Operation execution methods, association establishment method, apparatus, terminal and network side device

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of communications. Disclosed are operation execution methods, an association establishment method, an apparatus, a terminal and a network side device. An operation execution method in an embodiment of the present application comprises: a terminal acquiring service area information of a first communication device; and on the basis of the service area information of the first communication device, the terminal executing a first operation, the first operation comprising at least one of the following: entering a connected state; sending a mobility registration update request; and sending first information, wherein the first information comprises at least one of the following information: information for indicating that the terminal has moved out of a service area of the first communication device; location information of the terminal; information of a target communication device; information used for requesting release of terminal context; and information for requesting modification of the terminal context, the target communication device being the first communication device currently serving the terminal.

Description

Operation execution method, association establishment method, device, terminal and network side equipment

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411585326.5, filed on November 7, 2024, and Chinese Patent Application No. 202411760565.X, filed on December 3, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application belongs to the field of communication technology, specifically relating to an operation execution method, an association establishment method, an apparatus, a terminal, and a network-side device. Background Technology

[0004] In related technologies, after a terminal registers with the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), the AMF creates a context for the terminal. In some services, the terminal can communicate with a Network Function (NF). When the AMF determines that the terminal has moved to the service area of ​​an NF, the AMF releases the terminal context with the old NF and establishes a new terminal context with the new NF. However, the related technologies have the following problem: when the terminal has moved out of the NF's coverage area, it becomes unreachable from the network side. In this case, if the network-side equipment needs to page the UE, it may result in wasted resources. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides an operation execution method, an association establishment method, an apparatus, a terminal, and a network-side device, which can solve the problem of network-side paging failure caused by terminal movement in related technologies.

[0006] Firstly, an operation execution method is provided, the method comprising:

[0007] The terminal obtains the service area information of the first communication device;

[0008] The terminal performs a first operation based on the service area information of the first communication device, the first operation including at least one of the following:

[0009] Entering the connected state;

[0010] Send a mobility registration update request;

[0011] Send first information, the first information including at least one of the following: information for instructing the terminal to move out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; the location information of the terminal; information of the target communication device; information for requesting the release of the terminal context; information for requesting the modification of the terminal context.

[0012] The target communication device is the first communication device currently serving the terminal.

[0013] Secondly, an operation execution method is provided, the method comprising:

[0014] The second communication device performs a second operation, the second operation including at least one of the following:

[0015] Obtain the service area information of the first communication device;

[0016] Send the service area information of the first communication device to the terminal;

[0017] Set the TAI list according to the service area information of the first communication device;

[0018] Set up the TAI list based on the service area information of the first communication device and the service area information of the second communication device;

[0019] Determine the second piece of information;

[0020] Select the first communication device;

[0021] The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0022] The terminal may or may not have been moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device;

[0023] The terminal may or may not be moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device.

[0024] Thirdly, an operation execution method is provided, the method comprising:

[0025] The first communication device performs a third operation, the third operation including at least one of the following:

[0026] Send the service area information of the first communication device;

[0027] Set the service area information of the first communication device according to the service area information of the second communication device;

[0028] The service area information of the first communication device is set according to the service area information of the first communication device and the service area information of the second communication device;

[0029] Determine the second piece of information;

[0030] The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0031] The terminal may or may not have been moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device;

[0032] The terminal may or may not be moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device.

[0033] Fourthly, a method for establishing associations is provided, the method comprising:

[0034] The terminal establishes a first association, wherein the first association satisfies at least one of the following:

[0035] The first association is the association between the terminal and the first communication device;

[0036] The first association is the connection between the terminal and the first communication device;

[0037] The first association is established via AIoT protocol messages;

[0038] The signaling used to establish the first association includes at least one of PDU session, user plane connection, user plane data, NAS signaling, and RRC signaling.

[0039] Fifthly, an operation execution device is provided, the device comprising:

[0040] The first receiving module is used to obtain the service area information of the first communication device;

[0041] The first processing module is configured to perform a first operation based on the service area information of the first communication device, wherein the first operation includes at least one of the following:

[0042] Entering the connected state;

[0043] Send a mobility registration update request;

[0044] Send first information, the first information including at least one of the following: information for instructing the terminal to move out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; the location information of the terminal; information of the target communication device; information for requesting the release of the terminal context; information for requesting the modification of the terminal context.

[0045] The target communication device is the first communication device currently serving the terminal.

[0046] Sixthly, an operation execution device is provided, the device comprising:

[0047] A third processing module is configured to perform a second operation, the second operation including at least one of the following:

[0048] Obtain the service area information of the first communication device;

[0049] Send the service area information of the first communication device to the terminal;

[0050] Set the TAI list according to the service area information of the first communication device;

[0051] Set up the TAI list based on the service area information of the first communication device and the service area information of the second communication device;

[0052] Determine the second piece of information;

[0053] Select the first communication device;

[0054] The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0055] The terminal may or may not have been moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device;

[0056] The terminal may or may not be moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device.

[0057] In a seventh aspect, an operation execution device is provided, the device comprising:

[0058] The fourth processing module is used to perform a third operation, which includes at least one of the following:

[0059] Send the service area information of the first communication device;

[0060] Set the service area information of the first communication device according to the service area information of the second communication device;

[0061] The service area information of the first communication device is set according to the service area information of the first communication device and the service area information of the second communication device;

[0062] Determine the second piece of information;

[0063] The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0064] The terminal may or may not have been moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device;

[0065] The terminal may or may not be moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device.

[0066] Eighthly, an association establishment device is provided, the terminal comprising:

[0067] The fifth processing module is used to establish a first association, wherein the first association satisfies at least one of the following:

[0068] The first association is the association between the terminal and the first communication device;

[0069] The first association is the connection between the terminal and the first communication device;

[0070] The first association is established via AIoT protocol messages;

[0071] The signaling used to establish the first association includes at least one of PDU session, user plane connection, user plane data, NAS signaling, and RRC signaling.

[0072] A ninth aspect provides an operation execution device or an association establishment device, the device being configured to perform the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or implement the steps of the method described in the second aspect, or implement the steps of the method described in the third aspect, or implement the steps of the method described in the fourth aspect.

[0073] In a tenth aspect, a terminal is provided, the terminal including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, or implementing the steps of the method as described in the fourth aspect.

[0074] Eleventhly, a terminal is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to obtain service area information of a first communication device; the processor is used to perform a first operation based on the service area information of the first communication device, the first operation including at least one of the following: entering a connected state; sending a mobility registration update request; sending first information, the first information including at least one of the following: information for instructing the terminal to move out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; the location information of the terminal; information of a target communication device; information for requesting the release of the terminal context; information for requesting modification of the terminal context; wherein the target communication device is the first communication device currently serving the terminal; or, the processor is used to establish a first association, wherein the first association satisfies at least one of the following: the first association is an association between the terminal and the first communication device; the first association is a connection between the terminal and the first communication device; the first association is established through an AIoT protocol message; the signaling for establishing the first association includes at least one of PDU session, user plane connection, user plane data, NAS signaling, and RRC signaling.

[0075] In a twelfth aspect, a network-side device is provided, the network-side device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the second aspect, or implementing the steps of the method as described in the third aspect.

[0076] In a thirteenth aspect, a network-side device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the processor is configured to perform a second operation, the second operation including at least one of the following: acquiring service area information of a first communication device; sending the service area information of the first communication device to a terminal; setting a TAI list based on the service area information of the first communication device; setting the TAI list based on the service area information of the first communication device and the service area information of the second communication device; determining second information; selecting a first communication device; wherein the second information is configured to indicate at least one of the following: the terminal has moved out of or not moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; the terminal has moved into or not moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device; or, the processor is configured to perform a third operation, the third operation including at least one of the following: sending the service area information of the first communication device; setting the service area information of the first communication device based on the service area information of the second communication device; setting the service area information of the first communication device based on the service area information of the first communication device and the service area information of the second communication device; determining second information; wherein the second information is configured to indicate at least one of the following: the terminal has moved out of or not moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; the terminal has moved into or not moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device.

[0077] In a fourteenth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instructions are stored, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect, or the steps of the method described in the third aspect, or the steps of the method described in the fourth aspect.

[0078] In a fifteenth aspect, a wireless communication system is provided, comprising: a terminal and a network-side device, wherein the terminal is configured to perform steps of the method described in the first or fourth aspect, and the network-side device is configured to perform steps of the method described in the second or third aspect.

[0079] In a sixteenth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface coupled to the processor, the processor being configured to run programs or instructions to implement the method as described in the first aspect, or the method as described in the second aspect, or the method as described in the third aspect, or the method as described in the fourth aspect.

[0080] In a seventeenth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, the computer program / program product being stored in a storage medium, the computer program / program product being executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method as described in the second aspect, or the steps of the method as described in the third aspect, or the steps of the method as described in the fourth aspect.

[0081] In this embodiment, the terminal performs a first operation based on the service area information of the first communication device. The first operation includes: entering a connected state; sending a mobility registration update request; sending first information; so that the first communication device or the second communication device can correctly maintain the terminal context, thereby ensuring that the first communication device or the second communication device can correctly page the terminal. Attached Figure Description

[0082] Figure 1A shows a block diagram of one of the wireless communication systems that can be applied to the embodiments of this application;

[0083] Figure 1B shows a second block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0084] Figure 1C shows a third block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0085] Figure 1D shows a fourth block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0086] Figure 1E shows a fifth block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0087] Figure 2 shows one of the steps of the operation execution method provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0088] Figure 3 shows a second flowchart of the operation execution method provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0089] Figure 4 shows the third step of the operation execution method provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0090] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the steps of the association establishment method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0091] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of the principle of Example 1 provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0092] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of the principle of Example 2 provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0093] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of the principle of Example 3 provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0094] Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of one of the operation execution devices provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0095] Figure 10 shows a second schematic diagram of the structure of the operation execution device provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0096] Figure 11 shows a third structural schematic diagram of the operation execution device provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0097] Figure 12 shows a schematic diagram of the association establishment device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0098] Figure 13 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0099] Figure 14 shows a schematic diagram of the terminal provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0100] Figure 15 shows a schematic diagram of the network-side device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0101] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0102] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same class, not limited in number; for example, the first object can be one or more. Furthermore, "or" in this application indicates at least one of the connected objects. For example, the scope of protection for "A or B" covers at least three scenarios: Scenario 1: including A but not B; Scenario 2: including B but not A; Scenario 3: including both A and B. In addition, the terms "A and / or B," "at least one of A and B," and "at least one of A or B" also cover at least the above three scenarios. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0103] The term "instruction" in this application can be either a direct instruction (or explicit instruction) or an indirect instruction (or implicit instruction). A direct instruction can be understood as one in which the sender explicitly informs the receiver of specific information, the operation to be performed, or the requested result, etc., in the instruction sent. An indirect instruction can be understood as one in which the receiver determines the corresponding information based on the instruction sent by the sender, or makes a judgment and determines the operation to be performed or the requested result, etc., based on the judgment result.

[0104] It is worth noting that the technologies described in this application are not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), or other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in this application are often used interchangeably, and the described technologies can be used with the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as with other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes New Radio (NR) systems for illustrative purposes, and the term NR is used in most of the following description; however, these technologies can also be applied to systems other than NR systems, such as 6th generation (6G) radio systems. th Generation 6G communication system.

[0105] Figure 1A shows a block diagram of one of the wireless communication systems applicable to embodiments of this application. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. The terminal 11 can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld computer, netbook, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), mobile internet device (MID), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) device, robot, wearable device, flight vehicle, vehicle user equipment (VUE), shipboard equipment, pedestrian user equipment (PUE), smart home (home devices with wireless communication capabilities, such as refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, or furniture), game console, personal computer (PC), ATM, or self-service machine, etc. Wearable devices include: smartwatches, smart bracelets, smart headphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart chains, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. Among these, in-vehicle devices can also be referred to as in-vehicle terminals, in-vehicle controllers, in-vehicle modules, in-vehicle components, in-vehicle chips, or in-vehicle units, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of terminal 11 is not limited in this application embodiment. Network-side equipment 12 may include access network equipment, core network equipment, or IoT devices. Access network equipment may also be referred to as Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment, radio access network functions, or radio access network units. Access network equipment may include base stations, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access points (APs), or Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) nodes, etc.The term "base station" can be referred to as Node B (NB), Evolved Node B (eNB), Next Generation Node B (gNB), New Radio Node B (NR Node B), Access Point, Relay Base Station (RBS), Serving Base Station (SBS), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), Radio Base Station, Radio Transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), Home Node B (HNB), Home Evolved Node B, Transmit / Receive Point (TRP), or any other suitable term in the relevant field, as long as the same technical effect is achieved. The term "base station" is not limited to any specific technical terminology. It should be noted that this application embodiment only uses a base station in an NR system as an example for description and does not limit the specific type of base station.

[0106] Core network equipment, also known as core network nodes, core network functions, or core network elements, includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access and / or Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Unified Data Repository (UDR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Centralized network configuration (CNC), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Local NEF (or L-NEF), and Binding Support. The core network functions include: BSF (Block Network Function), Application Function (AF), Location Management Function (LMF), Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC), and Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF). It should be noted that this application embodiment only uses core network equipment in the NR system as an example and does not limit the specific type of core network equipment. If the name of the core network equipment mentioned in this application embodiment changes in subsequent protocol versions (e.g., 6G), it will still be within the scope of protection of this application.

[0107] Internet of Things (IoT) devices can also be referred to as IoT nodes, IoT functions, or IoT network elements, and others include, but are not limited to, Ambient Internet of Things Functions (AIoTF). It should be noted that this application embodiment only uses IoT devices in the NR system as an example for description, and does not limit the specific type of IoT device. If the name of the IoT device mentioned in this application embodiment changes in subsequent protocol versions (e.g., 6G), it will still be within the scope of protection of this application.

[0108] To meet the intelligent needs of the Internet of Things (IoT), related technologies have introduced Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT), also known as Ambient Power-enabled Internet of Things (AIoT), which is a type of IoT service. A terminal, such as an AIoT device, is a low-power IoT device. These devices have low overall power consumption, including low-power signal reception and low-power signal transmission. Due to their low overall power consumption, the energy for communication can come from the environment, such as wind power, kinetic energy, heat energy, and radio frequency (RF) signals. AIoT devices can also be described as passive IoT devices or responder devices. AIoT devices are typically in a state without Radio Resource Control (RRC) and do not perform mobility management. When the AIoTF receives an AIoT task, it starts searching for the terminal based on the terminal context. However, the terminal has already entered the coverage area of ​​the new AIoTF, so the AIoTF cannot find the terminal based on the terminal context, resulting in wasted resources. At the same time, since the new AIoTF does not have the terminal context, even if the new AIoTF receives the AIoT task, it will not page the terminal, resulting in insufficient utilization of resources.

[0109] Besides AIoT-related technical fields, the technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to other 6G technical fields such as Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC). Optionally, the core network equipment can be implemented by one or more functional modules in a single device, or by multiple devices working together; this application does not specifically limit this. It is understood that the aforementioned functional modules can be network elements in hardware devices, software functional modules running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functional modules instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0110] Figure 1B shows a second block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. In this scenario, the wireless communication system includes a core network device 1-1, an access network device 1-2, and a reader / writer 1-3; wherein, the core network device 1-1 and the access network device 1-2 can be specifically described with reference to the example in Figure 1A. The reader / writer 1-3 can also be called an interrogator device, such as a terminal, a relay device, an Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) device, etc.

[0111] Figure 1C shows a third block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. In this scenario, the wireless communication system includes a core network device 2-1 and a reader / writer 2-2. The core network device 2-1 can be described in detail with reference to the example in Figure 1A, and the reader / writer 2-2 is specifically an access network device, which can also be described in detail with reference to the example in Figure 1A.

[0112] Figure 1D shows a fourth block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. In this scenario, the wireless communication system includes a core network device 3-1 (optional), a reader / writer 3-2, an intermediate device 3-3, and a terminal device (such as an AIoT device) 3-4. The core network device 3-1 can be specifically described as shown in the example in Figure 1A, and will not be repeated here. The reader / writer 3-2 can also be called an interrogator device, such as a terminal, relay device, or Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) device. The terminal device (such as an AIoT device) 3-4 refers to a device capable of responding to AIoT tasks. It should be noted that, as shown in Figure 1D, there may be terminal devices (such as AIoT devices) located at a considerable distance that cannot be covered by the access network device or the reader / writer. In this case, the coverage area can be extended using an intermediate device to communicate with the AIoT device; or the intermediate device can assist communication between the terminal device (such as an AIoT device) and other network devices (such as access network devices or readers / writers).

[0113] Figure 1E shows a fifth block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. In this scenario, the wireless communication system includes a core network device 4-1 (optional), an access network device 4-2, a reader / writer 4-3, and a terminal device (such as an AIoT device) 4-4. The core network device 4-1 and the access network device 4-2 can be specifically described with reference to the example in Figure 1A. The reader / writer can also be called an interrogator device, such as a terminal, relay device, or Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) device. The terminal device (such as an AIoT device) 4-4 refers to a device capable of responding to AIoT tasks. As shown in Figure 1E, the reader / writer can communicate directly with the terminal device (such as an AIoT device) without the need for an intermediate device. The wireless access network device can perform wireless resource control for the reader / writer device.

[0114] The operation execution method and association establishment method provided in this application embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through some embodiments and application scenarios.

[0115] As shown in Figure 2, this application embodiment provides an operation execution method, the method including:

[0116] Step 201: The terminal obtains the service area information of the first communication device;

[0117] Step 202: The terminal performs a first operation based on the service area information of the first communication device, the first operation including at least one of the following:

[0118] Entering the connected state;

[0119] Send a mobility registration update request;

[0120] Send first information, the first information including at least one of the following: information for instructing the terminal to move out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; the location information of the terminal; information of the target communication device; information for requesting the release of the terminal context; information for requesting the modification of the terminal context.

[0121] The target communication device is the first communication device currently serving the terminal.

[0122] In this embodiment of the application, optionally, "acquiring" can be understood as obtaining from local configuration, receiving, receiving after a request, obtaining through self-learning, inferring from unreceived information, or obtaining after processing received information. The specific method can be determined according to actual needs, and this embodiment of the application does not limit this. For example, when a certain capability indication information sent by the device is not received, it can be inferred that the device does not support that capability.

[0123] Optionally, the message can include a broadcast, a system message, or a response to a request.

[0124] Optionally, the first communication device is an Internet of Things (IoT) device, such as an AIoT functional network element.

[0125] In some implementations, if the terminal determines, based on the service area information of the first communication device, that the tracking area identifier (TAI) to which the terminal has moved is not in the TAI list configured by the network, the terminal needs to initiate a Mobility Registration Update (MRU) request to ensure that the network device can correctly page the terminal.

[0126] In some implementations, the information used to indicate that the terminal has moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device can be a bit indication. For example, when the indication bit value is 1, it indicates that the terminal has moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; when the indication bit value is 0 or not carried, it indicates that the terminal has not moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device. It is understood that, through the information used to indicate that the terminal has moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device, the first communication device can correctly know whether the terminal is in or not within the service area of ​​the first communication device, so as to correctly maintain the terminal context information.

[0127] As an optional embodiment, the service area information of the first communication device includes at least one of the following: a TAI list; a cell list; and a registration area (RA).

[0128] As another optional embodiment, the service area information of the first communication device is set by the first communication device based on the service area of ​​the second communication device, or the service area information of the first communication device is set by the first communication device based on the service area of ​​the first communication device and the service area of ​​the second communication device.

[0129] It is understandable that the service area information of the first communication device is set by the first communication device based on the service area of ​​the second communication device, and the service area of ​​the first communication device cannot exceed the original service area of ​​the first communication device. For example, if the service area of ​​the first communication device includes TA1 and TA2, and the service area of ​​the second communication device includes TA1, TA3, and TA4, then the first communication device can set its service area to TA1. Since TA3 and TA4 do not belong to the service area of ​​the first communication device, even if the service area of ​​the first communication device is set by the first communication device based on the service area of ​​the second communication device, the set service area of ​​the first communication device cannot exceed the original service area of ​​the first communication device, such as TA3 and TA4.

[0130] Optionally, the second communication device is a core network device, such as an AMF network element.

[0131] As another optional embodiment, the terminal's location information includes at least one of the following: Tracking Area (TA); Tracking Area Indicator (TAI); Cell Information; Registry Aspect (RA). It is understood that through the terminal's location information, the first or second communication device can correctly obtain the terminal's current location information to properly maintain the terminal context information. For example, if the terminal's current location information is not within the service area of ​​the first communication device, then the first communication device does not need to maintain the terminal context.

[0132] In some implementations, the information of the target communication device may include its identifier, address information, etc. It is understood that the terminal can send the target communication device's information to the first communication device. Through the target communication device, the first communication device can correctly identify the first communication device currently serving the terminal, thus correctly maintaining the terminal context information. For example, if the first communication device of the currently serving terminal has changed, the old first communication device no longer needs to maintain the terminal context, saving network resources.

[0133] In at least one embodiment of this application, step 202 includes:

[0134] If the location information of the terminal does not belong to the service area of ​​the first communication device, the terminal performs the first operation.

[0135] In some implementations, the terminal's location information does not belong to the service area of ​​the first communication device, which can also be understood as: the terminal's current location information is not within the service area of ​​the first communication device. For example, the terminal's current TAI is not within the service area of ​​the first communication device.

[0136] In at least one embodiment of this application, step 201 includes at least one of the following:

[0137] The terminal receives service area information from the first communication device.

[0138] The terminal receives service area information of the first communication device from the second communication device;

[0139] The terminal receives the service area information of the first communication device broadcast by the access network device;

[0140] The terminal receives a Tracking Area Identifier (TAI) list from the second communication device, the TAI list satisfying at least one of the following: the TAI list includes service area information of the first communication device; the TAI list is set based on the service area information of the first communication device; or the TAI list is set based on the service area information of the first communication device and the service area information of the second communication device.

[0141] Optionally, the terminal receiving service area information from the first communication device includes at least one of the following:

[0142] The terminal receives service area information of the first communication device sent to the terminal via a user plane connection.

[0143] The terminal receives service area information of the first communication device sent to the terminal via an AIoT connection.

[0144] The terminal receives service area information of the first communication device sent to the terminal by the first communication device through the second communication device (such as AMF);

[0145] The terminal receives the service area information of the first communication device sent to the terminal via SMF by the first communication device.

[0146] The terminal receives the service area information of the first communication device sent to the terminal by the first communication device through the access network device.

[0147] Optionally, the aforementioned user plane connection includes: Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions, Public Data Network (PDN) connections, and channels between the terminal and the user plane function. In some implementations, the user plane function may be a UPF.

[0148] In some implementations, the first communication device sends its service area information to the terminal via the AMF, including: the first communication device sending its service area information to the AMF, for example through the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer service, and the AMF then sending the service area information to the terminal via a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message, such as DL NAS TRANSPORT (Downlink Non-Access Stratum Transmission).

[0149] In some implementations, the first communication device sends its service area information to the terminal via the SMF, including: the first communication device sending its service area information to the SMF, and the SMF then sending the service area information to the terminal via NAS messages, such as PDU session command, PDU session establishment acceptance, or via extended protocol configuration option ePCO or protocol configuration option PCO.

[0150] In some implementations, the first communication device sends its service area information to the terminal through the access network device, including: the first communication device sending its service area information to the access network device, and the access network device then sending the service area information to the terminal via an RRC message.

[0151] In at least one optional embodiment of this application, the terminal context satisfies at least one of the following:

[0152] The terminal context is stored in the first communication device and the second communication device, or the terminal context is stored in the first communication device and the terminal.

[0153] The terminal context is an AIoT connection, or the terminal context is an AIoT association.

[0154] In some implementations, an AIoT connection or AIoT association can be understood as an AIoT connection or AIoT association used between an AIoT function (i.e., the first communication device) and a terminal reader to perform AIoT service operations (e.g., for a single inventory, write, read, etc.) from the application function AF. Multiple AIoT connections can be used between two identical endpoints to support multiple different AIoT service operation requests. Optionally, each AIoT connection has an AIoT connection ID identifier at the AIoT protocol level.

[0155] In at least one embodiment of this application, the method further includes:

[0156] The terminal establishes a first association, wherein the first association satisfies at least one of the following:

[0157] The first association is the association between the terminal and the first communication device;

[0158] The first association is the connection between the terminal and the first communication device;

[0159] The first association is established via AIoT protocol messages;

[0160] The signaling used to establish the first association includes at least one of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session, user plane connection, user plane data, non-access stratum (NAS) signaling, and radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0161] In some implementations, the first association may be an AIoT association.

[0162] Optionally, the terminal establishes a first association, including:

[0163] Under the condition that a first condition is met, the terminal establishes a first association; wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0164] After the terminal establishes or modifies a PDU session for AIoT;

[0165] A PDU session for AIoT has been established or already exists;

[0166] After the terminal is authorized to act as an intermediate node;

[0167] After the terminal determines that an AIoT operation needs to be performed;

[0168] After the terminal is moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device;

[0169] After the terminal receives the address information of the first communication device.

[0170] The address information includes at least one of the following:

[0171] Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN); IP address; port number; Uniform Resource Locator (URL); Uniform Resource Name (URN); Media Access Control (MAC) address; Ethernet address.

[0172] In some implementations, the PDU session for AIoT satisfies at least one of the following: having a dedicated data network name (DNN); having a dedicated S-NSSAI (Network Switching Identifier); the IP descriptor information in the traffic descriptor (TD) is information used to indicate the first communication device, such as the IP address of the first communication device; the domain descriptor information in the traffic descriptor (TD) is information used to indicate the first communication device, such as the FQDN of the first communication device.

[0173] In some implementations, the intermediate node can be a node located between the terminal and other devices (such as access network devices or readers), but is not limited to this. The intermediate node can extend the coverage of the other devices or assist communication between the terminal and other network devices (such as access network devices or readers), but is not limited to this. Optionally, the reader can communicate directly with the terminal device or communicate with the terminal device through an intermediate node. Sometimes, the first communication device is far from the terminal device, and the first communication device can extend the coverage of the reader through an intermediate node. In this case, the intermediate node is also called a reader or a component of the reader. In one implementation, the intermediate node is a device that the terminal needs to pass through for communication with the RAN, and the intermediate node may be one of the following: a terminal (such as a UE), an IAB, a relay, etc. Sometimes, the intermediate node can be a terminal reader.

[0174] In some implementations, the AIoT operation includes at least one of the following:

[0175] Take stock of tasks or operations;

[0176] Command tasks or operations;

[0177] Read the task or operation;

[0178] Write tasks or operations;

[0179] Activate the task or action;

[0180] To activate a task or action;

[0181] Notify of tasks or operations;

[0182] The task or operation of locating AIoT devices;

[0183] Identify the task or operation of the mask;

[0184] The task or operation reported by the device ID;

[0185] The command task or operation includes at least one of the following:

[0186] Read the task or operation;

[0187] Write tasks or operations;

[0188] Activate the task or action;

[0189] To activate a task or action;

[0190] Notify of tasks or operations;

[0191] The task or operation of locating AIoT devices;

[0192] A task or operation that broadcasts the AIoT device ID;

[0193] Security tasks or operations used for the encryption or integrity protection of signaling or data between AIoT devices or readers and the network.

[0194] In the embodiments of this application, AIoT operation is sometimes also expressed as AIoT task, AIoT service, AIoT service operation, etc., all of which express the same meaning.

[0195] In summary, in this embodiment of the application, the terminal performs a first operation based on the service area information of the first communication device. The first operation includes: entering a connected state; sending a mobility registration update request; sending first information; so that the first communication device or the second communication device can correctly maintain the terminal context, thereby ensuring that the first communication device or the second communication device can correctly page the terminal.

[0196] As shown in Figure 3, this application embodiment also provides an operation execution method, the method including:

[0197] Step 301, the second communication device performs a second operation, the second operation including at least one of the following:

[0198] Obtain the service area information of the first communication device;

[0199] Send the service area information of the first communication device to the terminal;

[0200] Set the TAI list according to the service area information of the first communication device;

[0201] Set up the TAI list based on the service area information of the first communication device and the service area information of the second communication device;

[0202] Determine the second piece of information;

[0203] Select the first communication device;

[0204] The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0205] The terminal may or may not have been moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device;

[0206] The terminal may or may not be moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device.

[0207] Optionally, the first communication device is an Internet of Things (IoT) device, such as an AIoT functional network element.

[0208] Optionally, the second communication device is a core network device, such as an AMF network element.

[0209] In some implementations, the service area of ​​the first communication device can be TA-level (i.e., deployed with TA as the smallest area unit), RA-level (i.e., deployed with RA as the smallest area unit), or cell-level (i.e., deployed with cell as the smallest area unit), without any specific limitation here.

[0210] Optionally, after the authorized terminal acts as an intermediate node, the second communication device obtains the service area information of the first communication device.

[0211] In some implementations, the TAI list may also be called a TA list, a list of tracking areas, etc., but in this application, it will be uniformly referred to as the TAI list. Setting the TAI list may include: allocating the TAI list and determining the TAI list. In the embodiments of this application, it will be uniformly referred to as setting the TA list.

[0212] In some implementations, the second communication device can configure a TAI list based on the service range of the first communication device and send it to the terminal. When in RM registered state, if the TA the terminal moves to is not in the network-configured TAI list, the terminal needs to initiate a mobility registration update to ensure the second communication device can correctly page the terminal. For example, the second communication device can set the TAI in its TAI list to be the same as the service range of the first communication device. It is understood that since the terminal needs to initiate a mobility registration update to the second communication device when the TA it moves to is not in the network-configured TAI list, even if the terminal moves out of the service range of the first communication device in idle state, the terminal still needs to send a mobility registration update to the second communication device. The second communication device can then correctly maintain the terminal context established with the first communication device based on the terminal's mobility registration update message.

[0213] Optionally, the second communication device configures a TAI list based on the service range of the first communication device and then sends the TAI list to the terminal. In some embodiments, the second communication device sends the TAI list to the terminal by registering and receiving a message.

[0214] In some implementations, the second communication device sends the service area of ​​the first communication device to the terminal via NAS messages. For example, the second communication device can send the service area to the terminal via a registration and acceptance message and a downlink NAS transmission message. It is understood that by sending the service area to the terminal via a registration and acceptance message, the terminal can immediately obtain the corresponding service area of ​​the first communication device after being authorized as an intermediary device, for subsequent mobility management. By sending the service area to the terminal via a downlink NAS transmission message, the service area of ​​the first communication device can be flexibly sent to the terminal based on the situation of the second communication device (e.g., the load of the second communication device) or the situation of the AIoT task (e.g., whether there is an AIoT task that the terminal needs to execute).

[0215] In some implementations, the second communication device can send the service area of ​​the first communication device to the terminal via an information element (IE) outside the TAI list. It is understood that sending the service area of ​​the first communication device to the terminal via an IE outside the TAI list does not affect the terminal's TAI list. That is, based on the TAI list, the terminal can move within the coverage area of ​​the second communication device; then, based on the service area of ​​the first communication device, it considers whether it is still within the service area of ​​the first communication device. In this way, the mobility of AIoT does not affect the terminal's mobility with the second communication device, effectively reducing the complexity of the terminal implementation.

[0216] As an optional embodiment, the second communication device determines the second information, including:

[0217] The second communication device determines the second information based on the tracking area (TA) where the terminal is located.

[0218] In some implementations, if the TA where the terminal is located is not within the service area of ​​the first communication device, then it is determined that the terminal has moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; or, if the TA where the terminal is located is within the service area of ​​the first communication device, then it is determined that the terminal has not moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device.

[0219] In some implementations, if the TA where the terminal is located belongs to the service area of ​​the first communication device, then it is determined that the terminal has moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device; or, if the TA where the terminal is located does not belong to the service area of ​​the first communication device, then it is determined that the terminal has not moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device.

[0220] In at least one embodiment of this application, the second operation further includes at least one of the following:

[0221] Release the terminal context;

[0222] Modify the terminal context;

[0223] Establish a terminal context.

[0224] The second communication device performs a second operation, including:

[0225] Upon receiving a mobility registration update request from a terminal, the second communication device performs at least one of the following: releasing the terminal context, modifying the terminal context, or establishing a terminal context.

[0226] or,

[0227] If the second information indicates that the terminal moves out of the service area of ​​the first communication device, the second communication device performs at least one of releasing the terminal context and modifying the terminal context.

[0228] or,

[0229] If the second information indicates that the terminal has moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device, the second communication device performs at least one of establishing a terminal context and modifying the terminal context.

[0230] Optionally, the second communication device performs the release of the terminal context, including: the second communication device sending a message to the first communication device requesting the release of the terminal context; and the first communication device sending a message to the second communication device in response to whether the release was successful or failed. Optionally, the message requesting the release of the terminal context includes information for identifying the terminal; and information for identifying the terminal context.

[0231] Optionally, the second communication device performs the establishment of a terminal context, including: the second communication device sending a message to the first communication device to request the establishment of a terminal context; and the first communication device sending a message to the second communication device in response to whether the establishment was successful or failed. Optionally, the message requesting the establishment of a terminal context includes information for identifying the terminal; and information for identifying the terminal context.

[0232] Optionally, the second communication device performs modification of the first context, including: the second communication device sending a message to the first communication device requesting modification of the terminal context; and the first communication device sending a message to the second communication device responding to whether the modification was successful or failed. Optionally, the message requesting modification of the terminal context includes: information for identifying the terminal; information for identifying the first communication device being moved in; and information for identifying the terminal context.

[0233] In some implementations, the information used to identify the terminal context may be: a context identifier, an event identifier, or an association identifier.

[0234] Understandably, if the terminal's TAI list is configured based on the service range of the first communication device, the second communication device can determine that the terminal has moved out of the service range of the first communication device upon receiving a mobility registration update request from the terminal. Therefore, the second communication device needs to correctly maintain the terminal context, i.e., perform the second operation.

[0235] Understandably, if a terminal moves to the coverage area of ​​a new first communication device, it will need to acquire or execute AIoT tasks within the new first communication device. Therefore, releasing the terminal context with the old first communication device can help the second communication device save network resources.

[0236] Understandably, if a terminal moves to the coverage area of ​​a new first communication device, it will need to acquire or execute AIoT tasks within that new first communication device. Therefore, establishing a terminal context with the new first communication device helps the second communication device correctly maintain its terminal context information.

[0237] Understandably, if a terminal moves to the coverage area of ​​a new first communication device, it will need to acquire or execute AIoT tasks within the new first communication device. In some implementations, the second communication device can save network resources by modifying the terminal context between itself and the old first communication device to the terminal context between itself and the new first communication device.

[0238] In at least one embodiment of this application, the second communication device obtains the service area information of the first communication device, including:

[0239] The second communication device obtains the service area information of the first communication device through at least one of the following:

[0240] First communication equipment;

[0241] Network storage function (NRF) network element;

[0242] Local configuration information;

[0243] Operations, maintenance, and management (OAM) configuration.

[0244] In some implementations, the local configuration information includes: the service area of ​​the first communication device; and information for associating the service area of ​​the first communication device with location information. It is understood that the first communication device can store its service area, or the association between its service area and location information, in a second communication device. Since the deployment of the first communication device is relatively fixed, the second communication device can obtain the service area of ​​the first communication device without interacting with other network elements through local configuration.

[0245] Optionally, obtaining information from the NRF includes: the second communication device sending a first request message to the NRF; and the NRF sending a first response message to the second communication device, the first response message including: information for identifying the first communication device; and the service range of the first communication device. In some embodiments, the first request message is used to discover the first communication device. In some embodiments, the first request message is an Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request, and the first response message is an Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Response. Optionally, the method further includes: the first communication device sending a registration message to the NRF, wherein the registration message includes the service range of the first communication device. It is understood that if the first communication device obtains its service range from the NRF, then the first communication device also needs to register with the NRF and carry the service range of the first communication device in the registration message.

[0246] Optionally, obtaining information from the first communication device includes: the AMF sending a second request message to the first communication device; the first communication device sending a second response message to the AMF, the second response message including: information for identifying the first communication device; and the service range of the first communication device. In some embodiments, the second request message is used to establish a terminal context. In some embodiments, the information for identifying the first communication device may be an identifier of the first communication device.

[0247] In at least one embodiment of this application, the terminal context includes at least one of the following:

[0248] Information used to identify the terminal;

[0249] Information used to identify the second communication device;

[0250] Information used to identify the first communication device;

[0251] The service scope of the first communication equipment;

[0252] Terminal address information;

[0253] Address information of the first communication device.

[0254] The address information includes at least one of the following: IP address; port number; FQDN; URL; URN; MAC address.

[0255] In at least one embodiment of this application, the second communication device selects the first communication device, including:

[0256] The second communication device selects the first communication device based on third information; the third information includes at least one of the following:

[0257] Service area information of the first communication device;

[0258] Location information of the second communication device;

[0259] Terminal location information;

[0260] Information used to identify the first communication device.

[0261] In some implementations, the information used to identify the first communication device may be the identifier of the first communication device.

[0262] Optionally, the location information includes at least one of the following: Registration Area (RA); Tracking Area (TA); Tracking Area Identifier (TAI); Tracking Area Code (TAC); Cell Information. In some embodiments, the cell information includes: Cell Identifier and Cell Location.

[0263] In some implementations, when the first response message includes at least one piece of information for identifying the first communication device, the second communication device selects AIoTF based on at least one of the following: the location information of the second communication device; the location information of the terminal; the service area of ​​the first communication device; and the information for identifying the first communication device.

[0264] In some implementations, the selection of the first communication device by the second communication device occurs before the second communication device acquires the service range of the first communication device. For example, the second communication device may select a first communication device first, and then acquire the service range of the first communication device from the first communication device.

[0265] In some implementations, the selection of the first communication device by the second communication device occurs after the second communication device has obtained the service range of the first communication device. For example, the service range of the first communication device may have been pre-configured in the second communication device. The second communication device can select the first communication device based on the pre-configured service range of the first communication device. Alternatively, the second communication device may obtain the service range of the first communication device through methods such as NRF querying or obtaining it from the first communication device. Based on the service range of the first communication device, the second communication device selects a first communication device. For example, in some implementations, the second communication device determines that the service range of the first communication device is the same as that of the second communication device, such as being in the same TA (Transportation Area). The second communication device can then select the corresponding first communication device based on this.

[0266] In summary, in the embodiments of this application, the second communication device performs a second operation, which includes at least one of the following: obtaining service area information of the first communication device; sending the service area information of the first communication device to the terminal; setting a TAI list according to the service area information of the first communication device; determining second information; selecting the first communication device; so that the second communication device can correctly maintain the terminal context, thereby ensuring that the second communication device can correctly page the terminal.

[0267] As shown in Figure 4, this application embodiment also provides an operation execution method, the method including:

[0268] Step 401, the first communication device performs a third operation, the third operation including at least one of the following:

[0269] Send the service area information of the first communication device;

[0270] Set the service area information of the first communication device according to the service area information of the second communication device;

[0271] The service area information of the first communication device is set according to the service area information of the first communication device and the service area information of the second communication device;

[0272] Determine the second piece of information;

[0273] The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0274] The terminal may or may not have been moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device;

[0275] The terminal may or may not be moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device.

[0276] Optionally, the first communication device is an Internet of Things (IoT) device, such as an AIoT functional network element.

[0277] Optionally, the second communication device is a core network device, such as an AMF network element.

[0278] In some implementations, the service area of ​​the first communication device can be TA-level (i.e., deployed with TA as the smallest area unit), RA-level (i.e., deployed with RA as the smallest area unit), or cell-level (i.e., deployed with cell as the smallest area unit), without any specific limitation here.

[0279] In some implementations, sending the service area information of the first communication device includes sending the service area information of the first communication device to the terminal.

[0280] It is understandable that the service area information of the first communication device is set by the first communication device based on the service area of ​​the second communication device, and the service area of ​​the first communication device cannot exceed the original service area of ​​the first communication device. For example, if the service area of ​​the first communication device includes TA1 and TA2, and the service area of ​​the second communication device includes TA1, TA3, and TA4, then the first communication device can set its service area to TA1. Since TA3 and TA4 do not belong to the service area of ​​the first communication device, even if the service area of ​​the first communication device is set by the first communication device based on the service area of ​​the second communication device, the set service area of ​​the first communication device cannot exceed the original service area of ​​the first communication device, such as TA3 and TA4.

[0281] Optionally, before the first communication device sends its service area information to the terminal, the method further includes: the first communication device establishing an AIoT connection with the terminal. In some embodiments, an AIoT connection can be understood as: an AIoT connection used between an AIoT function (i.e., the first communication device) and a terminal reader to perform AIoT service operations (e.g., for a single inventory, write, read, etc.) from the application function AF. Multiple AIoT connections can be used between the same endpoint to support multiple different AIoT service operation requests. Each AIoT connection is identified by an AIoT connection ID at the AIoT protocol level.

[0282] Optionally, the first communication device sends its service area information to the terminal, including at least one of the following:

[0283] The first communication device sends the service area information of the first communication device to the terminal through the user plane connection;

[0284] The first communication device sends its service area information to the terminal via an AIoT connection.

[0285] The first communication device sends the service area information of the first communication device to the terminal through the second communication device (such as AMF);

[0286] The first communication device sends its service area information to the terminal via SMF;

[0287] The first communication device sends its service area information to the terminal through the access network device.

[0288] Optionally, the aforementioned user plane connection includes: Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions, Public Data Network (PDN) connections, and channels between the terminal and the user plane function. In some implementations, the user plane function may be a UPF.

[0289] In some implementations, the first communication device sends its service area information to the terminal via the AMF, including: the first communication device sending its service area information to the AMF, for example through the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer service, and the AMF then sending the service area information to the terminal via a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message, such as DL NAS TRANSPORT (Downlink Non-Access Stratum Transmission).

[0290] In some implementations, the first communication device sends its service area information to the terminal via the SMF, including: the first communication device sending its service area information to the SMF, and the SMF then sending the service area information to the terminal via NAS messages, such as PDU session commands or PDU session establishment acceptance, or via the evolved physical coding sublayer ePCO or physical coding sublayer PCO.

[0291] In some implementations, the first communication device sends its service area information to the terminal through the access network device, including: the first communication device sending its service area information to the access network device, and the access network device then sending the service area information to the terminal via an RRC message.

[0292] In at least one embodiment of this application, the third operation further includes at least one of the following:

[0293] Release the terminal context;

[0294] Modify the terminal context;

[0295] Establish a terminal context.

[0296] Optionally, the first communication device performs the release of the terminal context, including: the first communication device sending a message to the second communication device requesting the release of the terminal context; and the second communication device sending a message to the first communication device in response to whether the release was successful or failed. Optionally, the message requesting the release of the terminal context includes information for identifying the terminal; and information for identifying the terminal context.

[0297] Optionally, the first communication device performs the establishment of a terminal context, including: the first communication device sending a message to the second communication device to request the establishment of a terminal context; and the second communication device sending a message to the first communication device in response to whether the establishment was successful or failed. Optionally, the message requesting the establishment of a terminal context includes information for identifying the terminal; and information for identifying the terminal context.

[0298] Optionally, the first communication device performs modification of the first context, including: the first communication device sending a message to the second communication device requesting modification of the terminal context; and the second communication device sending a message to the first communication device responding to whether the modification was successful or failed. Optionally, the message requesting modification of the terminal context includes: information for identifying the terminal; information for identifying the first communication device being moved in; and information for identifying the terminal context.

[0299] In some implementations, the information used to identify the terminal context may be: a context identifier, an event identifier, or an association identifier.

[0300] In some implementations, when a terminal moves to the coverage area of ​​another first communication device, for example, from the coverage area of ​​AIoTF-1 to the coverage area of ​​AIoTF-2, the AMF needs to perform a terminal context release operation with AIoTF-1 and a terminal context establishment operation with AIoTF-2 to ensure that the terminal context can be correctly identified in the network. Alternatively, the AMF can modify the terminal context, for example, changing the terminal context between the AMF and AIoTF-1 to the terminal context between the AMF and AIoTF-2, to save AMF resources.

[0301] Understandably, since the mobility of the terminal may cause changes in the second communication device, the first communication device needs to perform operations to maintain the terminal context so that the terminal context can be correctly identified in the network.

[0302] Optionally, step 401 includes:

[0303] If a second condition is met, the first communication device performs a second operation; wherein the second condition includes at least one of the following:

[0304] The first communication device receives the first information sent by the terminal;

[0305] The first communication device determines that the location of the terminal does not fall within the service area of ​​the first communication device.

[0306] The first communication device determines the change of the second communication device serving the terminal;

[0307] The first information includes at least one of the following: information for instructing the terminal to move out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; the location information of the terminal; the information of the target communication device; information for requesting the release of the terminal context; information for requesting the modification of the terminal context; and the target communication device is the first communication device currently serving the terminal.

[0308] Optionally, the terminal context satisfies at least one of the following:

[0309] The terminal context includes at least one of the following: information for identifying the terminal; information for identifying the first communication device; information for identifying the second communication device; the service range of the first communication device; the address information of the terminal; and the address information of the first communication device.

[0310] The terminal context is an AIoT connection;

[0311] The terminal context is AIoT associated.

[0312] Understandably, after the first communication device determines that the terminal location information does not belong to the service area of ​​the first communication device, the first communication device can perform a second operation to properly maintain the terminal context.

[0313] It is understandable that after the first communication device determines that the second communication device serving the terminal has changed, the first communication device can perform a second operation to properly maintain the terminal context.

[0314] In summary, in the embodiments of this application, the first communication device performs a third operation, which includes at least one of the following: sending the service area information of the first communication device; setting the service area information of the first communication device according to the service area information of the second communication device; determining the second information; so that the first communication device can correctly maintain the terminal context, thereby ensuring that the first communication device can correctly page the terminal.

[0315] In order to correctly obtain the AIoT operations sent by the first communication device, the terminal needs to establish an association with the first communication device. How the terminal establishes an association with the first communication device is an urgent problem to be solved in related technologies.

[0316] As shown in Figure 5, this application embodiment also provides an association establishment method, the method including:

[0317] Step 501, the terminal establishes a first association, wherein the first association satisfies at least one of the following:

[0318] The first association is the association between the terminal and the first communication device;

[0319] The first association is the connection between the terminal and the first communication device;

[0320] The first association is established via AIoT protocol messages;

[0321] The signaling used to establish the first association includes at least one of PDU session, user plane connection, user plane data, NAS signaling, and RRC signaling.

[0322] Optionally, the first communication device is an Internet of Things (IoT) device, such as an AIoT functional network element.

[0323] Optionally, the terminal establishes a first association, including:

[0324] Under the condition that a first condition is met, the terminal establishes a first association; wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0325] After the terminal establishes or modifies a PDU session for AIoT;

[0326] A PDU session for AIoT has been established or already exists;

[0327] After the terminal is authorized to act as an intermediate node;

[0328] After the terminal determines that an AIoT operation needs to be performed;

[0329] After the terminal is moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device;

[0330] After the terminal receives the address information of the first communication device.

[0331] The address information includes at least one of the following:

[0332] Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN); IP address; port number; Uniform Resource Locator (URL); Uniform Resource Name (URN); Media Access Control (MAC) address; Ethernet address.

[0333] In some implementations, the first association may be an AIoT association or an AIoT connection.

[0334] In some implementations, an AIoT connection or AIoT association can be understood as: an AIoT connection or AIoT association is used between an AIoT function (i.e., the first communication device) and a terminal reader to perform AIoT service operations (e.g., for a single inventory, write, read, etc.) from the application function AF. Multiple AIoT connections can be used between two identical endpoints to support multiple different AIoT service operation requests. Optionally, each AIoT connection has an AIoT connection ID identifier at the AIoT protocol level. In some implementations, the PDU session for AIoT satisfies at least one of the following: having a dedicated data network name (DNN); having a dedicated S-NSSAI (Network Switching Identifier); the IP descriptor information in the traffic descriptor TD is information used to indicate the first communication device, such as the IP address of the first communication device; the domain descriptor information in the traffic descriptor TD is information used to indicate the first communication device, such as the FQDN of the first communication device.

[0335] Understandably, by establishing a first association, the terminal allows the first communication device to determine which terminals it is associated with. When the first communication device needs to communicate with a terminal, for example, when the first communication device needs the terminal to perform an AIoT operation, the first communication device can determine which terminals are within its service range and which terminals can perform subsequent operations (e.g., determining which devices can perform AIoT operations). It then communicates with the appropriate terminals to correctly execute subsequent operations (e.g., determining the terminal to perform the AIoT operation and executing the AIoT operation).

[0336] In some implementations, the intermediate node can be a node located between the terminal and other devices (such as access network devices or readers), but is not limited to this. The intermediate node can extend the coverage of the other devices or assist communication between the terminal and other network devices (such as access network devices or readers), but is not limited to this. Optionally, the reader can communicate directly with the terminal device or communicate with the terminal device through an intermediate node. Sometimes, the first communication device is far from the terminal device, and the first communication device can extend the coverage of the reader through an intermediate node. In this case, the intermediate node is also called a reader or a component of the reader. In one implementation, the intermediate node is a device that the terminal needs to pass through for communication with the RAN, and the intermediate node may be one of the following: a terminal (such as a UE), an IAB, a relay, etc.

[0337] In some implementations, the AIoT operation includes at least one of the following:

[0338] Take stock of tasks or operations;

[0339] Command tasks or operations;

[0340] Read the task or operation;

[0341] Write tasks or operations;

[0342] Activate the task or action;

[0343] To activate a task or action;

[0344] Notify of tasks or operations;

[0345] The task or operation of locating AIoT devices;

[0346] Identify the task or operation of the mask;

[0347] The task or operation reported by the device ID;

[0348] The command task or operation includes at least one of the following:

[0349] Read the task or operation;

[0350] Write tasks or operations;

[0351] Activate the task or action;

[0352] To activate a task or action;

[0353] Notify of tasks or operations;

[0354] The task or operation of locating AIoT devices;

[0355] A task or operation that broadcasts the AIoT device ID;

[0356] Security tasks or operations used for the encryption or integrity protection of signaling or data between AIoT devices or readers and the network.

[0357] In summary, in the embodiments of this application, the terminal establishes a first association, which satisfies at least one of the following: the first association is an association between the terminal and the first communication device; the first association is a connection between the terminal and the first communication device; the first association is established through an AIoT protocol message; the signaling used to establish the first association includes at least one of PDU session, user plane connection, user plane data, NAS signaling, and RRC signaling; so that the first communication device or the second communication device can correctly maintain the terminal context, thereby ensuring that the first communication device or the second communication device can correctly page the terminal.

[0358] Understandably, by establishing a first association, the terminal allows the first communication device to determine which terminals it is associated with. When the first communication device needs to communicate with a terminal, for example, when the first communication device needs the terminal to perform an AIoT operation, the first communication device can determine which terminals are within its service range and which terminals can perform subsequent operations (e.g., determining which devices can perform AIoT operations). It then communicates with the appropriate terminals to correctly execute subsequent operations (e.g., determining the terminal to perform the AIoT operation and executing the AIoT operation).

[0359] To better describe the above operation execution methods and association establishment methods, several examples are provided below.

[0360] Example 1, as shown in Figure 6:

[0361] Step 1: The terminal (hereinafter referred to as UE) moves to the coverage area of ​​the AMF, for example, to perform a registration process (such as initial registration, mobility registration update, etc.). The UE sends a registration request message to the AMF. Optionally, the UE carries AIoT capabilities in the registration request message. In some implementations, AIoT capabilities indicate the ability to act as an intermediate node. Optionally, based on the AIoT capabilities, the AMF authorizes the UE to act as an intermediate node.

[0362] Step 2: AMF obtains the service area of ​​the AIoT function (hereinafter referred to as AIoTF);

[0363] Step 3: The AMF and AIoTF establish a UE context. Optionally, the UE context includes at least one of the following: information for identifying the UE; information for identifying the AMF; information for identifying the AIoTF; the service range of the AIoTF; the address information of the UE; and the address information of the AIoTF.

[0364] In some implementations, step 3 may occur before step 2.

[0365] Step 4: The AMF configures the TAI list based on the service scope of the AIoTF; for example, the AMF sends a registration acceptance message to the UE.

[0366] Example 2, as shown in Figure 7:

[0367] Step 1: The terminal (hereinafter referred to as UE) moves to the coverage area of ​​the AMF, for example, to perform a registration process (such as initial registration, mobility registration update, etc.). The UE sends a registration request message to the AMF. Optionally, the UE carries AIoT capabilities in the registration request message. In some implementations, AIoT capabilities indicate the ability to act as an intermediate node. Optionally, based on the AIoT capabilities, the AMF authorizes the UE to act as an intermediate node.

[0368] Step 2: The AMF and AIoTF establish a UE context. Optionally, the UE context includes at least one of the following: information for identifying the UE; information for identifying the AMF; information for identifying the AIoTF; the service range of the AIoTF; the address information of the UE; and the address information of the AIoTF.

[0369] Step 3, AMF responds to Step 1 by sending a registration acceptance message to the UE.

[0370] Step 4: AIoTF sends the AIoTF's service area to the UE.

[0371] Step 5: Based on the service area of ​​the AIoTF, maintain the UE context; optionally, the UE performs at least one of the following: enters a connected state; sends first information to the AIoTF or AMF. The first information includes at least one of the following: information indicating that the UE is not in the service area of ​​the AIoTF; information indicating the UE's location information; information indicating the AIoTF.

[0372] Example 3, as shown in Figure 8:

[0373] Step 1: The terminal (hereinafter referred to as UE) moves to the coverage area of ​​the AMF, for example, to perform a registration process (such as initial registration, mobility registration update, etc.). The UE sends a registration request message to the AMF. Optionally, the UE carries AIoT capabilities in the registration request message. In some implementations, AIoT capabilities indicate the ability to act as an intermediate node. Optionally, based on the AIoT capabilities, the AMF authorizes the UE to act as an intermediate node.

[0374] Step 2: AMF obtains the service area of ​​the AIoT function (hereinafter referred to as AIoTF);

[0375] Step 3: The AMF and AIoTF establish a UE context. Optionally, the UE context includes at least one of the following: information for identifying the UE; information for identifying the AMF; information for identifying the AIoTF; the service range of the AIoTF; the address information of the UE; and the address information of the AIoTF.

[0376] Step 4: AMF sends a registration acceptance message to UE, which carries the service area of ​​AIoTF.

[0377] Step 5: Based on the service area of ​​the AIoTF, maintain the UE context; optionally, the UE performs at least one of the following: enters a connected state; sends first information to the AIoTF or AMF. The first information includes at least one of the following: information indicating that the UE is not in the service area of ​​the AIoTF; information indicating the UE's location information; information indicating the AIoTF.

[0378] The operation execution method or association establishment method provided in the embodiments of this application can be executed by an operation execution device or an association establishment device. This embodiment of the application uses an operation execution device or an association establishment device to execute the operation execution method or association establishment method as an example to illustrate the operation execution device or association establishment device provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0379] This application provides an operation execution device or association establishment device. As an example, the operation execution device or association establishment device may be a communication device or a component in a communication device, such as a chip. The communication device may be a terminal, a network-side device, or a server, etc. Exemplarily, the terminal may include, but is not limited to, the type of terminal 11 listed above, and the network-side device may include, but is not limited to, the type of network-side device 12 listed above. This application does not impose specific limitations.

[0380] The operation execution device or association establishment device includes a receiving module, a transmitting module, and a processing module. These modules can be implemented in software or hardware. When implemented in hardware, the processing module can be implemented by a processor. For example, the processor can include general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), microprocessor, Digital Signal Processor (DSP), Artificial Intelligence (AI) processor, Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Network Processor (NP), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, gate circuits, transistors, discrete hardware components, etc. The receiving and transmitting modules can be implemented by a communication interface, which can include one or more of the following: transceiver, pins, circuits, bus, radio frequency unit, etc.

[0381] Specifically, referring to Figure 9, when the operation execution device is a terminal or a component within a terminal, the operation execution device includes:

[0382] The first receiving module 901 is used to obtain the service area information of the first communication device;

[0383] The first processing module 902 is configured to perform a first operation based on the service area information of the first communication device, wherein the first operation includes at least one of the following:

[0384] Entering the connected state;

[0385] Send a mobility registration update request;

[0386] Send first information, the first information including at least one of the following: information for instructing the terminal to move out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; the location information of the terminal; information of the target communication device; information for requesting the release of the terminal context; information for requesting the modification of the terminal context.

[0387] The target communication device is the first communication device currently serving the terminal.

[0388] As an optional embodiment, the service area information of the first communication device is set by the first communication device based on the service area of ​​the second communication device, or the service area information of the first communication device is set by the first communication device based on the service area of ​​the first communication device and the service area of ​​the second communication device.

[0389] As an optional embodiment, the first receiving module is further configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0390] Receive service area information of the first communication device from the first communication device;

[0391] Receive service area information of the first communication device from the second communication device;

[0392] Receive service area information of the first communication device broadcast from the access network device;

[0393] The device receives a Tracking Area Identifier (TAI) list from a second communication device, the TAI list satisfying at least one of the following: the TAI list includes service area information of the first communication device; the TAI list is set based on the service area information of the first communication device; or the TAI list is set based on the service area information of the first communication device and the service area information of the second communication device.

[0394] As an optional embodiment, the first processing module is further configured to:

[0395] If the location information of the terminal does not belong to the service area of ​​the first communication device, the first operation is performed.

[0396] As an optional embodiment, the terminal context satisfies at least one of the following:

[0397] The terminal context is stored in the first communication device and the second communication device;

[0398] The terminal context is stored in the first communication device and the terminal;

[0399] The terminal context is an environmental Internet of Things (AIoT) connection;

[0400] The terminal context is AIoT associated.

[0401] As an optional embodiment, the service area information of the first communication device includes at least one of the following: a TAI list; a cell list; and a registration area (RA).

[0402] As an optional embodiment, the location information of the terminal includes at least one of the following: Tracking Area (TA); Tracking Area Information (TAI); Cell Information; Registry Information (RA).

[0403] As an optional embodiment, the apparatus further includes:

[0404] The second processing module is used to establish a first association, wherein the first association satisfies at least one of the following:

[0405] The first association is the association between the terminal and the first communication device;

[0406] The first association is the connection between the terminal and the first communication device;

[0407] The first association is established via AIoT protocol messages;

[0408] The signaling used to establish the first association includes at least one of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session, user plane connection, user plane data, non-access stratum (NAS) signaling, and radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0409] As an optional embodiment, the second processing module is further configured to:

[0410] A first association is established if a first condition is met; wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0411] After the terminal establishes or modifies a PDU session for AIoT;

[0412] A PDU session for AIoT has been established or already exists;

[0413] After the terminal is authorized to act as an intermediate node;

[0414] After the terminal determines that an AIoT operation needs to be performed;

[0415] After the terminal is moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device;

[0416] After the terminal receives the address information of the first communication device.

[0417] As an optional embodiment, the address information includes at least one of the following:

[0418] Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN); IP address; port number; Uniform Resource Locator (URL); Uniform Resource Name (URN); Media Access Control (MAC) address; Ethernet address.

[0419] In this embodiment, the terminal performs a first operation based on the service area information of the first communication device. The first operation includes: entering a connected state; sending a mobility registration update request; sending first information; so that the first communication device or the second communication device can correctly maintain the terminal context, thereby ensuring that the first communication device or the second communication device can correctly page the terminal.

[0420] It should be noted that the operation execution device provided in this application embodiment is a device capable of executing the above operation execution method. Therefore, all embodiments of the above operation execution method are applicable to this device and can achieve the same or similar beneficial effects, which will not be repeated here.

[0421] Specifically, referring to Figure 10, when the association establishment device is a terminal or a component within a terminal, the association establishment device includes:

[0422] The fifth processing module 1001 is used to establish a first association, wherein the first association satisfies at least one of the following:

[0423] The first association is the association between the terminal and the first communication device;

[0424] The first association is the connection between the terminal and the first communication device;

[0425] The first association is established via AIoT protocol messages;

[0426] The signaling used to establish the first association includes at least one of PDU session, user plane connection, user plane data, NAS signaling, and RRC signaling.

[0427] As an optional embodiment, the fifth processing module is further configured to:

[0428] A first association is established if a first condition is met; wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0429] After the terminal establishes or modifies a PDU session for AIoT;

[0430] A PDU session for AIoT has been established or already exists;

[0431] After the terminal is authorized to act as an intermediate node;

[0432] After the terminal determines that an AIoT operation needs to be performed;

[0433] After the terminal is moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device;

[0434] After the terminal receives the address information of the first communication device.

[0435] As an optional embodiment, the address information includes at least one of the following:

[0436] FQDN; IP address; port number; URL; URN; MAC address; Ethernet address.

[0437] In this embodiment, the terminal establishes a first association, which satisfies at least one of the following: the first association is an association between the terminal and a first communication device; the first association is a connection between the terminal and the first communication device; the first association is established through an AIoT protocol message; the signaling used to establish the first association includes at least one of PDU session, user plane connection, user plane data, NAS signaling, and RRC signaling; so that the first communication device or the second communication device can correctly maintain the terminal context, thereby ensuring that the first communication device or the second communication device can correctly page the terminal.

[0438] Understandably, by establishing a first association, the terminal allows the first communication device to determine which terminals it is associated with. When the first communication device needs to communicate with a terminal, for example, when the first communication device needs the terminal to perform an AIoT operation, the first communication device can determine which terminals are within its service range and which terminals can perform subsequent operations (e.g., determining which devices can perform AIoT operations). It then communicates with the appropriate terminals to correctly execute subsequent operations (e.g., determining the terminal to perform the AIoT operation and executing the AIoT operation).

[0439] It should be noted that the association establishment device provided in this application embodiment is a device capable of executing the above association establishment method. Therefore, all embodiments of the above association establishment method are applicable to this device and can achieve the same or similar beneficial effects, which will not be repeated here.

[0440] Referring to Figure 11, when the operation execution device is a network-side device or a component within a network-side device, the operation execution device includes:

[0441] The third processing module 1101 is configured to perform a second operation, the second operation including at least one of the following:

[0442] Obtain the service area information of the first communication device;

[0443] Send the service area information of the first communication device to the terminal;

[0444] Set the TAI list according to the service area information of the first communication device;

[0445] Set up the TAI list based on the service area information of the first communication device and the service area information of the second communication device;

[0446] Determine the second piece of information;

[0447] Select the first communication device;

[0448] The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0449] The terminal may or may not have been moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device;

[0450] The terminal may or may not be moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device.

[0451] As an optional embodiment, the third processing module is further configured to:

[0452] The second information is determined based on the tracking area (TA) where the terminal is located.

[0453] As an optional embodiment, the second operation further includes at least one of the following:

[0454] Release the terminal context;

[0455] Modify the terminal context;

[0456] Establish a terminal context.

[0457] As an optional embodiment, the third processing module is further configured to:

[0458] Upon receiving a mobility registration update request from a terminal, perform at least one of the following: release terminal context, modify terminal context, or create terminal context;

[0459] or,

[0460] If the second information indicates that the terminal has moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device, at least one of releasing the terminal context and modifying the terminal context shall be performed;

[0461] or,

[0462] If the second information indicates that the terminal has moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device, at least one of establishing a terminal context and modifying the terminal context is performed.

[0463] As an optional embodiment, the third processing module is further configured to:

[0464] The service area information of the first communication device is obtained by at least one of the following:

[0465] First communication equipment;

[0466] Network storage function (NRF) network element;

[0467] Local configuration information;

[0468] Operations, maintenance, and management (OAM) configuration.

[0469] As an optional embodiment, the service area information of the first communication device is obtained through at least one of the following:

[0470] First communication equipment;

[0471] Network storage function (NRF) network element;

[0472] Local configuration information;

[0473] Operations, maintenance, and management (OAM) configuration.

[0474] As an optional embodiment, the third processing module is further configured to:

[0475] Based on third information, a first communication device is selected; the third information includes at least one of the following:

[0476] Service area information of the first communication device;

[0477] Location information of the second communication device;

[0478] Terminal location information;

[0479] Information used to identify the first communication device.

[0480] In this embodiment, the second communication device performs a second operation, which includes at least one of the following: obtaining service area information of the first communication device; sending the service area information of the first communication device to the terminal; setting a TAI list based on the service area information of the first communication device; determining second information; selecting the first communication device; so that the second communication device can correctly maintain the terminal context, thereby ensuring that the second communication device can correctly page the terminal.

[0481] It should be noted that the operation execution device provided in this application embodiment is a device capable of executing the above operation execution method. Therefore, all embodiments of the above operation execution method are applicable to this device and can achieve the same or similar beneficial effects, which will not be repeated here.

[0482] Referring to Figure 12, when the operation execution device is a network-side device or a component within a network-side device, the operation execution device includes:

[0483] The fourth processing module 1201 is used to perform a third operation, which includes at least one of the following:

[0484] Send the service area information of the first communication device;

[0485] Set the service area information of the first communication device according to the service area information of the second communication device;

[0486] The service area information of the first communication device is set according to the service area information of the first communication device and the service area information of the second communication device;

[0487] Determine the second piece of information;

[0488] The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0489] The terminal may or may not have been moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device;

[0490] The terminal may or may not be moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device.

[0491] As an optional embodiment, the third operation further includes at least one of the following:

[0492] Release the terminal context;

[0493] Modify the terminal context;

[0494] Establish a terminal context.

[0495] As an optional embodiment, the fourth processing module is further configured to:

[0496] If the second condition is met, the second operation is performed; wherein the second condition includes at least one of the following:

[0497] The first communication device receives the first information sent by the terminal;

[0498] The first communication device determines that the location of the terminal does not fall within the service area of ​​the first communication device.

[0499] The first communication device determines the change of the second communication device serving the terminal;

[0500] The first information includes at least one of the following: information for instructing the terminal to move out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; the location information of the terminal; the information of the target communication device; information for requesting the release of the terminal context; information for requesting the modification of the terminal context; and the target communication device is the first communication device currently serving the terminal.

[0501] As an optional embodiment, the terminal context satisfies at least one of the following:

[0502] The terminal context includes at least one of the following: information for identifying the terminal; information for identifying the first communication device; information for identifying the second communication device; the service range of the first communication device; the address information of the terminal; and the address information of the first communication device.

[0503] The terminal context is an AIoT connection;

[0504] The terminal context is AIoT associated.

[0505] In this embodiment of the application, the first communication device performs a third operation, which includes at least one of the following: sending the service area information of the first communication device; setting the service area information of the first communication device according to the service area information of the second communication device; determining second information; so that the first communication device can correctly maintain the terminal context, thereby ensuring that the first communication device can correctly page the terminal.

[0506] It should be noted that the operation execution device provided in this application embodiment is a device capable of executing the above operation execution method. Therefore, all embodiments of the above operation execution method are applicable to this device and can achieve the same or similar beneficial effects, which will not be repeated here.

[0507] The operation execution device or association establishment device provided in this application embodiment can implement the various processes implemented in the method embodiments of Figures 2 to 8 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0508] As shown in Figure 13, this application embodiment also provides a communication device 1300, including a processor 1301 and a memory 1302. The memory 1302 stores programs or instructions that can run on the processor 1301. For example, when the communication device 1300 is a terminal, when the program or instructions are executed by the processor 1301, they implement the various steps of the above-described operation execution or association establishment method embodiments and achieve the same technical effect. When the communication device 1300 is a network-side device, when the program or instructions are executed by the processor 1301, they implement the various steps of the above-described operation execution method embodiments and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, this will not be described again here.

[0509] This application also provides a terminal, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps in the method embodiments shown in FIG2 or FIG5. This terminal embodiment corresponds to the above-described terminal-side method embodiments, and all implementation processes and methods of the above-described method embodiments can be applied to this terminal embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. The terminal can be the device shown in FIG9 or FIG12. Specifically, FIG14 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a terminal implementing an embodiment of this application.

[0510] The terminal 1400 includes, but is not limited to, at least some of the following components: radio frequency unit 1401, network module 1402, audio output unit 1403, input unit 1404, sensor 1405, display unit 1406, user input unit 1407, interface unit 1408, memory 1409, and processor 1410.

[0511] Those skilled in the art will understand that the terminal 1400 may also include a power supply (such as a battery) for powering various components. The power supply can be logically connected to the processor 1410 through a power management system, thereby enabling functions such as charging, discharging, and power consumption management through the power management system. The terminal structure shown in Figure 14 does not constitute a limitation on the terminal. The terminal may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements, which will not be elaborated here.

[0512] It should be understood that, in this embodiment, the input unit 1404 may include a graphics processor 14041 and a microphone 14042. The graphics processor 14041 processes image data of still images or videos obtained by an image capture device (such as a camera) in video capture mode or image capture mode. The display unit 1406 may include a display panel 14061, which may be configured in the form of a liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, or the like. The user input unit 1407 includes at least one of a touch panel 14071 and other input devices 14072. The touch panel 14071 is also called a touch screen. The touch panel 14071 may include a touch detection device and a touch controller. Other input devices 14072 may include, but are not limited to, physical keyboards, function keys (such as volume control buttons, power buttons, etc.), trackballs, mice, and joysticks, which will not be described in detail here.

[0513] In this embodiment, after receiving downlink data from the network-side device, the radio frequency unit 1401 can transmit it to the processor 1410 for processing; in addition, the radio frequency unit 1401 can send uplink data to the network-side device. Typically, the radio frequency unit 1401 includes, but is not limited to, antennas, amplifiers, transceivers, couplers, low-noise amplifiers, duplexers, etc.

[0514] The memory 1409 can be used to store software programs or instructions, as well as various data. The memory 1409 may primarily include a first storage area for storing programs or instructions and a second storage area for storing data. The first storage area may store the operating system, application programs or instructions required for at least one function (such as sound playback, image playback, etc.). Furthermore, the memory 1409 may include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus RAM (DRRAM). The memory 1409 in this embodiment includes, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0515] Processor 1410 may include one or more processing units; optionally, processor 1410 integrates an application processor and a modem processor, wherein the application processor mainly handles operations involving the operating system, user interface, and applications, and the modem processor mainly handles wireless communication signals, such as a baseband processor. It is understood that the aforementioned modem processor may also not be integrated into processor 1410.

[0516] The radio frequency unit 1401 is used to acquire the service area information of the first communication device;

[0517] Processor 1410 is configured to perform a first operation based on the service area information of the first communication device, the first operation including at least one of the following:

[0518] Entering the connected state;

[0519] Send a mobility registration update request;

[0520] Send first information, the first information including at least one of the following: information for instructing the terminal to move out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; the location information of the terminal; information of the target communication device; information for requesting the release of the terminal context; information for requesting the modification of the terminal context.

[0521] The target communication device is the first communication device currently serving the terminal.

[0522] Alternatively, processor 1410 is configured to establish a first association, wherein the first association satisfies at least one of the following:

[0523] The first association is the association between the terminal and the first communication device;

[0524] The first association is the connection between the terminal and the first communication device;

[0525] The first association is established via AIoT protocol messages;

[0526] The signaling used to establish the first association includes at least one of PDU session, user plane connection, user plane data, NAS signaling, and RRC signaling.

[0527] In this embodiment, the terminal performs a first operation based on the service area information of the first communication device. The first operation includes: entering a connected state; sending a mobility registration update request; sending first information; so that the first communication device or the second communication device can correctly maintain the terminal context, thereby ensuring that the first communication device or the second communication device can correctly page the terminal.

[0528] It is understood that the implementation process of each implementation method mentioned in this embodiment can refer to the relevant description of the method embodiment and achieve the same or corresponding technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0529] This application also provides a network-side device, including a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps of the method embodiment shown in FIG3 or FIG4. This network-side device embodiment corresponds to the above-described network-side device method embodiment. All implementation processes and methods of the above-described method embodiments can be applied to this network-side device embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect.

[0530] Specifically, this application also provides a network-side device. As shown in FIG15, the network-side device 1500 includes a processor 1501, a network interface 1502, and a memory 1503. The network-side device may be the operation execution device shown in FIG10 or FIG11. The network interface 1502 is, for example, a common public radio interface (CPRI).

[0531] Specifically, the network-side device 1500 in this application embodiment further includes: instructions or programs stored in memory 1503 and executable on processor 1501. Processor 1501 calls the instructions or programs in memory 1503 to execute the methods executed by the modules shown in FIG10 or 11 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0532] This application also provides a readable storage medium storing a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the various processes of the above-described operation execution method or association establishment method embodiments and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0533] The processor mentioned above is the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiments. The readable storage medium includes computer-readable storage media, such as computer read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk, or optical disk. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transient readable storage medium.

[0534] This application embodiment also provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor. The processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above-described operation execution method or association establishment method embodiment, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0535] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a system-on-a-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip, etc.

[0536] This application also provides a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium and executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes of the above-described operation execution method or association establishment method embodiments, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0537] This application also provides a communication system, including: a terminal and a network-side device, wherein the terminal can be used to perform the steps of the operation execution method or association establishment method described above, and the network-side device can be used to perform the steps of the operation execution method described above.

[0538] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatuses in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0539] From the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of computer software products plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms, and of course, they can also be implemented by hardware. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.) and includes several instructions to cause the terminal or network-side device to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0540] The embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other implementations under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. All of these implementations are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An operation execution method, the method comprising: The terminal obtains the service area information of the first communication device; The terminal performs a first operation based on the service area information of the first communication device, the first operation including at least one of the following: Entering the connected state; Send a mobility registration update request; Send first information, the first information including at least one of the following: information for instructing the terminal to move out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; the location information of the terminal; information of the target communication device; information for requesting the release of the terminal context; Information used to request modification of the terminal context; The target communication device is the first communication device currently serving the terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The service area information of the first communication device is set by the first communication device based on the service area of ​​the second communication device, or the service area information of the first communication device is set by the first communication device based on the service area of ​​the first communication device and the service area of ​​the second communication device.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The terminal obtains the service area information of the first communication device, including at least one of the following: The terminal receives service area information from the first communication device. The terminal receives service area information of the first communication device from the second communication device; The terminal receives the service area information of the first communication device broadcast by the access network device; The terminal receives a Tracking Area Identifier (TAI) list from the second communication device, wherein the TAI list satisfies at least one of the following: the TAI list includes service area information of the first communication device; The TAI list is set based on the service area information of the first communication device; the TAI list is set based on the service area information of the first communication device and the service area information of the second communication device.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The terminal performs a first operation based on the service area information of the first communication device, including: If the location information of the terminal does not belong to the service area of ​​the first communication device, the terminal performs the first operation.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The terminal context satisfies at least one of the following: The terminal context is stored in the first communication device and the second communication device, or the terminal context is stored in the first communication device and the terminal; The terminal context is an AIoT connection, or the terminal context is an AIoT association.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The service area information of the first communication device includes at least one of the following: TAI list; cell list; registration area (RA).

7. The method according to claim 1 or 4, wherein, The location information of the terminal includes at least one of the following: Tracking Area (TA); Tracking Area Information (TAI); Cell Information; RA.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The method further includes: The terminal establishes a first association, wherein the first association satisfies at least one of the following: The first association is the association between the terminal and the first communication device; The first association is the connection between the terminal and the first communication device; The first association is established via AIoT protocol messages; The signaling used to establish the first association includes at least one of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session, user plane connection, user plane data, non-access stratum (NAS) signaling, and radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The terminal establishes a first association, including: Under the condition that a first condition is met, the terminal establishes a first association; wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following: After the terminal establishes or modifies a PDU session for AIoT; A PDU session for AIoT has been established or already exists; After the terminal is authorized to act as an intermediate node; After the terminal determines that an AIoT operation needs to be performed; After the terminal is moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device; After the terminal receives the address information of the first communication device.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The address information includes at least one of the following: Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN); IP address; port number; Uniform Resource Locator (URL); Uniform Resource Name (URN); Media Access Control (MAC) address; Ethernet address.

11. An operation execution method, the method comprising: The second communication device performs a second operation, the second operation including at least one of the following: Obtain the service area information of the first communication device; Send the service area information of the first communication device to the terminal; Set the TAI list according to the service area information of the first communication device; Set up the TAI list based on the service area information of the first communication device and the service area information of the second communication device; Determine the second piece of information; Select the first communication device; The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The terminal may or may not have been moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; The terminal may or may not be moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The second communication device determines the second information, including: The second communication device determines the second information based on the tracking area (TA) where the terminal is located.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The second operation also includes at least one of the following: Release the terminal context; Modify the terminal context; Establish a terminal context.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The second communication device performs a second operation, including: Upon receiving a mobility registration update request from a terminal, the second communication device performs at least one of the following: releasing the terminal context, modifying the terminal context, or establishing a terminal context. or, If the second information indicates that the terminal moves out of the service area of ​​the first communication device, the second communication device performs at least one of releasing the terminal context and modifying the terminal context. or, If the second information indicates that the terminal has moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device, the second communication device performs at least one of establishing a terminal context and modifying the terminal context.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The second communication device obtains the service area information of the first communication device, including: The second communication device obtains the service area information of the first communication device through at least one of the following: First communication equipment; Network storage function (NRF) network element; Local configuration information; Operations, maintenance, and management (OAM) configuration.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11-15, wherein, The terminal context includes at least one of the following: Information used to identify the terminal; Information used to identify the second communication device; Information used to identify the first communication device; The service scope of the first communication equipment; Terminal address information; Address information of the first communication device.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The second communication device selects the first communication device, including: The second communication device selects the first communication device based on third information; the third information includes at least one of the following: Service area information of the first communication device; Location information of the second communication device; Terminal location information; Information used to identify the first communication device.

18. An operation execution method, the method comprising: The first communication device performs a third operation, the third operation including at least one of the following: Send the service area information of the first communication device; Set the service area information of the first communication device according to the service area information of the second communication device; The service area information of the first communication device is set according to the service area information of the first communication device and the service area information of the second communication device; Determine the second piece of information; The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The terminal may or may not have been moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; The terminal may or may not be moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, The third operation also includes at least one of the following: Release the terminal context; Modify the terminal context; Establish a terminal context.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein, The first communication device performs a third operation, including: If the second condition is met, the first communication device performs the third operation; wherein the second condition includes at least one of the following: The first communication device receives the first information sent by the terminal; The first communication device determines that the location of the terminal does not fall within the service area of ​​the first communication device. The first communication device determines the change of the second communication device serving the terminal; The first information includes at least one of the following: information for instructing the terminal to move out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; the location information of the terminal; the information of the target communication device; information for requesting the release of the terminal context; information for requesting the modification of the terminal context; and the target communication device is the first communication device currently serving the terminal.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein, The terminal context satisfies at least one of the following: The terminal context includes at least one of the following: information for identifying the terminal; information for identifying the first communication device; information for identifying the second communication device; the service range of the first communication device; the address information of the terminal; and the address information of the first communication device. The terminal context is an AIoT connection, or the terminal context is an AIoT association.

22. A method for establishing an association, the method comprising: The terminal establishes a first association, wherein the first association satisfies at least one of the following: The first association is the association between the terminal and the first communication device; The first association is the connection between the terminal and the first communication device; The first association is established via AIoT protocol messages; The signaling used to establish the first association includes at least one of PDU session, user plane connection, user plane data, NAS signaling, and RRC signaling.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein, The terminal establishes a first association, including: Under the condition that a first condition is met, the terminal establishes a first association; wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following: After the terminal establishes or modifies a PDU session for AIoT; A PDU session for AIoT has been established or already exists; After the terminal is authorized to act as an intermediate node; After the terminal determines that an AIoT operation needs to be performed; After the terminal is moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device; After the terminal receives the address information of the first communication device.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein, The address information includes at least one of the following: FQDN; IP address; port number; URL; URN; MAC address; Ethernet address.

25. An operation execution device, the device comprising: The first receiving module is used to obtain the service area information of the first communication device; The first processing module is configured to perform a first operation based on the service area information of the first communication device, wherein the first operation includes at least one of the following: Entering the connected state; Send a mobility registration update request; Send first information, the first information including at least one of the following: information for instructing the terminal to move out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; the location information of the terminal; information of the target communication device; information for requesting the release of the terminal context; Information used to request modification of the terminal context; The target communication device is the first communication device currently serving the terminal.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein, The first receiving module is further configured to perform at least one of the following: Receive service area information of the first communication device from the first communication device; Receive service area information of the first communication device from the second communication device; Receive service area information of the first communication device broadcast from the access network device; Receive a Tracking Area Identifier (TAI) list from a second communication device, wherein the TAI list satisfies at least one of the following: the TAI list includes service area information of the first communication device; The TAI list is set based on the service area information of the first communication device; the TAI list is set based on the service area information of the first communication device and the service area information of the second communication device.

27. The apparatus according to claim 25 or 26, wherein, The device further includes: The second processing module is used to establish a first association, wherein the first association satisfies at least one of the following: The first association is the association between the terminal and the first communication device; The first association is the connection between the terminal and the first communication device; The first association is established via AIoT protocol messages; The signaling used to establish the first association includes at least one of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session, user plane connection, user plane data, non-access stratum (NAS) signaling, and radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein, The second processing module is further used for: A first association is established if a first condition is met; wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following: After the terminal establishes or modifies a PDU session for AIoT; A PDU session for AIoT has been established or already exists; After the terminal is authorized to act as an intermediate node; After the terminal determines that an AIoT operation needs to be performed; After the terminal is moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device; After the terminal receives the address information of the first communication device.

29. An operation execution device, the device comprising: A third processing module is configured to perform a second operation, the second operation including at least one of the following: Obtain the service area information of the first communication device; Send the service area information of the first communication device to the terminal; Set the TAI list according to the service area information of the first communication device; Set up the TAI list based on the service area information of the first communication device and the service area information of the second communication device; Determine the second piece of information; Select the first communication device; The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The terminal may or may not have been moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; The terminal may or may not be moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein, The second operation also includes at least one of the following: Release the terminal context; Modify the terminal context; Establish a terminal context.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein, The third processing module is further used for: Upon receiving a mobility registration update request from a terminal, perform at least one of the following: release terminal context, modify terminal context, or create terminal context; or, If the second information indicates that the terminal has moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device, at least one of releasing the terminal context and modifying the terminal context shall be performed; or, If the second information indicates that the terminal has moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device, at least one of establishing a terminal context and modifying the terminal context is performed.

32. An operation execution device, the device comprising: The fourth processing module is used to perform a third operation, which includes at least one of the following: Send the service area information of the first communication device; Set the service area information of the first communication device according to the service area information of the second communication device; The service area information of the first communication device is set according to the service area information of the first communication device and the service area information of the second communication device; Determine the second piece of information; The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The terminal may or may not have been moved out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; The terminal may or may not be moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device.

33. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein, The third operation also includes at least one of the following: Release the terminal context; Modify the terminal context; Establish a terminal context.

34. The apparatus according to claim 32 or 33, wherein, The fourth processing module is further used for: If the second condition is met, the third operation is performed; wherein the second condition includes at least one of the following: The first communication device receives the first information sent by the terminal; The first communication device determines that the location of the terminal does not fall within the service area of ​​the first communication device. The first communication device determines the change of the second communication device serving the terminal; The first information includes at least one of the following: information for instructing the terminal to move out of the service area of ​​the first communication device; the location information of the terminal; the information of the target communication device; information for requesting the release of the terminal context; information for requesting the modification of the terminal context; and the target communication device is the first communication device currently serving the terminal.

35. An association establishment device, the terminal comprising: The fifth processing module is used to establish a first association, wherein the first association satisfies at least one of the following: The first association is the association between the terminal and the first communication device; The first association is the connection between the terminal and the first communication device; The first association is established via AIoT protocol messages; The signaling used to establish the first association includes at least one of PDU session, user plane connection, user plane data, NAS signaling, and RRC signaling.

36. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein, The fifth processing module is further used for: A first association is established if a first condition is met; wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following: After the terminal establishes or modifies a PDU session for AIoT; A PDU session for AIoT has been established or already exists; After the terminal is authorized to act as an intermediate node; After the terminal determines that an AIoT operation needs to be performed; After the terminal is moved into the service area of ​​the first communication device; After the terminal receives the address information of the first communication device.

37. A terminal comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the operation execution method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, or implementing the steps of the association establishment method as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24.

38. A network-side device, comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the operation execution method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 17, or implementing the steps of the operation execution method as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 21.

39. A readable storage medium, characterized in that, The readable storage medium stores a program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the operation execution method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or implement the steps of the operation execution method as described in any one of claims 11 to 17, or implement the steps of the operation execution method as described in any one of claims 18 to 21, or implement the steps of the association establishment method as described in any one of claims 22 to 24.

40. A chip comprising a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface being coupled to the processor, the processor being configured to run a program or instructions to implement the operation execution method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or the operation execution method as described in any one of claims 11 to 17, or the operation execution method as described in any one of claims 18 to 21, or the association establishment method as described in any one of claims 22 to 24.

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