending the first information in the RRC inactive state. For example, the first UE in the RRC inactive state initiates an RRC connection resume procedure for small data transmission (SDT) in response to the first paging message to send the first information through a small data transmission procedure. For example, the first UE sends an RRC connection resume request message and the first information through Msg3 or MsgA of random access (RA)-SDT; or the first UE sends an RRC connection resume request message and the first information through a configured grant (CG)-SDT resource. It can be understood that at this time, the first UE initiates a mobile originated (MO)-SDT procedure in response to the first paging message including the first indication information, for example, sends an RRC connection resume request message and the first information through a RA-SDT or CG-SDT procedure. For example, the first UE performs a judgment condition of MO-SDT in response to the first paging message including the first indication information, and transmits an RRC connection resume request message and the first information through a RA-SDT or CG-SDT procedure when the judgment condition of MO-SDT is met. The judgment condition of MO-SDT can include that the current uplink data amount of the first UE is less than or equal to a small data amount threshold, and / or the current RSRP of the first UE is greater than or equal to an RSRP threshold. Optionally, the uplink data amount is the data amount of the first information. It can be understood that the first UE can send the first information after receiving the first paging message related to downlink data, for example, the first UE sends response information of the first paging message in response to the first paging message, that is, the first information. At this time, the first UE can initiate an MO-SDT procedure and transmit the first information through the MO-SDT procedure. Otherwise, after the first UE receives the first paging message, in response to the first paging message, if the first UE wants to send the first information through a small data transmission procedure, the first UE can initiate an MT-SDT procedure in response to the first paging message, but the first UE has no resource for transmitting the first information, which will cause the first UE to be unable to transmit the first information. Optionally, the radio bearer (RB) used to transmit the first information can be an RB for small data transmission, for example, an SDT RB. The RB used to transmit the first information can be an RB dedicated to AIoT service transmission, or can also multiplex an existing RB.

[0227] Optionally, the first UE sends the RRC connection resume request message and the first information through the RA-SDT or CG-SDT procedure. The first UE can send the RRC connection resume request message and the first information simultaneously in the case of sufficient Msg3 resources or MsgA resources or CG-SDT resources. If the Msg3 resources or MsgA resources or CG-SDT resources are insufficient to send the RRC connection resume request message and the first information simultaneously, the first UE can first send the RRC connection resume request message, then send the first information, or first send the RRC connection resume request message and part of the first information, and then send the remaining part of the first information.

[0228] Optionally, the first information can be included in a NAS message, or included in an AS message, or included in a user plane core network message. For details, refer to the description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0229] Optionally, the method can further include S606, the first access network device sends a release message, and correspondingly, the first UE receives the release message. The release message can be used to release the first UE, for example, release the first UE to the RRC idle state or the RRC inactive state. The release message is, for example, an RRC release message.

[0230] In S605, several sending modes of the first information are introduced. Corresponding to different sending modes of the first information, the release message also has different implementations, which are introduced as follows.

[0231] 1. The first information is sent through a NAS message, referred to as case 1 in FIG. 6.

[0232] At this time, the first core network device knows from the first information that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be a reader, and then the first core network device can not perform the AIoT service through the first UE or use the first UE as a reader. For example, if M UEs as readers are determined by the first core network device, the first information can be sent to the first core network device through a NAS message, and the first core network device knows from the first information that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be a reader.

[0233] Subcase 1: the anchor access network device is the first access network device. In subcase 1, subplan 1 or subplan 2 can be included.

[0234] Sub-solution 1, the method can further include S607, the first core network device sends seventh information to the anchor access network device, and correspondingly, the anchor access network device receives the seventh information. The seventh information can indicate to release the first UE, or indicate that the AIoT service does not need to be performed or is not performed through the first UE. S607 occurs before S606, for example. The first access network device receives the seventh information, and then can send a release message.

[0235] Sub-solution 2, the method can not include S607, and the first access network device can determine whether to release the first UE by itself. For example, the first access network device does not receive service data corresponding to the first UE within a first time length, and then can send a release message to release the first UE. For example, the first access network device does not receive data or signaling sent by the core network device to the first UE within the first time length, and then the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. The first time length can be determined by the first access network device, or be configured by the core network, or be predefined by a protocol.

[0236] Sub-case 2: the anchor access network device is not the first access network device. In sub-case 2, sub-solution 3 or sub-solution 4 or sub-solution 5 can be included.

[0237] Sub-solution 3, the method can include S607, and further include S608. For the description of S607, refer to sub-solution 1. In S608, the anchor access network device sends eighth information to the first access network device, and correspondingly, the first access network device receives the eighth information. The eighth information can indicate to release the first UE, or indicate that the AIoT service does not need to be performed or is not performed through the first UE. For example, the content indicated by the eighth information can be the same as or similar to the content indicated by the seventh information. S608 occurs before S606, for example; S608 occurs after S607, for example. The first access network device receives the eighth information, and then can send a release message.

[0238] Sub-solution 4, the method can not include S607 and S608, and the first access network device can determine whether to release the first UE by itself. For example, the first access network device does not receive service data corresponding to the first UE within a first time length, and then can send a release message to release the first UE. For example, the first access network device does not receive data or signaling sent by the core network device to the first UE within the first time length, and then the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. For example, the first access network device does not receive data or signaling sent by the core network device to the first UE within the first time length, and then the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. The first time length can be determined by the first access network device, or be configured by the core network, or be predefined by a protocol.

[0239] In sub-solution 5, the method can not include S607, and the anchor access network device can determine whether to release the first UE by itself. For example, the anchor access network device does not receive service data corresponding to the first UE within a second time length, and then can send a release message to release the first UE. For example, the anchor access network device does not receive data or signaling sent by the core network device to the first UE within the second time length, and then the anchor access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. Optionally, the method can include S608. For example, in S608, the anchor access network device sends eighth information to the first access network device, and the eighth information can indicate to release the first UE or indicate that the AIoT service does not need to be performed or is not performed through the first UE. After the first access network device receives the eighth information, the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. The second time length can be determined by the anchor access network device, or be configured by the core network, or be predefined by a protocol.

[0240] 2. The first information is sent through an AS message, which is referred to as case 2 in FIG. 6.

[0241] At this time, the first access network device learns from the first information that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be a reader, and then the first access network device can not perform the AIoT service through the first UE or use the first UE as a reader. For example, if the M UEs that are readers are determined by the first access network device, the first information can be sent to the first access network device through an AS message, and then the first access network device learns from the first information that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be a reader.

[0242] For example, the first access network device can send the release message in response to the first information.

[0243] In some cases, if the UE expected to be a reader is determined by the anchor access network device, after the first access network device receives the first information, the first access network device can forward the first information to the anchor access network device or send indication information B to the anchor access network device. If the anchor access network device determines from the first information or the indication information B that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be a reader, the anchor access network device sends indication information C to the first access network device to indicate to release the first UE, and the first access network device releases the first UE based on the indication information C. Optionally, the anchor access network device no longer pages the first UE for the AIoT service.

[0244] 3. The first information is sent through a user plane core network message, which is referred to as case 3 in FIG. 6.

[0245] At this time, the second core network device can determine, according to the first information, that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be the reader. For example, the M UEs being the readers are determined by the second core network device, and therefore the first UE can send the first information to the second core network device through a user plane core network message, so that the second core network device can determine, according to the first information, that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be the reader. Since the access or paging of the UE is responsible for the first core network device as the control plane network element, optionally, the method can further include S609, the second core network device sends the first information or the ninth information to the first core network device, and correspondingly, the first core network device receives the first information or the ninth information. For details, reference can be made to the description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. S609 occurs, for example, before S606 and after S605.

[0246] Subcase 3: The anchor access network device is the first access network device. In subcase 3, subplan 6 or subplan 7 can be further included.

[0247] Subplan 6: The method can further include S610, the first core network device sends the seventh information to the anchor access network device, and correspondingly, the anchor access network device receives the seventh information. For example, the first core network device can send the seventh information after receiving the first information or the ninth information, for example, the first core network device can send the seventh information in response to the first information or the ninth information, that is, S610 can occur after S609. The seventh information can indicate releasing the first UE or indicating that the AIoT service does not need to be performed by the first UE or through the first UE. The first access network device receiving the seventh information can send a release message.

[0248] Subplan 7: The method can not include S610, and the first access network device can determine whether to release the first UE by itself. For example, the first access network device does not receive service data corresponding to the first UE within a first time length, and then a release message can be sent to release the first UE, for example, the first access network device does not receive data or signaling of the core network device to the first UE within the first time length, and then the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. The first time length can be determined by the first access network device, or configured by the core network, or predefined by a protocol.

[0249] Subcase 4: The anchor access network device is not the first access network device. In subcase 4, subplan 8 or subplan 9 or subplan 10 can be further included.

[0250] Subsolution 8, the method can comprise S610, and can further comprise S611. For the description of S610, refer to subsolution 6. In S611, the anchor access network device sends eighth information to the first access network device, and correspondingly, the first access network device receives the eighth information. The eighth information can indicate to release the first UE, or indicate that the AIoT service does not need to be performed or is not performed through the first UE. For example, the content indicated by the eighth information can be the same as or similar to the content indicated by the seventh information. S611 occurs, for example, before S606; S611 occurs, for example, after S610. After the first access network device receives the eighth information, the first access network device can send a release message.

[0251] Subsolution 9, the method can not comprise S610 and S611, and the first access network device can determine whether to release the first UE by itself. For example, the first access network device does not receive service data corresponding to the first UE within a first time length, and then the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. For example, the first access network device does not receive data or signaling sent by the core network device to the first UE within the first time length, and then the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. For example, the first access network device does not receive data or signaling sent by the core network device to the first UE and forwarded by the anchor access network device within the first time length, and then the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. The first time length can be determined by the first access network device, or be configured by the core network, or be predefined by a protocol.

[0252] Subsolution 10, the method can not comprise S610, and the anchor access network device can determine whether to release the first UE by itself. For example, the anchor access network device does not receive service data corresponding to the first UE within a second time length, and then the anchor access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. For example, the anchor access network device does not receive data or signaling sent by the core network device to the first UE within the second time length, and then the anchor access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. Optionally, the method can comprise S611, for example, in S611, the anchor access network device sends eighth information to the first access network device, and the eighth information can indicate to release the first UE, or indicate that the AIoT service does not need to be performed or is not performed through the first UE. After the first access network device receives the eighth information, the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. The second time length can be determined by the anchor access network device, or be configured by the core network, or be predefined by a protocol.

[0253] As introduced above, the first UE can reject to perform the AIoT service or reject to be the reader. Alternatively, the first UE can accept to perform the AIoT service or accept to be the reader. For example, if the first UE determines that it can perform the AIoT service or can be the reader, it can accept to perform the AIoT service or accept to be the reader. In this case, the first UE can not send the first information, for example, not perform S605-S611, but perform the AIoT service or be the reader. For example, the first UE can initiate an RRC connection resume procedure and enter the RRC connected state to perform the AIoT service as the reader in the RRC connected state. For details, reference can be made to the related description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0254] In the embodiment of the present application, the network can indicate the AIoT service through the first paging message, or it can be understood that the network can indicate or request the first UE to perform the AIoT service through the first paging message. However, the first UE can reject to perform the AIoT service, thereby saving the power consumption of the first UE due to the performance of the AIoT service. The first UE in the embodiment of the present application can be originally in the RRC non-connected state, for example, the RRC inactive state, which means that a scheme of rejecting to perform the AIoT service is provided for the UE in the RRC non-connected state. In addition, since the first UE can timely inform the network device that it rejects to perform the AIoT service, the network device can be prevented from continuously paging the UE, thereby saving resources for the network device.

[0255] The embodiment of the present application provides a third communication method, please refer to FIG. 7, which is a flowchart of the method.

[0256] S701, the first access network device sends a first paging message. Correspondingly, the first UE receives the first paging message.

[0257] The first UE can be in the RRC non-connected state, for example, the RRC non-connected state in the embodiment of the present application is the RRC inactive state. The first paging message can be used to page the first UE, for example, the first paging message includes the identifier of the first UE. The first paging message can also include the first indication information, and the related description of the first indication information can be referred to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the first UE is in the core network connected state, and the RRC inactive state is taken as the RRC non-connected state for example in the embodiment of the present application, which does not actually limit the RRC state of the first UE.

[0258] In the embodiments of the present application, the first access network device can be an access network device in which the first UE currently resides. Wherein, after the first UE is released to the RRC inactive state, the first UE can have moved or can not have moved. If the first UE has not moved, or although the first UE has moved, the first UE has not moved out of the coverage of the anchor access network device, the first access network device is the anchor access network device of the first UE. Or, if the first UE has moved and moved out of the coverage of the anchor access network device, the first access network device can not be the anchor access network device. Wherein, the anchor access network device refers to the access network device that releases the first UE to the RRC inactive state, or the anchor access network device can also be understood as the access network device that saves the context of the first UE. The anchor access network device can also be referred to as an old station, or referred to as a last serving base station, etc.; the first access network device can also be referred to as a new station, or referred to as a receiving base station, etc.

[0259] If the anchor access network device and the first access network device are the same device, optionally, the first access network device can also receive the first message, and then the first access network device sends the first paging message.

[0260] Or, if the anchor access network device and the first access network device are different devices, optionally, the method can further include S703, the anchor access network device sends a second paging message to the first access network device, and correspondingly, the first access network device receives the second paging message. The second paging message is sent through an Xn interface between the anchor access network device and the first access network device, for example. The second paging message can be used to page the at least one UE.

[0261] Optionally, the second paging message can further comprise fifth information. Optionally, the fifth information can indicate one or more of: the first indication information, whether the number of devices requiring to perform the AIoT service is greater than 1, the number of devices requiring to perform the AIoT service, the type of the AIoT service, or the data volume corresponding to the AIoT service. Optionally, it can be understood that the fifth information comprises the first indication information and / or auxiliary information (or referred to as AIoT auxiliary information, etc.), and the auxiliary information can comprise one or more of: whether the number of devices requiring to perform the AIoT service is greater than 1, the number of devices requiring to perform the AIoT service, the type of the AIoT service, or the data volume corresponding to the AIoT service. Alternatively, it can also be considered that the fifth information is auxiliary information or AIoT auxiliary information. The type of the AIoT service, for example, comprises one or more of inventory service, read service, write service, inactivation service, or lock service, or can also comprise other types. The data volume corresponding to the AIoT service is, for example, the data volume required to be transmitted by the AIoT service. The number of devices requiring to perform the AIoT service can be the actual number or the estimated number. The data volume corresponding to the AIoT service can be the actual data volume or the estimated data volume.

[0262] Alternatively, the second paging message does not comprise the fifth information, for example, the first core network device does not send the fifth information. Alternatively, the first core network device sends the fifth information, and the anchor access network device can receive the fifth information, which can be included in the first message or other messages; but the second paging message sent by the anchor access network device in S703 does not comprise the fifth information, for example, the anchor access network device sends the fifth information through other messages.

[0263] For example, the first access network device can determine, according to the fifth information, that the second paging message corresponds to the AIoT service, and / or the first access network device can determine, according to the fifth information, whether to initiate a small packet transmission process for the AIoT service. The small packet transmission process is, for example, a mobile terminated (MT)-SDT process, which can be understood as a downlink small packet transmission process. For example, the fifth information indicates the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service, if the number is large, the amount of data to be transmitted can be large, in this case, the first access network device can determine not to initiate a small packet transmission process for the AIoT service, and the first UE can enter an RRC connected state to perform the AIoT service; and if the number is small, the first access network device can initiate a small packet transmission process for the AIoT service. For another example, the fifth information indicates the amount of data corresponding to the AIoT service, if the amount of data is large, the first access network device can determine not to initiate a small packet transmission process for the AIoT service, and the first UE can enter an RRC connected state to perform the AIoT service; and if the amount of data is small, the first access network device can initiate a small packet transmission process for the AIoT service.

[0264] For example, through the fifth information, the first access network device can determine that the second paging message is related to the AIoT service, so that the first access network device can send the first paging message carrying the first indication information to the UE, so that the UE can determine that the first paging message is related to the AIoT service, so that the UE can consider whether to perform the AIoT service according to the corresponding factors. For another example, through the fifth information, the first access network device can determine whether to initiate a small packet transmission process for the AIoT, so that the transmission mode of the AIoT service is more reasonable.

[0265] Optionally, the second paging message can further include sixth information. The sixth information can indicate information of downlink data, or indicate a data volume corresponding to the downlink data. The downlink data belongs to a first service, and the first service is not an AIoT service. Alternatively, it can be understood that the downlink data does not belong to an AIoT service. Optionally, the first service is, for example, a service related to small packet transmission, and the downlink data can be small packet transmission related data. Optionally, the downlink data can be carried by an SDT radio bearer (RB). The sixth information can indicate a data size of the downlink data corresponding to the first service, which can also be understood as a data volume of the downlink data. Through the sixth information, different services can be distinguished. For example, if there is only an AIoT service and no other service, the second paging message can not include the sixth information, for example, the second paging message can include the fifth information (for example, include the first indication information, etc.). Optionally, if the first message includes the fifth information, the second paging message includes the fifth information; if the first message includes the sixth information, the second paging message includes the sixth information. For example, the content included in the first message can be consistent with the content included in the second paging message, and no more will be described.

[0266] For the anchor access network device, different information can be included in the second paging message in different cases. For example, if the current service is only AIoT service without other service, the anchor access network device can include the fifth information and not include the sixth information in the second paging message. Alternatively, the anchor access network device can confirm that the current service is only AIoT service without other service in the following ways: for example, the first message includes the fifth information and not the sixth information; or, the anchor access network device only receives AIoT service related information from the core network device and does not receive other service related information, such as downlink data; or, the anchor access network device determines that the current service is only AIoT service without other service in other ways. For another example, if the current service includes AIoT service and other service, the anchor access network device can include the fifth information and the sixth information in the second paging message. Alternatively, the anchor access network device can confirm that the current service includes AIoT service and other service in the following ways: for example, the first message includes the fifth information and the sixth information; or, the anchor access network device receives AIoT service related information and other service related information, such as downlink data, from the core network device; or, the anchor access network device determines that the current service includes AIoT service and other service in other ways. For another example, if the current service is only other service without AIoT service, the anchor access network device can include the sixth information and not include the fifth information in the second paging message. Alternatively, the anchor access network device can confirm that the current service is only other service (such as data transmission) without AIoT service in the following ways: for example, the first message includes the sixth information and not the fifth information; or, the anchor access network device only receives other service related information, such as downlink data, from the core network device and does not receive AIoT service related information; or, the anchor access network device determines that the current service is only other service without AIoT service in other ways. Alternatively, the above other service is, for example, service related to downlink data transmission, such as service related to downlink small packet transmission, the above fifth information is, for example, AIoT indication information, and the above sixth information is, for example, downlink data amount information.

[0267] For the first access network device, the second paging message can be received. If the second paging message includes the fifth information and not the sixth information, the first access network device can determine that the current service is only AIoT service without other service. Alternatively, the first access network device can determine whether to initiate a small packet transmission process for the AIoT service according to the fifth information and / or other factors.

[0268] Or, if the second paging message includes the sixth information but not the fifth information, the first access network device can determine that the current service is not the AIoT service but other service, e.g. service related to downlink data transmission, e.g. service related to downlink small packet transmission. Optionally, the first access network device can determine whether to initiate the small packet transmission procedure for the other service according to the sixth information and / or other factors. For example, if the sixth information indicates a large data amount, the first access network device can determine not to initiate the small packet transmission procedure for the other service, and the first UE can enter the RRC connected state to perform the other service; while if the data amount is small, the first access network device can initiate the small packet transmission procedure for the other service.

[0269] Or, if the second paging message includes the fifth information and the sixth information, the first access network device can determine that the current service includes the AIoT service and other service, e.g. the other service is service related to downlink data transmission, e.g. service related to downlink small packet transmission. Optionally, the first access network device can determine whether to initiate the small packet transmission procedure for the AIoT service according to the fifth information and / or other factors, and / or determine whether to initiate the small packet transmission procedure for the other service according to the sixth information and / or other factors. For example, the first access network device can determine whether to initiate the small packet transmission procedure for the AIoT service and the other service respectively, or the first access network device can determine whether to initiate one small packet transmission procedure for the AIoT service and the other service. If it is needed to initiate the small packet transmission procedure for one or more of the services, the first access network device can instruct the first UE to initiate the small packet transmission procedure.

[0270] In this way, the first access network device can be aware of the current service situation, and the first access network device can determine whether to initiate the small packet transmission procedure based on the service, so as to avoid the first UE entering the RRC connected state to perform the AIoT service as much as possible.

[0271] For example, if the first access network device determines to initiate the small packet transmission procedure, the first access network device can send third information, and the first UE receives the third information. Optionally, the third information is, for example, mt-sdt indication information. The third information can indicate information of transmitting the AIoT service by using the small packet transmission procedure. In this indication manner, it can be understood that the third information is associated with the small packet transmission procedure and is associated with the AIoT service. Alternatively, the third information can indicate small packet transmission or initiation of the small packet transmission procedure. In this indication manner, it can be understood that the third information is associated with the small packet transmission but is not associated with a specific service, for example, is not associated with the AIoT service. For example, if the first access network device determines to initiate the small packet transmission procedure for the AIoT service, the first access network device can include the third information in the first paging message. The third information is, for example, information indicating that the AIoT service is transmitted by using the small packet transmission procedure, and the third information is, for example, mt-sdt indication information. The UE receiving the first paging message carrying the third information can determine that the information related to the current AIoT service can be transmitted by using the small packet transmission procedure. For another example, if the first access network device determines to initiate the small packet transmission procedure for the AIoT service, the first access network device includes first indication information in the first paging message to indicate that the current paging is related to the AIoT service, and the first access network device further includes the third information in the first paging message. The third information is, for example, indication of small packet transmission or initiation of the small packet transmission procedure, and the third information is, for example, mt-sdt indication information. The first UE receiving the first paging message carrying the first indication information and the third information can determine that the information related to the current AIoT service can be transmitted by using the small packet transmission procedure. The first access network device can determine to initiate the small packet transmission procedure for the AIoT service according to the fifth information, or the first access network device can determine to initiate the small packet transmission procedure for the AIoT service according to the fifth information and the sixth information, or the first access network device can determine to initiate the small packet transmission procedure for the AIoT service by using other manners, and embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0272] Alternatively, the first access network device can enable the UE to transmit the AIoT service related information through the small packet transmission procedure by the third information, or indicate that the current cell (e.g., the first cell, which can be understood as the cell where the UE is located, or the cell where the third information is transmitted) or the first access network device supports the UE to transmit the AIoT service related information through the small packet transmission procedure by the third information, but the third information does not indicate the specific AIoT service. For example, if the first access network device determines to enable the UE covered by the first access network device to transmit the AIoT service related information through the small packet transmission procedure, or the cell where the first access network device or some UEs are located supports the UE to transmit the AIoT service related information through the small packet transmission procedure, the first access network device can send the third information. Optionally, the AIoT service indicated by the third information is the AIoT service without distinguishing the AIoT service type; or, optionally, the AIoT service indicated by the third information is the AIoT service with distinguishing the AIoT service type, for example, the AIoT service type indicated by the third information can include one or more of the following: inventory service, read service, write service, inactivation service, or lock service, etc. The UE can determine, according to the third information, that the UE can initiate the small packet transmission procedure for the AIoT service or the AIoT service of one or more service types, or determine that the UE can use the small packet transmission procedure to transmit the AIoT service related information or the AIoT service related information of one or more service types. At this time, for example, the third information can be included in the system message, for example, the system information block (SIB) 1, or other SIB messages, etc. Optionally, the third information can occupy one or more bits. The third information can correspond to the first access network device, or correspond to the cell where the first UE is currently located.

[0273] Optionally, in the case where the first access network device sends the third information through the system message, if the first access network device determines to initiate the small packet transmission procedure for a certain AIoT service, the first access network device can carry the first indication information in the paging message (e.g., the first paging message) corresponding to the AIoT service. Optionally, the first access network device can determine to initiate the small packet transmission procedure for the AIoT service according to the fifth information, or the first access network device can determine to initiate the small packet transmission procedure for the AIoT service according to the fifth information and the sixth information, or the first access network device can determine to initiate the small packet transmission procedure for the AIoT service through other manners, which are not limited by the embodiments of the present application. The UE receives the first indication information and the third information, and can initiate the small packet transmission procedure for the AIoT service, or determine whether to initiate the small packet transmission procedure for the AIoT service (e.g., the UE can initiate the small packet transmission procedure for the AIoT service in the case where the small packet transmission condition is met).

[0274] Alternatively, if the first access network device determines not to initiate the small packet transmission procedure for a certain AIoT service in the case that the third information is sent through the system message, the first access network device can not carry the first indication information in the paging message (e.g., the first paging message) corresponding to the AIoT service. The UE receives the first paging message, and according to the first paging message not including the first indication information, the UE can enter the RRC connected state to perform the service, e.g., the UE can enter the RRC connected state to learn that the service is an AIoT service and perform the AIoT service in the RRC connected state.

[0275] From the above introduction of the third information, it can be known that, if the third information is included in the first paging message or is carried by the first paging message, the third information (or the third information and the first indication information) can indicate information that the AIoT service is transmitted by or through the small packet transmission procedure, or initiate the small packet transmission procedure, or indicate small packet transmission. For another example, if the third information is included in the system message or is carried by the system message, the third information can indicate that the current cell or the first access network device supports the UE to transmit the AIoT service related information through the small packet transmission procedure; or the third information can enable the UE to transmit the AIoT service related information through the small packet transmission procedure, etc.

[0276] The first paging message can page M UEs. If the first paging message includes the third information, optionally, the first paging message can include the third information corresponding to part or all of the M UEs respectively, i.e., the first paging message can include one or more third information, which one or more third information correspond to one or more UEs of the M UEs one by one. The first paging message can indicate small packet transmission to different UEs through the third information corresponding to each UE respectively, and the indication granularity is finer.

[0277] Alternatively, if the third information is included in other messages, e.g., is included in the system message, the system message can include one third information, and it is not necessary to include the third information corresponding to each UE respectively for different UEs. In this way, the signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0278] Optionally, if different services are distinguished (e.g., are distinguished through the fifth information and the sixth information), if the first access network device initiates the small packet transmission for the AIoT service, the content indicated by the third information can be related to the AIoT service or can not be related to the AIoT service (e.g., indicates to initiate the small packet transmission procedure, or indicates small packet transmission, etc.); or if the first access network device initiates the small packet transmission for other services instead of the AIoT service, the content indicated by the third information can not be related to the AIoT service.

[0279] Optionally, the method can further include S702, the first core network device sends a first message, and correspondingly, the anchor access network device receives the first message. The first message can be used to indicate information of at least one UE (hereinafter taken as an example of paging at least one UE), which includes, for example, M UEs paged by the first paging message, and the M UEs include the first UE. S702 occurs, for example, before S701. For the introduction of the first core network device, reference can be made to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0280] Optionally, the first message can further include the fifth information. Optionally, the fifth information can indicate one or more of the following: the first indication information, whether the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service is greater than 1, the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service, the type of the AIoT service, or the data volume corresponding to the AIoT service. Optionally, it can be understood that the fifth information includes the first indication information and / or auxiliary information (or AIoT auxiliary information, etc.), which can include one or more of the following: whether the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service is greater than 1, the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service, the type of the AIoT service, or the data volume corresponding to the AIoT service. Alternatively, it can also be considered that the fifth information is auxiliary information or AIoT auxiliary information. The type of the AIoT service includes, for example, one or more of the following: inventory service, read service, write service, inactivation service, or lock service, or can also include other types. The data volume corresponding to the AIoT service is, for example, the data volume that needs to be transmitted by the AIoT service. The number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service can be the actual number or the estimated number. The data volume corresponding to the AIoT service can be the actual data volume or the estimated data volume.

[0281] Alternatively, the first message does not include the fifth information, for example, the first core network device can not send the fifth information. Alternatively, the first core network device sends the fifth information, but the first message does not include the fifth information, and the first core network device can send the fifth information through other messages.

[0282] Optionally, the first message can further include sixth information, the sixth information can indicate downlink data or indicate a data size of the downlink data. The downlink data belongs to a first service, and the first service is not the AIoT service corresponding to the first message; or the downlink data does not belong to the AIoT service. The first service is, for example, a service related to small packet transmission, and the downlink data can be data related to small packet transmission. Optionally, the downlink data can be carried by an SDT radio bearer (RB). Through the sixth information, different services can be distinguished. For example, if there is only the AIoT service and no other service at present, the first message can not include the sixth information, for example, the first message can include the fifth information (for example, include the first indication information, etc.).

[0283] For another example, if there is both the AIoT service and other services at present, the first message can include the sixth information, for example, the first message can include the fifth information and the sixth information. The sixth information can indicate a data size of the downlink data corresponding to the other service, and the data size can also be understood as a data size of the downlink data.

[0284] For another example, if there is only the other service and no AIoT service at present, the first message can include the sixth information, for example, the first message can include the sixth information and not include the fifth information. The sixth information can indicate a data size of the downlink data corresponding to the other service.

[0285] The first paging message can be used to page M UEs, and the M UEs can be UEs expected to be readers. The M UEs can be determined by the access network device and / or determined by the first core network device. For details, refer to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

[0286] If the UE expected to be a reader is determined by the first core network device, the first core network device can determine that M UEs in the one or more UEs can be readers, and the first core network device can indicate information of the M UEs through the first message. The anchor access network device also pages the M UEs through the second paging message, and the first access network device pages the M UEs through the first paging message. Optionally, the anchor access network device can also page the M UEs through the first paging message at the same time.

[0287] Alternatively, if the UE expected to be a reader is determined by the anchor access network device, the first core network device can indicate the information of the one or more UEs (the one or more UEs are the at least one UE described above) through the first message. After the anchor access network device determines that M UEs of the one or more UEs can be a reader, the anchor access network device pages the M UEs through the second paging message, the first access network device pages the M UEs through the first paging message, and in addition, the anchor access network device can also page the M UEs through the first paging message at the same time. It can be understood that since the anchor access network device saves the UE context, the UE context includes AIoT related context, such as whether the UE supports being a UE reader, etc., so the anchor access network device can be responsible for determining the UE (such as the M UEs) expected to be a reader.

[0288] Alternatively, if the UE expected to be a reader is determined by the first access network device, the first core network device can indicate the information of the one or more UEs (the one or more UEs are the at least one UE described above) through the first message, and the anchor access network device also pages the one or more UEs through the second paging message. The first access network device determines that M UEs of the one or more UEs can be a reader, and pages the M UEs through the first paging message.

[0289] Alternatively, if the UE expected to be a reader is determined by the first core network device and the first access network device together, the first core network device can indicate the one or more UEs (the one or more UEs are the at least one UE described above) through the first message, and the anchor access network device also pages the one or more UEs through the second paging message. The first access network device receives the second paging message, and can negotiate with the first core network device to finally determine the M UEs, and page the M UEs through the first paging message. Alternatively, the first access network device and the first core network device can also first negotiate to determine the M UEs, and then the first access network device receives the second paging message.

[0290] In some optional embodiments, the first message can not include information of the specific UE, and the second paging message can not include the identity of the specific UE, for example, the first message only indicates AIoT service related information, and the second paging message also only indicates AIoT service related information. In this case, the first access network device can determine that the current AIoT service does not specify the specific UE as a reader, but expects a UE under coverage of the first access network device to perform the AIoT service. At this time, the first paging message can also not include the identity of the specific UE, and the first access network device sending the first paging message can be used to page all UEs under coverage of the first access network device, or all UEs under coverage of the first access network device supporting the AIoT service, or part of UEs under coverage of the first access network device, or part of UEs under coverage of the first access network device supporting the AIoT service. For example, for a lost item searching scenario, the first access network device can request all UEs under coverage of the first access network device, or request all UEs under coverage of the first access network device supporting the AIoT service, or request part of UEs under coverage of the first access network device, or request part of UEs under coverage of the first access network device supporting the AIoT service to perform the current AIoT service, for example, the AIoT service is to find a certain device. Optionally, this case can also be understood as a case where the first access network device determines that a UE (for example, M UEs) is expected to be a reader.

[0291] Optionally, in S702, the first core network device can send a first message, and the first message can indicate information of the AIoT service (for example, information of the at least one UE described above), and optionally, the first message is, for example, a service request message, an AIoT service request message, an AIoT inventory request message, an inventory request message, an AIoT command service request message, a command service request message, and the like. Alternatively, the first message can be used to page the at least one UE related to the AIoT service.

[0292] Optionally, in S703, the anchor access network device can send a second paging message, or can also send other messages, for example, send a service request, for example, called a second service request, and the "second paging message" in the embodiments of the present application can also be replaced by "second service request", and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0293] Optionally, the method can further include S704, the first UE sends second information, and correspondingly, the first access network device receives the second information. For more information about S704, refer to S503 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0294] S705. The first UE sends the first information in response to the first paging message. Correspondingly, the first access network device or the first core network device or the second core network device receives the first information. If the first indication information is included in the paging control information, S705 can also be replaced by that the first UE sends the first information in response to the paging control information, and no limitation is made to this.

[0295] The content indicated by the first information and the message through which the first information is sent can refer to S504 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0296] Optionally, if the UE (for example, M UEs) expected to be a reader is determined by the anchor access network device, after the first access network device receives the first information, the first access network device can forward the first information to the anchor access network device or send indication information A to the anchor access network device, and the anchor access network device determines that the first UE refuses to perform AIoT service or refuses to be a reader according to the first information or the indication information A.

[0297] Optionally, the first UE is originally in an RRC inactive state, and the first UE can enter an RRC connected state before sending the first information. For example, the first UE in the RRC inactive state can initiate an RRC connection recovery procedure to enter the RRC connected state, and the first UE can send the first information in the RRC connected state. The first UE initiates the RRC connection recovery procedure, for example, including that the first UE sends an RRC connection recovery request message through Msg3 in 4-step RA or sends an RRC connection recovery request message through MsgA in 2-step RA. After the first access network device receives the RRC connection recovery request message, the first access network device can send an RRC connection recovery message to the first UE, so that the UE can enter the RRC connected state.

[0298] Alternatively, the first UE can also send the first information while remaining in the RRC inactive state. For example, the first UE in the RRC inactive state initiates an RRC connection recovery procedure for small packet transmission in response to the first paging message to send the first information through a small packet transmission process. For example, the first UE sends an RRC connection recovery request message and the first information through Msg3 or MsgA of RA-SDT; or the first UE sends an RRC connection recovery request message and the first information through a CG-SDT resource. For this part, refer to the related introduction of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

[0299] Optionally, the first UE transmits the RRC connection resume request message and the first information through the RA-SDT or CG-SDT procedure. The first UE can transmit the RRC connection resume request message and the first information simultaneously in a case where Msg3 resources or MsgA resources or CG-SDT resources are sufficient. If the Msg3 resources or MsgA resources or CG-SDT resources are insufficient to transmit the RRC connection resume request message and the first information simultaneously, the first UE can first transmit the RRC connection resume request message, then transmit the first information, or first transmit the RRC connection resume request message and part of the first information, and then transmit the remaining part of the first information.

[0300] Optionally, the first information can be included in a NAS message, or included in an AS message, or included in a user plane core network message. For details, refer to the description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0301] Optionally, the method can further include S706, the first access network device transmits a release message, and correspondingly, the first UE receives the release message. The release message can be used to release the first UE, for example, release the first UE to an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state. The release message is, for example, an RRC release message.

[0302] In S705, several transmission modes of the first information are introduced. Corresponding to different transmission modes of the first information, the release message also has different implementations, which are introduced as follows.

[0303] 1. The first information is transmitted through a NAS message, which is referred to as case 1 in FIG. 7.

[0304] At this time, the first core network device learns from the first information that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be a reader, and then the first core network device can not perform the AIoT service through the first UE or use the first UE as a reader. For example, if M UEs serving as readers are determined by the first core network device, the first information can be transmitted to the first core network device through a NAS message, and the first core network device learns from the first information that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be a reader.

[0305] Subcase 1: the anchor access network device is the first access network device. In subcase 1, subplan 1 or subplan 2 can be included.

[0306] Sub-solution 1, the method can further include S707, the first core network device sends seventh information to the anchor access network device, and correspondingly, the anchor access network device receives the seventh information. The seventh information can indicate to release the first UE, or indicate that the AIoT service does not need to be performed or is not performed through the first UE. S707 occurs before S706, for example. The first access network device receives the seventh information, and then can send a release message.

[0307] Sub-solution 2, the method can not include S707, and the first access network device can determine whether to release the first UE by itself. For example, the first access network device does not receive service data corresponding to the first UE within a first time length, and then can send a release message to release the first UE. For example, the first access network device does not receive data or signaling sent by the core network device to the first UE within the first time length, and then the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. The first time length can be determined by the first access network device, or be configured by the core network, or be predefined by a protocol.

[0308] Sub-case 2: the anchor access network device is not the first access network device. In sub-case 2, sub-solution 3 or sub-solution 4 or sub-solution 5 can be included.

[0309] Sub-solution 3, the method can include S707, and further include S708. The description of S707 can refer to sub-solution 1. In S708, the anchor access network device sends eighth information to the first access network device, and correspondingly, the first access network device receives the eighth information. The eighth information can indicate to release the first UE, or indicate that the AIoT service does not need to be performed or is not performed through the first UE. For example, the content indicated by the eighth information can be the same as or similar to the content indicated by the seventh information. S708 occurs before S706, for example; S708 occurs after S707, for example. The first access network device receives the eighth information, and then can send a release message.

[0310] Sub-solution 4, the method can not include S707 and S708, and the first access network device can determine whether to release the first UE by itself. For example, the first access network device does not receive service data corresponding to the first UE within a first time length, and then can send a release message to release the first UE. For example, the first access network device does not receive data or signaling sent by the core network device to the first UE within the first time length, and then the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. For example, the first access network device does not receive data or signaling sent by the core network device to the first UE within the first time length, and then the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. The first time length can be determined by the first access network device, or be configured by the core network, or be predefined by a protocol.

[0311] In sub-solution 5, the method can not include S707, and the anchor access network device can determine whether to release the first UE by itself. For example, the anchor access network device does not receive service data corresponding to the first UE within a second time length, and then the anchor access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. For example, the anchor access network device does not receive data or signaling sent by the core network device to the first UE within the second time length, and then the anchor access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. Optionally, the method can include S708. For example, in S708, the anchor access network device sends eighth information to the first access network device, and the eighth information can indicate to release the first UE or indicate that the AIoT service does not need to be performed or is not performed through the first UE. After the first access network device receives the eighth information, the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. The second time length can be determined by the anchor access network device, or be configured by the core network, or be predefined by a protocol.

[0312] 2. The first information is sent through an AS message, which is referred to as case 2 in FIG. 7.

[0313] At this time, the first access network device learns from the first information that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be a reader, and then the first access network device can not perform the AIoT service through the first UE or use the first UE as a reader. For example, if the M UEs that are readers are determined by the first access network device, the first information can be sent to the first access network device through an AS message, and then the first access network device learns from the first information that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be a reader.

[0314] For example, the first access network device can send the release message in response to the first information.

[0315] In some cases, if the UE that is expected to be a reader is determined by the anchor access network device, after the first access network device receives the first information, the first access network device can forward the first information to the anchor access network device or send indication information B to the anchor access network device. If the anchor access network device determines from the first information or the indication information B that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be a reader, the anchor access network device sends indication information C to the first access network device to indicate to release the first UE. The first access network device releases the first UE based on the indication information C. Optionally, the anchor access network device no longer pages the first UE for the AIoT service.

[0316] 3. The first information is sent through a user plane core network message, which is referred to as case 3 in FIG. 7.

[0317] At this time, the second core network device can determine, according to the first information, that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be the reader. For example, the M UEs being the readers are determined by the second core network device, and therefore the first UE can send the first information to the second core network device through a user plane core network message, so that the second core network device can determine, according to the first information, that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service or refuses to be the reader. Since the access or paging of the UE is responsible for the first core network device as the control plane network element, optionally, the method can further include S709, the second core network device sends the first information or the ninth information to the first core network device, and correspondingly, the first core network device receives the first information or the ninth information. For details, reference can be made to the description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. S709 occurs, for example, before S706 and after S705.

[0318] Subcase 3: The anchor access network device is the first access network device. In subcase 3, subplan 6 or subplan 7 can be further included.

[0319] Subplan 6: The method can further include S710, the first core network device sends the seventh information to the anchor access network device, and correspondingly, the anchor access network device receives the seventh information. For example, the first core network device can send the seventh information after receiving the first information or the ninth information, for example, the first core network device can send the seventh information in response to the first information or the ninth information, that is, S710 can occur after S709. The seventh information can indicate releasing the first UE, or indicating that the AIoT service does not need to be performed by the first UE or through the first UE. The first access network device receiving the seventh information can send a release message.

[0320] Subplan 7: The method can not include S710, and the first access network device can determine whether to release the first UE by itself. For example, the first access network device does not receive service data corresponding to the first UE within a first time length, and then a release message can be sent to release the first UE, for example, the first access network device does not receive data or signaling of the core network device to the first UE within the first time length, and then the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. The first time length can be determined by the first access network device, or configured by the core network, or predefined by a protocol.

[0321] Subcase 4: The anchor access network device is not the first access network device. In subcase 4, subplan 8 or subplan 9 or subplan 10 can be further included.

[0322] In sub-solution 8, the method can further include S711. The description of S710 can refer to sub-solution 6. In S711, the anchor access network device sends eighth information to the first access network device, and the first access network device receives the eighth information. The eighth information can indicate to release the first UE or indicate that the AIoT service does not need to be performed or is not performed through the first UE. For example, the content indicated by the eighth information can be the same as or similar to the content indicated by the seventh information. S711 can occur before S706, for example. S711 can occur after S710, for example. After the first access network device receives the eighth information, the first access network device can send a release message.

[0323] In sub-solution 9, the method can not include S710 and S711. The first access network device can determine whether to release the first UE by itself. For example, the first access network device does not receive service data corresponding to the first UE within a first time length, and the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. For example, the first access network device does not receive data or signaling sent by the core network device to the first UE within the first time length, and the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. For example, the first access network device does not receive data or signaling sent by the core network device to the first UE and forwarded by the anchor access network device within the first time length, and the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. The first time length can be determined by the first access network device, configured by the core network, or predefined by a protocol.

[0324] In sub-solution 10, the method can not include S710. The anchor access network device can determine whether to release the first UE by itself. For example, the anchor access network device does not receive service data corresponding to the first UE within a second time length, and the anchor access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. For example, the anchor access network device does not receive data or signaling sent by the core network device to the first UE within the second time length, and the anchor access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. Optionally, the method can include S711. For example, in S711, the anchor access network device sends eighth information to the first access network device. The eighth information can indicate to release the first UE or indicate that the AIoT service does not need to be performed or is not performed through the first UE. After the first access network device receives the eighth information, the first access network device can send a release message to release the first UE. The second time length can be determined by the anchor access network device, configured by the core network, or predefined by a protocol.

[0325] As introduced above, the first UE can reject to perform the AIoT service or reject to be the reader. Alternatively, the first UE can accept to perform the AIoT service or accept to be the reader. For example, if the first UE determines that it is able to perform the AIoT service or be the reader, it can accept to perform the AIoT service or be the reader. In this case, the first UE can not send the first information, e.g., not perform S705-S711, but perform the AIoT service or be the reader. For example, the first UE can initiate a RRC connection resume procedure and enter the RRC connected state to perform the AIoT service or be the reader in the RRC connected state. For this part, reference can be made to the related description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0326] Alternatively, the first UE can transmit the information related to the AIoT service through a small data transmission procedure, or it can be understood that the first UE can perform the AIoT service in the RRC inactive state, for which reference can be made to S712. For example, the first UE can send a RRC connection resume request message, which can optionally include a cause value indicating small data transmission (e.g., indicating MT-SDT). Optionally, the cause value is, for example, resumecause. After receiving the RRC connection resume request message, the first access network device can determine that the first UE requests small data transmission, and then the first access network device and the first UE can transmit the information related to the AIoT service through a small data transmission procedure. In this small data transmission procedure, the first UE is in the RRC inactive state.

[0327] For example, the first UE can send the RRC connection resume request message through the CG-SDT resource or the RA resource. Optionally, the first UE can start a first timer, for example, the first UE can start the first timer when sending the RRC connection resume request message. The first UE can detect a response message from the first access network device during running of the first timer, the response message being, for example, a response message corresponding to the RRC connection resume request message, such as an RRC connection release message or an RRC connection resume message, and the like. If the first UE receives the response message, the first UE stops the first timer; if the first UE has not received the response message when the first timer expires, the first UE considers that the small packet transmission process fails. It can be understood that the first timer can be used to detect whether the small packet transmission process fails, for example, to detect whether the small packet transmission process related to the AIoT service fails. Alternatively, it can be understood that the first timer can be understood as an SDT failure detection timer, which is used for the UE to perform the AIoT related service, that is, the first timer is used for the UE to detect whether the small packet transmission process related to the AIoT service fails. It can be understood that the first timer in the embodiment of the application and the SDT failure detection timer (timer t319a) can be different timers, and the first timer is an SDT failure detection timer dedicated to detecting the AIoT service. Since the AIoT service needs the first UE to perform service transmission with the device, such as inventory, the first UE can use the first timer dedicated to the AIoT service to detect whether the small packet transmission process fails, and can try to avoid the first UE from affecting the transmission of the AIoT service due to using an unsuitable timer (for example, the timer t319a). For example, the timing duration of the timer t319a is relatively short, and since the first UE needs to perform the AIoT service with the device, the first UE needs a timer with a relatively long timing duration, and therefore the embodiment of the application provides the first timer, the timing duration of the first timer being, for example, greater than the timing duration of the timer t319, thereby ensuring that the first UE can successfully complete the AIoT service. Optionally, the first UE can receive tenth information from the anchor access network device, the tenth information indicating an initial value of the first timer, and thereby the first UE can set the initial value as the value of the first timer when starting the first timer, and the first timer can start timing from the value.

[0328] Optionally, the first access network device and the first UE can transmit the information related to the AIoT service via a small packet transmission procedure. In an optional implementation, in the small packet transmission procedure, the first access network device can send a service request corresponding to the AIoT service to the first UE, or the first access network device can send information corresponding to the AIoT service to the first UE, and the like. Taking the AIoT service as an inventory service as an example. The service request is, for example, an inventory request, which can include information such as a Q value and / or a mask value corresponding to the inventory service. Alternatively, the first access network device does not send the inventory request, but sends part or all of the information included in the inventory request, such as the Q value and / or the mask value. After receiving the information related to the AIoT service, the first UE can perform the AIoT service with the device.

[0329] After receiving the information related to the AIoT service, the first UE can stop the small packet transmission procedure and perform the AIoT service with the device. When or after the AIoT service is performed, the first UE can enter an RRC connected state to send data of the AIoT service to the first access network device. Alternatively, when or after the AIoT service is performed, the first UE can not enter the RRC connected state, but initiate an uplink small packet transmission procedure (the small packet transmission procedure involved in the foregoing S712 can be understood as a downlink small packet transmission procedure) to send data of the AIoT service to the first access network device.

[0330] Alternatively, after receiving the information related to the AIoT service, the first UE can stop the small packet transmission procedure and perform the AIoT service with the device. During the execution of the AIoT service, for example, the AIoT service has started to be executed but has not been executed completely, the first UE can enter an RRC connected state to send data of the AIoT service to the first access network device, and the first UE also continues to perform the AIoT service. The first UE can send subsequent data of the AIoT service to the first access network device in a timely manner during the execution of the AIoT service, for example, the first UE can send data in real time, or can send data periodically, and the like. Alternatively, during the execution of the AIoT service, for example, the AIoT service has started to be executed but has not been executed completely, the first UE can not enter the RRC connected state, but initiate an uplink small packet transmission procedure to send data of the AIoT service to the first access network device, and the first UE also continues to perform the AIoT service. The first UE can send subsequent data of the AIoT service to the first access network device during the execution of the AIoT service, for example, the first UE can send data in real time, or can send data periodically, and the like.

[0331] Alternatively, after receiving the information related to the AIoT service, the first UE can perform the AIoT service with the device, and does not stop the small packet transmission procedure. When or after the AIoT service is performed, the first UE can send data of the AIoT service to the first access network device through the small packet transmission procedure.

[0332] Alternatively, after receiving the information related to the AIoT service, the first UE can perform the AIoT service with the device, and does not stop the small packet transmission procedure. During the performance of the AIoT service, for example, the AIoT service has started to be performed but has not been performed completely, the first UE can send data of the AIoT service to the first access network device through the small packet transmission procedure, and the first UE continues to perform the AIoT service. The first UE can send subsequent data of the AIoT service to the first access network device during the performance of the AIoT service, for example, the first UE can send data in real time, or can send data periodically, etc.

[0333] The first UE can implement or the network device (for example, the first access network device or the core network) can configure the first UE to adopt which way to send data of the AIoT service to the first access network device.

[0334] Alternatively, the first access network device and the first UE can transmit the information related to the AIoT service through the small packet transmission procedure. Another optional implementation includes that in the small packet transmission procedure, the first UE can send confirmation information to the first access network device. For example, the service request or part or all of the information in the service request is included in the first paging message, and the first access network device does not need to send the service request or part or all of the information in the service request to the first UE through the small packet transmission procedure. In this case, the first UE can send the information related to the AIoT service, for example, send confirmation information, to the first access network device through the small packet transmission procedure. The confirmation information is used to indicate that the first UE accepts to perform the AIoT service or accepts to be a reader, or indicates that the first UE has received the information related to the AIoT service, etc. And the first UE performs the AIoT service with the device in the RRC inactive state.

[0335] The first UE can stop the small packet transmission procedure after sending the confirmation information, and perform the AIoT service with the device. When or after the AIoT service is performed, the first UE can enter the RRC connected state to send data of the AIoT service to the first access network device, or the first UE can not enter the RRC connected state, but initiate an uplink small packet transmission procedure (the small packet transmission procedure described above can be understood as a downlink small packet transmission procedure) to send the data of the AIoT service to the first access network device.

[0336] Alternatively, the first UE can perform the AIoT service with the device after sending the confirmation information, and also does not stop the small packet transmission procedure. When or after the AIoT service is performed, the first UE can send data of the AIoT service to the first access network device through the small packet transmission procedure.

[0337] According to the foregoing, if the first UE accepts to perform the AIoT service or accepts to be the reader, the first UE can enter the RRC connected state to transmit information related to the AIoT service, or can transmit the information related to the AIoT service through the small packet transmission procedure. Whether to transmit the information related to the AIoT service through which way can be configured by the network (for example, the first access network device and / or the corresponding core network device) or determined by the UE. For example, the UE can randomly determine a way, or the UE can determine according to other ways.

[0338] As an optional way for the first UE to determine how to transmit the information related to the AIoT service according to the first paging message, the first UE can determine how to transmit the information related to the AIoT service according to the received information. For example, if the first UE receives the third information (the third information is included in the first paging message or the system message), the first UE can transmit the information related to the AIoT service through the small packet transmission procedure; or if the first UE does not receive the third information, the first UE can enter the RRC connected state to transmit the information related to the AIoT service.

[0339] Alternatively, as another optional way for the first UE to determine how to transmit the AIoT service related information according to the first paging message, the first UE can determine how to transmit the AIoT service related information according to a signal quality of the first cell. For example, if the signal quality of the first cell is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first UE can transmit the AIoT service related information using the small data transmission procedure; or if the signal quality of the first cell is less than the first threshold, the first UE can enter the RRC connected state to transmit the AIoT service related information. The first cell is the cell where the first UE is currently located, and is also the cell where the first UE receives the first paging message. The signal quality is represented by, for example, a reference signal receiving power (RSRP) or other parameters.

[0340] Alternatively, if the first UE receives the third information, the first UE can determine how to transmit the AIoT service related information according to the signal quality of the first cell; or if the first UE does not receive the third information, the first UE can not need to determine the signal quality, but can enter the RRC connected state to transmit the AIoT service related information. Alternatively, even if the first UE does not receive the third information, the first UE can determine how to transmit the AIoT service related information according to the signal quality of the first cell.

[0341] If the first UE transmits the AIoT service related information using the small data transmission procedure, the first UE can initiate the small data transmission procedure using the RA resource or the CG-SDT resource. For example, the UE can determine whether the conditions for CG-SDT are met. The conditions for CG-SDT include one or more of the following: the timing advance (TA) of the CG-SDT resource is valid, the SSB RSRP threshold corresponding to the CG-SDT resource is higher than a preset threshold, or the time interval between the next available CG-SDT resource of the UE and the current time is less than or equal to a preset threshold value. If the UE determines that the conditions for CG-SDT are met, the UE can initiate the MT-SDT procedure through the CG-SDT resource, and receive the AIoT service related information through the MT-SDT procedure. If the UE determines that the conditions for CG-SDT are not met, the UE can initiate the MT-SDT procedure through the RA resource, and receive the AIoT service related information through the MT-SDT procedure.

[0342] In the embodiments of the present application, the network can indicate the AIoT service through the first paging message, or be understood as the network can indicate or request the first UE to perform the AIoT service through the first paging message. But the first UE can refuse to perform the AIoT service, thereby the power consumption of the first UE due to performing the AIoT service can be saved. In the embodiments of the present application, the first UE can originally be in the RRC non-connected state, for example, the RRC inactive state, which is equivalent to providing a scheme for the UE in the RRC non-connected state to refuse to perform the AIoT. In the embodiments of the present application, the first UE can also accept to perform the AIoT service, for example, the first UE can transmit information related to the AIoT service through the small packet transmission process, so as not to enter the RRC connected state, thereby the power consumption of the first UE can also be saved. In addition, since the first UE can timely inform the network device that the first UE refuses to perform the AIoT service, the network device can avoid continuously paging the UE, thereby saving resources for the network device.

[0343] FIG. 8 shows a structural schematic diagram of an apparatus provided in the embodiments of the present application. The communication apparatus 800 can be the first UE or the circuitry of the first UE in the embodiments shown in any one of FIGS. 5-7, for implementing the method corresponding to the first UE in the method embodiments described above. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 800 can be the first access network device or the circuitry of the first access network device in the embodiments shown in any one of FIGS. 5-7, for implementing the method corresponding to the first access network device in the method embodiments described above. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 800 can be the anchor access network device or the circuitry of the anchor access network device in the embodiments shown in any one of FIGS. 6-7, for implementing the method corresponding to the anchor access network device in the method embodiments described above. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 800 can be the first core network device or the circuitry of the first core network device in the embodiments shown in any one of FIGS. 5-7, for implementing the method corresponding to the first core network device in the method embodiments described above. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 800 can be the second core network device or the circuitry of the second core network device in the embodiments shown in any one of FIGS. 5-7, for implementing the method corresponding to the second core network device in the method embodiments described above. For example, one circuitry is a chip system.

[0344] The communication apparatus 800 includes at least one processor 801. The processor 801 can be used for internal processing of the apparatus, to realize certain control processing functions. Optionally, the processor 801 includes instructions. Optionally, the processor 801 can store data. Optionally, different processors can be independent devices, can be located in different physical positions, and can be located on different integrated circuits. Optionally, different processors can be integrated in one or more processors, for example, integrated on one or more integrated circuits.

[0345] Optionally, the communication device 800 comprises one or more memories 803 to store instructions. Optionally, the memories 803 can also store data. The processor and the memories can be separately arranged or integrated together.

[0346] Optionally, the communication device 800 comprises a communication line 802 and at least one communication interface 804. Since the memories 803, the communication line 802 and the communication interface 804 are optional, they are all represented by dashed lines in FIG. 8.

[0347] Optionally, the communication device 800 can also comprise a transceiver and / or an antenna. The transceiver can be used to send information to other devices or receive information from other devices. The transceiver can be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiving circuit, an input / output interface, etc., and is used to realize the transceiving function of the communication device 800 through the antenna. Optionally, the transceiver comprises a transmitter and a receiver. Illustratively, the transmitter can be used to generate a radio frequency signal from a baseband signal, and the receiver can be used to convert a radio frequency signal into a baseband signal.

[0348] The processor 801 can comprise a general central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of programs of the solutions of the present application.

[0349] The communication line 802 can comprise a path to transmit information between the above-mentioned components.

[0350] The communication interface 804 uses any transceiver-like device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as an Ethernet, a radio access network (RAN), a wireless local area networks (WLAN), a wired access network, etc.

[0351] The memory 803 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM), or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions for execution by the processor 801, and can be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, a magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of storing instructions or data that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this. The memory 803 can exist independently, and is connected to the processor 801 through the communication line 802. Alternatively, the memory 803 can be integrated with the processor 801.

[0352] The memory 803 is configured to store computer-executable instructions for implementing the solutions of the present application, and the processor 801 is configured to control the execution of the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 803. The processor 801 is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 803, so as to implement the steps performed by the first access network device, the anchor access network device, the first core network device, the second core network device, or the first UE in any one of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-7.

[0353] Optionally, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application can also be referred to as application program codes, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited in this regard.

[0354] In a specific implementation, as an example, the processor 801 can include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG. 8.

[0355] In a specific implementation, as an example, the communication apparatus 800 can include multiple processors, such as the processor 801 and the processor 805 in FIG. 8. Each of these processors can be a single-CPU processor or a multi-CPU processor. The processor herein can refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (for example, computer program instructions).

[0356] When the apparatus shown in FIG. 8 is a chip, for example, a chip of the first access network device or a chip of the anchor access network device or a chip of the first core network device or a chip of the second core network device or a chip of the first UE, the chip includes the processor 801 (and can also include the processor 805), the communication line 802, and the communication interface 804, and optionally, the chip can include the memory 803. Specifically, the communication interface 804 can be an input interface, a pin, or a circuit, etc. The memory 803 can be a register, a cache, etc. The processor 801 and the processor 805 can be a general-purpose CPU, a microprocessor, an ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for executing programs for controlling the communication method of any of the above embodiments.

[0357] The embodiments of the present application can divide the functions of the apparatus according to the above method examples, for example, each function module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of a software function module. In the embodiments of the present application, the division of the module is illustrative, and is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, another division manner can be used. For example, in the case of dividing each function module according to each function, FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus 900. The apparatus 900 can be the first access network device or the anchor access network device or the first core network device or the second core network device or the first UE, or a chip in the first access network device or a chip in the anchor access network device or a chip in the first core network device or a chip in the second core network device or a chip in the first UE, which are involved in the communication method of each of the above embodiments. The apparatus 900 includes a processing unit 902 and a transceiver unit 901.

[0358] It should be understood that the apparatus 900 can be used to implement the steps performed by the first access network device or the anchor access network device or the first core network device or the second core network device or the first UE in the communication method of the embodiments of the present application. The related features can be referred to the embodiments shown in any of FIGS. 5-7, and will not be described here.

[0359] Optionally, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver unit 901 and the processing unit 902 in FIG. 9 can be realized by the processor 801 in FIG. 8 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 803. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing unit 902 in FIG. 9 can be realized by the processor 801 in FIG. 8 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 803, and the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver unit 901 in FIG. 9 can be realized by the communication interface 804 in FIG. 8.

[0360] Optionally, when the apparatus 900 is a chip or a circuit, the function / implementation process of the transceiver unit 901 can also be implemented through a pin or a circuit, etc. Optionally, the transceiver unit 901 can include a sending unit and / or a receiving unit, the sending unit is used to implement the sending function, and the receiving unit is used to implement the receiving function; or the transceiver unit 901 can be an integral module, which can implement the sending function and / or the receiving function. Optionally, the transceiver unit 901 can be implemented through a transceiver.

[0361] The application further provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instructions, when the computer program or instructions are executed, the method executed by the first UE or the first access network device or the anchor access network device or the first core network device or the second core network device in the foregoing method embodiments is implemented. In this way, the functions described in the foregoing embodiments can be implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the application can be embodied in the form of a software product in essence or the part that contributes to the application or part of the technical solutions. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of the application. The storage medium includes a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0362] The application further provides a computer program product, which includes computer program codes, when the computer program codes are executed on a computer, the computer executes the method executed by the first UE or the first access network device or the anchor access network device or the first core network device or the second core network device in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0363] The embodiments of the application further provide a processing apparatus, which includes a processor and an interface; the processor is used to execute the method executed by the first UE or the first access network device or the anchor access network device or the first core network device or the second core network device related to any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0364] In the embodiments described above, all or some of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or some of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded into and executed by a computer, all or some of the procedures or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed. The computer can be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatus. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website, a computer, a server or a data center to another website, computer, server or data center through a wired (for example, coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (for example, infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) manner. The computer readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. integrated with one or more available media sets. The available media can be a magnetic medium (for example, floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (for example, DVD), or a semiconductor medium (for example, solid state disk (SSD)) and the like.

[0365] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithms described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or performed by a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the described functions. The general purpose processor can be a microprocessor, optionally, the general purpose processor can also be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented by a combination of computing devices, such as a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other similar configuration.

[0366] The steps of methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embedded in hardware, a software unit executed by a processor, or a combination of the two. The software unit can be stored in a RAM, a flash memory, a ROM, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an EEPROM, a register, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium in the art. The storage medium can be connected to the processor, so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium can also be integrated into the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC, which can be located in the terminal device. Alternatively, the processor and the storage medium can also be located in different components of the terminal device.

[0367] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device to cause a series of operations steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable data processing device to generate a computer implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable data processing device provide the steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flows of the flowchart and / or one or more blocks of the block diagram.

[0368] The contents in various embodiments of the present application can be mutually referred to, and the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referred to if there is no special description and logical conflict. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0369] It can be understood that, in the embodiments of the present application, the first access network device and / or the anchor access network device and / or the first core network device and / or the second core network device and / or the first UE can perform part or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application. These steps or operations are only examples, and other operations or variations of various operations can also be performed in the embodiments of the present application. In addition, the various steps can be performed in different orders according to the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiments of the present application are performed.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: receiving a first paging message, the first paging message being used for paging a first terminal, the first terminal being in a radio resource control (RRC) non-connected state, the first paging message further comprising first indication information, the first indication information being used for indicating an ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) service; in response to the first paging message, sending first information, the first information being used for indicating rejection of performing the AIoT service.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first indication information is used for indicating an AIoT service, comprising: The first indication information is used for indicating that the first terminal performs the AIoT service as a reader.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information is sent, comprising: The first information is sent in the RRC non-connected state; or The first information is sent in an RRC connected state.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The first information is sent in the RRC non-connected state, comprising: In the RRC non-connected state, an RRC connection resume request message and the first information are sent.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, A radio bearer used for transmitting the first information is a radio bearer used for small packet transmission.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein The first information is included in a non-access stratum (NAS) message; or The first information is included in an access stratum (AS) message; or The first information is included in a user plane core network message.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving a release message, the release message being used for releasing the first terminal to the RRC non-connected state.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending second information, the second information being used for indicating that the first terminal supports receiving a paging message comprising the first indication information.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein The first paging message further comprises third information, the third information being used for indicating information of the AIoT service transmitted by using a small packet transmission procedure, or used for indicating small packet transmission, or used for indicating initiation of a small packet transmission procedure.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving third information, the third information being used for enabling a terminal to transmit AIoT service related information by using a small packet transmission procedure, or used for indicating that a first access network device or a first cell supports a terminal to transmit AIoT service related information by using a small packet transmission procedure, the first cell being a cell receiving the third information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The third information is received, comprising: a system message comprising the third information is received.

12. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: receiving a first paging message, the first paging message being used for paging a first terminal, the first terminal being in an RRC non-connected state, the first paging message further comprising first indication information, the first indication information being used for indicating an AIoT service; The first paging message further includes third information, and the third information is used to indicate information of the AIoT service transmitted by using a small packet transmission process, or used to indicate small packet transmission, or used to indicate initiation of the small packet transmission process; or, third information is received, and the third information is used to enable the terminal to transmit information related to the AIoT service by using the small packet transmission process, or used to indicate that the first access network device or a first cell supports the terminal to transmit information related to the AIoT service by using the small packet transmission process, and the first cell is a cell that sends the third information. The information of the AIoT service is transmitted by using the small packet transmission process.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The information of the AIoT service is transmitted by using the small packet transmission process, including: The RRC connection recovery request message is sent to transmit the information of the AIoT service by using the small packet transmission process.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The method further includes: When the RRC connection recovery request message is sent, a first timer is started, and the first timer is used to detect whether the small packet transmission process related to the AIoT service fails; During running of the first timer, if a response message of the RRC connection recovery request message is received, the first timer is stopped; When the first timer times out, if the response message of the RRC connection recovery request message is still not received, it is determined that the small packet transmission process fails.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: It is determined that signal quality of a first cell is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the first cell is a cell that receives the first paging message.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that, A radio bearer used to transmit the AIoT service is a radio bearer used for small packet transmission.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Second information is sent, and the second information is used to indicate that the first terminal supports receiving a paging message including the first indication information.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that, Third information is received, including: A system message including the third information is received.

19. A method of communication, comprising: The method includes: A first paging message is sent, and the first paging message is used to page a first terminal, and the first terminal is in an RRC non-connected state, and the first paging message further includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate an AIoT service; The first paging message further includes third information, and the third information is used to indicate information of the AIoT service transmitted by using a small packet transmission process, or used to indicate small packet transmission, or used to indicate initiation of the small packet transmission process; or, third information is sent, and the third information is used to enable the terminal to transmit information related to the AIoT service by using the small packet transmission process, or used to indicate that the first access network device or a first cell supports the terminal to transmit information related to the AIoT service by using the small packet transmission process, and the first cell is a cell that sends the third information; Information of the AIoT service is transmitted by using the small packet transmission process and the first terminal.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, Information of the AIoT service is transmitted by using the small packet transmission process and the first terminal, including: An RRC connection recovery request message is received to transmit the information of the AIoT service by using the small packet transmission process and the first terminal.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The first indication information is included in a first paging record field corresponding to the first terminal.

22. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that, The method further includes: receiving second information, the second information being used to indicate that the first terminal supports receiving a paging message including the first indication information.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that, sending third information, including: sending a system message including the third information.

24. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 23, characterized in that, The method further includes: receiving a second paging message; wherein the second paging message is used to page the first terminal, or the first terminal is determined by a first access network device.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the second paging message further includes fifth information; or the method further includes receiving fifth information; wherein the fifth information is used to indicate one or more of: first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate the AIoT service; whether a number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service is greater than 1; the number of devices that need to perform the AIoT service; a type of the AIoT service; or a data volume corresponding to the AIoT service.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein, The method further includes: determining, according to the fifth information, that the second paging message is related to the AIoT service; and / or the fifth information is used to determine whether to initiate a small packet transmission procedure for the AIoT service.

27. The method of any of claims 24-26, wherein the second paging message further includes sixth information, the sixth information being used to indicate a data volume corresponding to downlink data, wherein the downlink data does not belong to the AIoT service.

28. A communications device, characterized by The communication apparatus includes a module for performing the method of any of claims 1-11, or a module for performing the method of any of claims 12-18, or a module for performing the method of any of claims 19-27.

29. A communications device, characterized by The communication apparatus includes a processor configured to perform the method of any of claims 1-11, or to perform the method of any of claims 12-18, or to perform the method of any of claims 19-27.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium is configured to store a computer program that, when executed on a computer, causes the method of any of claims 1-11 to be performed, or causes the method of any of claims 12-18 to be performed, or causes the method of any of claims 19-27 to be performed.

31. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product includes a computer program that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any of claims 1-11, or causes the computer to perform the method of any of claims 12-18, or causes the computer to perform the method of any of claims 19-27.

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