Communication methods and communication devices

Abstract

Provided are communication methods and communication devices. A method comprises: a first terminal device sending a first message to a first network element of a core network, the first message comprising one or more of the following pieces of information: first information, which is used for indicating that the first terminal device has a first capability; and second information, which is used for requesting related information of a first policy, wherein the first capability and / or the first policy are / is related to the ambient Internet of Things.

Description

Communication methods and communication equipment Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Technology

[0002] Some terminal devices in cellular networks support Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) related functions. For example, some terminal devices can act as readers to communicate with AIoT devices such as tags. How to authorize such terminal devices to perform AIoT-related functions is a problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method and a communication device. The various aspects covered by this application are described below.

[0004] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: a first terminal device sending a first message to a first network element of a core network, the first message including one or more of the following: first information for indicating that the first terminal device has a first capability; second information for requesting relevant information of a first policy; wherein the first capability and / or the first policy are related to the Internet of Things (IoT) environment.

[0005] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: a first network element of a core network receiving a first message sent by a first terminal device, the first message including one or more of the following: first information for indicating that the first terminal device has a first capability; second information for requesting relevant information of a first policy; wherein the first capability and / or the first policy are related to the Internet of Things (IoT) environment.

[0006] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, comprising: a second network element of the core network sending information related to a first strategy to a first network element, wherein the first strategy is related to the Internet of Things (IoT) environment.

[0007] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, the communication device being a first terminal device, the first terminal device comprising: a communication module, configured to send a first message to a first network element of a core network, the first message comprising one or more of the following: first information, configured to indicate that the first terminal device has a first capability; second information, configured to request relevant information of a first policy; wherein the first capability and / or the first policy are related to the Internet of Things (IoT) environment.

[0008] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, the communication device being a first network element in a core network, the communication device comprising: a communication module, configured to receive a first message sent by a first terminal device, the first message including one or more of the following: first information, used to indicate that the first terminal device has a first capability; second information, used to request relevant information of a first policy; wherein the first capability and / or the first policy are related to the Internet of Things (IoT) environment.

[0009] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is a second network element in a core network. The communication device includes a communication module for sending information related to a first policy to a first network element, wherein the first policy is related to the Internet of Things (IoT) environment.

[0010] A seventh aspect provides a communication device including a transceiver, a memory, and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store a program, the processor is used to invoke the program in the memory, and to control the transceiver to receive or transmit signals so that the communication device performs the method as described in the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0011] Eighth aspect, an apparatus is provided, including a processor for calling a program from a memory to cause the apparatus to perform the method as described in the first, second, or third aspect.

[0012] A ninth aspect provides a chip including a processor for calling a program from memory, causing a device having the chip mounted to perform the method as described in the first, second, or third aspect.

[0013] A tenth aspect provides a computer-readable storage medium having a program stored thereon that causes a computer to perform the methods described in the first, second, or third aspects.

[0014] Eleventhly, a computer program product is provided, including a program that causes a computer to perform the methods described in the first, second, or third aspects.

[0015] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program is provided that causes a computer to perform the methods described in the first, second, or third aspects.

[0016] In this embodiment, the first terminal device sends AIoT-related capabilities or requests AIoT-related policies to the core network, which helps the network authorize such terminal devices to perform AIoT-related functions. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 is an example architecture diagram of a wireless communication system to which embodiments of this application can be applied.

[0018] Figure 2 is an example of the architecture of an AIoT communication system.

[0019] Figure 3 is an example diagram of energy harvesting methods for AIoT devices.

[0020] Figure 4 is an example diagram of the backscatter communication method of AIoT devices.

[0021] Figure 5 shows an example of load modulation methods for AIoT devices.

[0022] Figure 6 is an example diagram of the communication process between AIoT devices and network devices.

[0023] Figure 7 is an example diagram of the communication process between AIoT devices and intermediate nodes.

[0024] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in one embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in one embodiment of this application.

[0029] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0030] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0031] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of a device applicable to embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For ease of understanding, the communication terms and processes that may be involved in the embodiments of this application will first be introduced with reference to Figures 1 to 9.

[0033] Communication system

[0034] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems. For example, the embodiments of this application can be applied to Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A), New Radio (NR), evolution systems of NR, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), and 5th-generation (5G) systems. The embodiments of this application can also be applied to other communication systems, such as 6th-generation (6G) mobile communication systems, or future communication systems such as satellite communication systems.

[0035] Traditional communication systems support a limited number of connections and are easy to implement. However, with the development of communication technology, communication systems can support not only traditional cellular communication but also one or more other types of communication. For example, a communication system can support one or more of the following communication methods: device-to-device (D2D) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. The embodiments of this application can also be applied to communication systems that support the above-mentioned communication methods.

[0036] The communication system in this application embodiment can be applied to carrier aggregation (CA) scenarios, dual connectivity (DC) scenarios, and standalone (SA) network deployment scenarios.

[0037] The communication system in this application embodiment can be applied to unlicensed spectrum. This unlicensed spectrum can also be considered a shared spectrum. Alternatively, the communication system in this application embodiment can also be applied to licensed spectrum. This licensed spectrum can also be considered a dedicated spectrum.

[0038] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems. For example, this technical solution can be applied to narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) communication systems. As another example, this technical solution can be applied to ambient IoT (AIoT) communication systems.

[0039] Figure 1 illustrates an example system architecture of a communication system 100 applicable to embodiments of this application. The communication system 100 may include a network device 110 and a terminal device 120. The network device 110 may be a device that communicates with the terminal device 120. The network device 110 can provide network coverage for a specific geographical area and can communicate with the terminal device 120 located within that coverage area. The terminal device 120 can access a network (such as a wireless network) through the network device 110. Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may also include other network entities such as a network controller and a mobility management entity; this embodiment of the application does not limit this.

[0040] The terminal device in this application embodiment can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. The terminal device in this application embodiment can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, and can be used to connect people, objects, and machines, such as a handheld device with wireless connectivity, vehicle-mounted device, etc. The terminal devices in the embodiments of this application can be mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, self-driving, remote medical surgery, smart grids, transportation safety, smart cities, and smart homes, etc. Optionally, the terminal device can act as a base station. For example, the terminal device can act as a scheduling entity, providing sidelink signals between terminal devices in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) or device-to-device (D2D) systems. For instance, cellular phones and cars communicate with each other using sidelink signals. Cellular phones and smart home devices communicate without relaying communication signals through base stations.

[0041] In some embodiments, the terminal device may also be a device in AIoT (such as a reader) to meet the needs of certain scenarios.

[0042] The network device in this application embodiment can also be an access network device or a radio access network device, such as a base station. The network device in this application embodiment can refer to a radio access network (RAN) node or device that connects a terminal device to a wireless network. A base station can broadly encompass, or be replaced by, various names including: NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next-generation NodeB (gNB), relay station, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), master station (MeNB), secondary station (SeNB), multi-mode radio (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), positioning node, etc. A base station can be a macro base station, micro base station, relay node, donor node, or similar entities, or combinations thereof. A base station can also refer to a communication module, modem, or chip installed within the aforementioned equipment or apparatus. Base stations can also be mobile switching centers, devices that perform base station functions in device-to-device (D2D), V2X, and M2M communications, network-side devices in 6G networks, and devices that perform base station functions in future communication systems. Base stations can support networks with the same or different access technologies. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the network equipment.

[0043] Base stations can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move depending on the location of the mobile base station. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured as a device to communicate with another base station.

[0044] In some deployments, the network device in this application embodiment may refer to a CU or a DU; or, the network device may include both a CU and a DU. The gNB may also include an AAU.

[0045] Network devices and terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the scenario in which the network devices and terminal devices are located.

[0046] It should be understood that all or part of the functions of the communication device in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualization functions instantiated on a platform such as a cloud platform.

[0047] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary network device 110 and two terminal devices 120. Optionally, the communication system 100 may include multiple network devices 110, and the communication system 100 may also include other numbers of terminal devices 120.

[0048] It should be understood that devices with communication functions in the network / system of this application embodiment can be referred to as communication devices. Taking the communication system 100 shown in FIG1 as an example, the communication device may include a network device 110 and a terminal device 120 with communication functions. The network device 110 and the terminal device 120 can be the specific devices described above, which will not be repeated here. The communication device may also include other devices in the communication system 100, such as network controllers, mobility management entities, and other network entities. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0049] Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT)

[0050] Environmental IoT communication can employ power harvesting and backscattering communication technologies, or it can use active transmission. AIoT devices are IoT devices powered by various environmental energy sources, such as radio frequency energy, light energy, solar energy, thermal energy, and mechanical energy. These devices may have no energy storage capacity or very limited energy storage capacity (e.g., using capacitors with a capacitance of tens of microseconds). Compared to traditional IoT devices, AIoT devices offer numerous advantages, including no need for conventional batteries, no maintenance, small size, low complexity and low cost, and long lifespan.

[0051] An environmental Internet of Things (IoT) can be composed of a network device 210 and an AIoT device 220, as shown in Figure 2. The network device 210 is used to send wireless power signals and downlink communication signals to the AIoT device 220, and to receive backscattered signals from the AIoT device. As shown in Figure 2, a basic AIoT device 220 can include an energy harvesting module, a backscattered communication module, and a low-power computing module. The AIoT device 220 can also have a sensor to acquire sensor data such as ambient temperature and humidity. Furthermore, the AIoT device can also have a memory to store basic information (such as item identification).

[0052] The energy harvesting technology and backscatter communication technology in the environmental Internet of Things are introduced below with reference to Figures 3 to 5.

[0053] As shown in Figure 3, the energy harvesting module can harvest electromagnetic wave energy from space based on the principle of electromagnetic induction, thereby obtaining the energy required to power AIoT devices. For example, the energy harvesting module can be used to power low-power demodulation and modulation modules, sensors, and memory modules within AIoT devices. Therefore, AIoT devices do not require traditional batteries.

[0054] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a backscatter communication principle. As shown in Figure 4, the AIoT device 420 receives a wireless signal sent by the network device 410. After receiving the wireless signal, the AIoT device 420 modulates the wireless signal to load the information to be transmitted. Then, the AIoT device 420 radiates the modulated signal from the antenna. This information transmission process is called backscatter communication.

[0055] Backscattering and load modulation are inextricably linked. Load modulation technology adjusts and controls the circuit parameters of the oscillation circuit of an AIoT device according to the data flow rhythm, thereby changing parameters such as impedance to achieve modulation. Load modulation technology mainly includes two methods: resistive load modulation and capacitive load modulation.

[0056] In resistive load modulation, a resistor is connected in parallel with the load. This resistor is switched on or off based on the control of a binary data stream, as shown in Figure 5. Switching the resistor on and off causes a change in the circuit voltage, thus achieving amplitude shift keying (ASK), which modulates and transmits the signal by adjusting the amplitude of the backscattered signal from the AIoT device. Similarly, in capacitive load modulation, switching the capacitor on and off changes the circuit's resonant frequency, achieving frequency shift keying (FSK), which modulates and transmits the signal by adjusting the operating frequency of the backscattered signal from the AIoT device.

[0057] As can be seen, AIoT devices utilize load modulation to modulate the incoming signal, thereby achieving backscatter communication. Therefore, AIoT devices have the following significant advantages:

[0058] First: AIoT devices do not actively transmit signals, so they do not require complex radio frequency links, such as power amplifiers (PA) and radio frequency filters;

[0059] Second: AIoT devices do not need to actively generate high-frequency signals, therefore they do not need high-frequency crystal oscillators;

[0060] Third: With the help of backscatter communication, the signal transmission of AIoT devices does not require the AIoT devices to consume their own energy.

[0061] Due to their significant advantages such as low cost, zero power consumption, and small size, AIoT devices can be widely used in various industries. For example, AIoT devices can be applied to logistics, smart warehousing, smart agriculture, energy and power, and the industrial internet. Alternatively, AIoT devices can be applied to smart wearables and smart homes.

[0062] The following section introduces various ways to classify AIoT devices.

[0063] In AIoT, based on the energy source and energy usage of AIoT devices, AIoT devices can be divided into three categories: passive AIoT devices, semi-passive AIoT devices, and active AIoT devices.

[0064] Passive AIoT devices typically do not require internal batteries. When a passive AIoT device approaches a network device, it falls within the near-field range of the network device's antenna radiation. At this point, the passive AIoT device's antenna can generate an induced current through electromagnetic induction, which powers the device and drives its low-power chip circuitry. This method enables demodulation of forward link signals and modulation of backward link signals. For backscatter links, passive AIoT devices can use backscattering to transmit signals.

[0065] In some implementations, the forward link mentioned above can be a downlink, which is the link from the network device to the AIoT device; the backward link can be an uplink, which is the link from the AIoT device to the network device.

[0066] As can be seen from the above introduction, passive AIoT devices do not require an internal battery to drive either the forward link or the reverse link transmission process, making them true AIoT devices. Passive AIoT devices do not require batteries, and their RF and baseband circuits are very simple. For example, passive AIoT devices do not require low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), power amplifiers (PAs), crystal oscillators, or analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), thus offering numerous advantages such as small size, light weight, very low cost, and long lifespan.

[0067] In some implementations, the aforementioned passive AIoT device can be an electronic tag, and correspondingly, the network device can be a reader of a radio frequency identification (RFID) system for reading the contents of the electronic tag and / or for changing the contents of the electronic tag.

[0068] Semi-passive AIoT devices do not have conventional batteries installed, but they can use energy harvesting modules to harvest energy and store it in an energy storage unit (such as a capacitor). Once the energy storage unit receives energy, it can drive the low-power chip circuitry of the AIoT device to perform tasks such as demodulating forward link signals and modulating backward link signals. For backscatter links, semi-passive AIoT devices can use backscattering to transmit signals.

[0069] In some implementations, semi-passive AIoT devices can use radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting modules to harvest radio wave energy. In other implementations, semi-passive AIoT devices can also use solar / light / thermal / kinetic energy harvesting modules to harvest the corresponding energy.

[0070] As can be seen from the above introduction, semi-passive AIoT devices do not require an internal battery to drive either the forward link or the reverse link transmission process. Although they use energy stored in capacitors during operation, the energy comes from the radio energy collected by the energy harvesting module, thus making them a true AIoT device. Therefore, semi-passive AIoT devices inherit many advantages from passive AIoT devices, including small size, light weight, very low price, and long lifespan.

[0071] Active AIoT devices can have built-in batteries. These batteries power the low-power chip circuitry of the active AIoT device. In some scenarios, AIoT devices used can be active AIoT devices. The battery in an active AIoT device enables the device to demodulate the forward link signal and modulate the backward link signal. For the backscatter link, active AIoT devices use backscattering to transmit signals. Therefore, the low power consumption of this type of device is mainly due to the fact that the signal transmission in the backward link does not consume the device's own power, but instead uses backscattering.

[0072] In some implementations, the built-in battery of an active AIoT device can be a conventional battery, such as a dry cell battery or a rechargeable lithium battery.

[0073] As can be seen from the above introduction, although active AIoT devices use batteries, their power consumption is very low due to the use of ultra-low power communication technology, which can significantly improve the battery's working life compared to other technologies.

[0074] Active AIoT devices can be powered by built-in batteries, thus increasing their communication range and improving communication reliability. Therefore, they can be used in scenarios with relatively high requirements for communication range and read latency.

[0075] In some implementations, the aforementioned active AIoT device can be an electronic tag, and the network device can be a wireless RFID reader. In this case, the built-in battery can power the RFID chip inside the electronic tag, thereby increasing the read / write distance between the RFID reader and the electronic tag. On the other hand, the built-in battery can also power the RFID chip inside the electronic tag, reducing the read / write latency of the RFID reader and improving communication reliability.

[0076] Besides classifying AIoT devices based on their energy source and usage, they can also be classified based on transmitter type. Like other IoT business types, AIoT services will primarily focus on upstream applications. Therefore, based on transmitter type, AIoT devices can be divided into three categories: backscatter-based AIoT devices, active transmitter-based AIoT devices, and AIoT devices that combine both backscatter and active transmitters.

[0077] Backscatter-based AIoT devices transmit uplink data using the backscattering method described above. These devices do not have an active transmitter for active transmission, but only a backscattering transmitter. Therefore, when such terminals transmit data, a network device needs to provide a carrier wave, and the terminal devices perform backscattering based on this carrier wave to achieve data transmission.

[0078] Active transmitter-based AIoT devices use active transmitters with active transmission capabilities for uplink data transmission. These AIoT devices can send data using their own active transmitters without requiring a carrier wave from a network device. Suitable active transmitters for AIoT devices include, for example, ultra-low-power ASK or ultra-low-power FSK transmitters. Based on current implementations, these transmitters can reduce overall power consumption to 400–600 µW when transmitting a 100 µW signal.

[0079] AIoT devices that combine backscatter and active transmitter capabilities can support either method. These devices can determine which uplink signal transmission method to use based on various factors (such as battery level and available ambient energy) or network scheduling: whether to use backscatter or an active transmitter for proactive transmission.

[0080] Low-power IoT based on cellular networks

[0081] Cellular IoT technologies are booming, with initiatives like the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standardizing technologies such as NB-IoT, machine-type communication (MTC), and reduced capability (RedCap). However, many IoT communication needs in various scenarios remain unmet, for example:

[0082] First, the harsh communication environment

[0083] Some IoT scenarios may face extreme environments such as high temperatures, extremely low temperatures, high humidity, high pressure, high radiation, or high-speed movement. Examples include ultra-high-voltage substations, high-speed train track monitoring, environmental monitoring in frigid regions, and industrial production lines. In these scenarios, existing IoT terminals will be unable to function due to the limitations of conventional power supplies. Furthermore, extreme working environments are also detrimental to IoT maintenance, such as battery replacement.

[0084] Second, the need for extremely small terminal form factors.

[0085] In certain IoT communication scenarios, such as food traceability, commodity distribution, and smart wearables, terminals require extremely small sizes for convenient use in these environments. For example, IoT terminals used for commodity management in the distribution process typically use electronic tags, embedded in very small packages. Furthermore, lightweight wearable devices can enhance the user experience while meeting user needs.

[0086] Third, the need for extremely low-cost IoT communication.

[0087] Numerous IoT communication scenarios require IoT terminals to be sufficiently inexpensive to enhance their competitiveness compared to other alternative technologies. For example, in logistics or warehousing scenarios, to facilitate the management of large quantities of goods in circulation, IoT terminals can be attached to each item, enabling precise management of the entire logistics process and lifecycle through communication between the terminal and the logistics network. These scenarios necessitate that IoT terminals be priced competitively.

[0088] Therefore, in order to cover these unmet IoT communication needs, ultra-low cost, extremely small size, battery-free / maintenance-free IoT also needs to be developed in cellular networks, and environmental IoT can meet this need.

[0089] Based on the discussion of AIoT application scenarios in 3GPP SA1, AIoT can be used in at least the following four scenarios:

[0090] Scenario 1: Object recognition, such as logistics, production line product management, and supply chain management;

[0091] Scenario 2: Environmental monitoring, such as monitoring of temperature, humidity, and harmful gases in the work environment and natural environment;

[0092] Scenario 3: Location services, such as indoor positioning, smart item finding, and production line item location.

[0093] Scenario 4: Intelligent control, such as the intelligent control of various electrical appliances in smart homes (turning on and off air conditioners, adjusting temperature), and the intelligent control of various facilities in agricultural greenhouses (automatic irrigation, fertilization).

[0094] In low-power IoT based on cellular networks, AIoT devices can send and receive AIoT control / data / signals from a reader. The reader can be a base station or an intermediate node, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. If the AIoT device sends AIoT control / data / signals to the reader via backscattering, a carrier wave needs to be provided to the AIoT device; this carrier wave can be provided by the reader or another node. Alternatively, the AIoT device can also actively transmit AIoT control / data / signals to the reader.

[0095] Referring to Figure 6, the AIoT device 620 can communicate bidirectionally with the base station 610. The AIoT device 620 can send AIoT control / data / signals to the base station 610 based on the provided carrier wave.

[0096] Referring to Figure 7, the AIoT device 720 can communicate bidirectionally with an intermediate node 730. The AIoT device 720 can send AIoT control / data / signals to the intermediate node 730 based on the provided carrier wave. The intermediate node 730 can forward data or signals between the base station 710 and the AIoT device 720.

[0097] Some terminal devices in cellular networks support Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) related functions. For example, some terminal devices can act as readers to communicate with AIoT devices such as tags. How to authorize such terminal devices to perform AIoT-related functions is a problem that needs to be solved.

[0098] To address the aforementioned issues, detailed examples of embodiments of this application will be provided below.

[0099] Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in one embodiment of this application. The method shown in Figure 8 is described from the perspective of a first terminal device, a first network element, and a second network element. The first terminal device mentioned here can be a terminal device capable of communication in AIoT. For example, the first terminal device can have a reader function and can perform reader-related operations in AIoT. Taking the first terminal device as a UE as an example, the first terminal device can be called a UE Reader. Both the first network element and the second network element can be network elements in the core network. The first network element can be, for example, a network element in the core network used for mobility management. Taking a 5G network as an example, the first network element can be an access and mobility management function (AMF). The second network element can be a network element in the core network used for policy control. Taking a 5G network as an example, the second network element can be a policy control function (PCF).

[0100] Referring to Figure 8, in step S810, the first terminal device sends a first message to the first network element of the core network. This embodiment does not specifically limit the type of the first message. For example, the first message may be a registration request. Alternatively, the first message may be an uplink non-access stratum transport (UL NAS TRANSPORT) message.

[0101] The following text provides a detailed description of the contents of the first message.

[0102] In some implementations, the first message may include first information. The first information indicates that the first terminal device possesses a first capability. This first capability is related to AIoT. For example, the first capability indicates that the first terminal device can perform reader-related operations in AIoT. Alternatively, the first capability refers to the first terminal device's ability to act as a reader in AIoT. Taking the first terminal device as a UE (User Equipment), the first capability can be called the AIoT UE Reader Capability, and correspondingly, the first information can be called the AIoT UE Reader Capability Indication. Taking the first message as a registration request, the first message may include user equipment mobile management core network capability (UE MM Core Network Capability) information. The first information mentioned above can be carried in this UE MM Core Network Capability. Of course, the first information can also be carried in other information or fields of the first message.

[0103] In some implementations, the first message may include second information. The second information is used to request information related to the first policy. The first policy mentioned here may be an AIoT-related policy (or AIoT policy), such as a reader-related policy in AIoT. The information related to the first policy can be used to determine whether the first terminal device is allowed to perform AIoT-related operations. For example, the information related to the first policy can be used to determine whether the first terminal device is allowed to act as a reader in AIoT. Alternatively, the information related to the first policy is used to authorize the first terminal device to act as a reader in AIoT. The information related to the first policy may include the first policy and / or auxiliary information, which will be described in detail later and will not be elaborated here.

[0104] This application does not specifically limit the way the information related to the first policy is carried in the first message in the embodiments. Taking a registration request as an example, the first message may include a UE policy container, and the second information may be carried in the UE policy container. Of course, the second information may also be carried in other information or fields of the first message.

[0105] As mentioned above, the first message may include first information and / or second information. It should be understood that the first message may include either the first information or the second information alone, or the first message may include both the first information and the second information simultaneously. This application embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0106] In some implementations, the first message is a registration request, and the first message includes both the first information and the second information. For example, the first terminal device informs the core network through the registration request that it has AIoT-related capabilities (such as the ability to act as an AIoT reader). Furthermore, if the first terminal device does not have a valid AIoT-related policy, it can also send the second information through the registration request to request an AIoT-related policy.

[0107] In some implementations, the first message is a registration request, and it includes first information but not second information. For example, a first terminal device can inform the core network through a registration request that it possesses AIoT-related capabilities (such as the ability to act as an AIoT reader). The core network can then decide autonomously whether to provide AIoT-related policies to the first terminal device based on these capabilities.

[0108] In some implementations, the first message may include the second information but not the first information. This first message may be a message actively triggered by the first terminal device to request information related to the first policy (such as the first message in a UE-triggered policy provisioning procedure, in which case the second information may be a UE policy provisioning request). In this implementation, the first message may, for example, be a UL NAS TRANSPORT message.

[0109] Furthermore, in some implementations, the first message can be a message actively triggered by the first terminal device based on a first condition. The first condition mentioned here can be used to indicate that the relevant information of the second policy is invalid. The second policy can be an AIoT-related policy previously generated by the core network for the first terminal device. The relevant information of the second policy can include the second policy and / or auxiliary information, the details of which are described below. The first condition may, for example, include a first timer timeout. This first timer is used to indicate the validity period of the relevant information of the second policy (such as the second policy or auxiliary information). Alternatively, the first condition can include the loss or error of the relevant information of the second policy (e.g., in the event of an error or an anomaly, all parameters in the relevant information of the second policy may be invalid or unrecognizable). As an example, the first terminal device can actively request the relevant information of the first policy based on the conditions defined in Sections 6.2.4 of TS23.304 and TS23.287.

[0110] Referring again to Figure 8, in some implementations, the first network element can determine (e.g., discover and select) a second network element capable of providing relevant information for the first strategy based on the first information (step S820). Thus, this embodiment of the application, by requiring the first terminal device to report first information (indicating AIoT-related capabilities), helps the first network element select a suitable second network element (such as a PCF) to provide a strategy for the first terminal device, thereby authorizing the first terminal device to perform AIoT-related operations.

[0111] Furthermore, in some implementations, the first network element can determine the second network element that can provide relevant information for the first strategy based on the first information and the third information. The third information mentioned here may be, for example, the user information or subscription information of the first terminal device (which may be stored in unified data management (UDM)). This third information can be used to indicate whether to authorize the first terminal device as a device (such as a reader) in AIoT.

[0112] After determining the second network element, in some implementations, the first network element can send second information to the second network element (see step S830 in Figure 8). This second information is used to request information related to the first policy (or to instruct the first terminal device to request information related to the first policy). The second information can be carried in a UE policy container. After receiving the second information, the second network element can send information related to the first policy to the first network element based on the second information (see step S840 in Figure 8), so that the first network element can transmit the information related to the first policy to the first terminal device. For example, the first network element can establish a UE Policy Association Establishment with the second network element, thereby sending the second information to the second network element. Exemplarily, the first network element can send an Npcf_UEPolicyControl Create Request message to the second network element, which contains the second information.

[0113] Before executing step S840, in some implementations, the second network element can determine whether to provide the first terminal device with information related to the first policy. For example, the second network element is a PCF, which can determine whether to provide the first terminal device with information related to the first policy according to the provisions of Section 6.1.2.2.2 of TS23.503.

[0114] Referring again to Figure 8, in some implementations, the first terminal device can receive a second message sent by the first network element (as shown in step S850). The second message may include relevant information about the first policy. This relevant information about the first policy can be provided by a second network element in the core network. Taking the second network element as a PCF as an example, if the first terminal device is in a roaming state, the relevant information about the first policy can be transmitted from the home (H)-PCF to the first terminal device through the visit (V)-PCF.

[0115] In some implementations, the second message may include a UE policy container, in which information related to the first policy can be carried. This UE policy container may be provided by a second network element; that is, the second network element can transmit the UE policy container to the first network element, which then forwards it to the first terminal device.

[0116] As mentioned earlier, the first network element can send an Npcf_UEPolicyControl Create Request message to the second network element, thereby transmitting the second information to the second network element. After receiving this message, the second network element can trigger the configuration update process of the first terminal device (such as the UE Configuration Update Procedure for transparent UE Policy delivery, see TS23.502clause 4.2.4.3 for details), thereby executing steps S840 and S850 to transmit the relevant information of the first policy to the first terminal device. A detailed description can be found in Figure 10 below.

[0117] Referring again to Figure 8, in some implementations, after receiving the second message, the first terminal device can perform reader functions or reader-related operations in the AIoT based on the information related to the first strategy carried in the second message (step S860). For example, the first terminal device can perform an inventory operation as a reader, or the first terminal device can send commands to the tags in the AIoT as a reader.

[0118] As mentioned earlier, the information related to the first strategy may include the first strategy and / or auxiliary information (or AIoT auxiliary information). The following provides detailed examples illustrating the specific content of these two types of information.

[0119] In some implementations, the first strategy can be used to indicate whether the first terminal device is capable of acting as a reader in AIoT. Alternatively, the first strategy can be used to indicate whether the first terminal device is authorized to act as a reader in AIoT.

[0120] In some implementations, the first policy can be used to instruct the first terminal device to act as a reader of one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs) for AIoT. Alternatively, the first policy can be used to instruct the first terminal device to authorize one or more PLMNs to act as a reader of AIoT.

[0121] In some implementations, the first policy may indicate validation criteria used to determine the validity of the first policy. For example, the first policy may indicate time information and / or location information used to determine the validity of the first policy. The time information may be used to indicate the time range within which the first terminal device is authorized to use the first policy. For example, the time information may be a time window, indicating that the first terminal device can use the first policy within that time window. The location information may indicate the geographical location (e.g., cell) within which the first terminal device is authorized to use the first policy.

[0122] In some implementations, the first strategy can be used to indicate the validity period of the first strategy. For example, the first strategy may include a validity timer, and the validity period of the first strategy is indicated based on the timer (e.g., if the timer does not expire, the first strategy is valid; otherwise, the first strategy is invalid).

[0123] It should be noted that the first strategy may refer to only part of the information mentioned above, or it may refer to all of the information mentioned above.

[0124] In some implementations, auxiliary information can indicate the types of services supported by the first terminal device in the environmental Internet of Things (IoT). For example, auxiliary information can indicate the types of services that the first terminal device, as a reader, can perform (or is allowed to perform, or is authorized to perform). For example, auxiliary information can indicate that the first terminal device, as a reader, is allowed to perform inventory checks or to send commands.

[0125] In some implementations, auxiliary information may indicate the number (or approximate number) of AIoT devices capable of (or permitted to) communicate with the first terminal device. For example, auxiliary information may indicate the number (or approximate number) of AIoT devices permitted to communicate with the first terminal device when the first terminal device is acting as a reader. This number (or approximate number) may be determined based on a request from an application function (AF).

[0126] In some implementations, auxiliary information can indicate the size of messages that the first terminal device can send or receive in AIoT. For example, auxiliary information can indicate the size of messages that the first terminal device can send or receive when acting as a reader. The size mentioned here can be an approximate size, which can be determined based on an AF request. Furthermore, the message mentioned here can be, for example, a device-to-reader (D2R) message.

[0127] In some implementations, auxiliary information can indicate its validity period. For example, auxiliary information may include a timer (such as a validity timer); if the timer expires, the auxiliary information is invalid; otherwise, the auxiliary information is valid.

[0128] It should be noted that the auxiliary information may refer to only part of the information mentioned above, or it may refer to all of the information mentioned above.

[0129] It should also be noted that some embodiments mentioned above refer to a second strategy and / or auxiliary information. Similar to the first strategy and / or auxiliary information, the second strategy and / or auxiliary information may also include some or all of the information described above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described again here.

[0130] It should also be noted that in the embodiment shown in Figure 8, step S840 is performed while steps S810 to S830 are executed, but the embodiments of this application are not limited to this. For example, steps S810 to S830 can be omitted, and the second network element can directly send the relevant information of the first policy to the first terminal device through the first network element. For example, when the second network element determines that the policy of the first terminal device needs to be updated, it can actively transmit the relevant information of the first policy to the first terminal device through the first network element. Exemplarily, the second network element can actively update the policy and auxiliary information of the first terminal device when a second condition is met. The second condition mentioned here may include, for example, a change in the subscription information of the PLMN authorized by the first terminal device to execute the first policy. And / or, the second condition may include a change in the service-specific parameters of the first terminal device (see Section 4.15.6.7 of TS23.502). Taking the second network element as a PCF as an example, the PCF can send the relevant information of the first policy to the first terminal device based on the UE policy association modification process actively initiated by the PCF as defined in Section 4.16.12.2 of TS23.502.

[0131] The embodiments of this application are described in more detail below with specific examples. In the examples of Figures 9 to 11, the UE corresponds to the first terminal device mentioned above, the AMF corresponds to the first network element mentioned above (in Figure 9, the new AMF corresponds to the first network element mentioned above), and the PCF corresponds to the second network element mentioned above. It should be noted that the examples of Figures 9 to 11 are merely to help those skilled in the art understand the embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application to the specific values ​​or scenarios illustrated. Those skilled in the art can obviously make various equivalent modifications or changes based on the examples of Figures 9 to 11, and such modifications or changes also fall within the scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0132] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of the registration process provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0133] In step S902, the UE sends a registration request to the (R)AN. This registration request can be carried within an AN message. The registration request includes the UE MM Core Network Capability. The UE MM Core Network Capability includes the UE Reader capability (corresponding to the first information mentioned above). Furthermore, the registration request may include a UE policy container containing an AIoT policy request indication (corresponding to the second information mentioned above).

[0134] In step S904, (R)AN performs AMF selection.

[0135] In step S906, (R)AN sends a registration request to the new AMF.

[0136] In step S908, the new AMF sends a Namf_Communication_UEContextTransfer message to the old AMF.

[0137] In step S910, the old AMF sends a Namf_Communication_UEContextTransfer response message to the new AMF.

[0138] In step S912, the new AMF sends an identity request to the UE.

[0139] In step S914, the UE sends an identity response to the new AMF.

[0140] In step S916, the new AMF selects the authentication server function (AUSF).

[0141] In step S918, an authentication / security process is performed between the UE, the new AMF, the AUSF, and the UDM.

[0142] In step S920, the new AMF sends a Namf_Communication_RegistrationStatusUpdate message to the old AMF.

[0143] In step S922, the new AMF makes an identity request / response with the UE.

[0144] In step S924, the new AMF interacts with the Equipment Identity Register (EIR) using the N5g-eir_EquipmentIdentityCheck_Get message. For example, the new AMF sends an N5g-eir_EquipmentIdentityCheck_Get request to the EIR and receives a response message from the EIR.

[0145] In step S926, the new AMF performs UDM selection.

[0146] In step S928a, the new AMF interacts with the UDM using the Nudm_UECM_Registration message. For example, the new AMF sends a Nudm_UECM_Registration request to the UDM and receives a response message from the UDM.

[0147] In step S928b, the new AMF interacts with the UDM using Nudm_SDM_Get messages. For example, the new AMF sends a Nudm_SDM_Get request to the UDM and receives a response message from the UDM.

[0148] In step S928c, the new AMF interacts with the UDM using the Nudm_SDM_Subscribe message. For example, the new AMF sends a Nudm_SDM_Subscribe request to the UDM and receives a response message from the UDM.

[0149] In step S928d, the UDM sends a Nudm_UECM_DeregistrationNotification message to the old AMF.

[0150] In step S928e, the old AMF sends a Nudm_SDM_Unsubscribe message to the UDM.

[0151] In step S930, the new AMF performs PCF selection.

[0152] In step S932, the new AMF and PCF establish / adjust the AM strategy association.

[0153] In step S934, the new AMF sends Nsmf_PDU Session_UpdateSM Context / Nsmf_PDU Session_ReleaseSM Context messages to the PCF.

[0154] In step S936, the new AMF sends a UE context adjustment request to the non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF), trusted non-3GPP gateway function (TNGF), or wireline access gateway function (W-AGF).

[0155] In step S938, N3IWF / TNGF / W-AGF sends a UE context adjustment response to the UE.

[0156] In step S940a, the new AMF sends a UE context adjustment response message to the UDM.

[0157] In step S940b, the UDM sends the udm_UECM_DeregistrationNotification message to the old AMF.

[0158] In step S940c, the old AMF sends a Nudm_SDM_Unsubscribe message to the UDM.

[0159] In step S942, the new AMF sends a registration acceptance message to the UE.

[0160] In step S944, the new AMF and PCF establish a UE policy association. For example, the AMF discovers and selects a PCF that supports AIoT policies based on the UE Reader capability, and establishes a UE policy association with that PCF.

[0161] In step S946, the UE sends a registration completion message to the new AMF.

[0162] In step S948, the new AMF interacts with the UDM using Nudm_SDM_Info messages. For example, the new AMF sends a Nudm_SDM_Info request to the UDM and receives a response message from the UDM.

[0163] In step S950, the new AMF sends an N2 message to (R)AN.

[0164] In step S952, the new AMF interacts with the UDM using the Nudm_SDM_Update message. For example, the new AMF sends a Nudm_SDM_Update request to the UDM and receives a response message from the UDM.

[0165] In step S954, a network slice-specific authentication and authorization process is performed between the UE, (R)AN, and the new AMF.

[0166] It should be noted that the steps corresponding to the solid lines in Figure 9 can be understood as the mandatory steps in the UE registration process, while the steps corresponding to the dashed lines can be understood as the optional steps in the UE registration process.

[0167] Figure 10 illustrates the UE Configuration Update procedure for transparent UE Policy delivery provided in an embodiment of this application. In the procedure shown in Figure 10, based on the AIoT Policy Request Instruction, the PCF determines to provide the AIoT policy to the UE through the UE Policy Container using the UE Configuration Update procedure (see Section 4.2.4.3 of TS23.502).

[0168] In step S1000, the PCF determines the UE update policy.

[0169] In step S1000a, the PCF subscribes to the notification received by the UE Policy container.

[0170] In step S1002, the PCF sends a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message to the AMF.

[0171] In step S1004, the AMF initiates a network-triggered service request.

[0172] In step S1006, the AMF delivers UE policies to the UE. The AMF sends a UE policy container to the UE, which contains AIoT policies / assistance information.

[0173] In step S1008, the UE returns the result of the UE policy delivery to the AMF.

[0174] In step S1010, AMF sends a Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify message to PCF.

[0175] Figure 11 illustrates the UE-triggered AIoT policy provisioning process provided in this embodiment of the application. When the UE determines that the AIoT policy / assistance information is invalid (e.g., a valid timer in the AIoT policy / assistance information times out; or, the AIoT policy / assistance information does not have valid parameters (e.g., an error or other abnormal situation occurs)), the UE triggers the policy provisioning process to request the AIoT policy / assistance information from the PCF.

[0176] In step S1102, the UE sends a UE policy provision request to the AMF. This request contains a UE policy container, and the UE policy container contains an AIoT policy request indication.

[0177] In step S1104, AMF sends a Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify message to PCF.

[0178] In step S1106, the UE and PCF perform the UE policy delivery procedure (see section 4.2.4.3 of TS23.502). The UE policy delivered by the PCF to the UE contains a UE policy container, and the UE policy container contains AIoT policy / auxiliary information.

[0179] The method embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to Figures 1 to 11. The apparatus embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 12 to 15. It should be understood that the descriptions of the method embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the apparatus embodiments; therefore, any parts not described in detail can be referred to the preceding method embodiments.

[0180] Figure 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in one embodiment of this application. The communication device 1200 shown in Figure 12 is the first terminal device mentioned above, which includes a communication module 1210. The communication module 1210 is used to send a first message to a first network element of the core network. The first message includes one or more of the following information: first information indicating that the first terminal device has a first capability; second information requesting relevant information of a first policy; wherein the first capability and / or the first policy is related to the Internet of Things (IoT) environment.

[0181] In some implementations, the first message includes user equipment mobility management core network capability information; and / or, the first information is carried in the user equipment mobility management core network capability information included in the first message.

[0182] In some implementations, the second information is carried in a user equipment policy container.

[0183] In some implementations, the first message is a registration request.

[0184] In some implementations, the first message includes the second information, and the first message is triggered based on a first condition, which is used to indicate that the relevant information of the second strategy is invalid, and the second strategy is related to the Internet of Things environment.

[0185] In some implementations, the first condition includes one or more of the following: a first timer times out, the first timer being used to indicate the validity period of the relevant information of the second strategy; the relevant information of the second strategy is lost or is erroneous.

[0186] In some implementations, the communication module 1210 is further configured to: receive a second message sent by the first network element, the second message including information related to the first strategy provided by the second network element of the core network.

[0187] In some implementations, the relevant information of the first policy is carried in the user equipment policy container contained in the second message.

[0188] In some implementations, the second network element is a network element in the core network used for policy control.

[0189] In some implementations, the relevant information of the first strategy includes one or more of the following: the first strategy; auxiliary information.

[0190] In some implementations, the first strategy is used to indicate one or more of the following: whether the first terminal device can act as a reader for an environmental Internet of Things (IoT); one or more PLMNs for which the first terminal device can act as a reader for an environmental IoT; criteria for determining the validity of the first strategy; and the effective period of the first strategy.

[0191] In some implementations, the auxiliary information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the type of service supported by the first terminal device in the environmental Internet of Things (IoT); the number of environmental IoT devices capable of communicating with the first terminal device in the environmental IoT; the size of messages that the first terminal device can receive in the environmental IoT; and the validity period of the auxiliary information.

[0192] In some implementations, the communication device 1200 further includes an execution module for performing reader-related operations in the environmental Internet of Things based on information related to the first strategy.

[0193] In some implementations, the first network element is a network element in the core network used for mobility management.

[0194] In some implementations, the first capability is used to perform reader-related operations in the environmental Internet of Things.

[0195] Figure 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application. The communication device 1300 shown in Figure 13 is the first network element mentioned above. The communication device 1200 includes a communication module 1310. The communication module 1310 is used to receive a first message sent by a first terminal device, the first message including one or more of the following information: first information, used to indicate that the first terminal device has a first capability; second information, used to request relevant information of a first policy; wherein, the first capability and / or the first policy is related to the Internet of Things environment.

[0196] In some implementations, the first message includes user equipment mobility management core network capability information; and / or, the first information is carried in the user equipment mobility management core network capability information included in the first message.

[0197] In some implementations, the second information is carried in a user equipment policy container.

[0198] In some implementations, the first message is a registration request.

[0199] In some implementations, the first message includes the second information, and the first message is triggered based on a first condition, which is used to indicate that the relevant information of the second strategy is invalid, and the second strategy is related to the Internet of Things environment.

[0200] In some implementations, the first condition includes one or more of the following: a first timer times out, the first timer being used to indicate the validity period of the relevant information of the second strategy; the relevant information of the second strategy is lost or is erroneous.

[0201] In some implementations, the communication device 1300 further includes: a determining module, configured to determine a second network element capable of providing relevant information about the first strategy based on the first information.

[0202] In some implementations, the communication module 1310 is further configured to: send the second information to the second network element; and / or receive information related to the first strategy sent by the second network element.

[0203] In some implementations, the communication module 1310 is further configured to: send a second message to the first terminal device, the second message including information related to the first strategy provided by the second network element of the core network.

[0204] In some implementations, the relevant information of the first policy is carried in the user equipment policy container contained in the second message.

[0205] In some implementations, the second network element is a network element in the core network used for policy control.

[0206] In some implementations, the relevant information of the first strategy includes one or more of the following: the first strategy; auxiliary information.

[0207] In some implementations, the first strategy is used to indicate one or more of the following: whether the first terminal device can act as a reader for an environmental Internet of Things (IoT); one or more PLMNs for which the first terminal device can act as a reader for an environmental IoT; criteria for determining the validity of the first strategy; and the effective period of the first strategy.

[0208] In some implementations, the auxiliary information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the type of service supported by the first terminal device in the environmental Internet of Things (IoT); the number of environmental IoT devices capable of communicating with the first terminal device in the environmental IoT; the size of messages that the first terminal device can receive in the environmental IoT; and the validity period of the auxiliary information.

[0209] In some implementations, the first network element is a network element in the core network used for mobility management.

[0210] In some implementations, the first capability is used to perform reader-related operations in the environmental Internet of Things.

[0211] Figure 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application. The communication device 1400 shown in Figure 14 is the second network element mentioned above. The communication device 1400 includes a communication module 1410. The communication module 1410 is used to send relevant information of a first policy to the first network element, wherein the first policy is related to the Internet of Things (IoT) environment.

[0212] In some implementations, the relevant information of the first policy is carried in a user equipment policy container.

[0213] In some implementations, the communication module 1410 is further configured to: receive second information sent by the first network element before the second network element of the core network sends the relevant information of the first policy to the first network element, wherein the second information is used to request the relevant information of the first policy.

[0214] In some implementations, the second information is carried in a user equipment policy container.

[0215] In some implementations, the relevant information of the first strategy includes one or more of the following: the first strategy; auxiliary information.

[0216] In some implementations, the first strategy is used to indicate one or more of the following: whether the first terminal device can act as a reader for an environmental Internet of Things (IoT); one or more PLMNs for which the first terminal device can act as a reader for an environmental IoT; criteria for determining the validity of the first strategy; and the effective period of the first strategy.

[0217] In some implementations, the auxiliary information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the type of service supported by the first terminal device in the environmental Internet of Things (IoT); the number of environmental IoT devices capable of communicating with the first terminal device in the environmental IoT; the size of messages that the first terminal device can receive in the environmental IoT; and the validity period of the auxiliary information.

[0218] In some implementations, the first network element is a network element in the core network used for mobility management; and / or, the second network element is a network element in the core network used for policy control.

[0219] Figure 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. The dashed lines in Figure 15 indicate that the unit or module is optional. This device 1500 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. Device 1500 can be a chip, a terminal device, or a network device.

[0220] Apparatus 1500 may include one or more processors 1510. The processor 1510 may support apparatus 1500 in implementing the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The processor 1510 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, the processor may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0221] The apparatus 1500 may further include one or more memories 1520. The memories 1520 store a program that can be executed by the processor 1510, causing the processor 1510 to perform the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The memories 1520 may be independent of the processor 1510 or integrated into the processor 1510.

[0222] The device 1500 may also include a transceiver 1530. The processor 1510 can communicate with other devices or chips via the transceiver 1530. For example, the processor 1510 can send and receive data with other devices or chips via the transceiver 1530.

[0223] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a program. This computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the communication device provided in this application, and the program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the communication device in various embodiments of this application.

[0224] This application also provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a program. The computer program product can be applied to the communication device provided in this application embodiment, and the program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the communication device in various embodiments of this application.

[0225] This application also provides a computer program. This computer program can be applied to the communication device provided in this application, and causes the computer to execute the methods performed by the communication device in various embodiments of this application.

[0226] It should be understood that the terminology used in this application is only for explaining specific embodiments of this application and is not intended to limit this application. The terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0227] In the embodiments of this application, the term "instruction" can be a direct instruction, an indirect instruction, or an indication of a relationship. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, such as B being able to obtain information through A; it can also mean that A indirectly instructs B, such as A instructing C, so B can obtain information through C; or it can mean that there is a relationship between A and B.

[0228] In the embodiments of this application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A, and B can be determined based on A. However, it should also be understood that determining B based on A does not mean that B is determined solely based on A; B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0229] In the embodiments of this application, the term "correspondence" can indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between two things, or an association between two things, or a relationship such as instruction and being instructed, configuration and being configured.

[0230] In this application embodiment, "predefined" or "preconfigured" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device (e.g., including terminal devices and network devices). This application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to what is defined in the protocol.

[0231] In this application embodiment, the "protocol" may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communication, such as the LTE protocol, the NR protocol, and related protocols applied to future communication systems. This application does not limit this.

[0232] In the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0233] In the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0234] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0235] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0236] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0237] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can read or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs, DVDs) or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs), etc.

[0238] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The first terminal device sends a first message to the first network element of the core network, the first message including one or more of the following information: The first information is used to indicate that the first terminal device has a first capability; The second piece of information is used to request relevant information for the first strategy; Wherein, the first capability and / or the first strategy are related to the Internet of Things (IoT) environment.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first message includes user equipment mobility management core network capability information; and / or, the first information is carried in the user equipment mobility management core network capability information contained in the first message.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second information is carried in the user equipment policy container.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first message is a registration request.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first message includes the second information, and the first message is triggered based on a first condition, which is used to indicate that the relevant information of the second strategy is invalid, and the second strategy is related to the Internet of Things environment.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first condition includes one or more of the following: The first timer times out, and the first timer is used to indicate the validity period of the relevant information of the second strategy; The relevant information for the second strategy is missing or is incorrect.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first terminal device receives a second message sent by the first network element, the second message including information related to the first policy provided by the second network element of the core network.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The relevant information of the first policy is carried in the user equipment policy container contained in the second message.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The second network element is the network element in the core network used for policy control.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The relevant information for the first strategy includes one or more of the following: The first strategy; Auxiliary information.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first strategy is used to indicate one or more of the following: Whether the first terminal device can function as a reader for the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment; The first terminal device can function as a reader for one or more public terrestrial mobile networks (PLMNs) in the environmental Internet of Things (IoT). Criteria used to determine the effectiveness of the first strategy; The effective time of the first strategy.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The auxiliary information is used to indicate one or more of the following: In the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment, the types of services supported by the first terminal device; In the environmental Internet of Things (IoT), the number of environmental IoT devices that can communicate with the first terminal device; In the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment, the size of the messages that the first terminal device can receive; The validity period of the auxiliary information.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first terminal device performs reader-related operations in the environmental Internet of Things based on the relevant information of the first strategy.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, The first network element is a network element in the core network used for mobility management.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, The first capability is used to perform reader-related operations in the environmental Internet of Things.

16. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The first network element of the core network receives a first message sent by the first terminal device, the first message including one or more of the following information: The first information is used to indicate that the first terminal device has a first capability; The second piece of information is used to request relevant information for the first strategy; Wherein, the first capability and / or the first strategy are related to the Internet of Things (IoT) environment.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first message includes user equipment mobility management core network capability information; and / or, the first information is carried in the user equipment mobility management core network capability information contained in the first message.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The second information is carried in the user equipment policy container.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that, The first message is a registration request.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that, The first message includes the second information, and the first message is triggered based on a first condition, which is used to indicate that the relevant information of the second strategy is invalid, and the second strategy is related to the Internet of Things environment.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The first condition includes one or more of the following: The first timer times out, and the first timer is used to indicate the validity period of the relevant information of the second strategy; The relevant information for the second strategy is missing or is incorrect.

22. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first network element determines a second network element that can provide relevant information about the first strategy based on the first information.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first network element sends the second information to the second network element; and / or, The first network element receives information related to the first strategy sent by the second network element.

24. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 23, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first network element sends a second message to the first terminal device, the second message including information related to the first policy provided by the second network element of the core network.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The relevant information of the first policy is carried in the user equipment policy container contained in the second message.

26. The method according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that, The second network element is the network element in the core network used for policy control.

27. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 26, characterized in that, The relevant information for the first strategy includes one or more of the following: The first strategy; Auxiliary information.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that, The first strategy is used to indicate one or more of the following: Whether the first terminal device can function as a reader for the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment; The first terminal device can function as a reader for one or more public terrestrial mobile networks (PLMNs) in the environmental Internet of Things (IoT). Criteria used to determine the effectiveness of the first strategy; The effective time of the first strategy.

29. The method according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that, The auxiliary information is used to indicate one or more of the following: In the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment, the types of services supported by the first terminal device; In the environmental Internet of Things (IoT), the number of environmental IoT devices that can communicate with the first terminal device; In the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment, the size of the messages that the first terminal device can receive; The validity period of the auxiliary information.

30. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 29, characterized in that, The first network element is a network element in the core network used for mobility management.

31. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 30, characterized in that, The first capability is used to perform reader-related operations in the environmental Internet of Things.

32. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The second network element of the core network sends information related to the first policy to the first network element, wherein the first policy is related to the Internet of Things in the environment.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that, The relevant information of the first policy is carried in the user equipment policy container.

34. The method according to claim 32 or 33, characterized in that, Before the second network element of the core network sends the relevant information of the first policy to the first network element, the method further includes: The second network element receives the second information sent by the first network element, the second information being used to request relevant information about the first policy.

35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that, The second information is carried in the user equipment policy container.

36. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 35, characterized in that, The relevant information for the first strategy includes one or more of the following: The first strategy; Auxiliary information.

37. The method according to claim 36, characterized in that, The first strategy is used to indicate one or more of the following: Whether the first terminal device can function as a reader for the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment; The first terminal device can function as a reader for one or more public terrestrial mobile networks (PLMNs) in the environmental Internet of Things (IoT). Criteria used to determine the effectiveness of the first strategy; The effective time of the first strategy.

38. The method according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that, The auxiliary information is used to indicate one or more of the following: In the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment, the types of services supported by the first terminal device; In the environmental Internet of Things (IoT), the number of environmental IoT devices that can communicate with the first terminal device; In the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment, the size of the messages that the first terminal device can receive; The validity period of the auxiliary information.

39. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 38, characterized in that: The first network element is a network element in the core network used for mobility management; and / or, The second network element is the network element in the core network used for policy control.

40. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is a first terminal device, which includes: The communication module is used to send a first message to a first network element of the core network, the first message including one or more of the following information: The first information is used to indicate that the first terminal device has a first capability; The second piece of information is used to request relevant information for the first strategy; Wherein, the first capability and / or the first strategy are related to the Internet of Things (IoT) environment.

41. The communication device according to claim 40, characterized in that, The first message includes user equipment mobility management core network capability information; and / or, the first information is carried in the user equipment mobility management core network capability information contained in the first message.

42. The communication device according to claim 40 or 41, characterized in that, The second information is carried in the user equipment policy container.

43. The communication device according to any one of claims 40 to 42, characterized in that, The first message is a registration request.

44. The communication device according to any one of claims 40 to 42, characterized in that, The first message includes the second information, and the first message is triggered based on a first condition, which is used to indicate that the relevant information of the second strategy is invalid, and the second strategy is related to the Internet of Things environment.

45. The communication device according to claim 44, characterized in that, The first condition includes one or more of the following: The first timer times out, and the first timer is used to indicate the validity period of the relevant information of the second strategy; The relevant information for the second strategy is missing or is incorrect.

46. ​​The communication device according to any one of claims 40 to 45, characterized in that, The communication module is also used for: The system receives a second message sent by the first network element, the second message including information related to the first strategy provided by the second network element of the core network.

47. The communication device according to claim 46, characterized in that, The relevant information of the first policy is carried in the user equipment policy container contained in the second message.

48. The communication device according to claim 46 or 47, characterized in that, The second network element is the network element in the core network used for policy control.

49. The communication device according to any one of claims 40 to 48, characterized in that, The relevant information for the first strategy includes one or more of the following: The first strategy; Auxiliary information.

50. The communication device according to claim 49, characterized in that, The first strategy is used to indicate one or more of the following: Whether the first terminal device can function as a reader for the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment; The first terminal device can function as a reader for one or more public terrestrial mobile networks (PLMNs) in the environmental Internet of Things (IoT). Criteria used to determine the effectiveness of the first strategy; The effective time of the first strategy.

51. The communication device according to claim 49 or 50, characterized in that, The auxiliary information is used to indicate one or more of the following: In the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment, the types of services supported by the first terminal device; In the environmental Internet of Things (IoT), the number of environmental IoT devices that can communicate with the first terminal device; In the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment, the size of the messages that the first terminal device can receive; The validity period of the auxiliary information.

52. The communication device according to any one of claims 40 to 51, characterized in that, The communication device also includes: The execution module is used to perform reader-related operations in the environmental Internet of Things based on the relevant information of the first strategy.

53. The communication device according to any one of claims 40 to 52, characterized in that, The first network element is a network element in the core network used for mobility management.

54. The communication device according to any one of claims 40 to 53, characterized in that, The first capability is used to perform reader-related operations in the environmental Internet of Things.

55. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is the first network element in the core network, and the communication device includes: The communication module is configured to receive a first message sent by a first terminal device, the first message including one or more of the following information: The first information is used to indicate that the first terminal device has a first capability; The second piece of information is used to request relevant information for the first strategy; Wherein, the first capability and / or the first strategy are related to the Internet of Things (IoT) environment.

56. The communication device according to claim 55, characterized in that, The first message includes user equipment mobility management core network capability information; and / or, the first information is carried in the user equipment mobility management core network capability information contained in the first message.

57. The communication device according to claim 55 or 56, characterized in that, The second information is carried in the user equipment policy container.

58. The communication device according to any one of claims 55 to 57, characterized in that, The first message is a registration request.

59. The communication device according to any one of claims 55 to 57, characterized in that, The first message includes the second information, and the first message is triggered based on a first condition, which is used to indicate that the relevant information of the second strategy is invalid, and the second strategy is related to the Internet of Things environment.

60. The communication device according to claim 59, characterized in that, The first condition includes one or more of the following: The first timer times out, and the first timer is used to indicate the validity period of the relevant information of the second strategy; The relevant information for the second strategy is missing or is incorrect.

61. The communication device according to any one of claims 55 to 60, characterized in that, The communication device also includes: The determining module is used to determine a second network element that can provide relevant information about the first strategy based on the first information.

62. The communication device according to claim 61, characterized in that, The communication module is also used for: Send the second information to the second network element; and / or, Receive information related to the first strategy sent by the second network element.

63. The communication device according to any one of claims 55 to 62, characterized in that, The communication module is also used for: A second message is sent to the first terminal device, the second message including information related to the first policy provided by the second network element of the core network.

64. The communication device according to claim 63, characterized in that, The relevant information of the first policy is carried in the user equipment policy container contained in the second message.

65. The communication device according to claim 63 or 64, characterized in that, The second network element is the network element in the core network used for policy control.

66. The communication device according to any one of claims 55 to 65, characterized in that, The relevant information for the first strategy includes one or more of the following: The first strategy; Auxiliary information.

67. The communication device according to claim 66, characterized in that, The first strategy is used to indicate one or more of the following: Whether the first terminal device can function as a reader for the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment; The first terminal device can function as a reader for one or more public terrestrial mobile networks (PLMNs) in the environmental Internet of Things (IoT). Criteria used to determine the effectiveness of the first strategy; The effective time of the first strategy.

68. The communication device according to claim 66 or 67, characterized in that, The auxiliary information is used to indicate one or more of the following: In the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment, the types of services supported by the first terminal device; In the environmental Internet of Things (IoT), the number of environmental IoT devices that can communicate with the first terminal device; In the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment, the size of the messages that the first terminal device can receive; The validity period of the auxiliary information.

69. The communication device according to any one of claims 55 to 68, characterized in that, The first network element is a network element in the core network used for mobility management.

70. The communication device according to any one of claims 55 to 69, characterized in that, The first capability is used to perform reader-related operations in the environmental Internet of Things.

71. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is the second network element in the core network, and the communication device includes: The communication module is used to send information related to the first policy to the first network element, wherein the first policy is related to the Internet of Things environment.

72. The communication device according to claim 71, characterized in that, The relevant information of the first policy is carried in the user equipment policy container.

73. The communication device according to claim 71 or 72, characterized in that, The communication module is also used for: Before the second network element in the core network sends the relevant information of the first policy to the first network element, it receives the second information sent by the first network element. The second information is used to request the relevant information of the first policy.

74. The communication device according to claim 73, characterized in that, The second information is carried in the user equipment policy container.

75. The communication device according to any one of claims 71 to 74, characterized in that, The relevant information for the first strategy includes one or more of the following: The first strategy; Auxiliary information.

76. The communication device according to claim 75, characterized in that, The first strategy is used to indicate one or more of the following: Whether the first terminal device can function as a reader for the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment; The first terminal device can function as a reader for one or more public terrestrial mobile networks (PLMNs) in the environmental Internet of Things (IoT). Criteria used to determine the effectiveness of the first strategy; The effective time of the first strategy.

77. The communication device according to claim 75 or 76, characterized in that, The auxiliary information is used to indicate one or more of the following: In the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment, the types of services supported by the first terminal device; In the environmental Internet of Things (IoT), the number of environmental IoT devices that can communicate with the first terminal device; In the Internet of Things (IoT) of the environment, the size of the messages that the first terminal device can receive; The validity period of the auxiliary information.

78. The communication device according to any one of claims 71 to 77, characterized in that: The first network element is a network element in the core network used for mobility management; and / or, The second network element is the network element in the core network used for policy control.

79. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The memory stores a program, and the processor invokes the program in the memory and controls the transceiver to receive or transmit signals so that the communication device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15, 16 to 31, or 32 to 39.

80. An apparatus, characterized in that, Includes a processor for calling a program from memory to cause the apparatus to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15, 16 to 31, or 32 to 39.

81. A chip, characterized in that, Includes a processor for calling a program from memory, causing a device on which the chip is mounted to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15, 16 to 31, or 32 to 39.

82. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It contains a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15, 16 to 31, or 32 to 39.

83. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15, 16 to 31, or 32 to 39.

84. A computer program, characterized in that, The computer program causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15, 16 to 31, or 32 to 39.

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