Communication method, apparatus and system, communication device, storage medium, and program product

Abstract

Disclosed in embodiments of the present disclosure are a communication method, a communication device, a system, a storage medium and a program product. The method comprises: a first device determines to report energy indication information; and the first device sends the energy indication information to a second device, wherein the first device and the second device are both devices in an Internet of things scenario. By implementing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the second device can accurately learn about energy information of the first device in a timely manner, thereby improving the reliability of transmission between the first device and the second device, and providing conditions for the first device to support discontinuous reception.

Description

Communication methods, devices, systems, communication equipment, storage media and software products Technical Field

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

[0002] In communication systems, to save power and reduce device complexity, a new type of device has been introduced, such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, also known as passive IoT devices. Passive IoT devices have limited power storage; continuous command listening will lead to power consumption and inability to operate due to power shortage. The charging process may also affect the device's command reception. Therefore, it is necessary to support the device's discontinuous reception to reduce the impact on command transmission and reception while ensuring power supply.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides a communication method, communication device, system, storage medium, and program product.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is proposed, the method being executed by a first device, the method comprising: determining to report energy indication information; and sending the energy indication information to a second device; wherein the first device and the second device are both devices in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is proposed, the method being executed by a second device, the method comprising: receiving energy indication information sent by a first device; wherein both the first device and the second device are devices in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, which is used to perform optional implementations of the first and second aspects described above.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, including a first device and a second device, wherein the first device is configured to implement an optional implementation of the first aspect, and the second device is configured to implement an optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, comprising: one or more processors;

[0010] The processor is used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device to execute the optional implementations of the first and second aspects mentioned above.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided that stores instructions which, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform optional implementations of the first and second aspects described above.

[0012] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a program product is provided, including at least one of a program and instructions, wherein the program and instructions, when executed by a communication device, implement optional implementations of the first and second aspects described above.

[0013] According to the technical solution disclosed herein, a second device in an IoT scenario can obtain timely and accurate information about the energy of the first device, thereby improving the reliability of transmission between devices in an IoT scenario and providing conditions for IoT devices to support discontinuous reception. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments are introduced below. The following drawings are only some embodiments of this disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0016] Figures 2A-2E are schematic diagrams illustrating the architecture of an A-IoT device communicating with a network device and / or a terminal according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 3A is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 3B is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 3C is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 4 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0022] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0023] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 6100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0024] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 6200 proposed in the embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0025] This disclosure provides a communication method, communication device, system, storage medium, and program product that can solve the problem of how to monitor the energy status of other devices.

[0026] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure propose a communication method, which is executed by a first device. The method includes: determining to report energy indication information; and sending the energy indication information to a second device; wherein both the first device and the second device are devices in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario.

[0027] In the above embodiments, the second device in the Internet of Things (IoT) scenario can understand the energy information of the first device in a timely and accurate manner, which can improve the reliability of transmission between devices in the IoT scenario and provide conditions for IoT devices to support discontinuous reception.

[0028] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first device is an Internet of Things (IoT) device, and the second device is a network device or an intermediate node.

[0029] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a first message sent by a second device, the first message being used by the first device to determine whether to report the energy indication information.

[0030] In the above embodiments, the second device can use the first message to instruct the first device whether to report energy indication information, which further clarifies how the second device instructs the first device to report energy indication information, so that the second device can understand the energy information of the first device in a timely and accurate manner, and provides conditions for IoT devices to support discontinuous reception.

[0031] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes indication information, which is used to indicate whether the first device should report energy indication information; wherein, the indication information is set to a first value, indicating that the first device should report energy indication information; the indication information is set to a second value, indicating that the first device should not report energy indication information.

[0032] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, based on the first message, it is determined whether to report energy indication information, including any one of the following: if the value of the indication information is a first value, it is determined to report energy indication information; if the value of the indication information is a second value, it is determined not to report energy indication information.

[0033] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the number of bits occupied by the indication information is 1.

[0034] In the above embodiments, the indication information can be indicated with fewer bits, reducing the number of bits occupied and saving signaling resources while ensuring accurate setting of the indication information.

[0035] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message is a transmission from the second device to the first device, and the first message includes any of the following: a first command, which is a command to page the first device; message 2 in a 3-step contention-based random access 3-step CBRA; message 2 in a 2-step contention-based random access 2-step CBRA; a second command, which is a command in response to the first device.

[0036] In the above embodiments, signaling resources can be saved by setting indication information in the transmission between the first device and the second device.

[0037] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message is used to indicate the reporting of energy indication information.

[0038] In the above embodiments, the second device can use the first message to indicate the reporting of energy indication information, which further clarifies how the second device instructs the first device to report energy indication information. This makes it easier for the second device to understand the energy information of the first device in a timely and accurate manner, providing conditions for IoT devices to support discontinuous reception.

[0039] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message carries a device identifier, instructing the IoT device associated with the device identifier to report energy indication information; if the first message does not carry a device identifier, it instructs all IoT devices that receive the first message to report energy indication information. The device identifier can be any of the following: a single device identifier; a group identifier; or a list of device identifiers.

[0040] In the above embodiments, a device identifier is designed in the third command. The device identifier in the first message indicates which IoT devices need to report energy indication information, which can accurately locate the specific device and reduce resource waste.

[0041] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method includes any one of the following: determining that the first message carries a device identifier and the identifier of the first device matches the device identifier, and determining to report energy indication information; determining that the first message carries a device identifier and the identifier of the first device does not match the device identifier, and determining not to report energy indication information; determining that the first message does not carry a device identifier, and determining to report energy indication information.

[0042] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message is a new command or a paging message.

[0043] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: determining whether to report energy indication information based on preset conditions.

[0044] In the above embodiments, by having the first device itself determine whether to report energy indication information, unnecessary communication can be avoided, communication costs and energy consumption can be reduced, and signaling overhead can be saved.

[0045] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, it is determined whether to report energy indication information based on preset conditions, including any one of the following: if the preset conditions are met, it is determined to report energy indication information; if the preset conditions are not met, it is determined not to report energy indication information.

[0046] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the preset conditions include: the energy of the first device is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, or the energy of the first device is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0047] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes any one of the following: determining preset conditions and / or preset thresholds based on protocol provisions; determining preset conditions and / or preset thresholds based on second device configuration or pre-configuration.

[0048] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to report energy indication information based on preset conditions includes any one of the following: receiving a first message sent by a second device, and determining whether to report energy indication information based on the first message, wherein the first message is used to instruct the first device whether to report energy indication information, or to instruct the reporting of energy indication information; not receiving a first message sent by the second device, and determining whether to report energy indication information based on preset conditions.

[0049] Secondly, this disclosure provides a communication method, which is executed by a second device. The method includes receiving energy indication information sent by a first device; wherein both the first device and the second device are devices in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario.

[0050] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first device is an Internet of Things (IoT) device, and the second device is a network device or an intermediate node.

[0051] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending a first message to a first device, wherein the first message is used by the first device to determine whether to report energy indication information.

[0052] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes indication information, which is used to indicate whether the first device should report energy indication information; wherein, the indication information is set to a first value, indicating that the first device should report energy indication information; the indication information is set to a second value, indicating that the first device should not report energy indication information.

[0053] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the number of bits occupied by the indication information is 1.

[0054] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes any one of the following: a first command, which is a command to page the first device; message 2 in a 3-step contention-based random access 3-step CBRA; message 2 in a 2-step contention-based random access 2-step CBRA; and a second command, which is a command responded to by the first device.

[0055] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message is used to indicate the reporting of energy indication information.

[0056] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message carries a device identifier, instructing the IoT device associated with the device identifier to report energy indication information; if the first message does not carry a device identifier, it instructs all IoT devices that receive the first message to report energy indication information. The device identifier can be any of the following: a single device identifier; a group identifier; or a list of device identifiers.

[0057] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message is a new command or a paging message.

[0058] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: configuring or pre-configuring preset conditions and / or preset thresholds to the first device; wherein the preset conditions are used to determine whether to report energy indication information, and the preset thresholds are used to determine whether the preset conditions are met.

[0059] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the preset conditions include: the energy of the first device is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, or the energy of the first device is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0060] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a first device, including at least one of a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the first device is used to execute an optional implementation of the first aspect.

[0061] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a second device, including at least one of a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the second device is used to execute an optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0062] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system, including:

[0063] The first device is configured as an optional implementation of the aforementioned first aspect;

[0064] The second device is configured to perform an optional implementation of the aforementioned second aspect.

[0065] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processors are configured to invoke instructions to cause the communication device to perform an optional implementation of the first aspect described above.

[0066] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processors are configured to invoke instructions to cause the communication device to perform an optional implementation of the second aspect described above.

[0067] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform optional implementations of the first and second aspects described above.

[0068] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method as described in the optional implementations of the first and second aspects.

[0069] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in alternative implementations of the first and second aspects.

[0070] Eleventhly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the methods described according to optional implementations of the first and second aspects above.

[0071] It is understood that the first device, the second device, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip, or the chip system described above are all used to perform the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0072] This disclosure provides communication methods, communication devices, systems, storage media, and program products. In some embodiments, terms such as information processing method and communication method may be used interchangeably.

[0073] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments. In all embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0074] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0075] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0076] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0077] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of A or B, at least one of A and B”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0078] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether there is a branch B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether there is a branch A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, both A and B are executed. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0079] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether a branch B exists); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether a branch A exists); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0080] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0081] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0082] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time-frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0083] In some embodiments, terms such as “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “when…”, “if…”, etc. can be used interchangeably. These descriptions all refer to the device making a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances. They do not necessarily limit the time, nor do they require the device to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they mean that there must be other limitations.

[0084] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0085] In some embodiments, devices, etc., may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Terms such as “device,” “equipment,” “circuit,” “network element,” “network function,” “network device,” “function,” “node,” “unit,” “section,” “system,” “network,” “chip,” “chip system,” “entity,” and “subject” are interchangeable.

[0086] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0087] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving cell," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0088] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "subscriber station", "mobile unit", "subscriber unit", "wireless unit", "remote unit", "mobile device", "wireless device", "wireless communication device", "remote device", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "mobile terminal", "wireless terminal", "remote terminal", "handset", "user agent", "mobile client", and "client" can be used interchangeably.

[0089] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced by terminals. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures where communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the structure can also be configured such that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, and uplink link, downlink, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0090] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0091] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0092] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0093] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0094] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This communication system may include, but is not limited to, one first device and one second device. The number and configuration of devices shown in Figure 1 are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present disclosure. In practical applications, it may include two or more first devices and two or more second devices. The communication system 100 shown in Figure 1 is exemplified by including one first device 101 and one second device 102.

[0095] In some embodiments, the first device 101 and the second device 102 may both be devices in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario. In some embodiments, terms such as "Internet of Things (IoT) scenario", "Ambient Internet of Things (also called Ambient IoT or A-IoT) scenario", and "passive Internet of Things" can be used interchangeably.

[0096] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can be an Internet of Things (IoT) device, also known as an Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) or A-IoT device. This IoT device can collect energy without generating its own, such as by collecting energy based on signals emitted by the surrounding environment or nearby devices, and can communicate based on the collected energy. The device may also be battery-free and require no battery replacement. In other words, the environmental IoT device needs to collect energy from radio waves emitted by the surrounding environment or nearby devices to power itself. This environmental IoT device features low memory, low processing power, low power consumption, small data transmission, and mass deployment. Environmental IoT devices are maintenance-free and have a long service life.

[0097] In some embodiments, IoT devices can be categorized into three types: a first type, a second type, and a third type. The first type of IoT device has energy storage but lacks independent signal generation / amplification capabilities. Uplink transmission relies on backscatter transmission. Optionally, the peak power consumption of the first type of IoT device is less than 1 microwatt (µW). The second type of IoT device has energy storage and independent signal amplification capabilities. Uplink transmission is based on internally generated signals. Optionally, the peak power consumption of the second type of IoT device is less than or equal to several hundred µW. The third type of IoT device has energy storage and independent signal amplification capabilities. Uplink transmission relies on backscatter transmission. Optionally, the peak power consumption of the third type of IoT device is less than or equal to several hundred µW. It should be noted that in some embodiments, several hundred µW, such as 100 µW or 200 µW, are examples provided for ease of understanding by those skilled in the art. That is, the peak power consumption is less than or equal to other hundreds-digit µW values, and this disclosure does not impose a specific limitation on this.

[0098] In some embodiments, the second device 102 can be a network device or intermediate node in an IoT scenario. In some embodiments, the second device 102 can perform inventory or paging on the first device 101. In some embodiments, terms such as "inventory," "paging," "statistics," and "counting" can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, "paging" in this disclosure can refer to finding or inventorying IoT devices in an IoT scenario. "Inventory" in this disclosure can refer to checking the number of existing IoT devices in an IoT scenario using methods such as counting or reconciliation. In some embodiments, terms such as "Internet of Things (IoT) device," "Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) device," and "passive IoT device" can be used interchangeably.

[0099] In some embodiments, the second device 102 is, for example, a network device in an IoT scenario. In some embodiments, the network device may be an access network device. In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include at least one of the following in a 5G communication system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation evolved Node B (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), wireless backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in a 6G communication system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0100] In some embodiments, the network device may be a core network (CN) device or a server. In some embodiments, the core network device described herein may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function); UPF (User Plane Function); SMF (Session Management Function); UDM (Unified Data Management), etc. The AMF can be used to perform registration, connection, reachability, and mobility management. The UPF can be used for packet routing and forwarding, policy enforcement, traffic reporting, and QoS (Quality of Service) processing. The SMF can be used for tunnel maintenance, IP address allocation and management, UP function selection, policy enforcement and QoS control, billing data collection, roaming, etc. The UDM can be used for 3GPP AKA (Authentication and Key Agreement) authentication, user identification, access authorization, registration, mobility, subscription, SMS management, etc.

[0101] In some embodiments, the second device 102 is, for example, an intermediate node in an IoT scenario. In some embodiments, the second device 102 may be, for example, a relay, an IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul), a terminal, or a repeater. In some embodiments, the terminal in this document may be an entity on the user side used to receive or transmit signals. Terminals include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, tablet, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home.

[0102] In some embodiments, the first device 101 and the second device 102 in the Internet of Things scenario can support 3-step CBRA, 2-step CBRA, or CFRA (Contention Free Random Access).

[0103] For example, the first device 101 and the second device 102 can support a 3-step CBRA. For example, during the 3-step CBRA process, the first device 101 can send message 1 of the 3-step CBRA to the second device 102. Message 1 may carry a random number (e.g., a 16-bit random number). Upon receiving message 1, the second device 102 can send message 2 of the 3-step CBRA to the first device 101. Message 2 may include a random number, which is the random number carried by the first device in message 1 sent during the 3-step CBRA. Upon receiving message 2, the first device 101 can send message 3 of the 3-step CBRA to the second device 102. Message 3 may include a first device identifier, which, for example, may be an identifier assigned by the EPC or core network, or another identifier. Upon receiving message 3, the second device 102 can send message 4 of the 3-step CBRA to the first device 101. Message 4 is the second device's feedback to the first device sent by the first device in message 3 of the 3-step CBRA. For example, message 4 in the 3-step CBRA may contain an ACK or NACK indication. For example, message 4 in the 3-step CBRA may carry at least one of a random number (e.g., a 16-bit random number) and a first device identifier. The random number (e.g., a 16-bit random number) is the random number (e.g., a 16-bit random number) carried by the first device in message 1 sent in the 3-step CBRA. The first device identifier is the device identifier sent by the first device in message 3. For example, it may be an identifier assigned by the EPC or the core network or other identifiers.

[0104] For example, the first device 101 and the second device 102 can support a 2-step CBRA. For example, during the 2-step CBRA process, the first device 101 can send message 1 of the 2-step CBRA to the second device 102. Message 1 may include at least one of a random number (e.g., a 16-bit random number) and a first device identifier. Upon receiving message 1, the second device 102 can send message 2 of the 2-step CBRA to the first device 101. Message 2 is the second device's feedback to the first device regarding at least one of the random number and the first device identifier sent by the first device in message 1 of the 2-step CBRA. For example, if message 1 includes a random number, then message 2 is the second device's feedback to the random number sent by the first device in message 1; or if message 1 includes the first device identifier, then message 2 is the second device's feedback to the first device identifier sent by the first device in message 1; or if message 1 includes both a random number and the first device identifier, then message 2 is the second device's feedback to both the random number and the first device identifier sent by the first device in message 1. For example, the first device identifier may be an identifier assigned by the EPC or the core network, or other identifiers.

[0105] For example, the first device 101 and the second device 102 can support CFRA. For example, during the CFRA process, the first device 101 can send CFRA message 1 to the second device 102. The message can include at least one of a random number and a first device identifier. For example, the random number can be, for example, a 16-bit random number, and the first device identifier can be an identifier assigned by the EPC or the core network, or other identifiers. Upon receiving message 1, the second device 102 can send message 2 from the CFRA to the first device 101. Message 2 can be a response from the second device to at least one of the random number and the first device identifier sent by the first device in message 1. For example, if message 1 includes a random number, then message 2 is a response from the second device to the random number sent by the first device in message 1; or if message 1 includes the first device identifier, then message 2 is a response from the second device to the first device identifier sent by the first device in message 1; or if message 1 includes both a random number and the first device identifier, then message 2 is a response from the second device to both the random number and the first device identifier sent by the first device in message 1.

[0106] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of Open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0107] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0108] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0109] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1 are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1, or may include other main bodies outside of FIG1. ​​The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0110] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (a registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems built upon them, etc. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0111] It's important to note that in today's IoT networks, traditional IoT devices are typically powered by conventional batteries with limited lifespans, negatively impacting user experience. The astronomical growth of IoT networks, coupled with the sheer number of IoT devices, has pushed maintenance costs, including labor and battery expenses, to unprecedented levels. Billions of conventional batteries are discarded annually, with only a fraction being effectively recycled, causing harmful impacts on the Earth's ecosystem. Maintaining IoT networks and replacing batteries can be extremely challenging under some extreme environmental conditions. In this regard, battery-free IoT communication has been proposed, which will improve network performance and sustainability and expand application scenarios. Furthermore, battery-free communication is more environmentally friendly and safer for children and the elderly. By eliminating conventional batteries, device size and cost can be significantly reduced, paving the way for a variety of new applications.

[0112] In the 5G era, various LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) technologies have been developed, such as MTC (Machine Type Communication), NB-IoT (Narrow Band Internet of Things), and RedCap (Reduced Capability), to meet the growing demands of vertical industries. These LPWA technologies achieve low cost, low power consumption, and massive connectivity, satisfying the requirements of many applications. However, many use cases and applications remain unresolved in the following situations: First, devices powered by traditional batteries are unsuitable, for example, under extreme environmental conditions (e.g., high voltage, extremely high / low temperatures, humid environments). Second, maintenance-free devices are required (e.g., traditional batteries that do not require replacement). Finally, ultra-low complexity, very small device size / form factor (e.g., thickness in millimeters), and longer lifespan are required.

[0113] Ambient power-enabled IoT is a promising technology that can address the aforementioned unmet needs. An ambient power-enabled IoT device is an IoT device powered by energy harvesting, without batteries or with limited energy storage capacity (e.g., using capacitors), providing energy by harvesting radio waves, light, motion, heat, or any other suitable source.

[0114] Energy harvested from the environment can power data transmission and wireless communication at sensing nodes. Current mainstream low-power IoT communication chips (such as BLE, LoRa, and NB-IoT) consume tens or even hundreds of milliwatts of power for transmission and reception, while environmental energy harvesting yields only microwatts, insufficient to power these types of nodes. Therefore, a new wireless communication technology is needed to reduce communication energy consumption to tens or even below ten microwatts. The current mainstream approach employs backscatter communication technology. Backscatter communication is one of the key technologies for building a green, energy-efficient, low-cost, and flexibly deployable future Internet of Things (IoT), and is an important means of realizing "intelligent interconnection of everything."

[0115] In some embodiments, backscatter communication utilizes the principle of radio frequency signal backscattering to design an extremely low-power modulation and transmission technology. For example, since a portion of the radio frequency signal is reflected when it reaches the surface of an object, the transmitting node adjusts the matching between the receiving antenna and impedance according to the information to be transmitted, enhancing the reflection of the incident radio frequency signal, and modulating the sensed data it acquires onto the reflected signal to complete the data transmission. This process is similar to a reflector. Compared to other communication technologies, backscatter communication does not require complex radio frequency structures, reducing the use of devices such as power amplifiers, high-precision crystal oscillators, duplexers, and high-precision filters. It also does not require complex baseband processing, thus simplifying terminal design and significantly reducing the cost of terminal nodes.

[0116] In some embodiments, backscatter communication can be widely used in RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) systems, resulting in many large-scale commercial applications. Its working principle is that the receiver (typically an RFID reader) sends a radio frequency excitation signal to activate a passive node (typically an RFID tag). The tag uses backscatter communication to modulate its own information onto the radio frequency signal. The reader receives the reflected signal from the passive tag and demodulates it to achieve information transmission.

[0117] Currently, RFID technology also has many drawbacks, such as short coverage distance (the wireless signal experiences double-path fading during communication, resulting in significant path loss and a short effective communication distance), single-channel transmission, the need for strict tag alignment, and lack of power control. There is significant room for improvement in the communication aspects of RFID technology. In some embodiments, it is necessary to integrate 3GPP communication technology to improve the wireless communication performance of RFID technology in passive IoT applications.

[0118] In communication systems, to save power and reduce device complexity, a new type of device has been introduced, such as the Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) device (also called Ambient IoT or A-IoT). This A-IoT device (i.e., the first device 101 in this paper) needs to collect radio waves emitted by the surrounding environment or surrounding devices to obtain energy before it can operate. Therefore, before obtaining energy, the A-IoT device is usually in a "power-off" state, i.e., offline. For this reason, the communication system needs to support data communication methods with shorter transmission times, lower memory consumption, and more convenient terminal management to complete the data communication process as quickly as possible.

[0119] In some embodiments, this disclosure implements a wireless communication design based on backscattering technology for communication with an environmental energy device (also known as an environmental IoT device, i.e., the second device herein). Optionally, the aforementioned IoT device or environmental IoT device (also called an Ambient IoT device, or A-IoT device) can be applied to various different communication architectures in the communication system. Taking an A-IoT device as an example, Figures 2A-2E are schematic diagrams illustrating the architecture of an A-IoT device communicating with a network device and / or a terminal according to embodiments of this disclosure. Optionally, as shown in Figure 2A, the A-IoT device (i.e., the Ambient IoT device in Figure 2A) and the network device (such as a base station (BS)) can directly receive and transmit data or signals.

[0120] Optionally, as shown in Figure 2B, A-IoT devices and network devices (such as base stations (BS)) can indirectly receive and send data or signals through intermediate nodes. These intermediate nodes can be, for example, relays, integrated access backhaul (IAB) devices, terminals, or repeaters.

[0121] Optionally, as shown in Figure 2C, A-IoT devices and network devices (such as base stations (BS)) can directly transmit uplink data, and A-IoT devices and network devices (such as base stations (BS)) can indirectly transmit downlink data through intermediate nodes, such as relays, IAB devices, terminals, and repeaters.

[0122] Optionally, as shown in Figure 2D, downlink data can be transmitted directly between A-IoT devices and network devices (such as base stations (BS)), while uplink data can be transmitted indirectly between A-IoT devices and network devices (such as base stations (BS)) through intermediate nodes.

[0123] Optionally, as shown in Figure 2E, the A-IoT device and the terminal (or user equipment (UE)) can directly receive and send data. The terminal can be responsible for collecting data from the A-IoT device and forwarding the collected data to the network device.

[0124] In some embodiments of a passive IoT system, the data transmission type of an IoT device or an A-IoT device may include, but is not limited to, the following three types: DO-DTT, DT, and DO-A. DO-DTT (Device-originated–device-terminated triggered) can be understood as data triggered by the second device 102, such as data fed back during inventory processing; for example, the identifier of the first device 101, such as an EPC (Electronic Product Code) or a temporary identifier. DT (Device-terminated) can be understood as, for example, an access command; for example, data returned after the first device 101 executes an access command sent by the second device 102, for example, an ACK (acknowledgment) feedback. DO-A (Device-originated–autonomous) can be understood as data actively transmitted by the first device 101, such as active reporting triggered by sensor functions.

[0125] In some embodiments, the first message that triggers the first device 101 to initiate initial access may be called a paging message or an "initial trigger message". A paging message can page one, a group, or all IoT devices. If a paging message pages one IoT device, it triggers non-contention-based random access. The paged IoT device responds to the paging message on non-contention-based resources, for example, by sending an ACK message containing the IoT device's identifier, such as EPC. If a paging message triggers a group or all IoT devices, it triggers contention-based random access. The paged group or all IoT devices generate a random number based on a first parameter (which can be represented by "Q"), and then continue to receive at least one of Query messages, QueryAdjust messages, and QueryRepete messages until the random number decreases to 0, at which point they initiate random access again, for example, by sending the generated random number.

[0126] Passive IoT devices have limited power storage, and continuous command listening will lead to power consumption and failure to work due to power shortage. The charging process will also affect the device's command transmission and reception. Therefore, it is necessary to support the device's discontinuous reception and reduce the impact on command transmission and reception while ensuring power supply.

[0127] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may carry energy indication information in a D2R (device to reader) message. For example, the indication information may occupy at least 1 bit. However, whether the energy indication information is under the control of the second device 102 and how the second device 102 controls it needs to be further clarified.

[0128] Figure 3A is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3A, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0129] In step S3101, the second device 102 sends a first message to the first device 101.

[0130] In some embodiments, both the first device 101 and the second device 102 can be devices in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario. In some embodiments, the first device 101 can be an IoT device, such as an A-IoT device or other IoT devices. In some embodiments, the second device 102 can be a network device or an intermediate node.

[0131] In some embodiments, the first message may be sent by the second device 102 to the first device 101. For example, the second device 102 sends the first message to the first device 101, and correspondingly, the first device 101 receives the first message sent by the second device 102.

[0132] In some embodiments, the first device 101 obtains the first message defined by the protocol, in which case step S3101 can be omitted.

[0133] In some embodiments, the first device 101 obtains the first message from the upper layer(s), in which case step S3101 can be omitted.

[0134] In some embodiments, the first device 101 autonomously implements the function indicated by the first message, or the above function is default or default, in which case step S3101 can be omitted.

[0135] In some embodiments, the second device 102 may send a first message to the first device 101 during a random access process. In some embodiments, the second device 102 may send a first message to the first device 101 when paging the first device 101. In some embodiments, the second device 102 may send a first message to the first device 101 when sending a second command to the first device 101. The second command may be a command directed to the first device 101, such as a Read command, a Write command, a Kill command, or a Disable command, etc.

[0136] In some embodiments, the first message can be used by the first device 101 to determine whether to report energy indication information. In some embodiments, the first message can be used to indicate whether to report energy indication information, for example, it can be used to indicate whether an IoT device should report energy indication information. In some embodiments, the first message can be used to indicate whether the first device 101 should report energy indication information. In some embodiments, terms such as "energy information," "power information," "energy status information," "power status information," "capacity information," "capacity status information," "energy," "power," "remaining energy," "remaining power," "energy indication information," "energy status indication information," "power indication information," "power status indication information," "remaining energy indication information," and "remaining power indication information" can be used interchangeably.

[0137] In some embodiments, the first message can be a first transmission (such as an R2D transmission), which can be a transmission from the second device 102 to the first device 101. In some embodiments, the first message can include, but is not limited to, any of the following: a first command, which is a command to page the first device; message 2 (MSG2) in a 3-step contention-based random access (3-step CBRA); message 4 (MSG4) in a 3-step contention-based random access (3-step CBRA); message 2 in a 2-step contention-based random access (2-step CBRA); a second command, which is a command responded to by the first device. It should be noted that the first message can be any kind of first transmission (R2D transmission). The R2D messages listed above are only examples. In addition to the R2D messages mentioned above, the first message can be other R2D transmissions. This disclosure does not make specific limitations. That is to say, the second device can instruct the first device whether to report energy indication information through any R2D transmission.

[0138] For example, the first transmission can be a first command, such as a first message, which can be a command to page the first device 101, such as a paging message. For instance, when the second device 102 needs to page the first device 101, it can use a paging command to instruct the first device 101 whether it needs to report energy indication information.

[0139] For example, the first transmission can be message 2 in a 3-step CBRA. For instance, the first message can be message 2 in a 3-step CBRA. For example, if the first device 101 determines that a 3-step CBRA has been triggered, the second device 102 can use message 2 in the 3-step CBRA to indicate whether to report energy indication information. For example, the second device 102 sends message 2 in the 3-step CBRA to the first device 101, and message 2 in the 3-step CBRA can indicate whether the first device 101 should report energy indication information. For example, message 2 in the 3-step CBRA contains a random number (e.g., a 16-bit random number). This random number (e.g., a 16-bit random number) is the same random number (e.g., a 16-bit random number) carried by the first device in message 1 sent in the 3-step CBRA. Therefore, in addition to this random number (e.g., a 16-bit random number), message 2 in the 3-step CBRA also contains a first message indicating whether the first device should report energy indication information. The first device is the IoT device that sent the random number in message 1 of the 3-step CBRA.

[0140] For example, the first transmission can be message 4 in a 3-step CBRA. For instance, the first message can be message 4 in a 3-step CBRA. For example, if the first device 101 determines that a 3-step CBRA has been triggered, the second device 102 can use message 4 in the 3-step CBRA to indicate whether to report energy indication information. For example, the second device 102 sends message 4 in the 3-step CBRA to the first device 101, and message 4 in the 3-step CBRA can indicate whether the first device 101 should report energy indication information. For example, message 4 in the 3-step CBRA is a feedback from the second device to the first device identifier sent by the first device in the 3-step CBRA message 3. For example, message 4 in the 3-step CBRA may contain an ACK or NACK indication. For example, message 4 in the 3-step CBRA may carry at least one of a random number (e.g., a 16-bit random number) and a first device identifier. The random number (e.g., a 16-bit random number) is the random number (e.g., a 16-bit random number) carried by the first device in message 1 sent in the 3-step CBRA. The first device identifier is the device identifier sent by the first device in message 3 of the 3-step CBRA. For example, it may be an identifier assigned by the EPC or the core network or other identifiers.

[0141] For example, the first transmission can be message 2 in a 2-step CBRA. For instance, the first message can be message 2 in a 2-step CBRA. For example, if the first device 101 determines that a 2-step CBRA has been triggered, the second device 102 can use message 2 in the 2-step CBRA to indicate whether to report energy indication information. For example, the second device 102 sends message 2 in the 2-step CBRA to the first device 101, and message 2 in the 2-step CBRA can indicate whether the first device 101 needs to report energy indication information. For example, message 2 in the 2-step CBRA is a feedback from the second device to the random number (e.g., a 16-bit random number) and / or the first device identifier sent by the first device in message 1 of the 2-step CBRA. For example, message 2 in the 2-step CBRA may contain an ACK or NACK indication. For example, message 2 in the 2-step CBRA may carry at least one of a random number (e.g., a 16-bit random number) and a first device identifier. The random number (e.g., a 16-bit random number) is the random number (e.g., a 16-bit random number) carried by the first device in message 1 sent in the 2-step CBRA. The first device identifier is the device identifier sent by the first device in message 1 of the 2-step CBRA. For example, it may be an identifier assigned by the EPC or the core network or other identifiers.

[0142] For example, the first transmission can be a second command, such as the first message can be a second command, which can be a command that the first device 101 needs to respond to. For example, the second command can be a command directed to the first device 101, such as a Read command, a Write command, a Kill command, or a Disable command, etc. The second device 102 can use the second command to indicate whether to report energy indication information. For example, the second device 102 sends the second command to the first device 101. Optionally, the second command includes the identifier of the first device. For example, the first device identifier can be a random number (e.g., a 16-bit random number), an AS identifier (a temporary identifier, such as an AS identifier assigned by the second device to the first device or determined by the first device itself, for example, a 16-bit identifier or an identifier of other bits), or a first device identifier (an identifier assigned by the EPC or the core network, or other identifier). The second command can indicate whether the first device 101 should report energy indication information.

[0143] In some embodiments, the first message may include, but is not limited to, indication information, which may be used to indicate whether to report energy indication information, such as indicating whether an IoT device should report energy indication information. In some embodiments, the indication information may be used to indicate whether a first device 101 should report energy indication information. In some embodiments, setting the indication information to a first value may indicate reporting energy indication information, for example, indicating that the first device 101 should report energy indication information; setting the indication information to a second value may indicate not reporting energy indication information, for example, indicating that the first device 101 should not report energy indication information. For example, the first value may be 1 and the second value may be 0; or, the first value may be 0 and the second value may be 1; or, the first value and the second value may also be indicated by other numerical methods, which are not limited in this disclosure and will not be elaborated further.

[0144] For example, the first message can be the first command, which can be a command to page the first device 101, such as a paging message. For instance, when the second device 102 needs to page the first device 101, it sends the first command to the first device 101. The indication information in the first command can indicate whether to report energy indication information. Upon receiving the first command, the first device 101 determines that it belongs to the paged device. If the indication information in the first command is a first value (or the indication information in the first command is set to a first value), the first device 101 can determine that it needs to report energy indication information. If the indication information in the first command is a second value (or the indication information in the first command is set to a second value), the first device 101 can determine that it does not need to report energy indication information.

[0145] For example, the first message can be message 2 in a 3-step CBRA. For instance, when the first device 101 determines that a 3-step CBRA has been triggered, and the second device 102 sends message 2 of the 3-step CBRA to the first device 101, message 2 in the 3-step CBRA can carry indication information indicating whether energy indication information should be reported. Upon receiving message 2 in the 3-step CBRA, the first device 101 determines that message 2 in the 3-step CBRA is a response to message 1 it sent (e.g., the random number contained in message 2 is the same as the random number contained in message 1 sent by the first device). If the indication information in message 2 of the 3-step CBRA is a first value (or the indication information in message 2 of the 3-step CBRA is set to a first value), the first device 101 can determine that energy indication information needs to be reported. If the indication information in message 2 of the 3-step CBRA is a second value (or the indication information in message 2 of the 3-step CBRA is set to a second value), the first device 101 can determine that energy indication information does not need to be reported.

[0146] For example, the first message can be message 4 in a 3-step CBRA. For instance, when the first device 101 determines that a 3-step CBRA has been triggered, and the second device 102 sends message 4 from the 3-step CBRA to the first device 101, message 4 in the 3-step CBRA can carry indication information indicating whether to report energy indication information. Upon receiving message 4 in the 3-step CBRA, the first device 101 determines that message 4 is a response to message 3 it sent (for example, the random number contained in message 4 is the same as the random number contained in message 1 sent by the first device, or the device identifier contained in message 4 is the same as the device identifier contained in message 3 sent by the first device). If the indication information in message 4 in the 3-step CBRA is a first value (or the indication information in message 4 in the 3-step CBRA is set to a first value), the first device 101 can determine that energy indication information needs to be reported. If the indication information in message 4 in the 3-step CBRA is a second value (or the indication information in message 4 in the 3-step CBRA is set to a second value), the first device 101 can determine that energy indication information does not need to be reported.

[0147] For example, the first message can be message 2 in a two-step CBRA. For instance, when the first device 101 determines that a two-step CBRA has been triggered, and the second device 102 sends message 2 from the two-step CBRA to the first device 101, message 2 in the two-step CBRA can carry indication information indicating whether to report energy indication information. Upon receiving message 2 in the two-step CBRA, the first device 101 determines that message 2 is a response to message 1 it sent (for example, the random number contained in message 2 is the same as the random number contained in message 1 sent by the first device, or the device identifier contained in message 2 is the same as the device identifier contained in message 1 sent by the first device). If the indication information in message 2 of the two-step CBRA is set to a first value, the first device 101 can determine that energy indication information needs to be reported. If the indication information in message 2 of the two-step CBRA is set to a second value, the first device 101 can determine that energy indication information does not need to be reported.

[0148] For example, the first message can be a second command, which can be a command that the first device 101 needs to respond to. For instance, the second command can be a command directed to the first device 101, such as a Read command, a Write command, a Kill command, or a Disable command. The second device 102 sends the second command to the first device 101. The second command carries indication information, which can indicate whether to report energy indication information. Upon receiving the second command, the first device 101 determines that the second command is a command that needs to be responded to (for example, the device identifier contained in the second command is the same as the identifier of the first device, which can be an AS identifier, a device identifier, or a random number). If the indication information in the second command is set to a first value, the first device 101 can determine that energy indication information needs to be reported. If the indication information in the second command is set to a second value, the first device 101 can determine that energy indication information does not need to be reported.

[0149] In some embodiments, the number of bits occupied by the above-mentioned indication information can be 1. For example, the indication information can be 1-bit indication information, such as occupying one bit in the first message to indicate whether energy indication information should be reported.

[0150] In some embodiments, a default indication message can be used to indicate whether energy indication information should be reported or not. For example, a default indication message can indicate that energy indication information should be reported, and the absence of a default indication message can indicate that energy indication information should not be reported. For instance, if the indication information is defaulted in the first message sent by the second device 102 to the first device 101, it can indicate that energy indication information should be reported; if the indication information is not defaulted in the first message sent by the second device 102 to the first device 101, it can indicate that energy indication information should not be reported.

[0151] In step S3102, the first device 101 determines whether to report energy indication information based on the first message.

[0152] In some embodiments, a first device 101 receives a first message from a second device 102, and the first device 101 can determine whether it needs to report energy indication information based on the first message. In some embodiments, if the indication information in the first message is set to a first value, the first device 101 can determine that it needs to report energy indication information; if the indication information in the first message is set to a second value, the first device 101 can determine that it does not need to report energy indication information.

[0153] In some embodiments, if the indication information in the first message is omitted, the first device 101 can determine that it is necessary to report energy indication information; if the indication information in the first message is not omitted, the first device 101 can determine that it is not necessary to report energy indication information.

[0154] In some embodiments, if the indication information in the first message is omitted, the first device 101 can determine that it is not necessary to report energy indication information; if the indication information in the first message is not omitted, the first device 101 can determine that it is necessary to report energy indication information.

[0155] It should be noted that the relevant descriptions of the first message and indication information in step S3102 can be found in the description of the first message and indication information in step S3101 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0156] In step S3103, the first device 101 sends energy indication information to the second device 102; wherein, the first device 101 needs to report the energy indication information.

[0157] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may determine to report energy indication information based on first information. For example, the first information is set to a first value (i.e., the first information is set to the first value). The first device 101 determines that energy indication information needs to be reported. The first device 101 may send the energy indication information to the second device 102. For example, the first device 101 may report the energy indication information in the next D2R transmission. Correspondingly, the second device 101 receives the energy indication information sent by the first device 101.

[0158] In some embodiments, the energy indication information may indicate the energy information of the first device 101. In some embodiments, the energy information of the first device 101 may include, but is not limited to, the energy of the first device 101 being higher or lower than a first energy threshold. For example, setting the energy indication information to a third value may indicate that the energy of the first device 101 is higher than the first energy threshold; setting the energy indication information to a fourth value may indicate that the energy of the first device 101 is lower than the first energy threshold. For example, the default energy indication information may indicate that the energy of the first device 101 is higher or lower than the first energy threshold.

[0159] In some embodiments, the energy indication information can be carried in a second transmission (such as D2R, i.e., a transmission from the first device 101 to the second device 102). For example, the first message can be a first command, such as a paging message, and the second transmission can be a response message to the paging message. For instance, the second device 102 sends a paging message to the first device 101, which indicates whether to report energy indication information. Upon receiving the paging message, the first device 101 determines that it belongs to the paged device and responds to the paging command. If the indication information in the paging message is set to a first value, the first device 101 can determine that it needs to report energy indication information. The first device 101 can carry the energy indication information in the response message to the paging message sent to the second device 102 to indicate the energy information of the first device 101.

[0160] For example, the first message can be message 2 in the 3-step CBRA, and the second transmission can be message 3 in the 3-step CBRA. For instance, when the first device 101 determines that the 3-step CBRA is triggered, and the second device 102 sends message 2 in the 3-step CBRA to the first device 101, the first device 102 can be instructed by message 2 in the 3-step CBRA whether to report energy indication information. When the first device 101 receives message 2 in the 3-step CBRA, if the indication information in message 2 in the 3-step CBRA is set to a first value, the first device 101 can determine that it needs to report energy indication information. The first device 101 can carry energy indication information in message 3 in the 3-step CBRA sent to the second device 102 to indicate the energy information of the first device 101. For example, message 3 in the 3-step CBRA can also include the identifier of the first device 101. The identifier of the first device 101 can be a device identifier, such as an identifier assigned by the EPC or core network device, or other identifiers. For an introduction to the messaging system in the 3-step CBRA, please refer to the description of the 3-step CBRA process in Figure 1 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0161] For example, the first message can be message 4 in the 3-step CBRA, and the second transmission can be the next D2R transmission (such as a D2R transmission after message 4 in the 3-step CBRA, or a retransmission of message 3 in the 3-step CBRA, which contains the device identifier of the first device, such as an identifier assigned by the EPC or core network, or other identifiers). For example, when the first device 101 determines that the 3-step CBRA is triggered, and the second device 102 sends message 4 in the 3-step CBRA to the first device 101, the first device 102 can be instructed by message 4 in the 3-step CBRA whether to report energy indication information. When the first device 101 receives message 4 in the 3-step CBRA, if the indication information in message 4 in the 3-step CBRA is set to a first value, the first device 101 can determine that it needs to report energy indication information. The first device 101 can carry energy indication information in the next D2R transmission to indicate the energy information of the first device 101.

[0162] For example, the first message can be message 2 in a 2-step CBRA, and the second transmission can be the next D2R transmission (such as a D2R transmission following message 2 in a 2-step CBRA, or a retransmission of message 1 in a 2-step CBRA, which contains at least one of a random number (e.g., a 16-bit random number) and the device identifier of the first device (e.g., an identifier assigned by the EPC or the core network, or other identifiers). For example, when the first device 101 determines that a 2-step CBRA is triggered, and the second device 102 sends message 2 in a 2-step CBRA to the first device 101, the first device 102 can be instructed by message 2 in the 2-step CBRA whether to report energy indication information. When the first device 101 receives message 2 in the 2-step CBRA, if the indication information in message 2 in the 2-step CBRA is set to a first value, the first device 101 can determine that it needs to report energy indication information. The first device 101 can carry energy indication information in the next D2R transmission to indicate the energy information of the first device 101. For an introduction to the messaging system in the 2-step CBRA, please refer to the description of the 2-step CBRA process in Figure 1 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0163] For example, the first message can be the second command mentioned above, and the second transmission can be in the response message of the second command. For example, the second device 102 sends a second command to the first device 101. The second command can indicate whether the first device 102 should report energy indication information. When the first device 101 receives the second command, if the indication information in the second command is set to a first value, the first device 101 can determine that it needs to report energy indication information. The first device 101 can carry energy indication information in the response message of the second command to indicate the energy information of the first device 101.

[0164] In some embodiments, the energy information of the first device 101 may include, but is not limited to, whether the first device 101 is capable of completely transmitting the second message. In some embodiments, the energy indication information may be carried in a second transmission (such as D2R, i.e., a transmission from the first device 101 to the second device 102). In some embodiments, setting the energy indication information to a third value may indicate that the first device 101 is capable of transmitting the second message; setting the energy indication information to a fourth value may indicate that the first device 101 is unable to transmit the second message. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the energy indication information is defaulted, which may indicate that the first device 101 is capable of transmitting the second message or that the first device 101 is unable to transmit the second message.

[0165] For example, the second transmission is message 1 in step 3 of CBRA, and the second message is message 3 in step 3 of CBRA. For example, the second transmission is message 3 in step 3 of CBRA, and the second message is a response message to a fourth command, which is a predefined command for the first device, for example, a read command, and the first message is a response message to the read command, for example, reading specified content from the memory of the first device. For example, the second transmission is message 1 in CBRA, and the second message is a response message to a fourth command, which is a predefined command for the first device. For example, the second transmission is message 1 in step 2 of CBRA, and the second message is either message 1 in step 2 of CBRA or a response message to a fourth command. For example, the second transmission is a response message to a first command, and the second message is a response message to a fourth command; the first command can be a command for the first device, such as a Read command, a Write command, a Kill command, or a Disable command, etc. For example, the second transmission is the first segment of the response message to the first command, and the second message is the remaining segment following the first segment. For a description of the message system in the 3-step CBRA and CFRA processes, please refer to the description of the 3-step CBRA and CFRA processes in Figure 1 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0166] In some embodiments, the energy indication information may occupy 1 bit. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the energy indication information may occupy more than 1 bit. In other words, the energy indication information may occupy multiple bits. For example, the energy indication information may occupy 2 bits. If the first energy threshold is an absolute value range, then the absolute value range may be 4. For example, when the energy indication information is 00, 01, 10, and 11, it can indicate different absolute value ranges, but it is not limited to this and will not be elaborated further here.

[0167] It should be noted that in some embodiments, step S3102 is optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or substituted in different embodiments. For example, after receiving the first message sent by the second device 102, the first device 101 can execute step S3103 instead of step S3102. For instance, if the first device 101 receives the first message sent by the second device 102 and determines that the value of the first message is a first value, then the first device 101 can determine that it needs to report energy indication information and needs to send energy indication information to the second device 102.

[0168] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0169] In some embodiments, the terms "uplink", "uplink", and "physical uplink" can be used interchangeably, as can the terms "downlink", "downlink", and "physical downlink", as well as the terms "sidelink", "sidelink", "sidelink communication", "sidelink communication", "direct connection", "direct link", "direct communication", and "direct link communication".

[0170] In some embodiments, the terms “radio”, “wireless”, “radio access network (RAN)”, “access network (AN)”, and “RAN-based” can be used interchangeably.

[0171] In some embodiments, "acquire," "get," "obtain," "receive," "transmit," "bidirectional transmission," and "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, acquiring from protocols, acquiring from higher layers, obtaining through self-processing, or autonomous implementation. Protocols include, for example, at least one of the 3GPP protocol, Wi-Fi protocol, and audio and / or video protocols.

[0172] In some embodiments, terms such as “send,” “transmit,” “report,” “distribute,” “transmit,” “bidirectional transmission,” “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably.

[0173] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain," "preset," "default," "set," "indicated," "a certain," "any," and "first" can be used interchangeably. "Certain A," "preset A," "default A," "set A," "indicated A," "a certain A," "any A," and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol or the like, or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or instruction, or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0174] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (boolean), or by a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., a comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0175] In some embodiments, if an arrow in the interaction diagram representing the sending of information, signaling, etc. from one subject to another passes through other subjects, it can be interpreted as the information being forwarded from one subject to another via other subjects, or it can be interpreted as the information being sent from one subject to another without passing through other subjects.

[0176] The method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3103. For example, step S3101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102 + step S3103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3101 + step S3103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3101 + step S3102 + step S3103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0177] In some embodiments, steps S3102 and S3103 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0178] In some embodiments, steps S3101 and S3102 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0179] In some embodiments, step S3101 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0180] In some embodiments, step S3102 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0181] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0182] Figure 3B is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3B, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0183] In step S3201, the second device 102 sends a third command to the first device 101.

[0184] In some embodiments, both the first device 101 and the second device 102 can be devices in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario. In some embodiments, the first device 101 can be an IoT device, such as an A-IoT device or other IoT devices. In some embodiments, the second device 102 can be a network device or an intermediate node.

[0185] In some embodiments, the third command may be sent by the second device 102 to the first device 101. For example, the second device 102 sends the third command to the first device 101, and correspondingly, the first device 101 receives the third command sent by the second device 102.

[0186] In some embodiments, the third command can be a new command, for example, a newly defined command used to instruct the reporting of energy indication information, such as instructing an IoT device to report energy indication information. In some embodiments, the third command can be a paging message, which can instruct the reporting of energy indication information.

[0187] In some embodiments, the device identifier carried in the third command can be used to instruct the IoT device associated with the device identifier to report energy indication information. In some embodiments, carrying a device identifier in the third command can instruct the IoT device associated with the device identifier to report energy indication information; if the third command does not carry a device identifier, it can instruct all IoT devices that receive the third command to report energy indication information.

[0188] In some embodiments, the device identifier can be any of the following: a device identifier; a group identifier; or a list of device identifiers. For example, if the third command carries a device identifier, it can instruct the IoT device associated with that device identifier to report energy indication information. For example, if the third command carries a group identifier, it can instruct all IoT devices in that group associated with that group identifier to report energy indication information. For example, if the third command carries a list of device identifiers, it can instruct the IoT device associated with each device identifier in that list to report energy indication information. For example, if the third command does not carry a device identifier, it can instruct all IoT devices receiving the third command to report energy indication information.

[0189] In step S3202, the first device 101 determines whether to report energy indication information based on the third command.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first device 101 receives a third command sent by the second device 102, and the first device 101 can determine whether to report energy indication information based on the third command.

[0191] In some embodiments, if the first device 101 determines that the third command carries a device identifier and the identifier of the first device 101 matches the device identifier, the first device 101 may decide to report energy indication information. In some embodiments, if the first device 101 determines that the third command carries a device identifier and the identifier of the first device does not match the device identifier, the first device 101 may decide not to report energy indication information.

[0192] For example, taking the device identifier carried in the third command as a single device identifier, the first device 101 receives a third command sent by the second device 102. The third command carries a device identifier, and the device identifier matches the identifier of the first device 101. If the device identifier is the same as the identifier of the first device 101, the first device 101 can determine to report energy indication information; if the device identifier does not match the identifier of the first device 101, such as the device identifier being different from the identifier of the first device 101, the first device 101 can determine not to report energy indication information.

[0193] For example, taking a group identifier carried in the third command as an example, when the first device 101 receives a third command sent by the second device 102, the third command carries a group identifier, and the group identifier matches the group identifier of the first device 101. If the group identifier carried in the third command is the same as the group identifier of the group to which the first device 101 belongs, then the first device 101 can determine to report energy indication information; if the group identifier carried in the third command does not match the group identifier of the group to which the first device 101 belongs, such as the group identifier carried in the third command being different from the group identifier of the group to which the first device 101 belongs, then the first device 101 can determine not to report energy indication information.

[0194] For example, taking a device identifier carried in the third command as a list of device identifiers, when the first device 101 receives a third command sent by the second device 102, the third command carries a list of device identifiers, and one identifier in the list matches the identifier of the first device 101, that is, the identifier of the first device 101 is included in the list of device identifiers, then the first device 101 can determine to report energy indication information; if any identifier in the list of device identifiers does not match the identifier of the first device 101, that is, the identifier of the first device 101 is not included in the list of device identifiers, then the first device 101 can determine not to report energy indication information.

[0195] In some embodiments, if the first device 101 determines that the third command does not carry a device identifier, the first device 101 may determine to report energy indication information. For example, if the first device 101 determines that the third command does not carry a device identifier, such as neither carrying a device identifier (device identifier of an IoT device), nor carrying a group identifier, nor carrying a list of device identifiers, then the first device 101 receiving the third command may determine to report energy indication information.

[0196] In step S3203, the first device 101 sends energy indication information to the second device 102, wherein the first device 101 needs to report the energy indication information.

[0197] In some embodiments, the first device can determine to report energy indication information based on a third command. For example, if the third command carries a device identifier and the identifier of the first device 101 matches that device identifier, the first device 101 can determine that it needs to report energy indication information. The first device 101 can then send the energy indication information to the second device 102. For example, the first device 101 can report the energy indication information in the next D2R transmission, and correspondingly, the second device 101 receives the energy indication information sent by the first device 101. For example, if the third command does not carry a device identifier, the first device 101, upon receiving the third command, can determine that it needs to report energy indication information. The first device 101 can then send the energy indication information to the second device 102. For example, the first device 101 can report the energy indication information in the next D2R transmission. The optional implementations of the energy indication information and how the first device 101 sends the energy indication information to the second device 102 can be found in the optional implementations of step S3103 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0198] It should be noted that in some embodiments, step S3202 is optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or substituted in different embodiments. For example, after receiving the third command sent by the second device 102, the first device 101 can execute step S3203 instead of step S3202. For instance, if the first device 101 receives the third command sent by the second device 102, and the third command carries a device identifier that matches the identifier of the first device 101, then the first device 101 can determine that it needs to report energy indication information and needs to send energy indication information to the second device 102. Alternatively, if the third command does not carry a device identifier, then the first device 101 receiving the third command can determine that it needs to report energy indication information and needs to send energy indication information to the second device 102.

[0199] The method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S3201 to S3203. For example, step S3201 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3203 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3202 + step S3203 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3201 + step S3203 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3201 + step S3202 + step S3203 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0200] In some embodiments, steps S3202 and S3203 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0201] In some embodiments, steps S3201 and S3202 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0202] In some embodiments, step S3201 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0203] In some embodiments, step S3202 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0204] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0205] Figure 3C is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3B, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0206] In step S3301, the first device 101 determines whether to report the energy indication information based on preset conditions.

[0207] In some embodiments, satisfying the above-mentioned preset condition may include: the energy of the first device 101 being greater than or equal to a preset threshold, or the energy of the first device 101 being less than or equal to a preset threshold. For example, satisfying the above-mentioned preset condition may include: the energy of the first device 101 being greater than or equal to a preset threshold. Alternatively, for example, satisfying the above-mentioned preset condition may include: the energy of the first device 101 being less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0208] In some embodiments, preset conditions and / or preset thresholds are determined based on protocol specifications. In some embodiments, preset conditions and / or preset thresholds are determined based on the configuration or pre-configuration of the second device. For example, the preset conditions may be specified by the protocol, or they may be configured or pre-configured by the second device 102. For example, the preset thresholds may be specified by the protocol, or they may be configured or pre-configured by the second device 102.

[0209] In some embodiments, the preset threshold can be any of an absolute value, an absolute value range, a proportional value, or a proportional value range. For example, the preset threshold can be an absolute value, such as an absolute numerical value, with units such as milliwatts (mW), microwatts (uW), watts (W), etc. For example, the preset threshold can be a proportional value, such as the percentage of remaining energy to total energy. For example, the preset threshold can be an absolute value range, such as the set of all absolute values ​​between absolute value 1 and absolute value 2, which may include the given absolute value 1 and absolute value 2 (e.g., represented by [absolute value 1, absolute value 2]), or may include a given absolute value 1 but not absolute value 2 (e.g., represented by [absolute value 1, absolute value 2)), or may include a given absolute value 2 but not absolute value 1 (e.g., represented by (absolute value 1, absolute value 2]), or may not include absolute values ​​1 and absolute value 2 (e.g., represented by (absolute value 1, absolute value 2)). For example, the preset threshold can be a proportional value. For example, 50% can be used to indicate the percentage of remaining energy. For instance, this preset threshold can be a range of percentage values, such as the set of all percentage values ​​between percentage value 1 and percentage value 2. This range can include the given percentage value 1 and percentage value 2 (e.g., represented by [percentage value 1, percentage value 2]), or it can include the given percentage value 1 but not percentage value 2 (e.g., represented by [percentage value 1, percentage value 2)), or it can include the given percentage value 2 but not percentage value 1 (e.g., represented by (percentage value 1, percentage value 2]), or it can exclude both percentage value 1 and percentage value 2 (e.g., represented by (percentage value 1, percentage value 2)).

[0210] In some embodiments, if a preset condition is met, it is determined that energy indication information will be reported. In some embodiments, if the preset condition is not met, it is determined that energy indication information will not be reported. For example, if the preset condition being met includes the energy of the first device 101 being greater than or equal to a preset threshold, then if the energy of the first device 101 is greater than or equal to the preset threshold, the preset condition is considered met, and the first device 101 can determine to report energy indication information; if the energy of the first device 101 is less than the preset threshold, the preset condition is considered not met, and the first device 101 can determine not to report energy indication information. For example, if the preset condition being met includes the energy of the first device 101 being less than or equal to a preset threshold, then if the energy of the first device 101 is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the preset condition is considered met, and the first device 101 can determine to report energy indication information; if the energy of the first device 101 is greater than the preset threshold, the preset condition is considered not met, and the first device 101 can determine not to report energy indication information.

[0211] In step S3302, the first device 101 sends energy indication information to the second device 102, wherein the first device 101 needs to report the energy indication information.

[0212] In some embodiments, the first device 101 determines to report energy indication information based on preset conditions. For example, if the preset conditions are met, the first device 101 can determine to report energy indication information and send it to the second device 102. For instance, if the preset conditions include that the energy of the first device 101 is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, and the first device 101 determines that its own energy is greater than or equal to the preset threshold, then the preset conditions are met, and the first device 101 can determine to report energy indication information and send it to the second device 102. Similarly, if the preset conditions include that the energy of the first device 101 is less than or equal to a preset threshold, and the first device 101 determines that its own energy is less than or equal to the preset threshold, then the preset conditions are met, and the first device 101 can determine to report energy indication information and send it to the second device 102. Correspondingly, the second device 101 receives the energy indication information sent by the first device 101.

[0213] In some embodiments, the terms "energy information," "power information," "energy status information," "power status information," "capacity information," "capacity status information," "energy," "power," "remaining energy," "remaining power," "energy indication information," "energy status indication information," "power indication information," "power status indication information," "remaining energy indication information," and "remaining power indication information" can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, if the first device 101 receives a first message or a third command sent by the second device 102, the first device 101 can determine whether to report energy indication information based on the first message or the third command, wherein the first message is used to instruct the first device whether to report energy indication information, and the third command is used to instruct the reporting of energy indication information.

[0214] For example, if the first device 101 receives a first message sent by the second device 102, the first device 101 can determine whether to report energy indication information based on the first message. Optional implementations here can be found in the optional implementations of step S3102 in Figure 3A above, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0215] For example, if the first device 101 receives a third command sent by the second device 102, the first device 101 can determine whether to report energy indication information based on the third command. Optional implementations here can be found in the optional implementations of step S3202 in Figure 3B above, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3B, which will not be repeated here.

[0216] In some embodiments, if the first device 101 does not receive the first message or the third command sent by the second device 102, the first device 101 may determine whether to report energy indication information based on preset conditions.

[0217] The method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S3301 to S3302. For example, step S3301 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S3302 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and step S3301 + step S3302 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0218] In some embodiments, step S3302 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0219] In some embodiments, step S3301 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0220] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0221] Figure 4 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0222] In step S4101, the first device 101 determines to report energy indication information.

[0223] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a first message sent by a second device, wherein the first message can be used by the first device to determine whether to report energy indication information.

[0224] In some embodiments, the first message is used to instruct the first device whether to report energy indication information. For example, based on the first message, it is determined whether to report energy indication information. In some embodiments, the first message includes indication information, which instructs the first device whether to report energy indication information; wherein, the indication information is set to a first value, instructing the first device to report energy indication information; the indication information is set to a second value, instructing the first device not to report energy indication information.

[0225] In some embodiments, the value of the indication information is a first value, and the first device 101 determines to report the energy indication information; or, the value of the indication information is a second value, and the first device 101 determines not to report the energy indication information.

[0226] In some embodiments, the number of bits occupied by the indication information is 1.

[0227] In some embodiments, the first message is a transmission from the second device to the first device, and the first message includes any of the following: a first command, which is a command to page the first device; message 2 in a 3-step contention-based random access 3-step CBRA; message 2 in a 2-step contention-based random access 2-step CBRA; and a second command, which is a command in response to the first device.

[0228] In some embodiments, the first message is used to instruct the reporting of energy indication information. In some embodiments, taking the first message as a third command as an example, the first device can receive a third command sent by the second device, the third command being used to instruct the reporting of energy indication information; based on the third command, it is determined whether to report the energy indication information.

[0229] In some embodiments, the third command carries a device identifier, instructing the IoT device associated with the device identifier to report energy indication information; if the third command does not carry a device identifier, it instructs all IoT devices receiving the third command to report energy indication information. The device identifier can be any of the following: a single device identifier; a group identifier; or a list of device identifiers.

[0230] In some embodiments, if the first device 101 determines that the third command carries a device identifier and the identifier of the first device matches the device identifier, the first device 101 determines to report energy indication information. In some embodiments, if the first device 101 determines that the third command carries a device identifier and the identifier of the first device does not match the device identifier, the first device 101 determines not to report energy indication information. In some embodiments, if the first device 101 determines that the third command does not carry a device identifier, the first device 101 determines to report energy indication information.

[0231] In some embodiments, the third command is a new command or a paging message.

[0232] In some embodiments, the first device 101 determines whether to report energy indication information based on preset conditions. In some embodiments, if the preset conditions are met, the first device 101 determines to report energy indication information. In some embodiments, if the preset conditions are not met, the first device 101 determines not to report energy indication information.

[0233] In some embodiments, the preset conditions include: the energy of the first device is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, or the energy of the first device is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0234] In some embodiments, preset conditions and / or preset thresholds are determined based on protocol specifications. In some embodiments, preset conditions and / or preset thresholds are determined based on a second device configuration or pre-configuration.

[0235] In step S4102, the first device 101 sends energy indication information to the second device 102.

[0236] In this embodiment, both the first device and the second device are devices used in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario. In some embodiments, the first device is an IoT device, and the second device is a network device or an intermediate node.

[0237] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0238] It is worth noting that this disclosure proposes a method for reporting energy indication information, clarifying how to instruct IoT devices to report energy indication information. The following will describe this in detail with reference to embodiments.

[0239] In some embodiments, the second device instructs the first device via a first message whether to report energy indication information.

[0240] For example, the second device is a reader, such as a BS reader or an intermediate node. For example, the first device is an IoT device, such as an A-IoT device or other IoT devices. For example, the first message is an R2D message, including but not limited to paging, MSG2 in a 3-step CBRA, MSG2 in a 2-step CBRA, commands, etc. For example, commands include, but are not limited to, read, write, disable, kill, etc.

[0241] For example, the first message may carry indication information to indicate whether the first device should report energy indication information. For example, this indication information may be a 1-bit indication, set to a first value to indicate that the first device should report energy indication information, for example, in the next D2R transmission. The indication information may be set to a second value to indicate that the first device should not report energy indication information. For example, this energy indication information may be a 1-bit indication or more bits of indication information.

[0242] In some embodiments, the second device instructs the first device to report energy indication information via a third command.

[0243] For example, the third command is a new command. For instance, a new command is defined to instruct the first device to report energy indication information. This new command may carry a device identifier, such as a single device identifier, a group identifier, or a list of device identifiers, or no identifier. For example, the new command may carry a device identifier to instruct that single first device to report energy information; the new command may carry a group identifier to instruct that a group of first devices to report energy information; the new command may carry a list of device identifiers to instruct the first device associated with each device identifier in the list to report energy information; or the new command may not carry an identifier and may instruct all first devices receiving the command to report energy information.

[0244] In some embodiments, the first device determines whether to report energy indication information based on preset conditions.

[0245] For example, the preset condition may be specified in the protocol or configured / pre-configured by the second device. The preset condition may, for example, be that the remaining battery power is less than a preset threshold. The preset condition may, for example, be that the remaining battery power is greater than a preset threshold. The preset threshold may be specified in the protocol or configured / pre-configured by the second device. When the preset condition is met, the first device reports energy indication information; when the preset condition is not met, the first device does not report energy indication information.

[0246] For example, if the second device explicitly instructs via a first message and / or a third command, the first device can determine whether to report energy indication information based on the second device's instruction. Conversely, if the second device does not explicitly instruct via a first message and / or a third command, the first device can determine whether to report energy indication information based on preset conditions.

[0247] This disclosure also proposes an apparatus (also referred to as a communication device, etc.) for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Furthermore, another apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0248] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0249] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0250] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The first device 5100 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5A, the first device 5100 may include at least one of a transceiver module 5101, a processing module 5102, etc. In some embodiments, the processing module 5102 is used to determine the energy indication information to be reported; the transceiver module 5101 is used to send the energy indication information to the second device; wherein, both the first device and the second device are devices in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S3103, S3203, S3302, but not limited thereto) performed by the first device 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here. Optionally, the processing module is used to perform at least one of the other steps (e.g., steps S3102, S3202, S3301, but not limited thereto) performed by the first device 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0251] In some embodiments, the first device is an Internet of Things (IoT) device, and the second device is a network device or an intermediate node.

[0252] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 5101 is further configured to: receive a first message sent by the second device, the first message being used to indicate whether the first device should report energy indication information; and determine whether to report energy indication information based on the first message.

[0253] In some embodiments, the first message includes indication information, which is used to indicate whether the first device should report energy indication information; wherein, the indication information is set to a first value, indicating that the first device should report energy indication information; the indication information is set to a second value, indicating that the first device should not report energy indication information.

[0254] In some embodiments, the processing module 5102 is configured to: determine that the energy indication information should be reported if the value of the indication information is a first value. In some embodiments, the processing module 5102 is configured to: determine that the energy indication information should not be reported if the value of the indication information is a second value.

[0255] In some embodiments, the number of bits occupied by the indication information is 1.

[0256] In some embodiments, the first message is a transmission from the second device to the first device, and the first message includes any of the following: a first command, which is a command to page the first device; message 2 in a 3-step contention-based random access 3-step CBRA; message 2 in a 2-step contention-based random access 2-step CBRA; and a second command, which is a command in response to the first device.

[0257] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a third command sent by a second device, the third command being used to instruct the reporting of energy indication information; and determining, based on the third command, whether to report the energy indication information.

[0258] In some embodiments, the third command carries a device identifier, instructing the IoT device associated with the device identifier to report energy indication information; if the third command does not carry a device identifier, it instructs all IoT devices receiving the third command to report energy indication information. The device identifier can be any of the following: a single device identifier; a group identifier; or a list of device identifiers.

[0259] In some embodiments, the processing module 5102 is configured to: determine that the third command carries a device identifier and the identifier of the first device matches the device identifier, and then determine to report energy indication information. In some embodiments, the processing module 5102 is configured to: determine that the third command carries a device identifier and the identifier of the first device does not match the device identifier, and then determine not to report energy indication information. In some embodiments, the processing module 5102 is configured to: determine that the third command does not carry a device identifier, and then determine to report energy indication information.

[0260] In some embodiments, the third command is a new command or a paging message.

[0261] In some embodiments, the processing module 5102 is configured to: determine whether to report energy indication information based on preset conditions.

[0262] In some embodiments, the processing module 5102 is configured to: if a preset condition is met, determine to report energy indication information. In some embodiments, the processing module 5102 is configured to: if a preset condition is not met, determine not to report energy indication information.

[0263] In some embodiments, the preset conditions include: the energy of the first device is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, or the energy of the first device is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0264] In some embodiments, the processing module 5102 is configured to: determine preset conditions and / or preset thresholds based on protocol specifications. In some embodiments, the processing module 5102 is configured to: determine preset conditions and / or preset thresholds based on a second device configuration or pre-configuration.

[0265] In some embodiments, the processing module 5102 is configured to: receive a first message or a third command sent by the second device, and determine whether to report energy indication information based on the first message or the third command, wherein the first message is used to instruct the first device whether to report energy indication information, and the third command is used to instruct the reporting of energy indication information. In some embodiments, the processing module 5102 is configured to: if it does not receive the first message or the third command sent by the second device, determine whether to report energy indication information according to preset conditions.

[0266] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The second device 5200 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5B, the second device 5200 may include at least one of a transceiver module 5101, a processing module 5102, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 5101 is used to receive energy indication information sent by the first device; wherein, both the first device and the second device are devices in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S3101, S3201, but not limited thereto) performed by the second device 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here. Optionally, the processing module is used to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the second device 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0267] In some embodiments, the first device is an Internet of Things (IoT) device, and the second device is a network device or an intermediate node.

[0268] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 5201 is further configured to: send a first message to the first device, the first message being used to indicate whether the first device reports energy indication information.

[0269] In some embodiments, the first message includes indication information, which is used to indicate whether the first device should report energy indication information; wherein, the indication information is set to a first value, indicating that the first device should report energy indication information; the indication information is set to a second value, indicating that the first device should not report energy indication information.

[0270] In some embodiments, the number of bits occupied by the indication information is 1.

[0271] In some embodiments, the first message is a transmission from the second device to the first device. The first message includes any of the following: a first command, which is a command to page the first device; message 2 in a 3-step contention-based random access CBRA; message 2 in a 2-step contention-based random access CBRA; and a second command, which is a command in response to the first device.

[0272] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 5201 is further configured to: send a third command, the third command being used to instruct the reporting of energy indication information.

[0273] In some embodiments, the third command carries a device identifier, instructing the IoT device associated with the device identifier to report energy indication information; if the third command does not carry a device identifier, it instructs all IoT devices receiving the third command to report energy indication information. The device identifier can be any of the following: a single device identifier; a group identifier; or a list of device identifiers.

[0274] In some embodiments, the third command is a new command or a paging message.

[0275] In some embodiments, the processing module 5202 is configured or pre-configured to the first device with preset conditions and / or preset thresholds; wherein the preset conditions are used to determine whether to report energy indication information, and the preset thresholds are used to determine whether the preset conditions are met.

[0276] In some embodiments, the preset conditions include: the energy of the first device is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, or the energy of the first device is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0277] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with a transceiver.

[0278] In some embodiments, the processing module may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules may each perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module.

[0279] In some embodiments, the processing module can be interchanged with the processor, and the transceiver module can be interchanged with the transceiver.

[0280] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 6100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 6100 can be a first device (e.g., an IoT device), a second device (e.g., a network device or an intermediate node), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the first device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the second device in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 6100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0281] As shown in Figure 6A, the communication device 6100 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 includes one or more processors 6101. The processor 6101 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 6100 is used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 6101 are used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 6100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0282] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more transceivers 6103. When the communication device 6100 includes one or more transceivers 6103, the transceiver 6103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps S3101, S3201, S3103, S3203, S3302, S4102, but not limited thereto), and the processor 6101 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S3102, S3202, S3301, S4101, but not limited thereto). In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0283] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more memories 6102 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, one or more processors 6101 are used to invoke instructions stored in the memory 6102 to cause the communication device 6100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, all or part of the memory 6102 may also be located outside the communication device 6100. In an optional embodiment, the communication device 6100 may include one or more interface circuits 6104. Optionally, the interface circuit 6104 is connected to the memory 6102 and can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memory 6102 or other devices, and can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memory 6102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 6104 can read data and / or instructions stored in the memory 6102 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 6101.

[0284] The communication device 6100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 6100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 6100 may not be limited by FIG. 6A. The communication device may be a standalone device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data, programs and / or instructions; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0285] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of chip 6200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 6100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of chip 6200 shown in Figure 6B, but it is not limited thereto.

[0286] Chip 6200 includes one or more processors 6201. Chip 6200 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[0287] In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more interface circuits 6202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more memories 6203 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 6203 may be located outside of chip 6200. Optionally, interface circuit 6202 is connected to memory 6203, and interface circuit 6202 can be used to receive data and / or instructions from memory 6203 or other devices, and interface circuit 6202 can be used to send data and / or instructions to memory 6203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 6202 can read data and / or instructions stored in memory 6203 and send the data and / or instructions to processor 6201.

[0288] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 6202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method (e.g., steps S3101, S3201, S3103, S3203, S3302, S4102, but not limited thereto). The interface circuit 6202 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method refers, for example, to the interface circuit 6202 performing data and / or instruction interaction between the processor 6201, the chip 6200, the memory 6203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 6201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S3102, S3202, S3301, S4101, but not limited thereto).

[0289] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0290] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0291] This disclosure also proposes a program product, including a program and / or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product. Optionally, the program product is stored on the storage medium.

[0292] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[0293] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this disclosure are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0294] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0295] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0296] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is performed by a first device, and the method includes: Confirm and report energy indication information; Send the energy indication information to the second device; Both the first device and the second device are devices used in Internet of Things (IoT) scenarios.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first device is an Internet of Things (IoT) device, and the second device is a network device or an intermediate node.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first message sent by the second device is received, wherein the first message is used by the first device to determine whether to report the energy indication information.

4. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first message includes indication information, which instructs the first device whether to report the energy indication information; wherein, The indication information is set to a first value, indicating that the first device reports the energy indication information; The indication information is set to the second value, indicating that the first device does not report the energy indication information.

5. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The indication information occupies 1 bit.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3-5, characterized in that, The first message includes any of the following: The first command is a command to page the first device; Message 2 in the 3-step contention-based random access CBRA; Message 2 in the 2-step contention-based random access CBRA; The second command is the command that the first device needs to respond to.

7. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first message is used to indicate the reporting of energy indication information.

8. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The first message carries a device identifier, indicating that the IoT device associated with the device identifier reports energy indication information; The first message does not carry the device identifier, indicating that all IoT devices that receive the first message should report energy indication information; The device identifier can be any of the following: A device identifier; A group identifier; A list of device identifiers.

9. The method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes any one of the following: If the first message carries the device identifier and the identifier of the first device matches the device identifier, then determine to report energy indication information; If the first message carries the device identifier and the identifier of the first device does not match the device identifier, it is determined not to report energy indication information. If the device identifier is not carried in the first message, then the energy indication information is to be reported.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that, The first message is a new command or a paging message.

11. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on preset conditions, determine whether to report the energy indication information.

12. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The step of determining whether to report the energy indication information based on preset conditions includes any one of the following: If the preset conditions are met, the energy indication information will be reported. If the preset conditions are not met, it is determined that the energy indication information will not be reported.

13. The method as described in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The preset conditions include: the energy of the first device is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, or the energy of the first device is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

14. The method as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes any one of the following: Based on the protocol provisions, the preset conditions and / or preset thresholds are determined; Based on the second device configuration or pre-configuration, the preset conditions and / or the preset thresholds are determined.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11-14, characterized in that, The step of determining whether to report the energy indication information based on preset conditions includes any one of the following: Upon receiving a first message sent by the second device, determine whether to report the energy indication information based on the first message, wherein the first message is used to indicate whether the first device should report the energy indication information, or to indicate the reporting of the energy indication information; If the first message sent by the second device is not received, determine whether to report the energy indication information based on the preset conditions.

16. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is performed by a second device, and the method includes: Receive energy indication information sent by the first device; Both the first device and the second device are devices used in Internet of Things (IoT) scenarios.

17. The method as described in claim 16, characterized in that, The first device is an Internet of Things (IoT) device, and the second device is a network device or an intermediate node.

18. The method as described in claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: A first message is sent to the first device, wherein the first message is used by the first device to determine whether to report the energy indication information.

19. The method as described in claim 18, characterized in that, The first message includes indication information, which instructs the first device whether to report the energy indication information; wherein, The indication information is set to a first value, indicating that the first device reports the energy indication information; The indication information is set to the second value, indicating that the first device does not report the energy indication information.

20. The method as described in claim 19, characterized in that, The indication information occupies 1 bit.

21. The method according to any one of claims 18-20, characterized in that, The first message includes any of the following: The first command is a command to page the first device; Message 2 in the 3-step contention-based random access CBRA; Message 2 in the 2-step contention-based random access CBRA; The second command is a command responded to by the first device.

22. The method as described in claim 18, characterized in that, The first message is used to indicate the reporting of energy indication information.

23. The method as described in claim 22, characterized in that, The first message carries a device identifier, indicating that the IoT device associated with the device identifier reports energy indication information; The first message does not carry the device identifier, indicating that all IoT devices that receive the first message should report energy indication information; The device identifier can be any of the following: A device identifier; A group identifier; A list of device identifiers.

24. The method as described in claim 22 or 23, characterized in that, The first message is a new command or a paging message.

25. The method as described in claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: Configure or pre-configure preset conditions and / or preset thresholds for the first device; wherein the preset conditions are used to determine whether to report the energy indication information, and the preset thresholds are used to determine whether the preset conditions are met.

26. The method as described in claim 25, characterized in that, The preset conditions include: the energy of the first device is greater than or equal to the preset threshold, or the energy of the first device is less than or equal to the preset threshold.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is used to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1-15 and 16-26.

28. A communication system, characterized in that, The device includes a first device and a second device, wherein the first device is configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 1-15, and the second device is configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 16-26.

29. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device performs the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-15 and 16-26.

30. A program product comprising at least one of a program and instructions, characterized in that, When at least one of the programs or instructions is executed by the communication device, it implements the communication method according to any one of claims 1-15 and 16-26.

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