Communication control method and apparatus, communication device, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communications, and specifically relates to a communication control method and apparatus, a communication device, and a storage medium. The communication control method comprises: sending first request information to a core network device, wherein the first request information is configured to request offloading a service from a first terminal to a second terminal. According to the present disclosure, a first terminal can offload a service from a first terminal to a second terminal by means of sending first request information to a core network. After the service is offloaded to the second terminal, the first terminal stops performing the service, but the service is continued by the second terminal. Accordingly, the energy-saving requirement of the first terminal can be met, and service interruption can be avoided, so as to ensure user experience.

Description

Communication control methods and apparatus, communication equipment and storage media Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to communication control methods, communication control devices, communication equipment, communication systems, and storage media. Background Technology

[0002] In some scenarios where terminals and network devices communicate, there is a need for energy saving. However, the main way to reduce the power consumption of terminals and / or network devices to meet this need is to reduce the communication frequency of the terminals and network devices. But this method will affect the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of this disclosure provide communication control methods and apparatus, communication devices, and storage media to address technical problems in the related art.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication control method is proposed, executed by a first terminal, the method comprising: sending a first request message to a core network device, wherein the first request message is used to request that the services of the first terminal be offloaded to a second terminal.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a communication control method is provided, executed by a second terminal, the method comprising: receiving services from a first terminal sent by an access network device.

[0006] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a communication control method is provided, executed by an access network device, the method comprising: offloading services of a first terminal to a second terminal.

[0007] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication control method is provided, executed by a core network device, the method comprising: receiving first request information sent by a first terminal, wherein the first request information is used to request that the services of the first terminal be offloaded to a second terminal.

[0008] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, the communication device being used to execute the communication control method described in any one of the first, second, third, and fourth aspects.

[0009] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, including a first terminal, a second terminal, an access network device, and a core network device, wherein the first terminal is configured to implement the communication control method described in the first aspect, the second terminal is configured to implement the communication control method described in the second aspect, the third terminal is configured to implement the communication control method described in the third aspect, and the fourth terminal is configured to implement the communication control method described in the fourth aspect.

[0010] According to a seventh 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 the communication control method described in any one of the first, second, third, and fourth aspects.

[0011] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a program product is provided that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the communication control method described in any one of the first, second, third, and fourth aspects.

[0012] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a first terminal can offload its services to a second terminal by sending a first request message to the core network. Since the first terminal stops performing the service after it is offloaded to the second terminal, but the service continues to be performed by the second terminal, this satisfies the energy-saving needs of the first terminal on the one hand, and avoids service interruption on the other hand, so as to ensure user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0013] 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.

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a device interaction process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of a communication control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram of a communication control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram of a communication control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 9A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0023] Figure 9B is a schematic diagram of the chip structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Embodiments of this disclosure provide communication control methods and apparatus, communication devices, and storage media.

[0025] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure propose a communication control method executed by a first terminal, the method comprising: sending a first request message to a core network device, wherein the first request message is used to request that the services of the first terminal be offloaded to a second terminal.

[0026] In the above embodiments, the first terminal can send a first request message to the core network to offload its services to the second terminal. Since the first terminal stops performing the service after it is offloaded to the second terminal, but the service continues to be performed by the second terminal, the energy-saving needs of the first terminal can be met on the one hand, and the service interruption can be avoided on the other hand, so as to ensure user experience.

[0027] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first request information carries identification information of the second terminal.

[0028] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, sending the first request information to the core network device includes: sending the first request information to the core network device when a first condition is met, wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following: the first terminal is in power-saving mode; the remaining power of the first terminal is lower than a power threshold.

[0029] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the service includes downlink services.

[0030] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: maintaining uplink services on the first terminal.

[0031] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the uplink service includes the minimum uplink transmission required by the first terminal.

[0032] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending a second request message to an access network device, wherein the second request message is used to request a halt to offloading services from the first terminal to the second terminal.

[0033] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure propose a communication control method executed by a second terminal, the method comprising: receiving services from a first terminal sent by an access network device.

[0034] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending capability information to a core network device, wherein the capability information is used to indicate the ability of the second terminal to receive services from other terminals.

[0035] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending authorization information to a core network device, wherein the authorization information includes identification information of a terminal corresponding to a service that the second terminal is allowed to receive.

[0036] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure propose a communication control method executed by an access network device, the method comprising: offloading services from a first terminal to a second terminal.

[0037] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving confirmation information sent by a core network device, wherein the confirmation information is used to instruct the access network device to offload the services of the first terminal to the second terminal.

[0038] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving second request information sent by the first terminal, wherein the second request information is used to request a halt to offloading services from the first terminal to the second terminal.

[0039] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure propose a communication control method executed by a core network device, the method comprising: receiving a first request information sent by a first terminal, wherein the first request information is used to request that the services of the first terminal be offloaded to a second terminal.

[0040] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending confirmation information to an access network device, wherein the confirmation information is used to instruct the access network device to offload the services of the first terminal to the second terminal.

[0041] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, sending confirmation information to the access network device includes: sending the confirmation information to the access network device when a second condition is met, wherein the second condition includes at least one of the following: the identification information of the first terminal is in the authorization information of the second terminal, the authorization information being used to indicate that the second terminal is permitted to receive the services of the first terminal; the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is less than a distance threshold; the first terminal and the second terminal belong to the same device group.

[0042] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication control device, the device comprising: a sending module configured to send a first request message to a core network device, wherein the first request message is used to request that the services of the first terminal be offloaded to a second terminal.

[0043] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication control device, the device comprising: a receiving module configured to receive services from a first terminal transmitted by an access network device.

[0044] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication control device, the device comprising: a processing module configured to offload services of a first terminal to a second terminal.

[0045] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication control device, the device comprising: a receiving module configured to receive first request information sent by a first terminal, wherein the first request information is used to request that services of the first terminal be offloaded to a second terminal.

[0046] In a ninth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device for performing the communication control method described in any one of the first aspect, optional embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, optional embodiments of the second aspect, the third aspect, optional embodiments of the third aspect, the fourth aspect, and optional embodiments of the fourth aspect.

[0047] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a terminal comprising: one or more processors; wherein the terminal is configured to perform the method of any one of the first aspect, an alternative embodiment of the first aspect, the second aspect, and an alternative embodiment of the second aspect.

[0048] Eleventhly, embodiments of this disclosure provide an access network device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the network device is configured to perform the method of any one of the alternative embodiments of the third aspect.

[0049] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a core network device comprising: one or more processors; wherein the network device is configured to perform the method of any one of the alternative embodiments of the fourth aspect.

[0050] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system including a first terminal, a second terminal, an access network device, and a core network device, wherein the first terminal is configured to implement the communication control method of any one of the optional embodiments of the first aspect, the second terminal is configured to implement the communication control method of any one of the optional embodiments of the second aspect, the third terminal is configured to implement the communication control method of any one of the optional embodiments of the third aspect, and the fourth terminal is configured to implement the communication control method of any one of the optional embodiments of the fourth aspect.

[0051] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any one of the first aspect, an optional embodiment of the first aspect, a second aspect, an optional embodiment of the second aspect, a third aspect, an optional embodiment of the third aspect, a fourth aspect, and an optional embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0052] In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the methods described in any one of the first aspect, optional embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, optional embodiments of the second aspect, the third aspect, optional embodiments of the third aspect, the fourth aspect, and optional embodiments of the fourth aspect.

[0053] In a sixteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in any one of the first aspect, alternative embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, alternative embodiments of the second aspect, the third aspect, alternative embodiments of the third aspect, the fourth aspect, and alternative embodiments of the fourth aspect.

[0054] It is understood that the aforementioned communication control device, communication equipment, communication system, storage medium, program product, and computer program are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0055] This disclosure provides a communication control method and apparatus, a communication device, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "communication control method" and "information processing method," "communication method," etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms "communication control apparatus" and "information processing apparatus," "communication apparatus," etc., can be used interchangeably; and the terms "information processing system," "communication system," etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] In the embodiments of this disclosure, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0062] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0068] In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0069] 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”.

[0070] 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.

[0071] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0077] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0078] 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.

[0079] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0080] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102, wherein the network device includes at least one of the following: an access network device and a core network device.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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).

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1 are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1, or may include other main bodies outside of FIG1. ​​The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0088] 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).

[0089] In some embodiments, in scenarios where terminals and network devices communicate, there is a need for energy saving in the terminals and / or network devices.

[0090] To meet energy-saving requirements, the main way to reduce the power consumption of terminals and / or network devices is generally to reduce the communication frequency of terminals and network devices.

[0091] For example, a terminal can enter a sleep state, and when a network device needs to communicate with the terminal, it can send a low-power wake-up signal (LP WUS) to wake up the terminal.

[0092] For example, network devices can enter Network Energy Saving (NES) mode, where some information can be sent on demand.

[0093] It is evident that for terminals, entering sleep mode is necessary to save energy. In sleep mode, most of the terminal's services are suspended, such as pausing the monitoring of the PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel). While this can meet the terminal's energy-saving needs, it also prevents users from using the terminal for relevant services during this period, affecting the user experience.

[0094] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0095] In some embodiments, the communication control method may be executed by a communication device such as a first terminal.

[0096] For example, in a communication control method, the first terminal can interact with access network equipment and core network equipment.

[0097] As shown in Figure 2, the communication control method may include the following steps:

[0098] In step S201, the first terminal may send a first request message to the core network equipment (also known as the core network node or core network element).

[0099] In some embodiments, the core network equipment may include at least one of the following:

[0100] AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function);

[0101] LMF (Location Management Function).

[0102] In some embodiments, the first request information is used to request that the services of the first terminal be offloaded to the second terminal. For example, the first terminal may be referred to as the source terminal, and the second terminal may be referred to as the target terminal.

[0103] It should be noted that the first request information may request to offload all services of the first terminal to the second terminal, or it may request to offload specific services of the first terminal to the second terminal. For example, the specific services may be specified by predefined rules, or the specific services may be indicated in the first request information. For example, the first request information may carry a service identifier, and the service corresponding to the service identifier is the specific service.

[0104] For example, offloading the services of the first terminal to the second terminal can also be described as transferring the services of the first terminal to the second terminal.

[0105] For example, a terminal can send a first request to the core network equipment when there is a need for energy saving.

[0106] In step S202, after receiving the first request information, the core network device can transfer the services of the first terminal to the second terminal.

[0107] After the unloading is complete, the first terminal will cease its service, and the second terminal will resume the first terminal's service. For example, if the first terminal's service is receiving video data, after this service is unloaded to the second terminal, the first terminal will stop receiving video data, and the second terminal will continue to receive video data.

[0108] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a first terminal can offload its services to a second terminal by sending a first request message to the core network. Since the first terminal stops performing the service after it is offloaded to the second terminal, but the service continues to be performed by the second terminal, this satisfies the energy-saving needs of the first terminal on the one hand, and avoids service interruption on the other hand, so as to ensure user experience.

[0109] In some embodiments, the first request information may be sent as a legacy message, or the first request information may be sent as a newly defined message.

[0110] In some embodiments, in order to offload the services of the first terminal to the second terminal, the access network device can configure scheduling information and corresponding resources for the second terminal, thereby offloading the services of the first terminal to the corresponding resources. The second terminal can determine the resources based on the scheduling information and receive the services of the first terminal on the determined resources.

[0111] In some embodiments, the first request information carries the identification information of the second terminal. Accordingly, the core network device can determine, based on the identification information of the second terminal, that services from the first terminal need to be offloaded to the second terminal.

[0112] It should be noted that the identification information of the second terminal can indicate one or more second terminals. In the case of indicating multiple second terminals, the core network equipment can determine at least one second terminal among the multiple second terminals based on the implementation and offload the services of the first terminal to at least one second terminal.

[0113] In some embodiments, the first terminal may send the first request information to the core network device if a first condition is met, wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0114] The first terminal is in power-saving mode;

[0115] The remaining power of the first terminal is below the power threshold.

[0116] For example, if the first terminal is in a power-saving mode (e.g., in a sleep state, or in a discontinuous reception (DRX) state), it indicates that the first terminal has a power-saving need. Therefore, the first terminal can request information from the core network equipment room to meet the terminal's power-saving needs.

[0117] For example, if the remaining power of the first terminal is lower than the power threshold, it indicates that the first terminal has an energy-saving need. Therefore, the first terminal can request information from the core network equipment room to meet the energy-saving needs of the terminal.

[0118] For example, the power threshold can be specified by predefined rules (such as protocol agreements), or the power threshold can be configured by network devices (such as access network devices or core network devices), or the power threshold can be determined by the terminal itself.

[0119] In some embodiments, the first request information request to offload services to the second terminal may include at least one of the following: uplink services and downlink services.

[0120] For example, in the case of requesting to offload uplink services to a second terminal, the first terminal and the second terminal need to pre-store the same data for uplink services, so that when the first terminal stops uplink services and the second terminal continues to perform uplink services, it can be ensured that the uplink services are continued by the second terminal.

[0121] For example, the uplink service includes sending file #1. Both the first terminal and the second terminal can store file #1. During the process of sending file #1, the first terminal unloads the service to the second terminal. The first terminal stops sending file #1, and the second terminal can continue sending file #1, for example, from the position where the first terminal stopped sending.

[0122] For example, in the case of a request to offload downlink services to a second terminal, after the first terminal stops its downlink services, the network device can continue to conduct downlink services with the second terminal, thereby ensuring the continuity of downlink services.

[0123] For example, the downlink service includes receiving video #1. During the process of receiving video #1, the first terminal offloads the service to the second terminal. The first terminal can stop receiving video #1, and the network device can continue to send video #1 to the second terminal. For example, the remaining part of video #1 that was not sent to the first terminal can continue to be sent to the second terminal.

[0124] The following embodiments mainly illustrate the technical solutions of this disclosure when the service offloaded from the first terminal to the second terminal includes downlink service.

[0125] Since it is generally difficult to ensure that the same information is stored on different terminals, it is difficult to guarantee that the uplink service of the first terminal can be successfully offloaded to the second terminal. Therefore, the service offloaded from the first terminal to the second terminal can be limited to downlink service only, excluding uplink service, so that the uplink service of the first terminal can continue to be maintained.

[0126] For example, after the first terminal offloads downlink services to the second terminal, the link between the first terminal and the network device (e.g., a Uu link) will not be disconnected, and the first terminal can use the link to continue uplink services.

[0127] For example, the uplink service includes the minimum uplink transmission required by the first terminal.

[0128] Since the first terminal offloads downlink services to the second terminal for energy-saving purposes, in order to meet the energy-saving needs of the first terminal, the first endpoint does not need to maintain all uplink services, but only needs to maintain a portion of the uplink services. For example, it only needs to maintain the minimum uplink transmission required by the first terminal to meet the minimum requirements for communication between the terminal and network equipment.

[0129] For example, the minimum uplink transmission required by the first terminal may include sending HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest) and PRACH (Physical Random Access Channel).

[0130] In some embodiments, the terminal may send a second request message to the access network device.

[0131] For example, the second request information is used to request a halt to offloading services from the first terminal to the second terminal.

[0132] For example, the terminal can send a second request to the access network device when the energy-saving requirement ends.

[0133] For example, the terminal can send a second request message to the access network device via PARCH.

[0134] In some embodiments, the first terminal and the second terminal may be connected to the same access network device, such as a gNB. In this case, the above unloading process may be referred to as intra-gNB unloading.

[0135] In this scenario, after the first terminal sends a second request to the access network device, the access network device can transfer the downlink services offloaded to the second terminal back to the first terminal.

[0136] In some embodiments, the first terminal and the second terminal may be connected to different access network devices, such as gNBs. In this case, the above offloading process can be referred to as inter-gNB offloading. For example, the first terminal is connected to a first access network device, and the second terminal is connected to a second access network device.

[0137] In this scenario, after the first terminal sends a second request to the first access network device, the first access network device can further send a third information request to the core network device, requesting the core network device to transfer the downlink services offloaded to the second terminal back to the first terminal. Subsequently, the core network device can send an instruction to the second access network device, instructing the second access network device to transfer the downlink services offloaded to the second terminal back to the first terminal.

[0138] The following examples illustrate the technical solutions of this disclosure from the perspective of a second terminal.

[0139] In some embodiments, after receiving the first request information, the core network device may instruct the access network device to offload the services (e.g., downlink services) of the first terminal to the second terminal. The access network device may then offload the services of the first terminal to the second terminal, and the second terminal may receive the services of the first terminal sent by the access network device.

[0140] In some embodiments, the second terminal may send capability information to the core network equipment.

[0141] For example, the capability information is used to indicate the ability of the second terminal to receive services from other terminals.

[0142] Since different terminals may have different capabilities—for example, some terminals support receiving services from enterprise terminals while others do not—core network equipment needs to clearly define the terminal's ability to receive services from other terminals, such as whether it supports receiving services from other terminals.

[0143] In this embodiment, the second terminal can send capability information to the core network equipment. The capability information can indicate the second terminal's ability to receive services from other terminals, such as whether it supports receiving services from other terminals.

[0144] The core network equipment can offload the services of the first terminal to the second terminal only if it determines that the second terminal supports receiving services from other terminals. If the second terminal does not support receiving services from other terminals, it is not necessary to offload the services of the first terminal to the second terminal. For example, the services of the first terminal can be offloaded to the third terminal, which supports receiving services from other terminals.

[0145] In some embodiments, the second terminal may send auxiliary information to the access network device, which is used to assist the core network device in determining whether to offload the services of the first terminal to the first terminal.

[0146] For example, the second terminal can send its own location information to the access network device. The access network device can determine the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal based on the location of the first terminal and the location of the second terminal, and then determine whether to offload the services of the first terminal to the first terminal based on the distance.

[0147] For example, the services of the first terminal will only be offloaded to the second terminal if the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is less than (or equal to) a distance threshold.

[0148] It should be noted that the location of the first terminal can be sent by the first terminal to the core network equipment, or determined by the access network equipment and sent to the core network equipment, or determined by the core network equipment; the location of the second terminal can be sent by the second terminal to the core network equipment, or determined by the access network equipment and sent to the core network equipment, or determined by the core network equipment.

[0149] In some embodiments, the second terminal may send authorization information to the core network equipment.

[0150] For example, the authorization information is used to indicate the identifier of the first terminal when the second terminal is permitted to receive services from the first terminal.

[0151] Accordingly, the core network equipment can determine which services from the first terminal the second terminal is authorized to receive. For example, the identifiers of the first terminal indicated in the authorization information include UE_ID#1, UE_ID#2, and UE_ID#3.

[0152] If the identifier of the first terminal to which services are to be offloaded to the second terminal is UE_ID#1, which is an identifier indicated by the authorization information, then the core network equipment can determine to offload the services of the first terminal to the second terminal.

[0153] If the identifier of the first terminal to which services are to be offloaded to the second terminal is UE_ID#4, which is not an identifier indicated by the authorization information, then the core network equipment can determine that the services of the first terminal will not be offloaded to the second terminal.

[0154] It should be noted that the authorization information can be sent from the second terminal to the core network device as described in the previous embodiment, or it can be stipulated by predefined rules (such as protocol agreement). This disclosure does not limit this.

[0155] The following examples illustrate the technical solutions of this disclosure from the perspective of core network equipment.

[0156] In some embodiments, the core network device may receive a first request message sent by a first terminal.

[0157] For example, the first request information is used to request that the services of the first terminal be offloaded to the second terminal.

[0158] For example, after receiving the first request information, the core network equipment can transfer the services of the first terminal to the second terminal. After the offloading is completed, the first terminal will stop providing services, and the second terminal will continue the services provided by the first terminal. For instance, if the service of the first terminal is receiving video data, after this service is offloaded to the second terminal, the first terminal will stop receiving video data, and the second terminal will continue receiving video data.

[0159] In some embodiments, the core network device may send confirmation information to the access network device.

[0160] For example, the confirmation information is used to instruct the access network device to offload the services of the first terminal to the second terminal.

[0161] Since the network device performing the offloading operation is an access network device, the core network device can send a confirmation message to the access network device to instruct the access network device to offload the services of the first terminal to the second terminal.

[0162] In some embodiments, the core network device may determine whether the second condition is met, and then send the confirmation information to the access network device only if the second condition is met.

[0163] For example, the second condition includes at least one of the following:

[0164] Condition 1: The identification information of the first terminal is in the authorization information of the second terminal, and the authorization information is used to indicate the identification of the first terminal when the second terminal is allowed to receive the services of the first terminal;

[0165] Condition 2: The distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is less than a distance threshold;

[0166] Condition 3: The first terminal and the second terminal belong to the same device group.

[0167] Regarding conditions 1 and 2 in the second condition, please refer to the previous embodiment; they will not be repeated here.

[0168] Regarding condition 3 in the second condition, for example, the device group can be pre-built, and the specific construction method is not limited in this disclosure.

[0169] For example, a device group may contain multiple terminals, such as terminal #1, terminal #2, and terminal #3. If the first terminal is terminal #1 and the second terminal is terminal #3, the core network device can determine that condition 3 is met and send an acknowledgment message to the access network device. The access network device then offloads the service from terminal #1 to terminal #3. Alternatively, if the first terminal is terminal #1 and the second terminal is terminal #4, the core network device can determine that condition 3 is not met and therefore does not send an acknowledgment message to the access network device. The access network device will not offload the service from terminal #1 to terminal #4.

[0170] It should be noted that the core network device may send the confirmation information to the access network device if any one of conditions 1, 2, or 3 in the second condition is met; or, the core network device may send the confirmation information to the access network device if all three conditions 1, 2, and 3 in the second condition are met.

[0171] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0172] As shown in Figure 3, for example, the first terminal is the user's mobile phone, and the second terminal is the user's in-vehicle terminal. For example, the first terminal and the second terminal belong to the same user.

[0173] For example, when a user is downloading a video on their mobile phone, but the phone's remaining power is below the power threshold and there is a need to save power, the user sends a first request message to the core network equipment through the access network equipment (e.g., automatically sent by the phone or sent based on a command input by the user). The user requests the phone's services to be offloaded to a second terminal through the first request message.

[0174] After receiving the first request information, the core network device can determine whether the second condition is met. For example, the second condition includes at least one of the conditions 1, 2 and 3 in the previous embodiment.

[0175] For example, the second condition includes both condition 1 and condition 2.

[0176] Users can send authorization information to the core network equipment via the vehicle-mounted terminal. This authorization information includes the mobile phone's UE_ID. After receiving the first request information, the access network equipment can determine that the mobile phone's UE_ID is contained in the authorization information.

[0177] The access network device can also determine the distance between the mobile phone and the vehicle terminal based on their locations, and then determine whether the distance is less than (or equal to) a distance threshold. For example, if a user is holding a mobile phone inside a vehicle, the access network device determines that the distance between the mobile phone and the vehicle terminal is less than the distance threshold.

[0178] Accordingly, the access network device can determine that the second condition is met, and then send a confirmation message to the access network device, which is used to instruct the access network device to offload the mobile phone's services to the vehicle terminal.

[0179] After receiving the confirmation information, the access network device can offload the mobile phone's services to the vehicle terminal. For example, it can send the remaining video content that has not yet been sent to the mobile phone to the vehicle terminal.

[0180] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a device interaction process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0181] As shown in Figure 4, taking the example that the access network equipment corresponding to the serving cell of the first terminal is the same as the access network equipment corresponding to the serving cell of the second terminal.

[0182] The second terminal can send capability information to the core network equipment through the access network equipment. For example, the capability information is used to indicate the second terminal's ability to receive services from other terminals.

[0183] The first terminal can determine whether a first condition is met. For example, the first condition includes at least one of the following: the first terminal is in energy-saving mode; the remaining power of the first terminal is lower than the power threshold.

[0184] When the first condition is met, the first terminal sends a first request message to the core network device through the access network device. The first request message is used to request that the downlink services of the first terminal be offloaded to the second terminal.

[0185] After receiving the first request information, the core network device can determine whether the second condition is met. For example, the second condition includes at least one of the conditions 1, 2 and 3 in the previous embodiment.

[0186] If the core network equipment determines that the second condition is met, it can send a confirmation message to the access network equipment. The confirmation message is used to instruct the access network equipment to offload the downlink services of the mobile phone to the vehicle terminal.

[0187] After receiving the confirmation information, the access network device can offload the downlink service of the first terminal to the second terminal and send the downlink service data that has not yet been sent to the first terminal from the second terminal.

[0188] For the first terminal, when the downlink service is offloaded to the second terminal, the uplink service can be maintained. For example, only the minimum uplink transmission required by the first terminal can be maintained.

[0189] Subsequently, the first terminal can also send a second request to the access network device as needed (e.g., when energy-saving requirements end). The second request requests the cessation of offloading the downlink services of the first terminal to the second terminal. The access network device can then transfer the downlink services of the first terminal back to the first terminal.

[0190] 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.

[0191] In some embodiments, steps S201 and S202 may be performed in an alternate order or simultaneously.

[0192] In some embodiments, step S201 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0193] In some embodiments, step S202 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0194] In some embodiments, other optional implementations described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG2 may be referred to.

[0195] 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.

[0196] 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".

[0197] In some embodiments, the terms “downlink control information (DCI),” “downlink (DL) assignment,” “DL DCI,” “uplink (UL) grant,” and “UL DCI” can be used interchangeably.

[0198] 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".

[0199] In some embodiments, the terms "component carrier (CC)," "cell," "frequency carrier," and "carrier frequency" can be used interchangeably.

[0200] 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.

[0201] In some embodiments, terms such as “send,” “transmit,” “report,” “distribute,” “transfer,” “bidirectional transmission,” “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably.

[0202] 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.

[0203] Corresponding to the embodiments of the communication control method described above, this disclosure also provides embodiments of a communication control device.

[0204] Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a communication control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the communication control device may be disposed on and / or applied to a first terminal. As shown in Figure 5, the communication control device includes: a transmitting module 501 and a processing module 502.

[0205] In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to send a first request message to the core network device, wherein the first request message is used to request that the services of the first terminal be offloaded to the second terminal.

[0206] In some embodiments, the first request information carries the identification information of the second terminal.

[0207] In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to send the first request information to the core network device when a first condition is met, wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following: the first terminal is in power-saving mode; the remaining power of the first terminal is lower than a power threshold.

[0208] In some embodiments, the service includes downlink services.

[0209] In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to maintain uplink traffic for the first terminal.

[0210] In some embodiments, the uplink service includes the minimum uplink transmission required by the first terminal.

[0211] In some embodiments, the sending module is further configured to send a second request message to the access network device, wherein the second request message is used to request the cessation of offloading the services of the first terminal to the second terminal.

[0212] Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a communication control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the communication control device can be disposed on and / or applied to a second terminal. As shown in Figure 6, the communication control device includes: a receiving module 601 and a transmitting module 602.

[0213] In some embodiments, the receiving module is configured to receive services from a first terminal sent by an access network device.

[0214] In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to send capability information to the core network device, wherein the capability information is used to indicate the ability of the second terminal to receive services from other terminals.

[0215] In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to send authorization information to the core network device, wherein the authorization information includes identification information of the terminal corresponding to the service that the second terminal is allowed to receive.

[0216] Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a communication control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the communication control device can be disposed in and / or applied to access network equipment. As shown in Figure 7, the communication control device includes: a processing module 701 and a receiving module 702.

[0217] In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to offload services from the first terminal to the second terminal.

[0218] In some embodiments, the receiving module is configured to receive confirmation information sent by the core network device, wherein the confirmation information is used to instruct the access network device to offload the services of the first terminal to the second terminal.

[0219] In some embodiments, the receiving module is configured to receive a second request message sent by the first terminal, wherein the second request message is used to request to stop offloading the services of the first terminal to the second terminal.

[0220] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a communication control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the communication control device can be configured and / or applied to core network equipment. As shown in Figure 8, the communication control device includes: a receiving module 801 and a transmitting module 802.

[0221] In some embodiments, the receiving module is configured to receive a first request message sent by a first terminal, wherein the first request message is used to request that the services of the first terminal be offloaded to a second terminal.

[0222] In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to send confirmation information to the access network device, wherein the confirmation information is used to instruct the access network device to offload the services of the first terminal to the second terminal.

[0223] In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to send the confirmation information to the access network device when a second condition is met, wherein the second condition includes at least one of the following: the identification information of the first terminal is in the authorization information of the second terminal, the authorization information being used to indicate the identification of the first terminal when the second terminal is allowed to receive the services of the first terminal; the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is less than a distance threshold; the first terminal and the second terminal belong to the same device group.

[0224] 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.

[0225] 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.

[0226] 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.

[0227] 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).

[0228] Figure 9A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 9100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 9100 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 9100 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.

[0229] As shown in Figure 9A, the communication device 9100 includes one or more processors 9101. The processor 9101 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 9100 can be used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 9101 can be used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 9100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0230] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more transceivers 9102. When the communication device 9100 includes one or more transceivers 9102, the transceiver 9102 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 9101 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.

[0231] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more memories 9103 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 9103 may be located outside the communication device 9100. In optional embodiments, the communication device 9100 may include one or more interface circuits 9104. Optionally, the interface circuits 9104 are connected to the memories 9103 and can be used to receive data from the memories 9103 or other devices, and to send data to the memories 9103 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 9104 can read data stored in the memories 9103 and send that data to the processor 9101.

[0232] The communication device 9100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 9100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 9100 may not be limited by FIG. 9A. 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.

[0233] Figure 9B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 9200 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 9100 can be a chip or a chip system, the schematic diagram of the chip 9200 shown in Figure 9B can be referred to, but is not limited thereto.

[0234] Chip 9200 includes one or more processors 9201. Chip 9200 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[0235] In some embodiments, chip 9200 further includes one or more interface circuits 9202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 9200 further includes one or more memories 9203 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 9203 may be located outside chip 9200. Optionally, interface circuit 9202 is connected to memory 9203, and interface circuit 9202 can be used to receive data from memory 9203 or other devices, and interface circuit 9202 can be used to send data to memory 9203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 9202 can read data stored in memory 9203 and send the data to processor 9201.

[0236] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 9202 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 9202 performing the communication steps (e.g., sending and / or receiving) in the above-described method refers to the interface circuit 9202 performing data interaction between the processor 9201, the chip 9200, the memory 9203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 9201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S201, S202, but not limited thereto).

[0237] 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.

[0238] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on the communication device 9100, cause the communication device 9100 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.

[0239] This disclosure also provides a program product that, when executed by the communication device 9100, causes the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0240] 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. A communication control method, characterized in that, The method, executed by a first terminal, includes: Send a first request message to the core network equipment, wherein the first request message is used to request that the services of the first terminal be offloaded to the second terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first request information carries the identification information of the second terminal.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Sending the first request information to the core network device includes: If a first condition is met, the first request information is sent to the core network device, wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following: The first terminal is in power-saving mode; The remaining power of the first terminal is below the power threshold.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The services mentioned include downlink services.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Maintain the uplink service of the first terminal.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The uplink service includes the minimum uplink transmission required by the first terminal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second request message to the access network device, wherein the second request message is used to request to stop offloading the services of the first terminal to the second terminal.

8. A communication control method, characterized in that, The method, executed by a second terminal, includes: The service of the first terminal is received from the access network equipment.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: The capability information is sent to the core network equipment, wherein the capability information is used to indicate the ability of the second terminal to receive services from other terminals.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: The authorization information is sent to the core network equipment, wherein the authorization information includes the identification information of the terminal corresponding to the service that the second terminal is allowed to receive.

11. A communication control method, characterized in that, Performed by an access network device, the method includes: The services from the first terminal are offloaded to the second terminal.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives confirmation information sent by the core network device, wherein the confirmation information is used to instruct the access network device to offload the services of the first terminal to the second terminal.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives a second request message sent by the first terminal, wherein the second request message is used to request the cessation of offloading the services of the first terminal to the second terminal.

14. A communication control method, characterized in that, Performed by core network equipment, the method includes: The system receives a first request message sent by a first terminal, wherein the first request message is used to request that the services of the first terminal be offloaded to the second terminal.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send an acknowledgment message to the access network device, wherein the acknowledgment message is used to instruct the access network device to offload the services of the first terminal to the second terminal.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, Sending confirmation information to the access network device includes: If the second condition is met, the confirmation information is sent to the access network device, wherein the second condition includes at least one of the following: The identification information of the first terminal is included in the authorization information of the second terminal. The authorization information is used to indicate the identification of the first terminal when the second terminal is allowed to receive the services of the first terminal. The distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is less than a distance threshold; The first terminal and the second terminal belong to the same device group.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is used to execute the communication control method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. A communication system, characterized in that, The device includes a first terminal, a second terminal, an access network device, and a core network device. The first terminal is configured to implement the communication control method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the second terminal is configured to implement the communication control method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, the third terminal is configured to implement the communication control method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, and the fourth terminal is configured to implement the communication control method according to any one of claims 14 to 16.

19. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device performs the communication control method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

20. A program product, characterized in that, When the above-mentioned program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device performs the communication control method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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