Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and apparatus. The communication method comprises: an A-IoT device receives first information, the first information being used for querying whether there is data to be transmitted, wherein transmission of said data is autonomously initiated. The present application provides a solution that supports an A-IoT device in autonomously initiating data transmission.

Description

Communication methods and devices

[0001] This disclosure is based on and claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510121986.6, filed on January 24, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] In the Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT), A-IoT devices communicate by providing carrier waves from other nodes inside or outside the topology, either through backscatter or by actively generating signals.

[0004] Currently, the services supported in A-IoT are all those where the reader triggers the A-IoT device to initiate / terminate transmission. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides a communication method and apparatus, including the following aspects:

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, applied to a terminal device, or a chip or chip module in a terminal device, the communication method comprising: receiving first information, wherein the first information is used to inquire whether there is data that needs to be transmitted autonomously.

[0007] Optionally, receiving the first information includes receiving a paging message, wherein the paging message includes the first information.

[0008] In this disclosed technical solution, the reader sends a paging message to the A-IoT device. The paging message includes first information. In other words, by explicitly or implicitly carrying the first information in the existing paging message, the reader can support DoA services with limited increase in signaling overhead.

[0009] Optionally, the paging message includes a first field, which includes the first information; wherein the first field is a paging reason field or a new field.

[0010] The technical solution disclosed herein achieves timely transmission of the first information by carrying the first information in an existing field in the paging message, or by adding a new field to the paging message to carry the first information.

[0011] Optionally, the first information is used to inquire whether there is any data that needs to be transmitted voluntarily, including: the first information is used to page devices that support voluntarily initiated transmission, wherein the first information is a first paging type or first identification information; or, the first information is a first service type indication, wherein the first service type indication is used to indicate the data service type that supports voluntarily initiated transmission.

[0012] Optionally, receiving the first information includes: receiving an inquiry message, the inquiry message including the first information; wherein the timing of receiving the inquiry message is between the timings of receiving two adjacent paging messages.

[0013] In this disclosed technical solution, the reader sends an inquiry message to the A-IoT device, and the inquiry message includes first information; wherein, the timing of receiving the inquiry message is between the timing of receiving two adjacent paging messages. By adding an inquiry message between paging messages, this disclosed technical solution can support DoA services without changing the paging messages.

[0014] Optionally, the query message may be carried in physical layer control information, or the query message may be carried in media access control layer payload.

[0015] Optionally, the method further includes: in response to the need to transmit data that has been voluntarily initiated, sending second identification information on uplink resources, the second identification information indicating a device that has data that has been voluntarily initiated.

[0016] In this disclosed technical solution, the A-IoT device can feed back its own identifier to the reader, so that the reader can configure uplink resources for the corresponding A-IoT device to transmit data that is autonomously initiated by the A-IoT device.

[0017] Optionally, the method further includes: receiving second information, the second information indicating the uplink resource, wherein the first information and the second information are located in the same message.

[0018] Optionally, the second identification information includes at least one of the following: a 16-bit random number; a truncated identifier of the device that has autonomously initiated the transmission of data that needs to be transmitted; and the identifier of the device that has autonomously initiated the transmission of data that needs to be transmitted.

[0019] Optionally, the method further includes: receiving identification information, the identification information indicating at least one device that supports autonomously initiated transmission, the first information being used to inquire whether the at least one device that supports autonomously initiated transmission has data to be transmitted.

[0020] In this disclosed technical solution, the reader sends identification information to at least one A-IoT device to indicate at least one device that supports autonomously initiated transmission.

[0021] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a reader, or a chip in a reader, or a chip module, the communication method comprising: sending first information, the first information being used to inquire whether there is any data that needs to be transmitted autonomously.

[0022] Optionally, sending the first information includes sending a paging message, wherein the paging message includes the first information.

[0023] Optionally, the paging message includes a first field, which includes the first information; wherein the first field is a paging reason field or a new field.

[0024] Optionally, the first information is used to inquire whether there is any data that needs to be transmitted voluntarily, including: the first information is used to page devices that support voluntarily initiated transmission, wherein the first information is a first paging type or first identification information; or, the first information is a first service type indication, wherein the first service type indication is used to indicate the data service type that supports voluntarily initiated transmission.

[0025] Optionally, receiving the first information includes: sending an inquiry message, the inquiry message including the first information; wherein the timing of receiving the inquiry message is between the timings of receiving two adjacent paging messages.

[0026] Optionally, the query message may be carried in physical layer control information, or the query message may be carried in media access control layer payload.

[0027] Optionally, the method further includes: receiving second identification information on uplink resources, the second identification information indicating a device that has autonomously initiated data transmission that needs to be transmitted.

[0028] Optionally, the method further includes: sending a second message indicating the uplink resource, wherein the first message and the second message are located in the same message.

[0029] Optionally, the method further includes: sending identification information, the identification information indicating at least one device that supports autonomously initiated transmission, the first information being used to inquire whether the at least one device that supports autonomously initiated transmission has data to be transmitted.

[0030] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, the device comprising: a communication module for receiving first information, the first information being used to inquire whether there is any data that needs to be transmitted autonomously.

[0031] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, the device comprising: a communication module for sending first information, the first information being used to inquire whether there is any data that needs to be transmitted autonomously.

[0032] Fifthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program being executed by a processor to perform any one of the methods provided in the first or second aspect.

[0033] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program executable on the processor, and the processor executes the computer program to perform any of the methods provided in the first aspect.

[0034] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program executable on the processor, and the processor executes the computer program to perform any of the methods provided in the second aspect.

[0035] Eighthly, a computer program product is provided, on which a computer program is stored, the computer program being executed by a processor to perform any one of the methods provided in the first or second aspect.

[0036] Ninthly, a communication system is provided, including the aforementioned terminal device and the aforementioned reader.

[0037] In a tenth aspect, some embodiments of this disclosure also provide a chip that stores a computer program, which, when executed by the chip, implements the steps of the above-described method.

[0038] Eleventhly, some embodiments of this disclosure also provide a system chip for use in a terminal, the system chip including at least one processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit and the at least one processor being interconnected via a line, the at least one processor being used to execute instructions to perform any one of the methods provided in the first or second aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network topology for A-IoT in the prior art;

[0040] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of another A-IoT network topology in the prior art;

[0041] Figure 3 is an interactive flowchart of a communication method provided by some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0042] Figure 4 is an interactive flowchart of another communication method provided by some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0043] Figure 5 is an interactive flowchart of another communication method provided by some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0044] Figure 6a is a schematic diagram of an inquiry message and a paging message provided by some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0045] Figure 6b is a schematic diagram of another query message and paging message provided by some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0046] Figure 6c is a schematic diagram of another type of query message and paging message provided by some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0047] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0048] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device provided in some embodiments of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0049] The latest 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) meeting identified the first 16 projects in the Radio Access Network (RAN) field for the R19 protocol (Release 19), with A-IoT being one of the important R19 standardization topics.

[0050] A-IoT is a highly simplified Internet of Things (IoT) technology that allows objects to harvest energy from environmental sources such as light sources, heat sources, and radio waves, and then transmit signals via backscattering and low-power radio frequency (RF) to achieve low-bandwidth data transmission. It offers advantages in transmission speed, power consumption, size, and cost. 3GPP's A-IoT project research focuses on new ultra-low-power tag devices to enable ultra-low-power, ultra-low-cost IoT command-line applications. A-IoT can achieve signal transmission over a range of several meters with power consumption as low as 1 milliwatt. 3GPP Release 19 primarily considers two A-IoT modes: microwatt and microwatt-level. The microwatt-level mode relies mainly on pure reflection. That is, the base station sends a signal, and the terminal reflects the energy back. Its characteristic is low energy consumption, typically around 1 microwatt. Although the amount of energy received and reflected is small, it is sufficient to transmit low-bandwidth data and is suitable for electronic tag scenarios. The microwatt-level mode harvests energy and drives an amplifier, allowing the signal to be transmitted over a longer distance. This mode harvests and stores energy through capacitors. For example, with a sufficient amount of voltage collected, a small power amplifier can be driven to amplify the signal and transmit it further, reaching the level of 100 microwatts. Applications such as logistics tracking and environmental monitoring can be realized in this mode.

[0051] In backscatter communication, the sender does not need to actively generate a signal; instead, it communicates by reflecting electromagnetic waves generated by other devices. Backscatter is typically achieved by the sender controlling its antenna to switch between complete signal absorption and complete signal reflection. The reflected signals will then have different amplitudes, which can be used to represent different information. When an electromagnetic wave encounters the boundary between two media with different impedances during propagation, the electromagnetic wave will be absorbed or reflected to a certain extent.

[0052] First, the network topology of A-IoT will be explained.

[0053] Referring to Figure 1, in network topology 1, the reader communicates directly with the A-IoT device. The A-IoT device and the reader communicate directly in both directions, and the communication data between the reader and the A-IoT device includes A-IoT data and / or signaling.

[0054] The communication between the reader and the device can include communication between the base station and the device.

[0055] Please refer to Figure 2. In network topology 2, the reader communicates directly with A-IoT devices, and the reader can communicate directly with network devices.

[0056] In the downlink data transmission direction from the reader to the A-IoT device, the information bits to be transmitted by the reader are encoded, modulated, waveform generated, and resource-mapped before being sent out. The resource-mapped signal is then transmitted to the A-IoT device via a transmission medium (e.g., electromagnetic waves). The A-IoT device obtains the downlink data through envelope detection, demodulation, and signal decoding. Similarly, in the uplink data transmission direction from the A-IoT device to the reader, the information bits to be transmitted by the A-IoT device are encoded, modulated, and sent out. They are then transmitted to the reader via a transmission medium. The reader obtains the uplink data through demodulation and signal decoding.

[0057] The ultimate function of A-IoT is data acquisition, which has two aspects: data transmission from the reader to the A-IoT device is called downlink (DL, also known as R2D), and data transmission from the A-IoT device to the reader is called uplink (UL, also known as D2R). The downlink channel is called the Physical Reader Device channel (PRDCH, or PR2DCH), and the uplink channel is called the Physical Device Reader channel (PDRCH, or PD2RCH).

[0058] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the reader can be any of a network device or a user equipment (UE). The A-IoT device can be a tag (also called an electronic tag, device). This device can be a passive device, which can be a passive tag that collects energy through backscattering technology to send and receive messages. Passive tags include, but are not limited to, radio frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth, Zigbee, and other power-free terminal tags. The device can also be a semi-passive device or an active device. A semi-passive device can also be called a battery-assisted passive device, which provides power to the device with a local battery but still uses backscattering for communication.

[0059] The UE, as described in some embodiments of this disclosure, is a device with wireless communication capabilities and may be referred to as a terminal, terminal equipment, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal equipment, vehicle-mounted terminal equipment, industrial control terminal equipment, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal equipment, mobile device, UE terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, UE agent, or UE device, etc. The UE can be fixed or mobile. It should be noted that the UE can support at least one wireless communication technology, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or New Radio (NR). For example, a UE can be a mobile phone, tablet, desktop computer, laptop computer, all-in-one computer, in-vehicle terminal, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, wireless terminal in smart home, cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, wearable device, terminal device in future mobile communication networks, or future evolved public land mobile networks. Terminal devices in a network (PLMN). In some embodiments of this disclosure, the terminal device may also be a device with transceiver functions, such as a chip system. The chip system may include chips, and may also include other discrete devices.

[0060] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the network device is a communication device that provides wireless communication functions for the UE and the device, and may also be referred to as an access network device, radio access network (RAN) device, or access network element. The network device can support at least one wireless communication technology, such as LTE, NR, etc. Examples of network devices include, but are not limited to: intermediate node, auxiliary node, generation node B (gNB) in 5th-generation (5G) mobile communication systems, evolved node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved node B, or home node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), mobile switching center, etc. Network devices can also be radio controllers, centralized units (CUs), and / or distributed units (DUs) in cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenarios, or access network devices can be relay stations, access points, vehicle-mounted devices, terminal devices, wearable devices, and network devices in future mobile communications or future evolved PLMNs. In some embodiments, network devices can also be means for providing wireless communication functions to UEs, such as chip systems. For example, a chip system may include chips, and may also include other discrete components.

[0061] In this disclosed technical solution, the reader sends a first message to the A-IoT device. This first message inquires whether the A-IoT device has any data to transmit autonomously. The A-IoT device can complete the transmission of autonomously initiated data by responding to the first message. This disclosed technical solution, by setting the first message, enables the A-IoT device to respond to whether it has any autonomously initiated data to transmit. This allows the reader to know whether the A-IoT device has any data to transmit autonomously, thereby allocating appropriate uplink resources to the A-IoT device in a timely manner and completing the transmission of autonomously initiated data. This achieves support for Device-originated-Autonomous (DoA) services while maintaining compatibility with existing protocols.

[0062] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, details some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0063] Some embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, which will be described in detail below with reference to FIG3.

[0064] It is understood that in some embodiments, the communication method can be implemented using a software program that runs within a processor integrated into the chip or chip module. The method can also be implemented using a combination of software and hardware; this disclosure does not impose any limitations. The following description uses a terminal device as the executing entity.

[0065] In step 301, the reader sends first information. Correspondingly, the A-IoT device receives the first information. The first information is used to inquire whether at least one A-IoT device has any data to transmit that it has initiated autonomously.

[0066] For example, the reader sends the first message to at least one A-IoT device.

[0067] Optionally, the reader can broadcast a first message. This first message does not contain any identification information, indicating that it is intended for all A-IoT devices connected to the reader. In other words, the first message is sent to all A-IoT devices connected to the reader to query whether any A-IoT devices under the reader have independently initiated data transmission.

[0068] Optionally, the reader can multicast the first message. In this case, the reader sends the first message to a group of A-IoT devices with a specific group identifier (ID) to query whether any A-IoT devices within that group have data to transmit that they have initiated themselves. This A-IoT device group includes one or more A-IoT devices, and the group identifier can be a single group identifier or multiple group identifiers.

[0069] Optionally, the reader can send a first message to a specific A-IoT device to query whether that specific A-IoT device has any data to transmit that it has initiated independently. The number of specific A-IoT devices can be one or more.

[0070] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the reader can query at least one A-IoT device via the first information whether it has any data to transmit that it has initiated. Correspondingly, at least one A-IoT device can also use the response to the first information to indicate whether it has any data to transmit that it has initiated.

[0071] Referring again to Figure 3, in step 302, in response to the A-IoT device having data to transmit voluntarily, the A-IoT device sends second identification information on the uplink resources. The second identification information indicates that the A-IoT device is one that has voluntarily initiated data transmission. Conversely, if the A-IoT device does not have data to transmit voluntarily, it does not need to send back the second identification information.

[0072] For example, the second identification information includes at least one of the following:

[0073] 16-bit random number;

[0074] The truncated identifier of an A-IoT device;

[0075] Identification of A-IoT devices.

[0076] A-IoT devices can generate 16-bit random numbers, which are unpredictable and unique. Therefore, A-IoT devices can send these 16-bit random numbers to a reader, allowing the reader to identify the A-IoT device based on these numbers.

[0077] A-IoT devices have unique identifiers, such as a Medium Access Control (MAC) address, product identification code, or device permanent identifier. A-IoT devices can send their identifiers to a reader so that the reader can identify the A-IoT device based on these identifiers.

[0078] The identifier of an A-IoT device is usually quite long, for example, 90 bits. To reduce transmission overhead, the identifier of an A-IoT device can be truncated and sent to a reader so that the reader can identify the A-IoT device based on the truncated identifier.

[0079] Optionally, the uplink resources used to send the second identification information may be configured by the network device or specified by a standard communication protocol, and this disclosure does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0080] In an alternative embodiment, the first information is carried in a paging message.

[0081] Referring also to Figure 4, which illustrates the flow of a communication method.

[0082] In step 401, the reader sends a paging message to at least one A-IoT device, the paging message including first information.

[0083] During the interaction between the reader and at least one A-IoT device, the reader sends a paging message to the A-IoT device. Therefore, the initial information can be carried within the paging message, thus avoiding additional signaling and reducing signaling overhead.

[0084] In one alternative implementation, the paging message includes a first field, which includes first information, and the first field is a paging cause field. That is, the paging cause field of the paging message includes the first information.

[0085] For example, a new value can be added to the paging reason field of a paging message. When the paging reason field is set to the first value, it indicates that at least one A-IoT device is being asked if it has any data to transmit that it has initiated autonomously. This first value is different from the existing values ​​in the paging reason field.

[0086] In another alternative implementation, the paging message includes a first field, which includes first information, and the first field is a newly added field. That is, the first field of the paging message includes the first information.

[0087] For example, the new field of the paging message occupies one bit. When this bit is 1, it indicates an inquiry into whether at least one A-IoT device has data to be transmitted autonomously. Alternatively, when this bit is 0, it indicates no inquiry into whether at least one A-IoT device has data to be transmitted autonomously, suggesting that the paging message is a normal paging message, such as a paging triggered by Do-DTT or DT services. Alternatively, one bit can be a Boolean value. When this field is "true", it indicates an inquiry into whether at least one A-IoT device has data to be transmitted autonomously. Alternatively, when this field is "false", it indicates no inquiry into whether an AIoT device has data to be transmitted autonomously, suggesting that the paging message is a normal paging triggered by Do-DTT or DT services and is not used to inquire about Do-A services.

[0088] In another alternative implementation, the first information is a first paging type or first identification information. The first information is used to paging devices that support autonomously initiated transmissions.

[0089] For example, the first identification information is the identification information in the paging message, such as a device identifier or a group identifier. The device identifier is used to indicate an A-IoT device, and the group identifier is used to indicate a group of A-IoT devices. It can be a specific value. For example, if the device identifier or group identifier in the paging message is all 0, it indicates that the paging message is used to page devices that support autonomously initiated transmissions.

[0090] For example, the first paging type can be implemented by adding a new value to the paging reason field, such as adding one of the following: autonomously initiated service identifier, Do-A identifier, sensor service identifier. That is, when the paging reason field of the paging message has this new value, it indicates that the paging message is used to paging devices that support autonomously initiated transmissions. The new value can be given as a Boolean value. For example, a Boolean value of "true" indicates that the paging message is used to paging devices that support autonomously initiated transmissions; a Boolean value of "false" indicates that the paging message is a normal paging message, such as a paging triggered by Do-DTT and DT services.

[0091] In another alternative implementation, the first information is a first service type indication, which indicates a data service type that supports autonomously initiated transmission. In other words, if the paging message includes the first service type indication, it means that the paging message is used to page A-IoT devices that have an autonomously initiated data service type.

[0092] For example, the aforementioned first service type indication can be indicated using 1 bit of information. Optionally, as an example, if the 1 bit indication is set to "0", it indicates that the paging message is used to paging a service type of autonomously initiated transmission. If the 1 bit indication is set to "1", it indicates that the paging message is not used to paging a service type of autonomously initiated transmission. Alternatively, the 1 bit can be a Boolean value. If the field is "true", it indicates that the paging message is used to paging a service type of autonomously initiated transmission. Alternatively, if the field is "false", it indicates that the paging message is not used to paging a service type of autonomously initiated transmission, for example, the paging message is a normal Do-DTT and DT service triggered paging. Accordingly, if an A-IoT device receives a paging message carrying the first service type indication, and the A-IoT device has data for autonomously initiated transmission, it can respond to the paging message. If the A-IoT device does not have data for autonomously initiated transmission, it does not need to respond to the paging message.

[0093] In step 402, the reader sends a paging message to at least one A-IoT device. The paging message includes second information indicating uplink resources (also referred to as D2R resources). The uplink resources are used to transmit response messages (also referred to as D2R response messages) from at least one A-IoT device in response to the first information. Optionally, the uplink resources can carry the identifier of at least one A-IoT device.

[0094] Furthermore, if the uplink resources can only carry the identifier of one A-IoT device, a conflict will occur when multiple A-IoT devices need to send their own device identifiers. In this case, the reader can resend the paging message and allocate more uplink resources in the paging message.

[0095] In an alternative implementation, the first information and the second information are contained within the same paging message. In this case, the reader may only perform step 401, in which the reader sends a paging message that includes the first information and the second information.

[0096] In another alternative implementation, the first information and the second information are located in different paging messages. In this case, the reader can perform steps 401 and 402, in which the reader sends a paging message including the first information in step 401; and in which the reader sends another paging message including the second information in step 402.

[0097] For example, the second information may implicitly indicate the time-domain location of the uplink resource, that is, a fixed offset in the frequency and / or time domain between the uplink resource and the resource carrying the paging message containing the first information. The fixed offset in the frequency domain and the fixed offset in the time domain may be the same or different.

[0098] For example, the protocol predefined / preconfigured specific time or time range after the A-IoT device receives the paging message belongs to the transmission position of the D2R response message; the second information can implicitly indicate the frequency domain position of the uplink resource: the frequency domain position with a fixed offset between the protocol predefined or preconfigured and the paging message is the transmission position of the D2R response message.

[0099] For example, the second information can explicitly indicate uplink resources. The time-domain information of the uplink resources can be an N / Q indicator, where N refers to the total number of available time slots, 2... Q This refers to the total number of available time slots. The frequency domain information of uplink resources can indicate the center frequency and bandwidth information.

[0100] In step 403, in response to the A-IoT device having data to be transmitted autonomously, a second identification information is sent on the uplink resources. The second identification information indicates the device that has data to be transmitted autonomously.

[0101] In other words, when an A-IoT device has data to transmit autonomously, in response to receiving a paging message, the A-IoT device can send its own identifier back to the reader based on the first information carried in the paging message.

[0102] It should be noted that the sequence numbers of the steps in some embodiments of this disclosure do not represent a limitation on the execution order of the steps.

[0103] Those skilled in the art will understand that steps 401 and 402 described above can be considered as execution steps corresponding to steps 301 and 302 described above in the embodiment shown in FIG3, and the two are complementary in implementation principle and logic. Therefore, the explanation of some terms involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be referred to the relevant description of the embodiment shown in FIG3, and will not be repeated here.

[0104] The following section explains the transmission of data initiated by the user (i.e., DoA service) in conjunction with the paging and random access procedures.

[0105] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the reader may periodically send the aforementioned paging message.

[0106] When an A-IoT device receives the aforementioned paging message, in response to the fact that the A-IoT device has Do-A service data to send at this time, the A-IoT device will send message 1 (Msg1) on the allocated uplink resources. The Msg1 contains its own device identifier.

[0107] After receiving Msg1, the reader assumes that the A-IoT device has uplink Do-A data to send. The reader will then send back message 2 (Msg2), which carries the device identifier of the A-IoT device sent by the reader and the uplink resources allocated to the A-IoT device.

[0108] After receiving Msg2, the A-IoT device's own identifier, it sends Do-A data on the allocated uplink resources.

[0109] In another alternative embodiment, the first information is carried in an interrogation message, which is received between the reception times of two adjacent paging messages.

[0110] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the paging message can be a normal paging triggered by the network device side, such as a paging message triggered by Do-DTT or DT services. The query message can be a newly added message used to carry first information.

[0111] Referring also to Figure 5, which illustrates the flow of a communication method.

[0112] In step 501, the reader sends an inquiry message to at least one A-IoT device, the inquiry message including first information.

[0113] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the reader sends an inquiry message to at least one A-IoT device. Specifically, there are one or more inquiry message reception opportunities between each pair of adjacent paging message reception opportunities. Alternatively, there are one or more inquiry message reception opportunities between each pair of adjacent paging message reception opportunities spaced apart by at least one paging message.

[0114] Correspondingly, the paging message sending period is equal to the interrogation message sending period. Therefore, there is an interrogation message receiving period between every two adjacent paging message receiving periods. As shown in Figure 6a, the relationship between interrogation messages and paging messages is illustrated. Between the paging message receiving period T11 and the paging message receiving period T13, there is an interrogation message received at time T12; between the paging message receiving period T13 and the paging message receiving period T15, there is an interrogation message received at time T14.

[0115] Correspondingly, the paging message sending period is longer than the interrogation message sending period. Therefore, there are multiple interrogation message receiving opportunities between every two adjacent paging message receiving opportunities. As shown in Figure 6b, which illustrates the relationship between interrogation messages and paging messages, there are two interrogation messages between the paging message receiving opportunity T21 and the paging message receiving opportunity T24, with receiving opportunities T22 and T23; and between the paging message receiving opportunity T24 and the paging message receiving opportunity T27, there are two interrogation messages, with receiving opportunities T25 and T26.

[0116] Correspondingly, the transmission period of the paging message is shorter than the transmission period of the interrogation message. In this case, there are one or more interrogation message reception opportunities between the reception opportunities of two adjacent paging messages separated by at least one paging message. As shown in Figure 6c, Figure 6c illustrates the relationship between interrogation messages and paging messages. Between the paging message at reception opportunity T31 and the paging message at reception opportunity T33, there is one interrogation message, with reception opportunity T32; between the paging message at reception opportunity T33 and the paging message at reception opportunity T34, there is no interrogation message.

[0117] In step 502, the reader sends an inquiry message to at least one A-IoT device. The inquiry message includes second information indicating uplink resources.

[0118] The second information indicates uplink resources, which are used to transmit response messages from at least one A-IoT device in response to the first information. Optionally, the uplink resources can carry the identifier of at least one A-IoT device.

[0119] In an alternative implementation, the first information and the second information are contained within the same query message. In this case, the reader may only perform step 501, in which the reader sends a query message that includes the first information and the second information.

[0120] In another alternative implementation, the first information and the second information are located in different query messages. In this case, the reader can perform steps 501 and 502, in which the reader sends a query message including the first information in step 501; and in step 502, the reader sends another query message including the second information.

[0121] For example, the query message includes a one-bit indication of the first service type, as well as information about the uplink resources.

[0122] For example, if the 1-bit indicator is set to "0", it means that the query message is used to inquire whether the A-IoT device has a service type that initiates transmission autonomously. If the 1-bit indicator is set to "1", it means that the query message is not used to inquire whether the A-IoT device has a service type that initiates transmission autonomously.

[0123] For example, if this 1 bit is a Boolean value, and the field is "true", it means that the query message is used to inquire whether the A-IoT device has a service type that initiates transmission autonomously. Alternatively, if the field is "false", it means that the query message is not used to inquire whether the A-IoT device has a service type that initiates transmission autonomously.

[0124] For example, the uplink resources indicated in the query message are capable of carrying a 16-bit random number for an A-IoT device.

[0125] In an optional embodiment, the first and second information contained in the query message can be carried in physical layer control information, such as the control information of PRDCH, or the first and second information contained in the query message can be carried in the media access control layer payload, such as MAC CE.

[0126] For example, if the first information in the query message is carried in the physical layer control information, then 1 bit can be added to the physical layer control information to indicate that the query message is used to inquire whether the A-IoT device has any data that needs to be transmitted autonomously.

[0127] In step 503, in response to the A-IoT device having data to be transmitted autonomously, a second identification information is sent on the uplink resources. The second identification information indicates the device that has data to be transmitted autonomously.

[0128] Those skilled in the art will understand that steps 501 to 503 described above can be considered as execution steps corresponding to steps 401 to 403 described above in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and the two are complementary in implementation principle and logic. Therefore, the explanation of some terms involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be referred to the relevant description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0129] In some of the embodiments described above, the paging message or query message may include identification information (ID), which points to at least one A-IoT device. The reader sends the identification information to at least one A-IoT device to indicate at least one device that supports autonomously initiated transmission.

[0130] For example, a paging or query message including a group ID indicates that the message is only used to query whether A-IoT devices within that group have voluntarily initiated data transmissions. This group ID can be a single group ID or multiple group IDs. Alternatively, a paging or query message including one or more A-IoT device IDs indicates that the message is used to query whether one or more A-IoT devices have voluntarily initiated data transmissions. If the message does not contain any IDs, it indicates that the message is used to query whether all A-IoT devices under that reader have voluntarily initiated data transmissions.

[0131] For example, the first information and the identification information may be included in the same paging message, or the first information and the identification information may be included in different paging messages.

[0132] For example, the first information and the identification information may be included in the same query message, or the first information and the identification information may be included in different query messages.

[0133] For further implementation of some embodiments of this disclosure, please refer to the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0134] Please refer to Figure 7, which shows a communication device 70. The communication device 70 may include:

[0135] The communication module 701 is used to receive first information, which is used to inquire whether there is any data that needs to be transmitted autonomously.

[0136] Furthermore, the communication module 701 is also used to receive paging messages, which include first information.

[0137] Furthermore, the paging message includes a first field, which includes first information; wherein, the first field is either a paging reason field or a newly added field.

[0138] Furthermore, the first information is used to page devices that support autonomously initiated transmissions, wherein the first information is a first paging type or first identification information; or, the first information is a first service type indication, which is used to indicate the data service type that supports autonomously initiated transmissions.

[0139] Furthermore, the communication module 701 is also used to receive an inquiry message, which includes first information; wherein the timing of receiving the inquiry message is between the timings of receiving two adjacent paging messages.

[0140] Furthermore, the query message is carried in the physical layer control information, or the query message is carried in the media access control layer payload.

[0141] Furthermore, in response to the need to transmit data that has been voluntarily initiated, the communication module 701 is also used to send second identification information on uplink resources, the second identification information indicating the device that has the need to transmit data that has been voluntarily initiated.

[0142] Furthermore, the communication module 701 is also used to receive second information, which indicates uplink resources, and the first and second information are located in the same message.

[0143] Furthermore, the communication module 701 is also used to receive identification information, which indicates at least one device that supports autonomous transmission, and the first information is used to query at least one device that supports autonomous transmission whether there is any data to be transmitted that needs to be transmitted.

[0144] In some embodiments, the communication device 70 described above may correspond to a chip with communication function in an A-IoT device, such as a system-on-a-chip (SOC), a baseband chip, etc.; or to a chip module in an A-IoT device that includes a chip with communication function; or to a chip module with a chip with data processing function; or to an A-IoT device.

[0145] In another alternative embodiment, the communication module 701 is used to send first information, which is used to inquire whether there is any data that needs to be transmitted autonomously.

[0146] In some embodiments, the communication device 70 described above may correspond to a chip with communication function in a reader, such as a SOC, a baseband chip, etc.; or to a chip module in a reader that includes a chip with communication function; or to a chip module with a chip having data processing function; or to a reader.

[0147] Other relevant descriptions of the communication device 70 can be found in the descriptions of some of the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0148] Regarding the modules / units included in the various devices and products described in the above embodiments, they can be software modules / units, hardware modules / units, or a combination of both. For example, for devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip, all modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using software programs running on a processor integrated within the chip, while the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip module, all modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules / units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. The implementation is achieved through a software program that runs on a processor integrated within the chip module. The remaining modules / units (if any) can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For various devices and products applied to or integrated into terminal equipment, each of their modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules / units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components within the terminal equipment. Alternatively, at least some modules / units can be implemented using a software program that runs on a processor integrated within the terminal equipment, while the remaining modules / units (if any) can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits.

[0149] Some embodiments of this disclosure also disclose a storage medium, which is a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program thereon. When the computer program is executed, it can perform the steps of the methods shown in the foregoing embodiments. The storage medium may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk, or optical disk, etc. The storage medium may also include non-volatile memory or non-transitory memory, etc.

[0150] Referring to Figure 8, some embodiments of this disclosure also provide a hardware structure diagram of a communication device. The device includes a processor 801, a memory 802, and a transceiver 803.

[0151] Processor 801 can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of programs according to the present disclosure. Processor 801 may also include multiple CPUs, and processor 801 can be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. Here, "processor" can refer to one or more devices, circuits, or processing cores used to process data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0152] The memory 802 may be a ROM or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, RAM or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or it may be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer. Some embodiments of this disclosure do not impose any limitations on this. The memory 802 may exist independently (in which case, the memory 802 may be located outside or within the device) or it may be integrated with the processor 801. The memory 802 may contain computer program code. The processor 801 is used to execute the computer program code stored in the memory 802 to implement the methods provided in some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0153] The processor 801, memory 802, and transceiver 803 are connected via a bus. The transceiver 803 is used to communicate with other devices or communication networks. Optionally, the transceiver 803 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The device in the transceiver 803 that implements the receiving function can be considered as a receiver, which is used to perform the receiving steps in some embodiments of this disclosure. The device in the transceiver 803 that implements the transmitting function can be considered as a transmitter, which is used to perform the transmitting steps in some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0154] When the structural diagram shown in Figure 8 illustrates the structure of the A-IoT device involved in the above embodiments, the processor 801 is used to control and manage the actions of the A-IoT device. For example, the processor 801 is used to support the A-IoT device in performing actions performed by the A-IoT device in other processes described in some embodiments of this disclosure. The processor 801 can communicate with other network entities through the transceiver 803, for example, with the reader mentioned above. The memory 802 is used to store the program code and data of the A-IoT device.

[0155] When the structural diagram shown in Figure 8 is used to illustrate the structure of the reader involved in the above embodiments, the processor 801 is used to control and manage the actions of the reader. For example, the processor 801 is used to support the reader in performing actions performed by the reader in other processes described in some embodiments of this disclosure. The processor 801 can communicate with other network entities through the transceiver 803, for example, with the A-IoT device described above. The memory 802 is used to store the reader's program code and data.

[0156] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this article indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0157] In some embodiments of this disclosure, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0158] The descriptions of "first," "second," etc., appearing in some embodiments of this disclosure are for illustrative purposes and to distinguish the objects being described. They are not in any particular order and do not indicate a special limitation on the number of devices in some embodiments of this disclosure. They cannot constitute any limitation on some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0159] In some embodiments of this disclosure, "connection" refers to various connection methods, such as direct connection or indirect connection, to achieve communication between devices. Some embodiments of this disclosure do not limit this in any way.

[0160] The above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware, firmware, or any other combination thereof. When implemented using software, the above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer programs are loaded or executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions according to some embodiments of this disclosure are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means.

[0161] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this disclosure, the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0162] All embodiments of this disclosure can be executed individually or in combination with other embodiments, and are all considered to be within the scope of protection claimed by this disclosure.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive first information, which is used to inquire whether there is any data that needs to be transmitted that was initiated by the user.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving of the first information includes: Receive a paging message, the paging message including the first information.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The paging message includes a first field, which includes the first information; wherein the first field is either a paging reason field or a new field.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first information is used to inquire whether there is any data that needs to be transmitted voluntarily, including: The first information is used to page devices that support autonomously initiated transmissions, wherein the first information is a first paging type or first identification information; or... The first information is a first service type indication, which is used to indicate the data service type that supports autonomously initiated transmission.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving of the first information includes: A query message is received, the query message including the first information; wherein the timing of receiving the query message is between the timings of receiving two adjacent paging messages.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The query message is carried in the physical layer control information, or the query message is carried in the media access control layer payload.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The method further includes: In response to the need to transmit data that has been voluntarily initiated, a second identification information is sent on the uplink resources, the second identification information indicating the device that has the need to transmit data that has been voluntarily initiated.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a second message indicating the uplink resource, wherein the first message and the second message are located in the same message.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein, The second identification information includes at least one of the following: 16-bit random number; The truncated device identifier that needs to transmit data that has been autonomously initiated; The identifier of the device that needs to transmit data that has been autonomously initiated.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further includes: Receive identification information, the identification information indicating at least one device that supports autonomous transmission, the first information being used to query whether the at least one device that supports autonomous transmission has data to be transmitted.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send a first message, which is used to inquire whether there is any data that needs to be transmitted voluntarily.

12. The communication method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The sending of the first information includes: Send a paging message, the paging message including the first information.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The paging message includes a first field, which includes the first information; wherein the first field is either a paging reason field or a new field.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first information is used to inquire whether there is any data that needs to be transmitted voluntarily, including: The first information is used to page devices that support autonomously initiated transmissions, wherein the first information is a first paging type or first identification information; or... The first information is a first service type indication, which is used to indicate the data service type that supports autonomously initiated transmission.

15. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The sending of the first information includes: Send an inquiry message, the inquiry message including the first information; wherein the timing of receiving the inquiry message is between the timings of receiving two adjacent paging messages.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The query message is carried in the physical layer control information, or the query message is carried in the media access control layer payload.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11-16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second identification information on uplink resources, the second identification information indicating a device that has autonomously initiated data transmission that needs to be transmitted.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The method further includes: Send a second message indicating the uplink resource; the first and second messages are contained in the same message.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein, The method further includes: Send identification information, the identification information indicating at least one device that supports autonomous transmission, the first information being used to query whether the at least one device that supports autonomous transmission has data to be transmitted.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes: The communication module is used to receive first information, which is used to inquire whether there is any data that needs to be transmitted autonomously.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes: The communication module is used to send first information, which is used to inquire whether there is any data that needs to be transmitted autonomously.

22. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is run by the processor, it performs the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or performs the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

23. A computer program product comprising computer programs / instructions, characterized in that, When executed by a processor, the computer program / instruction implements the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or performs the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

24. A chip comprising at least one processing module and an interface circuit, the interface circuit and the at least one processing module connected, characterized in that, The processing module executes the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, by running program instructions.

25. A communication device comprising a storage module and a processing module, the storage module having stored thereon a computer program executable on the processing module, characterized in that, When the processing module runs the computer program, it performs the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

26. A communication device comprising a storage module and a processing module, the storage module having stored thereon a computer program executable on the processing module, characterized in that, When the processing module runs the computer program, it performs the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

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