CN118120264A

CN118120264A - Interaction method and device for path switching capability

Info

Publication number: CN118120264A
Application number: CN202280003834.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 刘建宁
Original assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd
Current assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-09-30
Filing date: 2022-09-30
Publication date: 2024-05-31
Also published as: WO2024065840A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the application discloses an interaction method and device for path switching capability, which can be applied to the technical field of communication, and the method comprises the following steps: the method comprises the steps that a first terminal device sends a direct communication establishment request message to a second terminal device, wherein the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the first terminal device; the first terminal equipment receives a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment, so that the interaction of the path switching capability between the two terminal equipment can be carried out, and the occurrence of the condition of path switching failure is reduced.

Description

Interaction method and device for path switching capability

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to an interaction method and apparatus for path switching capability.

Background

Currently, in the process of communication between two terminal apparatuses, a handover between the PC5 direct communication path and Uu direct communication path may be required. Wherein the terminal device determines whether or not to permit switching from one direct communication path to another direct communication path based on its own path switching capability, and performs a path switching process when determining permission. In the above scheme, the problem of path switching failure is easy to occur.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a method and a device for interaction of path switching capability, which can carry out interaction of the path switching capability between two terminal devices, thereby reducing occurrence of failure of path switching.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for interaction of path switching capability, where the method is performed by a first terminal device, and the method includes: sending a direct communication establishment request message to a second terminal device, wherein the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the first terminal device; and receiving a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment.

In the embodiment of the application, the first terminal equipment can send the direct communication establishment request message to the second terminal equipment, the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the first terminal equipment, and can receive the direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal equipment, and the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment, so that the interaction of the path switching capability can be carried out between the two terminal equipment, and the occurrence of the condition of path switching failure is reduced.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another method for interaction of path switching capability, where the method is performed by a second terminal device, and the method includes: receiving a direct communication establishment request message sent by a first terminal device, wherein the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the first terminal device; and sending a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment.

In the embodiment of the application, the second terminal equipment can receive the direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the first terminal equipment, and sending the direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal equipment, and the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment, so that the interaction of the path switching capability can be carried out between the two terminal equipment, and the occurrence of the condition of path switching failure is reduced.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, where the communication device has a function of implementing part or all of the functions of the first terminal device in the method described in the first aspect, for example, the function of the communication device may be provided with a function in part or all of the embodiments of the present application, or may be provided with a function of implementing any one of the embodiments of the present application separately. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above.

In one implementation, the communication device may include a transceiver unit and a processing unit in a structure, where the processing unit is configured to support the communication device to perform the corresponding functions in the method. The transceiver unit is used for supporting communication between the communication device and other equipment. The communication device may further comprise a storage unit for coupling with the transceiver unit and the processing unit, which stores computer programs and data necessary for the communication device.

As an example, the processing unit may be a processor, the transceiver unit may be a transceiver or a communication interface, and the storage unit may be a memory.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another communication apparatus having a function of implementing part or all of the second terminal device in the method example described in the second aspect, for example, the function of the communication apparatus may be a function of some or all of the embodiments of the present application, or may be a function of implementing any of the embodiments of the present application separately. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor, and when the processor invokes a computer program in a memory, performs the method described in the first aspect.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including a processor, which when calling a computer program in a memory, performs the method according to the second aspect.

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus including a processor and a memory, the memory having a computer program stored therein; the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method of the first aspect described above.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus including a processor and a memory, the memory having a computer program stored therein; the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method of the second aspect described above.

In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communications device, the device comprising a processor and interface circuitry for receiving code instructions and transmitting to the processor, the processor being configured to execute the code instructions to cause the device to perform the method of the first aspect.

In a tenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communications device comprising a processor and interface circuitry for receiving code instructions and transmitting to the processor, the processor being configured to execute the code instructions to cause the device to perform the method of the second aspect.

In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes the communication device of the third aspect and the communication device of the fourth aspect, or which includes the communication device of the fifth aspect and the communication device of the sixth aspect, or which includes the communication device of the seventh aspect and the communication device of the eighth aspect, or which includes the communication device of the ninth aspect and the communication device of the tenth aspect.

In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a computer readable storage medium, configured to store instructions for use by the first terminal device, where the instructions, when executed, cause the first terminal device to perform the method according to the first aspect.

In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a readable storage medium, configured to store instructions for use by the second terminal device, where the instructions, when executed, cause the second terminal device to perform the method described in the second aspect.

In a fourteenth aspect, the application also provides a computer program product comprising a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the first aspect described above.

In a fifteenth aspect, the present application also provides a computer program product comprising a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the second aspect described above.

In a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip system comprising at least one processor and an interface for supporting a terminal device to perform the functions referred to in the first aspect, e.g. to determine or process at least one of data and information referred to in the above-mentioned method. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for holding computer programs and data necessary for the terminal device. The chip system can be composed of chips, and can also comprise chips and other discrete devices.

In a seventeenth aspect, the present application provides a chip system comprising at least one processor and an interface for supporting a terminal device to perform the functions related to the second aspect, e.g. to determine or process at least one of data and information related to the above-mentioned method. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for holding computer programs and data necessary for the terminal device. The chip system can be composed of chips, and can also comprise chips and other discrete devices.

In an eighteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the first aspect described above.

In a nineteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the second aspect described above.

Drawings

In order to more clearly describe the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the background art, the following description will describe the drawings that are required to be used in the embodiments of the present application or the background art.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a path switching process;

fig. 3 is a flow chart of an interaction method of path switching capability according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of another interactive method of path switching capability according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of another interactive method of path switching capability according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of another interactive method of path switching capability according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a path switching process according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a flow chart of an interaction method of path switching capability according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of another interactive method of path switching capability according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of another interactive method of path switching capability according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of another interactive method of path switching capability according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

In order to better understand the interaction method of the path switching capability disclosed in the embodiment of the present application, a description is first given below of a communication system to which the embodiment of the present application is applicable.

Referring to fig. 1, fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the application. The communication system may include, but is not limited to, a network device and a terminal device, and the number and form of devices shown in fig. 1 are only for example and not limiting to the embodiment of the present application, and may include two or more network devices and two or more terminal devices in practical applications. The communication system shown in fig. 1 is exemplified as including one network device 101 and two terminal devices 102.

It should be noted that the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application may be applied to various communication systems. For example: long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) system, fifth generation (5th generation,5G) mobile communication system, 5G New Radio (NR) system, or other future new mobile communication system, etc.

The network device 101 in the embodiment of the present application is an entity for transmitting or receiving signals on the network side. For example, the network device 101 may be an evolved NodeB (eNB), a transmission point (transmission reception point, TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in an NR system, a base station in other future mobile communication systems, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WIRELESS FIDELITY, wiFi) system, etc. The embodiment of the application does not limit the specific technology and the specific equipment form adopted by the network equipment. The network device provided by the embodiment of the application can be composed of a Central Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU), wherein the CU can also be called a control unit (control unit), the protocol layers of the network device such as a base station can be separated by adopting the structure of the CU-DU, the functions of part of the protocol layers are placed in the CU for centralized control, the functions of the rest part or all of the protocol layers are distributed in the DU, and the CU centrally controls the DU.

The terminal device 102 in the embodiment of the present application is an entity on the user side for receiving or transmitting signals, such as a mobile phone. The terminal device may also be referred to as a terminal device (terminal), a User Equipment (UE), a Mobile Station (MS), a mobile terminal device (MT), etc. The terminal device may be an automobile with communication function, a smart car, a mobile phone (mobile phone), a wearable device, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiving function, 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-driving (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), or the like. The embodiment of the application does not limit the specific technology and the specific equipment form adopted by the terminal equipment.

Currently, work scenarios that may be supported by the Internet of vehicles (V2X) include scenarios with cellular network coverage, as well as scenarios without cellular network deployment. Implementation to a specific technology, V2X may provide two communication interfaces, a PC5 interface (direct communication interface between terminal devices) and a Uu interface (cellular communication interface between terminal devices and a base station), respectively. Wherein when the V2X enabled terminal device is within cellular coverage, the Uu interface may be used under cellular network control to communicate with the base station via Uplink (UL) or Downlink (DL), and the terminal device may employ the PC5 interface to communicate with other terminal devices via Side Link (SL) regardless of whether there is network coverage. The Uu interface and the PC5 interface are combined and mutually supported and jointly used for V2X service transmission, so that effective redundancy can be formed to ensure communication reliability.

In some scenarios, in the course of communication between two terminal devices, a handover between the PC5 direct communication path and Uu direct communication path may be required. Wherein, the direct communication path of the PC5 refers to a path of two terminal devices which directly communicate through the PC5 interface. The Uu direct communication path refers to a path through which two terminal devices communicate through a Uu interface, and can be understood as a path through which two terminal devices communicate through a network device. For example, in the case where a certain terminal device exits from a cellular non-coverage area to a cellular coverage area during communication between two terminal devices via the PC5 direct communication path, the two terminal devices may switch from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path for communication.

Referring to fig. 2, two terminal devices are denoted UE-1 and UE-2, respectively, and UE-1 and UE-2 may communicate via an established PC5 direct communication path (step S201), and in some scenarios, UE-1 and UE-2 may decide to switch from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path (step S202), and UE-1 and UE-2 may establish a Uu direct communication path with a 5G radio access Network (Next Generation Radio Access Network, NG-RAN), a 5G Core Network (Core Network), and a Data Network (Data Network, DN), respectively (step S203), and then release the PC5 direct communication path (step S204), thereby completing the switch from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path. Wherein, UE-1 and UE-2 each determine whether to allow switching from PC5 direct communication path to Uu direct communication path according to its own path switching capability, and perform path switching process when determining to allow, which is prone to failure of path switching.

The embodiment of the application provides a method and a device for interaction of path switching capability aiming at the problems, which can carry out interaction of the path switching capability between two terminal devices, thereby reducing occurrence of failure of the path switching.

It may be understood that, the communication system described in the embodiment of the present application is for more clearly describing the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, and is not limited to the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, and those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of the system architecture and the appearance of the new service scenario, the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is equally applicable to similar technical problems.

It should be noted that, the interaction method of the path switching capability provided by any one of the embodiments of the present application may be executed alone or in combination with possible implementation methods in other embodiments, and may also be executed in combination with any one of the technical solutions in the related art. Wherein the first terminal device mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may refer to one of the terminal devices 102 of the communication system, and the second terminal device may refer to another one of the terminal devices 102 of the communication system.

The following describes the interaction method and device of path switching capability provided by the present application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to fig. 3, fig. 3 is a flow chart of an interaction method of path switching capability according to an embodiment of the present application. The interactive method of the path switching capability is executed by the first terminal equipment. As shown in fig. 3, the method may include, but is not limited to, the steps of:

S301: and sending a direct communication establishment request message to the second terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the first terminal equipment.

In an embodiment of the application, a direct communication establishment request message is sent by the first terminal device to establish a communication connection between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

Optionally, a direct communication establishment request message for establishing a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device; or a direct communication establishment request message for establishing a Uu direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device. Wherein the PC5 direct communication path or Uu direct communication path is used for transmitting data of all or a specific proximity service ProSe.

Optionally, the path switching capability indicated by the direct communication setup request message is for all or a specific proximity service ProSe of the first terminal device. That is, the first terminal device uses the same path switching capability for all neighboring services ProSe; or the first terminal device uses the same path switching capability for a specific proximity service ProSe.

In the embodiment of the application, the direct communication establishment request message not only can be used for establishing the communication connection between the first terminal equipment and the second terminal equipment, but also can be used for indicating the path switching capability of the first terminal equipment to the second terminal equipment.

The path switching capability of the first terminal device is used for indicating whether the first terminal device supports direct communication of the PC5 and/or whether the first terminal device supports direct communication of Uu. Wherein the PC5 communicates directly, it is understood that the two terminal devices communicate directly via the PC5 interface. In this case, uu directly communicates, which is understood to mean that two terminals communicate via the Uu interface, i.e. that two terminals communicate via a network device.

The path switching capability of the first terminal device may be provided to the first terminal device by a policy control function (Policy Control function, PCF), or may be preconfigured in the first terminal device. The PCF provides policy rules of control plane functions for a unified policy framework.

It will be appreciated that in the case where the first terminal device supports direct communication with the PC5, the path switching capability of the first terminal device may support switching to the direct communication path with the PC 5. In case the first terminal device supports Uu direct communication, the path switching capability of the first terminal device may support switching to a Uu direct communication path. In the case where the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication, the path switching capability of the first terminal device may support switching between the PC5 direct communication path and Uu direct communication.

S302: and receiving a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment.

In the embodiment of the application, in response to the second terminal device receiving the direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal device, the second terminal device may send a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal device, and accordingly, the first terminal device may receive the direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal device, so as to establish a communication connection between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

Optionally, a direct communication setup response message for setting up a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device; or a direct communication setup response message for setting up a Uu direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

Optionally, the path switching capability indicated by the direct communication setup response message is for all or a specific proximity service ProSe of the second terminal device. That is, the second terminal device uses the same path switching capability for all neighboring services ProSe; or the second terminal device uses the same path switching capability for a specific proximity service ProSe.

In the embodiment of the application, the direct communication establishment response message not only can be used for establishing the communication connection between the first terminal equipment and the second terminal equipment, but also can be used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment to the first terminal equipment.

Wherein the path switching capability of the second terminal device is used for indicating whether the second terminal device supports direct communication of the PC5 and/or whether the second terminal device supports direct communication of Uu.

The path switching capability of the second terminal device may be provided to the second terminal device by the PCF, or may be preconfigured in the second terminal device.

It will be appreciated that in the case where the second terminal device supports direct communication with the PC5, the path switching capability of the second terminal device may support switching to the direct communication path with the PC 5. In case the second terminal device supports Uu direct communication, the path switching capability of the second terminal device may support switching to the Uu direct communication path. In the case where the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication, the path switching capability of the second terminal device may support switching between the PC5 direct communication path and Uu direct communication.

It should be noted that, before the first terminal device and the second terminal device execute steps S301 and S302, the first terminal device and the second terminal device need to perform network registration, so as to perform network authentication and authorization on the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

Because the first terminal device and the second terminal device can perform interaction of the path switching capability, whether to allow the direct communication path to pass from one direct communication path to the other direct communication path or not can be determined according to the path switching capability of the two terminal devices, and further occurrence of the condition of path switching failure can be reduced.

In the method for interaction of path switching capability provided by the embodiment of the application, the first terminal equipment can send the direct communication establishment request message to the second terminal equipment, the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the first terminal equipment, and the direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal equipment can be received, and the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment, so that interaction of the path switching capability can be carried out between the two terminal equipment, and occurrence of failure of path switching is reduced.

Referring to fig. 4, fig. 4 is a flow chart of another interaction method of path switching capability according to an embodiment of the present application. The method of interaction of path switching capability may be performed by the first terminal device. As shown in fig. 4, the method may include, but is not limited to, the steps of:

S401: and sending a direct communication establishment request message to the second terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment request message comprises a path switching capability indication of the first terminal equipment, and the path switching capability indication of the first terminal equipment is used for indicating whether the first terminal equipment supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication.

In the embodiment of the application, the direct communication establishment request message is sent by the first terminal equipment to establish communication connection between the first terminal equipment and the second terminal equipment.

Optionally, a direct communication establishment request message for establishing a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device; or a direct communication establishment request message for establishing a Uu direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

In some implementations, the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device may be carried in the direct communication setup request message, through which it is indicated to the second terminal device whether the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication.

In some implementations, the path switch capability indication of the first terminal device may include a switch indication of the first terminal device to indicate whether the first terminal device supports switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path and/or whether the first terminal device supports switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path.

It may be appreciated that in the case of the handover indication of the first terminal device indicating that the first terminal device supports handover from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, it may be determined that the path switching capability of the first terminal device supports handover of the first terminal device from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path; in the case of a handover indication of the first terminal device indicating that the first terminal device supports handover from a Uu direct communication path to a PC5 direct communication path, it may be determined that a path switching capability of the first terminal device supports handover of the first terminal device from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path; in the case where the first terminal device supports switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path and supports switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path, it may be determined that the path switching capability of the first terminal device supports switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path and supports switching from the Uu direct communication to the PC5 direct communication.

It may be appreciated that in the embodiment of the present application, the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device is added to the original direct communication establishment request message. For example, the path switching capability indication may be added in the idle information field of the direct communication setup request message. For another example, a designated information field of the direct communication setup request message may be multiplexed, and the path switching capability indication may be added in the designated information field. Therefore, the method and the device can realize the indication of the path switching capability of the first terminal equipment to the second terminal equipment under the condition of not increasing the interactive signaling between the first terminal equipment and the second terminal equipment, thereby saving signaling resources.

Optionally, the direct communication setup request message may further include at least one of the following information: security information of the first terminal device, user information of the first terminal device.

S402: and receiving a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment response message comprises a path switching capability indication of the second terminal equipment, and the path switching capability indication of the second terminal equipment is used for indicating whether the second terminal equipment supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication.

In some implementations, the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device may be carried in the direct communication setup response message, through which it is indicated to the first terminal device whether the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication.

In some implementations, the path switch capability indication of the second terminal device may include a switch indication of the second terminal device to indicate whether the second terminal device supports switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path and/or whether the second terminal device supports switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path.

It may be appreciated that in the case of the handover indication of the second terminal device indicating that the second terminal device supports handover from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, it may be determined that the path switching capability of the second terminal device supports handover of the second terminal device from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path; in the case of a handover indication of the second terminal device indicating that the second terminal device supports handover from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path, it may be determined that the path switching capability of the second terminal device supports handover of the second terminal device from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path; in the case where the second terminal device supports switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path and supports switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path, it may be determined that the path switching capability of the second terminal device supports switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path and supports switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path.

It can be appreciated that in the embodiment of the present application, the path switching capability indication is added to the original direct communication setup response message. For example, the path switching capability indication may be added in the idle information field of the direct communication setup response message. For another example, a designated information field of the direct communication setup response message may be multiplexed, in which the path switching capability indication is added. Therefore, the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment can be indicated to the first terminal equipment under the condition that the interactive signaling between the first terminal equipment and the second terminal equipment is not increased, so that signaling resources are saved.

Optionally, the direct communication setup response message sent by the second terminal device may further include at least one of the following information: security information of the second terminal device, user information of the first terminal device.

In the embodiment of the present application, after receiving the direct communication establishment response message, the first terminal device may determine, according to the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, that the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication. That is, the first terminal device may determine that the second terminal device may support PC5 direct communication, not support Uu direct communication, or not support PC5 direct communication, but support Uu direct communication, or support PC5 direct communication and support Uu direct communication according to the direct communication setup response message; or does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication.

In the embodiment of the present application, after receiving the direct communication setup response message, the first terminal device may determine, according to the handover indication included in the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, that the second terminal device supports switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path and/or supports switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path. That is, the first terminal device may determine, from the direct communication setup response message, that the second terminal device may support switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, not support switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path, or not support switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, but support switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path, or support switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, and support switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path; or does not support switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path and does not support switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path.

As a possible implementation manner, the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device and the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device may each include the first indication information and/or the second indication information. The first indication information is used for indicating whether the corresponding terminal equipment supports direct communication of the PC 5; and the second indication information is used for indicating whether the corresponding terminal equipment supports Uu direct communication.

Optionally, the path switching capability indication includes first indication information, and it is determined that the corresponding terminal device supports direct communication with the PC5 or does not support direct communication with the PC5 according to the first indication information. For example, when the value "1" of the first indication information included in the path switching capability indication is determined, it may be determined that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication, and when the value "0" of the first indication information included in the path switching capability indication is determined that the corresponding terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication. In this implementation, since the path switching capability indication includes only the first indication information, the corresponding terminal device may default to not support Uu direct communication.

Optionally, the path switching capability indication includes second indication information, and it is determined that the corresponding terminal device supports Uu direct communication or does not support Uu direct communication according to the second indication information. For example, when the value of the second indication information included in the path switching capability indication is "1", it may be determined that the corresponding terminal device supports Uu direct communication, and when the value of the second indication information included in the path switching capability indication is "0", it may be determined that the corresponding terminal device does not support Uu direct communication. In this implementation, since only the second indication information is included in the path switching capability indication, it is possible to default that the corresponding terminal device does not support the PC5 to directly communicate.

Optionally, the path switching capability indication includes first indication information and second indication information, and determines whether the corresponding terminal device supports direct communication of the PC5 according to the first indication information, and determines whether the corresponding terminal device supports direct communication of Uu according to the second indication information. For example, the path switching capability is indicated as "11", it may be determined that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication; the path switching capability is indicated as '10', and it can be determined that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication; the path switching capability is indicated as "01", it may be determined that the corresponding terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication; the path switching capability is indicated as "00", it can be determined that the corresponding terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication.

As another possible implementation manner, the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device and the second terminal device may include an index value, where the index value may indicate whether the combination situation is supported by the PC5 direct communication and Uu direct communication of the corresponding terminal device. For example, an index value of 1 may indicate that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and Uu direct communication; the index value of 2 may indicate that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication; the index value 3 may indicate that the corresponding terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication; the index value 4 may indicate that the corresponding terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication. The first terminal device may determine the path switching capability of the second terminal device based on the index value carried in the direct communication setup response message.

The above schematic description of the path switching capability indication is applicable to the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device and the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device.

It should be noted that, before the first terminal device and the second terminal device execute steps S401 and S402, the first terminal device and the second terminal device need to perform network registration, so as to perform network authentication and authorization on the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

In the method for interaction of path switching capability provided by the embodiment of the application, the first terminal device can send the direct communication establishment request message to the second terminal device, wherein the direct communication establishment request message comprises the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, and the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device is used for indicating whether the first terminal device supports direct communication of the PC5 and/or supports direct communication of Uu, and the first terminal device can also receive the direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal device, and the direct communication establishment response message comprises the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, and the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device is used for indicating whether the second terminal device supports direct communication of the PC5 and/or supports direct communication of Uu.

Referring to fig. 5, fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating another interaction method of path switching capability according to an embodiment of the present application. The method of interaction of path switching capability may be performed by the first terminal device. As shown in fig. 5, the method may include, but is not limited to, the steps of:

S501: and sending a direct communication establishment request message to the second terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating that the first terminal equipment supports PC5 direct communication when the direct communication establishment request message comprises a path switching capability indication of the first terminal equipment, and/or is used for indicating that the first terminal equipment does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication when the direct communication establishment request message does not comprise the path switching capability indication of the first terminal equipment.

In some implementations, the first terminal device may be indicated to the second terminal device by including a path switch capability indication of the first terminal device in the direct communication setup request message, and/or to support Uu direct communication, i.e. to indicate to the second terminal device that the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication, or to support Uu direct communication, or to support PC5 direct communication and to support Uu direct communication; by not including the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device in the direct communication setup request message, it is indicated to the second terminal device that the first terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication. Therefore, the method and the device can realize the indication of the path switching capability of the first terminal equipment to the second terminal equipment under the condition of not increasing the interactive signaling between the first terminal equipment and the second terminal equipment, thereby saving signaling resources.

In some implementations, the first terminal device may be indicated to the second terminal device by including a path switch capability indication of the first terminal device in the direct communication setup request message and including a switch indication of the first terminal device in the path switch capability indication of the first terminal device, and/or supporting a switch from a PC5 direct communication path to a Uu direct communication path; by including the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device in the direct communication setup request message and not including the switching indication of the first terminal device in the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, it is indicated to the second terminal device that the first terminal device does not support switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path and does not support switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path.

In some implementations, the second terminal device may be indicated that the first terminal device supports switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path and/or from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path by including a path switch capability indication of the first terminal device in the direct communication setup request message; by not including the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device in the direct communication setup request message, it is indicated to the second terminal device that the first terminal device does not support switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path and does not support switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path.

S502: and receiving a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating that the second terminal equipment supports PC5 direct communication when the direct communication establishment response message comprises a path switching capability indication of the second terminal equipment, and/or is used for indicating that the second terminal equipment does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication when the direct communication establishment response message does not comprise the path switching capability indication of the second terminal equipment.

In some implementations, the second terminal device may be indicated to the first terminal device by including a path switch capability indication of the second terminal device in the direct communication setup response message, and/or to support Uu direct communication, i.e. to indicate to the first terminal device that the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication, or to support Uu direct communication, or to support PC5 direct communication and to support Uu direct communication; by not including the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device in the direct communication setup response message, it is indicated to the first terminal device that the second terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication. Therefore, the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment can be indicated to the first terminal equipment under the condition that the interactive signaling between the first terminal equipment and the second terminal equipment is not increased, so that signaling resources are saved.

In some implementations, the second terminal device may be indicated to the first terminal device by including a path switch capability indication of the second terminal device in the direct communication setup response message and including a switch indication of the second terminal device in the path switch capability indication of the second terminal device, and/or support switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path; by including the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device in the direct communication setup response message and not including the switching indication of the second terminal device in the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, it is indicated to the first terminal device that the second terminal device does not support switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path and does not support switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path.

In some implementations, the second terminal device may be indicated to the first terminal device by including a path switch capability indication of the second terminal device in the direct communication setup response message, and/or to support switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path; by not including the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device in the direct communication setup response message, it is indicated to the first terminal device that the second terminal device does not support switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path and does not support switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path.

In the embodiment of the present application, after receiving the direct communication establishment response message, the first terminal device may determine the path switching capability of the second terminal device according to whether the direct communication establishment response message includes the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device. Wherein, in the case that the direct communication establishment response message includes the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, the path switching capability of the second terminal device may be determined as: the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication, or the second terminal device supports Uu direct communication, or the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and Uu direct communication; in the case that the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device is not included in the direct communication setup response message, it may be determined that the path switching capability of the second terminal device is: the second terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication.

As a possible implementation manner, the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device and the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device may be used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device supports direct communication of the PC5 when the third indication information is included, and be used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device does not support direct communication of the PC5 when the third indication information is not included.

As a possible implementation manner, the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device and the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device may be used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device supports Uu direct communication when the fourth indication information is included, and be used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device does not support Uu direct communication when the fourth indication information is not included.

Alternatively, the path switching capability indication includes the third indication information and does not include the fourth indication information, and it may be determined that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication. Optionally, the path switching capability indication does not include the third indication information and includes the fourth indication information, and it may be determined that the corresponding terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication. Alternatively, the path switching capability indication includes third indication information and includes fourth indication information, and it may be determined that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and Uu direct communication. Alternatively, the path switching capability indication does not include the third indication information, does not include the fourth indication information, and it may be determined that the corresponding terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication.

It should be noted that, before the first terminal device and the second terminal device execute steps S501 and S502, the first terminal device and the second terminal device need to perform network registration to perform network authentication and authorization on the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

In the interaction method of the path switching capability provided by the embodiment of the application, the first terminal device may send a direct communication establishment request message to the second terminal device, where the direct communication establishment request message includes a path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, and is used to indicate that the first terminal device supports PC5 for direct communication, and/or is used to indicate that the second terminal device does not support PC5 for direct communication and does not support Uu for direct communication when the direct communication establishment request message does not include a path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, and the first terminal device may also receive a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal device, where the direct communication establishment response message includes a path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, and/or is used to indicate that the second terminal device does not support PC5 for direct communication and does not support Uu for direct communication when the direct communication establishment response message does not include a path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, so that the interaction failure of the path switching capability between the two terminal devices can be reduced.

Referring to fig. 6, fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another interaction method of path switching capability according to an embodiment of the present application. The method of interaction of path switching capability may be performed by the first terminal device. As shown in fig. 6, the method may include, but is not limited to, the steps of:

S601: and sending a direct communication establishment request message to the second terminal device, wherein the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the first terminal device, and the direct communication establishment request message is used for establishing a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

S602: and receiving a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment, and the direct communication establishment response message is used for establishing a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal equipment and the second terminal equipment.

For a specific description of steps S601 to S602, reference may be made to descriptions of the relevant contents in the above embodiments, such as steps S301 to S302, steps S401 to S402, or steps S501 to S502, which are not repeated here.

S603: it is determined whether or not to permit switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, based on the path switching capability of the first terminal device and the path switching capability of the second terminal device.

In the embodiment of the present application, the direct communication establishment request message and the direct communication establishment response message are used to establish the PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device. After the first terminal device receives the direct communication establishment response message, it can start to establish the PC5 direct communication path with the second terminal device. After the first terminal device and the second terminal device establish the PC5 direct communication path, the PC5 direct communication with the second terminal device can be performed.

In some implementations, during communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device through the PC5 direct communication path, the first terminal device may detect the signal quality of the PC5 direct communication path in real time, and when detecting that the signal quality of the PC5 direct communication path does not meet the signal quality condition, in order to ensure the communication quality between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, the first terminal device may attempt to switch from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path.

In some implementations, the first terminal device may actively interrupt the PC5 direct communication path with the second terminal device, in which case the first terminal device also needs to switch from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path.

In the embodiment of the present application, before switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, the first terminal device may determine whether to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path according to the respective path switching capabilities of the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

In some implementations, in the process that the first terminal device and the second terminal device communicate through the PC5 direct communication path, when the first terminal device supports Uu direct communication and the second terminal device supports Uu direct communication, determining to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path; and when the first terminal device does not support Uu direct communication or the second terminal device does not support Uu direct communication, it is determined that switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is not allowed.

In some implementations, in the process that the first terminal device and the second terminal device communicate through the PC5 direct communication path, determining to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path when the first terminal device supports Uu direct communication and the second terminal device supports Uu direct communication and the first terminal device supports switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path; and determining that the handover from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is not allowed when the first terminal device does not support Uu direct communication, or the second terminal device does not support Uu direct communication, or the first terminal device does not support handover from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, or the second terminal device does not support handover from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path.

In some implementations, in the event that it is determined that a switch from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is not allowed, no path switch is performed, and a reminder may be made at the first terminal device. In the case where it is determined that the switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is permitted, the first terminal apparatus may execute the steps of: creating a protocol data unit (Protocol Data Unit, PDU) session for establishing a Uu direct communication path; and sending a first switching notification message to the second terminal equipment, wherein the first switching notification message is used for notifying the second terminal equipment to create the PDU session and is used for establishing the Uu direct communication path.

It is understood that the Uu direct communication path is for the first terminal device and the second terminal device to communicate via the network device. The method comprises the steps that a first terminal device and a second terminal device are required to respectively establish a part of Uu direct communication paths with network devices, and the network devices butt-joint the Uu direct communication paths corresponding to the first terminal device with the Uu direct communication paths corresponding to the second terminal device to form Uu direct communication paths between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

In the embodiment of the application, the first terminal equipment can create a PDU session, and process the PDU session with the network equipment, and a Uu direct communication path between the first terminal equipment and the network equipment is established in the process of the PDU session, wherein the Uu direct communication path is a communication path established between the first terminal equipment and a user plane function (User Plane Function, UPF) of a core network through a wireless access network (Radio Access Network, RAN) and can be marked as UE1-RAN-UPF.

In the embodiment of the present application, in the case of determining that the direct communication path from the PC5 is allowed to switch to the Uu direct communication path, the first terminal device further needs to send a first switching notification message to the second terminal device, where the first switching notification message instructs the second terminal device to create a PDU session with the network device, so as to establish the Uu direct communication path. Accordingly, the second terminal device may create a PDU session according to the first handover notification message, perform a PDU session procedure with the network device, and establish a Uu direct communication path between the second terminal device and the network device during the PDU session procedure, where the Uu direct communication path is a communication path established between the second terminal device and a UPF (UPF 2) of the core network through the RAN, and may be labeled as UE2-RAN-UPF (UPF 2).

After the first terminal device and the second terminal device complete the establishment of the Uu direct communication path, the UE1-RAN-UPF and the UE2-RAN-UPF may be docked to form the Uu direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device: UE1-RAN-UPF (URF 2) -RAN-UE2.

After the Uu direct communication path is established, the first terminal device switches from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, and continues to communicate with the second terminal device through the Uu direct communication path.

It will be appreciated that after switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, the PC5 direct communication path may be released to save resources.

In some implementations, in the case where it is determined that switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is allowed, the second terminal device may perform the steps of: creating a protocol data unit (Protocol Data Unit, PDU) session for establishing a Uu direct communication path; and sending a second switching notification message to the first terminal equipment, wherein the second switching notification message is used for notifying the first terminal equipment to create the PDU session and is used for establishing the Uu direct communication path. Accordingly, the first terminal device may receive a PDU session for establishing the Uu direct communication path upon receiving the second handover notification message of the second terminal device.

Referring to fig. 7, a first terminal device is denoted by UE-1, and a second terminal device is denoted by UE-2, service authorization and provisioning is first required (step S701), such as providing the path switching capability of UE-1 and the path switching capability of UE-2 by PCF, or pre-configuring the path switching capability of UE-1 in UE-1 and the path switching capability of UE-2 in UE-2. When the UE-1 and the UE-2 need to establish a communication connection, the UE-1 may send a direct communication establishment request message to the UE-2 (step S702), where the direct communication establishment request message is used to indicate a path switching capability of the first terminal device, and in response to receiving the direct communication establishment request message sent by the UE-1, the UE-2 may send a direct communication establishment response message to the UE-1, and accordingly, the UE-1 may receive the direct communication establishment response message sent by the UE-2 (step S703), so as to establish a PC5 direct communication connection between the UE-1 and the UE-2. After UE-1 and UE-2 establish a PC5 direct communication path, UE-1 may communicate with UE-2 directly with PC 5.

During the communication between UE-1 and UE-2 via the PC5 direct communication path, either UE-1 or UE-2 may decide whether to perform a switch from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path (step S704). Before switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, the UE-1 may determine whether to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path based on the respective path switching capabilities of the UE-1 and the UE-2. In the case where it is determined that the switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is permitted, the Uu direct communication path can be established in the above-described manner (step S705).

In the process that the first terminal device and the second terminal device communicate through the Uu direct communication path, the first terminal device and/or the second terminal device may determine whether to switch from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path according to need.

In the embodiment of the present application, before switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path, the first terminal device may determine whether to allow switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path according to the respective path switching capabilities of the first terminal device and the second terminal device. The specific procedure is similar to the procedure of determining whether to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path according to the respective path switching capabilities of the first terminal device and the second terminal device, and will not be described again here. In the case where it is determined that switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path is not allowed, no path switching is performed, and a reminder may be made at the first terminal device. In the case where it is determined that switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path is permitted, the first terminal apparatus and the second terminal apparatus may perform establishment of the PC5 direct communication path. After the creation of the PC5 direct communication path is completed, the first terminal device switches from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path, and continues to communicate with the second terminal device through the PC5 direct communication path.

It should be noted that, before the first terminal device and the second terminal device execute steps S601 and S602, the first terminal device and the second terminal device need to perform network registration, so as to perform network authentication and authorization on the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

In the interaction method of the path switching capability provided by the embodiment of the application, the first terminal device may send a direct communication establishment request message to the second terminal device, where the direct communication establishment request message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the first terminal device, and is used to establish a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, receive a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal device, and the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device, where the direct communication establishment response message is used to establish a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, and determine whether to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path according to the path switching capability of the first terminal device and the path switching capability of the second terminal device. Thus, the interaction of the path switching capability can be performed between the two terminal devices, so that the occurrence of the failure of path switching is reduced.

Referring to fig. 8, fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another interaction method of path switching capability according to an embodiment of the present application. The interaction method of the path switching capability is performed by the second terminal device. As shown in fig. 8, the method may include, but is not limited to, the steps of:

S801: and receiving a direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the first terminal equipment.

In the embodiment of the application, the direct communication establishment request message is sent by the first terminal device to establish the communication connection between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, and correspondingly, the second terminal device can receive the direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal.

The path switching capability of the first terminal device may be provided to the first terminal device by the PCF, or may be preconfigured in the first terminal device.

S802: and sending a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment.

In the embodiment of the application, the second terminal device may send a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal device in response to receiving the direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal device, and accordingly, the first terminal device may receive the direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal device to establish a communication connection between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

It should be noted that, before the first terminal device and the second terminal device execute steps S801 and S802, the first terminal device and the second terminal device need to perform network registration to perform network authentication and authorization on the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

In the method for interaction of path switching capability provided by the embodiment of the application, the second terminal equipment can receive the direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the first terminal equipment, and send the direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal equipment, and the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment, so that interaction of the path switching capability can be carried out between the two terminal equipment, and the occurrence of path switching failure is reduced.

Referring to fig. 9, fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another interaction method of path switching capability according to an embodiment of the present application. The method of interaction of path switching capability may be performed by the second terminal device. As shown in fig. 9, the method may include, but is not limited to, the steps of:

Step S901: and receiving a direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment request message comprises a path switching capability indication of the first terminal equipment, and the path switching capability indication of the first terminal equipment is used for indicating whether the first terminal equipment supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication.

In the embodiment of the application, the direct communication establishment request message is sent by the first terminal equipment so as to establish communication connection between the first terminal equipment and the second terminal equipment, and correspondingly, the second terminal equipment can receive the direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal.

In the embodiment of the present application, after receiving the direct communication establishment request message, the second terminal device may determine, according to the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, that the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or supports Uu direct communication. That is, the second terminal device may determine that the first terminal device may support PC5 direct communication, not support Uu direct communication, or not support PC5 direct communication, but support Uu direct communication, or support PC5 direct communication and support Uu direct communication according to the direct communication establishment request message; or does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication.

In the embodiment of the present application, after receiving the direct communication establishment request message, the second terminal device may determine, according to the switching indication included in the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, that the first terminal device supports switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path and/or supports switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path. That is, the second terminal device may determine that the first terminal device may support switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, not support switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path, or not support switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, but support switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path, or support switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, and support switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path, according to the direct communication setup request message; or does not support switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path and does not support switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path.

Step S902: and sending a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment response message comprises a path switching capability indication of the second terminal equipment, and the path switching capability indication of the second terminal equipment is used for indicating whether the second terminal equipment supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication.

As another possible implementation manner, the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device and the second terminal device may include an index value, where the index value may indicate whether the combination situation is supported by the PC5 direct communication and Uu direct communication of the corresponding terminal device. For example, an index value of 1 may indicate that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and Uu direct communication; the index value of 2 may indicate that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication; the index value 3 may indicate that the corresponding terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication; the index value 4 may indicate that the corresponding terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication. The second terminal device may determine the path switching capability of the first terminal device based on the index value carried in the direct communication setup request message.

It should be noted that, before the first terminal device and the second terminal device execute steps S901 and S902, the first terminal device and the second terminal device need to perform network registration, so as to perform network authentication and authorization on the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

In the method for interaction of path switching capability provided in the embodiment of the present application, the second terminal device may receive a direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal device, where the direct communication establishment request message includes a path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, where the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device is used to indicate whether the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication, and the second terminal device may also send a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal device, where the direct communication establishment response message includes a path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, and where the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device is used to indicate whether the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication, thereby enabling interaction of path switching capability between the two terminal devices, and reducing occurrence of path switching failure.

Referring to fig. 10, fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another interaction method of path switching capability according to an embodiment of the present application. The method of interaction of path switching capability may be performed by the second terminal device. As shown in fig. 10, the method may include, but is not limited to, the steps of:

Step S1001: and when the direct communication establishment request message does not comprise the path switching capability indication of the first terminal equipment, the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating that the first terminal equipment does not support the direct communication of the PC5 and does not support the direct communication of Uu.

Step S1002: and sending a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating that the second terminal equipment supports PC5 direct communication when the direct communication establishment response message comprises the path switching capability indication of the second terminal equipment, and/or is used for indicating that the second terminal equipment does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication when the direct communication establishment response message does not comprise the path switching capability indication of the second terminal equipment.

In the embodiment of the present application, after the second terminal device receives the direct communication establishment request message, the path switching capability of the first terminal device may be determined according to whether the direct communication establishment request message includes the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device. Wherein, in the case that the direct communication establishment request message includes the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, the path switching capability of the first terminal device may be determined as: the first terminal equipment supports PC5 direct communication, or the first terminal equipment supports Uu direct communication, or the first terminal equipment supports PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication; in the case that the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device is not included in the direct communication establishment request message, it may be determined that the path switching capability of the first terminal device is: the first terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication.

It should be noted that, before the first terminal device and the second terminal device execute steps S1001 and S1002, the first terminal device and the second terminal device need to perform network registration, so as to perform network authentication and authorization on the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

In the interaction method of the path switching capability provided by the embodiment of the application, the second terminal device may receive the direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal device, when the direct communication establishment request message includes the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating that the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication, and/or when the direct communication establishment request message does not include the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating that the first terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication, and the second terminal device may also send a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal device, when the direct communication establishment response message includes the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating that the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication, and/or when the direct communication establishment response message does not include the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating that the second terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication, thereby being capable of reducing the occurrence of failure of path switching interaction of the path switching capability between the two terminal devices.

Referring to fig. 11, fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating another interaction method of path switching capability according to an embodiment of the present application. The method of interaction of path switching capability may be performed by the second terminal device. As shown in fig. 11, the method may include, but is not limited to, the steps of:

Step S1101: and receiving a direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the first terminal equipment, and the direct communication establishment request message is used for establishing a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal equipment and the second terminal equipment.

Step S1102: and sending a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal device, wherein the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal device, and the direct communication establishment response message is used for establishing a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

For a specific description of steps S1101 to S1102, reference may be made to descriptions of the relevant contents in the above embodiments, such as steps S801 to S802, or steps S901 to S902, or steps S1001 to S1002, which are not repeated here.

Step S1103: it is determined whether or not to permit switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, based on the path switching capability of the first terminal device and the path switching capability of the second terminal device.

In the embodiment of the present application, the direct communication establishment request message and the direct communication establishment response message are used to establish the PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device. After the first terminal device receives the direct communication establishment response message, it can start to establish the PC5 direct communication path with the second terminal device. After the first terminal device and the second terminal device establish the PC5 direct communication path, the second terminal device and the first terminal device can perform PC5 direct communication.

In some implementations, during the communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device through the PC5 direct communication path, the second terminal device may detect the signal quality of the PC5 direct communication path in real time, and when detecting that the signal quality of the PC5 direct communication path does not meet the signal quality condition, in order to ensure the communication quality between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, the second terminal device may attempt to switch from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path.

In some implementations, the second terminal device may actively interrupt the PC5 direct communication path with the first terminal device, in which case the second terminal device also needs to switch from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path.

In the embodiment of the present application, before switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, the second terminal device may determine whether to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path according to the respective path switching capabilities of the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

In some implementations, in the process that the first terminal device and the second terminal device communicate through the PC5 direct communication path, when the first terminal device supports Uu direct communication and the second terminal device supports Uu direct communication, it is determined to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path; and when the first terminal device does not support Uu direct communication or the second terminal device does not support Uu direct communication, it is determined that switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is not allowed.

In some implementations, in the event that it is determined that a switch from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is not allowed, no path switch is performed, and a reminder may be made at the second terminal device. In the case where it is determined that the switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is permitted, the second terminal apparatus may execute the steps of: creating a PDU session for establishing a Uu direct communication path; and sending a second switching notification message to the first terminal equipment, wherein the second switching notification message is used for notifying the first terminal equipment to create the PDU session and is used for establishing the Uu direct communication path.

In the embodiment of the application, the second terminal equipment can create a PDU session, and process the PDU session with the network equipment, and a Uu direct communication path between the second terminal equipment and the network equipment is established in the process of the PDU session, wherein the Uu direct communication path is a communication path established between the second terminal equipment and a user plane function (User Plane Function, UPF) of the core network through a wireless access network (Radio Access Network, RAN) and can be marked as UE2-RAN-UPF.

In the embodiment of the present application, in the case of determining that the direct communication path is allowed to be switched from the PC5 to the Uu direct communication path, the second terminal device further needs to send a second switching notification message to the first terminal device, where the second switching notification message instructs the first terminal device to create a PDU session with the network device, so as to establish the Uu direct communication path. Accordingly, the first terminal device may create a PDU session according to the second handover notification message, perform a PDU session procedure with the network device, and establish a Uu direct communication path between the first terminal device and the network device during the PDU session procedure, where the Uu direct communication path is a communication path established between the first terminal device through the RAN and a UPF (UPF 2) of the core network, and may be labeled as UE1-RAN-UPF (UPF 2).

After the Uu direct communication path is established, the second terminal device switches from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, and continues to communicate with the first terminal device through the Uu direct communication path.

In some implementations, in the case where it is determined that switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is allowed, the first terminal device may perform the steps of: creating a PDU session for establishing a Uu direct communication path; and sending a first switching notification message to the second terminal equipment, wherein the first switching notification message is used for notifying the second terminal equipment to create the PDU session and is used for establishing the Uu direct communication path. Accordingly, the second terminal device may receive the first handover notification message upon receipt of the first terminal device, create a PDU session for establishing the Uu direct communication path.

In the embodiment of the present application, before switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path, the second terminal device may determine whether to allow switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path according to the respective path switching capabilities of the first terminal device and the second terminal device. The specific procedure is similar to the procedure of determining whether to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path according to the respective path switching capabilities of the first terminal device and the second terminal device, and will not be described again here. In the case where it is determined that switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path is not allowed, no path switching is performed, and a reminder may be made at the second terminal device. In the case where it is determined that switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path is permitted, the first terminal apparatus and the second terminal apparatus may perform establishment of the PC5 direct communication path. After the creation of the PC5 direct communication path is completed, the second terminal device switches from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path, and continues to communicate with the first terminal device through the PC5 direct communication path.

It should be noted that, before the first terminal device and the second terminal device execute steps S1101 and S1102, the first terminal device and the second terminal device need to perform network registration to perform network authentication and authorization on the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

In the interaction method of the path switching capability provided by the embodiment of the application, the second terminal device can receive a direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal device, where the direct communication establishment request message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the first terminal device, and is used to establish a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, send a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal device, and the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device, where the direct communication establishment response message is used to establish a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, and determine whether to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path according to the path switching capability of the first terminal device and the path switching capability of the second terminal device. Thus, the interaction of the path switching capability can be performed between the two terminal devices, so that the occurrence of the failure of path switching is reduced.

In this connection, "carry" and "include" are the same as each other in the present application. The term "comprising" in the present application is defined in an open-ended manner, i.e. may include, in addition to what is indicated in the present application, what is not indicated in the present application, but may occur in the future.

In the embodiments of the present application described above, the method provided in the embodiments of the present application is described from the perspective of the terminal device, for example, the first terminal device and the second terminal device, respectively. In order to implement the functions in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may include a hardware structure, a software module, and implement the functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. Some of the functions described above may be implemented in a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module.

Fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 120 according to an embodiment of the application. The communication device 120 shown in fig. 12 may include a transceiving unit 1201 and a processing unit 1202. The transceiver unit 1201 may include a transmitting unit for implementing a transmitting function and/or a receiving unit for implementing a receiving function, and the transceiver unit 1201 may implement the transmitting function and/or the receiving function.

The communication device 120 may be a terminal device (such as the first terminal device or the second terminal device in the foregoing method embodiment), or may be a device in the terminal device, or may be a device that can be used in a matching manner with the terminal device.

The communication device 120 is a terminal device (e.g. the first terminal device in the foregoing method embodiment):

a transceiver unit 1201, configured to send a direct communication setup request message to the second terminal device, where the direct communication setup request message is used to indicate a path switching capability of the first terminal device; and the direct communication establishment response message is used for receiving the direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal equipment, and the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment.

Optionally, the direct communication establishment request message includes a path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, where the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device is used to indicate whether the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication; the direct communication setup response message includes a path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, which is used to indicate whether the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication.

Optionally, the path switching capability indication includes: the first indication information and/or the second indication information; the first indication information is used for indicating whether the corresponding terminal equipment supports direct communication of the PC 5; and the second indication information is used for indicating whether the corresponding terminal equipment supports Uu direct communication.

Optionally, when the direct communication establishment request message includes a path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating that the first terminal device supports direct communication of the PC5 and/or supports direct communication of Uu; when the direct communication establishment request message does not include the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating that the first terminal device does not support direct communication of the PC5 and does not support direct communication of Uu.

Optionally, when the direct communication setup response message includes a path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, the direct communication setup response message is used to indicate that the second terminal device supports direct PC5 communication and/or supports Uu direct communication; when the direct communication setup response message does not include the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, the direct communication setup response message is used for indicating that the second terminal device does not support direct communication of the PC5 and does not support direct communication of Uu.

Optionally, when the path switching capability indication includes third indication information, the path switching capability indication is used for indicating that the corresponding terminal device supports direct communication of the PC 5; and when the path switching capability indication does not comprise the third indication information, the path switching capability indication is used for indicating that the corresponding terminal equipment does not support the direct communication of the PC 5.

Optionally, when the path switching capability indication includes fourth indication information, the path switching capability indication is used for indicating that the corresponding terminal device supports Uu direct communication; and when the path switching capability indication does not comprise fourth indication information, the path switching capability indication is used for indicating that the corresponding terminal equipment does not support Uu direct communication.

Alternatively, the direct communication establishment request message and the direct communication establishment response message are used to establish the PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

Optionally, the processing unit 1202 is configured to determine whether to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path according to the path switching capability of the first terminal device and the path switching capability of the second terminal device.

Optionally, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to determine to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path when the first terminal device supports Uu direct communication and the second terminal device supports Uu direct communication; and determining that switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is not allowed when the first terminal device does not support Uu direct communication or the second terminal device does not support Uu direct communication.

The communication device 120 is a terminal equipment (such as the second terminal equipment in the foregoing method embodiment):

A transceiver unit 1201, configured to receive a direct communication setup request message sent by a first terminal device, where the direct communication setup request message is used to indicate a path switching capability of the first terminal device; and sending a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment.

Referring to fig. 13, fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device 130 according to an embodiment of the application. The communication device 130 may be a terminal device (such as the first terminal device or the second terminal device in the foregoing method embodiment), or may be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the terminal device to implement the foregoing method. The device can be used for realizing the method described in the method embodiment, and can be particularly referred to the description in the method embodiment.

The communications device 130 may include one or more processors 1301. Processor 1301 may be a general purpose processor or a special purpose processor, etc. 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, terminal equipment chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute computer programs, and process data of the computer programs.

Optionally, the communication device 130 may further include one or more memories 1302, on which a computer program 1304 may be stored, and the processor 1301 executes the computer program 1304, so that the communication device 130 performs the method described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memory 1302 may also store data. The communication device 130 and the memory 1302 may be provided separately or may be integrated.

Optionally, the communication device 130 may further include a transceiver 1305, an antenna 1306. The transceiver 1305 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc. for implementing a transceiver function. The transceiver 1305 may include a receiver, which may be referred to as a receiver or a receiving circuit, etc., for implementing a receiving function; the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or a transmitting circuit, etc., for implementing a transmitting function.

Optionally, one or more interface circuits 1307 may also be included in the communication apparatus 130. Interface circuit 1307 is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to processor 1301. Processor 1301 executes the code instructions to cause communication apparatus 130 to perform the method described in the method embodiments described above.

The communication device 130 is a terminal device (e.g. the first terminal device in the foregoing method embodiment): the transceiver 1305 is configured to perform steps S301 and S302 in fig. 3; steps S401 and S402 in fig. 4; steps S501 and S502 in fig. 5; steps S601 and S602 in fig. 6.

The processor 1301 is configured to execute step S603 in fig. 6.

The communication means 130 is a terminal device (such as the second terminal device in the foregoing embodiment): the transceiver 1305 is configured to perform steps S801 and S802 in fig. 8; steps S901 and S902 in fig. 9; steps S1001 and S1002 in fig. 10; steps S1101 and S1102 in fig. 11.

The processor 1301 is configured to execute step S1103 in fig. 11.

In one implementation, a transceiver for implementing the receive and transmit functions may be included in processor 1301. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuitry, interface or interface circuitry for implementing the receive and transmit functions may be separate or may be integrated. The transceiver circuit, interface or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing codes/data, or the transceiver circuit, interface or interface circuit may be used for transmitting or transferring signals.

In one implementation, the processor 1301 may store a computer program 1303, where the computer program 1303 runs on the processor 1301, and may cause the communication apparatus 130 to perform the method described in the above method embodiment. The computer program 1303 may be solidified in the processor 1301, in which case the processor 1301 may be implemented by hardware.

In one implementation, the communication device 130 may include circuitry that may implement the functions of transmitting or receiving or communicating in the foregoing method embodiments. The processors and transceivers described in this disclosure may be implemented on integrated circuits (INTEGRATED CIRCUIT, ICs), analog ICs, radio frequency integrated circuits RFICs, mixed signal ICs, application SPECIFIC INTEGRATED Circuits (ASICs), printed circuit boards (printed circuit board, PCBs), electronic devices, and the like. The processor and transceiver may also be fabricated using a variety of IC process technologies such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (complementary metal oxide semiconductor, CMOS), N-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS), P-type metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (bipolar junction transistor, BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

The communication apparatus described in the above embodiment may be a terminal device (such as the first terminal device or the second terminal device in the foregoing method embodiment), but the scope of the communication apparatus described in the present application is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication apparatus may not be limited by fig. 13. The communication means 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, a computer program;

(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.

For the case where the communication device may be a chip or a chip system, reference may be made to the schematic structural diagram of the chip shown in fig. 14. The chip shown in fig. 14 includes a processor 1401 and an interface 1402. Wherein the number of processors 1401 may be one or more, and the number of interfaces 1402 may be a plurality.

For the case where the chip is used to implement the function of the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application (e.g., the first terminal device in the foregoing method embodiment):

An interface 1402, configured to send a direct communication setup request message to the second terminal device, where the direct communication setup request message is used to indicate a path switching capability of the first terminal device; and receiving a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment.

Optionally, the processor 1401 is configured to determine whether to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path according to the path switching capability of the first terminal device and the path switching capability of the second terminal device.

Optionally, the processor 1401 is further configured to determine to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path when the first terminal device supports Uu direct communication and the second terminal device supports Uu direct communication; and determining that switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is not allowed when the first terminal device does not support Uu direct communication or the second terminal device does not support Uu direct communication.

For the case where the chip is used to implement the function of the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application (e.g., the second terminal device in the foregoing method embodiment):

An interface 1402, configured to receive a direct communication setup request message sent by a first terminal device, where the direct communication setup request message is used to indicate a path switching capability of the first terminal device; and sending a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment.

Optionally, the chip further comprises a memory 1403, the memory 1403 being used for storing the necessary computer programs and data.

Those of skill in the art will further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks (illustrative logical block) and steps (steps) described in connection with the embodiments of the application may be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design requirements of the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation is not to be understood as beyond the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

The embodiment of the application also provides a communication system comprising the communication means as a terminal device (e.g. the first terminal device in the embodiment of the method) and the communication means as a terminal device (e.g. the second terminal device in the embodiment of the method) in the embodiment of fig. 13 described above, or the system comprises the communication means as a terminal device (e.g. the first terminal device in the embodiment of the method) and the communication means as a terminal device (e.g. the second terminal device in the embodiment of the method) in the embodiment of fig. 14 described above.

The application also provides a readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions which when executed by a computer perform the functions of any of the method embodiments described above.

The application also provides a computer program product which, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any of the method embodiments described above.

In the above embodiments, it may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product comprises one or more computer programs. When the computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, the flow or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are fully or partially produced. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatus. The computer program may be stored in or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another, for example, by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means from one website, computer, server, or data center. The computer readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that contains an integration of one or more available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a high-density digital video disc (digital video disc, DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid-state disk (solid-state drive STATE DISK, SSD)), or the like.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that: the first, second, etc. numbers referred to in the present application are merely for convenience of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application, but also to indicate the sequence.

At least one of the present application may also be described as one or more, and a plurality may be two, three, four or more, and the present application is not limited thereto. In the embodiment of the application, for a technical feature, the technical features of the technical feature are distinguished by a first, a second, a third, a, B, a C, a D and the like, and the technical features described by the first, the second, the third, the a, the B, the C, the D are not in sequence or in order of magnitude.

The correspondence relation shown in each table in the application can be configured or predefined. The values of the information in each table are merely examples, and may be configured as other values, and the present application is not limited thereto. In the case of the correspondence between the configuration information and each parameter, it is not necessarily required to configure all the correspondence shown in each table. For example, in the table of the present application, the correspondence relation shown by some rows may not be configured. For another example, appropriate morphing adjustments, e.g., splitting, merging, etc., may be made based on the tables described above. The names of the parameters indicated in the tables may be other names which are understood by the communication device, and the values or expressions of the parameters may be other values or expressions which are understood by the communication device. When the tables are implemented, other data structures may be used, for example, an array, a queue, a container, a stack, a linear table, a pointer, a linked list, a tree, a graph, a structure, a class, a heap, a hash table, or a hash table.

Predefined in the present application may be understood as defining, predefining, storing, pre-negotiating, pre-configuring, curing, or pre-sintering.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, specific working procedures of the above-described systems, apparatuses and units may refer to corresponding procedures in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not repeated herein.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the present application, and the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art will readily recognize that variations or substitutions are within the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

An interaction method for path switching capability, wherein the method is performed by a first terminal device, the method comprising:

Sending a direct communication establishment request message to a second terminal device, wherein the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the first terminal device;

And receiving a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the direct communication setup request message comprises a path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device being used for indicating whether the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication;

The direct communication setup response message includes a path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, where the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device is used to indicate whether the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication.
The method of claim 2, wherein the path switch capability indication comprises: the first indication information and/or the second indication information;

The first indication information is used for indicating whether the corresponding terminal equipment supports direct communication of the PC 5; the second indication information is used for indicating whether the corresponding terminal equipment supports Uu direct communication or not.
The method according to claim 1, wherein when the direct communication setup request message includes a path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, the direct communication setup request message is used to indicate that the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication;

And when the direct communication establishment request message does not comprise the path switching capability indication of the first terminal equipment, the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating that the first terminal equipment does not support the direct communication of the PC5 and does not support the direct communication of Uu.
The method according to claim 1, wherein when the direct communication setup response message includes a path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, the direct communication setup response message is used to indicate that the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication;

And when the direct communication establishment response message does not comprise the path switching capability indication of the second terminal equipment, the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating that the second terminal equipment does not support the direct communication of the PC5 and does not support the direct communication of Uu.
The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein when the path switching capability indication includes third indication information, the path switching capability indication is used for indicating that the corresponding terminal device supports direct communication of the PC 5;

And when the third indication information is not included in the path switching capability indication, the path switching capability indication is used for indicating that the corresponding terminal equipment does not support direct communication of the PC 5.
The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein when the path switching capability indication includes fourth indication information, the path switching capability indication is used for indicating that the corresponding terminal device supports Uu direct communication;

and when the path switching capability indication does not comprise the fourth indication information, the path switching capability indication is used for indicating that the corresponding terminal equipment does not support Uu direct communication.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the direct communication setup request message and the direct communication setup response message are used to establish a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.
The method of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises:

determining whether to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to Uu direct communication path according to the path switching capability of the first terminal device and the path switching capability of the second terminal device.
The method according to claim 9, wherein said determining whether to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to Uu direct communication path based on the path switching capability of the first terminal device and the path switching capability of the second terminal device comprises:

Determining to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to a Uu direct communication path when the first terminal device supports Uu direct communication and the second terminal device supports Uu direct communication;

When the first terminal device does not support Uu direct communication or the second terminal device does not support Uu direct communication, it is determined that switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is not allowed.
An interaction method for path switching capability, wherein the method is performed by a second terminal device, the method comprising:

Receiving a direct communication establishment request message sent by a first terminal device, wherein the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the first terminal device;

And sending a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment.
The method according to claim 11, wherein the direct communication setup request message comprises a path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device being used to indicate whether the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication;

The direct communication setup response message includes a path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, where the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device is used to indicate whether the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication.
The method of claim 12, wherein the path switch capability indication comprises: the first indication information and/or the second indication information;

The first indication information is used for indicating whether the corresponding terminal equipment supports direct communication of the PC 5; the second indication information is used for indicating whether the corresponding terminal equipment supports Uu direct communication or not.
The method according to claim 11, wherein when the direct communication setup request message includes a path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, the direct communication setup request message is used to indicate that the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication;

And when the direct communication establishment request message does not comprise the path switching capability indication of the first terminal equipment, the direct communication establishment request message is used for indicating that the first terminal equipment does not support the direct communication of the PC5 and does not support the direct communication of Uu.
The method according to claim 11, wherein when the direct communication setup response message includes a path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, the direct communication setup response message is used to indicate that the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication;

And when the direct communication establishment response message does not comprise the path switching capability indication of the second terminal equipment, the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating that the second terminal equipment does not support the direct communication of the PC5 and does not support the direct communication of Uu.
The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein when the path switching capability indication includes third indication information, the path switching capability indication is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device supports direct communication of the PC 5;

And when the third indication information is not included in the path switching capability indication, the path switching capability indication is used for indicating that the corresponding terminal equipment does not support direct communication of the PC 5.
The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein when the path switching capability indication includes fourth indication information, the path switching capability indication is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device supports Uu direct communication;

and when the path switching capability indication does not comprise the fourth indication information, the path switching capability indication is used for indicating that the corresponding terminal equipment does not support Uu direct communication.
The method of claim 11, wherein the direct communication setup request message and the direct communication setup response message are used to establish a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.
The method of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises:

determining whether to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to Uu direct communication path according to the path switching capability of the first terminal device and the path switching capability of the second terminal device.
The method of claim 19, wherein the determining whether to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to Uu direct communication path based on the path switching capability of the first terminal device and the path switching capability of the second terminal device comprises:

Determining to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to a Uu direct communication path when the first terminal device supports Uu direct communication and the second terminal device supports Uu direct communication;

When the first terminal device does not support Uu direct communication or the second terminal device does not support Uu direct communication, it is determined that switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is not allowed.
A communication apparatus, disposed at a first terminal device, the apparatus comprising:

A transceiver unit, configured to send a direct communication establishment request message to a second terminal device, where the direct communication establishment request message is used to indicate a path switching capability of the first terminal device;

The transceiver unit is further configured to receive a direct communication setup response message sent by the second terminal device, where the direct communication setup response message is used to indicate a path switching capability of the second terminal device.
A communication apparatus, configured to a second terminal device, the apparatus comprising:

a transceiver unit, configured to receive a direct communication establishment request message sent by a first terminal device, where the direct communication establishment request message is used to indicate a path switching capability of the first terminal device;

And sending a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal equipment, wherein the direct communication establishment response message is used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal equipment.
A communication device, characterized in that the device comprises a processor and a memory, the memory having stored therein a computer program, the processor executing the computer program stored in the memory to cause the device to perform the method according to any of claims 1 to 10.
A communication device, characterized in that the device comprises a processor and a memory, the memory having stored therein a computer program, the processor executing the computer program stored in the memory to cause the device to perform the method of any of claims 11 to 20.
A communication device, comprising: a processor and interface circuit;

the interface circuit is used for receiving code instructions and transmitting the code instructions to the processor;

the processor for executing the code instructions to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 10.
A communication device, comprising: a processor and interface circuit;

the interface circuit is used for receiving code instructions and transmitting the code instructions to the processor;

The processor for executing the code instructions to perform the method of any one of claims 11 to 20.
A communication system including a first terminal device and a second terminal device, comprising:

the first terminal device performing the method of any of claims 1 to 10 and the second terminal device performing the method of any of claims 11 to 20.
A computer readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed, cause a method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 to be implemented.
A computer readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed, cause a method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 20 to be implemented.