WO2024065840A1

WO2024065840A1 - Path switching capability interaction method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2024065840A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/123641
Authority: WO
Inventors: 刘建宁
Original assignee: 北京小米移动软件有限公司
Priority date: 2022-09-30
Filing date: 2022-09-30
Publication date: 2024-04-04

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application disclose a path switching capability interaction method and apparatus, which can be applied to the technical field of communications. The method comprises: a first terminal device sends a direct communication establishment request message to a second terminal device, the direct communication establishment request message being used for indicating the path switching capability of the first terminal device; and the first terminal device receives a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal device, the direct communication establishment response message being used for indicating the path switching capability of the second terminal device, so that interaction of path switching capabilities can be performed between the two terminal devices, thereby reducing the occurrence of path switching failure.

Description

A path switching capability interaction method and device

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a path switching capability interaction method and device thereof.

Background technique

At present, during the communication between two terminal devices, it may be necessary to switch between the PC5 direct communication path and the Uu direct communication path. The terminal device determines whether to allow switching from one direct communication path to another direct communication path based on its own path switching capability, and executes the path switching process when it is determined to be allowed. In the above scheme, the problem of path switching failure is prone to occur.

Summary of the invention

The embodiments of the present application provide a path switching capability interaction method and apparatus thereof, which can perform path switching capability interaction between two terminal devices, thereby reducing the occurrence of path switching failures.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a path switching capability interaction method, which is executed 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 to indicate the path switching capability of the first terminal device; and receiving a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal device, wherein the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device.

In an embodiment of the present application, the first terminal device can 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 can receive a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal device, where the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device. As a result, path switching capability interaction can be performed between the two terminal devices, thereby reducing the occurrence of path switching failures.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another method for interacting with path switching capabilities, which is executed by a second terminal device, and includes: receiving a direct communication establishment request message sent by a first terminal device, wherein the direct communication establishment request message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the first terminal device; and sending a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal device, wherein the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device.

In an embodiment of the present application, the second terminal device can receive a direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal device, the direct communication establishment request message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the first terminal device, and send a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal device, the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device. As a result, the path switching capability can be interacted between the two terminal devices, thereby reducing the occurrence of path switching failures.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which has some or all of the functions of the first terminal device in the method described in the first aspect above, such as the functions of the communication device may have some or all of the functions in the embodiments of the present application, or may have the functions of implementing any one of the embodiments of the present application separately. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

In one implementation, the structure of the communication device may include a transceiver unit and a processing unit, and the processing unit is configured to support the communication device to perform the corresponding functions in the above method. The transceiver unit is used to support communication between the communication device and other devices. The communication device may also include a storage unit, which is coupled to the transceiver unit and the processing unit, and 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 device, which has some or all of the functions of the second terminal device in the method example described in the second aspect above, such as the functions of the communication device can have some or all of the functions in the embodiments of the present application, or can have the functions of implementing any one of the embodiments of the present application separately. The functions can be implemented by hardware, or can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

In one implementation, the structure of the communication device may include a transceiver unit and a processing unit, and the processing unit is configured to support the communication device to perform the corresponding functions in the above method. The transceiver unit is used to support communication between the communication device and other devices. The communication device may also include a storage unit, which is coupled to the transceiver unit and the processing unit and stores computer programs and data necessary for the communication device.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor. When the processor calls a computer program in a memory, the method described in the first aspect is executed.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor. When the processor calls a computer program in a memory, the method described in the second aspect is executed.

In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and a memory, in which a computer program is stored; the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory so that the communication device executes the method described in the first aspect above.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and a memory, in which a computer program is stored; the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory so that the communication device executes the method described in the second aspect above.

In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor, and the processor is used to run the code instructions to enable the device to execute the method described in the first aspect above.

In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor, and the processor is used to run the code instructions to enable the device to execute the method described in the second aspect above.

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

In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions for the above-mentioned first terminal device, and when the instructions are executed, the first terminal device executes the method described in the above-mentioned first aspect.

In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a readable storage medium for storing instructions for the second terminal device. When the instructions are executed, the second terminal device executes the method described in the second aspect.

In a fourteenth aspect, the present application also provides a computer program product comprising a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the first aspect above.

In a fifteenth aspect, the present application also provides a computer program product comprising a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the second aspect above.

In a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor and an interface, for supporting a terminal device to implement the functions involved in the first aspect, for example, determining or processing at least one of the data and information involved in the above method. In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory, which is used to store computer programs and data necessary for the terminal device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices.

In the seventeenth aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor and an interface, and is used to support a terminal device to implement the functions involved in the second aspect, for example, to determine or process at least one of the data and information involved in the above method. In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory, and the memory is used to store computer programs and data necessary for the terminal device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices.

In an eighteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the first aspect above.

In a nineteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the second aspect above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the background technology, the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present application or the background technology will be described below.

FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a path switching process;

FIG3 is a flow chart of a method for interactively providing a path switching capability according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG4 is a flow chart of another method for interacting with path switching capabilities provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG5 is a flow chart of another method for interacting with path switching capabilities provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG6 is a flow chart of another method for interacting with path switching capabilities provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a path switching process provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG8 is a flow chart of an interactive method for path switching capability provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG9 is a flow chart of another method for interacting with path switching capabilities provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG10 is a flow chart of another method for interacting with path switching capabilities provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG11 is a flow chart of another method for interacting with path switching capabilities provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed ways

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

Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication system may include, but is not limited to, a network device and a terminal device. The number and form of devices shown in Figure 1 are only used for example and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiment of the present application. In actual applications, two or more network devices and two or more terminal devices may be included. The communication system shown in Figure 1 includes a network device 101 and two terminal devices 102 as an example.

It should be noted that the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems. For example: long term evolution (LTE) system, fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, 5G new radio (NR) system, or other future new mobile communication systems.

The network device 101 in the embodiment of the present application is an entity on the network side for transmitting or receiving signals. For example, the network device 101 may be an evolved NodeB (eNB), a transmission 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 (WiFi) system. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the network device. The network device provided in the embodiment of the present application may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), wherein the CU may also be referred to as a control unit. The CU-DU structure may be used to split the protocol layer of the network device, such as a base station, and the functions of some protocol layers are placed in the CU for centralized control, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers are distributed in the DU, and the DU is centrally controlled by the CU.

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 a car with communication function, a smart car, a mobile phone (mobile phone), a wearable device, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control (industrial control), a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in smart grid (smart grid), a wireless terminal device in transportation safety (transportation safety), a wireless terminal device in a smart city (smart city), a wireless terminal device in a smart home (smart home), etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal device.

At present, the working scenarios supported by vehicle-to-everything (V2X) include scenarios with cellular network coverage and scenarios without cellular network deployment. In terms of specific technology, V2X can provide two communication interfaces, namely PC5 interface (direct communication interface between terminal devices) and Uu interface (cellular communication interface between terminal devices and base stations). Among them, when a terminal device supporting V2X is within cellular coverage, it can use the Uu interface under the control of the cellular network to communicate with the base station through an uplink (UL) or downlink (DL). Regardless of whether there is network coverage, the terminal device can use the PC5 interface to communicate with other terminal devices through a sidelink (SL). The Uu interface and the PC5 interface are combined to support each other and are used together for V2X service transmission, which can form effective redundancy to ensure communication reliability.

In some scenarios, during the communication between two terminal devices, it may be necessary to switch between the PC5 direct communication path and the Uu direct communication path. The PC5 direct communication path refers to the path for two terminal devices to communicate directly through the PC5 interface. The Uu direct communication path refers to the path for two terminal devices to communicate through the Uu interface, which can be understood as the path for two terminal devices to communicate through a network device. For example, during the communication between two terminal devices through the PC5 direct communication path, if a terminal device moves from an area without cellular coverage to an area with cellular coverage, the two terminal devices can switch from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path for communication.

Referring to FIG. 2 , UE-1 and UE-2 represent two terminal devices respectively. UE-1 and UE-2 can communicate through the established PC5 direct communication path (step S201). 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). UE-1 and UE-2 can respectively establish the Uu direct communication path with the 5G wireless access network (Next Generation Radio Access Network, NG-RAN), the 5G core network (Core Network CN), and the data network (Data Network, DN) (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. Among them, UE-1 and UE-2 both determine whether to allow the switch from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path based on their own path switching capabilities, and execute the path switching process when it is determined to be allowed. This method is prone to the problem of path switching failure.

In view of the above problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a method and apparatus for interaction of path switching capabilities, which can interact path switching capabilities between two terminal devices, thereby reducing the occurrence of path switching failures.

It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present application is for more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems.

It should be noted that the interactive method of the path switching capability provided in any embodiment of the present application can be executed alone, or in combination with possible implementation methods in other embodiments, or in combination with any technical solution in the relevant technology. The first terminal device mentioned in the embodiment of the present application can refer to one of the terminal devices 102 of the communication system, and the second terminal device can refer to another one of the terminal devices 102 of the communication system.

The path switching capability interaction method and device provided by the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Please refer to Figure 3, which is a flow chart of a path switching capability interaction method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The path switching capability interaction method is executed by a first terminal device. As shown in Figure 3, the method may include but is not limited to the following steps:

S301: 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 a first terminal device.

In an embodiment of the present application, the 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, the direct communication establishment request message is used to establish a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device; or the direct communication establishment request message is used to establish a Uu direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device. The PC5 direct communication path or the Uu direct communication path is used to transmit data of all or specific proximity services ProSe.

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

In the embodiment of the present application, the direct communication establishment request message can not only be used to establish a communication connection between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, but also be used to indicate the path switching capability of the first terminal device to the second terminal device.

The path switching capability of the first terminal device is used to indicate whether the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or whether it supports Uu direct communication. PC5 direct communication can be understood as two terminal devices communicating directly through the PC5 interface. Uu direct communication can be understood as two terminal devices communicating through the Uu interface, that is, two terminal devices communicating through a network device.

The path switching capability of the first terminal device may be provided to the first terminal device through a policy control function (PCF), or may be pre-configured in the first terminal device. The PCF is a unified policy framework that provides policy rules for control plane functions.

It can be understood that, when the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication, the path switching capability of the first terminal device can support switching to the PC5 direct communication path. When the first terminal device supports Uu direct communication, the path switching capability of the first terminal device can support switching to the Uu direct communication path. When the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication, the path switching capability of the first terminal device can support switching between the PC5 direct communication path and the Uu direct communication.

S302: Receive a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal device, where the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate a path switching capability of the second terminal device.

In an embodiment of the present application, in response to the second terminal device receiving a 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 to establish a communication connection between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

Optionally, 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; or, the direct communication establishment response message is used to establish 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 establishment response message is for all or specific proximity services ProSe of the second terminal device. That is, the second terminal device uses the same path switching capability for all proximity services ProSe; or the second terminal device uses the same path switching capability for specific proximity services ProSe.

In an embodiment of the present application, the direct communication establishment response message can not only be used to establish a communication connection between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, but also be used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device to the first terminal device.

The path switching capability of the second terminal device is used to indicate whether the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or whether it supports Uu direct communication.

The path switching capability of the second terminal device may be provided to the second terminal device through the PCF, or may be pre-configured in the second terminal device.

It can be understood that, when the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication, the path switching capability of the second terminal device can support switching to the PC5 direct communication path. When the second terminal device supports Uu direct communication, the path switching capability of the second terminal device can support switching to the Uu direct communication path. When the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication, the path switching capability of the second terminal device can support switching between the PC5 direct communication path and the Uu direct communication.

It should be noted that before the first terminal device and the second terminal device execute steps S301 and S302, both 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.

Since the first terminal device and the second terminal device can interact with each other in terms of path switching capabilities, it is possible to determine whether to allow switching from one direct communication path to another direct communication path based on the path switching capabilities of the two terminal devices, thereby reducing the occurrence of path switching failures.

In the path switching capability interaction method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the first terminal device can send a direct communication establishment request message to the second terminal device, and the direct communication establishment request message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the first terminal device, and can 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. Thus, the path switching capability can be interacted between the two terminal devices, thereby reducing the occurrence of path switching failures.

Please refer to Figure 4, which is a flow chart of another method for interacting with path switching capabilities provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method for interacting with path switching capabilities can be executed by a first terminal device. As shown in Figure 4, the method may include but is not limited to the following steps:

S401: 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 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 supports Uu direct communication.

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

Optionally, the direct communication establishment request message is used to establish a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device; or, the direct communication establishment request message is used to establish 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 can be carried in the direct communication establishment request message, and the path switching capability indication is used to indicate to the second terminal device whether the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or whether it supports Uu direct communication.

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

It can be understood that, when the switching indication of the first terminal device indicates that the first terminal device supports switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, it can be determined that the path switching capability of the first terminal device supports the first terminal device switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path; when the switching indication of the first terminal device indicates that the first terminal device supports switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path, it can be determined that the path switching capability of the first terminal device supports the first terminal device switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path; when 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 can be determined that the path switching capability of the first terminal device supports the first terminal device switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, and supports the first terminal device switching from Uu direct communication to PC5 direct communication.

It is understandable that, in the example 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 can be added to the idle information field of the direct communication establishment request message. For another example, the designated information field of the direct communication establishment request message can be reused, and the path switching capability indication can be added to the designated information field. Thus, the path switching capability of the first terminal device can be indicated to the second terminal device without increasing the interactive signaling between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, thereby saving signaling resources.

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

S402: 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, which is used to indicate whether the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or supports Uu direct communication.

In some implementations, the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device may be carried in the direct communication establishment response message, and the path switching capability indication may be used to indicate to the first terminal device whether the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication.

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

It can be understood that, when the switching indication of the second terminal device indicates that the second terminal device supports switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, it can be determined that the path switching capability of the second terminal device supports the second terminal device switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path; when the switching indication of the second terminal device indicates that the second terminal device supports switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path, it can be determined that the path switching capability of the second terminal device supports the second terminal device switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path; when 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 determined that the path switching capability of the second terminal device supports the second terminal device 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 is understandable that, in the example of the present application, a path switching capability indication is added to the original direct communication establishment response message. For example, the path switching capability indication can be added to the idle information field of the direct communication establishment response message. For another example, the designated information field of the direct communication establishment response message can be reused, and the path switching capability indication can be added to the designated information field. Thus, the path switching capability of the second terminal device can be indicated to the first terminal device without increasing the interactive signaling between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, thereby saving signaling resources.

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

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

In an embodiment of the present application, after receiving the direct communication establishment response message, the first terminal device can determine 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, according to the switching indication included in the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device. That is, the first terminal device can determine, according to the direct communication establishment response message, that the second terminal device can support switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, does not 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, but supports switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path, or 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; 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, the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device and the second terminal device may include first indication information and/or second indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate whether the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication; the second indication information is used to indicate whether the corresponding terminal device supports Uu direct communication.

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

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

Optionally, the path switching capability indication includes first indication information and second indication information, and whether the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication is determined according to the first indication information, and whether the corresponding terminal device supports Uu direct communication is determined according to the second indication information. For example, if the path switching capability indication is "11", it can be determined that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication; if the path switching capability indication is "10", it can be determined that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication; if the path switching capability indication is "01", it can be determined that the corresponding terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication; if the path switching capability indication is "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, the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device and the second terminal device may include an index value, which may indicate whether the corresponding terminal device supports a combination of PC5 direct communication and Uu direct communication. For example, index value 1 may indicate that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication; index value 2 may indicate that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication; index value 3 may indicate that the corresponding terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication; 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 establishment response message.

It should be noted that 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, both 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 path switching capability interaction method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the first terminal device can send a direct communication establishment request message to the second terminal device, the direct communication establishment request message includes a path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, and 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 whether it supports Uu direct communication. The first terminal device can also receive a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal device, the direct communication establishment response message includes a path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, and 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 whether it supports Uu direct communication. As a result, path switching capability interaction can be performed between the two terminal devices, thereby reducing the occurrence of path switching failures.

Please refer to Figure 5, which is a flow chart of another method for interacting with path switching capabilities provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method for interacting with path switching capabilities can be executed by a first terminal device. As shown in Figure 5, the method may include but is not limited to the following steps:

S501: Send a direct communication establishment request message to the second terminal device, wherein when the direct communication establishment request message includes the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, it is used to indicate that the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or supports Uu direct communication, and when the direct communication establishment request message does not include the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, it is used to indicate that the first terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication.

In an embodiment of the present application, the direct communication establishment request message can not only be used to establish a communication connection between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, but also can be used to indicate the path switching capability of the first terminal device to the second terminal device.

In some implementations, by including the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device in the direct communication establishment request message, it is possible to indicate to the second terminal device that the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or supports Uu direct communication, that is, to indicate to the second terminal device that the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication, or supports Uu direct communication, or supports PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication; by not including the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device in the direct communication establishment request message, it is possible to indicate to the second terminal device that the first terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication. In this way, the path switching capability of the first terminal device can be indicated to the second terminal device without increasing the interactive signaling between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, thereby saving signaling resources.

In some implementations, by including the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device in the direct communication establishment request message, and including the switching indication of the first terminal device in the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, it can be indicated to the second 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; by including the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device in the direct communication establishment 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 can be 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, by including the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device in the direct communication establishment request message, it can be indicated to the second 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; by not including the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device in the direct communication establishment request message, it can be 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: Receive a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal device, wherein when the direct communication establishment response message includes a path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, it is used to indicate that the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or supports Uu direct communication; when the direct communication establishment response message does not include the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, it is used to indicate that the second terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication.

In some implementations, the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device can be included in the direct communication establishment response message to indicate to the first terminal device that the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or supports Uu direct communication, that is, to indicate to the first terminal device that the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication, or supports Uu direct communication, or supports PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication; by not including the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device in the direct communication establishment response message, to indicate to the first terminal device that the second terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication. In this way, the path switching capability of the second terminal device can be indicated to the first terminal device without increasing the interactive signaling between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, thereby saving signaling resources.

In some implementations, by including the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device in the direct communication establishment response message, and including the switching indication of the second terminal device in the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, it can be indicated to the first 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; by including the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device in the direct communication establishment 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 can be 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, by including the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device in the direct communication establishment response message, it can be indicated to the first 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; by not including the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device in the direct communication establishment response message, it can be 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 an embodiment of the present application, after the first terminal device receives the direct communication establishment response message, the path switching capability of the second terminal device can be determined according to whether the direct communication establishment response message includes the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device. Wherein, in the case where 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 can be determined as follows: 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 supports Uu direct communication; in the case where the direct communication establishment response message does not include the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, the path switching capability of the second terminal device can be determined as follows: the second terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication, and does not support Uu direct communication.

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

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

Optionally, the path switching capability indication includes the third indication information but does not include the fourth indication information, which can determine that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication but does not support Uu direct communication. Optionally, the path switching capability indication does not include the third indication information but includes the fourth indication information, which can determine that the corresponding terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication but supports Uu direct communication. Optionally, the path switching capability indication includes the third indication information but includes the fourth indication information, which can determine that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication. Optionally, the path switching capability indication does not include the third indication information but does not include the fourth indication information, which can determine 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, both the first terminal device and the second terminal device need to register with the network to perform network authentication and authorization for the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

In the path switching capability interaction method provided in an embodiment of the present application, a first terminal device may send a direct communication establishment request message to a second terminal device, wherein when the direct communication establishment request message includes the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, it is used to indicate that the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or supports Uu direct communication, and when the direct communication establishment request message does not include the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, it is used to indicate that the first terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication. The first terminal device may also receive a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal device, wherein when the direct communication establishment response message includes the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, it is used to indicate that the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or supports Uu direct communication, and when the direct communication establishment response message does not include the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, it is used to indicate that the second terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication. Thus, path switching capability interaction can be performed between the two terminal devices, thereby reducing the occurrence of path switching failures.

Please refer to Figure 6, which is a flow chart of another method for interacting with path switching capabilities provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method for interacting with path switching capabilities can be executed by a first terminal device. As shown in Figure 6, the method may include but is not limited to the following steps:

S601: 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, wherein the direct communication establishment request message is used to establish a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

S602: Receive a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal device, where the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device, wherein 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.

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

S603: 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.

In the embodiment of the present application, the direct communication establishment request message and the direct communication establishment response message are used to establish a 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 a 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, PC5 direct communication can be performed with the second terminal device.

In some implementations, during the process of communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device through the PC5 direct communication path, the first terminal device can detect the signal quality of the PC5 direct communication path in real time. When it is detected 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 can 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 between the first terminal device and the second terminal device. In this case, the first terminal device also needs to switch from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path.

In an 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 based on the path switching capabilities of the first terminal device and the second terminal device respectively.

In some implementations, during communication between a first terminal device and a second terminal device via a 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 that switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is allowed; 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, during communication between a first terminal device and a second terminal device via a PC5 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 the second terminal device supports switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, it is determined that switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is allowed; and 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 switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, or the second terminal device does not support switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, it is determined that switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is not allowed.

In some implementations, when it is determined that switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is not allowed, the path switching is not performed, and a reminder may be given on the first terminal device. When 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 following steps: creating a protocol data unit (PDU) session for establishing the Uu direct communication path; and sending a first switching notification message to the second terminal device to notify the second terminal device to create a PDU session for establishing the Uu direct communication path.

It can be understood that the Uu direct communication path is for the first terminal device and the second terminal device to communicate through the network device. The first terminal device and the second terminal device need to establish a part of the Uu direct communication path with the network device respectively, and the network device connects the Uu direct communication path corresponding to the first terminal device with the Uu direct communication path corresponding to the second terminal device to form a Uu direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

In an embodiment of the present application, the first terminal device can create a PDU session and conduct a PDU session with a network device. During the process of conducting the PDU session, a Uu direct communication path is established between the first terminal device and the network device. This part of the Uu direct communication path is a communication path established between the first terminal device through the radio access network (Radio Access Network, RAN) and the user plane function (User Plane Function, UPF) of the core network, which can be marked as UE1-RAN-UPF.

In the embodiment of the present application, when it is determined that the switch from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is allowed, the first terminal device also needs to send a first switching notification message to the second terminal device, and the first switching notification message instructs the second terminal device to create a PDU session with the network device to establish the Uu direct communication path. Accordingly, the second terminal device can create a PDU session according to the first switching notification message, and conduct a PDU session with the network device. In the process of conducting the PDU session, a Uu direct communication path is established between the second terminal device and the network device. This part of the Uu direct communication path is a communication path established between the second terminal device and the UPF (UPF2) of the core network through the RAN, which can be marked as UE2-RAN-UPF (UPF2).

After the first terminal device and the second terminal device complete the establishment of the Uu direct communication path, UE1-RAN-UPF and UE2-RAN-UPF can be connected to form a Uu direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device: UE1-RAN-UPF (URF2) -RAN-UE2.

After the Uu direct communication path is created, 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 can be understood that after the first terminal device and the second terminal device switch from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, the PC5 direct communication path can be released to save resources.

In some implementations, when 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 following steps: creating a protocol data unit (PDU) session for establishing the Uu direct communication path; sending a second switching notification message to the first terminal device to notify the first terminal device to create a PDU session for establishing the Uu direct communication path. Accordingly, the first terminal device may receive the second switching notification message from the second terminal device and create a PDU session for establishing the Uu direct communication path.

Referring to FIG. 7 , UE-1 represents the first terminal device, and UE-2 represents the second terminal device. First, service authorization and provision (step S701) are required, such as providing the path switching capability of UE-1 and the path switching capability of UE-2 through PCF, or pre-configuring the path switching capability of UE-1 in UE-1 and pre-configuring the path switching capability of UE-2 in UE-2. When UE-1 and UE-2 need to establish a communication connection, UE-1 can send a direct communication establishment request message to UE-2 (step S702), and the direct communication establishment request message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the first terminal device. In response to receiving the direct communication establishment request message sent by UE-1, UE-2 can send a direct communication establishment response message to UE-1. Accordingly, UE-1 can receive the direct communication establishment response message sent by UE-2 (step S703) to establish a PC5 direct communication connection between UE-1 and UE-2. After UE-1 and UE-2 establish a PC5 direct communication path, UE-1 can perform PC5 direct communication with UE-2.

During the communication between UE-1 and UE-2 through the PC5 direct communication path, UE-1 or UE-2 may decide whether to 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, UE-1 may determine whether to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path based on the path switching capabilities of UE-1 and UE-2 respectively. In the case where it is determined that switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is allowed, the Uu direct communication path may be established in the above manner (step S705).

It should be noted that, during the communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via the Uu direct communication path, the first terminal device and/or the second terminal device may decide whether to switch from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path as needed.

In an 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 based on the path switching capabilities of the first terminal device and the second terminal device. The specific process is similar to the process of determining whether to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path based on the path switching capabilities of the first terminal device and the second terminal device, and will not be repeated 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, the path switching is not performed, and a reminder may be made on 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 allowed, the first terminal device and the second terminal device may establish a PC5 direct communication path. After the PC5 direct communication path is created, 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, both 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 path switching capability interaction method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the first terminal device can send a direct communication establishment request message to the second terminal device, the direct communication establishment request message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the first terminal device, wherein the direct communication establishment request message is used to establish a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, and receive a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal device, the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device, wherein 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. In this way, the path switching capability can be interacted between the two terminal devices, thereby reducing the occurrence of path switching failures.

Please refer to Figure 8, which is a flow chart of another method for interacting with path switching capabilities provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method for interacting with path switching capabilities is executed by a second terminal device. As shown in Figure 8, the method may include but is not limited to the following steps:

S801: 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.

In an embodiment of the present application, a direct communication establishment request message is sent by a first terminal device to establish a communication connection between the first terminal device and a second terminal device. Accordingly, 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 through the PCF, or may be pre-configured in the first terminal device.

S802: Send a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal device, where the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device.

In an embodiment of the present application, the second terminal device may send a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal device in response to receiving a direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal device. Correspondingly, 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, both 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 path switching capability interaction method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the second terminal device can receive a direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal device, the direct communication establishment request message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the first terminal device, and send a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal device, the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device. As a result, the path switching capability can be interacted between the two terminal devices, thereby reducing the occurrence of path switching failures.

Please refer to Figure 9, which is a flow chart of another method for interacting with path switching capabilities provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method for interacting with path switching capabilities can be executed by a second terminal device. As shown in Figure 9, the method may include but is not limited to the following steps:

Step S901: Receive a direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal device, the direct communication establishment request message including 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 supports Uu direct communication.

In some implementations, the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device may be carried in the direct communication establishment request message, and the path switching capability indication may be used to indicate to the second terminal device whether the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or Uu direct communication.

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

In an embodiment of the present application, after receiving the direct communication establishment request message, the second terminal device can determine 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, according to the switching indication included in the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device. That is, the second terminal device can determine, according to the direct communication establishment request message, that the first terminal device can support switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path, but does not 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, but supports switching from the Uu direct communication path to the PC5 direct communication path, or 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; 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: Send a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal device, the direct communication establishment response message includes a path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, 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 whether it supports Uu direct communication.

As another possible implementation, the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device and the second terminal device may include an index value, which may indicate whether the corresponding terminal device supports a combination of PC5 direct communication and Uu direct communication. For example, index value 1 may indicate that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication; index value 2 may indicate that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication; index value 3 may indicate that the corresponding terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication; 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 establishment request message.

It should be noted that before the first terminal device and the second terminal device execute steps S901 and S902, both 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 path switching capability interaction method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the second terminal device can receive a direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal device, the direct communication establishment request message includes a path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, and 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 whether it supports Uu direct communication. The second terminal device can also send a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal device, the direct communication establishment response message includes a path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, and 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 whether it supports Uu direct communication. As a result, path switching capability interaction can be performed between the two terminal devices, thereby reducing the occurrence of path switching failures.

Please refer to Figure 10, which is a flow chart of another method for interacting with path switching capabilities provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method for interacting with path switching capabilities can be executed by a second terminal device. As shown in Figure 10, the method may include but is not limited to the following steps:

Step S1001: Receive a 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, it is used to indicate that the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or supports Uu direct communication. When the direct communication establishment request message does not include the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, it is used to indicate that the first terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication.

Step S1002: 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, it is used to indicate that the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or supports Uu direct communication. When the direct communication establishment response message does not include the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, it is used to indicate that the second terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication.

In an embodiment of the present application, after receiving the direct communication establishment request message, the second terminal device can determine the path switching capability of the first terminal device according to whether the direct communication establishment request message includes the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device. Wherein, in the case where 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 can be determined as follows: the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication, or the first terminal device supports Uu direct communication, or the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and supports Uu direct communication; in the case where the direct communication establishment request message does not include the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, the path switching capability of the first terminal device can be determined as follows: 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, both 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 path switching capability interaction method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the second terminal device can receive a 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, it is used to indicate that the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or supports Uu direct communication. When the direct communication establishment request message does not include the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, it is used to indicate that the first terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication. The second terminal device can 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, it is used to indicate that the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or supports Uu direct communication. When the direct communication establishment response message does not include the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, it is used to indicate that the second terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication. As a result, path switching capability interaction can be performed between the two terminal devices, thereby reducing the occurrence of path switching failures.

Please refer to Figure 11, which is a flow chart of another method for interacting with path switching capabilities provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method for interacting with path switching capabilities can be executed by a second terminal device. As shown in Figure 11, the method may include but is not limited to the following steps:

Step S1101: receiving a direct communication establishment request message sent by a first terminal device, the direct communication establishment request message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the first terminal device, wherein the direct communication establishment request message is used to establish a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

Step S1102: Send a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal device, where the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device, wherein 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.

For a detailed introduction to steps S1101 to S1102, please refer to the relevant contents in the above embodiments, such as the records of steps S801 to S802 or steps S901 to S902 or steps S1001 to S1002, which will not be repeated here.

Step S1103: 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.

In the embodiment of the present application, the direct communication establishment request message and the direct communication establishment response message are used to establish a 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 a 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 process of communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device through the PC5 direct communication path, the second terminal device can detect the signal quality of the PC5 direct communication path in real time. When it is detected 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 can 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 between the second terminal device and the first terminal device. In this case, the second terminal device also needs to switch from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path.

In an 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 based on the path switching capabilities of the first terminal device and the second terminal device respectively.

In some implementations, if it is determined that switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is not allowed, the path switching is not performed, and a reminder may be made on the second terminal device. If 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 following steps: create a PDU session for establishing the Uu direct communication path; send a second switching notification message to the first terminal device to notify the first terminal device to create a PDU session for establishing the Uu direct communication path.

In an embodiment of the present application, the second terminal device can create a PDU session and conduct a PDU session with the network device. During the PDU session, a Uu direct communication path is established between the second terminal device and the network device. This part of the Uu direct communication path is a communication path established between the second terminal device through the radio access network (Radio Access Network, RAN) and the user plane function (User Plane Function, UPF) of the core network, which can be marked as UE2-RAN-UPF.

In the embodiment of the present application, when it is determined that the switch from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is allowed, the second terminal device also needs to send a second switching notification message to the first terminal device, and the second switching notification message instructs the first terminal device to create a PDU session with the network device to establish the Uu direct communication path. Accordingly, the first terminal device can create a PDU session according to the second switching notification message, and conduct a PDU session with the network device. In the process of conducting the PDU session, a Uu direct communication path is established between the first terminal device and the network device. This part of the Uu direct communication path is a communication path established between the first terminal device and the UPF (UPF2) of the core network through the RAN, which can be marked as UE1-RAN-UPF (UPF2).

After the Uu direct communication path is created, 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, when it is determined that the switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is allowed, the first terminal device may perform the following steps: create a PDU session for establishing the Uu direct communication path; send a first switching notification message to the second terminal device to notify the second terminal device to create a PDU session for establishing the Uu direct communication path. Correspondingly, the second terminal device may create a PDU session for establishing the Uu direct communication path when receiving the first switching notification message from the first terminal device.

In an 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 based on the path switching capabilities of the first terminal device and the second terminal device. The specific process is similar to the process of determining whether to allow switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path based on the path switching capabilities of the first terminal device and the second terminal device, and will not be repeated 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, the path switching is not performed, and a reminder may be made on 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 allowed, the first terminal device and the second terminal device may establish a PC5 direct communication path. After the PC5 direct communication path is created, 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, both 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 path switching capability interaction method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the second terminal device can receive a direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal device, the direct communication establishment request message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the first terminal device, wherein the direct communication establishment request message is used to establish a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, and send a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal device, the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device, wherein 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 path switching capability can be interacted between the two terminal devices, thereby reducing the occurrence of path switching failures.

It should be noted that "carry" and "include" have the same meaning in this application. "Include" in this application is an open limitation, that is, in addition to the contents specified in this application, it may also include contents that are not specified in this application but may appear in the future.

In the embodiments provided in the present application, the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application are introduced from the perspectives of terminal devices, such as the first terminal device and the second terminal device. In order to implement the functions in the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may include a hardware structure and 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. A function of the functions may be executed in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module.

Please refer to Figure 12, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 120 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 120 shown in Figure 12 may include a transceiver unit 1201 and a processing unit 1202. The transceiver unit 1201 may include a sending unit and/or a receiving unit, the sending unit is used to implement a sending function, the receiving unit is used to implement a receiving function, and the transceiver unit 1201 may implement a sending function and/or a receiving function.

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

The communication device 120 is a terminal device (such as the first terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiment):

The transceiver unit 1201 is used to 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 to receive a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal device, where the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device.

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

Optionally, the path switching capability indication includes: first indication information and/or second indication information; the first indication information is used to indicate whether the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication; the second indication information is used to indicate whether the corresponding terminal device supports Uu direct communication.

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

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

Optionally, when the path switching capability indication includes the third indication information, it is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication; when the path switching capability indication does not include the third indication information, it is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication.

Optionally, when the path switching capability indication includes the fourth indication information, it is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device supports Uu direct communication; when the path switching capability indication does not include the fourth indication information, it is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device does not support Uu direct communication.

Optionally, the direct communication establishment request message and the direct communication establishment response message are used to establish a 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 used to determine that switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is allowed when the first terminal device supports Uu direct communication and the second terminal device supports Uu direct communication; and to determine 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 device (such as the second terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiment):

The transceiver unit 1201 is used to receive a direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal device, the direct communication establishment request message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the first terminal device; and send a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal device, the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device.

Please refer to Figure 13, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device 130 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 130 can be a terminal device (such as the first terminal device or the second terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiment), or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the terminal device to implement the above method. The device can be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment, and the details can be referred to the description in the above method embodiment.

The communication device 130 may include one or more processors 1301. The processor 1301 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it may be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute a computer program, and process the data of the computer program.

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 embodiment. Optionally, data may also be stored in the memory 1302. The communication device 130 and the memory 1302 may be provided separately or integrated together.

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

Optionally, the communication device 130 may further include one or more interface circuits 1307. The interface circuit 1307 is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor 1301. The processor 1301 runs the code instructions to enable the communication device 130 to execute the method described in the above method embodiment.

The communication device 130 is a terminal device (such as the first terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiment): the transceiver 1305 is used to execute steps S301 and S302 in Figure 3; steps S401 and S402 in Figure 4; steps S501 and S502 in Figure 5; and steps S601 and S602 in Figure 6.

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

The communication device 130 is a terminal device (such as the second terminal device in the aforementioned embodiment): the transceiver 1305 is used to execute steps S801 and S802 in Figure 8; steps S901 and S902 in Figure 9; steps S1001 and S1002 in Figure 10; steps S1101 and S1102 in Figure 11.

The processor 1301 is used to execute step S1103 in FIG. 11 .

In one implementation, the processor 1301 may include a transceiver for implementing the receiving and sending functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing the receiving and sending functions may be separate or integrated. The above-mentioned transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code/data, or the above-mentioned transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for transmitting or delivering signals.

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

In one implementation, the communication device 130 may include a circuit that can implement the functions of sending or receiving or communicating in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in the present application can be implemented in an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit RFIC, a mixed signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), N-type metal oxide semiconductor (nMetal-oxide-semiconductor, NMOS), P-type metal oxide semiconductor (positive channel metal oxide semiconductor, PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (bipolar junction transistor, BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

The communication device described in the above embodiments may be a terminal device (such as the first terminal device or the second terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiment), but the scope of the communication device described in the present application is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device may not be limited by FIG. 13. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be:

(1) Independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem;

(2) having a set of one or more ICs, and optionally, the IC set may also include a storage component for storing data and computer programs;

(3) ASIC, such as modem;

(4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices;

(5) Receivers, terminal devices, intelligent terminal devices, cellular phones, wireless devices, handheld devices, mobile units, vehicle-mounted devices, network devices, cloud devices, artificial intelligence devices, etc.;

(6)Others

For the case where the communication device can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the chip structure shown in Figure 14. The chip shown in Figure 14 includes a processor 1401 and an interface 1402. The number of processors 1401 can be one or more, and the number of interfaces 1402 can be multiple.

For the case where the chip is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application (such as the first terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiment):

Interface 1402 is used to send a direct communication establishment request message to the second terminal device, the direct communication establishment request message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the first terminal device; receive a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal device, the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device.

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 a path switching capability of the first terminal device and a path switching capability of the second terminal device.

Optionally, processor 1401 is further used to determine that switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is allowed when the first terminal device supports Uu direct communication and the second terminal device supports Uu direct communication; and to determine 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 functions of the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application (such as the second terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiment):

Interface 1402 is used to receive a direct communication establishment request message sent by the first terminal device, the direct communication establishment request message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the first terminal device; and send a direct communication establishment response message to the first terminal device, the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device.

Optionally, the processor 1401 is further used to determine that switching from the PC5 direct communication path to the Uu direct communication path is allowed when the first terminal device supports Uu direct communication and the second terminal device supports Uu direct communication; and to determine 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.

Optionally, the chip further includes a memory 1403, and the memory 1403 is used to store necessary computer programs and data.

Those skilled in the art may also understand that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of the two. Whether such functions are implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design requirements of the entire system. Those skilled in the art may use various methods to implement the functions described for each specific application, but such implementation should not be understood as exceeding the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application.

An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, which includes the communication device in the embodiment of Figure 13 as a terminal device (such as the first terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiment) and the communication device as a terminal device (such as the second terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiment), or the system includes the communication device in the embodiment of Figure 14 as a terminal device (such as the first terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiment) and the communication device as a terminal device (such as the second terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiment).

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

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

In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer program can be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website site, computer, server or data center. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated. The available 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 (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid state disk (SSD)), etc.

A person skilled in the art may understand that the various numerical numbers such as first and second involved in the present application are only used for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application, but also indicate the order of precedence.

At least one in the present application can also be described as one or more, and a plurality can be two, three, four or more, which is not limited in the present application. In the embodiments of the present application, for a technical feature, the technical features in the technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D", etc., and there is no order of precedence or size between the technical features described by the "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D".

The corresponding relationships shown in the tables in this application can be configured or predefined. The values of the information in each table are only examples and can be configured as other values, which are not limited by this application. When configuring the corresponding relationship between the information and each parameter, it is not necessarily required to configure all the corresponding relationships illustrated in each table. For example, in the table in this application, the corresponding relationships shown in some rows may not be configured. For another example, appropriate deformation adjustments can be made based on the above table, such as splitting, merging, etc. The names of the parameters shown in the titles in the above tables can also use other names that can be understood by the communication device, and the values or representations of the parameters can also be other values or representations that can be understood by the communication device. When implementing the above tables, other data structures can also be used, such as arrays, queues, containers, stacks, linear lists, pointers, linked lists, trees, graphs, structures, classes, heaps, hash tables or hash tables.

The predefined in the present application may be understood as defined, predefined, stored, pre-stored, pre-negotiated, pre-configured, solidified, or pre-burned.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art who is familiar with the present technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

A path switching capability interaction method, characterized in that the method is executed by a first terminal device, and the method includes:

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

A direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal device is received, where the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate a path switching capability of the second terminal device.
The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the direct communication establishment request message includes 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 whether it supports Uu direct communication;

The direct communication establishment 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 supports Uu direct communication.
The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the path switching capability indication comprises: first indication information and/or second indication information;

The first indication information is used to indicate whether the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication; the second indication information is used to indicate whether the corresponding terminal device supports Uu direct communication.
The method according to claim 1, characterized in that when the direct communication establishment request message includes a path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, it is used to indicate that the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or supports Uu direct communication;

When the direct communication establishment request message does not include the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, it is used to indicate that the first terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication.
The method according to claim 1, characterized in that when the direct communication establishment response message includes a path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, it is used to indicate that the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or supports Uu direct communication;

When the direct communication establishment response message does not include the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, it is used to indicate that the second terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication.
The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that when the path switching capability indication includes the third indication information, it is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication;

When the path switching capability indication does not include the third indication information, it is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication.
The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that when the path switching capability indication includes fourth indication information, it is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device supports Uu direct communication;

When the path switching capability indication does not include the fourth indication information, it is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device does not support Uu direct communication.
The method according to claim 1 is characterized in that the direct communication establishment request message and the direct communication establishment response message are used to establish a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.
The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the method further comprises:

It is determined 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.
The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the determining 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 comprises:

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;

When the first terminal device does not support Uu direct communication, or when 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 path switching capability interaction method, characterized in that the method is executed by a second terminal device, and the method includes:

receiving 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;

A direct communication establishment response message is sent to the first terminal device, where the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device.
The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the direct communication establishment request message includes 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 whether it supports Uu direct communication;

The direct communication establishment 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 supports Uu direct communication.
The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the path switching capability indication comprises: first indication information and/or second indication information;

The first indication information is used to indicate whether the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication; the second indication information is used to indicate whether the corresponding terminal device supports Uu direct communication.
The method according to claim 11, characterized in that when the direct communication establishment request message includes a path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, it is used to indicate that the first terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or supports Uu direct communication;

When the direct communication establishment request message does not include the path switching capability indication of the first terminal device, it is used to indicate that the first terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication.
The method according to claim 11, characterized in that when the direct communication establishment response message includes the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, it is used to indicate that the second terminal device supports PC5 direct communication and/or supports Uu direct communication;

When the direct communication establishment response message does not include the path switching capability indication of the second terminal device, it is used to indicate that the second terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication and does not support Uu direct communication.
The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that when the path switching capability indication includes the third indication information, it is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device supports PC5 direct communication;

When the path switching capability indication does not include the third indication information, it is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device does not support PC5 direct communication.
The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that when the path switching capability indication includes fourth indication information, it is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device supports Uu direct communication;

When the path switching capability indication does not include the fourth indication information, it is used to indicate that the corresponding terminal device does not support Uu direct communication.
The method according to claim 11 is characterized in that the direct communication establishment request message and the direct communication establishment response message are used to establish a PC5 direct communication path between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.
The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the method further comprises:

It is determined 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.
The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the determining 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 comprises:

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;

When the first terminal device does not support Uu direct communication, or when 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 device, characterized in that it is arranged in a first terminal device, and comprises:

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

The transceiver unit is further used to receive a direct communication establishment response message sent by the second terminal device, where the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate a path switching capability of the second terminal device.
A communication device, characterized in that it is arranged in a second terminal device, and the device comprises:

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

A direct communication establishment response message is sent to the first terminal device, where the direct communication establishment response message is used to indicate the path switching capability of the second terminal device.
A communication device, characterized in that the device comprises a processor and a memory, the memory stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory so that the device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10.
A communication device, characterized in that the device comprises a processor and a memory, the memory stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory so that the device performs the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 20.
A communication device, characterized in that it comprises: a processor and an interface circuit;

The interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor;

The processor is configured to run the code instructions to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
A communication device, characterized in that it comprises: a processor and an interface circuit;

The interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor;

The processor is configured to run the code instructions to perform the method according to any one of claims 11 to 20.
A communication system, comprising a first terminal device and a second terminal device, characterized in that it comprises:

The first terminal device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and the second terminal device executes the method according to any one of claims 11 to 20.
A computer-readable storage medium is used to store instructions, and when the instructions are executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is implemented.
A computer-readable storage medium is used to store instructions, and when the instructions are executed, the method according to any one of claims 11 to 20 is implemented.