Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of wireless communications, and provides a communication method and apparatus, used for improving the reliability of service data transmission of a target service. In the present application, a first device receives a first frame from a second device, wherein the first frame comprises first information, and the first information is used for negotiating, for a first service of the first device, a first frequency band to which the first service belongs; and the first device sends a second frame to the second device, wherein the second frame comprises second information, the second information is used for responding to whether to agree to use the first frequency band as a frequency band to which the first service belongs, and the quantity of frequency bands accessed by the first device is different from the quantity of frequency bands accessed by the second device. In the present application, the first device and the second device can transmit service data of the first service on the first frequency band, so as to avoid interference caused by service data of other devices or service data of other types to the service data of the first service of the first device, thereby improving transmission reliability of the service data of the first service of the first device.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference of related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510070355.6, filed on January 15, 2025, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] The development of wireless local area networks (WLANs) has made wireless communication increasingly popular. The standards for WLANs developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) (i.e., the 802.11 protocol suite) have also evolved accordingly.

[0005] With the rise of live streaming and video services, users generally have higher expectations for the user experience. For these services, it's crucial to ensure real-time data transmission and avoid issues like buffering or dropped connections during live streams or videos. Ensuring reliable data transmission for these services between WLAN devices is a key challenge that needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for improving the reliability of data transmission of target services.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. This method can be applied to a first device, a module (e.g., a circuit, chip, or chip system) within the first device, or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first device. Taking the application to the first device as an example, the method includes: the first device receiving a first frame from a second device, the first frame including first information used to negotiate a first frequency band for a first service of the first device; the first device sending a second frame to the second device, the second frame including second information used to respond to whether it agrees to use the first frequency band as the frequency band for the first service; the first device and the second device accessing different numbers of frequency bands.

[0008] Using the above method, the first device can receive a first frame sent by the second device. Based on the first information included in the first frame, the second device and the first device negotiate whether to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs. Therefore, the first device and the second device can transmit the service data of the first service on the first frequency band, avoiding interference from the service data of other devices or other types of service data to the service data of the first device's first service, thereby improving the transmission reliability of the service data of the first device's first service.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the first frame also includes third information, which is used to indicate whether the second device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0010] Using the above method, the first frame received by the first device includes third information. When the third information indicates that the second device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the first device can obtain the first information from the first frame to further determine the first frequency band negotiated by the second device. When the third information indicates that the second device does not support negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the first device can stop obtaining the first information from the first frame, thereby improving the efficiency of the first device in parsing the first frame.

[0011] Optionally, the first frame is a reconfiguration request frame.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the second frame also includes fourth information, which is used to indicate whether the first device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0013] Using the above method, the second frame sent by the first device to the second device includes fourth information. When the fourth information indicates that the first device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the second device can obtain the second information from the second frame to further determine whether the first device agrees to use the first frequency band as the frequency band for the first service. When the fourth information indicates that the first device does not support negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the second device no longer obtains the second information from the second frame, thereby improving the efficiency of the second device in parsing the second frame.

[0014] Optionally, the second frame is the reconfiguration response frame.

[0015] Optionally, the first service includes at least one of low-latency service and high-bandwidth service.

[0016] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a second device, a module (e.g., a circuit, chip, or chip system) within the second device, or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second device. Taking the application to a second device as an example, the method includes: the second device sending a first frame to a first device, the first frame including first information used to negotiate a first frequency band for a first service of the first device; the second device receiving a second frame from the first device, the second frame including second information used to respond to whether it agrees to use the first frequency band as the frequency band for the first service; the first device and the second device access different numbers of frequency bands.

[0017] Using the above method, the second device can send a first frame to the first device. Based on the first information included in the first frame, the second device and the first device negotiate whether to use the first frequency band as the frequency band for the first service. Therefore, the first device and the second device can transmit the service data of the first service on the first frequency band, avoiding interference from the service data of other devices or other types of service data to the service data of the first device's first service, thereby improving the transmission reliability of the service data of the first device's first service.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the first frame also includes third information, which is used to indicate whether the second device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0019] Using the above method, the first frame sent by the second device to the first device includes third information. When the third information indicates that the second device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the first device can obtain the first information from the first frame to further determine the first frequency band negotiated by the second device. When the third information indicates that the second device does not support negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the first device can stop obtaining the first information from the first frame, thereby improving the efficiency of the first device in parsing the first frame.

[0020] Optionally, the first frame is a reconfiguration request frame.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the second frame also includes fourth information, which is used to indicate whether the first device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0022] Using the above method, the second frame received by the second device includes fourth information. When the fourth information indicates that the first device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the second device can obtain the second information from the second frame to further determine whether the first device agrees to use the first frequency band as the frequency band for the first service. When the fourth information indicates that the first device does not support negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the second device no longer obtains the second information from the second frame, thereby improving the efficiency of the second device in parsing the second frame.

[0023] Optionally, the second frame is the reconfiguration response frame.

[0024] Optionally, the first service includes at least one of low-latency service and high-bandwidth service.

[0025] Thirdly, this application provides a communication device that has the functions of the first aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units or means corresponding to the operations involved in the first aspect above. The modules, units or means can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0026] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device that has the functions of the second aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units or means corresponding to the operations involved in the second aspect above. The modules, units or means can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of software and hardware.

[0027] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device including an interface circuit and one or more processors. The one or more processors are coupled to a memory. The memory stores part or all of the necessary computer program or instructions for implementing the functions described in the first aspect. The one or more processors can execute the computer program or instructions, causing the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the first aspect. The interface circuit is used to implement the communication functions within the communication device and / or the communication functions between the communication device and other devices or components.

[0028] The aforementioned communication device may be a first device, a module (e.g., a circuit, a chip, or a chip system) in the first device, or a logic node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first device.

[0029] Sixthly, this application provides a communication device including an interface circuit and one or more processors. The one or more processors are coupled to a memory. The memory stores part or all of the necessary computer program or instructions for implementing the functions described in the second aspect above. The one or more processors are executable to carry out the computer program or instructions, causing the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the second aspect above. The interface circuit is used to implement the communication functions within the communication device and / or the communication functions between the communication device and other devices or components.

[0030] The aforementioned communication device may be a second device, a module (e.g., a circuit, chip, or chip system) in the second device, or a logic node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second device.

[0031] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the method in any of the possible designs of the first or second aspect described above.

[0032] Eighthly, this application provides a computer program product comprising a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the method in any of the possible designs of the first or second aspect described above.

[0033] Ninthly, this application provides a communication system, including a first device for performing any possible implementation of the first aspect above, and a second device for performing any possible implementation of the second aspect above.

[0034] For the various aspects of the third to ninth aspects mentioned above, and the technical effects that each aspect may achieve, please refer to the description of the technical effects that can be achieved by various possible solutions for any aspect of the first or second aspect, which will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a WLAN network architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an optional network architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an applicable scenario provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another applicable scenario provided by the embodiments of this application;

[0039] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of a reconfiguration request frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the format of a field of a feature subtype provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a reconfiguration response frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the format of a field of a feature subtype provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of an AP and STA negotiating a first frequency band according to an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a reconfiguration of the first frequency band provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a reconfiguration of the first frequency band provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0050] In the embodiments of this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c, where each of a, b, and c can be an element itself or a set containing one or more elements.

[0051] In this application, terms such as "exemplary," "in some embodiments," and "in other embodiments" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Rather, the term "exemplary" is used to present the concept in a specific manner.

[0052] In this application, the terms "of," "corresponding (relevant)," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, unless a distinction is emphasized, their intended meanings are consistent. Similarly, in the embodiments of this application, "communication" and "transmission" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, unless a distinction is emphasized, their intended meanings are consistent. For example, transmission can include sending and / or receiving, and can be a noun or a verb.

[0053] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" used in the embodiments of this application are used only for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or order.

[0054] This application's embodiments can be applied to local area networks (LANs), such as WLANs; wherein, a WLAN may include one or more basic service sets (BSSs), and network nodes in a basic service set include access points (APs) and stations (STAs). This application supports any of the protocols in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) protocols, such as the IEEE 802.11be / Wi-Fi 7 / EHT protocol, the IEEE 802.11bn / UHR / Wi-Fi 8 protocol, the IEEE Integrated mmWave / IMMW protocol, the IEEE 802.15 / UWB protocol, or the IEEE 802.11bf / sensing protocol. Alternatively, this application may also support the Spark Link / NearLink standard protocols.

[0055] The embodiments of this application can also be applied to wireless local area networks such as Internet of Things (IoT) networks or vehicle-to-X (V2X) networks. Of course, the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other possible communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) communication systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) communication systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) communication systems, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) communication systems, and future evolution communication systems.

[0056] The following description uses an embodiment of this application applicable to a WLAN as an example. Referring to Figure 1, a network architecture diagram of a WLAN applicable to an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 1 illustrates an example of a WLAN including one AP and two STAs. The STA associated with the AP can receive frames sent by the AP and can also send frames to the AP. This embodiment of the application will describe communication between the AP and STAs as an example. It is understood that this embodiment of the application can also be applied to communication between APs, for example, APs can communicate with each other through a distributed system (DS), and it can also be applied to communication between STAs.

[0057] An access point (AP) can be an access point for terminal devices (such as mobile phones) to access wired (or wireless) networks. An AP acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, its main function being to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to an Ethernet network. For example, an AP can be a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) with a Wi-Fi chip or a network device (such as a router). In this embodiment, the AP can be a device supporting the 802.11be standard, or it can be a device supporting various WLAN standards of the 802.11 series, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ay, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11be next generation.

[0058] A STA can be a wireless communication chip, wireless sensor, or wireless communication terminal, and can also be referred to as a user. For example, a STA can be a mobile phone supporting Wi-Fi communication, a tablet computer supporting Wi-Fi communication, a set-top box supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart TV supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart wearable device supporting Wi-Fi communication, an in-vehicle communication device supporting Wi-Fi communication, and a computer supporting Wi-Fi communication, etc. Optionally, a STA can support the 802.11be standard, or it can support various WLAN standards in the 802.11 series, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ay, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11be next generation.

[0059] Understandably, the number of APs and STAs shown in Figure 1 is just an example, and there could be more or fewer.

[0060] To facilitate understanding of this solution, the network architecture applicable to the embodiments of this application will be described in detail first using the network architecture shown in Figure 2 as an example. As shown in Figure 2, the network architecture may include multiple communication devices, with a first device and a second device as an example. For instance, the first device and the second device can establish a Wi-Fi connection, and the first device and the second device communicate based on the established Wi-Fi connection; for example, the first device and the second device send data frames, management frames, control frames, or messages based on the Wi-Fi connection. In the embodiments of this application, the first device can be an AP or STA in a WLAN network architecture, and the second device can be an AP or STA in a WLAN network architecture.

[0061] As service types become increasingly diverse, users can access a primary service through a primary device. This primary service can be a low-latency service or a high-bandwidth service, among others. Since primary services often have high requirements for latency or reliability, it is necessary to ensure real-time transmission of service data. For example, if the primary service is a live streaming service, real-time transmission of service data is crucial to prevent issues such as buffering or disconnections.

[0062] The first device and the second device can transmit service data for a first service via a Wi-Fi connection. Since the first and second devices support one or more frequency bands, they can transmit service data for the first service on one or more frequency bands. Currently, when the first and second devices transmit service data, different types of service data from the first device share the same frequency band; for example, the first and second devices can support the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands, and the service data for both the first and second services of the first device can be transmitted on the 5GHz frequency band. However, a sudden increase in load on the frequency band transmitting the service data for the first service can affect the transmission of the service data for the first service between the first and second devices. For example, if the service data for both the first and second services of the first device can be transmitted on the 5GHz frequency band, a surge in the service data for the second service will lead to increased latency for the service data of the first service, making it impossible to guarantee the reliability of the service data transmission for the first service between the first and second devices.

[0063] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. When a first device accesses a first service, a second device can configure a first frequency band for the first service of the first device. The second device and the first device can negotiate whether to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs. If the first device agrees to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the first device and the second device can transmit service data of the first service based on the first frequency band. Optionally, the first service may include at least one of low-latency services and high-bandwidth services.

[0064] The communication method of this application embodiment can be applied to scenarios where the number of frequency bands accessed by the first device is different from the number of frequency bands accessed by the second device. For example, when the first device is a STA and the second device is an AP, the STA and AP can support multiple frequency bands (e.g., the STA and AP support the 2.4GHz band, the 5GHz band (where the 5GHz band can further include a 5GHz low-frequency band and a 5GHz high-frequency band), and the 6GHz band). The applicable scenario for this application embodiment is shown in Figure 3, where the AP and STA can simultaneously access multiple frequency bands, and the number of frequency bands accessed by the AP is different from the number of frequency bands accessed by the STA; for example, the AP can access the 2.4GHz band, the 5GHz band, and the 6GHz band, while the STA can access the 2.4GHz band and the 5GHz band. The applicable scenario for this application embodiment is also shown in Figure 4, where the AP can simultaneously access multiple frequency bands, and the STA can access one frequency band; for example, the AP can access the 2.4GHz band, the 5GHz band, and the 6GHz band, while the STA can access the 2.4GHz band.

[0065] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication method mainly includes the following steps 500 to 501. The example shown is a second device initiating negotiation with a first device regarding the frequency band to which the first device's first service belongs. It is understood that the steps and execution order illustrated in Figure 5 are merely examples. In actual implementation, some steps may be executed, or the remaining steps may also be executed. Similarly, the execution order of the steps can be adjusted, and this embodiment of the application does not limit this.

[0066] Step 500: The second device sends the first frame to the first device.

[0067] Correspondingly, the first device receives the first frame from the second device.

[0068] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, the first device and the second device access different number of frequency bands.

[0069] For example, the second device can be an AP, and the first device can be a STA associated with the AP; the number of frequency bands accessed by the first device can be less than the number of frequency bands accessed by the second device.

[0070] Optionally, the first frame includes first information, which is used to negotiate the first frequency band to which the first device belongs for the first service.

[0071] The first service in this application embodiment may include, but is not limited to, the following services: low latency service and high bandwidth service.

[0072] Among them, low-latency services can be services with high latency requirements, or services that need to guarantee low latency.

[0073] High-bandwidth services, also known as large-bandwidth services, are services that require high-speed data transmission and processing capabilities.

[0074] For example, the first service in this application embodiment may specifically be a video streaming service (such as an online video stream, a live video stream, etc.), an online game service, a real-time communication service, a video conferencing service, etc.

[0075] The first service in this application embodiment can also be referred to as a dedicated service, which may include a service type pre-agreed upon by the first device and the second device. Alternatively, the first service in this application embodiment can also be referred to as a high-priority service, such as a service whose priority is higher than a set threshold.

[0076] In this embodiment of the application, the second device sends a first frame including first information to the first device. The second device negotiates with the first device through the first frame to determine the first frequency band to which the first device's first service belongs. Based on this, the second device negotiates with the first device that, when the first device performs the first service, it can transmit service data based on the first frequency band.

[0077] The first device can be a specific device; for example, the first device can be a high-priority device or a VIP device. There can be one or more specific devices in this application embodiment, and the first frequency band can be a dedicated frequency band used by one or more specific devices when transmitting service data for the first service.

[0078] In some embodiments, when the second device determines that the first device is performing a first service, it determines a first frequency band from a plurality of frequency bands supported by the first device.

[0079] For example, the second device may determine that the first device will execute the first service upon receiving a service request for the first service initiated by the first device. Alternatively, the second device may determine that the first device will execute the first service after generating service data for the first service of the first device.

[0080] It should be understood that the above-described method by which the second device determines the first device to perform the first service is merely an example of the embodiments of this application. The second device may also use other methods to determine the first device to perform the first service, and this application does not limit this.

[0081] When the second device determines the first frequency band from multiple frequency bands supported by the first device, the embodiments of this application provide several optional methods.

[0082] Option 1: The second device determines the first frequency band from among the multiple frequency bands supported by the first device based on the resource information of each frequency band.

[0083] For example, the resource information can be resource occupancy information for each frequency band, or it can be load information for each frequency band. The second device can identify the frequency band with lower resource occupancy or load among the multiple frequency bands supported by the first device as the first frequency band.

[0084] For example, the resource information can be the remaining resource information for each frequency band. The second device can determine the frequency band with the larger remaining resources among the multiple frequency bands supported by the first device as the first frequency band.

[0085] Option 2: The second device randomly selects one frequency band from the multiple frequency bands supported by the first device and determines it as the first frequency band.

[0086] It should be understood that the above-described method for the second device to determine the first frequency band is merely an example of the embodiments of this application. The second device may also use other methods to determine the first frequency band, and this application does not limit this.

[0087] Optionally, the first frame may also include third information. This third information is used to indicate whether the second device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0088] The first frame sent by the second device to the first device includes third information. Based on the third information, the second device can indicate whether it supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs. This can be understood as the third information indicating to the first device whether the second device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first device belongs.

[0089] Accordingly, after the first device receives the third information in the first frame, it can determine whether the second device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs through the third information.

[0090] Optionally, when the third information indicates that the second device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the first device may further obtain the first information from the first frame to determine the first frequency band to which the first service of the first device, configured by the second device, belongs. When the third information indicates that the second device does not support negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the first device determines that the second device does not support negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs and may not continue parsing the first information in the first frame.

[0091] Alternatively, when the third information indicates that the second device does not support negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the first information may not be included in the first frame.

[0092] For example, the first frame in an embodiment of this application may be a reconfiguration request frame.

[0093] The reconfiguration request frame may include third information and first information.

[0094] The third information can be carried in one bit of the reconfiguration request frame; for example, when the value of this bit is 1, it indicates that the second device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs, and when the value of this bit is 0, it indicates that the second device does not support negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0095] The first information carried in the reconfiguration request frame may include the identification information of the first frequency band. For example, the identification information of the first frequency band may be the frequency band ID or frequency band index of the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0096] The following uses a reconfiguration request frame as an example to introduce the frame format of a reconfiguration request frame. As shown in Figure 6, the reconfiguration request frame may include a capability information feature field. For example, the capability information field may include 32 bits, through which the capability information of the second device can be carried. In this embodiment, one bit of the 32 bits can be used to carry third information, indicating whether the second device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs. The reconfiguration request frame may also include a feature subtype, used to carry the first information, used to negotiate the first frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0097] For example, the format of a feature subtype can be as shown in Figure 7. For instance, the feature subtype field can occupy 1 byte, its corresponding length occupies 2 bytes, the first subfield used to carry the identification information of the first frequency band can occupy 1 byte, and the second subfield used to carry information indicating whether to negotiate the first frequency band to which the first service belongs can occupy 1 byte. In the second subfield, bit 0 is used to carry information indicating whether to negotiate the first frequency band to which the first service belongs. For example, when bit 0 is 1, it indicates that negotiation of the first frequency band to which the first service belongs is being conducted, and when bit 0 is 0, it indicates that negotiation of the first frequency band to which the first service belongs is being withdrawn. Bits 1 to 7 in the second subfield are reserved bits.

[0098] Step 501: The first device sends the second frame to the second device.

[0099] Correspondingly, the second device receives the second frame from the first device.

[0100] Optionally, the second frame includes second information, which is used to respond to whether or not the first frequency band is agreed to be the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0101] In this embodiment of the application, after receiving the first frame and determining, based on the first information included in the first frame, that the second device is the first device's first service to negotiate the first frequency band, the first device can send a second frame to the second device; through the second information included in the first frame, the second device can be notified whether it agrees to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0102] In some embodiments, after determining, based on first information, the first device determines whether to agree to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service of the first device belongs, as negotiated by the second device.

[0103] As an optional implementation, the first device may determine whether to agree to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs based on at least one of the following information:

[0104] The resource usage information for each frequency band supported by the first device, the requirement information of other STAs associated with the second device, and the configuration information of the first device.

[0105] It should be understood that the above-described method for the first device to determine whether to agree to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs is merely an example of the embodiments of this application. The first device may also use other methods to determine whether to agree to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs, and this application does not limit this.

[0106] When performing step 501, one possible implementation is as follows: when the first device determines that it agrees to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the first device sends a first frame including second information to the second device, the second information indicating that the first device agrees to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs; when the first device determines that it does not agree to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the first device sends a first frame including second information to the second device, the second information indicating that the first device does not agree to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0107] For example, when the first device determines that it agrees to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the first information can be 1, indicating that the first device agrees to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs; when the first device determines that it does not agree to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the first information can be 0, indicating that the first device does not agree to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0108] In performing step 501, another possible implementation is that when the first device determines that it agrees to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the first device sends a first frame including second information to the second device, the second information indicating that the first device agrees to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs; when the first device determines that it does not agree to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the first device may not send a second frame to the second device, or the second frame sent by the first device to the second device may not include the second information.

[0109] Optionally, the second frame may also include fourth information. The fourth information is used to indicate whether the first device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0110] The second frame sent by the first device to the second device includes fourth information. Based on the fourth information, the first device can indicate whether it supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs. This can be understood as indicating to the second device whether the first device supports the ability to negotiate the frequency band to which the first device belongs.

[0111] Accordingly, after the second device receives the fourth information in the second frame, it can determine whether the first device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs through the fourth information.

[0112] Optionally, when the fourth information indicates that the first device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the second device may further obtain the second information from the second frame to determine whether the first device agrees to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs. When the fourth information indicates that the first device does not support negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the second device determines that the first device does not support negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs and may not continue to parse the second information in the second frame.

[0113] Alternatively, when the fourth information indicates that the first device does not support negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the second information may not be included in the second frame.

[0114] For example, the first frame in an embodiment of this application may be a reconfiguration response frame.

[0115] The reconfiguration response frame may include fourth information and second information.

[0116] The fourth piece of information can be carried in one bit of the reconfiguration response frame; for example, when the value of this bit is 1, it indicates that the first device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs, and when the value of this bit is 0, it indicates that the first device does not support negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0117] The second information carried in the reconfiguration response frame is used to indicate whether the first device agrees to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs; for example, when the second information is 1, it means that the first device agrees to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs, and when the second information is 0, it means that the first device does not agree to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0118] Optionally, the reconfiguration response frame may also include identification information of the first frequency band, such as the frequency band ID or frequency band index of the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0119] The following uses a reconfiguration response frame as an example to introduce the frame format of a reconfiguration response frame. As shown in Figure 8, the reconfiguration response frame may include a capability information feature field. For example, the capability information field may include 32 bits, through which the capability information of the first device can be carried. In this embodiment, one bit of the 32 bits can be used to carry fourth information, indicating whether the first device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs. The reconfiguration response frame may also include a feature subtype field to carry second information; optionally, the feature subtype field may also carry the first frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0120] For example, the format of the feature subtype field can be as shown in Figure 9. For instance, the feature subtype field can occupy 1 byte, its corresponding length occupies 2 bytes, the third subfield used to carry the identification information of the first frequency band can occupy 1 byte, and the second subfield used to carry the fourth information can occupy 1 byte. For example, when the information carried by the fourth subfield is 1, it indicates that the first device agrees to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs, and when the information carried by the fourth subfield is 0, it indicates that the first device does not agree to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0121] The communication method provided in this application embodiment allows for the following: when a second device is associated with multiple communication devices, such as an AP and a STA, the second device can negotiate with one or more first devices among the multiple communication devices regarding the first frequency band to which the first service belongs. When one or more first devices agree to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs, the first frequency band is a dedicated frequency band for the first service of one or more first devices, and the service data of the first service of one or more first devices is transmitted based on the first frequency band.

[0122] For example, taking the second device as an AP, as shown in Figure 10, the STAs associated with the AP include STA1, STA2, STA3, and STA4; the first device may include STA1 and STA2. When the AP determines that STA1 and STA2 have a first service, the AP can negotiate with STA1 and STA2 to determine the first frequency band to which the first service belongs. For example, the frequency bands accessed by the AP include the 2.4GHz band, the 5GHz band, and the 6GHz band; the frequency bands accessed by STA1 include the 2.4GHz band and the 5GHz band; and the frequency bands accessed by STA2 include the 2.4GHz band and the 5GHz band. If the AP determines that the first frequency band to which the first service of STA1 and STA2 belongs is the 6GHz band, then the AP sends a first frame to STA1 and STA2. The first frame includes first information, which is used to negotiate the first frequency band (6GHz band) to which the first service of STA1 and STA2 belongs. If STA1 agrees to use the 6GHz band as the first frequency band to which the first service belongs, then STA1 sends a second frame to the second device. The second frame includes second information, which is used to respond to agreeing to use the 6GHz band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs. If STA2 agrees to use the 6GHz band as the first frequency band to which the first service belongs, then STA2 sends a second frame to the second device. The second frame includes second information, which is used to respond to agreeing to use the 6GHz band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0123] Based on the communication method provided in this application embodiment, the second device can negotiate with the first device the frequency band to which the first device's first service belongs. Based on this negotiation process, the second device can configure a dedicated first frequency band for the first device's first service. Since this first frequency band is dedicated to the first device's first service, service data from other devices or other types of service data will not occupy this first frequency band. Therefore, the service data from other devices or other types of service data will not interfere with the service data of the first device's first service, thereby improving the reliability of the first device's first service data transmission.

[0124] The communication method flow of this application embodiment is described below with reference to Figure 11. The communication method mainly includes the following steps 1100 to 1104. An example is taken whereby the second device initiates negotiation with the first device regarding the frequency band to which the first device's first service belongs. It is understood that the steps and execution order illustrated in Figure 11 are merely an example. In actual implementation, some steps may be executed, or the remaining steps may also be executed. Similarly, the execution order of the steps can be adjusted, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0125] Step 1100: The second device determines that the first device has the first service.

[0126] Optionally, the first service can be a low-latency service or a high-bandwidth service.

[0127] For example, the second device can determine that the first device has the first service after receiving a request from the first device to access the first service.

[0128] Step 1101: The second device determines the first frequency band to which the first service of the first device belongs.

[0129] When step 1101 is implemented, the second device can determine the first frequency band to which the first service of the first device belongs from one or more frequency bands supported by the first device.

[0130] For example, the second device can determine the first frequency band from multiple frequency bands supported by the first device based on the resource information of each frequency band.

[0131] The resource information can be resource occupancy information for each frequency band. The second device can identify the frequency band with lower resource occupancy or load among the multiple frequency bands supported by the first device as the first frequency band. Alternatively, the resource information can be load information for each frequency band. The second device can identify the frequency band with higher remaining resources among the multiple frequency bands supported by the first device as the first frequency band.

[0132] Step 1102: The second device sends the first frame to the first device.

[0133] The first frame includes first information, which is used to negotiate the first frequency band to which the first service of the first device belongs.

[0134] Optionally, the first frame may also include third information, which is used to indicate whether the second device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0135] For example, the first frame is a reconfiguration request frame.

[0136] Step 1103: The first device determines whether to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0137] When step 1103 is implemented, the first device can determine whether to agree to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs based on at least one of the following information: resource occupancy information of each frequency band supported by the first device, demand information of other STAs associated with the second device, and configuration information of the first device.

[0138] Step 1104: The first device sends the second frame to the second device.

[0139] The second frame includes second information, which is used to respond to whether or not the first frequency band is agreed to be used as the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0140] Optionally, the second frame may also include fourth information, which is used to indicate whether the first device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0141] For example, the second frame is a reconfiguration response frame.

[0142] Based on steps 1102 to 1104 above, the negotiation process between the second device and the first device can be completed in this embodiment of the application. Through this negotiation process, it can be determined whether the first frequency band is the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0143] For example, the first frequency band can be a dedicated frequency band for the first service of the first device, and the number of the first devices can be one or more. The first device can be a specific device, such as a high-priority device or a VIP device.

[0144] The following examples illustrate the process by which the first device and the second device negotiate the first frequency band to which the first service belongs in the embodiments of this application.

[0145] Example 1:

[0146] Taking the first device as STA and the second device as AP as an example, and the STA is the STA associated with the AP.

[0147] As shown in Figure 12, the frequency bands accessed by the AP include the 2.4GHz band, the 5GHz band, and the 6GHz band, while the frequency bands accessed by the STA include the 2.4GHz band and the 5GHz band. After determining that the STA has a first service, the AP determines the first frequency band to which the STA's first service belongs. If the AP determines that the first frequency band to which the STA's first service belongs is the 6GHz band, then the AP sends a first frame to the STA. The first frame includes first information, which is used to negotiate the first frequency band (6GHz band) to which the STA's first service belongs. The first information may include the identification information of the 6GHz band. After receiving the first frame, the STA determines whether to agree to use the 6GHz band as the first frequency band to which the first service belongs, based on the 6GHz band indicated by the first information in the first frame. If the first device agrees to use the 6GHz band as the first frequency band to which the first service belongs, then the first device sends a second frame to the second device. The second frame includes second information, which is used to respond to agreeing to use the 6GHz band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs. Therefore, the frequency bands accessed by the reconfigured STA include the 2.4GHz band and the 6GHz band.

[0148] Example 2:

[0149] Taking the first device as STA and the second device as AP as an example, and the STA is the STA associated with the AP.

[0150] As shown in Figure 13, the frequency bands accessed by the AP include the 2.4GHz band, the 5GHz band, and the 6GHz band, while the frequency band accessed by the STA includes the 2.4GHz band. After determining that the STA has a first service, the AP determines the first frequency band to which the STA's first service belongs. If the AP determines that the first frequency band to which the STA's first service belongs is the 5GHz band, then the AP sends a first frame to the STA. The first frame includes first information, which is used to negotiate the first frequency band (5GHz band) to which the STA's first service belongs. The first information may include the identification information of the 5GHz band. After receiving the first frame, the STA determines whether to agree to use the 5GHz band as the first frequency band to which the first service belongs, based on the 5GHz band indicated by the first information in the first frame. If the first device agrees to use the 5GHz band as the first frequency band to which the first service belongs, then the first device sends a second frame to the second device. The second frame includes second information, which is used to respond to agreeing to use the 5GHz band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs. Therefore, the frequency band accessed by the reconfigured STA includes the 5GHz band.

[0151] Figure 14 illustrates a possible exemplary block diagram of the communication device involved in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 14, the communication device 1400 may include modules or units for implementing the method embodiments described above. In one possible design, the communication device 1400 includes a processing unit 1401 and a communication unit 1402. Optionally, the communication device 1400 may further include a storage unit 1403 for storing device program code and / or data.

[0152] The communication device 1400 can be a first device-side device in the above embodiments, such as a first device, a module (e.g., a circuit, a chip, or a chip system) in the first device, or a logic node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first device.

[0153] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 1402 is configured to receive a first frame from a second device, the first frame including first information used to negotiate a first frequency band for a first service of the first device; and to send a second frame to the second device, the second frame including second information used to respond to whether it agrees to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs. The processing unit 1401 is configured to process the received first frame and generate the second frame.

[0154] Optionally, the first device and the second device may access different numbers of frequency bands.

[0155] In one possible implementation, the first frame further includes third information, which is used to indicate whether the second device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0156] In one possible implementation, the first frame is a reconfiguration request frame.

[0157] In one possible implementation, the second frame further includes fourth information, which is used to indicate whether the first device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0158] In one possible implementation, the second frame is a reconfiguration response frame.

[0159] In one possible implementation, the first service includes at least one of low-latency service and high-bandwidth service.

[0160] The communication device 1400 can be a second device-side device in the above embodiments, such as a second device, a module (e.g., a circuit, a chip, or a chip system) in the second device, or a logic node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second device.

[0161] For example, in another embodiment, communication unit 1402 is configured to send a first frame to a first device, the first frame including first information used to negotiate a first frequency band for a first service of the first device; and receive a second frame from the first device, the second frame including second information used to respond to whether it agrees to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs. Processing unit 1401 is configured to generate the first frame and process the received second frame.

[0162] Optionally, the first device and the second device may access different number of frequency bands.

[0163] In one possible implementation, the first frame further includes third information, which is used to indicate whether the second device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0164] In one possible implementation, the first frame is a reconfiguration request frame.

[0165] In one possible implementation, the second frame further includes fourth information, which is used to indicate whether the first device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

[0166] In one possible implementation, the second frame is a reconfiguration response frame.

[0167] In one possible implementation, the first service includes at least one of low-latency service and high-bandwidth service.

[0168] It is understood that the division of units in the above-described device is merely a logical functional division. One function can correspond to one functional unit, or two or more functions can be integrated into one functional unit. In actual implementation, all or some units can be integrated onto a single physical entity, or distributed across different physical entities. Furthermore, the aforementioned functional units can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. Whether a function is executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for specific applications, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0169] In one example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as: one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0170] In one example, storage unit 1403 may include random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory or electrically erasable programmable memory and / or registers, etc.

[0171] Figure 15 illustrates a possible exemplary block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1500 shown in Figure 15 includes a processor 1510 and an interface circuit 1520. The processor 1510 and the interface circuit 1520 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1520 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1500 may further include a memory 1530 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1510, or storing input data required for the processor 1510 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1510 executes instructions.

[0172] When the communication device 1500 is used to implement the above method embodiment, the processor 1510 is used to implement the function of the processing unit 1401, and the interface circuit 1520 is used to implement the function of the communication unit 1402.

[0173] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a CPU, or other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0174] The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disk, portable hard disk, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Furthermore, the ASIC can reside in a first device or a second device. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can exist as discrete components in the first device or the second device.

[0175] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions for implementing the method executed by the first device or the second device in the above method embodiments.

[0176] For example, when the computer program or instructions are executed by the computer, the computer can perform the method executed by the first device or the second device in the above method embodiments.

[0177] This application also provides a computer program product containing a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to implement the method performed by the first device or the second device in the above method embodiments.

[0178] This application also provides a communication system, which includes the first device and the second device described in the above embodiments.

[0179] This application also provides a chip device, including a processor, for calling computer programs or computer instructions stored in the memory to cause the processor to execute the method provided in any of the above embodiments.

[0180] In one possible implementation, the input of the chip device corresponds to the receiving operation in any of the above embodiments, and the output of the chip device corresponds to the sending operation in any of the above embodiments.

[0181] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0182] Optionally, the chip device may also include a memory in which computer programs or instructions are stored.

[0183] The processor mentioned above can be a general-purpose central processing unit, a microprocessor, an ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of a program that controls the methods provided in any of the above embodiments. The memory mentioned above can be read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0184] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. A computer program is a set of instructions that directs each step of an action of an electronic computer or other device with message processing capabilities. It is typically written in a programming language and runs on a target architecture. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed, in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium can be volatile or non-volatile, or it can include both types of storage media.

[0185] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0186] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0187] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0188] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0189] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first device, the method includes: Receive a first frame from a second device, the first frame including first information, the first information being used to negotiate a first frequency band to which the first service of the first device belongs; Send a second frame to the second device, the second frame including second information, the second information being used to respond to whether to agree to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs; The first device and the second device access different number of frequency bands.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first frame also includes third information, which is used to indicate whether the second device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first frame is a reconfiguration request frame.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The second frame also includes fourth information, which is used to indicate whether the first device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The second frame is the reconfiguration response frame.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first service includes at least one of low-latency service and high-bandwidth service.

7. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a second device, the method includes: Send a first frame to the first device, the first frame including first information, the first information being used to negotiate the first frequency band to which the first service of the first device belongs; Receive a second frame from the first device, the second frame including second information, the second information being used to respond to whether to agree to use the first frequency band as the frequency band to which the first service belongs; The first device and the second device access different number of frequency bands.

8. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The first frame also includes third information, which is used to indicate whether the second device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

9. The method as described in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The first frame is a reconfiguration request frame.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, The second frame also includes fourth information, which is used to indicate whether the first device supports negotiating the frequency band to which the first service belongs.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that, The second frame is the reconfiguration response frame.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that, The first service includes at least one of low-latency service and high-bandwidth service.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes modules for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or modules for performing the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

14. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes at least one processor and an interface circuit, the processor being configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 6, or to implement the method of any one of claims 7 to 12.

15. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 6, or the method of any one of claims 7 to 12.

16. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed, implement the method described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or the method described in any one of claims 7 to 12.

17. A communication system, characterized in that, include: A first apparatus for implementing the method of any one of claims 1 to 6, and a second apparatus for implementing the method of any one of claims 7 to 12.

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