Patent Description:
For reducing power consumption, a terminal device may apply discontinuous reception (DRX) in receiving data from a network device. In order to implement DRX functionalities in existing solutions, the network device operates through radio resource control (RRC) signaling to statically configure DRX parameters for the terminal device. For instance, the network device operates through RRC signaling to configure parameters such as On Duration Timer, DRX Inactivity Timer, or the like. However, such approach is insufficiently flexible when a change needs to be made to the DRX state in which the terminal device stays.

Any embodiment in this description that does not fall within the scope of the independent claims shall be regarded as an example for understanding the present invention.

An embodiment of the present application provides a method for determining a discontinuous reception (DRX) state, a terminal device and a network device, so as to dynamically adjust the DRX state that the terminal device is in.

A second aspect provides a method for determining a discontinuous reception (DRX) state.

A third aspect provides a terminal device which includes modules configured to carry out the method according to the first aspect or various implementations thereof.

A fourth aspect provides a network device which includes modules configured to carry out the method according to the second aspect or various implementations thereof.

Now, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described hereunder with reference to accompanying drawings.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application may be applied to various communication systems, such as a global system of mobile communication (GSM) system, a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, a general packet radio service (GPRS), a long term evolution (LTE) system, a LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, or a next <NUM> system, or the like.

<FIG> illustrates a radio communication system <NUM> in which an embodiment of the present application is applied. The radio communication system <NUM> may include a network device <NUM>. The network device <NUM> may be any device in communication with a terminal device. The network device <NUM> may provide communication coverage for a specific geographical region, and may communicate with a terminal device (e.g., a UE) within the coverage region. In an implementation, the network device <NUM> may be a base transceiver station (BTS) as in the GSM system or CDMA system, or a NodeB (NB) as in the WCDMA system, or an Evolutional Node B (eNB, or eNodeB) as in the LTE system, or a radio controller as in the cloud radio access network (CRAN). Alternatively, the network device may be a relay station, an access point (AP), a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a network side device as in the further <NUM> network, or a network device as in the next evolution of public land mobile network (PLMN).

The radio communication system <NUM> also includes at least one terminal device <NUM> located within the coverage of the network device <NUM>. The terminal device <NUM> may be mobile or stationary. In an implementation, a terminal device <NUM> may refer to an access terminal, a user equipment (UE), a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile platform, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a radio communication device, a user agent or a subscriber installation. The access terminal may be cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handset with radio communication capability, a computing device or other processing device, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device, network side device as in the further <NUM> network, or a network device as in the next evolution of PLMN that has connection to a wireless modem.

In an implementation, the <NUM> system or network may also be referred to as new radio (NR) system or network.

For a better understanding of the method for determining a DRX state according to an embodiment of the present application, DRX will be briefly introduced hereunder in conjuncture with <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, a complete DRX cycle consists of an On Duration and an Opportunity for DRX. When a specific trigger condition is fulfilled, a terminal device enters into the On Duration, during which a DRX-Inactivity Timer is started if the terminal device initiates a data scheduling request. If no scheduling information is received at the terminal device during a period timed by the DRX-Inactivity Timer, the terminal device enters the Opportunity for DRX when the DRX-Inactivity Timer elapses. If scheduling information is detected at the terminal device during the period timed by the DRX-Inactivity Timer, the terminal device may restart the DRX-Inactivity Timer to continue monitoring the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

It should be understood that the terminal device is in a first DRX state during the On Duration, and in a second DRX state during the Opportunity for DRX. Regardless of whether in the first DRX state or the second DRX state, the terminal device and the network device are both in an RRC connected state. When the terminal device is in the first DRX state (this is when the terminal device is in the On Duration), the terminal device turns on a receiver to monitor the PDCCH. When the terminal device is in the second DRX state (this is when the terminal device is in the Opportunity for DRX), the terminal device turns off the receiver and monitors the PDCCH no longer.

In existing LTE system, a network device operates through RRC signaling to statically configure DRX parameters for the terminal device, the DRX parameters including on Duration Timer, DRX-Inactivity Timer, DRX-Retransmission Timer, long DRX-Cycle Start Offset, short DRX-Cycle, DRX-Short Cycle Timer, Hybrid Auto Repeat Request Round Trip Time Timer (HARQ RTT Timer), etc..

The existing solution to statically configure the DRX parameters is utterly inflexible for it is unable to dynamically configure the DRX parameters for the terminal device as flexibly changing the DRX state that the terminal device stays in.

For instance, after the terminal device initiates a data scheduling request to the network device, the DRX-Inactivity Timer is turned on, and the terminal device begins monitoring the PDCCH. Having received the data scheduling request from the terminal device, the network device may be unable to schedule the terminal device within the timing period of the DRX-Inactivity Timer due to heavy traffic. However, since the DRX-Inactivity Timer has been turned on, the terminal device has to remain in a monitoring state until the DRX-Inactivity Timer expires. That is, during the timing period of the DRX-Inactivity Timer, does not schedule the terminal device, but the terminal device is kept in the monitoring state, leading to increased power consumption on the terminal device.

In view of the above, an embodiment of the present application proposes a method for determining a DRX state which uses dynamic indicating information to indicate the terminal device to flexibly switch, or change the duration of, the DRX state that the terminal device stays in. Now, in conjuncture with <FIG> and <FIG>, a detailed introduction will be given about a method for determining DRX state according to an embodiment of the present application.

<FIG> is a schematic flowchart of a method for determining a DRX state according to an embodiment of the present application. The method as shown in <FIG> includes:
<NUM>, the terminal device receives first indicating information transmitted from a network device, where the first indicating information is used for indicating the terminal device to switch a DRX state, or used for indicating the duration for which the terminal device stays in a DRX state.

The first indicating information indicates the terminal device to switch from a current DRX state to another DRX state; or may indicate a duration for which the terminal device stays in its current DRX state; or a duration for which the terminal device stays in a next DRX state.

In an implementation, when the terminal device stays currently in a first DRX state, the first indicating information may indicate the terminal device to switch from the first DRX state to a second DRX state. Thus, the terminal device would switch from the first DRX state to the second DRX state after first indicating information is received. Specifically, when the terminal device is currently in a first DRX state, the network device may, when the network is heavily loaded or the terminal device has a low priority (e.g., the terminal device implements an enhanced mobile broadband traffic), generate the first indicating information to indicate the terminal device switch from the first DRX state to the second DRX state.

<NUM>, the terminal device switches a DRX state in which the terminal device currently stays according to the first indicating information, or determines the duration for which the terminal device stays in the DRX state according to the first indicating information, where the DRX state in which the terminal device currently stays is a first DRX state or a second DRX state, where a receiver of the terminal device is turned on (i.e., to monitor the PDCCH) when in the first DRX state, and turned off (i.e., to stop monitoring the PDCCH) when in the second DRX state.

In the embodiment of the present application, with the first indicating information, the DRX state, or the duration for which the terminal device is to remain in the DRX state, may be dynamically adjusted for the terminal device, which in turn improves the efficiency in transmitting data in the DRX mode by the terminal device, and reduces power consumption for the terminal device.

It should be understood that, when the first indicating information is used for indicating the duration for which the terminal device is to be in a DRX state, the DRX state may be one that the terminal device stays currently, or one that the terminal device stays in after a state switching.

In an implementation, when the terminal device is currently in the first DRX state and the first indicating information is used for indicating a duration for which the terminal device stays in the first DRX state, then the terminal device can determine the duration for which the terminal device stays in the first DRX state after the first indicating information is received.

With the first indicating information, the duration for which the terminal device stays in the first DRX state may be re-configured for the terminal device. That is, the duration the terminal device being in the first DRX state may be dynamically adjusted with the first indicating information, thereby improving efficiency of the terminal device in transmitting data in the DRX mode.

For instance, when a terminal device is in the first DRX state and the network is heavily loaded, such that the network device is unable to schedule the terminal device for some time at present, then the network device may operate through the first indicating information to reconfigure a shorter duration for the first DRX state to enable the terminal device to swiftly switch from the first DRX state to the second DRX state, thus reducing futile monitoring by the terminal device as well as power consumption.

In an implementation, the first indicating information may have various approaches of indicating the duration for which the terminal device stays in the first DRX state, the approaches may include at least the following:.

For instance, the present time is <NUM>, a terminal device shall stay in a first DRX state from <NUM> to <NUM> according to a DRX parameter pre-configured by a network device for a terminal device. Now, first indicating information indicates the first DRX state is to last until <NUM>. Then, terminal device may, after receiving the first indicating information, determine the first DRX state is to last until <NUM>. Thus, when <NUM> is reached, the terminal device will need to switch from the first DRX state to the second DRX state.

In an implementation, when the terminal device is currently in the first DRX state, the first indicating information may be used for indicating a duration for which the terminal device stays in the second DRX state, where the second DRX state is the DRX state for the terminal device after switching away from the first DRX state. In this case, the terminal device may determine, according to the first indicating information, the duration for which the terminal device is to be in the second DRX state. That is, the terminal device may determine the duration for which the terminal device is to be in its next DRX state according to the first indicating information.

In an implementation, the first indicating information may have various approaches of indicating the duration for which the terminal device is in the second DRX state, the approaches may include at least the following:
(<NUM>) the first indicating information is specifically used for indicating a duration for which the second DRX state lasts is a second time interval.

For instance, a terminal device is to switch from its current first DRX state to a second DRX state after a while and will stay in the second DRX state for a duration of <NUM> according to a DRX parameter configured by a network device for the terminal device. Now, first indicating information indicates that the terminal device should stay in the second DRX state for a duration of <NUM>. Thus, after receiving the first indicating information, <NUM> will be duration for which the terminal device is to be in the second DRX state after switching to the state, thereby shortening the duration of the terminal device being in the second DRX state. (<NUM>) the first indicating information is specifically used for indicating that the second DRX state is to last until a second moment.

For instance, a terminal device is to switch from its current first DRX state to a second DRX state at <NUM>, and should stay in the second DRX state between <NUM> to <NUM> according to a DRX parameter configured by a network device for the terminal device. Now, first indicating information indicates that the terminal device should stay in the second DRX state until <NUM> after switching thereto. Then, after receiving the first indicating information, the terminal device would be in the second DRX state between <NUM> to <NUM>, thereby shortening the duration of the terminal device being in the second DRX state.

It should be understood that the first indicating information may shorten, as well as extend, the duration for which the terminal device is in the first DRX state or second DRX state.

Now, in conjuncture with Embodiment <NUM> and Embodiment <NUM>, a detailed introduction will be given about a method for determining a DRX state according to the present application.

After the terminal device initiates a data scheduling request to the network device, the DRX-Inactivity Timer is turned on, and the terminal device begins to monitor the PDCCH. Having received the data scheduling request from the terminal device, the network device may be unable to schedule the terminal device within the timing period of the DRX-Inactivity Timer due to heavy traffic. Thus, the network device sends indication information to the terminal device to indicate it to switch from the On Duration to the Opportunity for DRX, to reduce power consumption for the terminal device.

A network device operates though RRC signaling to configure a length of <NUM> sub-frames to be a HARQ RTT Timer for a terminal device. When swift HARQ feedback is required, the network device may operate through indicating information to indicate a duration of <NUM> sub-frames for the HARQ RTT Timer, so as to enable the terminal device to swiftly switch from Opportunity for DRX to On Duration to monitor the PDCCH. On the other hand, when no swift HARQ feedback is required, the network device may operate through indicating information to indicate a duration of <NUM> sub-frames for the HARQ RTT Timer, so as to allow the terminal device to stay longer in the Opportunity for DRX before switching to the On Duration.

In an implementation, the first indicating information may also be carried in a MAC CE. Specifically, as shown in Table <NUM>, which shows logical channel instances of MAC service data unit (SDU) corresponding to the field identity (ID) of the logical channel and corresponding MAC CE or padding types.

The foregoing first indicating information may carry at least one of the DRX Command MAC CE, Long DRX Command MAC CE and Reserved MAC CE as indicated by the logical channel as shown in Table <NUM>.

The foregoing first indicating information is carried in downlink control information (DCI).

Specifically, the first indicating information is represented by adding a new domain (DRX-Trigger) into the DCI. The DRX-Trigger is one-bit information, where "<NUM>" represents triggering the terminal device to switch from the first DRX state to the second DRX state, and "<NUM>" represents triggering the terminal device to remain in its current first DRX state.

In an implementation, the terminal device may receive the first indicating information transmitted from the network device via a dedicated downlink control channel or a common control channel.

In an implementation, the network device may pre-configure for the terminal device a plurality of DRX parameters. In this case, the first indicating information may be used for indicating a target DRX parameter dynamically configured by the network device for the terminal device, where the target DRX parameter is used for indicating a duration for which the terminal device stays in a DRX state.

The first indicating information may provide various means for indicating the target DRX parameter. For instance, the first indicating information may specifically indicate an index of a target DRX parameter among a plurality of pre-configured DRX parameters. The first indicating information may also specifically indicate a difference between an index of the target DRX parameter and an index of a first DRX parameter, where the first DRX parameter is any one of a plurality of pre-configured DRX parameters. In an implementation, the first DRX parameter may be a default DRX parameter pre-configured by the network device via RRC signaling for the terminal device.

That is, the first indicating information may provide a direct indication to indicate the index of the target DRX parameter, or an indirect indication to indicate a difference between an index of the target DRX parameter and an index of a first DRX parameter.

It should be understood that the first indicating information is not only capable of operating directly, through the first indicating information itself to indicate a duration for which the terminal device stays in a DRX state (in this case, the first indicating information indicates timing information). The first indicating information is also capable of operating indirectly, through indicating a target DRX parameter, to indicate the duration for which the terminal device is in the DRX state.

The foregoing has described in detail a method for determining a DRX state according to an embodiment of the present application from the perspective of a terminal device and in view of <FIG>. Now, in conjuncture with <FIG>, description will be laid out about a method for determining a DRX state according to an embodiment of the present application from the perspective of a network device. It should be understood that, the method for determining DRX state according to the embodiment of the present application as described in the following in connection with <FIG> from the perspective of the network device corresponds to that as described in connection with <FIG> from the perspective of the terminal device, and relevant descriptions will not be repeated herein when appropriate for the sack of simplicity.

<FIG> is a schematic flowchart of a method for determining a DRX state according to an embodiment of the present application. The method as shown in <FIG> includes:.

In the embodiment of the present application, with the first indicating information, the DRX state, or the duration for which the terminal device stays in the DRX state, may be dynamically adjusted for the terminal device according to the network condition, which improves the efficiency in transmitting data in the DRX mode by the terminal device, and reduces power consumption for the terminal device.

In an implementation, the method may further include: determining, by the network device, the first indicating information according to network load.

In an implementation, the DRX state in which the terminal device currently stays is a first DRX state, the first indicating information is used for indicating the terminal device to switch to a second DRX state, where a receiver of the terminal device is turned on when in the first DRX state, and turned off when in the second DRX state.

In an implementation, the DRX state in which the terminal device currently stays is a first DRX state, the first indicating information is used for indicating the duration for which the terminal device stays in the first DRX state, where a receiver of the terminal device is turned on when in the first DRX state.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is specifically used for indicating that a duration for which the first DRX state lasts is a first time interval.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is specifically used for indicating that the first DRX state is to last until a first moment.

In an implementation, the DRX state in which the terminal device currently stays is the first DRX state, the first indicating information is used for indicating the duration for which the terminal device stays in the second DRX state, where the second DRX state is a DRX state that the terminal device stays in after switching away from the first DRX state, where a receiver of the terminal device is turned on when in the first DRX state, and turned off when in the second DRX state.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is specifically used for indicating that the second DRX state is to last for a second time interval.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is specifically used for indicating that the second DRX state is to last until a second moment.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is carried in downlink control information (DCI).

In an implementation, the first indicating information is carried in a media access control element (MAC CE).

In an implementation, the first indicating information is carried in at least one of a DRX command MAC CE, a long DRX command MAC CE, and a MAC CE indicated by a reserved logic channel indicator sub-header.

In an implementation, in case that the first indicating information is carried in the MAC CE indicated by a reserved logic channel indicator sub-header, the first indicating information includes at least one of DRX state switching information or DRX duration information, where the DRX state switching information is used for indicating the terminal device to switch a DRX state, and the DRX duration information is used for indicating a duration for which the terminal device stays in a DRX state.

In an implementation, the transmitting, by the network device, the first indicating information to the terminal device includes:
transmitting, by the network device, the first indicating information to the terminal device via a dedicated downlink control channel or a common control channel.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is used for indicating a target DRX parameter configured for the terminal device, the target DRX parameter is used for indicating a duration for which the terminal device stays in a DRX state.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is specifically used for indicating an index of the target DRX parameter among a plurality of pre-configured DRX parameters.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is specifically used for indicating a difference between an index of the target DRX parameter and an index of a first DRX parameter, where the first DRX parameter is any one of a plurality of pre-configured DRX parameters.

The method for determining a DRX state according to an embodiment of the present application has been detailed above in conjuncture with <FIG> and <FIG>. Now, a terminal device and a network device according to an embodiment of the present application will be detailed in conjuncture with <FIG>. It should be understood that the terminal device and network device as depicted in <FIG> are capable of implementing the various steps to be executed by the terminal device and network device as depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, which will not be repeated herein to avoid redundancy.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application. The terminal device <NUM> in <FIG> includes:.

In an implementation, the DRX state in which the terminal device currently stays is a first DRX state, the first indicating information indicates the terminal device to switch to the second DRX state, and the processing module <NUM> is specifically configured to: switch from the first DRX state to the second DRX state according to the first indicating information.

In an implementation, the DRX state in which the terminal device currently stays is the first DRX state, the first indicating information is used for indicating a duration for which the terminal device stays in the first DRX state, and the processing module <NUM> is specifically configured to: determine the duration for which the terminal device stays in the first DRX state according to the first indicating information.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is specifically used for indicating a duration for which the first DRX state lasts is a first time interval, and the processing module <NUM> is specifically configured to: determine the first time interval to be the duration for which the first DRX state lasts according to the first indicating information.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is used for indicating that the first DRX state is to last until a first moment, and the processing module <NUM> is specifically configured to: determine that the first DRX state lasts until the first moment according to the first indicating information.

In an implementation, the DRX state in which the terminal device currently stays is the first DRX state, the first indicating information is used for indicating a duration for which the terminal device stays in the second DRX state, where the second DRX state is a DRX state that the terminal device stays in after switching away from the first DRX state, and the processing module <NUM> is specifically configured to: determine the duration for which the terminal device stays in the second DRX state according to the first indicating information.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is specifically used for indicating a duration for which the second DRX state lasts is a second time interval, and the processing module <NUM> is specifically configured to: determine the second time interval to be the duration for which the second DRX state lasts according to the first indicating information.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is used for indicating that the second DRX state is to last until a second moment, and the processing module <NUM> is specifically configured to: determine that the second DRX state lasts until the second moment according to the first indicating information.

The first indicating information is carried in downlink control information (DCI).

In an implementation, the MAC CE includes at least one of a DRX command MAC CE, a long DRX command MAC CE, and a MAC CE indicated by a reserved logic channel indicator sub-header.

In an implementation, the communicating module <NUM> is specifically configured to receive the first indicating information transmitted from the network device via a dedicated downlink control channel or a common control channel.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present application. The network device <NUM> in <FIG> includes:.

In an implementation, the processing module <NUM> is further configured to determine the first indicating information according to network load.

In an implementation, a DRX state in which the terminal device currently stays is a first DRX state, the first indicating information is used for indicating the terminal device to switch to a second DRX state, where a receiver of the terminal device is turned on when in the first DRX state, and turned off when in the second DRX state.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is specifically used for indicating a duration for which the second DRX state lasts is a second time interval.

In an implementation, in case that the first indicating information is carried in the MAC CE indicated by a reserved logic channel indicator sub-header, the first indicating information includes at least one of DRX state switching information or DRX duration information, where the DRX state switching information is used for indicating the terminal device to switch a DRX state, and the DRX duration information is used for indicating the duration for which the terminal device stays in a DRX state.

In an implementation, the transmitting, by the network device, the first indicating information to the terminal device includes: transmitting, by the network device, the first indicating information to the terminal device via a dedicated downlink control channel or a common control channel.

In an implementation, the DRX state in which the terminal device currently stays is a first DRX state, the first indicating information indicates the terminal device to switch to the second DRX state, and the processor <NUM> is specifically configured to: switch from the first DRX state to the second DRX state according to the first indicating information.

In an implementation, the DRX state in which the terminal device currently stays is the first DRX state, the first indicating information is used for indicating a duration for which the terminal device stays in the first DRX state, and the processor <NUM> is specifically configured to: determine the duration for which the terminal device stays in the first DRX state according to the first indicating information.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is specifically used for indicating a duration for which the first DRX state lasts is a first time interval, and the processor <NUM> is specifically configured to: determine the first time interval to be the duration for which the first DRX state lasts according to the first indicating information.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is used for indicating that the first DRX state is to last until a first moment, and the processor <NUM> is specifically configured to: determine that the first DRX state lasts until the first moment according to the first indicating information.

In an implementation, the DRX state in which the terminal device currently stays is the first DRX state, the first indicating information is used for indicating a duration for which the terminal device stays in the second DRX state, where the second DRX state is a DRX state that the terminal device stays in after switching away from the first DRX state, and the processor <NUM> is specifically configured to: determine the duration for which the terminal device stays in the second DRX state according to the first indicating information.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is specifically used for indicating a duration for which the second DRX state lasts is a second time interval, and the processor <NUM> is specifically configured to: determine the second time interval to be the duration for which the second DRX state lasts according to the first indicating information.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is used for indicating that the second DRX state is to last until a second moment, and the processor <NUM> is specifically configured to: determine that the second DRX state lasts until the second moment according to the first indicating information.

In an implementation, the transceiver <NUM> is specifically configured to receive the first indicating information transmitted from the network device via a dedicated downlink control channel or a common control channel.

In an implementation, the processor <NUM> is further configured to determine the first indicating information according to network load.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is specifically used for indicating a duration for which the first DRX state lasts is a first time interval.

In an implementation, where the DRX state in which the terminal device currently stays is the first DRX state, the first indicating information is used for indicating the duration for which the terminal device stays in the second DRX state, where the second DRX state is a DRX state that the terminal device stays in after switching away from the first DRX state, wherein a receiver of the terminal device is turned on when in the first DRX state, and turned off when in the second DRX state.

In an implementation, the first indicating information is used for indicating a target DRX parameter configured for the terminal device, the target DRX parameter is used for indicating the duration for which the terminal device stays in a DRX state.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a system-on-chip according to an embodiment of the present application. The system-on-chip <NUM> as depicted in <FIG> includes an input interface <NUM>, an output interface <NUM>, a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> and the memory <NUM> are interconnected via a bus <NUM>, the processor <NUM> is configured to execute codes stored in the memory <NUM>.

In an implementation, when the codes are executed, the processor <NUM> implements a method to be implemented by a terminal device as in a method embodiment. For the sack of brevity, no recitation will be made herein.

In an implementation, when the codes are executed, the processor <NUM> implements a method to be implemented by a network device as in a method embodiment. For the sack of brevity, no recitation will be made herein.

Those skilled will appreciate that the elements and algorithm steps of various examples as described in connection with the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in electronic hardware, computer software of combinations thereof. Whether the functions are to be carried out in the form of hardware or software will depend on the specific application and design constraints to which the technical solution applies. Those skilled may use different approach for individual application to implement the functions described hereinabove, but such implementation shall not be deemed to be out of the scope of the present application.

Those skilled may clearly understand that, for the specific operating process of the systems, devices and elements described above, reference may be made to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated herein.

In the embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method may be implemented by other means. For instance, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the units are separated by their logical functions only, and other separations are possible in practical implementation. For instance, multiple units or components may be combined, or be integrated with another system, or some features may be omitted or skipped. In addition, the inter-couplings illustrated or discussed, whether a direct coupling or communication connection, may be an indirect coupling or communication connection via some kind of interface, apparatus or unit, and may be electrical, mechanical or otherwise.

The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as a unit may or may not be a physical unit, that is, they may be located at one place, or may be distributed to multiple network elements. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiments.

In addition, various functional units in various embodiment of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or be physically separated into standalone units, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

Claim 1:
A method for determining a discontinuous reception, DRX, state, comprising:
receiving (<NUM>), by a terminal device, first indicating information transmitted from a network device, wherein the first indicating information is represented by a domain in downlink control information, DCI, wherein the first indicating information is used for indicating the terminal device to switch from a first DRX state to a second DRX state when the value of a bit in the domain is <NUM>, and the first indicating information is used for indicating the terminal device to remain in the first DRX state in which the terminal device stays when the value of the bit in the domain is <NUM>; and
switching (<NUM>), by the terminal device, a DRX state in which the terminal device stays according to the first indicating information in response to the value of the bit in the domain being <NUM>, wherein a receiver of the terminal device is turned on when in the first DRX state, and turned off when in the second DRX state;
wherein the first indicating information is further used for indicating a target DRX parameter configured for the terminal device, and the target DRX parameter is used for indicating a duration for which the terminal device stays in a DRX state.