System and apparatus for data transmission in a network and a method in association thereto

Abstract

System (100), apparatus (102) and a method (300) for data transmission in a network are disclosed. The method (300) includes receiving an acknowledgement message including information related to message scheduling; determining whether to monitor subsequent messages based on the information associated with message scheduling; and initiating a timer based on the determination, wherein the timer is initiated upon a negative determination to monitor subsequent messages, and wherein the timer is initiated after receiving subsequent messages upon a positive determination to monitor subsequent messages.

Description

202501480 1SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR DATA TRANSMISSION IN A NETWORK AND A METHOD IN ASSOCIATION THERETOField Of Invention

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to one or both of a system and an apparatus for data transmission in a network in association with, for example, a User Equipment (UE) usable for communication. The present disclosure further relates a method which can be associated with the system and / or the apparatus.Background

[0002] Generally, energy efficiency would be helpful or desired in communication networks. An example of a communication network would be a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 5G (fifth generation) New Radio (NR) standard-based telecommunications network.

[0003] Conventional techniques and mechanisms for data transmission in a network, e.g. 5G network, do not facilitate energy efficiency in an optimal manner. Specifically, in conventional systems and techniques, User Equipment (UE) behavior may be unclear whether to continue monitoring for further messages from a reader after receiving an acknowledge message from the reader.

[0004] The present disclosure contemplates that it would be helpful to address (or at least mitigate) one or more issues in relation to conventional techniques for facilitating energy efficiency.Summary of the Invention

[0005] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for data transmission in a network comprising: receiving an acknowledgement message including information related to message scheduling; determining whether to monitor subsequent messages based on the information associated with message scheduling; and initiating a timer based on the202501480 2determination, wherein the timer is initiated upon a negative determination to monitor subsequent messages, and wherein the timer is initiated after receiving subsequent messages upon a positive determination to monitor subsequent messages.

[0006] Advantageously, the method as described herein can improve device power efficiency by allowing a user device or a User Equipment (UE) to enter sleep mode if a reader does not intend to schedule further transmissions.

[0007] In an embodiment, the information related to message scheduling comprises a 1 -bit indication.

[0008] In an embodiment, the timer is a sleep timer.

[0009] In an embodiment, a user device is configured to enter sleep mode upon initiation of the timer.

[0010] In an embodiment, a user device is configured to wake up upon an expiration of the timer.

[0011] In an embodiment, the method further includes configuring the acknowledgement message including information related to message scheduling.

[0012] In an embodiment, the method further includes configuring the timer in a paging message; and communicating the paging message to a user device.

[0013] In an embodiment, the network comprises an Ambient Internet-of-Things (A-loT) network.

[0014] In an embodiment, there is provided a computer program (not shown) which can include instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer (not shown), cause the computer to carry out the method of the first aspect.202501480 3

[0015] In an embodiment, there is provided a computer readable storage medium having data stored therein representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, to carry out the method of the first aspect.

[0016] In accordance with a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for data transmission in a network comprising: a first module configured to receive at least one input signal associated with an acknowledgement message including information related to message scheduling; a second module configured to at least one of process and facilitate the method of the first aspect to generate at least one output signal; and a third module configured to communicate at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for transmitting data in a network.

[0017] In an embodiment, the apparatus can correspond to a User Equipment (UE) which can communicate with a device corresponding to a base station. The base station can, for example, correspond to a Next generation Node B (gNB) which can be configured to communicate one or more signals (e.g., input signal(s)) to the UE.

[0018] In an embodiment, there is provided a system comprising one or more apparatuses and one or more devices. The apparatus(es) and the device(s) can, for example, be capable of being coupled via wired coupling and / or wireless coupling.

[0019] Advantageously, the system can allow clear behavior of a UE or user device to continue or dis-continue monitoring of further messages from a reader after receiving an acknowledgement message. This can facilitate energy efficiency in a network, e.g. A-loT network.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] Embodiments of the disclosure are described hereinafter with reference to the following drawings, in which:202501480 4

[0021] Fig. 1A shows a schematic diagram illustrating a system for data transmission in a network which can include at least one apparatus, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0022] Fig. 1B to Fig. 1C show example scenarios in association with the system of Fig. 1 A, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the apparatus of Fig. 1A in further detail, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0024] Fig. 3 shows a method in association with the system of Fig. 1A, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0025] Fig. 4A to Fig. 4D show schematic diagrams illustrating example scenarios in association with the method of Fig. 3, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.Detailed Description

[0026] The present specification discloses apparatus and / or device for performing the operations of the methods. Such apparatus and / or device may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or may comprise a computer or other device selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various machines may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein. Alternatively, the construction of more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps may be appropriate. The structure of a computer will appear from the description below.

[0027] In addition, the present specification also implicitly discloses a computer program, in that it would be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the individual steps of the method described herein may be put into effect by computer code. The computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular programming language and implementation thereof. It will be appreciated that a202501480 5variety of programming languages and coding thereof may be used to implement the teachings of the disclosure contained herein. Moreover, the computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular control flow. There are many other variants of the computer program, which can use different control flows without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

[0028] Furthermore, one or more of the steps of the computer program may be performed in parallel rather than sequentially. Such a computer program may be stored on any computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may include storage devices such as magnetic or optical disks, memory chips, or other storage devices suitable for interfacing with a computer. The computer readable medium may also include a hard-wired medium such as exemplified in the Internet system, or wireless medium such as exemplified in the mobile telephone system. The computer program when loaded and executed on such a computer effectively results in an apparatus and / or a device that implements the steps of the preferred method.

[0029] The detailed description set forth below, with reference to annexed drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In particular, although terminology from 3GPP 5G NR may be used in this disclosure to exemplify embodiments herein, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0030] Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and / or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein202501480 6do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and / or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

[0031] In some embodiments, the non-limiting term User Equipment (UE) or wireless device or user device may be used and may refer to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and / or with another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UE are target device, device-to-device (D2D) UE, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, PDA, PAD, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, UE category Ml, UE category M2, ProSe UE, V2V UE, V2X UE, etc.

[0032] In some embodiments, a more general term “network node” may be used and may correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node, which communicates with a User Equipment (directly or via another node) and / or with another network node. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, MeNB, ENB, a network node belonging to MCG or SCG, base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNodeB, gNodeB, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network node (e.g. Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), etc), Operations & Maintenance (O&M), Operations Support System (OSS), Self Optimized Network (SON), positioning node (e.g. Evolved- Serving Mobile Location Centre (E-SMLC)), Minimization of Drive Tests (MDT), test equipment (physical node or software), etc.202501480 7

[0033] Additionally, terminologies such as base station / gNodeB and UE should be considered non-limiting and do in particular not imply a certain hierarchical relation between the two; in general, “gNodeB” could be considered as device 1 and “UE” could be considered as device 2 and these two devices communicate with each other over some radio channel. And in the following the transmitter or receiver could be either gNodeB (gNB), or UE.

[0034] The present disclosure generally contemplates the facilitation of, for example, data transmission in a network (e.g., in association with 3GPP based standard / specification etc.) and / or user equipment (UE) efficiency (e.g., energy / power efficiency), in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0035] The present disclosure contemplates that UE behavior can be unclear regarding whether to continue monitoring further messages from a reader after receiving an acknowledgment message (e.g. MSG3 message) from the reader. The present disclosure therefore contemplates a method for data transmission in a network, e.g. an Ambient Internet-of-Things (A-loT) network. In particular, the method can allow for clear UE behavior after receiving the acknowledgement message.

[0036] In the above manner, power and energy consumption efficiency can be possibly facilitated, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0037] The foregoing will be discussed in further detail with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig.4 hereinafter.

[0038] Referring to Fig. 1A, a system 100 for data transmission in a network is shown, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The system 100 can, for example, be suitable for facilitating energy / power efficiency in a network, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.202501480 8

[0039] As shown, the system 100 can include one or more apparatuses 102, at least one device 104 and, optionally, a communication network 106, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0040] The apparatus(es) 102 can be coupled to the device(s) 104. Specifically, the apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be coupled to the device(s) 104 via the communication network 106, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0041] In one embodiment, the apparatus(es) 102 can be coupled to the communication network 106 and the device(s) 104 can be coupled to the communication network 106. Coupling can be by manner of one or both of wired coupling and wireless coupling. The apparatus(es) 102 can, in general, be configured to communicate with the device(s) 104 via the communication network 106, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0042] The apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be associated with / correspond to / include one or more user equipment (UE) which can carry one or more computers, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. For example, an apparatus 102 can correspond to a UE carrying at least one computer (e.g., an electronic device / module having computing capabilities such as an electronic mobile device which can be carried into a vehicle or an electronic module which can be installed in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure) which can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks in association with adaptive / dynamic / gradual control, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In a more specific example, the apparatus(es) 102 can, in one embodiment, include one or more processors (not shown) which can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks in association with dynamic / adaptive / gradual control, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In one embodiment, the apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be configured to receive one or more input signals and perform at least one processing task based on the input signal(s) in a manner to generate one or more output signals. The input signal(s) can, for example, be communicated from the device(s) 104 and received by the apparatus(es) 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. As a possible option, the output signal(s) can, for example, be202501480 9communicated from the apparatus(es) 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The apparatus(es) 102 will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 2, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0043] The device(s) 104 can, for example, be associated with / correspond to at least one base station (e.g., at least one gNB). In an alternate embodiment, the device(s) 104 can also correspond to a reader, for example a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, which is configured to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) or user device and also perform data or message transmission with the UE. Moreover, the device(s) 104 can, for example, be configured to carry / be associated with / include one or more computers (e.g., an electronic device / module having computing capabilities) which can, for example, be configured to perform one or more processing tasks in association with the base station or the reader. The device(s) 104 can be configured to generate one or more input signals which can be communicated to the apparatus(es) 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. This will be discussed later in further detail in the context of an example scenario, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0044] The communication network 106 can, for example, correspond to an Internet communication network, a cellular-based communication network, a wired-based communication network, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based communication network, a wireless-based communication network, or any combination thereof. Communication (e.g., between the apparatuses 102 and / or between the apparatus(es) 102 and the device(s) 104) via the communication network 106 can be by manner of one or both of wired communication and wireless communication.

[0045] Earlier mentioned, the apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be configured to receive at least one input signal and perform at least one processing task in association with dynamic / adaptive / gradual control on the input signal(s) in a manner so as to generate at least one output signal. Moreover, the device(s) 104 can, for example, be configured to generate (and communicate) the input signal(s) to the apparatus(es) 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. This will be202501480 10discussed, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, in the context of an example scenario with reference to Fig. 1B hereinafter.

[0046] Fig. 1B shows an example scenario of data transmission in a network, for example an Ambient loT (A-loT) 3GPP network, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Specifically, Fig. 1B shows communication and data transmission between a UE (or user device) and a reader. In the example scenario, step A can include A-loT paging where the reader, based on a service request, sends the A-loT paging message to the UE indicating the device(s) that need to respond. Step B can involve device-to-reader (D2R) data transmission, for example a UE identity (ID). At this step, the triggered A-loT device(s) (or UEs) may perform the device ID transmission via the A-loT random access procedure or without using the A-loT random access procedure. Step C involves data transmission, for example D2R or reader-to-device (R2D), between the UE and the reader. Specifically at step C1, there may be a possible R2D data transmission such as sending the command while at step C2 there may be D2R data transmission which can be for example, the corresponding response to command. The above described procedures can support indoor inventory and indoor command use cases in the following example situations. In an example detailed use case of "inventory-only", it can be supported by the procedure with Step A and Step B as baseline. In an example detailed use case of "inventory and command", it can be supported by the procedure with Step A, Step B, Step C1 and Step C2, as baseline.

[0047] Fig. 1C shows an example scenario illustrating detailed messages communicated between the UE or user device, e.g. A-loT device, and the reader. In a first step as shown in the Figure, the reader sends a paging message to the UE or user device. The UE then responds by sending a message, e.g. msgO, including a random identity. The reader then sends a first acknowledgement message, e.g. msg1, which acknowledges the random identity. The UE (or user device) subsequently sends a second message, e.g. msg2, to the reader which includes a device identity and / or upper layer data. Thereafter, the reader sends a further acknowledgement message, e.g. msg 3. The present disclosure contemplates that the UE (or user device) behavior is unclear regarding whether to continue monitoring202501480 11further messages from the reader after receiving the MSG3 acknowledgment from the reader.

[0048] The present disclosure contemplates, as will be discussed further in detail in the context of an example scenario associated with the system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, that it may be helpful to consider some form of dynamic / adaptive / gradual configuration / determination strategy which will aid in power / energy consumption efficiency, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The dynamic / adaptive / gradual control configuration / determination strategy can, for example, be in relation to dynamic / adaptive / gradual control based on data transmission in a network, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0049] The above-described advantageous aspect(s) of the system 100 of the present disclosure can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of a below described apparatus 102 of the present disclosure. Likewise, all below described advantageous aspect(s) of the apparatus 102 of the disclosure can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of above described system 100 of the disclosure.

[0050] The aforementioned apparatus(es) 102 will be discussed in further detail with reference to Fig. 2 hereinafter.

[0051] Referring to Fig. 2, an apparatus 102 is shown in further detail in the context of an example implementation 200, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0052] In the example implementation 200, the apparatus 102 can correspond to an electronic module 200a. The electronic module 200a can, in one example, correspond to a mobile device which can, for example, be carried into the vehicle by a user, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In another example, the electronic module 200a can correspond to an electronic device which can be installed / mounted in the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In this regard, the electronic module 200a can be considered to be carried by the202501480 12vehicle (e.g., either carried into the vehicle by a user or installed / mounted in the vehicle).

[0053] It is contemplated that the electronic module 200a can be capable of performing one or more processing tasks in association with adaptive / dynamic / gradual control related processing, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0054] The electronic module 200a can, for example, include a casing 200b. Moreover, the electronic module 200a can, for example, carry any one of a first module 202, a second module 204, a third module 206, or any combination thereof.

[0055] In one embodiment, the electronic module 200a can carry a first module 202, a second module 204 and / or a third module 206. In a specific example, the electronic module 200a can carry a first module 202, a second module 204 and a third module 206, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0056] In this regard, it is appreciable that, in one embodiment, the casing 200b can be shaped and dimensioned to carry any one of the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206, or any combination thereof.

[0057] The first module 202 can be coupled to one or both of the second module 204 and the third module 206. The second module 204 can be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the third module 206. The third module 206 can be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the second module 204. In one example, the first module 202 can be coupled to the second module 204 and the second module 204 can be coupled to the third module 206, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Coupling between the first module 202, the second module 204 and / or the third module 206 can, for example, be by manner of one or both of wired coupling and wireless coupling. Each of the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206 can correspond to one or both of a hardware-based module and a software-based module, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.202501480 13

[0058] In one example, the first module 202 can correspond to a hardware-based receiver which can be configured to receive one or more input signals. The input signal(s) can, for example, be communicated from the device(s) 104 (e.g., a gNB or a reader), in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0059] The second module 204 can, for example, correspond to a hardware-based processor which can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks (e.g., in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals) as will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0060] The third module 206 can correspond to a hardware-based transmitter which can be configured to communicate one or more output signals from the electronic module 200a. The output signal(s) can, for example, include / correspond to one or more instructions / commands / control signals in association with the aforementioned dynamic / adaptive / gradual control configuration / determination strategy so as to facilitate efficiency (e.g., power / energy efficiency and / or communication efficiency), in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0061] The present disclosure contemplates the possibility that the first and second modules 202 / 204 can be an integrated software-hardware based module (e.g., an electronic part which can carry a software program / algorithm in association with receiving and processing functions / an electronic module programmed to perform the functions of receiving and processing). The present disclosure further contemplates the possibility that the first and third modules 202 / 206 can be an integrated softwarehardware based module (e.g., an electronic part which can carry a software program / algorithm in association with receiving and transmitting functions / an electronic module programmed to perform the functions of receiving and transmitting). The present disclosure yet further contemplates the possibility that the first and third modules 202 / 206 can be an integrated hardware module (e.g., a hardware-based transceiver) capable of performing the functions of receiving and transmitting.202501480 14

[0062] The above-described advantageous aspect(s) of the apparatus 102 of the present disclosure can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of a below described processing / communication method of the present disclosure. Likewise, all below described advantageous aspect(s) of the processing / communication method of the disclosure can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of above described apparatus 102 of the disclosure. It is to be appreciated that these remarks apply analogously to the earlier discussed system 100 of the present disclosure.

[0063] Referring to Fig. 3, a method in association with the system 100 is shown, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0064] The method 300 can, for example, be suitable for / capable of facilitating energy efficiency, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0065] The processing method 300 can include any one of an input step 302, a processing step 304 and an output step 306, or any combination thereof, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0066] In one embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302. In another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302 and the processing step 304. In another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306. In yet another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the processing step 304 and one or both of the input step 302 and the output step 306. In yet a further embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306. In yet a further additional embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the processing step 304. In yet another further additional embodiment, the processing method 300 can include any one of or any combination of the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306 (i.e. , the input step 302, the processing step 304 and / or the output step 306).

[0067] With regard to the input step 302, one or more input signal(s) can be received. For example, the input signal(s) can be communicated from the device(s) 104 and can be received by an apparatus 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the202501480 15disclosure. In another example embodiment, the input signal(s) can be communicated from another apparatus and can be received by apparatus 102

[0068] The input step 302 can include receiving at least one input signal associated with an acknowledgement message including information related to message scheduling. In an embodiment, the input signal(s) may be generated by the device 104 and transmitted from the device 104 to the apparatus 102. Alternatively, the input signal(s) may be generated and received by the apparatus 102 to advance to the processing step 304. For example, the input signal(s) may be generated by a transmitting UE and received by a receiving UE.

[0069] With regard to the processing step 304, at least processing task can be performed in association with the received input signal(s) in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0070] The processing step 304 may include at least one of: receiving an acknowledgement message including information related to message scheduling; determining whether to monitor subsequent messages based on the information associated with message scheduling; and initiating a timer based on the determination, wherein the timer is initiated upon a negative determination to monitor subsequent messages, and wherein the timer is initiated after receiving subsequent messages upon a positive determination to monitor subsequent messages. The information related to message scheduling can include a 1-bit indication and the timer can be a sleep timer.

[0071] The processing step 304 can also include configuring the acknowledgement message including information related to message scheduling; configuring the timer in a paging message and communicating the paging message to a user device. A user device can be configured to enter sleep mode upon initiation of the timer and wake up upon an expiration of the timer. The network can include an Ambient Internet-of-Things (A-loT) network.202501480 16

[0072] In an embodiment, a new indication can be included together with the acknowledgement (ACK) message MSG3, specifying whether to monitor the following messages by the UE (or user device). The reader may include a 1-bit information along with the ACK message of the MSG3. For example, if the reader wants to schedule a further message after the ACK of MSG3, it will indicate "1.“ On the other hand, if the reader does not want to schedule a further message after the ACK of MSG3, it will indicate "0.“

[0073] In an example embodiment, the UE or user device behavior, for example an A-loT device, may follow the 1-bit indication. For example, if the reader indicates “0” at MSG3, the UE (or user device) does not need to monitor further messages from the reader after the ACK of MSG3. In this case, the UE (or user device) may go into sleep mode and wake up after the sleep timer expires. On the other hand, if the reader indicates “1” at MSG3, the UE (or user device) may monitor further messages from the reader after the ACK of MSG3. In this situation, the UE (or user device) may enter sleep mode after receiving the message from the reader and wakes up after the sleep timer expires. The sleep timer can be configured by the reader in the paging message, according to an embodiment of the invention. As the UE (or user device) enters sleep mode when the reader does not intend to schedule further transmissions, the UE (or user device) power efficiency can be improved.

[0074] With regard to the output step 306, the output signal(s) can, for example, be communicated, as an option, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. For example, the output signal(s) can optionally be communicated from the apparatus 102. In a more specific example, the output signal(s) can optionally be communicated from the apparatus 102 to one or both of at least one device 104 and another apparatus 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0075] The present disclosure further contemplates a computer program (not shown) which can include instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer (not shown), cause the computer to carry out the input step 302, the processing step 304 and / or the output step 306 as discussed with reference to the method 300. For example, the computer program can include instructions which, when the program is202501480 17executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the input step 302 and / or the processing step 304, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0076] The present disclosure yet further contemplates a computer readable storage medium (not shown) having data stored therein representing software executable by a computer (not shown), the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, to carry out the input step 302, the processing step 304 and / or the output step 306 as discussed with reference to the method 300. For example, the computer readable storage medium can have data stored therein representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to carry out the input step 302 and / or the processing step 304, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0077] Further in view of the foregoing, it is appreciable that the present disclosure generally contemplates an apparatus 102 suitable for energy efficiency in a network which can include a first module 202, a second module 204 and / or a third module 206.

[0078] The first module 202 can be configured to receive one or more input signals. The input signal(s) can, for example, be associated with establishing at least one data transmission channel.

[0079] The second module 204 can be configured to process and / or facilitate processing of the input signal(s) according to the method 300 as discussed earlier to generate one or more output signals.

[0080] The third module 206 can be configured to communicate one or more output signals. The output signal(s) can, for example, correspond to one or more control signals for data transmission in a network.

[0081] In one embodiment, the apparatus 102 can correspond to a User Equipment (UE) which can communicate with a device 104 corresponding to a base station. The base station can, for example, correspond to a Next generation Node B (gNB)202501480 18which can be configured to communicate one or more signals (e.g., input signal(s)) to the UE.

[0082] Yet further in view of the foregoing, it is appreciable that the present disclosure generally contemplates a system 100 which can include one or more apparatuses 102 and one or more devices 104. The apparatus(es) 102 and the device(s) 104 can, for example, be capable of being coupled via wired coupling and / or wireless coupling.

[0083] It should be appreciated that the embodiments described above can be combined in any manner as appropriate (e.g., one or more embodiments as discussed in the “Detailed Description” section can be combined with one or more embodiments as described in the “Summary of the Invention” section).

[0084] It should be further appreciated by the person skilled in the art that variations and combinations of embodiments described above, not being alternatives or substitutes, may be combined to form yet further embodiments.

[0085] In one example, the possibility of the output signal(s) being communicated from the apparatus(es) 102 was discussed. It is appreciable that the output signal(s) need not necessarily be communicated from the apparatus(es) 102. Specifically, the possibility that the output signal(s) need not necessarily be communicated outside of the apparatus(es) 102 is contemplated, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. More specifically, the output signal(s) can, for example, correspond to internal command(s) / instruction(s) (e.g., communicated only within an apparatus 102) for adaptively controlling operational configuration of an apparatus 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0086] Fig. 4A to Fig. 4D show schematic diagrams illustrating example scenarios in association with the method 300, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Specifically, Fig. 4A illustrates an example embodiment for data transmission between the reader and the UE (or user device) in a network, e.g. A-loT network. Referring to the Figure, the reader sends a paging message to the UE202501480 19or user device. The UE then responds by sending a message, e.g. msgO, including a random identity. The reader then sends a first acknowledgement message, e.g. msg1, which acknowledges the random identity. The UE (or user device) subsequently sends a second message, e.g. msg2, to the reader which includes a device identity and / or upper layer data. Thereafter, the reader sends a further acknowledgement message, e.g. msg 3, and includes a 1 -bit “0” indication. The UE (or user device) then goes into the sleep mode.

[0087] In the example embodiment as shown in Fig 4B, the reader sends a paging message to the UE or user device. The UE (or user device) then responds by sending a message, e.g. msgO, including a random identity. The reader then sends a first acknowledgement message, e.g. msg1, which acknowledges the random identity. The UE (or user device) subsequently sends a second message, e.g. msg2, to the reader which includes a device identity and / or upper layer data. Thereafter, the reader sends a further acknowledgement message, e.g. msg 3, and includes a 1-bit “1” indication. The UE (or user device) then continues to monitor transmission from the reader.

[0088] In the example context shown in Fig. 4C, the UE (or user device), e.g. A-loT device, is configured to receive a 1 -bit indication along with the ACK of MSG3 from the reader and determines whether the indication is “1”. If it is determined that the indication is “1”, the UE (or user device) monitors further transmission from the reader. Otherwise, the UE (or user device) goes into sleep mode.

[0089] In the example context shown in Fig. 4D, the reader is configured to determine whether it wants to schedule further transmission. If it wants to schedule to further transmission, the reader generates a 1 -bit indication of “1” along with the ACK of MSG3. On the other hand, if the reader does not want to schedule further transmission, it generates a 1 -bit indication of “0” along with the ACK of MSG3.

[0090] In the foregoing manner, various embodiments of the disclosure are described for addressing at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. Such embodiments are intended to be encompassed by the following claims, and are not to be limited to202501480 20specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and / or modification can be made, which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

202501480 21Claim(s)1. A method (300) for data transmission in a network comprising:receiving an acknowledgement message including information related to message scheduling;determining whether to monitor subsequent messages based on the information associated with message scheduling; andinitiating a timer based on the determination,wherein the timer is initiated upon a negative determination to monitor subsequent messages, andwherein the timer is initiated after receiving subsequent messages upon a positive determination to monitor subsequent messages.

2. The method (300) according to claim 1, wherein the information related to message scheduling comprises a 1 -bit indication.

3. The method (300) according to claim 1 , wherein the timer is a sleep timer.

4. The method (300) according to claim 1 , wherein a user device is configured to enter sleep mode upon initiation of the timer.

5. The method (300) according to claim 1 , wherein a user device is configured to wake up upon an expiration of the timer.

6. The method (300) according to claim 1, further comprising configuring the acknowledgement message including information related to message scheduling.

7. The method (300) according to claim 1 , further comprising:configuring the timer in a paging message; andcommunicating the paging message to a user device.

8. The method (300) according to claim 1, wherein the network comprises an Ambient Internet-of-Things (A-loT) network.202501480 229. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method (300) of any of the preceding claims.

10. A computer readable storage medium having data stored therein representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, to carry out the method (300) of claims 1-8.

11. An apparatus (102) for data transmission in a network comprising:a first module (202) configured to receive at least one input signal associated with an acknowledgement message including information related to message scheduling;a second module (204) configured to at least one of process and facilitate the method (300) of claim 1 to claim 8 to generate at least one output signal; anda third module (206) configured to communicate at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for transmitting data in a network.

12. The apparatus (102) according to claim 11 ,wherein the apparatus (102) corresponds to a User Equipment (UE) communicable with a device (104) corresponding to a base station, andwherein the base station corresponds to a Next generation Node B (gNB) configured to communicate the at least one input signal to the UE.

13. A system (100) comprising:at least one apparatus (102) according to any of claims 11 and 12; and at least one device (104) according to claim 12,wherein the apparatus (102) and the device (104) are capable of being coupled via at least one of wired coupling and wireless coupling.

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