Period determination method, communication device, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communications, and specifically relates to a period determination method, a communication device, and a storage medium. The period determination method comprises: determining an available evaluation threshold; determining a first receiver, the first receiver being associated with the available evaluation threshold; and determining an evaluation period on the basis of a period associated with the first receiver, the evaluation period being used to determine whether a scenario switching condition is satisfied. According to the present disclosure, a terminal may determine the available evaluation threshold, determine the first receiver associated with the available evaluation threshold, and then determine the evaluation period for the scenario switching condition on the basis of the period associated with the first receiver. Accordingly, it can be ensured that the determined evaluation period is related to the available evaluation threshold, thereby helping ensure that the determined evaluation period is suitable for determining, on the basis of the available evaluation threshold, whether the scenario switching condition is satisfied.

Description

Period determination method, communication equipment and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a method for determining a period, a communication device, and a storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] For energy conservation, a receiver can be included in the terminal, which may include a main receiver (MR) and a low-power receiver (LR). The terminal can control the activation and deactivation of at least one of the MR and LR based on the current scene to meet energy-saving requirements. However, some technical issues still need to be resolved when performing scene transitions. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of this disclosure provide a period determination method, communication device, and storage medium to address technical problems in the related art.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a period determination method is proposed, executed by a terminal, the terminal including a first receiver, the method comprising: determining an available evaluation threshold; determining the first receiver, the first receiver being associated with the available evaluation threshold; determining an evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver, wherein the evaluation period is used to determine whether a scene transition condition is met.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a period determination method is proposed, executed by a network device, the method further comprising: sending indication information to a terminal, wherein the terminal includes a first receiver, the indication information being used to instruct the terminal to determine an evaluation period based on the following manner: determining an available evaluation threshold; determining the first receiver, the first receiver being associated with the available evaluation threshold; determining an evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver, wherein the evaluation period is used to determine whether a scene transition condition is met.

[0006] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided for performing the period determination method described in any one of the first and second aspects.

[0007] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, including a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the period determination method described in the first aspect, and the network device is configured to implement the period determination method described in the second aspect.

[0008] According to a fifth 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 period determination method described in either the first or second aspect.

[0009] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a program product is provided that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the period determination method described in either the first or second aspect.

[0010] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a terminal can determine an available evaluation threshold and a first receiver associated with the available evaluation threshold, and then determine an evaluation period for scene transition conditions based on the period associated with the first receiver. Accordingly, it can be ensured that the determined evaluation period is related to the available evaluation threshold, which is beneficial for ensuring that the determined evaluation period is suitable for determining whether scene transition conditions are met based on the available evaluation threshold. Attached Figure Description

[0011] 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 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. Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of the relationship between a scenario and a cell according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a period determination method according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the relationship between another scenario and a cell according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of a period determination device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of a period determination device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0012] Embodiments of this disclosure provide a period determination method, a communication device, and a storage medium.

[0013] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure propose a period determination method, executed by a terminal, the terminal including a first receiver, the method comprising: determining an available evaluation threshold; determining the first receiver, the first receiver being associated with the available evaluation threshold; determining an evaluation period based on a period associated with the first receiver, wherein the evaluation period is used to determine whether a scene transition condition is met.

[0014] In the above embodiments, the terminal can determine an available evaluation threshold and a first receiver associated with the available evaluation threshold, and then determine the evaluation period of the scene transition condition based on the period associated with the first receiver. Accordingly, it can be ensured that the determined evaluation period is related to the available evaluation threshold, which is beneficial for ensuring that the determined evaluation period is suitable for determining whether the scene transition condition is met based on the available evaluation threshold.

[0015] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining the evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver includes: determining the period associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period, and the number of available evaluation thresholds is 1.

[0016] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining the evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver includes at least one of the following: determining the largest period among the periods associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period; determining the smallest period among the periods associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period; determining the sum of the periods associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period; wherein the number of available evaluation thresholds is multiple.

[0017] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first receiver includes at least one of the following: a main receiver for measuring the serving cell and / or neighboring cells; and a low-power receiver for measuring the serving cell.

[0018] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the scenario includes at least one of the following: the main receiver is off and the low-power receiver is on; the main receiver performs measurements based on a relaxed mode and the low-power receiver is on; the main receiver performs measurements based on a normal mode and the low-power receiver is off; the low-power receiver listens for a low-power wake-up signal.

[0019] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining the available evaluation threshold includes: determining a scenario that the terminal needs to enter and / or a scenario that it needs to leave; determining an evaluation threshold associated with the entry conditions of the scenario that needs to be entered as the available evaluation threshold, and / or determining an evaluation threshold associated with the departure conditions of the scenario that needs to be left as the available evaluation threshold.

[0020] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the period associated with the first receiver is equal to or equal to a first time period or a plurality of first time periods, the first time period including at least one of the following: a measurement period in which the first receiver measures the serving cell and / or neighboring cells based on a normal mode; a measurement period in which the first receiver measures the serving cell and / or neighboring cells based on a relaxed mode; the period of a signal received by the first receiver; the maximum period among the periods of a plurality of signals received by the first receiver.

[0021] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the signal includes at least one of the following: a paging signal; a wake-up signal; a reference signal; and a synchronization signal.

[0022] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure propose a period determination method, executed by a network device, the method further comprising: sending indication information to a terminal, wherein the terminal includes a first receiver, the indication information being used to instruct the terminal to determine the evaluation period based on the following manner: determining an available evaluation threshold; determining the first receiver, the first receiver being associated with the available evaluation threshold; determining the evaluation period according to the period associated with the first receiver, wherein the evaluation period is used to determine whether a scene transition condition is met.

[0023] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, determining the evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver includes: determining the period associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period.

[0024] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, determining the evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver includes at least one of the following: determining the largest period among the periods associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period; determining the smallest period among the periods associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period; or determining the sum of the periods associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period.

[0025] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first receiver includes at least one of the following: a main receiver for measuring the serving cell and / or neighboring cells; and a low-power receiver for measuring the serving cell.

[0026] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the scenario includes at least one of the following: the main receiver is off and the low-power receiver is on; the main receiver performs measurements based on a relaxed mode and the low-power receiver is on; the main receiver performs measurements based on a normal mode and the low-power receiver is off; the low-power receiver listens for a low-power wake-up signal.

[0027] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, determining the available evaluation threshold includes: determining a scenario that the terminal needs to enter and / or a scenario that it needs to leave; determining an evaluation threshold associated with the entry conditions of the scenario that needs to be entered as the available evaluation threshold, and / or determining an evaluation threshold associated with the exit conditions of the scenario that needs to be left as the available evaluation threshold.

[0028] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the period associated with the first receiver is equal to or equal to a first time period or a plurality of first time periods, the first time period including at least one of the following: a measurement period in which the first receiver measures the serving cell and / or neighboring cells based on a normal mode; a measurement period in which the first receiver measures the serving cell and / or neighboring cells based on a relaxed mode; the period of a signal received by the first receiver; the maximum period among the periods of a plurality of signals received by the first receiver.

[0029] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the signal includes at least one of the following: a paging signal; a wake-up signal; a reference signal; and a synchronization signal.

[0030] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure propose a period determination apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a processing module configured to determine an available evaluation threshold, and a first receiver associated with the available evaluation threshold in a terminal; and to determine an evaluation period based on a period associated with the first receiver, wherein the evaluation period is used to determine whether a scene transition condition is met.

[0031] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a period determination apparatus, the apparatus further comprising: a sending module configured to send indication information to a terminal, wherein the terminal includes a first receiver, the indication information being used to instruct the terminal to determine an evaluation period based on the following manner: determining an available evaluation threshold; determining the first receiver, the first receiver being associated with the available evaluation threshold; determining an evaluation period based on a period associated with the first receiver, wherein the evaluation period is used to determine whether a scene transition condition is met.

[0032] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device for performing 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.

[0033] In a sixth 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 aspects and optional embodiments thereof.

[0034] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a network device comprising: one or more processors; wherein the network device is configured to perform the method of any one of the second aspect and optional embodiments thereof.

[0035] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system including a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the method of any one of the first aspects and optional embodiments of the first aspect, and the network device is configured to implement the method of any one of the second aspects and optional embodiments of the second aspect.

[0036] In a ninth 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 methods described in the first aspect, the alternative embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the alternative embodiments of the second aspect.

[0037] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method described in any one of the first aspect, the optional embodiment of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the optional embodiment of the second aspect.

[0038] In one aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of the first aspect, the optional embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the optional embodiments of the second aspect.

[0039] Understandably, the aforementioned period determination 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.

[0040] This disclosure provides a period determination method, a communication device, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "period determination method" and "information processing method," "communication method," etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms "period determination device" and "information processing device," "communication device," etc., can be used interchangeably; and the terms "information processing system," "communication system," etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0047] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0053] In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0054] 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”.

[0055] 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.

[0056] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0062] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0063] 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.

[0064] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] As shown in Figure 1A, 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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).

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1A, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1A are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1A, or it may include other main bodies outside of FIG1A. The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0073] 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).

[0074] In some embodiments, for energy-saving purposes, a receiver may be provided in the terminal. For example, the receiver may include a main receiver (MR) and a low-power receiver (LR).

[0075] It should be noted that MR and LR can correspond to different hardware in the terminal. For example, MR may be one radio frequency (RF) module in the terminal, and LR may be another RF module in the terminal. Alternatively, MR and LR may belong to the same hardware in the terminal but correspond to different functions. For example, when all RF modules in the terminal are enabled, it can function as MR, while when some functions of the RF modules are disabled, such as disabling intermediate frequency amplification and filtering, it can function as LR. This disclosure does not limit the hardware corresponding to MR and LR in the terminal.

[0076] For example, the function of MR is to measure the serving cell and the neighboring cells.

[0077] For example, the function of LR is to measure the serving cell at a relatively low power (e.g., lower than the power measured by MR).

[0078] For example, the terminal can control the on / off state of at least one of MR and LR based on the current scenario in order to meet energy-saving requirements.

[0079] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between a scenario and a cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0080] As shown in Figure 1B, within the edge of the serving cell, the coverage area of ​​the serving cell can include three types of regions.

[0081] The first area is the area relatively close to the center of the serving cell. When the terminal is in this area, the corresponding scenario can be called the first scenario (e.g., case #1).

[0082] The third area is a relatively far area from the center of the serving cell. When the terminal is in this area, the corresponding scenario can be called the third scenario (e.g., case #3).

[0083] The second region is the area between the first and third regions. When the terminal is in this region, the corresponding scenario can be called the second scenario (e.g., case #2).

[0084] Table 1 below shows two scenarios for MR RRM (Radio Resource Management) measurements: Table 1

[0085] As shown in Table 1, when the terminal is in case #1, based on Figure 1B, the terminal is relatively close to the center of the serving cell and relatively far from the edge of the serving cell. The terminal generally does not require mobility (e.g., cell handover), and the signal quality of the serving cell is relatively good. Therefore, in this situation, the terminal does not need to enable MR to measure neighboring cells or the serving cell; it only needs to enable LR to measure the serving cell to obtain relatively accurate measurement results. Accordingly, in case #1, the terminal only needs to enable LR, without enabling MR, which helps save terminal power consumption.

[0086] When the terminal is in case #2, as shown in Figure 1B, the distance from the terminal to the center of the serving cell is relatively moderate. In this case, the terminal may have mobility needs (e.g., cell handover), and the signal quality of the serving cell will be lower than in case #1. Therefore, in this situation, the terminal can enable MR to measure the serving cell and neighboring cells, but it can perform the measurement based on the relaxation mode. Alternatively, it can enable LR to measure the serving cell, which helps to ensure relatively accurate measurement results.

[0087] For example, when the terminal enables MR in case #3, it will perform measurements based on normal mode. However, in relaxed mode, the measurement cycle can be relatively longer compared to normal mode. Therefore, even though the terminal enables MR in case #2, performing measurements in relaxed mode also helps to save terminal power consumption.

[0088] In some embodiments, as the terminal moves within the serving cell, for example, if the terminal moves from the first area to the second area in Figure 1B, the case in which the terminal is located also needs to be changed accordingly.

[0089] For example, when moving from scene A to scene B, which includes leaving scene A and entering scene B, we can determine whether the exit conditions are met for scene A and whether the entry conditions are met for scene B.

[0090] For example, entry and exit conditions can be determined based on thresholds. Table 2 below shows the thresholds corresponding to scene entry and exit conditions: Table 2

[0091] As shown in Table 2, case #0 can be referred to as the fourth scenario. In the fourth scenario, the low-power receiver can listen for the Low Power Wake-Up Signal (LP-WUS). For example, LP-WUS is used to wake up the terminal to enable MR for RRM measurements. After MR wakes up, it can perform measurements on the serving cell and / or neighboring cells based on normal mode.

[0092] As shown in Table 2, the entry and exit conditions for each scenario can be associated with thresholds for MR and LR respectively, which are used to determine whether the entry and exit conditions are met.

[0093] For example, for case #1, the departure condition for leaving case #1 can be determined based on the LR threshold (e.g., denoted as LR#Ex1). When the terminal determines whether the departure condition is met in case #1, it can compare the measurement result of LR with LR#Ex1, and then determine whether the departure condition is met based on the comparison result.

[0094] For example, for case #1, the entry condition for entering case #1 from other cases can be determined based on the LR threshold (e.g., denoted as LR#En1). When the terminal determines whether the exit condition is met in case #1, it can compare the measurement result of LR with LR#En1, and then determine whether the exit condition is met based on the comparison result.

[0095] It should be noted that the thresholds for the entry and exit conditions for each scenario are not limited to those shown in Table 2. For example, for case #2, a threshold associated with LR can also be set in the exit condition (e.g., denoted as LR#Ex2). Then, for case #2, the exit condition for leaving from case #2 can be determined based on LR#Ex2. When the terminal determines whether the exit condition is met in case #2, it can compare the measurement result of LR with LR#Ex2, and then determine whether the exit condition is met based on the comparison result. Subsequent embodiments mainly use Table 2 as an example to illustrate the technical solution of this disclosure.

[0096] The judgment of the above entry and exit conditions not only needs to be based on the threshold, but also needs to be based on the evaluation period. That is, the terminal needs to make a judgment based on the threshold at least once in the evaluation period. For example, for case #1, the measurement result of LR obtained each time can be compared with LR#En1 in the evaluation period corresponding to the exit condition of case #1, and then the exit condition can be determined based on the comparison result. For example, if all measurement results are greater than LR#En1, it can be determined that the exit condition is met, and thus the terminal can leave case #1 and enter other cases.

[0097] It is evident that in order to determine whether the entry and exit conditions of a scenario are met, an evaluation cycle is required. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify how the evaluation cycle is determined.

[0098] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a period determination method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0099] In some embodiments, the period determination method can be executed by the terminal.

[0100] For example, predefined rules (such as protocol agreements) can specify that the terminal determines the evaluation cycle based on the method described in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0101] For example, a network device may send instruction information to a terminal, which instructs the terminal to determine the evaluation period based on the method of embodiments of this disclosure.

[0102] In some embodiments, the terminal includes a first receiver.

[0103] For example, the first receiver includes at least one of the following:

[0104] The main receiver (MR) is used to measure the serving cell and / or neighboring cells;

[0105] Low-power receivers (LR) are used to measure the serving cell.

[0106] As shown in Figure 2 (where the dashed steps are optional), the period determination method may include the following steps:

[0107] In step S201, the terminal determines the available evaluation threshold;

[0108] The terminal can also identify a first receiver, which is associated with an available evaluation threshold.

[0109] For example, the first receiver can be one of the receivers included in the terminal, such as MR or LR; or the first receiver can be multiple receivers included in the terminal, such as MR and LR.

[0110] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine the available evaluation threshold based on the following:

[0111] First, determine the scenarios the terminal needs to enter and / or the scenarios it needs to leave; then determine the evaluation threshold associated with the entry conditions of the scenarios to be entered as the available evaluation threshold, and / or determine the evaluation threshold associated with the exit conditions of the scenarios to be left as the available evaluation threshold.

[0112] For example, if the scenario the terminal needs to enter is case#2, taking Table 2 as an example, the evaluation threshold associated with the entry condition of case#2 can include the evaluation threshold associated with MR. Then the available evaluation thresholds include the evaluation threshold associated with MR, and the first receiver associated with the available evaluation thresholds is MR.

[0113] For example, if the scenario in which the terminal needs to leave is case #1, taking Table 2 as an example, the evaluation threshold associated with the departure condition of case #1 can include the evaluation threshold associated with LR. Then the available evaluation thresholds include the evaluation threshold associated with LR, and the first receiver associated with the available evaluation thresholds is LR.

[0114] It should be noted that the above methods for determining the availability assessment threshold are merely one example of how this disclosure determines the availability assessment threshold, and this disclosure is not limited to determining the availability assessment threshold through the above methods. For example, a terminal may determine that the assessment threshold configured by the network device for the terminal is the availability assessment threshold.

[0115] For example, when a network device configures an evaluation threshold associated with an MR for a terminal, the available evaluation thresholds include the evaluation threshold associated with the MR, and the first receiver associated with the available evaluation thresholds includes the MR.

[0116] For example, if the network device configures an evaluation threshold associated with LR for the terminal, the available evaluation thresholds include the evaluation threshold associated with LR, and the first receiver associated with the available evaluation thresholds includes LR.

[0117] For example, when a network device configures an evaluation threshold associated with MR and an evaluation threshold associated with LR for a terminal, the available evaluation thresholds include the evaluation threshold associated with MR and the evaluation threshold associated with LR, and the first receiver associated with the available evaluation thresholds includes MR and LR.

[0118] In step S202, the evaluation period is determined based on the period associated with the first receiver.

[0119] In some embodiments, after determining a first receiver associated with an available evaluation threshold, the terminal may further determine the period associated with the first receiver.

[0120] For example, the terminal can first determine the scene transition conditions that need to be evaluated, then determine the receiver that needs to be used under the scene transition conditions, then determine the first receiver that can be associated with the evaluation threshold among the receivers that need to be used, and then determine the period associated with the first receiver.

[0121] For example, the receivers associated with the evaluation threshold include LR. If the scenario transition condition that the terminal needs to evaluate is the departure condition of case #1, and the receiver to be used in the departure condition of case #1 is LR, then it can be determined that the first receiver includes LR, and thus the period associated with LR in the departure condition of case #1 can be determined.

[0122] For example, the receivers associated with the evaluation threshold include MR and LR. If the scenario transition condition that the terminal needs to evaluate is the departure condition of case #1, since the receiver required in the departure condition of case #1 is LR and does not include MR, it can be determined that the first receiver includes LR, and thus the period associated with LR in the departure condition of case #1 can be determined.

[0123] In some embodiments, the receiver association period can be determined based on predefined rules (e.g., protocol agreements), or the receiver association period can be configured by the network device. The following embodiments primarily use the configuration of the receiver association period by the network device as an example to illustrate the technical solutions of this disclosure.

[0124] For example, network devices can configure a period associated with the main receiver (MR) for a terminal, and they can also configure a period associated with the low-power receiver (LR) for a terminal.

[0125] In some embodiments, the period associated with the receiver can be configured at the granularity of scene transition conditions.

[0126] For example, the network device configures the LR association period for the terminal. Since the LR measurement results are required in the departure conditions of case #1 and case #2, the LR association period includes the LR association period in the departure condition of case #1 and the LR association period in the departure condition of case #2.

[0127] For example, the network device configures the MR association period for the terminal. Since the MR measurement results are required in the entry conditions of case #1 and case #2, the MR association period includes the MR association period in the entry condition of case #1 and the MR association period in the entry condition of case #2.

[0128] In some embodiments, after determining the period associated with the first receiver, the terminal can determine the evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver. For example, the maximum or minimum period among the periods associated with the first receiver can be determined as the evaluation period. Related embodiments are described below.

[0129] In some embodiments, the evaluation period is used to determine whether the scene transition conditions are met. For example, the terminal may compare the measurement results with an evaluation threshold during the evaluation period, and then determine whether the scene transition conditions are met based on the comparison results.

[0130] Based on Tables 1 and 2, it can be seen that there are multiple scenarios for RRM measurement (e.g., case #0 to case #3), and therefore multiple scenarios for transition, resulting in multiple scenario transition conditions. In different scenario transition conditions, the availability of evaluation thresholds varies.

[0131] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a terminal can determine an available evaluation threshold and a first receiver associated with the available evaluation threshold, and then determine an evaluation period for scene transition conditions based on the period associated with the first receiver. Accordingly, it can be ensured that the determined evaluation period is related to the available evaluation threshold, which is beneficial for ensuring that the determined evaluation period is suitable for determining whether scene transition conditions are met based on the available evaluation threshold.

[0132] The following examples illustrate the period associated with the first receiver.

[0133] In some embodiments, the period associated with the first receiver is equal to or equal to a first time period, wherein the first time period includes at least one of the following:

[0134] The measurement cycle in which the first receiver measures the serving cell and / or neighboring cells based on the normal mode;

[0135] The measurement cycle in which the first receiver measures the serving cell and / or neighboring cells based on the relaxed mode;

[0136] The period of a signal received by the first receiver;

[0137] The longest period among the periods of multiple signals received by the first receiver.

[0138] For example, in normal mode, the first receiver can perform measurements on the serving cell and / or neighboring cells based on a measurement period (e.g., denoted as NT), and the period associated with the first receiver can be one NT or multiple NTs.

[0139] For example, in relaxed mode, the first receiver can perform measurements on the serving cell and / or neighboring cells based on a measurement period (e.g., denoted as RT), and the period associated with the first receiver can be one RT or multiple RTs.

[0140] For example, the first receiver may measure the serving cell and / or neighboring cells, which may include receiving signals transmitted by the serving cell and / or neighboring cells and measuring the signals.

[0141] In this case, the terminal can determine the period (e.g., denoted as ST) of a signal received by the first receiver, and determine that the period associated with the first receiver is one ST or more STs.

[0142] Alternatively, the terminal can determine the periods of multiple signals received by the first receiver (taking n signals as an example, they can be denoted as ST1 to STn), and then compare the periods of the multiple signals to determine the largest period among the multiple signal periods as the period associated with the first receiver.

[0143] For example, the signal includes at least one of the following: a paging signal; a wake-up signal; a reference signal; a synchronization signal.

[0144] For example, paging signals may include at least one of the following: ordinary paging signals, paging cycle (where cycle can refer to discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle).

[0145] For example, the wake-up signal includes at least one of the following: normal wake-up signal (WUS), low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS, for example, the period of LP-WUS can also be called LP period).

[0146] For example, the reference signal may include at least one of the following: Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS); Synchronization Signal Block (SSB).

[0147] For example, the synchronization signal may include at least one of the following: Low Power Synchronization Signal (LP-SS) or SSB.

[0148] The following examples illustrate how to determine the evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver.

[0149] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine that the period associated with the first receiver is the evaluation period, and the number of available evaluation thresholds is 1.

[0150] For example, if the terminal needs to switch from case #1 to case #2, then the scenario switching conditions that need to be evaluated should at least include the exit condition of case #1 (and may also include the entry condition of case #2; this example mainly focuses on the exit condition of case #1).

[0151] As shown in Table 2, the evaluation threshold associated with the departure condition of case #1 only includes the evaluation threshold of LR, so the number of available evaluation thresholds is 1. The first receiver associated with the available evaluation threshold is LR, and the period associated with the first receiver is the period associated with LR in the departure condition of case #1.

[0152] In this case, the terminal can determine the period associated with the first receiver that is associated with the available evaluation threshold as the evaluation period. For example, the period associated with LR in the departure condition of case #1 can be determined as the evaluation period. Then, the LR measurement result can be compared with the evaluation threshold of LR in the evaluation period, and the departure condition of case #1 can be determined based on at least one comparison result.

[0153] In some embodiments, the evaluation period is determined based on the period associated with the first receiver, including at least one of the following:

[0154] The largest period (i.e., the maximum value in the period) associated with the first receiver is determined as the evaluation period.

[0155] The smallest period (i.e., the maximum value in the period) associated with the first receiver is determined as the evaluation period.

[0156] The sum of the periods associated with the first receiver is determined as the evaluation period;

[0157] The number of available evaluation thresholds is multiple (e.g., more than or equal to 2).

[0158] It should be noted that the three methods for determining the evaluation period described in the above embodiments are merely examples of this disclosure, and the implementation of the technical solutions of this disclosure is not limited to these examples; the evaluation period can also be determined based on other methods. For example, the terminal can determine the MR-associated period as the evaluation period within the period associated with the first receiver, or determine the LR-associated period as the evaluation period within the period associated with the first receiver.

[0159] Taking the example of a terminal needing to switch from case #2 to case #1, the scenario switching conditions that need to be evaluated include at least the entry conditions of case #1 (and may also include the exit conditions of case #2; this example mainly focuses on the entry conditions of case #1).

[0160] As shown in Table 2, the evaluation threshold associated with the entry condition of case #1 includes the evaluation threshold of MR, and may also include the evaluation threshold of LR. Therefore, there are multiple available evaluation thresholds (specifically two). The first receiver associated with the available evaluation thresholds is MR and LR. The period associated with the first receiver is the period associated with MR and the period associated with LR in the entry condition of case #1.

[0161] For example, the terminal can determine the largest period among the periods associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period. The terminal can compare the periods associated with MR (e.g., denoted as MR-EN1) and the periods associated with LR (e.g., denoted as LR-EN1) in the entry condition of case #1, and determine the largest period as the evaluation period.

[0162] For example, in MR-EN1 and LR-EN1, MR-EN1 is relatively large, and the terminal can determine MR-EN1 as the evaluation period. In this case, when determining whether the entry condition of case #1 is met, the terminal can compare the MR measurement result within MR-EN1 with the MR evaluation threshold in the entry condition of case #1, and compare the LR measurement result within MR-EN1 with the LR evaluation threshold in the entry condition of case #1, and then determine whether the entry condition of case #1 is met based on the comparison results.

[0163] It should be noted that the evaluation period determination method, in which the terminal determines the longest period among the periods associated with the first receiver, can be applied to the scenario transition conditions from a scenario with a relatively low degree of relaxation to a scenario with a relatively high degree of relaxation. For example, for case#1 to case#3, the degree of relaxation from high to low is case#1, case#2, and case#3.

[0164] Taking the terminal needing to switch from case #2 to case #3 as an example, the scenario switching conditions that need to be evaluated include at least the entry conditions of case #3 (and may also include the exit conditions of case #2; this example mainly focuses on the entry conditions of case #3).

[0165] For example, the evaluation threshold associated with the entry condition of case #3 may include the evaluation threshold of MR, or it may include the evaluation threshold of LR. Then there are multiple available evaluation thresholds (specifically two). The first receiver associated with the available evaluation thresholds is MR and LR. The period associated with the first receiver is the period associated with MR and the period associated with LR in the entry condition of case #3.

[0166] For example, the terminal can determine the largest period among the periods associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period. The terminal can compare the periods associated with MR (e.g., denoted as MR-EN3) and the periods associated with LR (e.g., denoted as LR-EN3) in the entry condition of case #1, and determine the largest period as the evaluation period.

[0167] For example, in MR-EN3 and LR-EN3, MR-EN3 is relatively larger, and the terminal can determine MR-EN3 as the evaluation period. In this case, when determining whether the entry condition of case #3 is met, the terminal can compare the MR measurement result within MR-EN3 with the MR evaluation threshold in the entry condition of case #3, and compare the LR measurement result within MR-EN3 with the LR evaluation threshold in the entry condition of case #3, and then determine whether the entry condition of case #3 is met based on the comparison results.

[0168] It should be noted that the evaluation period determination method, in which the terminal determines the smallest period among the periods associated with the first receiver, can be applied to the scenario transition condition from a scenario with a relatively high degree of relaxation to a scenario with a relatively low degree of relaxation. For example, for case#1 to case#3, the degree of relaxation from high to low is case#1, case#2, and case#3.

[0169] Taking the terminal needing to switch from case #3 to case #2 as an example, the scenario switching conditions that need to be evaluated include at least the entry conditions of case #2 (and may also include the exit conditions of case #3; this example mainly focuses on the entry conditions of case #2).

[0170] For example, the evaluation threshold associated with the entry condition of case #2 may include the evaluation threshold of MR, or it may include the evaluation threshold of LR. Then there are multiple available evaluation thresholds (specifically two). The first receiver associated with the available evaluation thresholds is MR and LR. The period associated with the first receiver is the period associated with MR and the period associated with LR in the entry condition of case #2.

[0171] For example, the terminal can determine the sum of the periods associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period. The terminal can calculate the sum of the period associated with MR (e.g., denoted as MR-EN2) and the period associated with LR (e.g., denoted as LR-EN2) in the entry condition of case#2, and determine the sum of MR-EN2 and LR-EN2 as the evaluation period.

[0172] In this case, when the terminal determines whether the entry condition of case #2 is met, since MR is enabled but LR is not enabled in case #3, the MR measurement result can be compared with the MR evaluation threshold in the entry condition of case #2 within MR-EN2.

[0173] In some cases (e.g., within MR-EN2, where each MR measurement result is greater than the MR evaluation threshold in the entry condition of case#2), when the terminal is about to leave case#3, it can enable LR after comparing the MR measurement results with the MR evaluation threshold in the entry condition of case#2. Then, after MR-EN2, the terminal can further compare the LR measurement results with the LR evaluation threshold in the entry condition of case#2 within LR-EN2, and then determine whether the entry condition of case#2 is met based on the comparison result. In this case, the evaluation period is equal to the sum of MR-EN2 and LR-EN2. However, within the evaluation period, the MR measurement results and LR measurement results can be evaluated separately. Instead, the MR measurement results are evaluated within MR-EN2 (e.g., compared with the MR evaluation threshold), and the LR measurement results are evaluated within LR-EN2 (e.g., compared with the LR evaluation threshold).

[0174] It should be noted that the evaluation period determination method, in which the terminal determines the sum of the periods associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period, can be applied to the scenario transition condition from a scenario with a relatively low degree of relaxation to a scenario with a relatively high degree of relaxation. For example, for case#1 to case#3, the degree of relaxation from high to low is case#1, case#2, and case#3.

[0175] The above embodiments mainly focus on the conversion from case #1 to case #2, from case #2 to case #3, and from case #3 to case #2, to illustrate the technical solution of this disclosure. The following embodiments will illustrate other conversion scenarios to further illustrate the technical solution of this disclosure.

[0176] Taking the example of a terminal needing to switch from case #1 to case #2, the scenario switching conditions that need to be evaluated include at least the departure condition of case #1 (and may also include the entry condition of case #2; this example mainly focuses on the departure condition of case #1).

[0177] As shown in Table 2, the evaluation threshold associated with the departure condition of case #1 includes the evaluation threshold of LR. Therefore, the number of available evaluation thresholds is 1. The first receiver associated with the available evaluation threshold is LR. The period associated with the first receiver is the period associated with LR in the entry condition of case #1. The terminal can determine the period associated with LR in the entry condition of case #1 as the evaluation period.

[0178] Taking the terminal needing to switch from case #1 to case #3 as an example, the scenario switching conditions that need to be evaluated should at least include the departure condition of case #1 (and may also include the entry condition of case #3; this example mainly focuses on the departure condition of case #1).

[0179] As shown in Table 2, the evaluation threshold associated with the departure condition of case #1 includes the evaluation threshold of LR. Therefore, the number of available evaluation thresholds is 1. The first receiver associated with the available evaluation threshold is LR. The period associated with the first receiver is the period associated with LR in the entry condition of case #1. The terminal can determine the period associated with LR in the entry condition of case #1 as the evaluation period.

[0180] Taking the terminal needing to switch from case #3 to case #2 as an example, the scenario switching conditions that need to be evaluated include at least the departure condition of case #3 (and may also include the entry condition of case #2; this example mainly focuses on the departure condition of case #3).

[0181] For example, if the evaluation threshold associated with the departure condition in case #3 includes the evaluation threshold of MR, then the number of available evaluation thresholds is 1. The first receiver associated with the available evaluation threshold is MR, and the period associated with the first receiver is the period associated with MR in the departure condition of case #3. The terminal can determine the period associated with MR in the departure condition of case #3 as the evaluation period.

[0182] Taking the example of a terminal needing to switch from case #3 to case #1, the scenario switching conditions that need to be evaluated include at least the entry conditions of case #1 (and may also include the exit conditions of case #3; this example mainly focuses on the entry conditions of case #1).

[0183] As shown in Table 2, the evaluation thresholds associated with the entry conditions of case #1 include the evaluation threshold of MR, and may also include the evaluation threshold of LR.

[0184] If the network device only configures the evaluation threshold of MR for the entry condition of case#1, then the number of available evaluation thresholds is 1, and the terminal can determine the period associated with MR in the entry condition of case#1 as the evaluation period.

[0185] If the network device only configures the LR evaluation threshold for the entry condition of case #1, then the number of available evaluation thresholds is 1, and the terminal can determine the period associated with LR in the entry condition of case #1 as the evaluation period.

[0186] If the network device only configures the evaluation thresholds for MR and LR for the entry condition of case#1, then there are 2 available evaluation thresholds. The terminal can compare the period associated with MR (e.g., denoted as MR-EN1) and the period associated with LR (e.g., denoted as LR-EN1) in the entry condition of case#1, and determine the smallest (or largest) period as the evaluation period.

[0187] Taking the example of a terminal needing to switch from case #2 to case #1, the scenario switching conditions that need to be evaluated include at least the entry conditions of case #1 (and may also include the exit conditions of case #2; this example mainly focuses on the entry conditions of case #1).

[0188] As shown in Table 2, the evaluation thresholds associated with the entry conditions of case #1 include the evaluation threshold of MR, and may also include the evaluation threshold of LR.

[0189] If the network device only configures the evaluation threshold of MR for the entry condition of case#1, then the number of available evaluation thresholds is 1, and the terminal can determine the period associated with MR in the entry condition of case#1 as the evaluation period.

[0190] If the network device only configures the LR evaluation threshold for the entry condition of case #1, then the number of available evaluation thresholds is 1, and the terminal can determine the period associated with LR in the entry condition of case #1 as the evaluation period.

[0191] If the network device only configures the evaluation thresholds for MR and LR for the entry condition of case#1, then there are 2 available evaluation thresholds. The terminal can compare the period associated with MR (e.g., denoted as MR-EN1) and the period associated with LR (e.g., denoted as LR-EN1) in the entry condition of case#1, and determine the smallest (or largest) period as the evaluation period.

[0192] Taking the terminal needing to switch from case #0 to case #3 as an example, the scenario switching conditions that need to be evaluated must include at least the departure condition of case #0 (and may also include the entry condition of case #3; this example mainly focuses on the departure condition of case #0).

[0193] As shown in Table 2, the evaluation threshold associated with the departure condition of case #0 includes the evaluation threshold of LR. Therefore, there is one available evaluation threshold. The first receiver associated with the available evaluation threshold is LR. The period associated with the first receiver is the period associated with LR in the entry condition of case #0. The terminal can determine the period associated with LR in the entry condition of case #0 as the evaluation period.

[0194] Taking the terminal needing to switch from case #3 to case #0 as an example, the scenario switching conditions that need to be evaluated include at least the entry conditions of case #0 (and may also include the exit conditions of case #3; this example mainly focuses on the entry conditions of case #0).

[0195] As shown in Table 2, the evaluation threshold associated with the entry condition of case #0 includes the evaluation threshold of MR, and may also include the evaluation threshold of LR.

[0196] If the network device only configures the evaluation threshold of MR for the entry condition of case#0, then the number of available evaluation thresholds is 1, and the terminal can determine the period associated with MR in the entry condition of case#0 as the evaluation period.

[0197] If the network device only configures the LR evaluation threshold for the entry condition of case#0, then the number of available evaluation thresholds is 1, and the terminal can determine the period associated with LR in the entry condition of case#0 as the evaluation period.

[0198] If the network device only configures the evaluation thresholds for MR and LR for the entry condition of case#0, then there are 2 available evaluation thresholds. The terminal can compare the period associated with MR (e.g., denoted as MR-EN0) and the period associated with LR (e.g., denoted as LR-EN0) in the entry condition of case#0, and determine the smallest (or largest) period as the evaluation period.

[0199] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating another scenario and the relationship between a cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0200] The relationship between the scope of case #1, case #2, and case #3 and their location within the cell can be shown in Figure 1B. As for the scope of case #0, it can be determined by subsequent protocol agreements or configured by the network equipment. For example, the minimum scope of case #0 can be the same as the scope of case #1, and the maximum scope can be between the scope of case #2 and the scope of case #3.

[0201] For example, as shown in Figure 3, the range of case #0 can include the following cases:

[0202] The first case is that the range of case #0 is the first region, which is the same as the range of case #1;

[0203] The second scenario is that the range of case #0 is the second region, which is the same as the range of case #2;

[0204] The third case is that the range of case #0 is greater than the first region and less than the second region, that is, the range of case #0 is between the range of case #1 and the range of case #2.

[0205] The fourth case is that the range of case #0 is greater than the second region and less than the third region, that is, the range of case #0 is between the range of case #2 and the range of case #3.

[0206] Taking the second scenario above as an example, when the range of case #0 is the same as the range of case #2, the entry condition of case #0 can be the same as the entry condition of case #2 (for example, in Table 2, the threshold of MR in the entry condition of case #2 is the same as the threshold of MR in the entry condition of case #0), and the exit condition of case #0 can be the same as the exit condition of case #2 (for example, in Table 2, the threshold of LR in the exit condition of case #2 is the same as the threshold of LR in the exit condition of case #0). For example, the entry condition from case #3 to case #0 is the same as the entry condition from case #3 to case #2, and the exit condition from case #0 to case #3 is the same as the exit condition from case #2 to case #3.

[0207] 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.

[0208] In some embodiments, steps S201 and S202 may be performed in an alternate order or simultaneously.

[0209] In some embodiments, step S201 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0210] In some embodiments, step S202 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0211] In some embodiments, other optional implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG2.

[0212] 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.

[0213] In some embodiments, the terms "codebook," "codeword," and "precoding matrix" can be used interchangeably. For example, a codebook can be a collection of one or more codewords / precoding matrices.

[0214] In some embodiments, the terms "synchronization signal (SS)," "synchronization signal block (SSB)," "reference signal (RS)," "pilot," and "pilot signal" can be used interchangeably.

[0215] In some embodiments, terms such as “moment,” “point in time,” “time,” and “time location” can be used interchangeably, as can terms such as “duration,” “segment,” “time window,” “window,” and “time.”

[0216] In some embodiments, the terms "component carrier (CC)," "cell," "frequency carrier," and "carrier frequency" can be used interchangeably.

[0217] 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.

[0218] In some embodiments, terms such as “send,” “transmit,” “report,” “distribute,” “transfer,” “bidirectional transmission,” “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably.

[0219] 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.

[0220] Corresponding to the aforementioned embodiments of the period determination method, this disclosure also provides embodiments of the period determination apparatus.

[0221] Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a period determination device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the period determination device can be configured and / or applied to a terminal. As shown in Figure 4, the period determination device includes: a processing module 401.

[0222] In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to determine an available evaluation threshold; determine a first receiver associated with the available evaluation threshold; and determine an evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver, wherein the evaluation period is used to determine whether the scene transition conditions are met.

[0223] In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to determine the period associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period, and the number of available evaluation thresholds is 1.

[0224] In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to: determine the largest period among the periods associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period; determine the smallest period among the periods associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period; determine the sum of the periods associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period; wherein the number of available evaluation thresholds is multiple.

[0225] In some embodiments, the first receiver includes at least one of the following: a main receiver for measuring the serving cell and / or neighboring cells; and a low-power receiver for measuring the serving cell.

[0226] In some embodiments, the scenario includes at least one of the following: the main receiver is off and the low-power receiver is on; the main receiver is measuring based on a relaxed mode and the low-power receiver is on; the main receiver is measuring based on a normal mode and the low-power receiver is off; the low-power receiver is listening for a low-power wake-up signal.

[0227] In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to determine the scene that the terminal needs to enter and / or the scene that it needs to leave; determine the evaluation threshold associated with the entry conditions of the scene to be entered as an available evaluation threshold, and / or determine the evaluation threshold associated with the exit conditions of the scene to be left as an available evaluation threshold.

[0228] In some embodiments, the period associated with the first receiver is equal to or equal to a first time period, the first time period including at least one of the following: a measurement period in which the first receiver measures the serving cell and / or neighboring cells based on a normal mode; a measurement period in which the first receiver measures the serving cell and / or neighboring cells based on a relaxed mode; the period of a signal received by the first receiver; the maximum period among the periods of a plurality of signals received by the first receiver.

[0229] In some embodiments, the signal includes at least one of the following: a paging signal; a wake-up signal; a reference signal; and a synchronization signal.

[0230] Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a period determination device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the period determination device can be configured and / or applied to a network device. As shown in Figure 5, the period determination device includes: a transmission module 501.

[0231] In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to send indication information to a terminal, wherein the terminal includes a first receiver, and the indication information is used to instruct the terminal to determine an evaluation period based on the following: determining an available evaluation threshold; determining a first receiver, the first receiver being associated with the available evaluation threshold; and determining an evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver, wherein the evaluation period is used to determine whether the scene transition conditions are met.

[0232] In some embodiments, determining the evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver includes: determining the period associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period, and the number of available evaluation thresholds is 1.

[0233] In some embodiments, determining the evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver includes at least one of the following: determining the largest period among the periods associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period; determining the smallest period among the periods associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period; determining the sum of the periods associated with the first receiver as the evaluation period; wherein the number of available evaluation thresholds is multiple.

[0234] In some embodiments, the first receiver includes at least one of the following: a main receiver for measuring the serving cell and / or neighboring cells; and a low-power receiver for measuring the serving cell.

[0235] In some embodiments, the scenario includes at least one of the following: the main receiver is off and the low-power receiver is on; the main receiver is measuring based on a relaxed mode and the low-power receiver is on; the main receiver is measuring based on a normal mode and the low-power receiver is off; the low-power receiver is listening for a low-power wake-up signal.

[0236] In some embodiments, determining an available evaluation threshold includes: determining a scenario that the terminal needs to enter and / or a scenario that it needs to leave; determining an evaluation threshold associated with the entry conditions of the scenario that needs to be entered as an available evaluation threshold, and / or determining an evaluation threshold associated with the exit conditions of the scenario that needs to be left as an available evaluation threshold.

[0237] In some embodiments, the period associated with the first receiver is equal to or equal to a first time period, the first time period including at least one of the following: a measurement period in which the first receiver measures the serving cell and / or neighboring cells based on a normal mode; a measurement period in which the first receiver measures the serving cell and / or neighboring cells based on a relaxed mode; the period of a signal received by the first receiver; the maximum period among the periods of a plurality of signals received by the first receiver.

[0238] In some embodiments, the signal includes at least one of the following: a paging signal; a wake-up signal; a reference signal; and a synchronization signal.

[0239] 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.

[0240] 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.

[0241] 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.

[0242] 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).

[0243] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 6100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 6100 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 6100 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.

[0244] As shown in Figure 6A, the communication device 6100 includes one or more processors 6101. The processor 6101 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 6100 can be used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 6101 can be used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 6100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0245] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more transceivers 6102. When the communication device 6100 includes one or more transceivers 6102, the transceiver 6102 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 6101 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.

[0246] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more memories 6103 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 6103 may be located outside the communication device 6100. In optional embodiments, the communication device 6100 may include one or more interface circuits 6104. Optionally, the interface circuits 6104 are connected to the memories 6103 and can be used to receive data from the memories 6103 or other devices, and to send data to the memories 6103 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 6104 can read data stored in the memories 6103 and send that data to the processor 6101.

[0247] The communication device 6100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 6100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 6100 may not be limited by FIG. 6A. 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.

[0248] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of chip 6200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 6100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of chip 6200 shown in Figure 6B, but it is not limited thereto.

[0249] Chip 6200 includes one or more processors 6201. Chip 6200 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[0250] In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more interface circuits 6202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more memories 6203 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 6203 may be located outside chip 6200. Optionally, interface circuit 6202 is connected to memory 6203, and interface circuit 6202 can be used to receive data from memory 6203 or other devices, and interface circuit 6202 can be used to send data to memory 6203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 6202 can read data stored in memory 6203 and send the data to processor 6201.

[0251] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 6202 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 6202 performing the communication steps (e.g., sending and / or receiving) in the above-described method means that the interface circuit 6202 performs data interaction between the processor 6201, the chip 6200, the memory 6203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 6201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S201, S202, but not limited thereto).

[0252] 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.

[0253] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on the communication device 6100, cause the communication device 6100 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.

[0254] This disclosure also provides a program product that, when executed by the communication device 6100, causes the communication device 6100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0255] 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 method for determining a period, characterized in that, The method is executed by a terminal, which includes a first receiver, and includes: Determine the available evaluation thresholds; The first receiver is identified and associated with the available evaluation threshold; The evaluation period is determined based on the period associated with the first receiver, wherein the evaluation period is used to determine whether the scene transition conditions are met.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining the evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver includes: The period associated with the first receiver is determined as the evaluation period, and the number of available evaluation thresholds is 1.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The determination of the evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver includes at least one of the following: The longest period among the periods associated with the first receiver is determined as the evaluation period; The smallest period among the periods associated with the first receiver is determined as the evaluation period; The sum of the periods associated with the first receiver is determined as the evaluation period; The number of available evaluation thresholds is multiple.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first receiver includes at least one of the following: The main receiver is used to measure the serving cell and / or neighboring cells; A low-power receiver is used to measure the serving cell.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The scenario includes at least one of the following: The main receiver is turned off, and the low-power receiver is turned on. The main receiver measures based on a relaxed mode, and the low-power receiver is turned on. The main receiver measures in normal mode, and the low-power receiver is turned off; The low-power receiver listens for low-power wake-up signals.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The determination of the available evaluation threshold includes: Determine the scenarios the terminal needs to enter and / or leave; The evaluation threshold associated with the entry conditions of the scene to be entered is determined as the available evaluation threshold, and / or the evaluation threshold associated with the exit conditions of the scene to be exited is determined as the available evaluation threshold.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The period associated with the first receiver is equal to or equal to a first time period, wherein the first time period includes at least one of the following: The measurement period for the first receiver to measure the serving cell and / or neighboring cells based on the normal mode; The measurement period for the first receiver to measure the serving cell and / or neighboring cells based on the relaxation mode; The period of a signal received by the first receiver; The longest period among the periods of multiple signals received by the first receiver.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The signal includes at least one of the following: Paging signal; Wake-up signal; Reference signal; Synchronization signal.

9. A method for determining a period, characterized in that, Performed by a network device, the method further includes: Sending indication information to a terminal, wherein the terminal includes a first receiver, the indication information being used to instruct the terminal to determine the evaluation period based on the following method: Determine an available evaluation threshold; determine a first receiver associated with the available evaluation threshold; determine an evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver, wherein the evaluation period is used to determine whether the scene transition conditions are met.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The step of determining the evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver includes: The period associated with the first receiver is determined as the evaluation period, and the number of available evaluation thresholds is 1.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The determination of the evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver includes at least one of the following: The longest period among the periods associated with the first receiver is determined as the evaluation period; The smallest period among the periods associated with the first receiver is determined as the evaluation period; The sum of the periods associated with the first receiver is determined as the evaluation period; The number of available evaluation thresholds is multiple.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, The first receiver includes at least one of the following: The main receiver is used to measure the serving cell and / or neighboring cells; A low-power receiver is used to measure the serving cell.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The scenario includes at least one of the following: The main receiver is turned off, and the low-power receiver is turned on. The main receiver measures based on a relaxed mode, and the low-power receiver is turned on. The main receiver measures in normal mode, and the low-power receiver is turned off; The low-power receiver listens for low-power wake-up signals.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that, The determination of the available evaluation threshold includes: Determine the scenarios the terminal needs to enter and / or leave; The evaluation threshold associated with the entry conditions of the scene to be entered is determined as the available evaluation threshold, and / or the evaluation threshold associated with the exit conditions of the scene to be exited is determined as the available evaluation threshold.

15. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that, The period associated with the first receiver is equal to or equal to a first time period, wherein the first time period includes at least one of the following: The measurement period for the first receiver to measure the serving cell and / or neighboring cells based on the normal mode; The measurement period for the first receiver to measure the serving cell and / or neighboring cells based on the relaxation mode; The period of a signal received by the first receiver; The longest period among the periods of multiple signals received by the first receiver.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The signal includes at least one of the following: Paging signal; Wake-up signal; Reference signal; Synchronization signal.

17. A period determination device, characterized in that, The device includes: The processing module is configured to determine an available evaluation threshold; determine a first receiver in a terminal, the first receiver being associated with the available evaluation threshold; and determine an evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver, wherein the evaluation period is used to determine whether the scene transition conditions are met.

18. A period determination device, characterized in that, The device further includes: A sending module is configured to send indication information to a terminal, wherein the terminal includes a first receiver, and the indication information is used to instruct the terminal to determine an evaluation period based on the following methods: determining an available evaluation threshold; determining the first receiver, wherein the first receiver is associated with the available evaluation threshold; and determining an evaluation period based on the period associated with the first receiver, wherein the evaluation period is used to determine whether the scene transition conditions are met.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is used to perform the period determination method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

20. A communication system, characterized in that, The device includes a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the period determination method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and the network device is configured to implement the period determination method according to any one of claims 9 to 16.

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

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

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