CN117546490A

CN117546490A - Relay communication method, relay device, communication system, and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN117546490A
Application number: CN202380011274.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 商正仪; 毛玉欣; 刘建宁
Original assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd
Current assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-09-28
Filing date: 2023-09-28
Publication date: 2024-02-09

Abstract

A relay communication method, a relay device, a communication system, and a storage medium, the method comprising: the relay equipment receives a first message sent by a first terminal; the relay device sends a second message to a second terminal; the relay equipment determines mapping information of a first identifier and a second identifier; the first identifier corresponds to the first message, the second identifier corresponds to the second message, and the first message and the second message are used for the first terminal to request to find the second terminal. The relay device can reliably distribute the message according to the mapping information in the subsequent relay communication process, and the reliability of the relay communication is ensured.

Description

Relay communication method, relay device, communication system, and storage medium

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a relay communication method, a relay device, a communication system, and a storage medium.

Background

Currently, a side-link may be used for communication between two terminal devices. To further enhance the coverage capability of the side-links, terminal to UE Relay (U2U Relay) techniques are introduced.

Disclosure of Invention

How to ensure the reliability of terminal-to-terminal relay communication is a problem to be solved.

According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a relay communication method is provided, the method including:

the relay equipment receives a first message sent by a first terminal;

the relay device sends a second message to a second terminal;

the relay equipment determines mapping information of a first identifier and a second identifier;

the first identifier corresponds to the first message, the second identifier corresponds to the second message, and the first message and the second message are used for the first terminal to request to find the second terminal.

According to a second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a relay communication method, the method including:

the first terminal sends a first message to the relay device;

the relay device sends a second message to a second terminal;

According to a third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a relay apparatus including:

the receiving and transmitting module is configured to receive a first message sent by a first terminal;

the transceiver module is further configured to send a second message to a second terminal;

a processing module configured to determine mapping information for the first identifier and the second identifier;

According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a relay apparatus, including:

one or more processors;

a memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory comprising executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the relay device to perform the relay communication method described in the first aspect.

According to a fifth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is presented, comprising a relay device, wherein the relay device is configured to implement the relay communication method of any one of the first aspects.

According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a storage medium is presented, the storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the relay communication method as described in the first aspect.

The relay device can reliably distribute the message according to the mapping information in the subsequent relay communication process, and the reliability of the relay communication is ensured.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following description of the embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings, which are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not limit the protection scope of the present disclosure in any way.

Fig. 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is an exemplary interaction diagram of a relay communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3A is an exemplary flowchart of a relay communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3B is an exemplary flowchart of a relay communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3C is an exemplary flowchart of a relay communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is an exemplary interaction diagram of a relay communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is an exemplary interaction diagram of a relay communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is an exemplary structural diagram of a relay device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7A is an exemplary structural schematic diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7B is an exemplary structural schematic diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The embodiment of the disclosure provides a relay communication method, a relay device, a communication system and a storage medium.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a relay communication method, including:

the relay equipment receives a first message sent by a first terminal;

the relay device sends a second message to a second terminal;

In the above embodiment, the relay device may establish the mapping information of the response according to the first identifier and the second identifier corresponding to the first message and the second message, respectively, so that the relay device may reliably distribute the message according to the mapping information in the subsequent relay communication process, thereby ensuring the reliability of the relay communication.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first identifier is used to indicate a source address used by the first terminal to send the first message to the relay device; and/or the number of the groups of groups,

the second identifier is used to indicate a source address used by the relay device to send the second message to the second terminal.

In the above embodiment, the mapping information between the source address of the first information and the source address of the second message may be established, so that the relay device may distribute the message in the subsequent relay communication process based on such mapping information, thereby effectively improving the reliability of the relay communication.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, a source address used by the relay device to send the second message to the second terminal is different from a source address used by the relay device to send a fifth message to a fourth terminal, where the fifth message is any message used for relay communication, and the fourth terminal is any terminal different from the second terminal.

In the embodiment, the source address selected by the relay device for the second message is different from the source addresses selected by other messages sent in the relay communication process at the same time, so that the uniqueness of the mapping relation in the mapping information is effectively ensured, and the reliability of the relay communication is further improved.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

the relay equipment receives a third message sent by the second terminal;

the relay equipment sends a fourth message to the first terminal according to the mapping information;

the third message and the fourth message are used for responding to the request that the first terminal discovers the second terminal.

In the above embodiment, when the relay device receives the response message, the relay device may accurately send the corresponding message to the corresponding terminal based on the mapping information, so that the reliability of the relay communication may be effectively ensured.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the sending, by the relay device, a fourth message to the first terminal according to the mapping information includes:

the relay device determines that a first condition is satisfied, and sends the fourth message to the first terminal, wherein the first condition comprises at least one of the following:

The identifier corresponding to the third message is the second identifier;

the third message includes the second identification;

the destination address used for sending the third message is the address indicated by the second identity.

In the above embodiment, the relay device may distribute the fourth message only when it is determined that the above condition is satisfied, so that the fourth message is effectively prevented from being sent to the wrong address or device, and further reliability of relay communication is ensured.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the sending, by the relay device, a fourth message to the first terminal includes:

the relay device takes the address indicated by the first identifier as a destination address for sending the fourth message.

In the above embodiment, the relay device may determine the corresponding first identifier based on the mapping information, and perform the transmission of the fourth message based on the address indicated by the first identifier, so that it can be effectively ensured that the fourth message can be transmitted using the correct destination address.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the third message is sent if the second terminal determines that a second condition is satisfied, the second condition including at least one of:

The second terminal is capable of using a relay service corresponding to a relay service code (relay service code, RSC) indicated by the second message;

the user identification of the second terminal is consistent with the user identification indicated by the second message;

the signal intensity of the second message is greater than or equal to a preset intensity threshold.

In the above embodiment, the second terminal may send the third message only when the above condition is satisfied, so that the first terminal can accurately and reliably find the correct third terminal, and accuracy and reliability of relay discovery are ensured.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the relay device is a terminal-to-terminal relay terminal in proximity services.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the relay device is one or more relay terminals.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the relay device is a relay terminal capable of employing a mode B security procedure and/or a converged discovery security procedure.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a relay apparatus including:

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a relay apparatus, including: one or more processors;

a memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory comprising executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the relay device to perform the alternative implementations of the first aspect.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system including: a relay device; wherein the relay device is configured to perform the method as described in the alternative implementation of the first aspect.

In a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform a method as described in the alternative implementation manner of the first aspect.

In a sixth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure propose a program product which, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform a method as described in the alternative implementation of the first aspect.

In a seventh aspect, the presently disclosed embodiments propose a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to carry out the method as described in the alternative implementation of the first aspect.

In an eighth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system comprises a processing circuit configured to perform the method described in accordance with an alternative implementation of the first aspect described above.

It will be appreciated that the relay device, the first terminal, the second terminal, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip or the chip system described above are all configured to perform the method proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the advantages achieved by the method can be referred to as the advantages of the corresponding method, and will not be described herein.

The embodiment of the disclosure provides a relay service method, a terminal, network equipment, a communication system and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms of the relay communication method and the information processing method, the communication method, and the like may be replaced with each other, the terms of the relay communication apparatus and the information processing apparatus, the communication apparatus, and the like may be replaced with each other, and the terms of the information processing system, the communication system, and the like may be replaced with each other.

The embodiments of the present disclosure are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather are exemplary of some embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. In the case of no contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps may be arbitrarily combined, for example, a scheme in which part of the steps are removed in a certain embodiment may also be implemented as an independent embodiment, the order of the steps in a certain embodiment may be arbitrarily exchanged, and further, alternative implementations in a certain embodiment may be arbitrarily combined; furthermore, various embodiments may be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments may be arbitrarily combined, and an embodiment may be arbitrarily combined with alternative implementations of other embodiments.

In the various embodiments of the disclosure, terms and/or descriptions of the various embodiments are consistent throughout the various embodiments and may be referenced to each other in the absence of any particular explanation or logic conflict, and features from different embodiments may be combined to form new embodiments in accordance with their inherent logic relationships.

The terminology used in the embodiments of the disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.

In the presently disclosed embodiments, elements that are referred to in the singular, such as "a," "an," "the," "said," etc., may mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc., unless otherwise indicated. For example, where an article (article) is used in translation, such as "a," "an," "the," etc., in english, a noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or as a plural expression.

In the presently disclosed embodiments, "plurality" refers to two or more.

In some embodiments, terms such as "at least one of", "one or more of", "multiple of" and the like may be substituted for each other.

In some embodiments, "A, B at least one of", "a and/or B", "in one case a, in another case B", "in response to one case a", "in response to another case B", and the like, may include the following technical solutions according to circumstances: in some embodiments a (a is performed independently of B); b (B is performed independently of a) in some embodiments; 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 performed). Similar to that described above when there are more branches such as A, B, C.

In some embodiments, the description modes such as "a or B" may include the following technical schemes according to circumstances: in some embodiments a (a is performed independently of B); b (B is performed independently of a) in some embodiments; in some embodiments execution is selected from a and B (a and B are selectively executed). Similar to that described above when there are more branches such as A, B, C.

The prefix words "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for distinguishing different description objects, and do not limit the location, order, priority, number, content, etc. of the description objects, and the statement of the description object refers to the claims or the description of the embodiment context, and should not constitute unnecessary limitations due to the use of the prefix words. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal words before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" do not limit the position or the order between the "fields", and the "first" and the "second" do not limit whether the "fields" modified by the "first" and the "second" are in the same message or not. For another example, describing an object as "level", ordinal words preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit priority between "levels". As another example, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal words, and may be one or more, taking "first device" as an example, where the number of "devices" may be one or more. Furthermore, objects modified by different prefix words may be the same or different, e.g., the description object is "a device", then "a first device" and "a second device" may be the same device or different devices, and the types may be the same or different; for another example, the description object is "information", and the "first information" and the "second information" may be the same information or different information, and the contents thereof may be the same or different.

In some embodiments, "comprising a", "containing a", "for indicating a", "carrying a", may be interpreted as carrying a directly, or as indicating a indirectly.

In some embodiments, terms such as "time/frequency", "time-frequency domain", and the like refer to the time domain and/or the frequency domain.

In some embodiments, terms "responsive to … …", "responsive to determination … …", "in the case of … …", "at … …", "when … …", "if … …", "if … …", and the like may be interchanged.

In some embodiments, terms "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "above" and the like may be interchanged, and terms "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "below", "lower than or equal to", "no higher than", "below" and the like may be interchanged.

In some embodiments, an apparatus or the like may be interpreted as an entity, or may be interpreted as a virtual, and the names thereof are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, "apparatus," "device," "circuit," "network element," "node," "function," "unit," "section," "system," "network," "chip system," "entity," "body," and the like may be replaced with each other.

In some embodiments, a "network" may be interpreted as an apparatus (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.) contained in a network.

In some embodiments, "access network device (access network device, AN device)", "radio access network device (radio access network device, RAN device)", "Base Station (BS)", "radio base station (radio base station)", "fixed station (fixed station)", "node (node)", "access point (access point)", "transmit point (transmission point, TP)", "Receive Point (RP)", "transmit and/or receive point (transmit/receive point), the terms TRP)", "panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macrocell", "microcell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier (component carrier)", bandwidth part (BWP) and the like may be replaced with each other.

In some embodiments, "terminal," terminal device, "" user equipment, "" user terminal, "" mobile station, "" mobile terminal, MT) ", subscriber station (subscriber station), mobile unit (mobile unit), subscriber unit (subscriber unit), wireless unit (wireless unit), remote unit (remote unit), mobile device (mobile device), wireless device (wireless device), wireless communication device (wireless communication device), remote device (remote device), mobile subscriber station (mobile subscriber station), access terminal (access terminal), mobile terminal (mobile terminal), wireless terminal (wireless terminal), remote terminal (remote terminal), handheld device (handset), user agent (user agent), mobile client (mobile client), client (client), and the like may be substituted for each other.

In some embodiments, the access network device, core network device, or network device may be replaced with a terminal. For example, the embodiments of the present disclosure may also be applied to a configuration in which an access network device, a core network device, or communication between a network device and a terminal is replaced with communication between a plurality of terminals (for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-device (V2X), or the like). In this case, the terminal may have all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, terms such as "uplink", "downlink", and the like may be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "side)". For example, uplink channels, downlink channels, etc. may be replaced with side-uplink channels, uplink, downlink, etc. may be replaced with side-downlink channels.

In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced with an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device may have all or part of the functions of the terminal.

In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc. may comply with laws and regulations of the country of locale.

In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained after user consent is obtained.

Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the tables of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and any combination of elements, any rows, or any columns may also be implemented as a separate embodiment.

Fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 1, the communication system 100 includes a first terminal (terminal) 101, a relay device 102, and a second terminal 103. Alternatively, the relay device 102 may be provided as a terminal or as a network device. Optionally, the network device may comprise an access network device, a core network device (core network device).

In some embodiments, a plurality of relay devices 102 may be included in the communication system 100. Alternatively, the first terminal 101 may discover the second terminal 103 through one or more relay devices of the plurality of relay devices 102.

In some embodiments, the relay device 102 may not only implement relay communication with the first terminal 101 and the second terminal 103, but may also be used for relay communication of other terminals.

In some embodiments, the terminal includes at least one of a mobile phone (mobile phone), a wearable device, an internet of things device, a communication enabled car, a smart car, a tablet (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiving functionality, a Virtual Reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control (industrial control), a wireless terminal device in unmanned (self-driving), a wireless terminal device in teleoperation (remote medical surgery), a wireless terminal device in smart grid (smart grid), a wireless terminal device in transportation security (transportation safety), a wireless terminal device in smart city (smart city), a wireless terminal device in smart home (smart home), for example, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network, and the access network device may include at least one of an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (next generation eNB, ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (next generation NodeB, gNB), a NodeB (node B, NB), a Home NodeB (HNB), a home NodeB (home evolved nodeB, heNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (radio network controller, RNC), a base station controller (base station controller, BSC), a base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), a baseband unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an Open base station (Open RAN), a Cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the technical solutions of the present disclosure may be applied to an Open RAN architecture, where an access network device or an interface in an access network device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may become an internal interface of the Open RAN, and flow and information interaction between these internal interfaces may be implemented by using software or a program.

In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a Central Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU), where the CU may also be referred to as a control unit (control unit), and the structure of the CU-DU may be used to split the protocol layers of the access network device, where functions of part of the protocol layers are centrally controlled by the CU, and functions of the rest of all the protocol layers are distributed in the DU, and the DU is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the core network device may be one device, including a first network element, a second network element, etc., or may be a plurality of devices or device groups, including all or part of the first network element, the second network element, etc., respectively. The network element may be virtual or physical. The core network comprises, for example, at least one of an evolved packet core (Evolved Packet Core, EPC), a 5G core network (5G Core Network,5GCN), a next generation core (Next Generation Core, NGC).

In some embodiments, the communication system 100 described above may implement 5G proximity services (proximity services, proSe) UE-to-UE relay discovery employing model B (mode B). Alternatively, the Relay device 102 may be, for example, a 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay. Alternatively, the first terminal 101 may be the discoverer end UE (discoverer End UE). Alternatively, the second terminal 102 may be the discoveree terminal UE (discoveree End UE).

It may be understood that, the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly describing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and is not limited to the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of the system architecture and the appearance of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to similar technical problems.

The embodiments of the present disclosure described below may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in fig. 1, or a part of the main body, but are not limited thereto. The respective bodies shown in fig. 1 are examples, and the communication system may include all or part of the bodies in fig. 1, or may include other bodies than fig. 1, and the number and form of the respective bodies may be arbitrary, and the respective bodies may be physical or virtual, and the connection relationship between the respective bodies is examples, and the respective bodies may not be connected or may be connected, and the connection may be arbitrary, direct connection or indirect connection, or wired connection or wireless connection.

The embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to long term evolution (Long Term Evolution, LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-a), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), upper 3G, IMT-Advanced, fourth generation mobile communication system (4th generation mobile communication system,4G)), fifth generation mobile communication system (5th generation mobile communication system,5G), 5G New air (New Radio, NR), future wireless access (Future Radio Access, FRA), new wireless access technology (New-Radio Access Technology, RAT), new wireless (New Radio, NR), new wireless access (New Radio access, NX), future generation wireless access (Future generation Radio access, FX), global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, ultra mobile broadband (Ultra Mobile Broadband, UMB), IEEE 802.11 (registered trademark), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, ultra WideBand (Ultra-wide bandwidth, UWB), bluetooth (Bluetooth) mobile communication network (Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN, device-D-Device, device-M, device-M, internet of things system, internet of things (internet of things), machine-2, device-M, device-M, internet of things (internet of things), system (internet of things), internet of things 2, device (internet of things), machine (internet of things), etc. In addition, a plurality of system combinations (e.g., LTE or a combination of LTE-a and 5G, etc.) may be applied.

In some embodiments, in 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay discovery employing model B, the discoverer terminal UE (discoverer UE) initiates the process of relay discovery by sending a request message (Solicitation message), such as the first message in the embodiments described below. Based on the received information, the UE-to-UE relay device sends request information to the discoveree UE (discoveree UE), such as a second message in the following embodiments, and waits for its response message. After receiving the request message of the discoverer UE, the discoverer UE returns a response message to the UE-to-UE relay equipment, and the UE-to-UE relay equipment returns the response message to the discoverer UE.

In some embodiments, in 5G ProSe UE-to-UE relay communications employing converged discovery, the source UE (Source End UE) initiates the converged discovery process by sending a direct communication request (Direct Communication Request), such as sending a first message in the embodiments described below. Based on the received message, the UE-to-UE relay sends a direct communication request (Direct Communication Request), such as the second message in the following embodiment, to the target UE (Target End UE) and waits for its response message. After receiving the direct communication request message of the source UE, the target UE returns a response message to the UE-to-UE relay equipment, and the UE-to-UE relay equipment returns the response message to the source UE.

In some embodiments, to protect the privacy of the terminal, a security procedure of mode B or a security procedure of fusion discovery may be employed. The user information ID of the discoverer UE and the user information ID of the discoveree are included in a protected direct discovery set and transmitted between the discoverer UE and the discoveree UE through a relay device.

In some embodiments, it is contemplated that end user information in the direct discovery set is protected, and the relay device may simultaneously provide relay service for a plurality of discoverers UE using the same RSC service, thereby causing the relay UE to fail to accurately send a corresponding response message to the discoverers UE.

Fig. 2 is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a relay communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in fig. 2, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a relay communication method, which includes:

in step S2101, the first terminal transmits a first message to the relay apparatus.

In some embodiments, the first message is for the first terminal to request discovery of the second terminal. Optionally, the first message is used for the first terminal to discover the second terminal. Optionally, the first message is used for the first terminal to discover the second terminal through the relay device. Optionally, the first message is used for the first terminal to discover and request to establish a connection with the second terminal. Optionally, the first message is used for the first terminal to discover and establish a connection with the second terminal through the relay device.

In some embodiments, the first terminal may be referred to as a discoverer UE (discoverer UE). Alternatively, the second terminal may be referred to as a discoveree UE (discoveree UE). Alternatively, the Relay device may be a terminal-to-UE Relay device (UE-to-UE Relay), which may be, for example, a Relay UE (Relay UE), or any other device that can be used for Relay. Alternatively, the first terminal may discover the second terminal through the relay device. Alternatively, the first terminal may discover the second terminal through the relay device using a mode B (Model B) security procedure. Alternatively, the process in which the first terminal discovers the second terminal through the relay device may be a process of relay discovery. Alternatively, the relay discovery procedure may be a procedure of a terminal-to-terminal relay discovery (UE-to-UE Relay Discovery with Model B) of mode B.

In some embodiments, the first terminal may be referred to as a source UE (source end UE). Alternatively, the second terminal may be referred to as a target terminal UE (Target End UE). Alternatively, the Relay device may be a terminal-to-UE Relay device (UE-to-UE Relay), which may be, for example, a Relay UE (Relay UE), or any other device that can be used for Relay. Alternatively, the first terminal may discover and establish a connection with the second terminal through the relay device. Alternatively, the first terminal may discover and establish a connection with the second terminal through the relay device using the converged discovery security procedure. Alternatively, the process in which the first terminal discovers the second terminal through the relay device may be a process of relay discovery. Alternatively, the relay discovery process may be a process of converged discovery (integrated discovery).

In some embodiments, the first message may be sent using a source address and a destination address. Alternatively, the source address may be used to indicate the transmission address of the first message. Alternatively, the destination address may be used to indicate the received address of the first message. Alternatively, the Source address may be a Source Layer 2 identification (Source Layer-2 ID) and the destination address may be a destination Layer 2 identification (Destination Layer-2 ID). Optionally, the first message is sent using a source layer 2 identification and a destination layer 2 identification.

In some embodiments, the source address used by the first terminal to send the first message, such as the source layer 2 identifier, may be selected by the first terminal, which is not limited by the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the relay device may determine the first identity corresponding to the first message after receiving the first message. Optionally, the first identification corresponds to the first message. Alternatively, the first identity may be determined from the first message. Alternatively, the first identification may be used to indicate an address. Alternatively, the first identity may be used to indicate a layer 2 identity. Optionally, the first identifier is used to instruct the first terminal to send the source address used by the first message to the relay device. Optionally, the first identifier is a source layer 2 identifier used by the first terminal to send the first message to the relay device.

In some embodiments, after receiving the first message, the relay device may also determine a destination address, such as a destination layer 2 identification, used by the first terminal to send the first message to the relay device.

In some embodiments, the first message includes at least one of: a message type of the first message, e.g., a type of discovery message (Type of Discovery Message); user information of the first terminal, such as a User information identification (User Info ID) of the first terminal; user information of the second terminal, for example, a user information identification of the second terminal; RSC. Optionally, the first message may further include user information of other terminals, such as the fourth terminal, and the first message may also be used for the first terminal to request discovery of the fourth terminal.

In some implementations, the user information of the first terminal, the user information of the second terminal, and/or the user information of the other terminal is in a protected set, such as a protected direct discovery set (protected direct discovery set). Optionally, the relay device is not aware of the information in the protected set. That is, the relay device cannot learn information about the terminal such as the first terminal from the first message.

In some embodiments, the first terminal may send the first message to the plurality of terminals. Alternatively, the relay device may be any terminal that meets the RSC corresponding requirements in the first message. Alternatively, the relay device may be one or more terminals for relaying. Optionally, the relay device is one or more relay terminals.

In step S2102, the relay device transmits a second message to the second terminal.

In some embodiments, the second message is for the first terminal to request discovery of the second terminal. Optionally, the second message is used for the first terminal to discover the second terminal.

In some embodiments, the second message may be sent using the source address and the destination address. Alternatively, the source address may be used to indicate the sending address of the second message. Alternatively, the destination address may be used to indicate the received address of the second message. Alternatively, the Source address may be a Source Layer 2 identification (Source Layer-2 ID) and the destination address may be a destination Layer 2 identification (Destination Layer-2 ID). Optionally, the second message is sent using the source layer 2 identification and the destination layer 2 identification.

In some embodiments, the source address used by the relay device to send the second message, such as the source layer 2 identity, may be a selection performed by the relay device, which may be, for example, a self-selected source layer 2 identity (self-selected Source Layer-2 ID). For example, after receiving the first message, the relay device may select one layer 2 address as a source address used for transmitting the second message, i.e. a source layer 2 identifier, further generate a corresponding second message, and transmit the second message based on the selected source layer 2 address.

In some embodiments, the relay device may determine a second identity corresponding to the second message when sending the second message. Optionally, the second identification corresponds to a second message. Alternatively, the second identifier may be used to indicate an address. Alternatively, the second identity may be used to indicate a layer 2 identity. Optionally, the second identifier is used to instruct the relay device to send the source address used by the second message to the second terminal. Optionally, the second identifier is a source layer 2 identifier used by the first terminal to send the second message to the relay device.

In some embodiments, the second terminal, upon receiving the second message, may determine a destination address and/or a source address used by the relay device to send the second message. Optionally, the second terminal may determine a destination layer 2 identity and/or a source layer 2 identity used by the relay device to send the second message.

In some embodiments, the source address used by the relay device to send the second message to the second terminal is different from the source address used by the relay device to send the fifth message to the fourth terminal. Optionally, the fifth message is any message used for relay communication. Optionally, the fourth terminal is any terminal different from the second terminal. Optionally, the self-service layer 2 identifier used by the relay device to send the second message to the second terminal is different from any other self-service layer 2 identifier used in the process of simultaneously performing the relay service. Optionally, the self-selected source layer 2 identifier used by the relay device to send the second message to the second terminal is different from any other self-selected source layer 2 identifier used in the process of simultaneously performing the relay service corresponding to the same RSC.

In some embodiments, the relay device may also determine a destination address, such as a destination layer 2 identification, used by the relay device to send the second message to the second terminal when sending the second message, which embodiments of the disclosure do not limit.

In some embodiments, the second message includes at least one of: a message type of the second message, e.g. a type of discovery message (Type of Discovery Message); user information of the first terminal, such as a User information identification (User Info ID) of the first terminal; user information of the second terminal, for example, a user information identification of the second terminal; RSC; user information of the relay device, such as a user information identification of the relay device. Optionally, the second message may further include user information of other terminals, such as the fourth terminal, and the first message may also be used for the first terminal to request discovery of the fourth terminal.

In some embodiments, part of the information in the second message may be obtained from the first message. Optionally, the relay device processes the first message to obtain the second message. Optionally, the relay device adds user information of the relay device to the first message to obtain the second message.

In some embodiments, the second message may also include identification information. Alternatively, the identification information may be generated by the relay device. Alternatively, the identification information may be determined by the first terminal based on the source address used for transmitting the second message, and may be, for example, the first identification.

In some implementations, the user information of the first terminal and/or the user information of the second terminal is in a protected set, such as a protected direct discovery set (protected direct discovery set). Optionally, the relay device is not aware of the information in the protected set. That is, the relay device cannot learn information about the first terminal from the second message.

In some embodiments, the first terminal may send the second message to the plurality of terminals. Alternatively, the relay device may be any terminal that meets the RSC corresponding requirements in the first message. Alternatively, the relay device may include one or more devices for relaying. Optionally, the relay device comprises one or more relay terminals.

In step S2103, the relay apparatus determines mapping information.

In some embodiments, the relay device determines mapping information for the first identity and the second identity. Optionally, the relay device establishes a mapping relationship between the first identifier and the second identifier. Optionally, the relay device determines mapping information between the address indicated by the first identifier and the address indicated by the second identifier.

In some embodiments, the relay device determines mapping information for the first layer 2 identity and the second layer 2 identity. Alternatively, the first layer 2 identifier may be a source layer 2 identifier used by any discoverer UE (e.g., first terminal) to send a discovery request message (e.g., first message). Alternatively, the second layer 2 identifier may be a source layer 2 identifier used by the relay device to send the discovery request message (e.g., the second message) to the discoveree UE (e.g., the second terminal) corresponding to the discovery request message. Illustratively, the first layer 2 identity is a source layer 2 identity used by the first terminal to send the first message to the relay device, and the second layer 2 identity is a source layer 2 identity used by the relay device to send the second message to the second terminal. Alternatively, the relay device may establish and maintain mapping information between the first layer 2 identity and the second layer 2 identity.

It will be appreciated that after establishing the mapping information of the first identity and the second identity, the relay device may then determine the second identity based on the first identity or determine the first identity based on the second identity.

In some embodiments, the mapping information may include mapping information of not only the first identifier and the second identifier, but also mapping information of an nth identifier and an mth identifier, where a mapping relationship between the nth identifier and the mth identifier may be established by the relay device in a relay discovery process of any discoverer UE and any discoveree UE.

In some embodiments, the relay device determines that a certain discoverer UE completes a relay discovery procedure and/or a relay communication procedure for a certain discoveree UE, and deletes the corresponding mapping information. For example, the relay device determines that the first terminal completes the relay discovery procedure and/or the relay communication procedure for the second terminal, and deletes the mapping information of the first identifier and the second identifier.

In step S2104, the second terminal transmits a third message to the relay apparatus.

In some embodiments, the third message is for responding to a relay discovery request. Optionally, the third message is used for responding to the request that the first terminal find the second terminal. Optionally, the third message is sent by the second terminal in response to the second message. Optionally, the second terminal sends a third message in response to receiving the second message.

In some embodiments, the second terminal determines that the second condition is met and sends a third message. Optionally, the third message is sent if the second terminal determines that the second condition is met.

In some embodiments, the second condition comprises at least one of: the second terminal can use the relay service corresponding to the RSC indicated by the second message; the user identification of the second terminal is consistent with the user identification indicated by the second message; the signal strength of the second message is greater than or equal to a preset strength threshold.

In some embodiments, the third message may be sent using the source address and the destination address. Alternatively, the source address may be used to indicate the transmission address of the third message. Alternatively, the destination address may be used to indicate the received address of the third message. Alternatively, the Source address may be a Source Layer 2 identification (Source Layer-2 ID) and the destination address may be a destination Layer 2 identification (Destination Layer-2 ID). Optionally, the third message is sent using the source layer 2 identification and the destination layer 2 identification.

In some embodiments, after receiving the second message, the second terminal may determine a destination address used by the relay device to send the second message. Alternatively, the second terminal may determine the source layer 2 identity used by the relay device to send the second message.

In some embodiments, the destination address used by the second terminal to send the third message to the relay device may be the address indicated by the second identity. Optionally, the second terminal determines the destination address used for sending the third message according to the second message. Optionally, the second terminal identifies the source layer 2 used by the relay device to send the second message as the destination layer 2 address used to send the third message.

In some embodiments, the relay device may determine the destination address of the third message after receiving the third message. Optionally, the relay device may determine, after receiving the third message, a third identifier corresponding to the third message. Optionally, the third identifier corresponds to a third message. Alternatively, a third identification may be used to indicate an address. Alternatively, a third identifier may be used to indicate a layer 2 identifier. Optionally, the third identifier is used to instruct the second terminal to send the destination address used by the third message to the relay device. Optionally, the third identifier is a destination layer 2 identifier used by the second terminal to send the third message to the relay device. Optionally, the third identifier is the same as the second identifier.

In some embodiments, the source address used by the second device to send the third message to the relay terminal may be determined by the third device, which is not limited by embodiments of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the third message comprises at least one of: a message type of the third message, e.g., a type of discovery message (Type of Discovery Message); user information of the first terminal, such as a User information identification (User Info ID) of the first terminal; user information of the second terminal, for example, a user information identification of the second terminal; RSC.

In some embodiments, part of the information in the third message may be obtained from the second message. Optionally, the second terminal processes the second message to obtain a third message. Optionally, the second terminal deletes the user information excluding the first terminal and other terminals of the second terminal in the second message, so as to obtain a third message.

In some embodiments, the third message may also include identification information. Alternatively, the identification information may be indicated by the second message. Alternatively, the identification information may be used for the relay device to determine the first identification according to the mapping information. For example, the identification information is used to indicate the first identification, and the relay device may send the fourth message to the first terminal according to the first identification, for example, the first identification is used as a destination layer 2 identification for sending the fourth message. In some implementations, the user information of the first terminal and/or the user information of the second terminal is in a protected set, such as a protected direct discovery set (protected direct discovery set). Optionally, the relay device is not aware of the information in the protected set. That is, the relay device cannot learn information about the terminal such as the first terminal from the third message.

In step S2105, the relay apparatus transmits a fourth message to the first terminal according to the mapping information.

In some embodiments, the fourth message is for responding to a request from the first terminal to discover the second terminal. Optionally, the fourth message is used to indicate that the second terminal is found by the first terminal. Optionally, the fourth message is transmitted by the relay device in response to the third message. Optionally, the relay device transmits the fourth message in response to receiving the third message. Optionally, the relay device determines that the third message is received, and determines whether to send the fourth message to the first terminal according to the mapping information. Optionally, the relay device determines that the third message is received, and sends a fourth message to the first terminal according to the mapping information.

In some embodiments, the mapping information may be obtained by alternative implementations of steps S2101 to S2103 described above. Alternatively, the mapping information may be stored in advance by the relay device.

In some embodiments, the fourth message may be sent using the source address and the destination address. Alternatively, the source address may be used to indicate the transmission address of the fourth message. Alternatively, the destination address may be used to indicate the received address of the fourth message. Alternatively, the Source address may be a Source Layer 2 identification (Source Layer-2 ID) and the destination address may be a destination Layer 2 identification (Destination Layer-2 ID). Optionally, the fourth message is sent using the source layer 2 identification and the destination layer 2 identification.

In some embodiments, the address indicated by the first identification is taken as the destination address of the fourth message. Optionally, the first identifier is identified as the destination layer 2 for sending the fourth message. Optionally, the source layer 2 identifier used by the first terminal to send the first message to the relay device is used as the destination layer 2 identifier for sending the fourth message.

In some embodiments, after receiving the third message, the relay device may determine a destination address used by the second terminal to send the third message. Alternatively, the relay device may determine the destination layer 2 identity used by the second terminal to send the third message.

In some embodiments, the relay device determines whether the third message corresponds to a procedure in which the first terminal discovers the second terminal according to the mapping information. Optionally, the relay device determines that the third message corresponds to a procedure that the first terminal discovers the second terminal, and sends a fourth message to the first terminal. Optionally, the relay device determines that the first condition is satisfied and sends a fourth message to the first terminal. Optionally, in the case that the first condition is satisfied, the third message corresponds to a procedure in which the first terminal discovers the second terminal.

In some embodiments, the first condition comprises at least one of: the identifier corresponding to the third message is the second identifier, or the third message corresponds to the second identifier; the third message includes a second identification; the destination address used to send the third message is the address indicated by the second identity.

Optionally, in the case that the identifier corresponding to the third message is the second identifier, or the third identifier corresponds to the second identifier, or the third message includes the second identifier, the destination address used by the second terminal to send the third message is the address indicated by the second identifier, or the destination layer 2 identifier used by the second terminal to send the third message is the second identifier.

In some embodiments, the relay device determines the destination address of the third message as the address indicated by the second identifier, and uses the address indicated by the first identifier as the destination address of the fourth message according to the mapping relationship. Optionally, the relay device uses the first identifier as the destination identifier of the fourth message in a case that it determines that the destination layer 2 identifier of the third message is the second identifier. In this way, the relay device may then send a fourth message to the first terminal based on the first identification.

In some embodiments, the fourth message comprises at least one of: a message type of the fourth message, e.g., a type of discovery message (Type of Discovery Message); user information of the first terminal, such as a User information identification (User Info ID) of the first terminal; user information of the second terminal, for example, a user information identification of the second terminal; RSC; user information of the relay device.

In some embodiments, part of the information in the fourth message may be obtained according to the third message. Optionally, the relay device processes the third message to obtain a fourth message. Optionally, the relay device adds user information of the relay device to the third message to obtain a fourth message.

It can be understood that the relay device may receive the third message sent by the second terminal, and may also receive the message sent by the other terminal and used for responding to the relay discovery, where the relay device cannot learn the user information of the terminal. Based on the mapping information, the relay device determines which terminal the received message is sent to, and determines to which terminal the message is further sent.

In some embodiments, to which body the relay device sends the fourth information may be determined from the destination address of the third message and the mapping information. For example, if the relay device determines that the destination address of the third message is Layer ID-1 and determines that the address corresponding to Layer ID-1 is Layer ID-2 according to the mapping information, the relay device may send the fourth message to Layer ID-2, where Layer ID-2 may be the address corresponding to the first terminal.

In some embodiments, the names of information and the like are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "field", "symbol", "codebook", "code word", "code point", "bit", "data", "program", "chip", and the like may be replaced with each other.

In some embodiments, terms such as "radio," "wireless," "radio access network," "RAN," and "RAN-based," may be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, terms such as "time of day," "point of time," "time location," and the like may be interchanged, and terms such as "duration," "period," "time window," "time," and the like may be interchanged.

In some embodiments, "acquire," "obtain," "receive," "transmit," "bi-directional transmit," "send and/or receive" may be used interchangeably and may be interpreted as receiving from other principals, acquiring from protocols, acquiring from higher layers, processing itself, autonomous implementation, etc.

In some embodiments, terms such as "send," "transmit," "report," "send," "transmit," "bi-directional," "send and/or receive," and the like may be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, terms such as "specific (specific)", "predetermined", "preset", "set", "indicated", "certain", "arbitrary", "first", and the like may be replaced with each other, and "specific a", "predetermined a", "preset a", "set a", "indicated a", "certain a", "arbitrary a", "first a" may be interpreted as a predetermined in a protocol or the like, may be interpreted as a obtained by setting, configuring, or indicating, or the like, may be interpreted as specific a, certain a, arbitrary a, or first a, or the like, but are not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the determination or judgment may be performed by a value (0 or 1) expressed in 1 bit, may be performed by a true-false value (boolean) expressed in true (true) or false (false), or may be performed by a comparison of values (e.g., a comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, "not expected to receive" may be interpreted as not receiving on time domain resources and/or frequency domain resources, or as not performing subsequent processing on data or the like after the data or the like is received; "not expected to transmit" may be interpreted as not transmitting, or may be interpreted as transmitting but not expecting the receiver to respond to the transmitted content.

The communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S2101 to step S2105. For example, step S2103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2101 to S2103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2103 to S2105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S2104 to S2105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the step S2102 and the step S2103 may be performed in the same order, or may be performed simultaneously. For example, after receiving the first message, the relay device may first determine the second identifier, determine mapping information between the first identifier and the second identifier, and then send the second message by using the second identifier as a source address of the second message. Alternatively, the relay device may further determine and establish mapping information of the second identifier and the first identifier after transmitting the second message by using the second identifier as a source address of the second message.

In some embodiments, steps S2101 and S2102 and steps S2104 through S2105 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, steps S2101 through S2104 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, reference may be made to alternative implementations described before or after the description corresponding to fig. 2.

Fig. 3A is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a relay communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in fig. 3A, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a relay communication method, which is performed by a relay device, the method including:

in step S3101, a first message is acquired.

Alternative implementations of step S3101 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2101 of fig. 2, and other relevant parts of the embodiment related to fig. 2, which are not described herein.

In some embodiments, the relay device receives the first message transmitted by the first terminal, but is not limited thereto, and may also receive the first message transmitted by other bodies.

In some embodiments, the relay device obtains a first message specified by a protocol.

In some embodiments, the relay device obtains the first message from an upper layer(s).

In some embodiments, the relay device processes to obtain the first message.

In some embodiments, step S3101 is omitted, and the relay device autonomously implements the function indicated by the first message, or the above-described function is default or default.

Step S3102, a second message is sent.

Alternative implementations of step S3102 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2102 in fig. 2, and other relevant parts in the embodiment related to fig. 2, which are not described herein.

In some embodiments, the relay device transmits the second message to the second terminal, but not limited thereto, and may also transmit the second message to other bodies.

In step S3103, mapping information is determined.

Alternative implementations of step S3103 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2103 of fig. 2, and other relevant parts of the embodiment related to fig. 2, which are not described herein.

In some embodiments, the relay device determines mapping information for the first identity and the second identity. Optionally, the relay device may also determine mapping information between other identities.

In step S3104, a third message is acquired.

In some embodiments, the relay device receives the third message transmitted by the second terminal, but is not limited thereto, and may also receive the third message transmitted by other bodies.

Step S3105, according to the mapping information, a fourth message is sent.

Alternative implementations of step S3105 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2105 of fig. 2, and other relevant parts of the embodiment related to fig. 2, which are not described herein.

The communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S3101 to step S3105. For example, step S3103 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, step S3105 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, steps S3101 to S3103 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, steps S3103 to S3105 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and steps S3104 to S3105 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the step S3102 and the step S3103 may be performed in the same order, or may be performed simultaneously. For example, after receiving the first message, the relay device may first determine the second identifier, determine mapping information between the first identifier and the second identifier, and then send the second message by using the second identifier as a source address of the second message. Alternatively, the relay device may further determine and establish mapping information of the second identifier and the first identifier after transmitting the second message by using the second identifier as a source address of the second message.

In some embodiments, steps S3101 and S3102 and steps S3104 through S3105 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, steps S3101 through S3104 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

Fig. 3B is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a relay communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in fig. 3B, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a relay communication method, which is performed by a relay device, the method including:

in step S3201, a third message is acquired.

Alternative implementations of step S3201 may refer to step S2104 of fig. 2, alternative implementations of step S3104 of fig. 3A, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2 and 3A, which are not described herein.

In some embodiments, the relay device obtains a third message sent by the second terminal.

In step S3302, a fourth message is sent according to the mapping information.

Alternative implementations of step S3302 may refer to step S2105 of fig. 2, alternative implementations of step S3105 of fig. 3A, and other relevant parts in the embodiment related to fig. 2, which are not described herein.

The communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S3201 to step S3202. For example, step S3201 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment and step S3202 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment.

In some embodiments, step S3201 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

Fig. 3C is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a relay communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in fig. 3C, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a relay communication method, performed by a relay device, the method including:

in step S3301, a first message is acquired.

Alternative implementations of step S3301 may refer to step S2101 of fig. 2, alternative implementations of step S3101 of fig. 3A, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2, 3A, and 3C, which are not described herein.

In step S3302, a second message is sent.

Alternative implementations of step S3302 may refer to step S2102 of fig. 2, alternative implementations of step S3102 of fig. 3A, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2, 3A, and 3C, which are not described herein.

In step S3303, mapping information is determined.

Alternative implementations of step S3303 may refer to step S2103 of fig. 2, alternative implementations of step S3103 of fig. 3A, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2, 3A, and 3C, which are not described herein.

In some embodiments, the steps S3302 and S3303 may be exchanged, or may be performed simultaneously. For example, after receiving the first message, the relay device may first determine the second identifier, determine mapping information between the first identifier and the second identifier, and then send the second message by using the second identifier as a source address of the second message. Alternatively, the relay device may further determine and establish mapping information of the second identifier and the first identifier after transmitting the second message by using the second identifier as a source address of the second message.

In some embodiments, mapping information for the first identifier and the second identifier is determined. Optionally, the second identifier corresponds to a second message, and the first message and the second message are used by the first terminal to request discovery of the second terminal.

The communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S3301 to step S3303. For example, step S3303 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, step s3301+step S3303 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and step s3302+step S3303 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, steps S3301 and S3302 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the method comprises:

the relay equipment receives a first message sent by a first terminal;

the relay device sends a second message to the second terminal;

the relay equipment determines mapping information of the first identifier and the second identifier;

the first identifier corresponds to a first message, the second identifier corresponds to a second message, and the first message and the second message are used for the first terminal to request to find the second terminal.

In some embodiments, the first identification is used to indicate a source address used by the first terminal to send the first message to the relay device; and/or the number of the groups of groups,

the second identification is used to indicate a source address used by the relay device to send the second message to the second terminal.

In some embodiments, the source address used by the relay device to send the first message to the second terminal is different from the source address used by the relay device to send the fifth message to the fourth terminal, the fifth message being any message for relaying communications, the fourth terminal being any terminal different from the second terminal.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

The relay equipment receives a third message sent by the second terminal;

the third message and the fourth message are used for responding to the request of the first terminal for finding the second terminal.

In some embodiments, the relay device sends a fourth message to the first terminal according to the mapping information, including:

the relay device determines that a first condition is satisfied, and sends a fourth message to the first terminal, the first condition including at least one of:

the identifier corresponding to the third message is a second identifier;

the third message includes a second identification;

the destination address used to send the third message is the address indicated by the second identity.

In some embodiments, the relay device sends a fourth message to the first terminal, including:

the relay device takes the address indicated by the first identification as a destination address for transmitting the fourth message.

In some embodiments, the third message is sent if the second terminal determines that a second condition is satisfied, the second condition comprising at least one of:

the second terminal is capable of using a relay service corresponding to the relay service code (relay service code, RSC) indicated by the second message;

the signal strength of the second message is greater than or equal to a preset strength threshold.

In some embodiments, the relay device is a terminal-to-terminal relay terminal in proximity services.

In some embodiments, the relay device is one or more relay terminals.

In some embodiments, the relay device is a relay terminal capable of employing a mode B security procedure and/or a converged discovery security procedure.

Fig. 4 is an interactive schematic diagram of a relay communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 4, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication discovery method, the method including:

in step S4101, the first terminal transmits a first message to the relay apparatus.

Alternative implementations of step S4101 may refer to step S2101 of fig. 2, step S3101 of fig. 3A, alternative implementations of step S3301 of fig. 3C, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2, 3A, 3B, and 3C, which are not described herein.

In step S4102, the relay device transmits a second message to the second terminal.

Alternative implementations of step S4102 may refer to step S2102 of fig. 2, step S3102 of fig. 3A, alternative implementations of step S3302 of fig. 3C, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2, 3A, 3B, and 3C, which are not described herein.

In step S4103, the relay apparatus determines mapping information of the first identifier and the second identifier.

Alternative implementations of step S4103 may refer to step S2103 of fig. 2, step S3103 of fig. 3A, alternative implementations of step S3303 of fig. 3C, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2, 3A, 3B, and 3C, which are not described herein.

In some embodiments, the method may include a method described in the embodiment of the relay device side, which is not described herein.

Fig. 5 is an interactive schematic diagram of a relay communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 5, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a relay communication method, which includes:

in step S5101, the UE-1 transmits a relay discovery request message.

In some embodiments, UE-1 is a 5G proximity service finder End UE (discover 5G ProSe End UE). Optionally, the UE-1 sends a relay discovery request message to the relay device. Optionally, the relay discovery request message is a 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay Discovery Solicitation message. Optionally, the relay device comprises a plurality of devices for relaying. Optionally, the Relay device is a 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay.

In some embodiments, the relay discovery request message contains a discovery message type (Type of Discovery Message), a user information ID for UE-1, a user information ID for UE-2, and a RSC.

In some embodiments, the relay discovery request message is sent using a source layer 2 identification and a destination layer 2 identification. Alternatively, the source layer 2 identification and the destination layer 2 identification may be specified by clause (clase) 5.8.4.

In some embodiments, the relay device self-selects (self-select) a source layer 2 identity for the relay discovery request message described above.

In some embodiments, the relay device selects one destination layer 2 identity for the relay discovery request message based on the configuration in clause 5.1.5.1.

In step S5102, the relay device transmits a relay discovery request message.

In some embodiments, the relay device is a RSC-matching relay device. Optionally, the Relay device is a 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay. Alternatively, in the case where the relay apparatus is able to use or provide the relay service corresponding to the RSC included in the relay discovery request message in step S5101, the relay apparatus is a relay apparatus matching the RSC.

In some embodiments, the RSC-matched 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay sends 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay Discovery Solicitation message.

In some embodiments, the relay discovery request message includes a discovery message type, a user information ID of UE-1, a user information ID of UE-2, a user information ID of the relay device, and a RSC.

In some embodiments, UE-1 and/or UE-2 determines, according to clause 5.1, a destination layer 2 identity for receiving signaling (e.g., a relay discovery request message).

In some embodiments, the relay device should maintain mapping information between the source layer 2 identity of the request message from UE-1 and the self-selected source layer 2 identity of the request message sent to UE-2.

In some embodiments, the relay device should ensure that the above-described self-contained source layer 2 identity is different from the self-contained source layer 2 identity used for any other simultaneous relay communication.

In step S5103, the UE-2 transmits a relay discovery response message.

In some embodiments, UE-1 is a 5G proximity service discoveree-side UE (discovery 5G ProSe End UE). Alternatively, UE-2 is a discoveree UE that meets the value of RSC and satisfies the user information ID of UE-2. Optionally, the relay discovery response message is a 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay Discovery Response message.

Alternatively, in the case that the UE-2 is able to use the relay service corresponding to the RSC in the relay discovery request message, it is determined that the UE-2 meets the value of the RSC.

In some embodiments, a discover 5G ProSe End UE that satisfies the value of RSC and satisfies User Info ID of the discoveree G ProSe End UE sends 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay Discovery Response message.

In some embodiments, the relay discovery response message includes a discovery message type, a user information ID of UE-1, a user information ID of UE-2, a user information ID of the relay device, and a RSC.

In some embodiments, the relay discovery response message is sent using a source layer 2 identification and a destination layer 2 identification. Alternatively, the source layer 2 identification and the destination layer 2 identification may be specified by clause (clase) 5.8.4.

In some embodiments, if UE-2 receives multiple relay discovery request messages from different relay devices, it may choose to respond or not respond, e.g., based on the received PC5 signal strength of each message.

In step S5104, the relay device transmits a relay discovery response message.

In some embodiments, the relay device transmits relay discovery response information according to the mapping information. Alternatively, the mapping information may be mapping information.

In some embodiments, the 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay sends 5G ProSe UE-to-UE Relay Discovery Response message according to mapping informatio.

In some embodiments, the relay device matches the relevant layer 2 identity according to the destination layer 2 identity of the relay discovery response message received from UE-2 and sets it to the destination layer 2 identity of the relay discovery response message sent to UE-1.

In some embodiments, the relay device response message includes a discovery message type, a user information ID of UE-1, a user information ID of UE-2, a user equipment ID of the relay device, and a RSC.

In some embodiments, the relay device response message is sent using the source layer 2 identification and the destination layer 2 identification. Alternatively, the source layer 2 identification and the destination layer 2 identification may be specified by clause (clase) 5.8.4.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, some or all of the steps and alternative implementations thereof may be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the steps in other embodiments, and may also be arbitrarily combined with alternative implementations of other embodiments.

The embodiments of the present disclosure also propose an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods, for example, an apparatus is proposed, where the apparatus includes a unit or a module for implementing each step performed by the relay device in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is also proposed, which includes a unit or module configured to implement steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

It should be understood that the division of each unit or module in the above apparatus is merely a division of a logic function, and may be fully or partially integrated into one physical entity or may be physically separated when actually implemented. Furthermore, units or modules in the apparatus may be implemented in the form of processor-invoked software: the device comprises, for example, a processor, the processor being connected to a memory, the memory having instructions stored therein, the processor invoking the instructions stored in the memory to perform any of the methods or to perform the functions of the units or modules of the device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, CPU) or microprocessor, and the memory is internal to the device or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the apparatus may be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and part or all of the functions of the units or modules may be implemented by designing hardware circuits, which may be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of some or all of the units or modules are implemented by designing the logic relationships of elements in the circuit; for another example, in another implementation, the above hardware circuit may be implemented by a programmable logic device (programmable logic device, PLD), for example, a field programmable gate array (Field Programmable Gate Array, FPGA), which may include a large number of logic gates, and the connection relationship between the logic gates is configured by a configuration file, so as to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above device may be realized in the form of invoking software by a processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part in the form of invoking software by a processor, and in the rest in the form of hardware circuits.

In the disclosed embodiments, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities, and in one implementation, the processor may be a circuit with instruction reading and running capabilities, such as a central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, CPU), microprocessor, graphics processor (graphics processing unit, GPU) (which may be understood as a microprocessor), or digital signal processor (digital signal processor, DSP), etc.; in another implementation, the processor may implement a function through a logical relationship of hardware circuits that are fixed or reconfigurable, e.g., a hardware circuit implemented as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (programmable logic device, PLD), such as an FPGA. In the reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads the configuration document, and the process of implementing the configuration of the hardware circuit may be understood as a process of loading instructions by the processor to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, hardware circuits designed for artificial intelligence may be used, which may be understood as ASICs, such as neural network processing units (Neural Network Processing Unit, NPU), tensor processing units (Tensor Processing Unit, TPU), deep learning processing units (Deep learning Processing Unit, DPU), etc.

Fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 6, the relay device 6100 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 6101, a processing module 6102, and the like. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is configured to send first information to a network device, where the first information is used to indicate a service prediction capability of the relay device, where the service prediction capability is used to predict whether a service arrives by the relay device, and/or predict an arrival time of the service. Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., step S2101, step S2102, step S2104, step S2105, but not limited thereto) such as transmission and/or reception performed by the relay device in any of the above methods, which is not described herein. Optionally, the processing module is configured to perform other steps (e.g. step S2103, but not limited to the foregoing steps) performed by the relay device in any of the foregoing methods, which are not described herein.

Fig. 7A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 7100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 7100 may be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., a relay device, a user device, etc.), a chip system, a processor, etc. that supports the network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, a processor, etc. that supports the terminal to implement any of the above methods. The communication device 7100 may be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and may be referred to in particular in the description of the above method embodiments.

As shown in fig. 7A, the communication device 7100 includes one or more processors 7101. The processor 7101 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, etc., and may be, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processor may be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, relay devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 7100 is used to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the one or more processors 7101 are configured to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 7100 to perform any of the methods above.

In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 also includes one or more transceivers 7102. When the communication device 7100 includes one or more transceivers 7102, the transceiver 7102 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., but not limited to step S2101, step S2102, step S2104, step S2105) of the above-described method of transmission and/or reception, and the processor 7101 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., but not limited to step S2103). In alternative embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and/or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Alternatively, terms such as transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver circuit, interface, etc. may be replaced with each other, terms such as transmitter, transmitter unit, transmitter circuit, etc. may be replaced with each other, and terms such as receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. may be replaced with each other.

In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 also includes one or more memories 7103 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of the memory 7103 may be external to the communication device 7100. In alternative embodiments, the communication device 7100 may include one or more interface circuits 7104. Optionally, an interface circuit 7104 is coupled to the memory 7102, the interface circuit 7104 being operable to receive data from the memory 7102 or other device, and to transmit data to the memory 7102 or other device. For example, the interface circuit 7104 may read data stored in the memory 7102 and send the data to the processor 7101.

The communication device 7100 in the above embodiment description may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 7100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 7100 may not be limited by fig. 7A. The communication device may be a stand-alone device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) A stand-alone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or a system-on-a-chip or subsystem; (2) A set of one or more ICs, optionally including storage means for storing data, programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a Modem (Modem); (4) modules that may be embedded within other devices; (5) A receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handset, a mobile unit, a vehicle-mounted device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligent device, and the like; (6) others, and so on.

Fig. 7B is a schematic structural diagram of a chip 7200 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. For the case where the communication device 7100 may be a chip or a chip system, reference may be made to a schematic structural diagram of the chip 7200 shown in fig. 7B, but is not limited thereto.

The chip 7200 includes one or more processors 7201. Chip 7200 is used to perform any of the above methods.

In some embodiments, the chip 7200 further includes one or more interface circuits 7202. Alternatively, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, etc. may be interchanged. In some embodiments, the chip 7200 further includes one or more memories 7203 for storing data. Alternatively, all or a portion of memory 7203 may be external to chip 7200. Optionally, an interface circuit 7202 is coupled to the memory 7203, the interface circuit 7202 may be configured to receive data from the memory 7203 or other device, and the interface circuit 7202 may be configured to transmit data to the memory 7203 or other device. For example, the interface circuit 7202 may read data stored in the memory 7203 and transmit the data to the processor 7201.

In some embodiments, the interface circuit 7202 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., but not limited to, step S2101, step S2102, step S2104, step S2105) of the above-described methods of transmitting and/or receiving. The interface circuit 7202 performs the communication step of transmission and/or reception in the above-described method, for example, refers to: the interface circuit 7202 performs data interaction between the processor 7201, the chip 7200, the memory 7203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 7201 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., step S2103, but is not limited thereto).

The modules and/or devices described in the embodiments of the virtual device, the physical device, the chip, etc. may be arbitrarily combined or separated according to circumstances. Alternatively, some or all of the steps may be performed cooperatively by a plurality of modules and/or devices, without limitation.

The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed on a communication device 7100, cause the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium described above is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and it may be a storage medium readable by other devices. Alternatively, the above-described storage medium may be a non-transitory (non-transitory) storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and it may also be a transitory storage medium.

The present disclosure also proposes a program product which, when executed by a communication device 7100, causes the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the above-described program product is a computer program product.

The present disclosure also proposes a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

1. A method of relay communication, the method comprising:

the relay equipment receives a first message sent by a first terminal;

the relay device sends a second message to a second terminal;

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first identification is used to indicate a source address used by the first terminal to send the first message to the relay device; and/or the number of the groups of groups,

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the source address used by the relay device to send the second message to the second terminal is different from the source address used by the relay device to send a fifth message to a fourth terminal, the fifth message being any message for relaying communication, the fourth terminal being any terminal different from the second terminal.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the method further comprises:

the relay equipment receives a third message sent by the second terminal;

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the relay device transmitting a fourth message to the first terminal according to the mapping information, comprising:

the identifier corresponding to the third message is the second identifier;

the third message includes the second identification;

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the relay device sends a fourth message to the first terminal, comprising:

7. The method according to any of claims 4-6, wherein the third message is sent if the second terminal determines that a second condition is met, the second condition comprising at least one of:

the second terminal can use the relay service corresponding to the relay service code RSC indicated by the second message;

8. The method according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the relay device is a terminal-to-terminal relay terminal in proximity services.

9. The method according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the relay device is one or more relay terminals.

10. The method according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the relay device is a relay terminal capable of employing a mode B security procedure and/or a converged discovery security procedure.

11. A method of relay communication, the method comprising:

the first terminal sends a first message to the relay device;

the relay device sends a second message to a second terminal;

12. A relay device, the relay device comprising:

13. A relay apparatus, comprising:

one or more processors;

a memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory comprising executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the relay device to perform the relay communication method of any of claims 1-10.

14. A communication system comprising a relay device, wherein the relay device is configured to implement the relay communication method of any of claims 1-10.

15. A storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the relay communication method of any one of claims 1-10 or claim 11.