Information receiving method, information sending method, intermediate node, network device and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communications, and specifically relates to an information receiving method, an information sending method, an intermediate node, a network device and a storage medium. The information receiving method comprises: receiving first information sent by the network device, the first information being used for requesting the intermediate node to implement an ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) service in a disconnected state. In the present disclosure, the network device may send to the intermediate node the first information, used for requesting the intermediate node to implement the A-IoT service in the disconnected state; accordingly, the intermediate node may determine, on the basis of the first information, that the A-IoT service is triggered, and then implement the A-IoT service in the disconnected state, for example, implement the A-IoT service on the basis of an A-IoT resource, such that the intermediate node may determine that the A-IoT service may be implemented on the basis of the A-IoT resource in the disconnected state.

Description

Information receiving and sending methods, intermediate nodes, network devices and storage media Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to information receiving methods, information sending methods, information receiving devices, information sending devices, central nodes, network equipment, communication systems, and storage media. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of the Internet of Things (IoT), with the development of technology, the requirements for battery life and environmental protection are increasing, leading to the development of ambient IoT (A-IoT) technology, which can be implemented, for example, through backscattering technology. In A-IoT communication scenarios, network devices and A-IoT devices can communicate through intermediate nodes, which can perform A-IoT services based on A-IoT resources. However, in some cases, there are still some technical problems that need to be solved in A-IoT communication scenarios based on intermediate nodes. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The embodiments of this disclosure provide information receiving and sending methods, intermediate nodes, network devices, and storage media to solve technical problems in related technologies.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an information receiving method is proposed, executed by an intermediate node, the method comprising: receiving first information sent by the network device, wherein the first information is used to request the intermediate node to perform environmental Internet of Things (A-IoT) services in a disconnected state.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an information sending method is proposed, executed by a network device, the method comprising: sending first information to an intermediate node, wherein the first information is used to request the intermediate node to perform environmental Internet of Things (A-IoT) services in a disconnected state.

[0006] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, an intermediate node is provided, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the intermediate node is configured to perform the information receiving method according to any one of the first aspect and optional embodiments thereof.

[0007] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the network device is configured to perform the information transmission method according to any one of the second aspect and optional embodiments thereof.

[0008] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, an information receiving device is provided, suitable for an intermediate node, the device comprising: a receiving module configured to receive first information sent by the network device, wherein the first information is used to request the intermediate node to perform environmental Internet of Things (A-IoT) services in a disconnected state.

[0009] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, an information sending apparatus is provided, applicable to network devices, the apparatus comprising: a sending module configured to send first information to an intermediate node, wherein the first information is used to request the intermediate node to perform environmental Internet of Things (A-IoT) services in a disconnected state.

[0010] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, including an intermediate node and a network device, wherein the intermediate node is configured to implement the information receiving method of any one of the first aspect and optional embodiments of the first aspect, and the network device is configured to implement the information sending method of any one of the second aspect and optional embodiments of the second aspect.

[0011] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided that stores instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform an information receiving method according to any one of the first aspect and optional embodiments thereof, and / or an information sending method according to any one of the second aspect and optional embodiments thereof.

[0012] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a program product is provided that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the information receiving method of any one of the first aspect and any one of the optional embodiments of the first aspect, and / or the information sending method of any one of the second aspect and any one of the optional embodiments of the second aspect.

[0013] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a network device can send first information to an intermediate node to request the intermediate node to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state. Accordingly, the intermediate node can determine the triggering of A-IoT services based on the first information, and then perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, such as performing A-IoT services based on A-IoT resources, so that the intermediate node can clearly understand that A-IoT services can be performed based on A-IoT resources in a disconnected state. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0015] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of an information receiving method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of an information receiving device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of an information transmission device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

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

[0022] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the chip structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The embodiments of this disclosure provide information receiving and sending methods, intermediate nodes, network devices, and storage media.

[0024] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure propose an information receiving method executed by an intermediate node, the method comprising: receiving first information sent by the network device, wherein the first information is used to request the intermediate node to perform environmental Internet of Things (A-IoT) services in a disconnected state.

[0025] In the above embodiments, the network device can send first information to the intermediate node to request the intermediate node to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state. Accordingly, the intermediate node can determine the triggering of A-IoT services based on the first information, and then perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, such as performing A-IoT services based on A-IoT resources, so that the intermediate node can clearly understand that A-IoT services can be performed based on A-IoT resources in a disconnected state.

[0026] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes one of the following: if it is determined that the intermediate node allows A-IoT services to be performed in a disconnected state, receiving the first information and performing A-IoT services in a disconnected state; or if it is determined that the intermediate node does not allow A-IoT services to be performed in a disconnected state, receiving the first information and entering a connected state to perform A-IoT services.

[0027] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: determining whether the intermediate node allows A-IoT services to be performed in an offline state based on second information from the network device or based on whether the second information is received.

[0028] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following: indication information, wherein the indication information is used to indicate whether the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state; configuration information, wherein the configuration information contains the configuration of the intermediate node performing A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

[0029] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes indication information, wherein determining whether the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state based on the second information of the network device or based on whether the second information is received includes: determining that the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state if the indication information indicates that the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state; and determining that the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state if the indication information indicates that the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

[0030] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes configuration information, wherein determining whether the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state based on the second information of the network device or based on whether the second information is received includes: determining that the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state when the configuration information is received; and determining that the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state when the configuration information is not received.

[0031] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending capability information to the network device, wherein the capability information is used to indicate whether the intermediate node supports A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

[0032] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving third information sent by the network device, wherein the third information is used to indicate the status of the A-IoT service.

[0033] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes one of the following: if it is determined that the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, receiving the third information, and performing A-IoT services in the disconnected state according to the state of the A-IoT services; if it is determined that the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, receiving the third information, entering a connected state, and performing A-IoT services according to the state of the A-IoT services.

[0034] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the disconnected state includes at least one of the following: idle state; inactive state; wireless link failure; handover failure; handover.

[0035] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure propose an information sending method executed by a network device, the method comprising: sending first information to an intermediate node, wherein the first information is used to request the intermediate node to perform environmental Internet of Things (A-IoT) services in a disconnected state.

[0036] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending second information to the intermediate node, wherein the second information is used to indicate whether the intermediate node allows A-IoT services to be performed in a disconnected state.

[0037] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following: indication information, wherein the indication information is used to indicate whether the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state; configuration information, wherein the configuration information contains the configuration of the intermediate node performing A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

[0038] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving capability information sent by the intermediate node, wherein the capability information is used to indicate whether the intermediate node supports A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

[0039] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending third information to the intermediate node, wherein the third information is used to indicate the status of the A-IoT service.

[0040] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the disconnected state includes at least one of the following: idle state; inactive state; wireless link failure; handover failure; handover.

[0041] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide an intermediate node comprising: one or more processors; wherein the intermediate node is configured to perform the information receiving method according to any one of the first aspects and optional embodiments thereof.

[0042] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a network device comprising: one or more processors; wherein the network device is configured to perform the information transmission method described in any one of the second aspect and optional embodiments thereof.

[0043] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide an information receiving device suitable for intermediate nodes, the device comprising: a receiving module configured to receive first information sent by the network device, wherein the first information is used to request the intermediate node to perform environmental Internet of Things (A-IoT) services in a disconnected state.

[0044] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide an information sending apparatus suitable for network devices, the apparatus comprising: a sending module configured to send first information to an intermediate node, wherein the first information is used to request the intermediate node to perform environmental Internet of Things (A-IoT) services in a disconnected state.

[0045] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system including an intermediate node and a network device, wherein the intermediate node is configured to implement the information receiving method of any one of the first aspect and optional embodiments of the first aspect, and the network device is configured to implement the information sending method of any one of the second aspect and optional embodiments of the second aspect.

[0046] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the information receiving method of any one of the first aspect and optional embodiments of the first aspect, and / or the information sending method of any one of the second aspect and optional embodiments of the second aspect.

[0047] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the information receiving method according to any one of the first aspect and optional embodiments of the first aspect, and / or the information sending method according to any one of the second aspect and optional embodiments of the second aspect.

[0048] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the information receiving method according to any one of the first aspect and any one of the optional embodiments of the first aspect, and / or the information sending method according to any one of the second aspect and any one of the optional embodiments of the second aspect.

[0049] It is understood that the aforementioned information receiving and sending devices, communication equipment, communication systems, storage media, program products, and computer programs are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0050] This disclosure provides information receiving and sending methods, intermediate nodes, network devices, and storage media. In some embodiments, the terms "information receiving and sending method" can be used interchangeably with "information processing method" and "communication method," and the terms "information receiving and sending device" can be used interchangeably with "information processing device" and "communication device," and the terms "information processing system" and "communication system" can be used interchangeably.

[0051] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0052] In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0053] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0054] In the embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular, such as “a,” “an,” “the,” “the,” “the,” “the,” “the,” “the,” “this,” etc., may mean “one and only one,” or “one or more,” “at least one,” etc.

[0055] For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", and "the" in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular or a plural form.

[0056] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0057] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0058] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0059] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execution of A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execution of B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0060] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of this disclosure are only for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not constitute restrictions on the position, order, priority, number or content of the descriptive objects. For the description of the descriptive objects, please refer to the description in the claims or the context of the embodiments. The use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions.

[0061] For example, if the descriptive object is "field," then the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is "level," then the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers; there can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the descriptive object is "device," then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the descriptive object is "information," then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0062] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0063] In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0064] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0065] In some embodiments, devices, etc., can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as “device”, “equipment”, “circuit”, “network element”, “node”, “function”, “unit”, “section”, “system”, “network”, “chip”, “chip system”, “entity”, and “subject” can be used interchangeably.

[0066] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0067] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving cell," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0068] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "subscriber station", "mobile unit", "subscriber unit", "wireless unit", "remote unit", "mobile device", "wireless device", "wireless communication device", "remote device", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "mobile terminal", "wireless terminal", "remote terminal", "handset", "user agent", "mobile client", and "client" can be used interchangeably.

[0069] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced by terminals. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures where communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the structure can also be configured such that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, and uplink link, downlink, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0070] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0071] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0072] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0073] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0074] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] As shown in Figure 1A, the communication system 100 includes an intermediate node 101 and a network device 102. For example, the intermediate node may include a terminal. For example, the network device includes at least one of the following: an access network device and a core network device.

[0076] In some embodiments, terminal 101 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home.

[0077] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following in a 5G communication system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), radio backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in a 6G communication system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in a Wi-Fi system.

[0078] In some embodiments, a core network device may be a single device comprising one or more network elements, or it may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each comprising all or part of the aforementioned one or more network elements. Network elements may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), or a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0079] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of Open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0080] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0081] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0082] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1A, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1A are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1A, or it may include other main bodies outside of FIG1A. The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0083] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (a registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems built upon them, etc. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0084] In some embodiments, traditional IoT devices in IoT networks are typically powered by conventional batteries with limited lifespans, negatively impacting user experience. The astronomical growth of IoT networks, coupled with the sheer number of IoT devices, has pushed maintenance costs, including labor and battery expenses, to unprecedented levels. Billions of conventional batteries are discarded annually, with only a fraction being effectively recycled, causing harmful impacts on the Earth's ecosystem. Maintaining IoT networks and replacing batteries can be extremely challenging under some extreme environmental conditions. For these reasons, battery-free IoT communication has been proposed, which will improve network performance and sustainability and expand application scenarios. Furthermore, battery-free communication is more environmentally friendly and safer for children and the elderly. By eliminating conventional batteries, device size and cost can be significantly reduced, paving the way for a variety of new applications.

[0085] In some embodiments, various LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) technologies, such as MTC (Machine Type Communication), NB-IoT (Narrow Band Internet of Things), and RedCap (Reduced Capability), can be applied to meet the growing demands of vertical industries. These LPWA technologies achieve low cost, low power consumption, and massive connectivity, satisfying the requirements of many applications.

[0086] However, many use cases and applications remain unresolved in the following situations. First, devices powered by traditional batteries are unsuitable, for example, under extreme environmental conditions (e.g., high voltage, extremely high / low temperatures, humid environments). Second, maintenance-free devices are required (e.g., devices that do not require replacement of the device's traditional battery). Finally, ultra-low complexity, very small device size, form factor (e.g., thickness in the millimeter range), and longer lifespan are required.

[0087] In some embodiments, ambient IoT (also known as passive IoT) can be applied, a promising technology that can address the unmet needs in the examples above. An ambient IoT device is an IoT device powered by energy harvesting, without batteries or with limited energy storage capacity (e.g., using capacitors), providing energy by harvesting radio waves, light, motion, heat, or any other suitable source.

[0088] Energy harvested from the environment can power data transmission and wireless communication at sensing nodes. Traditional low-power IoT communication chips (such as BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), LoRa (Long Range), and NB-IoT) consume tens or even hundreds of milliwatts of power for transmission and reception, while environmental energy harvesting yields only microwatts, insufficient to power these types of nodes. Therefore, novel wireless communication technologies are needed to reduce communication energy consumption to tens or even less than ten microwatts. For example, backscatter communication technology can be employed. Backscatter communication is a key technology for building a green, energy-efficient, low-cost, and flexibly deployable future IoT, and an important means of achieving "intelligent interconnection of everything."

[0089] Backscatter communication utilizes the principle of radio frequency (RF) signal backscattering to design an extremely low-power modulation and transmission technology. Since a portion of the RF signal is reflected when it reaches the surface of an object, the transmitting node adjusts the matching between its receiving antenna and impedance according to the information to be transmitted, enhancing the reflection of the incident RF signal and modulating its acquired sensing data onto the reflected signal to complete data transmission. This process is similar to a reflector. Compared to other communication technologies, backscatter communication does not require complex RF structures, reducing the use of components such as power amplifiers, high-precision crystal oscillators, duplexers, and high-precision filters. It also does not require complex baseband processing, thus simplifying terminal design and significantly reducing terminal node costs.

[0090] Backscatter communication has been widely used in RIFD (Radio Frequency Identification) systems, resulting in many large-scale commercial applications. Its working principle involves a receiver (e.g., an RFID reader) sending a radio frequency excitation signal to activate a passive node (e.g., an RFID tag). The tag uses backscatter communication to modulate its own information onto the radio frequency signal. The reader receives the reflected signal from the passive tag and demodulates it, thus transmitting the information.

[0091] However, RFID technology also has many drawbacks, such as short coverage distance (the wireless signal experiences double-path fading during communication, resulting in significant path loss and a short effective communication distance), single-channel transmission, the need for precise tag alignment, and the lack of power control. There is significant room for improvement in the communication aspects of RFID technology. Integrating cellular network communication technology is needed to enhance the wireless communication performance of RFID in passive Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

[0092] This new type of IoT device features low memory, low processing power, low power consumption, small data transmission, and mass deployment. Environmental IoT devices can be maintenance-free and have a long service life (e.g., over 10 years).

[0093] This novel Internet of Things (IoT) device (e.g., A-IoT device) requires energy from radio waves emitted by network nodes to power itself. Therefore, before acquiring energy, this new IoT device is typically in a "power-off" state, i.e., offline. For this reason, the communication system needs to support data communication methods with shorter transmission times, lower memory consumption, and more convenient terminal management to complete the data communication process as quickly as possible. This disclosure presents a wireless communication design for communication between an environmental energy-based device, based on backscattering technology.

[0094] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0095] In A-IoT communication scenarios, the following two network architectures are mainly included:

[0096] As shown in the architecture 1 of Figure 1B, A-IoT devices and network devices directly transmit uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) information.

[0097] As shown in the architecture 2 of Figure 1C, A-IoT devices and network devices directly transmit uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) information, where the uplink and downlink information is forwarded through intermediate nodes.

[0098] For example, in 5G A-IoT systems and future systems (such as 6G), in order to enhance the communication coverage between devices and the network side, the communication method of Architecture 2 can be adopted, where network devices are connected to intermediate nodes and the two perform uplink and downlink communication; intermediate nodes are connected to A-IoT devices and the two perform uplink and downlink communication.

[0099] For example, intermediate nodes can be relays, IAB nodes (Integrated Access Backhaul nodes), UEs (user equipment, such as terminals), repeaters, and other devices.

[0100] In some embodiments, in architecture 2, for the allocation of interface resources between intermediate nodes and A-IoT devices, intermediate nodes (e.g., UEs) can only perform A-IoT service processes on the A-IoT interface between readers (e.g., network devices) and devices (e.g., A-IoT devices) when the resource configuration is valid in a cell under network control.

[0101] Based on this embodiment, if the intermediate node is configured with valid A-IoT resources, A-IoT services can be executed. However, considering the diversity of intermediate node states, for example, an intermediate node may be in a connected state in some cases, and since A-IoT services can be triggered under the control of network devices, the resources can be considered available; while an intermediate node may be in an out-of-connection state in some cases, and it is unclear whether A-IoT services have been triggered, thus making it impossible to determine whether the A-IoT service process can be executed based on A-IoT resources.

[0102] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of an information receiving method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0103] In some embodiments, the information receiving method may be performed by an intermediate node. For example, the intermediate node may be an intermediate node in the architecture shown in FIG1C. The intermediate node may be used to forward information between network devices (e.g., referred to as readers) and A-IoT devices (e.g., referred to as tags).

[0104] It should be noted that this disclosure primarily describes a scenario where an intermediate node is used to forward information between network devices and A-IoT devices, and the service performed by the intermediate node is an A-IoT service. However, the technical solution of this disclosure is not limited to A-IoT-related scenarios and can also be applied to other scenarios, including but not limited to IoT scenarios. For example, taking an IoT scenario as an example, the description focuses on a scenario where an intermediate node is used to forward information between network devices and IoT devices, and the service performed by the intermediate node is an IoT service. For instance, IoT can include 6G IoT, or it can include IoT that is not based on backscatter technology.

[0105] For example, intermediate nodes may include at least one of the following: relay, IAB node (Integrated Access Backhaul node), terminal, repeater.

[0106] As shown in Figure 2, the information receiving method may include at least one of the following steps:

[0107] In step S201, the intermediate node receives the first information sent by the network device.

[0108] In some embodiments, this disclosure does not limit the manner in which the network device sends the first information to the intermediate node. For example, the first information can be sent via broadcast system messages, via paging messages, or via proprietary signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling).

[0109] For example, when a network device sends the first information via a paging message, the network device can reuse the system broadcast change indication in the paging message as the first information. Alternatively, the network device can add new information (e.g., carried in the paging DCI (Downlink Control Information)) as the first information. For example, the newly added information can be specifically used to request intermediate nodes to perform A-IoT services.

[0110] In some embodiments, the intermediate node can receive the first information in a disconnected state. For example, when the intermediate node is disconnected, the network device can send the first information to the intermediate node by broadcasting a system message or by sending the first information to the intermediate node by paging a message.

[0111] In some embodiments, the intermediate node may also receive the first information during the process of entering the disconnected state. For example, the network device sends a Radio Resource Control Release (RRCRelease) message to the intermediate node to trigger the intermediate node to enter the disconnected state, and sends the first information to the intermediate node in the RRCRelease message.

[0112] In some embodiments, the first information is used to request the intermediate node to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

[0113] In some embodiments, disconnection may include at least one of the following:

[0114] Radio Resource Control (RRC) states include: idle, inactive, and connection failure.

[0115] For example, a connection failure state may include at least one of the following: Radio Link Failure, Handover Failure, or Handover, where Handover can be considered as disconnecting from the network device that was connected before the handover.

[0116] In step S202, the intermediate node performs A-IoT services in the disconnected state based on the first information.

[0117] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a network device can send first information to an intermediate node to request the intermediate node to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state. Accordingly, the intermediate node can determine that the A-IoT service has been triggered based on the first information, and then perform the A-IoT service in a disconnected state, such as performing the A-IoT service based on A-IoT resources, so that the intermediate node can clearly know that it can perform the A-IoT service based on A-IoT resources in a disconnected state.

[0118] In some embodiments, the intermediate node performing A-IoT services may include at least one of the following:

[0119] Intermediate nodes handle A-IoT business processes;

[0120] Intermediate nodes execute A-IoT business operations.

[0121] For example, the A-IoT business processes executed by intermediate nodes may include at least one of the following:

[0122] Forward information for network devices and / or A-IoT devices, obtain A-IoT service requests, update A-IoT service requests, delete A-IoT service requests, obtain A-IoT service-related configuration information, update A-IoT service-related configuration information, and delete A-IoT service-related configuration information.

[0123] For example, the A-IoT service process performed in the disconnected state as determined by the intermediate node based on the first information may be specified by predefined rules or indicated by the network device. For example, the network device may also send third information to the intermediate node, wherein the third information is used to indicate the status of the A-IoT service. The intermediate node can determine the A-IoT service process performed in the disconnected state based on the status indicated by the third information. The specific content of the third information will be described in subsequent embodiments.

[0124] In some embodiments, the first information may also include at least one of the following:

[0125] Business identifier;

[0126] Business type;

[0127] Business-related device information;

[0128] Business operations.

[0129] For example, intermediate nodes can determine the A-IoT service that needs to be performed in the disconnected state based on the service identifier; intermediate nodes can determine the type of A-IoT service that needs to be performed in the disconnected state based on the service type; intermediate nodes can determine the device associated with the A-IoT service (e.g., network device, A-IoT device) that needs to be performed in the disconnected state based on the service associated device information.

[0130] For example, a business identifier may include at least one of the following: service ID, session ID, or task ID.

[0131] For example, the business type may include at least one of the following: inventory, command, where the command type may include at least one of the following: write, enable, disable.

[0132] For example, service-related device information may include at least one of the following: device type, device ID, random number (e.g., 16-bit random number (RN16)), short access stratum ID (e.g., short AS (Access-stratum) ID), and service-related reading device (e.g., network device) information.

[0133] For example, a business operation may include at least one of the following: read position, read length, read content, write position, write length, and write content.

[0134] In some embodiments, the intermediate node may also perform one of the following:

[0135] If it is determined that the intermediate node allows A-IoT services to be performed in a disconnected state, the first information is received, and A-IoT services are performed in a disconnected state.

[0136] If it is determined that the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, the first information is received and the node enters a connected state to perform A-IoT services.

[0137] Since intermediate nodes may or may not allow A-IoT services to be performed in a disconnected state, upon receiving the first information, the intermediate node also needs to determine whether A-IoT services are allowed in a disconnected state (e.g., based on the second information). Performing A-IoT services in some embodiments may include executing A-IoT service processes or performing A-IoT service operations.

[0138] When A-IoT services are allowed to be performed in a disconnected state, the intermediate node can perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state after receiving the first information; however, when A-IoT services are not allowed to be performed in a disconnected state, the intermediate node needs to enter a connected state after receiving the first information before performing A-IoT services according to the first information.

[0139] It should be noted that in some embodiments, "allow" may also be referred to as "support".

[0140] In some embodiments, this disclosure does not limit the manner in which an intermediate node enters the connected state. For example, an intermediate node may enter the connected state by initiating a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection resume, an intermediate node may enter the connected state by initiating a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment, or an intermediate node may enter the connected state by initiating a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection re-establishment.

[0141] The following examples illustrate how intermediate nodes determine whether A-IoT services are allowed in a disconnected state.

[0142] In some embodiments, the intermediate node determines whether it allows A-IoT services to be performed in a disconnected state based on second information from the network device or based on whether the second information has been received.

[0143] It should be noted that, for example, the operation of a network device sending the first information to an intermediate node can be performed after sending the second information. For example, the network device sends the first information to the intermediate node only after the second information instructs the intermediate node to allow A-IoT services to be carried out in a disconnected state.

[0144] Alternatively, for example, the network device can send the first information to the intermediate node without considering whether the second information has been sent. For example, even if the second information has not been sent or the second information indicates that the intermediate node is not allowed to carry out A-IoT services in the disconnected state, the network device can still send the first information to the intermediate node.

[0145] In some embodiments, the intermediate node can receive the second information in a disconnected state. For example, when the intermediate node is disconnected, the network device can send the second information to the intermediate node by broadcasting a system message or by sending the second information to the intermediate node by paging a message.

[0146] In some embodiments, the intermediate node may also receive second information during the process of entering the disconnected state. For example, the network device sends an RRCRelease message to the intermediate node to trigger the intermediate node to enter the disconnected state, and sends the second information to the intermediate node in the RRCRelease message.

[0147] In some embodiments, if the network device does not send the second information, after receiving the first information, the intermediate node can perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, or wait to receive the second information and determine whether to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state based on the second information.

[0148] If the network device has sent the second information, and the second information indicates that A-IoT services are not allowed in the disconnected state, the intermediate node receives the first information and can perform an operation based on the first information (e.g., perform A-IoT services in the disconnected state), or perform an operation based on the first information (e.g., do not perform A-IoT services in the disconnected state). Whether the operation is based on the first information or the second information can be specified by predefined rules, or can be separately instructed by the network device.

[0149] In some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following:

[0150] Indication information, wherein the indication information is used to indicate whether the intermediate node allows A-IoT services to be performed in a disconnected state;

[0151] Configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes the configuration of the intermediate node for A-IoT services in the disconnected state.

[0152] For example, the configuration information may include the configuration of the intermediate node performing A-IoT services in the disconnected state. The configuration may include resources for communication, such as resources for the intermediate node to communicate with network devices (e.g., reading devices), resources for the intermediate node to communicate with A-IoT devices (e.g., tags), resources for the A-IoT device to send information to the network device (D2R), and resources for the network device to send information to the A-IoT device (R2D).

[0153] In some embodiments, an intermediate node may send capability information to the network device, wherein the capability information is used to indicate whether the intermediate node supports A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

[0154] Although network devices can indicate to intermediate nodes via secondary information whether A-IoT services are allowed in a disconnected state, in some cases, the capabilities of the intermediate nodes themselves also need to be considered when deciding whether to allow intermediate nodes to conduct A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

[0155] The intermediate node can indicate its capabilities to the network device via capability information, such as whether the intermediate node supports A-IoT services in a disconnected state. The network device will only instruct the intermediate node to allow A-IoT services in a disconnected state if the intermediate node supports them; otherwise, the network device will not instruct it to do so. This avoids the waste of signaling overhead caused by the network device instructing the intermediate node to allow A-IoT services in a disconnected state when the intermediate node does not support it.

[0156] The following are examples of several embodiments, taking as examples the second information including instruction information and the second information including configuration information, to illustrate the technical solution of this disclosure.

[0157] In some embodiments, the second information includes indication information. When the second information includes indication information, the intermediate node can determine whether to allow A-IoT services to be performed while disconnected based on the indication information.

[0158] For example, if the indication information indicates that the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, it is determined that the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state;

[0159] For example, if the indication information indicates that the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, it is determined that the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

[0160] In some embodiments, the indication information may be direct indication information or indirect indication information.

[0161] For example, taking direct indication information as an example, direct indication information can be carried in information that can be received in a disconnected state (such as RRC_IDLE, RRC_INACTIVE), and sent by the network device to the intermediate node to directly indicate to the intermediate node whether A-IoT services are allowed in a disconnected state.

[0162] For example, direct indication information may occupy one bit or more bits, and this disclosure is not limited in this regard. Taking one bit as an example, a value of 1 for direct indication information can indicate that A-IoT services are allowed in a disconnected state, while a value of 0 can indicate that A-IoT services are not allowed in a disconnected state; or, a value of 0 for direct indication information can indicate that A-IoT services are allowed in a disconnected state, while a value of 1 for direct indication information can indicate that A-IoT services are not allowed in a disconnected state.

[0163] For example, taking indirect indication information as an example, the indication information may include information such as the amount of data transmitted in the A-IoT service and latency requirements. For instance, if the amount of data transmitted in the A-IoT service exceeds a data volume threshold, it can be determined that the A-IoT service is not allowed in a disconnected state; if the amount of data transmitted in the A-IoT service is less than the data volume threshold, it can be determined that the A-IoT service is allowed in a disconnected state. Similarly, if the latency required for the A-IoT service is less than a latency threshold, it can be determined that the A-IoT service is not allowed in a disconnected state; if the latency required for the A-IoT service is greater than a latency threshold, it can be determined that the A-IoT service is allowed in a disconnected state.

[0164] For example, if an intermediate node determines that A-IoT services are not allowed to be performed in a disconnected state, it can trigger operations such as RRC connection establishment or RRC connection restoration to enter the connected state and perform A-IoT services.

[0165] In some embodiments, the second information includes configuration information. When the second information includes configuration information, the intermediate node can determine whether to allow A-IoT services to be performed in a disconnected state based on whether it has received the configuration information.

[0166] For example, if an intermediate node receives the configuration information, it can determine that A-IoT services are allowed to be performed in a disconnected state;

[0167] For example, if the intermediate node does not receive the configuration information, it can be determined that A-IoT services are not allowed to be performed in a disconnected state.

[0168] In some embodiments, when an intermediate node receives configuration information, it can further determine whether A-IoT services are allowed to be performed in a disconnected state based on whether the configuration in the configuration information is valid.

[0169] For example, if the configuration in the configuration information is valid, it can be determined that A-IoT services are allowed in a disconnected state;

[0170] For example, if the configuration in the configuration information is invalid, it can be determined that A-IoT services are not allowed to be performed in a disconnected state.

[0171] It should be noted that the validity or invalidity of the configuration in the configuration information can be determined based on predefined rules (such as defaults) or by indication from the network device (such as through valid information).

[0172] In some embodiments, intermediate nodes can obtain configuration information to perform A-IoT services according to the configuration in the configuration information.

[0173] It should be noted that if the intermediate node determines whether A-IoT services are allowed in a disconnected state based on whether it has received configuration information, it does not need to perform the configuration information retrieval operation again since it has already determined whether to receive configuration information (i.e., it has already performed the operation of receiving configuration information). However, if the intermediate node does not determine whether A-IoT services are allowed in a disconnected state based on the indication information, or if the configuration in the configuration information is invalid, then the configuration information retrieval operation is required.

[0174] In some embodiments, the intermediate node can determine whether to allow A-IoT services in a disconnected state based solely on indication information. If no indication information is received, it is considered that A-IoT services are not allowed in a disconnected state.

[0175] In some embodiments, the intermediate node can determine whether to allow A-IoT services in a disconnected state solely based on whether it has received configuration information. If configuration information is received, it is determined that A-IoT services in a disconnected state are allowed; if no configuration information is received, it is determined that A-IoT services in a disconnected state are not allowed.

[0176] In some embodiments, the intermediate node may determine whether to allow A-IoT services to be performed in a disconnected state based on indication information and whether configuration information has been received.

[0177] For example, if an intermediate node does not receive an instruction, or if it receives an instruction indicating that A-IoT services are not permitted in a disconnected state, it can determine whether to allow A-IoT services in a disconnected state based on whether it has received configuration information. Specifically, if configuration information is received, it determines that A-IoT services are permitted in a disconnected state; if configuration information is not received, it determines that A-IoT services are not permitted in a disconnected state.

[0178] For example, if an intermediate node does not receive an instruction, or if it receives an instruction that A-IoT services are not allowed in a disconnected state, it is considered that A-IoT services are not allowed in a disconnected state, regardless of whether configuration information has been received.

[0179] For example, if an intermediate node receives an instruction indicating that A-IoT services are allowed in a disconnected state and also receives configuration information, it determines that A-IoT services are allowed in a disconnected state. Otherwise, if the intermediate node receives an instruction indicating that A-IoT services are not allowed in a disconnected state, or if it does not receive configuration information, it determines that A-IoT services are not allowed in a disconnected state.

[0180] For example, if an intermediate node receives an indication message that allows A-IoT services to be performed in a disconnected state when it has not received configuration information or the configuration in the configuration information is invalid, then the intermediate node determines that A-IoT services can be performed in a disconnected state.

[0181] For example, if an intermediate node receives configuration information, or if it receives configuration information and the configuration in the configuration information is valid, and if it receives an indication message that A-IoT services are not allowed in the disconnected state, then the intermediate node will determine that A-IoT services are not allowed in the disconnected state.

[0182] In some embodiments, the intermediate node receives third information sent by the network device, wherein the third information is used to indicate the status of the A-IoT service.

[0183] For example, network devices can send third-party information to intermediate nodes to inform them of the status of A-IoT services.

[0184] For example, the status of A-IoT services includes at least one of the following:

[0185] Service initiation, service update, service suspension, service termination.

[0186] For example, in addition to indicating the status of A-IoT services, the third information can also indicate status-related information of A-IoT services, such as service initiation time, service update time, service stop time, service end time, and service duration.

[0187] In some embodiments, the intermediate node can receive third information in a disconnected state. For example, when the intermediate node is disconnected, the network device can send the third information to the intermediate node by broadcasting a system message or by sending the third information to the intermediate node by paging a message.

[0188] In some embodiments, the intermediate node may also receive third information during the process of entering the disconnected state. For example, the network device sends an RRCRelease message to the intermediate node to trigger the intermediate node to enter the disconnected state and sends the third information to the intermediate node in the RRCRelease message.

[0189] In some embodiments, after receiving third information, the intermediate node can perform A-IoT services according to the service status indicated by the third information. For example, when the service status indicates that the service has been initiated, the A-IoT service can be initiated, such as at the service initiation time; when the service status indicates that the service has ended, the A-IoT service can be terminated, such as at the service end time.

[0190] In some embodiments, where the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, the intermediate node can perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state based on the state of the A-IoT services indicated by the third information; while where the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, the intermediate node can enter the connected state from the disconnected state after determining from the third information that the state of the A-IoT services has changed (e.g., updated, stopped, etc.), and then perform A-IoT services in the connected state according to the indication information of the network device (e.g., the changed state of the A-IoT services).

[0191] For example, when a network device sends third information via a paging message, the network device can reuse the system broadcast change indication in the paging message as the third information. Alternatively, the network device can add new information (e.g., carried in the paging DCI) to the paging message as the third information. For example, the newly added information can be specifically used to indicate the status of A-IoT services (e.g., start, update, end, etc.).

[0192] In some embodiments, the intermediate node may also perform one of the following:

[0193] If it is determined that the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, the third information is received, and A-IoT services are performed in the disconnected state according to the status of the A-IoT services.

[0194] If it is determined that the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, the third information is received, and the node enters a connected state to perform A-IoT services according to the status of the A-IoT services.

[0195] Since intermediate nodes can allow or disallow A-IoT services in a disconnected state, when receiving third information, intermediate nodes also need to determine whether to allow A-IoT services in a disconnected state (e.g., based on the second information).

[0196] When A-IoT services are allowed to be performed in a disconnected state, the intermediate node can perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state after receiving the third information; however, when A-IoT services are not allowed to be performed in a disconnected state, the intermediate node needs to enter a connected state after receiving the third information before performing A-IoT services based on the third information.

[0197] In some embodiments, the network device sends at least one of the first, second, and third information to the intermediate node. This can be done by the network device based on an implementation, or it can be triggered by other devices, such as core network devices (e.g., core network functions) and servers (e.g., A-IoT servers). Other devices can send service messages (e.g., messages related to A-IoT services) to the network device to trigger the network device to send at least one of the first, second, and third information to the intermediate node.

[0198] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S201 to S202. For example, step S201 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S202 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and step S201+S202 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0199] In some embodiments, steps S201 and S202 may be performed in an alternate order or simultaneously.

[0200] In some embodiments, step S201 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0201] In some embodiments, step S202 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0202] In some embodiments, other optional implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG2.

[0203] The technical solutions of this disclosure will be illustrated by several embodiments from the perspectives of network devices and intermediate nodes, respectively.

[0204] From the network device side:

[0205] Network devices can receive service messages sent by first device nodes (such as core network devices, servers, etc.), and send first configuration information to intermediate nodes based on the service messages (for example, it can be sent to intermediate nodes when the intermediate nodes are in a connected state, or it can be sent to intermediate nodes when the intermediate nodes are in a disconnected state). The first configuration information is used by intermediate nodes to execute A-IoT services.

[0206] For example, the first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0207] The first information is used to indicate an A-IoT service request. For example, the first information may carry at least one of the following: service identifier (e.g., service ID, session ID, task ID), service type (e.g., write, read, enable, disable), service-associated device information (e.g., device type, device ID, RN16, short AS ID), and service-associated reading device information.

[0208] The second information is used to indicate whether the intermediate node allows the execution of A-IoT services in a disconnected state, and can also indicate whether A-IoT services (such as specific A-IoT services or non-specific A-IoT services) are allowed to be executed when the intermediate node is in a disconnected state.

[0209] The third information is used to indicate the status of A-IoT services. The status of A-IoT services includes, for example, service initiation, update, and cessation. Furthermore, the third information can also indicate the A-IoT service update time, initiation time, end time, duration, etc.

[0210] The fourth information is used to indicate the A-IoT service association configuration (the intermediate node configures the A-IoT service in the disconnected state). The fourth information can be sent in the first information or sent separately from the first information.

[0211] For example, the first device node can be a core network functional node or an A-IoT server. The service message is used by the network device to determine the first configuration information, such as the service identifier, service type, and service latency requirements.

[0212] For example, network indication information can be sent to intermediate nodes via system broadcast messages, paging messages, or proprietary signaling.

[0213] In some embodiments, the network device may determine whether to send third information to the intermediate node based on the intermediate node’s capability information. The intermediate node’s capability information is reported to the network device by the intermediate node when it is in a connected state. The capability information may indicate whether the intermediate node supports initiating A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

[0214] From the middle node side:

[0215] Intermediate nodes can receive the first configuration information sent by network devices and initiate A-IoT services based on the first configuration information.

[0216] For example, the first configuration information can be sent to the intermediate node via at least one message, such as a system broadcast message, a paging message, or a dedicated signaling message.

[0217] For example, initiating an A-IoT service may include at least one of the following (one or more of the following may be performed in a specific order or not):

[0218] It can be determined that the A-IoT service status has changed, and the change in service status can be determined based on third-party information.

[0219] For example, third information can be sent to intermediate nodes via paging messages, system broadcast messages, or proprietary signaling (such as RRR Crease). This third information can indicate the A-IoT service status, including service initiation, update, and termination. Furthermore, it can indicate the service update time, start time, end time, and service duration. If an intermediate node misses the third information sent in the paging message or system broadcast message during cell handover, the handling depends on the intermediate node's implementation. For example, the intermediate node might assume the A-IoT service status has not changed, or it might (after a period of time or immediately) enter connected state to request the network device to resend the third information.

[0220] Determine whether to allow A-IoT services to be performed in a disconnected state, for example, based on the second piece of information.

[0221] For example, whether to allow the execution of A-IoT services can be indicated for specific A-IoT services, specific A-IoT devices, specific network devices, or specific intermediate nodes. If allowed, the intermediate node can execute A-IoT services in a disconnected state. If not allowed, the intermediate node can only execute A-IoT services in a connected state. For example, if a change in the A-IoT service state is determined based on third-party information, the intermediate node enters the connected state and operates according to subsequent network instructions.

[0222] The second information may include direct indication information, such as indications that the A-IoT task can be executed in states such as RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE. Alternatively, the second information may include indirect indication information, such as the data volume and latency sensitivity information corresponding to the A-IoT task. Based on this, the intermediate node determines whether the A-IoT service can be executed in the disconnected state. If the latency requirement is not sensitive (e.g., relatively large latency is allowed), it is determined that the A-IoT service can be executed in the disconnected state. Otherwise, it is determined that the A-IoT service cannot be executed in the disconnected state. Then, the intermediate node can trigger the RRC connection establishment or RRC recovery process to enter the connected state to execute the A-IoT service. For example, the second piece of information may include configuration information executed in states such as RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE. If the configuration information contains a valid configuration for executing A-IoT services in states such as RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE, it confirms that A-IoT services can be executed in a disconnected state. Otherwise, if it confirms that A-IoT services cannot be executed in a disconnected state, the intermediate node can trigger an RRC connection establishment or RRC recovery process to enter the connected state and execute A-IoT services. The validity of the configuration can be determined based on valid information from the network device or the configuration may be valid by default.

[0223] A-IoT service requests can be determined, for example, A-IoT service requests can be determined based on the first information.

[0224] For example, the first information indicates an A-IoT service request, including at least one of the following: service identifier (e.g., service ID, session ID, task ID), service type (e.g., write, read, enable, disable), specific service operation (e.g., read / write location, read / write length, content of read / write data), service-associated device information (e.g., device type, device ID, RN16, short AS ID), and service-associated reading device information.

[0225] For example, A-IoT service requests can be sent to intermediate nodes via paging messages (e.g., paging messages can be reused to broadcast change instructions, or new instructions can be added specifically to indicate at least one operation such as the start, update, or termination of an A-IoT service. For example, the added new instructions can exist in the paging DCI), system broadcast messages, or proprietary signaling (e.g., RRRCRelease).

[0226] The A-IoT service configuration is determined, and the A-IoT service configuration can be sent to the intermediate node via paging messages, broadcast system messages, or proprietary signaling (e.g., RRRCRelease).

[0227] In this scenario, if the intermediate node determines whether A-IoT operation is allowed in a disconnected state based on whether an A-IoT service configuration is configured, it is unnecessary to perform the A-IoT service configuration determination operation again. However, if the intermediate node determines that A-IoT operation is allowed in a disconnected state based on other network indications, and if the intermediate node does not have a corresponding valid configuration, it can determine the A-IoT service configuration, obtain the corresponding configuration, and then perform A-IoT operation based on the obtained configuration.

[0228] For example, A-IoT service configuration information may include, but is not limited to, resources for communication between intermediate nodes and network devices (e.g., reading devices), resources for communication between intermediate nodes and A-IoT devices (e.g., tags), resources for A-IoT devices to send information to network devices (R2D), and resources for network devices to send information to A-IoT devices (D2R).

[0229] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0230] In some embodiments, the terms "uplink", "uplink", and "physical uplink" can be used interchangeably, as can the terms "downlink", "downlink", and "physical downlink", as well as the terms "sidelink", "sidelink", "sidelink communication", "sidelink communication", "direct connection", "direct link", "direct communication", and "direct link communication".

[0231] In some embodiments, the terms “downlink control information (DCI),” “downlink (DL) assignment,” “DL DCI,” “uplink (UL) grant,” and “UL DCI” can be used interchangeably.

[0232] In some embodiments, terms such as "physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)" and "DL data" can be used interchangeably, as can terms such as "physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)" and "UL data".

[0233] In some embodiments, terms such as “moment,” “point in time,” “time,” and “time location” can be used interchangeably, as can terms such as “duration,” “segment,” “time window,” “window,” and “time.”

[0234] In some embodiments, “get,” “obtain,” “receive,” “transmit,” “bidirectional transmission,” and “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining through self-processing, or autonomous implementation, among other meanings.

[0235] In some embodiments, terms such as “send,” “transmit,” “report,” “distribute,” “transfer,” “bidirectional transmission,” “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably.

[0236] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain," "preset," "default," "set," "indicated," "a certain," "any," and "first" can be used interchangeably. "Certain A," "preset A," "default A," "set A," "indicated A," "a certain A," "any A," and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol or the like, or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or instruction, or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0237] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (boolean), or by a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., a comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0238] Corresponding to the embodiments of the aforementioned information receiving method and information sending method, this disclosure also provides embodiments of an information receiving device and an information sending device.

[0239] Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an information receiving device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the information receiving device can be applied to an intermediate node. As shown in Figure 3, the information receiving device includes: a receiving module 301, a processing module 302, and a sending module 303.

[0240] In some embodiments, the receiving module is configured to receive first information sent by the network device, wherein the first information is used to request the intermediate node to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

[0241] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a processing module configured to: perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state when it is determined that the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state and the receiving module receives the first information; or enter a connected state to perform A-IoT services when it is determined that the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state and the receiving module receives the first information.

[0242] In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to determine whether the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, based on second information from the network device or based on whether the second information is received.

[0243] In some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following: indication information, wherein the indication information is used to indicate whether the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state; configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes the configuration of the intermediate node performing A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

[0244] In some embodiments, the second information includes indication information, wherein the processing module is configured to: determine that the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state when the indication information indicates that the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state; and determine that the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state when the indication information indicates that the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

[0245] In some embodiments, the second information includes configuration information, wherein the processing module is configured to: determine, when the receiving module receives the configuration information, that the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state; or determine, when the receiving module does not receive the configuration information, that the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

[0246] In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to send capability information to the network device, wherein the capability information is used to indicate whether the intermediate node supports A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

[0247] In some embodiments, the receiving module is further configured to receive third information sent by the network device, wherein the third information is used to indicate the status of the A-IoT service.

[0248] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a processing module configured to: when it is determined that the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, and the receiving module receives the third information, perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state according to the state of the A-IoT services; or when it is determined that the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, and the receiving module receives the third information, enter a connected state and perform A-IoT services according to the state of the A-IoT services.

[0249] In some embodiments, the disconnected state includes at least one of the following: idle state; inactive state; wireless link failure; handover failure; handover.

[0250] Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of an information transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, the information transmitting device includes: a transmitting module 401 and a receiving module 402.

[0251] In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to send first information to an intermediate node, wherein the first information is used to request the intermediate node to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

[0252] In some embodiments, the sending module is further configured to send second information to the intermediate node, wherein the second information is used to indicate whether the intermediate node allows A-IoT services to be performed in a disconnected state.

[0253] In some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following: indication information, wherein the indication information is used to indicate whether the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state; configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes the configuration of the intermediate node performing A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

[0254] In some embodiments, the sending module is further configured as a receiving module, configured to receive capability information sent by the intermediate node, wherein the capability information is used to indicate whether the intermediate node supports A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

[0255] In some embodiments, the sending module is further configured to send third information to the intermediate node, wherein the third information is used to indicate the status of the A-IoT service.

[0256] In some embodiments, the disconnected state includes at least one of the following: idle state; inactive state; wireless link failure; handover failure; handover.

[0257] For the device embodiments, since they basically correspond to the method embodiments, the relevant parts can be referred to in the description of the method embodiments. The device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs. Those skilled in the art can understand and implement this without any creative effort.

[0258] This disclosure also provides an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Alternatively, another apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0259] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0260] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0261] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 5100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 5100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 5100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0262] As shown in Figure 5A, the communication device 5100 includes one or more processors 5101. The processor 5101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 5100 can be used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 5101 can be used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 5100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0263] In some embodiments, the communication device 5100 further includes one or more transceivers 5102. When the communication device 5100 includes one or more transceivers 5102, the transceiver 5102 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S201, S202, but not limited thereto) in the above method, such as sending and / or receiving, while the processor 5101 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S201, S202, but not limited thereto). In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, sending unit, transmitter, sending circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0264] In some embodiments, the communication device 5100 further includes one or more memories 5103 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 5103 may be located outside the communication device 5100. In optional embodiments, the communication device 5100 may include one or more interface circuits 5104. Optionally, the interface circuits 5104 are connected to the memories 5103 and can be used to receive data from the memories 5103 or other devices, and to send data to the memories 5103 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 5104 can read data stored in the memories 5103 and send the data to the processor 5101.

[0265] The communication device 5100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 5100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 5100 may not be limited by FIG. 5A. The communication device may be a standalone device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0266] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of chip 5200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 5100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of chip 5200 shown in Figure 5B, but it is not limited thereto.

[0267] Chip 5200 includes one or more processors 5201. Chip 5200 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[0268] In some embodiments, chip 5200 further includes one or more interface circuits 5202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 5200 further includes one or more memories 5203 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 5203 may be located outside of chip 5200. Optionally, interface circuit 5202 is connected to memory 5203, and interface circuit 5202 can be used to receive data from memory 5203 or other devices, and interface circuit 5202 can be used to send data to memory 5203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 5202 can read data stored in memory 5203 and send the data to processor 5201.

[0269] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 5202 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S201, S202, but not limited thereto) in the above-described method, such as sending and / or receiving. For example, the interface circuit 5202 performing the communication steps (e.g., sending and / or receiving) in the above-described method refers to the interface circuit 5202 performing data interaction between the processor 5201, the chip 5200, the memory 5203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 5201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S201, S202, but not limited thereto).

[0270] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0271] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on the communication device 5100, cause the communication device 5100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0272] This disclosure also provides a program product that, when executed by the communication device 5100, causes the communication device 5100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0273] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

1. An information receiving method, characterized in that, Executed by an intermediate node, the method includes: The system receives first information sent by a network device, wherein the first information is used to request the intermediate node to perform environmental Internet of Things (A-IoT) services in a disconnected state.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method also includes one of the following: Upon determining that the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, the first information is received, and A-IoT services are performed in a disconnected state. If it is determined that the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, the first information is received and the node enters a connected state to perform A-IoT services.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the second information from the network device or based on whether the second information is received, it is determined whether the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second information includes at least one of the following: Indication information, wherein the indication information is used to indicate whether the intermediate node allows A-IoT services to be performed in a disconnected state; Configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes the configuration of the intermediate node for A-IoT services in the disconnected state.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second information includes indication information, wherein determining whether the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state based on the second information of the network device or based on whether the second information is received includes at least one of the following: If the indication information indicates that the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, then it is determined that the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state. If the indication information indicates that the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, then it is determined that the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second information includes configuration information, wherein determining whether the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state based on the second information of the network device or based on whether the second information is received includes at least one of the following: Upon receiving the configuration information, it is determined that the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state; If the configuration information is not received, it is determined that the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services while disconnected.

7. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send capability information to the network device, wherein the capability information is used to indicate whether the intermediate node supports A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

8. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive third information sent by the network device, wherein the third information is used to indicate the status of the A-IoT service.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method also includes one of the following: Upon determining that the intermediate node is allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, the third information is received, and A-IoT services are performed in the disconnected state according to the status of the A-IoT services. Upon determining that the intermediate node is not allowed to perform A-IoT services in a disconnected state, the third information is received, and the node enters a connected state to perform A-IoT services according to the status of the A-IoT services.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The disconnected state includes at least one of the following: Idle state; Inactive state; Wireless link failure; Switching failed; Switch.

11. A method for sending information, characterized in that, Performed by a network device, the method includes: Send a first message to the intermediate node, wherein the first message is used to request the intermediate node to perform environmental IoT (A-IoT) services in a disconnected state.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message to the intermediate node, wherein the second message is used to indicate whether the intermediate node allows A-IoT services to be performed in a disconnected state.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The second information includes at least one of the following: Indication information, wherein the indication information is used to indicate whether the intermediate node allows A-IoT services to be performed in a disconnected state; Configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes the configuration of the intermediate node for A-IoT services in the disconnected state.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: The intermediate node receives capability information sent by the intermediate node, wherein the capability information is used to indicate whether the intermediate node supports A-IoT services in a disconnected state.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a third message to the intermediate node, wherein the third message is used to indicate the status of the A-IoT service.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that, The disconnected state includes at least one of the following: Idle state; Inactive state; Wireless link failure; Switching failed; Switch.

17. An information receiving device, characterized in that, Suitable for intermediate nodes, the device includes: The receiving module is configured to receive first information sent by the network device, wherein the first information is used to request the intermediate node to perform environmental Internet of Things (A-IoT) services in a disconnected state.

18. An information transmitting device, characterized in that, Suitable for network devices, the apparatus includes: The sending module is configured to send first information to the intermediate node, wherein the first information is used to request the intermediate node to perform environmental IoT (A-IoT) services in a disconnected state.

19. An intermediate node, characterized in that, include: One or more processors; The intermediate node is used to execute the information receiving method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

20. A network device, characterized in that, include: One or more processors; The network device is used to perform the information transmission method according to any one of claims 11 to 16.

21. A communication system, characterized in that, The system includes intermediate nodes and network devices, wherein the intermediate nodes are configured to implement the information receiving method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and the network devices are configured to implement the information sending method according to any one of claims 11 to 16.

22. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device performs the information receiving method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and / or the information sending method according to any one of claims 11 to 16.

23. A program product, characterized in that, When the above-described program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device performs the information receiving method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and / or the information sending method according to any one of claims 11 to 16.

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