Patent Description:
A dual SIM mobile phone means that one mobile phone can hold two communication cards meanwhile. At present, when one communication card in the dual SIM mobile phone is in service and the other communication card also needs to be in service, for example, the other communication card receives paging and needs to receive services, or the other communication card initiates services, there will be a problem that the services of two communication cards conflict, and thus how to deal with the services of the other communication card needs to be solved.

The document entitled "3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects; Study on system enablers for devices having multiple Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIM) (Release <NUM>)" XP051932719
relates to handling of MT service with a paging cause, in which the paging cause is delivered to the UE as part of the paging message.

The document entitled "Kl#<NUM>: New solution: Notification on user plane of a master PLMN" XP51919913,
provides a solution about enabling a paging notification server in the PLMN where a USIM is registered to send notification on the user plane established in a second PLMN where the other USIM is registered.

The document entitled "Paging Reception for MUSIM" XP52360470,
discusses the issue associated with MT services for MUSIM device with single RX capability.

<CIT> provides a paging mechanism for IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), in which a paging message corresponding to a mobile terminating service in the PS domain is generated based on the service category granularity in a packet switched domain.

<CIT> provides a method for establishing communication between mobile stations, including: receiving a page request.

<CIT> discloses a method for realization of calls in the multimedia broadcasting/multicast (MBMS) business, applicable to a system using a single-frequency network to carry the MBMS business.

<CIT> discloses a method for improving compatibility between a primary wireless device including a plurality of subscriber identity module (SIMs) and a cellular-capable secondary wireless device.

<CIT> provides a method for managing paging of a wireless device, including: receiving a paging request from a core network device.

The document entitled "Kl #<NUM>, Sol #<NUM>: Update to remove ENs" XP051920129
studies on system enablers for multi-USIM device.

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method and device, a terminal device and a network device.

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method according to claim <NUM>. Optional features are set out in dependent claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

The embodiments of the disclosure provide a terminal device according to claim <NUM>.

The embodiments of the disclosure provide a chip according to claim <NUM>.

The embodiments of the disclosure provide a computer readable storage medium according to claim <NUM>.

The embodiments of the disclosure provide a computer program product according to claim <NUM>.

According to the above technical solution, after receiving a paging message corresponding to a first communication card, a terminal device determines whether to respond to the paging message based on a paging cause in the paging message, and indicates to a network that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message in response to determining not to respond to the paging message. Because the paging cause indicates the service or cause that triggers the paging message, the terminal device may determine whether to respond to the paging message based on the paging cause. Responding to the paging message represents that the first communication card of the terminal device receives a service corresponding to the paging message, and not-responding to the paging message represents that the first communication card of the terminal device does not receive the service corresponding to the paging message, thereby ensuring that high-priority services may be performed normally and guarantying the user experience. For a dual SIM terminal device, the dual SIM operations of the terminal device coordinated with each other are ensured, that is, one communication card (such as, the first communication card) does not affect the other communication card (such as, the second communication card).

The drawings described herein are intended to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and form a part of the present disclosure. The schematic embodiments of the present disclosure and the description thereof are intended to explain the present disclosure and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present disclosure. In the drawings:.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the disclosure will be described below in combination with the drawings in the embodiments of the disclosure. It is apparent that the described embodiments are not all embodiments but part of embodiments of the disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the disclosure without creative work shall fall within the scope of protection of the disclosure.

The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to various communication systems, such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, an LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, an LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) system, a <NUM> communication system or a future communication system.

Exemplarily, a communication system <NUM> to which the embodiments of the present disclosure are applied is illustrated in <FIG>. The communication system <NUM> may include a network device <NUM>. The network device <NUM> may be a device that communicates with a terminal device <NUM> (also referred to as a communication terminal, a terminal). The network device <NUM> may provide communication coverage for a specific geographic area and may communicate with a terminal device within the coverage area. In at least one example, the network device <NUM> may be an Evolutional Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in the LTE system or a wireless controller in a Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN), or the network device may be a mobile switching center, a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a hub, a switch, a bridge, a router, a network-side device in a <NUM> network, a network device in a future communication system or the like.

The communication system <NUM> also includes at least one terminal device <NUM> located within the coverage of the network device <NUM>. The "terminal" used herein includes, but is not limited to, connection via wired lines, such as connection via Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), digital cables, direct cables; and/or another data connection/network; and/or via a wireless interface, such as for a cellular network, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), a digital television network such as DVB-H network, a satellite network, a AM-FM broadcast transmitter; and/or means of another terminal arranged to receive/transmit a communication signal; and/or an Intemet of Things (IoT) device. A terminal device configured to communicate via a wireless interface may be referred to as a "wireless communication terminal", "wireless terminal" or "mobile terminal". Examples of mobile terminals include, but are not limited to, satellite or cellular telephones; a Personal Communications System (PCS) terminal that may combine a cellular radio telephone with data processing, fax and data communications capability; a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) that may include a radio telephone, a pager, Internet/intranet access, a Web browser, memo pad, calendar and/or Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver; and a conventional laptop and/or palmtop receiver or other electronic devices including a radio telephone transceiver. The terminal device may be referred to an access terminal, a User Equipment (UE), a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile radio station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent or a user device. The access terminal may be a cellular telephone, a cordless telephone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) telephone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a handheld device with a wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a <NUM> network, a terminal device in a future evolved PLMN or the like.

In one example, Device to Device (D2D) communication may be performed between the terminal devices <NUM>.

In one example, the <NUM> communication system or <NUM> network may also be referred to as a New Radio (NR) system or NR network.

<FIG> exemplarily illustrates one network device and two terminal devices. In one example, the communication system <NUM> may include multiple network devices and another number of terminal devices may be included within the coverage of each network device, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In one example, the communication system <NUM> may also include another network entity such as a network controller or a mobility management entity, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

It is to be understood that a device with communication function in the network/system in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be referred to as a communication device. Taking the communication system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> as an example, communication devices may include the network device <NUM> and the terminal <NUM> with the communication function. The network device <NUM> and the terminal <NUM> may be specific devices mentioned above, and details are not described herein. The communication device may further include another device in the communication system <NUM>, for example, another network entity such as a network controller or a mobility management entity, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

It is to be understood that terms "system" and "network" in the disclosure may usually be exchanged. In the disclosure, the term "and/or" is only an association relationship describing associated objects and represents that three relationships may exist. For example, A and/or B may represent three conditions: i.e., independent existence of A, existence of both A and B and independent existence of B. In addition, character "/" in the disclosure usually represents that previous and next associated objects form an "or" relationship.

To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the technical solutions related to the embodiments of the present disclosure are described below.

With the pursuit of speed, latency, high-speed mobility and energy efficiency, as well as the diversity and complexity of services in future life, the <NUM>rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) began to research and develop <NUM>. The main application scenarios of <NUM> are: enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC), and massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC).

On one hand, eMBB still aims to acquiring multimedia content, services and data by users, and its demand is growing rapidly. On the other hand, since the eMBB may be deployed in different scenarios, such as indoor, urban, rural scenarios, etc., and the differences in capabilities and requirements for the different scenarios are relatively large, it cannot be generalized and must be analyzed in detail with reference to specific deployment scenarios. Typical applications of URLLC include: industrial automation, power automation, telemedicine operation (surgery), traffic safety and so on. Typical characteristics of mMTC include: high connection density, small data size, latency-insensitive services, low cost and long service life of modules, and so on.

<NUM> defines a new Radio Resource Control (RRC) state, i.e., RRC_INACTIVE state, for the purpose of reducing air interface signaling and rapidly recovering wireless connections and data service. This state is different from RRC_IDLE state and RRC_ACTIVE state.

A dual SIM dual standby mobile phone means that one mobile phone can hold two communication cards meanwhile, and the two communication cards are in standby. Dual SIM dual standby generally refers to dual SIM dual standby of the same network type, such as, dual SIM dual standby of GSM network, dual SIM dual standby of CDMA network, or dual SIM dual standby of PHS network.

Dual network dual standby means that one mobile phone can be inserted into two communication cards with different networks meanwhile, and keeps the communication cards on meanwhile, allowing a user to dial, answer, and send and receive short messages freely without switching the networks.

At present, mobile phones generally do not support completely dual uplink/downlink (referred to as dual active). Dual uplink/downlink means that the mobile phone simultaneously performs uplink transmission and downlink reception of data on two networks through two communication cards. Generally, most mobile phones only support single uplink/downlink or single uplink/dual downlink, which means that mobile phones may only perform services on one communication card at a certain time. However, the realization of dual active is a trend of mobile phone development in the future. In <NUM>, for two communication cards of the mobile phone that supports dual SIM dual standby or dual network dual standby, one communication card may camp on an LTE cell and the other communication card may camp on an NR cell; or both the communication cards camp on the NR cell. On the other hand, the two communication cards may be communication cards of the same operator or communication cards of different operators.

At present, when one communication card in the dual SIM mobile phone is in service and the other communication card also needs to be in service, for example, the other communication card receives paging and needs to receive services or the other communication card initiates services, the services of the two communication cards will conflict, and thus problems of how to deal with the services of the other communication card and how to coordinate the services of the two communication cards need to be solved. Therefore, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure are proposed below.

It should be noted that the "terminal device" in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wearable device and so on. The terminal device has at least two communication cards, for example, the terminal device has two communication cards or three communication cards. The following embodiments are described by taking two communication cards as an example, which is not limited thereto. The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to the scheme of more than two communication cards.

It should be noted that types of the first communication card and the second communication card are not limited by the embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, both the first communication card and the second communication card are Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards. For example, both the first communication card and the second communication card are Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) cards. For example, the first communication card is a SIM card and the second communication card is a USIM card. For example, the first communication card is a USIM card and the second communication card is a SIM card.

On another aspect, network types supported by the first communication card and the second communication card are not limited by the embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the first communication card supports an LTE network (that is, a first base station corresponding to the first communication card is an LTE base station), and the second communication card supports an NR network (that is, a second base station corresponding to the second communication card is an NR base station). For example, both the first communication card and the second communication card support NR networks (that is, second base stations corresponding to the first communication card and the second communication card are both NR base stations).

On yet another aspect, operators to which the first communication card and the second communication card belong are not limited by the embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the first communication card and the second communication card may belong to the same operator or different operators.

<FIG> is a first flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in <FIG>, the communication method includes the following operations.

In <NUM>: a terminal device receives a paging message from a first network, and the first network is a network corresponding to a first communication card in the terminal device.

In an optional implementation of the present application, the terminal device also receives service data from a second network, and the second network is a network corresponding to a second communication card in the terminal device.

For example, the terminal device has a USIM-A card (that is, the second communication card) and a USIM-B card (that is, the first communication card). The terminal device receives services on a network corresponding to the USIM-A card (that is, the second network), and the terminal device receives a paging message on a network corresponding to the USIM-B card (that is, the first network).

Referring to <FIG>, the terminal device has the first communication card and the second communication card, a network corresponding to the first communication card is the first network, and a network corresponding to the second communication card is the second network. On one hand, the terminal device may access the first network through the first communication card to implement the services on the first network. On the other hand, the terminal device may access the second network through the second communication card to implement the services on the second network. The types of the first network and the second network may be the same or different. For example, the first network is an LTE network and the second network is an NR network. For another example, both the first network and the second network are NR networks.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first communication card of the terminal device is in an idle state or an inactive state. The second communication card of the terminal device is in a connected state. For example, there are two USIM cards in the terminal device, namely USIM-A card and USIM-B card. The USIM-A card has ongoing services and is in the connected state; and the USIM-B card is in an idle state or an inactive state and receives the paging message.

It should be noted that the communication between the terminal device and the first network is realized through the first communication card, and the communication between the terminal device and the second network is realized through the second communication card. For example, there are two USIM cards in the terminal device, namely USIM-A card and USIM-B card. The terminal device may communicate with the first network through the USIM-A card, and the terminal device may communicate with the second network through the USIM-B card.

In <NUM>: the terminal device determines whether to respond to the paging message based on a paging cause in the paging message, and indicates to the first network that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message in response to determining not to respond to the paging message.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the operation that the terminal device receives the paging message form the first network is specifically that an Access Stratum (AS) of the first communication card of the terminal device receives the paging message sent by the first network. Here, the paging message carries the paging cause. The paging cause is used for indicating the service or cause that triggers the paging message, and the paging cause is used for indicating that the paging message is triggered by a voice call service or a video call service.

It should be noted that interactions between the terminal device and the network in the present disclosure essentially refers to interactions between the first communication card in the terminal device and the network. An AS of the terminal device essentially refers to the AS of the first communication card in the terminal device, and likewise, a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) of the terminal device essentially refers to a NAS of the first communication card in the terminal device.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, after the AS of the first communication card of the terminal device receives the paging message from the first network, the NAS may determine whether to respond to the paging message based on the paging cause in the paging message, or the AS may determine whether to respond to the paging message based on the paging cause in the paging message. The following are described according to different cases.

First case: the NAS of the terminal device determines whether to respond to the paging message based on the paging cause in the paging message.

In this case, the paging cause is transparent to the AS. After receiving the paging message sent by the first network, the AS of the terminal device transmits the paging cause in the paging message to the NAS of the terminal device; and the NAS of the terminal device determines whether to respond to the paging message based on the paging cause. For example, in a case where the paging cause indicates a paging triggered by the voice service, it is determined to respond the paging message; otherwise, it is determined not to response the paging message.

In an optional implementation, the first information includes at least one of an access category, an RRC connection cause or an NAS message.

The access category is access category <NUM>.

The RRC connection cause is an mt-Access.

The NAS message is a service request message.

In another optional implementation, the first information includes at least one of an access category, an RRC connection cause or an NAS message.

The RRC connection cause is an mo-Signalling.

The NAS message carries first indication information, and the first indication information is used for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message, and/or, instructing a core network to stop paging the terminal device.

In the above solution, the access category <NUM> and the access category <NUM> are two access categories, which may be referred to as Table <NUM> illustrated below. A type of access attempt of the access category <NUM> is MO signaling resulting from paging, and a type of access attempt of the access category <NUM> is MO signaling on NAS level resulting from other than paging.

In the above solution, the first indication information may also be referred to as busy indication, and the first indication information is used for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message, and/or, instructing the core network to stop paging the terminal device. Here, the operation that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message may also indicate that the terminal device does not receive service data corresponding to the paging message. After receiving the first indication information, the core network stops paging the terminal device.

In the solution, the operation that the AS of the terminal device initiates the RRC connection establishment process based on the first information includes the following operations.

The AS of the terminal device determines whether to allow access to the first network based on the access category; and in a case where the access to the first network is allowed, the AS of the terminal device transmits an RRC connection establishment request message to the first network, and the RRC connection establishment request message carries the RRC connection cause. Further, the AS of the terminal device receives an RRC connection establishment message from the first network, and transmits an RRC connection establishment completion message carrying the NAS message to the first network. In such way, the RRC connection establishment process is completed.

Here, the operation of determining whether to allow access to the first network based on the access category may be realized in the following manner. A UAC barring information set (UAC-BarringInfoSet) corresponding to the access category is determined, and an access control operation is performed based on the UAC-BarringInfoSet, thereby determining whether to allow access to the first network. Here, the UAC-BarringInfoSet includes: UAC barring factor (uac-BarringFactor); UAC barring time (uac-BarringTime); and UAC barring for access identity (uac-BarringForAccessIdentity).

The operation that the access control operation is performed based on the UAC-BarringInfoSet includes the following operations.

B) In an optional implementation, the first communication card is in an inactive state, the NAS of the terminal device determines second information based on the paging cause and transmits the second information to the AS of the terminal device; and the AS of the terminal device initiates an RRC connection resume process based on the second information.

In an optional implementation, the second information includes at least one of: an access category, an RRC connection cause, or second indication information.

The second indication information is used for indicating whether the first communication card responds to the paging message.

In another optional implementation, the second information includes at least one of: an access category, an RRC connection cause, or second indication information.

In the above solution, the operation that the AS of the terminal device initiates the RRC connection resume process based on the second information includes the following operations.

The AS of the terminal device transmits an RRC connection resume request message to the first network, and in a case where the second indication information indicates that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message, there are two indication manners.

For the implicit indication manner, a new LCID (referred to as the first LCID) is defined for the CCCH, and the new LCID is used for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message or indicating that the terminal device initiates the RRC connection resume for the purpose of informing the network side that the terminal device does not respond to the paging. Specifically, the terminal device transmits the RRC connection resume request message through the CCCH (that is, the RRC connection resume request message is carried in the CCCH), and the LCID of the CCCH is used for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message. Correspondingly, a header corresponding to the RRC connection resume request message in a media access control transport block (MAC TB) is a first header, and an LCID in the first header is the first LCID, that is, the header corresponding to the RRC connection resume request message in the MAC TB carries the first LCID.

Second case: the AS of the terminal device determines whether to respond to the paging message based on the paging cause in the paging message.

In this case, the paging cause is non-transparent to the AS. After receiving the paging message sent by the first network, the AS of the terminal device acquires the paging cause in the paging message; and the NAS of the terminal device determines whether to respond to the paging message based on the paging cause. For example, in a case where the paging cause indicates a paging triggered by the voice service, it is determined to response the paging message; otherwise, it is determined not to response the paging message.

C) In an optional implementation, the first communication card is in an inactive state, and the AS of the terminal device initiates an RRC connection resume process.

In the above solution, the operation that the AS of the terminal device initiates the RRC connection resume process includes the following operations.

The AS of the terminal device transmits an RRC connection resume request message to the first network, and in a case where the AS determines not to response to the paging message, there are two indication manners.

For the implicit indication manner, a new LCID (referred to as the first LCID) is defined for the CCCH, and the new LCID is used for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message, or indicating that the terminal device initiates the RRC connection resume for the purpose of informing the network side that the terminal device does not respond to the paging. Specifically, the terminal device transmits the RRC connection resume request message through the CCCH (that is, the RRC connection resume request message is carried in the CCCH), and the LCID of the CCCH is used for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message. Correspondingly, a header corresponding to the RRC connection resume request message in an MAC TB is a first header, and an LCID in the first header is the first LCID, that is, the header corresponding to the RRC connection resume request message in the MAC TB carries the first LCID.

<FIG> is a second flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in <FIG>, the communication method includes the following operations.

In <NUM>: a first base station transmits a paging message to a terminal device. The first base station is a base station corresponding to a first communication card in the terminal device, and a paging cause in the paging message is used for the terminal device to determine whether to respond to the paging message.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal device has the first communication card and a second communication card, a network corresponding to the first communication card is a first network, and a network corresponding to the second communication card is a second network. A base station covering the first network is called the first base station (that is, the base station corresponding to the first communication card), and the first base station may also be called a target base station. The first base station transmits the paging message to the terminal device, and the paging message is used for paging the first communication card of the terminal device. The paging cause in the paging message is used for the terminal device to determine whether to respond to the paging message. Here, the operation that the terminal device determines whether to respond to the paging message based on the paging cause in the paging message may be described with reference to the related method in <FIG>, and details are not described.

In <NUM>: the first base station receives indication information from the terminal device, and the indication information is used for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal device is in an inactive state, corresponding to solution B) in the first case or solution C) in the second case of the related method in <FIG>, the operation that the first base station receives the indication information from the terminal device may be implemented in the following manners.

In the embodiments of that present disclosure, after receiving the indication information, the first base station transmits a context request message to a second base station, the context request message carries fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information is used for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message, and/or the fourth indication information is used for the second base station to decide not to migrate a context of the terminal device. The first base station receives a context request failure message from the second base station, and the context request failure message carries an RRC release message. The first base station transmits the RRC release message to the terminal device. Here, in one example, the second base station is an anchor base station.

In the above solution, after receiving the context request message, the second base station decides not to migrate the context of the terminal device according to the fourth indication information, and transmits the context request failure message to the first base station. The context request failure message carries the RRC release message (that is, an RRCRelease PDCP PDU). Then, the first base station transmits the RRC release message to the terminal device.

In an optional implementation, the fourth indication information is forwarded to a core network control plane network element by the second base station, and the fourth indication information is used for the core network control plane network element to inform a core network user plane network element to stop transmitting downlink data of the terminal device to the second base station and buffer the downlink data.

In one example, the core network control plane network element is an AMF, the core network user plane network element is a UPF, the second base station informs the AMF of indication information (i.e., the fourth indication information) that the terminal device does not respond to paging and/or does not perform data reception, and the AMF informs the UPF to stop transmitting downlink data of the terminal device to the second base station and buffer the downlink data of the terminal device.

In the above solution, the paging message is triggered by the second base station. For example, when the downlink data of the terminal device reaches the second base station, the second base station triggers the paging for the terminal device and informs the base stations within the RNA range (such as, the first base station) to transmit the paging message to the terminal device. Here, the paging cause in the paging message is informed to the second base station by the core network control plane network element.

In one example, the core network control plane network element is the AMF, and before the second base station informs the first base station to transmit the paging message carrying the paging cause, the AMF informs the second base station of the paging cause.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method for determining that a base station does not respond to paging according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in <FIG>, the method includes the following operations.

In <NUM>: an anchor base station transmits an RRC release message to the terminal device.

The RRC release message carries RNA configuration information. After receiving the RRC release message, the terminal device enters an inactive state.

In <NUM>: the terminal device transmits an RRC connection resume request message to a target base station and indicates that the terminal device does not respond to a paging message.

The terminal device transmits the RRC connection resume request message to the target base station through SRB0. In one example, the RRC connection resume request message carries a short MAC-I and an I-RNTI.

In <NUM>: the target base station transmits a context request message to the anchor base station, and the context request message carries indication information for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message.

In <NUM>: the anchor base station decides not to migrate a context of the terminal device according to the indication information.

In <NUM>: the anchor base station transmits a context request failure message to the target base station, and the context request failure message carries RRC release PDCP PDU.

In <NUM>: the target base station transmits the RRC release message to the terminal device.

Here, the target base station transmits the RRC release message to the terminal device through SRB1. After receiving the RRC release message, the terminal device enters the inactive state or an idle state.

In <NUM>: the anchor base station transmits to the AMF indication information for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message.

In <NUM>: the AMF informs an UPF to stop transmitting downlink data of the terminal device and buffer the downlink data.

<FIG> is a third flowchart of a communication method according to an example not forming part of the invention. As illustrated in <FIG>, the communication method includes the following operations.

In <NUM>: a terminal device receives service data from a second network. The second network is a network corresponding to a second communication card in the terminal device, and the terminal device also has a first communication card.

In the present disclosure, the terminal device has the first communication card and the second communication card, a network corresponding to the first communication card is a first network, and a network corresponding to the second communication card is a second network. The second communication card is in a connected state, and the terminal device receives the service data on the second network corresponding to the second communication card. The first communication card is in an idle state or an inactive state, and the terminal device performs RRC connection establishment or resume of UE initial MO-data, or RRC connection establishment or resume of UE initial MO-signalling, or RRC connection establishment or resume of UE initial high-priority MO-data for the first communication card in the idle state or inactive state.

In <NUM>: the terminal device determines an RRC connection cause of the first communication card, and transmits an RRC connection establishment request message or an RRC connection resume request message to a first network based on the RRC connection cause. The first network is a network corresponding to the first communication card of the terminal device.

In the present disclosure, an NAS of the terminal device triggers an RRC connection establishment or resume to an AS of the terminal device, and transmits the RRC connection cause to the AS of the terminal device, and the AS of the terminal device transmits the RRC connection establishment request message or the RRC connection resume request message to the first network based on the RRC connection cause. In one example, the terminal device transmits an RRC connection release request message to the second network.

It should be noted that, in the above solution, the AS of the terminal device essentially refers to the AS of the first communication card in the terminal device, and similarly, the NAS of the terminal device essentially refers to the NAS of the first communication card in the terminal device.

For example, the terminal device receives services through an USIM-A card, an USIM-B card of the terminal device is in an idle state or an inactive state, the NAS of the USIM-B card triggers an RRC connection establishment or resume to the AS, and the AS of the USIM-B card initiates an RRC connection establishment or resume process to a network corresponding to the USIM-B card. Further, the AS of the USIM-A card initiates an RRC connection release request to a network corresponding to the USIM-A card.

In the above solution, the RRC connection cause sent by the AS of the first communication card to the AS may include the following.

<FIG> is a first schematic structural composition diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is applied to a terminal device. As illustrated in <FIG>, the communication apparatus includes a receiving unit <NUM>, a determining unit <NUM>, and an indicating unit <NUM>.

The receiving unit <NUM> is configured to receive a paging message from a first network. The first network is a network corresponding to a first communication card in the terminal device.

The determining unit <NUM> is configured to determine whether to respond to the paging message based on a paging cause in the paging message.

The indicating unit <NUM> is configured to, in response to determining not to respond to the paging message, indicate to the first network that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message.

In an optional implementation, the receiving unit <NUM> is also configured to receive service data from a second network, and the second network is a network corresponding to a second communication card in the terminal device.

In an optional implementation, the determining unit <NUM> is configured to determine whether to respond to the paging message through a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) of the terminal device based on the paging cause in the paging message.

In an optional implementation, the first communication card is in an idle state, and the device also includes a transmitting unit <NUM>.

The transmitting unit <NUM> is configured to transmit the paging cause in the paging message to the NAS of the terminal device through an AS of the terminal device.

The determining unit <NUM> is also configured to determine first information through the NAS of the terminal device based on the paging cause.

The transmitting unit <NUM> is also configured to transmit the first information to the AS of the terminal device through the NAS of the terminal device; and initiate an RRC connection establishment process through the AS of the terminal device based on the first information.

In an optional implementation, the first information comprises at least one of: an access category, the access category being access category <NUM>; an RRC connection cause, the RRC connection cause being an mt-Access; or an NAS message, the NAS message being a service request message.

In an optional implementation, the first information includes at least one of: an access category, the access category being access category <NUM>; an RRC connection cause, the RRC connection cause being an mo-Signalling; or an NAS message, the NAS message carrying first indication information. The first indication information is used for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message, and/or, instructing a core network to stop paging the terminal device.

In an optional implementation, the determining unit <NUM> is configured to determine whether to allow access to the first network through the AS of the terminal device based on the access category.

The transmitting unit <NUM> is configured to, in a case where the access to the first network is allowed, transmit an RRC connection establishment request message to the first network through the AS of the terminal device. The RRC connection establishment request message carries the RRC connection cause.

In an optional implementation, the receiving unit <NUM> is also configured to receive an RRC connection establishment message from the first network through the AS of the terminal device.

The transmitting unit <NUM> is also configured to transmit an RRC connection establishment completion message to the first network. The RRC connection establishment completion message carries the NAS message.

In an optional implementation, the first communication card is in an inactive state, and the device further includes a transmitting unit <NUM>.

The determining unit <NUM> is configured to determine second information through the NAS of the terminal device based on the paging cause.

The transmitting unit <NUM> is also configured to transmit the second information to the AS of the terminal device through the NAS of the terminal device, and initiate an RRC connection resume process based on the second information through the AS of the terminal device.

In an optional implementation, the second information includes at least one of: an access category, the access category being access category <NUM>; an RRC connection cause, the RRC connection cause being an mt-Access; or second indication information, the second indication information being used for indicating whether the first communication card responds to the paging message.

In an optional implementation, the second information includes at least one of: an access category, the access category being access category <NUM>; an RRC connection cause, the RRC connection cause being an mo-Signalling; or second indication information, the second indication information being used for indicating whether the first communication card responds to the paging message.

In an optional implementation, the transmitting unit <NUM> is configured to transmit an RRC connection resume request message to the first network through the AS of the terminal device. In a case where the second indication information indicates that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message, the RRC connection resume request message carries third indication information for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message.

In an optional implementation, the transmitting unit <NUM> is configured to transmit an RRC connection resume request message to the first network through the AS of the terminal device. In a case where the second indication information indicates that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message, a first LCID of a CCCH corresponding to the RRC connection resume request message is used for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message.

In an optional implementation, the determining unit <NUM> is configured to determine whether to respond to the paging message through an AS of the terminal device based on the paging cause in the paging message.

In an optional implementation, the first communication card is in an inactive state, and the device also includes a transmitting unit <NUM>.

The transmitting unit <NUM> is configured to transmit an RRC connection resume request message to the first network through the AS of the terminal device. In a case where the AS determines not to respond to the paging message, the RRC connection resume request message carries third indication information for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message.

The transmitting unit <NUM> is configured to transmit an RRC connection resume request message to the first network through the AS of the terminal device. In a case where the AS determines not to respond to the paging message, a first LCID of a CCCH corresponding to the RRC connection resume request message is used for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message.

In an optional implementation, a header corresponding to the RRC connection resume request message in an MAC TB is a first header, and an LCID in the first header is the first LCID.

It is to be understood by those skilled in the art that the description of the communication apparatus described above in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be understood with reference to the description of the communication method in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a second schematic structural composition diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is applied to a first base station. As illustrated in <FIG>, the communication apparatus includes a transmitting unit <NUM> and a receiving unit <NUM>.

The transmitting unit <NUM> is configured to transmit a paging message to a terminal device. The first base station is a base station corresponding to a first communication card in the terminal device, and a paging cause in the paging message is used for the terminal device to determine whether to respond to the paging message.

The receiving unit <NUM> is configured to receive indication information from the terminal device. The indication information is used for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message.

In an optional implementation, the receiving unit <NUM> is configured to receive an RRC connection resume request message from the terminal device, and the RRC connection resume request message carries third indication information used for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message.

In an optional implementation, the receiving unit <NUM> is configured to receive an RRC connection resume request message from the terminal device, and a first LCID of a CCCH corresponding to the RRC connection resume request message is used for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message.

In an optional implementation, a header corresponding to the RRC connection resume request message carried in an MAC TB is a first header, and an LCID in the first header is the first LCID.

In an optional implementation, the transmitting unit <NUM> is also configured to transmit a context request message to a second base station. The context request message carries fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information is used for indicating that the terminal device does not respond to the paging message, and/or used for the second base station to decide not to migrate a context of the terminal device.

The receiving unit <NUM> is also configured to receive a context request failure message from the second base station, and the context request failure message carries an RRC release message.

The transmitting unit <NUM> is also configured to transmit the RRC release message to the terminal device.

In an optional implementation, the paging message is triggered by the second base station and the paging cause in the paging message is informed to the second base station by the core network control plane network element.

In an optional implementation, the second base station is an anchor base station.

<FIG> is a third schematic structural composition diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is applied to a terminal device. As illustrated in <FIG>, the communication apparatus includes a receiving unit <NUM>, a determining unit <NUM>, and a transmitting unit <NUM>.

The receiving unit <NUM> is configured to receive service data from a second network. The second network is a network corresponding to a second communication card in the terminal device, and the terminal device further has a first communication card.

The determining unit <NUM> is configured to determine a radio resource control (RRC) connection cause of the first communication card.

The transmitting unit <NUM> is configured to transmit an RRC connection establishment request message or an RRC connection resume request message to a first network based on the RRC connection cause. The first network is a network corresponding to the first communication card of the terminal device.

In an optional implementation, the transmitting unit <NUM> is also configured to transmit the RRC connection cause to an AS of the terminal device through an NAS of the terminal device, and transmit the RRC connection establishment request message or the RRC connection resume request message to the first network based on the RRC connection cause through the AS of the terminal device.

In an optional implementation, the RRC connection cause is an MO-signalling or an MO-data.

In an optional implementation, the RRC connection cause is an emergency or a highPriority Access.

In an optional implementation, the RRC connection cause is an mo-VoiceCall, or an mo-VideoCall, or an mo-SMS.

In an optional implementation, the RRC connection cause is an mps-Priority Access or an mcs-Priority Access.

In an optional implementation, the RRC connection cause is a radio access network notification area update (ma-Update).

In an optional implementation, the transmitting unit <NUM> is also configured to transmit an RRC connection release request message to the second network.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device may be the terminal device or the network device (such as, the first base station) The communication device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes a processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may call a computer program from a memory and run the computer program to perform the method in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In one example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the communication device <NUM> may also include a memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may call a computer program from the memory <NUM> and run the computer program to perform the method in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

The memory <NUM> may be a separate device from the processor <NUM>, or may be integrated into the processor <NUM>.

In one example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the communication device <NUM> may also include a transceiver <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may control the transceiver <NUM> to communicate with another device, specifically, to transmit information or data to another device, or receive information or data from another device.

In one example, the communication device <NUM> may specifically be the network device in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication device <NUM> may implement a corresponding process implemented by the network device in each method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, which will not be elaborated herein for brief description.

In one example, the communication device <NUM> may specifically be the mobile terminal/terminal device in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication device <NUM> may implement a corresponding process implemented by the mobile terminal/terminal device in each method of the embodiments of the disclosure, which will not be elaborated herein for brief description.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The chip <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes a processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> can call a computer program from a memory and run the computer program to perform the method in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In one example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the chip <NUM> may also include a memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may call a computer program from the memory <NUM> and run the computer program to perform the method in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

The memory <NUM> may be a separate device from the processor <NUM>, or may be integrated in the processor <NUM>.

In one example, the chip <NUM> may also include an input interface <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may control the input interface <NUM> to communicate with another device or chip, and specifically, may acquire information or data transmitted by another device or chip.

In one example, the chip <NUM> may also include an output interface <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may control the output interface <NUM> to communicate with another device or chip, and specifically, may output information or data to another device or chip.

In one example, the chip may be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The chip may implement a corresponding process implemented by the network device in each method of the embodiments of the disclosure, which will not be elaborated herein for brief description.

In one example, the chip may be applied to the mobile terminal/terminal device in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The chip may implement a corresponding process implemented by the mobile terminal/terminal device in each method of the embodiments of the disclosure, which will not be elaborated herein for brief description.

It is to be understood that in the embodiments of the disclosure, the chip may also be referred to as a system level chip, a system chip, a chip system or a system-on-chip.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the communication system <NUM> includes a terminal device <NUM> and a network device <NUM>.

The terminal device <NUM> may implement the corresponding functions implemented by the terminal device in the above methods, and the network device <NUM> may implement the corresponding functions implemented by the network device in the above methods. Details will not be elaborated herein for brief description.

It is to be understood that in the embodiments of the disclosure, the processor may be an integrated circuit chip with a signal processing capability. In an implementation process, each operation of the method embodiments may be completed by an integrated logical circuit of hardware in the processor or instructions in a software form. The processor may be a universal processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or another programmable logical device, discrete gate or transistor logical device and discrete hardware component. Each method, step and logical block diagram disclosed in the embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented or executed. The universal processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any related processor and the like. The operations of the methods disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the disclosure may be directly embodied to be executed and completed by a hardware decoding processor, or executed and completed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module may be located in a mature storage medium in the art, such as a Random Access Memory (RAM), a flash memory, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Electrically Erasable PROM (EEPROM) or a register. The storage medium is located in the memory. The processor reads information in the memory, and completes the operations of the above methods in combination with hardware of the processor.

It is to be understood that the memory in the embodiment of the disclosure may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include the volatile memory and the non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be an ROM, a PROM, an Erasable PROM (EPROM), an EEPROM or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be an RAM and is used as an external high-speed cache. It is exemplarily but unlimitedly described that RAMs in various forms may be adopted, such as a Static RAM (SRAM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), a Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), an Enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), a Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM) and a Direct Rambus RAM (DR RAM). It is to be noted that the memory of the system and the method described in the disclosure is intended to include but not limited to memories of these and any other suitable type.

It is to be understood that the above memory is exemplarily but unlimitedly described. For example, the memory in the embodiments of the disclosure may also be an SRAM, a DRAM, an SDRAM, a DDR SDRAM, an ESDRAM, an SLDRAM and a DR RAM. That is, the memory in the embodiments of the disclosure is intended to include but not limited to memories of these and any other suitable type.

The embodiments of the disclosure also provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing one or more computer programs.

In one embodiment, the computer-readable storage medium may be applied in the network device of the embodiments of the disclosure. The computer programs may enable a computer to perform the corresponding process implemented by the network device in each method of the embodiments of the disclosure, which will not be elaborated herein for brief description.

In one example, the computer-readable storage medium may be applied in the mobile terminal/terminal device of the embodiments of the disclosure. The computer programs may enable a computer to perform the corresponding process implemented by the mobile terminal/terminal device in each method of the embodiments of the disclosure, which will not be elaborated herein for brief description.

The embodiments of the disclosure also provide a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer program instructions.

In one embodiment, the computer program product may be applied in the network device of the embodiments of the disclosure. The computer program instructions may enable a computer to perform the corresponding process implemented by the network device in each method of the embodiments of the disclosure, which will not be elaborated herein for brief description.

In one example, the computer program product may be applied in the mobile terminal/terminal device of the embodiments of the disclosure. The computer program instructions may enable a computer to perform the corresponding process implemented by the mobile terminal/terminal device in each method of the embodiments of the disclosure, which will not be elaborated herein for brief description.

The embodiments of the disclosure also provide a computer program.

In one embodiment, the computer program may be applied in the network device of the embodiments of the disclosure. The computer program, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to perform the corresponding process implemented by the network device in each method of the embodiments of the disclosure, which will not be elaborated herein for brief description.

In one example, the computer program may be applied in the mobile terminal/terminal device of the embodiments of the disclosure. The computer program, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to perform the corresponding process implemented by the mobile terminal/terminal device in each method of the embodiments of the disclosure, which will not be elaborated herein for brief description.

Those of ordinary skill in the art may realize that the units and algorithm operations of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed in the disclosure may be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and the electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed in a hardware or software manner depends on specific applications and design constraints of the technical solutions. Professionals may realize the described functions for each specific application by use of different methods, but such realization shall fall within the scope of the disclosure.

Those skilled in the art may clearly leam about that specific working processes of the system, device and unit described above may refer to the corresponding processes in the method embodiments and will not be elaborated herein for convenient and brief description.

Claim 1:
A communication method, characterized by comprising:
receiving (<NUM>), by a terminal device (<NUM>), a paging message from a first network and service data from a second network, the first network being a Long Term Evolution, LTE, network or a New Radio, NR, network corresponding to a first communication card in the terminal device (<NUM>), the second network being an NR network corresponding to a second communication card in the terminal device (<NUM>), the first communication card being in an idle state and the second communication card being in a connected state;
determining (<NUM>), by the terminal device (<NUM>), whether to respond to the paging message based on a paging cause in the paging message, and indicating to the first network that the terminal device (<NUM>) does not respond to the paging message in response to determining not to respond to the paging message;
wherein determining (<NUM>), by the terminal device (<NUM>), whether to respond to the paging message based on the paging cause in the paging message comprises:
determining, by a Non-Access Stratum, NAS, of the terminal device (<NUM>), whether to respond to the paging message based on the paging cause in the paging message; and
the method further comprises:
transmitting, by an Access Stratum, AS, of the terminal device (<NUM>), the paging cause in the paging message to the NAS of the terminal device (<NUM>);
determining, by the NAS of the terminal device (<NUM>), first information based on the paging cause and transmitting the first information to the AS of the terminal device (<NUM>); and
initiating, by the AS of the terminal device (<NUM>), a radio resource control, RRC, connection establishment process based on the first information;
wherein the first information comprises at least one of:
an access category, the access category being access category <NUM>;
an RRC connection cause, the RRC connection cause being an mt-Access; or
an NAS message, the NAS message being a service request message.